Hulu

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Jonah Rappaport

hulu company logo [1]

Founded: March 2007 by Beth Comstock & Jason Kilar

Jason Kilar [3]

Beth Comstock [2]

CEO: Mike Hopkins

Mike Hopkins [19]

SVP, Head of Distribution: Tim Connolly

Tim Connolly [19]

SVP, Head of Content: Craig Erwich

Craig Erwich [19]

SVP, General Counsel: Chadwick Ho

Chadwick Ho [19]

About

Hulu is an OTT (over the top) streaming service launched in 2008 to provide users with “hundreds of thousands of hours of the best of the best television programming and movies to subscribers with limited commercials” [4]. Hulu offers its services in both the United States and Japan on two pay scales: “with limited commercials for $7.99 per month or with no commercials for $11.99 per month” [4]. New users can also try Hulu for a 30-day free trial.

Compared to other OTT streaming services like Netflix and HBO Go, Hulu has the benefit of being owned by three of the largest programming distributors: NBCUniversal, Fox, and Disney-ABC. In total, Hulu has over 500 content partners [4], providing them a great advantage in programming over their competitors. On the advertising side, Hulu has partnerships with over 2,000 brand and companies, helping it gain recognition as one of “the top ad-supported online video sites” [4]. Hulu boasts a subscriber base of 9 Million users whose viewership trends are tracked by ComScore, Nielson, and Quantcast.

Background

Hulu was first announced during the Super Bowl XLII broadcast via an Alec Baldwin-starring commercial. Initially, the platform was available for free via an ad-supported system and at a premium level called “Hulu Plus” without ads. Archived content from its three powerhouse distributors (NBC/Fox/Disney) could be viewed in on an unlimited basis on both platforms. In 2011; however, Hulu announced that content would be available on the service the day after premiering once users authenticated their service-providers [5]. Later that year, the company struck a deal with the CW Network to also premiere their content next-day [6]. Two years later, Hulu signed on with BBC Worldwide North America to “bring as many as 2,000 episodes from 144 different BBC titles to a wider American audience” [7].

In Early 2015, AT&T struck a deal with Hulu to allow for streaming on “the telecom company’s websites and mobile apps” [11]. In June of 2015, Showtime became “the first premium service to be offered by Hulu” [8], in a monumental deal that allowed the company to effectively compete HBO Go by offering the addition of Showtime‘s premium content at only an additional $8.99/month as compared to HBO Go‘s $11.99/month charge [8]. This deal also showcased the Hulu platform’s ability to support premium add-ons, highlighting them as a powerful distribution tool for premium content providers. In

Original Programming

In 2011, Hulu partnered with documentary film-maker, Morgan Spurlock, on a 6-episode series titled, “A Day In The Life” [9]. The show was available to both free and premium subscribers and chronicled Spurlock as he followed a famous individual around for a day. In 2013, the company ramped up it’s original content by premiering “three original series and seven exclusive shows” [10]. As of April, 2016, the platform boasts 23 original titles, ranging from shows like The Awesomes to Deadbeat.

Exclusive Rights Deals

Currently, Hulu is focussed on acquiring rights to exclusive content and original series in order to lure potential users. This January, the company gained exclusive rights to stream “Lifetime’s critically acclaimed drama series from A+E Studios, UnREAL” [11] This move, which gambled on the success of a critically acclaimed show after it’s first season, highlights the mindset of much of the company’s moves thus far in 2016. In addition to UnReal, Hulu also picked up the rights to Chance, “a provocative psychological thriller that focuses on a forensic neuropsychiatrist who reluctantly gets sucked into a violent and dangerous world of mistaken identity, police corruption and mental illness” [12].

On January 27, Hulu announced a “landmark output deal” with IFC Films that makes “Hulu the exclusive streaming home for all future documentary releases from IFC Films, which will include all documentaries from the brands IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight” [15]. In a first-of-its-kind deal, all IFC films will now go directly from theaters to the Hulu platform in the first “one-window” agreement of its kind [15].

Curious George [17]

In March, Hulu and Universal announced a deal that gives the platform exclusive rights to the Curious George series for past and future releases within the window of a three-year deal [16]. In total, Hulu users “gain access to all nine seasons – over 100 episodes – of CURIOUS GEORGE^® TV series”. Additionally, Hulu will be the home to all Curious George feature-length films and the destination of “direct-to-TV specials” [16].

Content Creator

Aside from picking up the rights to existing content, Hulu sees itself as a platform for content creators to flex their muscles. Speaking at the Code/Media conference, CEO Mike Hopkins said, “What we’re trying to do is give creators the resources they need … and go for it” [14]. While the company is “lacking a defining show like “Orange Is the New Black” or “Transparent,” [14] Hulu is confident in its ability to win bidding wars for broadcast smash-hits, something apparent in the company’s success at beating out Netflix and HBO Go for the rights to Fox‘s Empire.

Virtual Reality

On March 24, Hulu announced the launch of it’s virtual reality application. Available on Samsung’s Gear VR platform, Hulu says that it will be bringing all current content to the app and will be “augmenting the experience with some of the very best 360-degree video content available” [18]. Additionally, the company states that users will be able to “watch the entire Hulu 2D library in immersive 360-degree environments” [18].

Overview

With the competitive world of OTT streaming as fiery a battle as ever, Hulu sees to distance itself from the competition by providing its users with innovative, exclusive content. To reel in new customers, the company hopes to be the first to strike gold in new ventures such as virtual reality and will continue to hope that its licensing deals continue to drive revenues.

