Criterion Channel, Rising From FilmStruck Ashes, Sets April Launch Slate

March 22, 2019

assistant-director-behind-the-scene-board-1893526 — Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels under the Creative Commons License

Deadline Hollywood reports: “The Criterion Channel, the streaming service that is bringing classic films back online after the widely lamented shutdown last fall of WarnerMedia’s FilmStruck, has set the lineup for its launch on April 8. The channel features the same Criterion Collection and Janus Films titles that were on FilmStruck, which went dark last fall, prompting a backlash among a long list of A-list directors, not to mention thousands of fans of the service.”

Instagram is facing a reckoning over misinformation

Staff Report

March 22, 2019

The Verge reports: “Instagram has faced plenty of criticism before now, particularly around bullying issues on the platform. But lately, the more that journalists explore its dark corners, the more cause they find for concern. The platform is likely where the next great battle against misinformation will be fought, and yet it has largely escaped scrutiny.”

Spotify Begins New Label Licensing Talks On The Offense

Staff Report

March 22, 2019

Hypebot reports: “Spotify has begun negotiations to renew its licencees with all three major labels and other rights holders. The talks begin with Spotify on the offensive against the music industry on multiple fronts. The streamer must reach new deals this year with Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music, which together control about two-thirds of Spotify’s catalog.”

Sony will stream new game announcements on March 25th in State of Play broadcast

Staff Report

March 22, 2019

playstation — Photo via fridarika on Pixabay under the Creative Commons License

The Verge reports: “Sony has announced that it’ll be running a new ‘State of Play’ stream on March 25th, where it’ll announce new games, show off new trailers, and give updates on upcoming PS4 and PS VR titles. It’s a strategy that makes a lot of sense for Sony, which skipped its annual December showcase last year and has already said that it’ll be sitting out E3.”

As Layoffs Arrive, Disney and Fox Staff Voice Frustrations

Staff Report

March 22, 2019

Foxstudiosentrance — Photo via Coolcaesar on Wikimedia Commons under the Creative Commons License

The Hollywood Reporter reports: “At Walt Disney’s shareholder meeting two weeks ago, CEO Bob Iger spoke of the ‘long-term value’ inherent in the company’s pending acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox. ‘We will hit the ground running as soon as the deal closes,’ he told attendees. Part of the frustration, multiple employees tell The Hollywood Reporter, is that Disney has been less than forthcoming about who will be let go and when.”

Netflix Tries Out Mobile-Only Subscription Plan in India

Staff Report

March 22, 2019

Variety reports: “Streaming giant Netflix is testing a mobile-only subscription in India that costs half of its basic plan. Netflix India’s monthly plans begin at INR500 ($7.27). The mobile only plan is being trialled at INR250 ($3.63) per month. In November 2018, Netflix had launched a similar half-price mobile plan in Malaysia, and a few other territories that the company declined to identify.”

The MPAA says streaming video has surpassed cable subscriptions worldwide

Staff Report

March 21, 2019

freestocks-org-618080-unsplash — Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash under the Creative Commons License

The Verge reports: “The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) reported today that the world’s entertainment market — encompassing both theatrical and home releases — grew to a new high in 2018: $96.8 billion, 9 percent over 2017. In particular, it highlighted the rapid growth of streaming video, which grew to 613 million subscriptions worldwide, an increase of 27 percent over 2017.”

Xbox One S is reportedly getting a disc-free version in May

Staff Report

March 21, 2019

Microsoft-Xbox-One-S-Console-wController-L — Photo via Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons License

Tech Crunch reports: “The writing has been on the wall for physical media for a while now. In May, Microsoft is reportedly set to hammer another nail into that coffin with the launch of the Xbox One S All-Digital. As advertised, the latest version of the console will drop the Blu-ray drive in favor of an all downloadable experience.”

Tencent Profits Hit $1 Billion Per Month As Company Loses Fizz

Staff Report

March 21, 2019

Tencent_HQ — Photo via Dmitry Lysenko on Wikimedia Commons under the Creative Commons License

Variety reports: “Growing regulatory encroachments into its games business, a smaller than expected spin-off for its music division, and a fourth quarter profits drop, pointed to a troubling year for Chinese tech giant Tencent. Its financial results for the full 2018 period, while delivering profits of nearly $1 billion a month, appeared to bear out that thesis.”

Walmart exploring its own game streaming service

Staff Report

March 21, 2019

Photo via Walmart on Flickr under the Creative Commons License

Gamesindustry.biz reports: “The list of big players interested in the game streaming space is getting longer, as USgamer reported yesterday that Walmart is considering entering the on-demand fray. Walmart is not entirely new to media streaming. The company owns Vudu, the download or on-demand video provider that makes TV shows and movies available to buy, rent, or watch for free with advertising breaks.”

Digital Media Wire