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

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

He just wants to do everything as cheaply as possible, which is his choice, but then he also wants to give us lectures about what is needed to have a quality viewing and listening experience.

Cancelling/adding a SVOD literally takes seconds.

You guys spend your money your way, I'll spend my money my way. I also don't like to do the Provider Shuffle...Pick and Prioritize!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You guys spend your money your way, I'll spend my money my way. I also don't like to do the Provider Shuffle...Pick and Prioritize!

I think I already said that when I wrote: "which is his choice."

Just try to refrain from "schooling" us on what is needed to maximize quality when you choose to do everything as frugally as possible. Most of us choose to have the best experience that we can afford while you just want to cut corners and save a buck. Your priorities, your choice, sure, but don't mistake them for anyone else's.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You guys spend your money your way, I'll spend my money my way. I also don't like to do the Provider Shuffle...Pick and Prioritize!

You frequently tell us how to spend our money. Just two days ago you stated this:

Originally Posted by alchav21

You have to prioritize your Streaming!

You shouldn't tell other people what they have to prioritize.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

You frequently tell us how to spend our money. Just two days ago you stated this:


You shouldn't tell other people what they have to prioritize.

Especially when streaming isn't a priority at all for many of us.

[bhampton]

I have to prioritize what I pre-order. There's too many good titles on the way.

[cheez avenger]

Warner Bros. Discovery Misses Q2 Expectations, Loses 1.8 Million DTC Subscribers Amid Max Rebrand

Warner Bros. Discovery missed Wall Street expectations for its second quarter of 2023 after reporting a net loss of $1.24 billion on Thursday, or 51 cents per share, on revenue of $10.36 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research were expecting a loss of 38 cents per share on revenue of $10.48 billion.

The results come after a busy quarter for the company, dominated by the Max rebranding of its streaming service on May 23 and a splashy marketing campaign for “Barbie.”

The company reported $1.72 billion in free cash flow, more than double the $789 million of the year-ago quarter, primarily driven by higher cash from operations, partially offset by higher capital expenditures after the close of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger. Wall Street is closely watching the company’s cash flow as a sign it can pay down its nearly $48 billion debt load.

Cash provided by operating activities increased to $2 billion, primarily driven by higher operating profits net of taxes, working capital improvement driven by initiatives, and lower net content spend, partially driven by the approximately $100 million impact of the Writers Guild of America strike.

Warner Bros. Discovery repaid $1.6 billion in debt during the quarter, ending it with $47.8 billion in gross debt, 4.6 times leverage and $3.1 billion in cash on hand. It also launched a tender offer for up to $2.7 billion.

“We remain bullish with respect to our delevering story and expect to be comfortably below 4 times levered by the end of the year and at our target of 2.5-3 times gross leverage by the close of 2024,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a statement.

The direct-to-consumer division, which includes traditional HBO cable subscriptions and the Max and Discovery+ streaming services, lost 1.8 million subscribers during the quarter for a total of 95.8 million globally and reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $3 million, a $555 million year-over-year improvement. Executives said its streaming business remains on track to reach profitability in 2023.

“We did see several 100,000 subscribers churn off during the quarter, meaningfully less than we had anticipated,” chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels told analysts on Thursday’s earnings call. “While we do expect to see some more elevated churn on Discovery+, we also see engagement patterns consistent with what we saw prior to Max, making us optimistic that our strategy to keep offering these two products was the right one for customers and for our business.”

Revenue for the segment climbed 14% year over year to $2.73 billion. Distribution revenue fell 2% year over year to $2.19 billion: A decline in wholesale subscribers pulled down the total despite growth in Max, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video Channels subscribers. Advertising revenue increased 25% year over year to $121 million. Content revenue came in at $410 million, as Warner Bros. Discovery pushed to license HBO shows to streaming competitors, a recent strategic shift. Average revenue per user came in at $11.09 domestically, $3.65 internationally and $7.71 globally.

Zaslav noted that the migration of subscribers to Max has gone “exceedingly well,” with the majority of U.S. subscribers successfully transferred.

“We’re preparing to launch Max in markets around the globe over the next year plus there were significant opportunities internationally in markets we have yet to attack,” he added. “And importantly, the platform now has full capability to deliver live programming. We’ll have more to say about that.”

In the Studios segment, revenue fell 24% year over year to $2.58 billion. The June-end quarter included marketing expenses for “Barbie” but no theatrical revenue from the film, which debuted in theaters last month. The segment posted adjusted EBITDA of $306 million.

TV revenue declined primarily due to the timing of production, fewer CW series, and fewer series sold to owned distribution channels, while home entertainment and theatrical revenue declined due to the strong performance of its film slate last year, including “The Batman.” Games revenue was lower due to the release of “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” in the prior year.

In the company’s Networks segment, which includes cable TV networks like CNN and Discovery, total revenue declined 5% year over year to $5.75 billion. The segment posted adjusted EBITDA of $2.16 billion.