Sources

[1] http://www.freelogovectors.net/hulu-logo-eps-file/

[2] Dan, Avi. “GE’s CMO Beth Comstock Inspires Innovation Through Instigating.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/avidan/2012/04/19/ges-cmo-beth-comstock-inspires-innovation-through-instigating/#61e6696d3de4>.

[3] Jason Kilar, Chief Executive Officer of Hulu LLC, Speaks during A…” Getty Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/jason-kilar-chief-executive-officer-of-hulu-llc-speaks-news-photo/123197454>.

[4] About Hulu.” Watch TV and Movies on Xbox, PS3, Apple TV, and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/about>.

[5] Stelter, Brian. “Fox to Limit Next-Day Streaming on Hulu to Paying Cable Customers.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 July 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/business/media/fox-to-limit-next-day-streaming-on-hulu.html>.

[6] Wasserman, Todd. “Hulu to Get Current Season of Gossip Girl and Other CW Content.” Mashable. N.p., 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://mashable.com/2011/10/28/hulu-gossip-girl-cw/#0f8HZKPPEsqq>.

[7] Hulu BBC Deal: A Positive Step After Some Cloudy Times » CEOWORLD Magazine.” CEOWORLD Magazine. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/18/hulu-bbc-deal-a-positive-step-after-some-cloudy-times>.

[8] Perez, Sarah. “Showtime Becomes The First Premium Service To Be Offered By Hulu.” TechCrunch. N.p., 23 June 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/23/showtime-becomes-the-first-premium-service-to-be-offered-by-hulu/>.

[9] Emami, Gazelle. “Morgan Spurlock ‘A Day In The Life’: Original Series Premieres On Hulu (VIDEO).” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/17/morgan-spurlock-a-day-in-the-life_n_929008.html>.

[10] Gates, Sara. “Hulu Expands Original Content, Announces Three Series And Seven Exclusive Shows (VIDEO).” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/hulu-expands-original-content_n_1532718.html>.

[11] Smiley, Minda. “AT&T Strikes Deal with Hulu to Offer Subscription Service to Its Customers.” The Drum. N.p., 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/05/14/att-strikes-deal-hulu-offer-subscription-service-its-customers>.

[12] News.” TV Shows and Movies. Ed. Press Admin. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/posts/hulu-acquires-exclusive-svod-rights-to-unreal>.

[13] News.” Watch TV and Movies on Xbox, PS3, Apple TV, and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/posts/hulu-picks-up-chance>.

[14] CHMIELEWSKI, Dawn. “Hulu Finally Gets Serious With Original TV Series — But Is It Too Little, Too Late?” Recode. N.p., 18 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://recode.net/2016/02/18/hulu-finally-gets-serious-with-original-tv-series-but-is-it-too-little-too-late/>.

[15] Press Admin. “HULU STRIKES FIRST EVER DEAL FOR PAY ONE WINDOW RIGHTS WITH IFC FILMS.” Hulu.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/posts/hulu-strikes-first-ever-deal-for-pay-one-window-rights-with-ifc-films>.

[16] Press Admin. “HULU and UNIVERSAL INK GROUNDBREAKING DEAL FOR CURIOUS GEORGE® TV.” Hulu News. N.p., 17 Mar. 2016. Web. <http://www.hulu.com/press/news>.

[17] http://www.rivercenter.org/event/curious-george-2/

[18] Press Admin. “Hulu Launches Virtual Reality Application.” Hulu News. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/posts/hulu-launches-virtual-reality-application>.

[19] Press Admin. “Executives.” Hulu Executives. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hulu.com/press/executives>.

AMC Networks Inc.

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Hsin-Tzu Lin

by Hsin-Tzu (Teresa) Lin

ABOUT AMC NETWORKS INC. :

[1] AMC Networks Inc. Logo

Founded in 1980 (formally known as Rainbow Media Holdings LLC), AMC Networks Inc. [2] is an American Entertainment company currently standing as the one of the leading cable television broadcasters in the United States. AMC Networks owns and operates various popular channels within the cable television realm: AMC, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), Sundance TV, Women’s Entertainment TV (WE tv), and IFC Films [3]. The company also acquired Chellomedia in 2013 and through a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, now operates BBC America as well [3]. With an impressive programming portfolio, the cable network has aired many critical and popular series such as “Breaking Bad”, “Walking Dead”, and “Mad Men”, reaching more than 95 million households across the country [4].

HEADQUARTERS ADDRESS:

11 Penn Plaza,

New York, NY 10001,

United States

EXECUTIVES:

: Charles F. Dolan – Executive Chairman

: Joshua W. Sapan – President and Chief Executive Officer

: Edward A. Carroll – Chief Operating Officer

[5]

FINANCIALS AND STRATEGIES:

AMC Networks Inc. is a publicly traded company with a stock price of $77.27 as of April 16^th 2015 [3]. In its fourth quarter reports of 2014, AMC Networks exceeded expert estimates with the reported $1.15 earnings per share, vastly beating the prediction of $0.99 [6]. Its fourth quarter also showed promising numbers as the company’s revenue increased 40%[7] to $609.44 million [8], and also revealed a 24.3% jump in advertising revenues [7] to $255 million [9]. The company continues to expect the advertising sector to be the “growth driver” of the year. AMC Networks’ First Quarter 2015 report will be released May 4^th [10].

[17] Chellomedia’s Logo

It has been a fruitful and successful season for AMC Networks. With its strategic acquisition of Chellomedia[17] and partnership with BBC Worldwide, AMC Networks has greatly boosted its international revenue by 516% to $110.3 million [11], helping the company exceed estimated Q4 earnings. The company also seeks further development through striking a deal with Dish Network Corporation: to include AMC’s “Walking Dead” and “Mad Men” in Sling TV, its newly launched online video streaming service [12].

