The strategies of global platforms are diversifying: sales to third parties, premium TVOD close to theatrical release, multiplication of distribution agreements and platforms. For all that, profitability is still a long way off. The experiments of certain platforms, first and foremost Netflix, are causing concern in some quarters of the industry. The question of transparency has never been more pressing, especially for Hollywood screenwriters and actors.
The fourteenth edition of our Digital Market News Bulletin, which is reserved for Unifrance members (and is only available in French) takes a look at events in the global digital distribution market during the months of April, May, June, and early July.
Is this the end of SVOD exclusivity? In any case, Warner Bros Discovery has sprung a surprise by selling part of its HBO catalog to Netflix, its direct competitor. Disney, for its part, has withdrawn a number of original productions from its platform. These decisions aren't all that surprising: leaving programs online may not be the best way to make the most of them, especially as their mere presence comes at a cost, particularly in terms of royalties and bonuses owed to talent.
These royalties are at the heart of the Hollywood writers' and actors' strike. The lack of information on the platforms' audience figures has profoundly disturbed the value chain of an industry normally driven by success. In any case, the long-awaited common measure is still a long way off, and the multiplication of advertising models is not yet hastening its creation.
The other topic of the last few months has been the role that artificial intelligence could play in the sector, which is the subject of many fears and concerns. It is perhaps no coincidence that, during this same period, European regulators have been particularly active. Transpositions of the AVMS Directive are multiplying, and some ambitious bills to bring the obligations of platforms into line with those of traditional broadcasters are seeing the light of day, notably in the UK.
UniFrance's daily digital market update is available on our dedicated Twitter account: @UnifranceNum
Données VOD
This content is for registered users only.
Are you a member? Please login to view content.