Content revenue fell 18% year over year to $284 million, which the company attributed to the timing of internal licensing deals. Distribution revenue fell 1% year over year to $2.94 billion, driven by increases in the carriage fees paid by cable and satellite providers, which were more than offset by declines in U.S. pay-TV subscribers.

Advertising revenue fell 13% year over year to $2.44 billion, driven by audience declines at the company’s entertainment and news networks and a softer advertising market overall. Last year, the company broadcast the NCAA March Madness Final Four and Championship this year, and its absence hurt the company’s comparative results, though the broadcast of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals this year helped offset that.

Wiedenfels said that Warner Bros. Discovery has been “working diligently with the respective leagues and teams to formulate a plan to exit the [regional sports network] business in a manner that minimizes the disruption to teams and their fans.”

“We expect each of the networks will be sold or operations seized by the end of the year,” he said, adding that most of the impact from the wind-down would be seen in the fourth quarter and next year.

Looking ahead, Warner Bros. Discovery said it expects to generate cash flow in the “$1.7 billion ballpark” in the third quarter and $4.5 billion to $5 billion for full year 2023. The forecast assumes cash restructuring and integration related costs of roughly $1.2 billion for 2023.

The company expects adjusted EBITDA for the year to settle towards the low end of its target range of $11 billion to $11.5 billion. In the DTC segment, WBD expects EBITDA losses of “no more than a couple $100 million” for full year 2023.

“Uncertainty in the studio segment has increased with the dual strikes. This may have implications for the timing and performance of the remainder of the film slate, as well as our ability to produce and deliver content,” Wiedenfels added. “While we are hoping for a fast resolution, our modeling assumes a return to work date in early September. So if the strikes run through the end of the year, I would expect several $100 million of upside to our free cash flow guidance and some incremental downside for adjusted EBITDA.”

Shares of WBD fell 3% as markets opened on Thursday.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/...112553187.html

[Wendell R. Breland]

Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits really comes down on Disney and Warner, here.

[Vilya]

The floodgates opened today with the arrival of these titles:







and

My priorities are showing!

[cheez avenger]

I purchased the big The Three Stooges: Ultimate Collection on DVD from eBay. It's a 20-disc set that seems to be the most comprehensive collection to date. It's even more comprehensive than the slimmer ultimate collection that came out later, which only has 17 discs instead of 20. Sony produced set about a decade ago or so. Got a great deal on it shipped.

[Lee A Stewart]

Leap in Content Licensing Revenue Helps Narrow WBD's Streaming Loss

Revenue from licensing HBO content buoyed Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming business in the second quarter, the company revealed in its earnings report Thursday. The sales helped significantly narrow its loss and appeared to be playing a big part in the company's promise for its U.S. direct-t0-consumer business to turn a profit in 2023.

Content licensing revenue at $410 million revenue rose notably, more than tripling the $132 million reported in the same quarter last year, suggesting that the company would have had a far more significant loss without those fees.

The growth in licensing reflects a surprising move in recent months toward offering HBO shows like "Westworld" to free, ad-supported streaming TV services like Amazon's Freevee and the Roku Channel. Warner Bros. Discovery also licensed HBO shows including "Insecure" to Netflix.

CEO David Zaslav said on a call with analysts Thursday that it would seek to do deals on a "co-exclusive" basis, meaning the licensed shows would also be available to Max subscribers.

https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-...it%20in%202023.

[Vilya]

A short update compared to most:

[Show spoiler]I am headed back to St. Louis tomorrow for my 4th infusion treatment; hopefully it goes as smoothly as the last one did.

I continue to have problems with chronic dehydration exacerbated by early satiety (the sensation of feeling full even when I am not) which makes drinking enough fluids very difficult.

The dehydration lowers my already too low blood pressure. I may wind up having to be hydrated by IV in a hospital setting.

I participate routinely in webinars offered by the Amyloidosis Research Consortium. I was able to have one of my questions answered by a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic. I did not anticipate the answer that I received.

My question was: "With hATTR-CM, what is the significance when your ejection fraction is no longer "preserved", but becomes low, i.e. 40%?"

The cardiologist replied: "The contractility function of the heart is affected. Transplant evaluation is recommended if the patient is less than 70 years (old)."

Still trying to wrap my head around this answer. I see my cardiologist later this month, so I will have a second opinion then.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

A short update compared to most:

[Show spoiler]I am headed back to St. Louis tomorrow for my 4th infusion treatment; hopefully it goes as smoothly as the last one did.

I continue to have problems with chronic dehydration exacerbated by early satiety (the sensation of feeling full even when I am not) which makes drinking enough fluids very difficult.

The dehydration lowers my already too low blood pressure. I may wind up having to be hydrated by IV in a hospital setting.

I participate routinely in webinars offered by the Amyloidosis Research Consortium. I was able to have one of my questions answered by a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic. I did not anticipate the answer that I received.

My question was: "With hATTR-CM, what is the significance when your ejection fraction is no longer "preserved", but becomes low, i.e. 40%?"

The cardiologist replied: "The contractility function of the heart is affected. Transplant evaluation is recommended if the patient is less than 70 years (old)."