SPRING 2015 – THE SEASON OF NEW SERIES SPINOFFS:

AMC has carried numerous programs throughout its 30 years of existence. Amongst its most popular and successful are “Breaking Bad”, “Walking Dead”, and “Mad Men”. The former two of these series have sprung a spinoff off their original plot-lines, in hopes to further continue the series’ monumental success and keep their fan-base after losing “Breaking Bad” after the series has aired [26].

♦Breaking Bad and its spinoff “Better Call Saul”♦

Game changer underdog series “Breaking Bad” has finished its run, ending with 10.3 million viewers and a 5.2 rating within the adults the 18-49 demographic[13]. From its previous season (premiered in 2013), Walter White and Jesse Pinkman have brought in an astonishing 442% increase in viewership within just two years[13]. With this kind of result, AMC released a trial prequel spinoff series “Better Call Saul” earlier this year to extend the popular series further. “Saul” wrapped its first season with amazing results, raking in $2.53 million viewers overall, and very positive reviews (Click here to read why people think “Saul” might just be better than “Breaking Bad”). AMC Networks turned their best assets into best revenue generators, working to increase consumption of their most popular series even after it is gone.

♦“The Walking Dead” and its spinoff “Fear the Walking Dead”♦

One of AMC’s most popular cable television shows, “The Walking Dead”, delivered stellar numbers on its season finale. The Season 5 finale episode drew in an averaged rating of 8.2 within the adults 18-49 demographic[16] (and gathering 15.8 million viewers overall)[14]. This has been the highest rated season of “The Walking Dead” in this television season. Seeing the previous spinoff “Better Call Saul’s” success, “The Walking Dead” creator, Robert Kirkman, green-lighted another series spinoff “Fear the Walking Dead” to air in Summer 2015. The six-episode prequel mini-series[15] has already created significant anticipation within the “The Walking Dead” fan base, keeping the audience in the loop as they wait for Season 6 of “The Walking Dead” premiering in October[15].

: “Breaking Bad” spinoff – “Better Call Saul”

: “The Walking Dead” Prequel – “Fear the Walking Dead”

[18] [19]

This tactic of releasing spinoffs in order to maintain and possibly increase their audience base is currently working extremely well for AMC Networks Inc. “Better Call Saul” ended its first season strongly, and “Fear the Walking Dead” has generated great potential for its release in the summer. The success of “The Walking Dead” and “Breaking Bad” has been extremely beneficial to the company and creating a prequel/spinoff to the original series was a wise direction to lead to.

OTHER PROGRAM NEWS

AMC Networks also houses the growingly popular series “Orphan Black”, and the critically acclaimed, award winning “Mad Men”.

[21] Orphan Black Season 2 Cast

Just recently, Season 3 of “Orphan Black” ran across all 5 network channels of AMC Networks (AMC, SundanceTV, IFC, We TV, and BBC America) as a way to boost the series’ audience reach. AMC Networks COO Edward A. Carroll quotes…

“AMC Networks is a channel group known for high-quality storytelling and creating a premiere television event for ‘Orphan Black’ is a perfect opportunity to use our programming assets to help extend the reach of this quality series.”

[20]

[22] Mad Men in AMC Networks is not doing as well as it should

Although considered as one of the best dramas in cable, “Mad Men” does not pull as much of an audience as it should [23]. Unfortunately, “Mad Men” was ranked #21 amongst other cable dramas last year [23]. Despite this, AMC Networks announced that the ad spaces on “Mad Men’s” season finale on May 17^th have been completely sold out [24], still indicating the affluence and importance of the show.

WHAT IS NEXT?

As AMC Networks Inc. develops, CEO Josh Sapan quotes that international expansion “continues to be a focus” and allowing AMC Networks to “capitalize long term on international pay TV growth and drive long-term value for our shareholders.” [11] With the acquisition of Chellomedia and BBC America, AMC is now transitioning towards a more global distribution to show it’s content. AMC now is available in 120 countries as well as the Sundance Channel in 70 countries [25].

AMC Networks Inc. has a bright future ahead of its path. Not only is the company busy with its national expansion with series spinoffs, but it is also seeking to expand globally to distribute its contents to the world. Global distribution would only propel AMC Networks’ development forwards and bring the company to the next level of the cable television realm.

SOURCES –

[1] AMC Network Inc. Logo. Logosandbrands.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[2] AMC Network Inc. Website. Amcnetwork.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[3] AMC Network Company Profile. Yahoo Finance, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[4] AMC Network Company Information. Hoovers, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[5] AMC Network Executives. Amcnetwork.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[6] “AMC Networks Now Covered by Piper Jaffray (AMCX). Dakota Financial News, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[7] “AMC Networks’ Walking Dead Finale Sees Record Closing”. Zacks.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[8] “AMC Networks Receives “Hold” Rating from Evercore Partners Inc. (AMCX)”. Mideasttime.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[9] “AMC Networks Ad Revenue Jumps on Demand for Original Programming”. Wall Street Journal, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[10] “AMC Networks to Report First Quarter 2015 Results”. Yahoo Finance, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[11] “AMC Networks International Operations Help It To Beat Q4 Earnings Expectations”. Deadline.com, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[12] “Dish Network Rolls Out Sling TV, Reaches Deal With AMC”. Wall Street Journal, Retrieved April 14th 2015.

[13] “‘Breaking Bad’ series finale ratings smash all records”. Entertainment Weekly, Retrieved April 16th 2015.

