Q1 Reporting Season

As Q1 comes to a close today, reporting season for media companies begin with Netflix on Wednesday 18 April. Q1 has been one of the most dynamic and pivotal quarters we have seen in the global media space for a long time. Whilst discussions around profitability V subscriber growth have been key this quarter, (layoffs and restructuring) it has also been a very dynamic quarter in other areas.

Points to consider below.

Subscriber growth

Whilst this has been the greatest focus for the past 2 years, subscriber growth will continue to be the news story even amongst the recent lay offs and restructuring. Will Netflix and Paramount increase subs? Will Disney+ lose subs, and in Australia will BINGE continue its subscriber growth? Intellectual Property Franchise Management (IPFM) has been a key winner for Paramount+ by creating bigger and bolder story worlds from already established IP (Yellowstone/1923 and Dungeons and Dragons) and showing how that ultimately converts into subscriber revenue. I'll be watching Paramount's results this quarter with great interest

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

The M&A activity will continue as restructuring and consolidation begin to be key issues for the sector. In this era of globalisation of content and IP franchise management - merging, acquiring, or both, will be a key factor for the next 6-12 months.

Will Apple spend USD$1billion on theatrical releases?

A recent 'report' announced that Apple would be investing $1 billion a year on theatrical releases to raise it's Hollywood profile, appease talent who what their projects on the big screen, but more importantly lure subscribers to AppleTV+ (20-40 million subs) SVoD service. AMC, IMAX and Cinemax stocks jumped on this news (4%-10%+) - then fell back but still finished up on the day. Apple's Q1 results should tell the full story.

FAST/AVoD

More discussions around and FAST and AVoD as most of the streamers now have either option. However, advertising revenue has slumped over the past 6 months (except in sports broadcasting) due to decreasing advertising budgets in light of the broader economic uncertainty. (Recessionary fears, interest rates hikes and high inflation). What will the affects of the recent banking crisis (SVB and Credit Suisse) have on the global media landscape?

Intellectual Property Franchise Management (IPFM)

Yellowstone, 1923, 1883, Dungeons & Dragons, Top Gun: Maverick, The Last of Us, Mission Impossible...Whether it be digi-gaming, cinema or streaming, the sound management of those IP assets and franchises will continue to be the point of differentiation in the global media landscape. Yellowstone franchise....only getting started!

Artificial Intelligence

Q2 was a busy quarter in Artificial Intelligence. We now have ChatGPT and Alexa is continually evolving. Scripts, stories and blogs can be written from a template and anti-ageing film techniques are continually improving. Should we run for our lives or embrace with open arms? Amazon and Microsoft's results will be very interesting on this topic

and then...Air

I am VERY!!! excited for this film as we see Ben Affleck directing and starring alongside Matt Damon. An Amazon film which I hope has a very successful theatrical run (this film DEFINITELY gets me off the couch and into the cinemas) and looks like it will give audiences what they need right now.

I'll be updating reporting season as these companies report and will be holding a series of webinars at the end of Q1 as a round up.

Thanks!!!

Susie