Still trying to wrap my head around this answer. I see my cardiologist later this month, so I will have a second opinion then.

Will be interesting to see what your cardiologist thinks.

As always, all the very best with your treatment. Hopefully, you are back home and watching films after a great outcome.

[cheez avenger]

B&N has an Arrow Video 50% off sale and some pre-orders are valid.

I ordered Weird Science 4K, Hugo 4K, and Mallrats 4K discs. The sale is good until 8/31.

[cheez avenger]

Umbrella Entertainment bringing the noise! I don't know if DiabolikDVD/OrbitDVD will have it. They give folks 15% off their first order if they buy directly from Umbrella. It is an Australian company.

Umbrella presents the definitive Dune Collection consisting of both Dune (2000) and Children of Dune (2003) miniseries and over 5hours of special features across 4 discs

Guaranteed to inspire awe in the most diehard fan of Dune; this very special set includes

4 Blu-ray discs
Exclusive custom designed 750+ brick Facing Shai-Hulud Dune brick set (designed by Jeffy-O) - build your own sandworm using GoBricks! Dimensions 25cm x 11cm x 14cm (*compatible with other leading brick brands)
Over 160 page hardback book featuring interviews, behind-the-scenes and more
Custom artwork plinth rigid case by Shannon Trottman
8 replica lobby cards
A3 reversible poster

Frank Herbert’s Dune Complete Collection is a comprehensive collection of Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune Chronicles’ that begins with the landmark science fiction epic DUNE, a stunningly realised four-and-a-half hour miniseries produced by the Sci-Fi Channel, and continues with the spectacular follow up CHILDREN OF DUNE, which combines the second and third books from the series. Featuring a stellar cast worthy of such an epic saga, these award-winning productions are landmark in their vision and scope and remain two of the highest rating sci-fi programs in history. Now including two bonus discs of extensive behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast and crew, Frank Herbert’s Dune Complete Collection is the definitive tome of the Atreides family legacy and of the spice-world Arrakis.

Dune brick set contains small parts and is not suitable for under 3 years old

https://shop.umbrellaent.com.au/coll...ster-2000-2003

[bhampton]

I want to dump my subscriptions so I don't encourage the providers to lose even more money

“We estimate they are all losing money, with combined 2022 operating losses well over $10 billion, versus Netflix’s $5 [billion] to $6 billion annual operating profit,” Netflix said in October about the competition.


After Disney incurred over $10 billion in cumulative streaming losses since launching Disney+ in 2019, the company pledged last August to introduce a new lower-price streaming tier supported by ads. Then, in February, it unveiled $3 billion in production budget cuts. Finally Disney even announced an impairment charge of up to $1.8 billion to reflect the cost of removing shows from its streaming platform that increase the cost of its cloud hosting bills, including some of its own original programming.

Investors will find out just how Disney+ is faring when the company reports fiscal third-quarter results on Aug. 9. But executives already warned its streaming business will likely see operating losses widen by around $100 million over the previous quarter to around $750 million owing to a shift in the timing of marketing expenses.

[Lee A Stewart]

13 Free Streaming Services To Keep Your Money in Your Wallet

https://centsandpurpose.com/free-streaming-services/

[Wendell R. Breland]

The things some of these top executives do makes one just shake their head - HBO Max to Max , wonder if Coca-Cola (Coke) will become Cola.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

The things some of these top executives do makes one just shake their head - HBO Max to Max , wonder if Coca-Cola (Coke) will become Cola.

HBO
HBO Now
HBO Go
HBO Max
HBO Signature
HBO Plus (formally HBO3)
HBO2
HBO Zone

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Not really because I also have Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Netflix with no Commercials. So you have to Prioritize what you watch and what you pay. What are you guys watching?

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

Trying to save money by going with the ad-supported tier on 1 of the 4 subscriptions you pay for?

Does anyone understand this logic or is it just usual alchav craziness?

I think there can be smart reasons for someone to pick an option wuith ads
i.e. I don't watch it and the ads keep the kids just as occupied as real content
I use the ad time to text my friends (facebook, instagram....)...., I would pause it every few minutes....

but as a purely economic decision it falls in the category of "penny wise, pound foolish"

Don't know about wages around the world, but the difference between the two tiers (with and without ads) adds up to less then one hour work a month after taxes. get a gig jovb one weekend a year and you more than pay for the ad-less version. On the other hand if someone says I don't watch more than 1 hour of ads a month on that service, it becomes a question why they need that service if their priority is to avoid it so they don't watch ads?


You see it all the time, not just with ads but all the DIY, You say you like doing it, being able to say home made..... absolutely great reasons on the other hand I saved 100$ (and spent 20h doing it), you are missing the point, you can better use your time.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I think there can be smart reasons for someone to pick an option wuith ads
i.e. I don't watch it and the ads keep the kids just as occupied as real content
I use the ad time to text my friends (facebook, instagram....)...., I would pause it every few minutes....

I wouldn't call either of those smart reasons. No one should want their kids to be bombarded with ads. And if someone wants to spend time texting their friends then they should do that instead of watching a movie or TV show.