[14] “‘The Walking Dead’ Season 5 Finale is Highest Rated Finale in Series History, Garnering 15.8 Million Viewers”. TVByTheNumbers.com, Retrieved April 16th 2015.

[15] “Here’s the First Teaser for The Walking Dead Spin-Off”. Vanity Fair, Retrieved April 16th 2015.

[16] “AMC’s ‘Walking Dead’ Draws Record Finale Ratings”. Variety.com, Retrieved April 16th 2015.

[17] Chellomedia’s Logo. Chellomediapaytv.com, Retrieved April 16th 2015.

[18] Better Call Saul Photo. Amcnetworks.com, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[19] Fear the Walking Dead Photo. fansided.com, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[20] “‘Orphan Black’ Season Premiere to Air Across All AMC Networks Channels”. Variety.com, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[21] Orphan Black Season 2 Cast photo. TVLine.com, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[22] Mad Men Cast Photo. pop-break.com, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[23] “‘Mad Men’ brings prestige, if not powerful ratings, to AMC”. CNN Money, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[24] “AMC sells out advertising space for the ‘Mad Men’ series finale”. CNN Money, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[25] “Investors Better Call AMC Networks, Company Is Far From Walking Dead”. Seeking Alpha, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

[26] “‘Better Call Saul’: More AMC spin-offs to join ‘Breaking Bad’ prequel” Entertainment Weekly, Retrieved April 17th 2015.

AMC Networks

Posted on October 5, 2014 by mtzukin

by Meg Zukin

AMC Networks

photo courtesy of under consideration.com [i]

Contact Information[ii]—

11 Penn Plaza

New York, NY 10001

Main phone: 212-324-8500

http://www.amcnetworks.com

About—

AMC Networks is an American entertainment company which owns and operates AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, WE, IFC Films, and AMC Networks International. Initially, AMC was known as Rainbow Media Holdings and until 2011, was a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems. In 2011, Cablevision made Rainbow Media Holdings a publicly traded company and changed its name to AMC Networks [iii].

AMC has recently gained momentum through television shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad, on its cable channel, AMC [iv]. IFC Films and its affiliate channel, IFC, are responsible for indie films like Boyhood [v] and quirky television comedies like Portlandia [vi]. Recently, the company acquired a 49.9% stake in BBC through a joint venture that cost $200 million [vii].

Key Executives—

Charles Dolan, Executive Chairman AMC Networks

Josh Sapan, President and CEO of AMC Networks

Charlie Collier, President and General Manager of amc

Jennifer Caserta, President and General Manager of IFC

Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager of BBC America and SundanceTV

Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects and IFC Films

Marc Juris, President and General Manager of WE tv

Pictures and titles courtesy of http://www.amcnetworks.com/about-us/leadership [viii]

Financials—

AMC Networks just reported its third quarter earnings. Net revenues increased a whopping 31.4% to $520 million [ix]. International revenue reached $122.7 million, up 765% from last year. This could be attributed to acquisitions of both BBC and Chellomedia, a deal AMC made in February which gave them a stack of networks in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia [x]. The company also reported earnings of $53.2 million, or 74 cents a share. Analysts estimated that AMC Networks would come in at 73 cents a share and thus, they surpassed projections [xi].

According to the third quarter report, AMC Networks is currently working with a $110 million operating income [xii].

When the market closed on December 1, 2014, AMCX was down 1.34% at $63.99 per share. The company hit a low-point in mid-October at $52.75 per share and was at its highest in March at $77.40 per share. Looking at the past 3 years (when AMCX became a publicly traded company), we see exponential growth overall.

photo courtesy of Google Finance [xxx]

What’s Happening Now?—

Sarah Barnett Named President and General Manager, BBC America

AMC Networks announced last week (November 21, 2014) that current SundanceTV chief, Sarah Barnett, would be moving up to President and General Manager of BBC America [xiii]. Barnett began her career at BBC in production before she spent a decade at SundanceTV. She will start her new position in January, surveying over both SundanceTV and BBC America until AMC taps someone else to oversee SundanceTV. The current General Manager at BBC, Perry Simon, who was on the team behind Orphan Black, is moving to production with BBC Worldwide North America [xv].

Barnett certainly has the chops for an upgrade in position. Under her reign, she established Sundance as an original programming network with shows like Rectify, Top of the Lake, and The Honourable Woman [xvi] With this new position she will continue to report to Ed Carroll, Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks.

AMC Announces Two-Night Premiere for Spin-Off Series “Better Call Saul”

AMC’s next new drama series, Better Call Saul, will debut on Sunday, February 8 with its second episode debuting the next night, Monday, February 9 [xvii]. The series follows Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman, prior to him becoming Walter White’s lawyer lawyer.

video courtesy of AMC Networks on Youtube [xviii]

The back-to-back premiere is “AMC’s first ever two-night series premiere event” according to Charlie Collier [xix]. Season one is slated for 10 episodes and Talking Dead will air before it, a solid segue for high-ratings for both shows. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan co-created the spin-off with writer-director Peter Gould [xx].

AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide Enter Partnership

In October, AMC Networks bought a 49.9% stake in the BBC America cable channel. They paid $200 million to BBC Worldwide and the marriage between the two companies leaves BBC with a 50.1% stake in BBC America [xxi]. BBC America is available in almost 80 million homes domestically and was the most critically acclaimed channel on ad-supported television in 2013 [xxii].

BBC America will be managed as a standalone channel within AMC, much like how AMC, WE tv, and SundanceTV are operated. Even though BBC still has a grander stake in its American counterpart, AMC Networks will maintain operational control over the company, as well as affiliate and advertising sales [xxiii].

