Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[JohnAV]

Physical media avoids getting stuck with local content regulations

Apple TV+ Could Face Ban in Europe Unless It Meets Proposed Requirement of 30% European Content - MacRumors

Irish lawmakers implementing European Union directives are proposing new legislation that would require streaming services, including Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix, to host at least 30 percent European content or face being shut down across the EU.

These clauses of the "General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill" come in response to the overwhelming amount of U.S.-centric content on video streaming services. The law, if ratified, will require all streaming services to feature at least 30 percent content that may be classified as "European Work." A new Irish Media Commission would oversee the administration of the law for the entire EU and determine if streamers are meeting their obligations.

The proposal, and its potential threat to Apple TV+ in particular, was highlighted by journalist Adrian Weckler on Twitter, who pointed out that the Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media Catherine Martin has specifically taken aim at Apple TV+:

Other video streaming services, such as Netflix, produce a more balanced library of content in Europe, and would therefore find it much easier to meet the required quota. Out of the 42 movies and series on Apple TV+, there has only been one European show thus far, British comedy "Trying." Apple would need to add 17 more European programs simply to meet the required quota, without adding any further non-European shows.

Curiously, the Q&A published alongside the proposed legislation states that "European Work" is broader than strictly EU content, which may afford streamers some flexibility. This means that video content produced in the United Kingdom, for example, which has now left the EU, would still be counted as "European Work." Trying was a British Apple TV+ series produced by BBC Studios, so it would still be eligible towards Apple's "European Work" quota.

In spite of this, the vast majority of upcoming content for Apple TV+ continues to be U.S.-centric. If implemented, the legislation will force Apple to heavily invest in European content for Apple TV+ or pull the service out of the EU entirely.

[JohnAV]

Facebook must be broken up, the US government says in a groundbreaking lawsuit - CNN

The unregulated social media content source gets scolded really.

[Steedeel]

Even bigger new coming from the EU. All major streaming services must have 30% local content (for that specific country) or face being banned. They are looking to enforce this rule by January 2021.

[Lee A Stewart]

Europe’s Streaming Showdown Is Coming to a Head

https://variety.com/2020/streaming/g...pe-1234848797/

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Europe’s Streaming Showdown Is Coming to a Head

https://variety.com/2020/streaming/g...pe-1234848797/

Looking tough for Apple. They really need to get that C4 exec producing U.K. content.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Last night I suddenly came down with flu symptoms. I went to the hospital and received two Covid-19 tests, but it takes up to 2 days to get the results.

I still have the flu symptoms and I feel like crap, so I will be scarce until things improve.

One of the swab tests is VERY unpleasant; it feels like they are trying to skewer the brain via the nose and pull it out.

Could be regular flu. It’s certainly that time of year. Stay safe and warm. Keep us informed?

[JohnAV]

Sources: Directors Guild Rebukes Warner Bros. in Sharply Worded Letter Criticizing Streaming Plan - Hollywood Reporter

Some on Wall Street think the streaming move could be a prologue to further talks with partners. Since "Warner Bros. made this announcement unilaterally, without having negotiated with its exhibitor partners, we do not think it will play out as advertised," read a Dec. 4 note by analysts at financial services firm Wedbush. "We think the exhibitors will aggressively negotiate for far fewer films to be released day-and-date on HBO Max."

Other observers noted that the timing of the plan — weeks after WarnerMedia revealed that Wonder Woman 1984 would arrive on HBO the same day it debuted in theaters on Dec. 25 — was puzzling. B. Riley analyst Eric Wold asked in a Dec. 4 research note: "The biggest initial question is why Warner Bros. would announce this new distribution plan for all of the planned 2021 films before seeing the results from WW84 later this month under the same strategy?"

Analysts at research firm MoffettNathanson wrote even more bluntly in a Dec. 4 note: "this decision will be a very costly one for everyone involved: AT&T, participants/rights holders, and theatrical exhibitors. It is hard to find any winners here."

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Last night I suddenly came down with flu symptoms. I went to the hospital and received two Covid-19 tests, but it takes up to 2 days to get the results.

I still have the flu symptoms and I feel like crap, so I will be scarce until things improve.

One of the swab tests is VERY unpleasant; it feels like they are trying to skewer the brain via the nose and pull it out.

Damn. Really bummed to hear the news. Hoping for good news from the tests.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Last night I suddenly came down with flu symptoms. I went to the hospital and received two Covid-19 tests, but it takes up to 2 days to get the results.

I still have the flu symptoms and I feel like crap, so I will be scarce until things improve.

One of the swab tests is VERY unpleasant; it feels like they are trying to skewer the brain via the nose and pull it out.

Yes Vilya, hope everything turns out okay...we can't do without you!!!

[cheez avenger]

My copy of Beastmaster in 4K arrived from Vinegar Syndrome today and it is a gorgeous set! Will watch it in the next couple of days!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

My copy of Beastmaster in 4K arrived from Vinegar Syndrome today and it is a gorgeous set! Will watch it in the next couple of days!

Mine hasn't even shipped yet.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Damn. Really bummed to hear the news. Hoping for good news from the tests.

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes Vilya, hope everything turns out okay...we can't do without you!!!

Originally Posted by Ender14

Sorry to hear that. I hope the tests come back negative and you feel better soon!

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Oh boy, really sorry to hear that. I do hope it is just a cold and not CV19.

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Hoping its just that (cold/flu) nothing else.

Let’s hope Vilya recovers just in time for Christmas.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

My copy of Beastmaster in 4K arrived from Vinegar Syndrome today and it is a gorgeous set! Will watch it in the next couple of days!

. I have on BD and it is pretty good. Will be interesting to see how the UHD version compares.

There is so many titles now available and announced that I am have trouble keeping up. Another new batch here.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

. I have on BD and it is pretty good. Will be interesting to see how the UHD version compares.

There is so many titles now available and announced that I am have trouble keeping up. Another new batch here.

Same here.

I am very confident that Beast-master will look fantastic.

[cheez avenger]

Yeah, it was a double whammy yesterday with Beastmaster and Cinema Paradiso 4K arriving. Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone arrived on Tuesday on BD. Today I have Collateral and Total Recall 4K discs coming in. Man, it's another packed week!

[cheez avenger]

Oh, and I also forgot that my copy of Cyber Punk 2077 arrives today, as well. It's the PS4 version, but I will be running it via the PS5, so that should be neat.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Oh, and I also forgot that my copy of Cyber Punk 2077 arrives today, as well. It's the PS4 version, but I will be running it via the PS5, so that should be neat.

Why did you go for the PS4 version if I may ask?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Ender14

Sorry to hear that. I hope the tests come back negative and you feel better soon!

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Oh boy, really sorry to hear that. I do hope it is just a cold and not CV19.

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Hoping its just that (cold/flu) nothing else.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Could be regular flu. It’s certainly that time of year. Stay safe and warm. Keep us informed?

Originally Posted by gotmule

Damn. Really bummed to hear the news. Hoping for good news from the tests.

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes Vilya, hope everything turns out okay...we can't do without you!!!

Thank you all for the well wishes. I am happy to report that my tests were negative; I do not have Covid-19. I just have an ordinary common flu that continues to torment me, but I am getting better day by day.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Thank you all for the well wishes. I am happy to report that my tests were negative; I do not have Covid-19. I just have an ordinary common flu that continues to torment me, but I am getting better day by day.

Christmas, here you come!

[flyry]

Just pre-ordered the WKW set. so have that and Django to look forward to in March and April.

My last 2 physical pickups of the year come on Tuesday and i think it's going to be a dry few months both digital and physical for me