The Business of Streaming Thread

[An4h0ny]

I really like this idea for a thread.

Here is a related story about N
https://www.avclub.com/netflix-bone-...ion-1848821909

Amidst the chaos, The Wrap released a quieter report this afternoon, one focused on the company’s once vaunted Original Animation department—reporting, among other things, that Phil Rynda, Netflix Director of Creative Leadership and Development for Original Animation, had been let go from the company this week, and that several high-profile animated projects, most notably the much-anticipated animated adaptation of Jeff Smith’s beloved comic series Bone, were dead at the service.

The Bone show is a blow, for sure; fans have been waiting for Smith’s all-ages adventure comic, seemingly a natural fit for animation, to get a worthy adaptation for years. But the report, written by Drew Taylor, also delves into Netflix’s overall treatment of animation creatives, who were once lured to the company with promises of creative freedom, and are now frequently tossed stacks of data to justify the company’s limited advertising for, and support of, its animated shows.

[filmbuffTX]

CNN+ Shutting Down Less Than a Month After Launch

New ownership is rethinking CNN's place in its streaming ecosystem.

Less than a month after it launched, the streaming service CNN+ will wind down operations, as its new corporate owner Warner Bros. Discovery rethinks the news giant’s streaming strategy. The service will shut down on April 30, after launching on March 29, a source familiar with the plans said.

CNN employees were set to be informed of the decision Thursday by incoming CNN CEO Chris Licht.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...6ab039a7423e93

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

CNN+ Shutting Down Less Than a Month After Launch

New ownership is rethinking CNN's place in its streaming ecosystem.

Less than a month after it launched, the streaming service CNN+ will wind down operations, as its new corporate owner Warner Bros. Discovery rethinks the news giant’s streaming strategy. The service will shut down on April 30, after launching on March 29, a source familiar with the plans said.

CNN employees were set to be informed of the decision Thursday by incoming CNN CEO Chris Licht.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...6ab039a7423e93

Surprise! (not )

How can you launch a paid CNN streaming service that doesn't include the actual CNN news without an additional cable subscription? Who did they think would sign up for this?

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Surprise! (not )

How can you launch a paid CNN streaming service that doesn't include the actual CNN news without an additional cable subscription? Who did they think would sign up for this?

It was always meant to be a complement and not a replacement for the CNN cable channel. CNN is one of the cornerstones of the traditional Cable TV package and they weren't trying to directly compete with it. CNN made over $1 BILLION in profits last year. They also were only asking for $2.99 a month and you could get it cheaper than that for the life of your subscription if you took advantage of a promotion they were offering.

It's also not being shut down because it wasn't "successful", since it hasn't even been running a full month yet.

This is more about the new leadership (Discovery) having a different long term strategy for streaming than the old ownership (AT&T/WarnerMedia). CNN also just had a recent change in leadership with Jeff Zucker exiting as President in February and Chris Licht from CBS now in his place.

It's just odd that CNN/WarnerMedia pushed through with this and launched it knowing that the new bosses might have a different strategy.

It's looking more clear that in the near future Warner Bros. Discovery will have one single streaming service that offers a variety of content from all of its properties including CNN; instead of offering a bundle with separate services.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

It was always meant to be a complement and not a replacement for the CNN cable channel. CNN is one of the cornerstones of the traditional Cable TV package and they weren't trying to directly compete with it.

I know. That was a fatal flaw in the concept from the start. Why would anyone subscribe to a CNN streaming service without CNN news? Some weak-sauce catalog stuff and Chris Wallace interviews cannot make up for the lack of what makes CNN CNN. It could have been attractive for the growing number of cable cutters if the full news coverage had been included, but not like this.

It's also not being shut down because it wasn't "successful", since it hasn't even been running a full month yet.

For sure, the fact that it was the pet project of the outgoing management was an issue. But it is also true that the subscriber numbers were far below expectations.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

I know. That was a fatal flaw in the concept from the start. Why would anyone subscribe to a CNN streaming service without CNN news? Some weak-sauce catalog stuff and Chris Wallace interviews cannot make up for the lack of what makes CNN CNN. It could have been attractive for the growing number of cable cutters if the full news coverage had been included, but not like this.

They were likely going after people who already have access to CNN and are already fans of their various on air talent and want more content. All of their main talent like Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Jake Tapper, etc. have shows on the soon to be dead streaming service. In addition to Chris Wallace like you mentioned, they got someone from NPR, an ex NFL player, and others. They invested around $300 million so far and were going to dump hundreds of more millions into it to build it out over the coming months/years.

For them to offer a live broadcast of their main CNN channel they might have to renegotiate their carriage deals with all of the various providers of 'CableTV' content. I believe Paramount+ only offers live broadcast of CBS if you have Cable TV credentials. Does ESPN+ offer 24 hour live broadcast of its main channels?

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

For them to offer a live broadcast of their main CNN channel they might have to renegotiate their carriage deals with all of the various providers of 'CableTV' content.

Well yes, if they want to become less dependent on the eroding cable business and get into the growing streaming market, they'll have to come up with a business model. For example, the big cable companies have their own streaming offerings now because they are well aware that the traditional cable business is dying a slow death. CNN could have sold CNN+ through those channels in addition to their OTT app, giving the cable companies a nice cut.

But at the end of the day that is their problem, not mine. As a potential customer, I'm only interested in getting something of value for my money, and in this case I just didn't see it.

[ps3bd_owner]

Not surprised about Netflix. The political stance they've taken, the price increase, and mediocre content they have all play into it.

Imo, Netflix is kind of done. Disney+ is where it's at.

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

CNN+ Shutting Down Less Than a Month After Launch

New ownership is rethinking CNN's place in its streaming ecosystem.

Less than a month after it launched, the streaming service CNN+ will wind down operations, as its new corporate owner Warner Bros. Discovery rethinks the news giant’s streaming strategy. The service will shut down on April 30, after launching on March 29, a source familiar with the plans said.

CNN employees were set to be informed of the decision Thursday by incoming CNN CEO Chris Licht.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...6ab039a7423e93

When I heard this news it made me laugh because CNN+ was a terrible idea straight up. If people don't want to watch CNN, what would make them think they would pay for CNN+? Haha.

CNN is losing viewers, yet they thought this would have worked.. somehow.

[arob]

I think one of Netflix's biggest problems is that they cancel so many shows after 1 season. Personally I hold off watching a show until it's been confirmed it's getting a second season. If they committed automatically to giving all new shows at least two seasons, more people would take a chance on shows. Jupiter's Legacy and Cowboy Bebob being two recent examples.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by arob

I think one of Netflix's biggest problems is that they cancel so many shows after 1 season. Personally I hold off watching a show until it's been confirmed it's getting a second season. If they committed automatically to giving all new shows at least two seasons, more people would take a chance on shows. Jupiter's Legacy and Cowboy Bebob being two recent examples.

On the other hand, they also saved or renewed some shows that were cancelled elsewhere, such as Lucifer, Longmire, Clone Wars etc.

[arob]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

On the other hand, they also saved or renewed some shows that were cancelled elsewhere, such as Lucifer, Longmire, Clone Wars etc.

Good point. Was very happy myself with some more seasons of Lucifer.