This agreement occurred almost exactly on the one-year anniversary of AMC’s $1 billion acquisition of Liberty Global’s international network, Chellomedia. That acquisition led to AMC Networks International which is available in 140 countries [xxiv].

AMC Networks/IFC Films Acquires Rights to “October Gale”

IFC Films bought the American rights to writer-director Ruba Nadda‘s thriller, October Gale, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. IFC Films also released another film by Nadda, Cairo Time. The film stars Patricia Clarkson, Tim Roth, and Scott Speedman. Clarkson plays a doctor who takes in a skeptical man when he floats ashore at her secluded cabin with a gunshot wound [xxv]. Myriad Pictures is handling worldwide sales.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Return to Portlandia

Portlandia will return to IFC for its ten-episode fifth season in January. This season will showcase a laundry list of cameos including Vanessa Bayer, Steve Buscemi, Peter Giles, Justin Long, Shepard Fairey, Jane Lynch, and Olivia Wilde, amongst others [xxvi].

video courtesy of IFC Youtube

Viewers will be able to recap previous seasons on New Year’s Day when IFC will air a marathon but seasons 1 through 4 are also available on Netflix and iTunes [xxvii].

IFC Orders New Comedy Series: “Gigi’s Bucket List”

IFC has ordered a series starring David Krumholtz as “Gigi,” a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother from Boca Raton, Florida. Krumholtz is also an executive producer along with Grandma’s House Entertainment.

It will shoot this year and is slated to air in 2015. Gigi indulges herself after she discovers that she has access to her dead husband’s bank account [xxviii]. This series fits in with IFC’s quirky personality and will air in 73 million U.S. homes [xix].

David Dobkin to Direct “Badlands” for AMC

In July, AMC ordered Badlands, a martial arts drama that is loosely based on the Chinese Journey to the West. It is the third AMC series that was picked up straight to series at the network [xxxi].

However, it was announced on November 24, 2014 that director David Dobkin has signed onto the project as series director and executive producer. Dobkin has worked on Wedding Crashers and Shanghai Knights previously. AMC bought six, one-hour, episodes with an expected premiere either in late 2015 or early 2016 [xxxii].

Works Cited—

[i] AMC Logo accessed 11/20/2014

[ii] AMC Contact accessed 11/20/2014

[iii] Hoovers AMC profile accessed 11/20/2014

[iv] AMC Shows accessed 11/20/2014

[v] Boyhood, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vi] Portlandia, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vii] AMC Networks/BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[viii] AMC Leadership accessed 11/22/2014

[ix] Quarter Earnings accessed 11/30/2014

[x] Chellomedia deal accessed 12/1/2014

[xi] Quarter projections accessed 11/30/2014

[xii] Operating income accessed 11/30/2014

[xiii] Sarah Barnett, BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[xiv] Perry Simon future plans accessed 12/1/2014

[xv] BBC Worldwide North America accessed 12/1/2014

[xvi] Sarah Barnett at Sundance accessed 11/22/2014

[xvii] Better Call Saul premiere accessed 10/28/2014

[xviii] Better Call Saul video accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] AMC double night debut accessed 12/1/2014

[xx] Co-creators Better Call Saul accessed 12/1/2014

[xxi] BBC deal accessed 11/24/2014

[xxii] Metacritic BBC critically-acclaimed accessed 11/29/2014

[xxiii] BBC America management accessed 12/1/2014

[xxiv] Chellomedia acquisition accessed 12/1/2014

[xxv] October Gale acquisition accessed 10/28/2014

[xxvi] Portlandia fifth season accessed 12/1/2014

[xxvii] Recap New Year’s Day accessed 12/1/2014

[xxviii] IFC orders comedy series accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] IFC series accessed 12/1/2014

[xxx] Current state of stock market accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxi] Badlands accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxii] David Dobkin signs on accessed 12/1/2014

Focus Features

Link

by Lizzie Kelleher

History

David Linde and James Schamus formed Focus Features in 2002, after the divisional merger of USA Films and Good Machine. Focus Features was created as the art cinema division of NBC Universal, typically producing, and distributing, their own independent films. With cult classics like Wet Hot American Summer and other successful films such as Brokeback Mountain, Focus Features gains a steady profit from it’s US and international branches. [1]

In 2013, Focus Features went through a merger with FilmDistrcit, and the company’s executive team was completely changed. Peter Schlessel replaced James Schamus as CEO, and Andrew Karpen, former co-CEO, decided not to return to the company.

Key Executives

Peter Schlessel- Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Peter Schlessel started at Sony, then became president of Columbia Pictures in 2000. He then moved on to run the independent film distribution company FilmDistrict. Schlessel joined from FilmDistrict, which was absorbed by Focus Features in 2013. He now acts as CEO, and has created a new management team. [2]

Adrian Aplerovich- Photo courtesy of Home Media Magazine

Adrian Alperovich was named Focus Features’ new Chief Operating Officer in 2013, also joining from FilmDistrict. [3]

Financials

As of Apirl 2014, Focus Features has a total gross of $44.9 million with only four movies. Acting as a private company, in 2013 Focus Features finished with annual gross of $37.3 million, up from $21.8 million is 2012. Two of Focus Features’ films did appear on the top 100 List for all movie grosses in 2013, with Dallas Buyers Club and The World’s End. Dallas Buyers Club’s critical acclaim helped the studio climb the list thanks to its high gross. However, there is speculation that Focus failed to turn an overall profit last year, which possibly led to the remolding of the company. Top competitors include DreamWorks, Lions Gate, and IFC Films. [4] [5] [6]

Recent Film Releases

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Jean-Marc Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club, is the story inspired by true events of Ron Woodroof’s refusal to accept his death. After being diagnosed as H.I.V positive, Ron is given 30 days to live. In search of better medication than the U.S can offer, Ron goes to Mexico and begins smuggling in different treatments. After befriending Rayon, who also is suffering from AIDS, the two form an underground “buyers club” to defy the scientific community, by providing H.I.V –positive people with non-approved medicine, and most importantly, hope. [7]

Dallas Buyers Club began its theatrical run in a limited release in only 9 theaters, but would eventually spread across the country to play in more than 1,100 theaters in its thirteenth week. The film has made a total domestic gross of more than $27 million, on a production budget of only $5 million. [8]

After its premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival, Dallas Buyers Club received high critical acclaim, and the film went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won lead actor Matthew McConaughey Best Actor. [7] [8] [9]

Current Film Releases

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Bad Words is a dark comedy staring, and directed by, Jason Bateman. Guy Trilby is a 40-year old spelling bee loser, who fights his way back into the National Quill Spelling Bee to win as an adult. Outraging parents and their 8^th grade children alike, Guy befriends a 10-year old named Chaitanya, whom he shows the crazier side of living, while also changing his own life. [10]

Bad Words opened with limited release on March 14^th, than expanded wide on March 28^th, eventually to 1,074 theaters. On the weekend domestic chart for April 4^th, Bad Words ranked overall 11^th, with a weekend gross of almost $2 million. The comedy now has a cumulative box office of over $7 million (as of April 21, 2014). [11]

The R-rated comedy received a 7 out of 10 on IMDb, but a weaker 56% positive review on Metacritic. However, overall reviews for the film are positive, Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly praised Bad Words as “Grade A-Hilarious.” [12] [13] [10] [11]

Upcoming Projects

In the process of production-

Courtesy of Indiewire

Focus Features is looking to take the place of The Weinstein Company to handle the domestic distribution of Passengers, a 2007 Black-List approved project staring Keanu Reeves. On his way to a distant planet, Reeves is a passenger, who wakes up from his sleep chamber years before anyone else. He decides to wake up a fellow female traveler for company, and the two fall in love, making Passengers a sci-fi romance. Game of Thrones director Brian Kirk is set to direct the film.

Reeves hired Jon Spaihts to write Passengers, and afterwards Reeves agreed to produce and star in the film. Spaihts is best known for co-writing Prometheus, another futuristic thriller that jump-started his career. While The Weinstein Company withdrew from the project after female lead Rachel McAdams left, Focus Features must see commercial potential in this high-value screenplay. [14] [15]

Courtesy of Focus Features

Focus Features has acquired rights to the 2014 Sundance Film Festival premiere Under the Electric Sky. The 3D film follows the Electric Daisy Carnival, and explores the phenomenon of electronic and dance music today.

The movie is interactive, with Focus Features encouraging audiences to use social media to spread word about the movie. Fans will also be able to create their own movie screening events. Under the Electric Sky is directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. [16]

Coming Soon

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

The Signal, set to release this June, is a sci-fi thriller directed by up-and-comer William Eubank. The film premiered at the Sun-Dance Film Festival. [17]

Courtesy of IMDb

The Boxtrolls is a 3D animated adventure coming alive next October. Based on the children’s novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow, is the story of a orphan boy, Eggs, who is raised underground by a group of ‘boxtrolls.’ The family film is created along with animation studio Laika.

Laika is known for their successful films like Coraline and ParaNorman, leaving The Boxtrolls set to have high expectations. [18]

Sources

[1] About Focus Features

[2] About Peter Schlessel

[3] About Adrian Alperovich

[4] Focus Features Yearly Comparisons- Box Office Mojo

[5] Focus Features “Failed Profit”- The Wrap

[6] Focus Features Competition- Hoovers

[7] About Dallas Buyers Club- Focus Features

[8] Dallas Buyers Club- Box Office Mojo

[9] Oscar Winners and Nominees

[10] About Bad Words- Focus Features

[11] Bad Words Box Office- The Numbers

[12] Bad Words Rating- IMDb

[13] Bad Words Rating- Metacritic

[14] Passengers heads to Focus Features- The Wrap

[15] Jon Spaihts Passengers on The Black List- The New York Times

[16] Under The Electric Sky– Focus Features

[17] The Signal- The Hollywood Reporter

[18] The Boxtrolls- Deadline

AMC Networks

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Garrett Braddock

By Garrett Braddock

AMC Networks Logo

AMC Networks Inc.

11 Penn Plaza

New York City, New York, USA

(212) 324-8500

http://www.amcnetworks.com/

About AMC Networks [1}:

AMC Networks is an entertainment company based in New York that owns a multitude of popular channels including AMC, IFC, WE tv, and the Sundance Channel. Their flagship channel, AMC, boasts the impressive feats of having the most

The various properties owned by AMC Networks

watched drama series in cable history with, The Walking Dead, and also stands as the only cable network to win an Emmy for “Outstanding Drama Series” four years in a row. AMC Networks also owns the film company IFC films and the highly regarded IFC center, a movie theater in New York City.

Key People at AMC Networks [2]: (All images curtesy of AMC Networks)

Charles Dolan– Executive Chairman

Joshua Sapan–President and Chief Executive Officer

Edward A Carroll— Chief Operating Officer

Finances in Fall 2013:

AMC Networks enjoyed a financially beneficial third quarter here in Fall 2013. The Wall Street Journal reports that the networks earnings were up by 59% from last year, a rise that is sure to make investors very happy people. This growth can be

Past Year Stocks for AMC Networks. Courtesy of Seeking Alpha

contributed to a high demand from advertisers to be placed on their channels. The Journal states, “The growth was driven by a 36% rise in advertising revenue to $146 million, helped by a strong demand for original programming.”[3]

News Stories from Fall 2013:

-Harmonious Deals with Chellomedia

Logo courtesy of Chellomedia

One of the major moves that AMC Networks made this fall was the purchasing of Chellomedia, which is an international content division of Liberty Global, an acquisition that cost around $1.04 billion. Chellomedia focuses on operating digital and broadband channels across Europe and Latin America, a spread that will broadly widen the amount of viewers AMC could reach. It is estimated that Chellomedia reaches around 400 million viewers in 138 countries. This acquisition means that AMC will be able to access various netoworks in the aforementioned countries and have a much wider, international market for their already popular programs. Of the deal, Josh Sapan said, “This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well managed assets worldwide.”[4] One criticism of this deal is that it makes AMC less likely to be bought out by a larger company, a move which some investors may have been expecting. Previously, it was thought that AMC may be the target of larger cable network companies New Corp or CBS Corp, but this acquisition seems to prove that AMC is still looking to expand before looking for potential buyers.[5] Overall, the acquisition of Chellomedia, likely to officially go through in early 2014, will broaden the reaches of AMC Networks, expand their global market, and allow them to become much less dependent on success in the US market.[6]

-Breaking Bad? More like Breaking Records!!

Promotion for beginning of fifth and final season of Breaking Bad. Courtesy of AMC

Throughout its airing, Breaking Bad has become one of the most highly regarded and well-liked shows on television. The show tells the story of a high-school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer and decides to secure financial security for his family by cooking and selling meth. The show has garnered both viewer and critical acclaim, and won “Outstanding Drama Series” at this years Emmy awards, after being nominated for the past 3. AMC saw record numbers for Breaking Bad almost every episode of the last season, with those numbers peaking on its final episode, “FiNaLe” where the average viewership was 10.3 million according to Nielsen. When it comes to the important adults 18-49 demographic, Breaking Bad achieved a 5.4 rating, reaching about 6.7 million people.[7] This impressive finale ranks third in cable series finales, finishing behind only The Sopranos and Sex and the City.

An interesting article on Slate discussed how Nielsen began ranking television shows on the number of people tweeting about them, and how that reflects on Breaking Bad. It was estimated that 9.3 million people tweeted about, or viewed tweets about Breaking Bad during its penultimate episode. This is an important statistic because it displays how many people are actively engaged in the show, a fact many advertisers would love to know so they can more intelligently places their advertisements. [8]

-Ratings Spring Back To Life With The Walking Dead

Another one of AMC Network’s hugely successful series, The Walking Dead, comes again from their flagship channel, and has been racking up huge ratings with every episode. This show follows a group of survivors during the zombie apocalypse and chronicles their

Main promotion for The Walking Dead. Courtesy of AMC

harrowing tale. The show has seen growing success over its first 3 seasons, with ratings and viewer numbers reaching record-breaking heights during the premiere of the fourth season. TVbythenumbers reports that 16.1 million people tuned in for the premiere with 10.4 million being of the adult 18-49 demographic.[9] The Walking Dead has become the #1 show on television across both cable and broadcast networks. Even compared to Sunday Night Football, The Walking Dead is 23 percent bigger than the perennial broadcast telecast.[10] These ratings and numbers have either stayed the same or grown with each passing episode. On the heels of such success, AMC Networks announced on October 29^th that it has renewed The Walking Dead for a fifth season, in which they are likely to have continued success.[11]

-The Sundance Channel Brings a New Kind of Zombie to Life[12]

This fall The Sundance Channel premiered The Returned, a French hit, and one of the

Photo showing premise of The Returned: the reconnecting of those once thought to be dead

channel’s first forays into scripted TV series. The series tells the stories of people who come back to life exactly as they were before they died. The show, based on the French film, They Came Back, was a critical hit in France before being picked up by The Sundance Channel. The show is quietly doing very well for the channel, considering the small audience and fact that the show is subtitled to English. As mentioned earlier, The Returned has received critical acclaim, being lauded for its beautiful cinematography and emotionally believable characters.[13] Despite only having eight total episodes, the show has an impressive 92/100 score on metacritic.[14]

-Low Winter Sun: Maybe Sinking a Bit too Low?

Another AMC show to be grabbing headlines this fall was crime-drama Low Winter Sun. This show tells the story of a cop in Detroit who believes his girlfriend was murdered by another detective. Despite airing after the widely watched Breaking Bad, this show has

Promotion for Low Winter Sun. Courtesy of AMC.

never gotten the viewer attention AMC Networks was hoping for. Low Winter Sun has received mixed reviews, with many leaning towards the negative side, citing the show’s pace and darkness as its main adverse aspects.[15] The show has even drawn criticism from one of its stars, James Ransone. Ransone said of the show, “It wasn’t a good show…” and “If it doesn’t get canceled, I’ll be goddamn shocked…the ratings were terrible.”[16] AMC Networks has yet to decide if the show will be renewed for a second season, but the decision is likely to come by early December.

Sources:

AMC Networks

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Elliott Brannon

by Elliott Brannon

amc_network_logo_render

11 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 324-8500
Website: http://www.amcnetworks.com

About the Company: [3] [4]

AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX) is an American entertainment company founded in 1980 whose brands include the cable networks AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, and WE tv. The company also controls IFC Films, a United States distributor of indie film.

In 2012, the company’s revenues increased from $1.188 billion in 2011 to $1.353 billion, a growth of 13.9%. AMC Network’s overall income also increased 11.1%, maturing from $327 million in 2011 to nearly $463 million in 2012. Company stock prices have also increased about 18% since January (as of April 3, 2013).

Brands: [5]

AMC was first launched in 1984. Since then, the network has gone on to become the only cable network in history to receive the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row and the only cable network to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama for three years in a row. AMC’s popular original series include Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead.

IFC is the Independent Film Channel and was initially launched in 1994. The channel airs original series such as Onion News Network and Portlandia as well as numerous indie films and other syndicated television shows.

Sundance Channel was founded by Robert Redford in 1996. Its original series include Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and All On The Line.

WE tv is a network targeted at women and was first launched in 1997. Popular original series include Braxton Family Values and Bridezillas.

IFC Films distributes independent films throughout the U.S. This division also controls the feature film production company, IFC Productions.

Key Executives: [1]

Josh Sapan, President & Chief Executive Officer of AMC Networks

Charles Dolan Executive Chairman
Josh Sapan President & Chief Executive Officer
Charlie CollierPresident & General Manager, AMC
Jennifer Caserta Priore President & General Manager, IFC
Sarah Barnett Executive Vice President & General Manager, Sundance Channel
Kim Martin President & General Manager, WE tv

Recent News (January-April 2013):

April 1: The season three finale of AMC‘s The Walking Dead on March 31st delivered 12.4 million viewers total and 8.1 million viewers age 18 to 49 with a 7.4 HH rating, making it the #1 TV program for the week and #1 television show for the overall season amongst adults age 18-49 [6].

AMC’s new logo and tagline

During the airing of the finale, AMC debuted its brand new logo and tagline, replacing its old tagline, “Story Matters Here,” with “Something More.” Linda Schupack, AMC’s executive vice president of marketing explained that, “AMC: Something More further refines our focus on- and off-air and speaks to our promise to viewers to provide an experience that is unexpected, unconventional and uncompromising” [7].

March 21: AMC released a trailer for its newest original series, Low Winter Sun, a police drama set in Detroit based on a 2006 British miniseries.

The show is being co-produced by AMC Studios and Endemol Studios. Its credits include executive producer Chris Mundy, who has previously worked on CBS’s Criminal Minds [8].

March 13: James Maiella was appointed as the new senior vice president of corporate communications at AMC Networks. Maiella will overlook business and trade relations for all of the companies cable networks as well as IFC Films. He will work alongside the company’s other current senior vice president of corporate communications, Georgia Juvelis [9].

March 12: AMC Networks launched YEAH!, a movie streaming service. Movies are currently available on www.YEAHTV.com, which carries classic films with added bonus features, such as interviews with filmmakers and story notes, only available exclusively through the service. Users must pay $5 to watch a movie and its additional bonus features or can pay $2 to watch a movie without the added content. The service is only available online through a computer for now, but an iPad app is set for release this summer [10].

March 5: Anchor Bay Entertainment and AMC Networks completed a home entertainment distribution deal, giving Anchor Bay the rights to distribute DVD and Blu-ray releases of AMC, IFC, and Sundance original series throughout the United States and Canada. Some specific digital distribution deals are also included in the agreement.

Sundance’s Rectify and AMC’s Low Winter Sun, which have both not debuted yet, will be the first series distributed under the new deal. Anchor Bay has worked closely with AMC Networks in the past, serving as the home entertainment distributor for AMC’s The Walking Dead [11].

February 25: Sundance Channel and AMC reached an agreement giving Sundance Channel syndication rights to the off network premiere of AMC’s Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad’s Walter White

This agreement comes in lieu of the upcoming premiere of Sundance Channel’s first ever scripted series, Rectify, which is produced by the same group behind Breaking Bad [12].

Rectify is set to premiere on April 22, 2013 at 10:100pm et/pt [13].

February 21: WE tv greenlighted a new unscripted reality series, Glam & Gold, starring olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross and two-time Super Bowl champion Aaron Ross. Filming is already underway in Austin and Jacksonville. Glam & Gold joins a host of other WE tv shows starring African-Americans including Mary Tary and Braxton Family Values [17].

February 15: IFC Films secured North American rights to the indie neo-noir thriller, The Canyons, starring Lindsay Lohan and James Deen and directed by Paul Schrader. The film will premiere in early summer at a Special Presentation at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in conjunction with a day-and-date release. Schrader’s film will also be simultaneously released on a variety of other digital platforms [18].

February 11: The Walking Dead’s February 10th airing of its season 3B premiere on AMC delivered 12.3 million viewers. With 7.7 million viewers age 18-49, the episode delivered the highest rating for a television series in basic cable history for that demographic.

The series’ average viewership in season 3 for adults 18-49 was 6.8 million, making it the #1 program of the season amongst that age range [14].

February 5: Joel Stillerman, executive vice president of programming, production, and digital content for AMC, announced a two-year first look deal with Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg of Double Feature Films. Shamberg and Sher are both two-time Academy Award nominees and have worked on a variety of films together including Django Unchained, Erin Brokovich, and Garden State [15].

January 15: AMC and Fox Television Studios announced a new agreement that will bring AMC’s The Killing back to the network for a third season. The agreement brings Veena Sud back as the series’ executive producer and showrunner and also brings back lead actors Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman. Production of the show’s new season began on February 25 in Vancouver [16].

Principles & Practices

Website by the students of TRF235

Tag Archives: IFC Films

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AMC Networks Inc.

AMC Networks

Focus Features

Link

AMC Networks

About AMC Networks [1}:

AMC Networks

About the Company: [3] [4]

Brands: [5]

Key Executives: [1]

Recent News (January-April 2013):

References: