Happy Friday! View this email in your browser First, it killed Blockbuster. Now, Netflix is taking a chainsaw to the walled garden of film and television production. In the inaugural issue of Height, we ll examine Netflix s advantage over traditional media titans and reveal how companies like Disney are preparing to fight for your screen time.
Traditional Process Here's the traditional process for making a movie. This system has remained relatively unchanged for the last 40 years. (Above) A studio makes a film and sends it to a distributor to sell to retailers (e.g. movie theaters, TV networks and streaming services.) Through these retailers, the film is made available to consumers for the price of a movie ticket or cable package or DVD or ondemand video. It s important to note that in this process, the extent to which a film is made available to consumers varies widely from project to project and retailer to retailer, typically based on revenue projections and a film's potential for mass-appeal. Netflix Process
(Above) Netflix makes a movie. As soon as it s ready, the film is made available to anyone with a Netflix username and password so basically, you and everyone you know, as well as 130 million of others around the world. When it comes to developing TV shows, Netflix s advantage over legacy media is even greater: network and cable TV programs usually go through dozens of rewrites and sometimes years of tweaking in an attempt to please network heads and studio execs; and ultimately, advertisers have final say over what shows get aired on traditional television. Sheesh. The streamlined content strategy used by Netflix is known as direct-to-consumer (DTC). The efficiencies created by the DTC model allow Netflix to push content to users at an unprecedented rate, and it s done just that: Net ix is estimated to have out-spent all of its competitors in 2018, buying $13 billion worth of non-sports content. - David Morris, Fortune Magazine
Net ix subscribers got 82 new feature lms to binge [in 2018]. In comparison, the studio with the biggest slate, Warner Brothers, will put out just 23 lms and Disney will only release 10. - Dana Feldman, Forbes.com Netflix combines its shotgun approach to original content creation with an array of algorithms constantly working to curate content For You. Real-time data from actual users determines what has appeal and what does not, instead of suits in a boardroom with pie charts and tee times. And while some Netflix Originals, like the aptly named "Everything Sucks," have flopped, others like "Stranger Things" and have become massive hits. Last year, Netflix Originals received more Emmy nominations than rival HBO, and this year "Roma" has been pegged as an Oscar favorite in several major categories, including Best Picture. (In 2017, fellow disruptor Amazon became the first streaming company to win Best Picture with its heart-breaking drama Manchester- By-The-Sea. ) Impact Net ix s leap into the top echelon of the entertainment industry in just a few years has left Hollywood in a state of near bedlam. - Cynthia Littleton, Variety Despite being an internet-first product, Netflix is now the single most popular way to watch video content on television. 27% of Americans say Net ix is their most-used television service, followed by basic cable (20%) and broadcast (18%). With younger viewers (18-34), Net ix surges to 40%. - Sarah Toy, MarketWatch
Netflix is now valued at $140 billion just 16% less than Disney, the largest media company in the world. The magic kingdom is preparing for war in 2019. Over the next twelve months, Disney will acquire 21st Century Fox, strip all of its content from Netflix and launch its own DTC platform. The launch of direct-to-consumer services is the biggest priority of the company in 2019. - Disney CEO Bob Iger Netflix premiered "Bandersnatch," a groundbreaking,choose-your-own-adventure episode of its critically-acclaimed series Black Mirror, in the final days of 2018. And it was completely overshadowed by Netflix's own meme-powered mega-hit, Bird Box.
Netflix invested millions of dollars and over two years building a state-of-the-art branch manager to handle the incredible intricacies of Bandersnatch and people hardly noticed because Sandra Bullock in a blindfold took over the internet.
As the internet's most prolific storyteller, Netflix can afford to take chances like Bandersnatch again and again. And that s when the true scope of the company s power is realized; like the bully on the playground that Disney and others have come to fear, Netflix is taking swings just because it can. MUSIC Begin Again Dispatch - America, Location 12 Rock Hope Chainsmokers - Sickboy Pop, Dance 151 Rum J.I.D. - DiCaprio 2 Hip-Hop
Movie Reviews The Favourite Grade: B Excellent acting and fantastic set and costume design make "The Favourite" worthwhile. Olivia Colman (Queen Anne) won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama and I think she will take the Oscar, too. This dark comedy is as entertaining it is uncomfortable at times.
Mid90s Grade: A- I really liked this movie. Admittedly, that's partially due to my 90s childhood nostalgia. But regardless of your age, this polaroid of family, friendship and skateboarding in Los Angeles is certainly worth your time. Kudos to Jonah Hill on a successful directorial debut. Featured Creator: Comedian Natalie Friedman
NFL Divisional Round Picks Indianapolis Colts (+5) vs Kansas City Chiefs (-5) Winner: Colts (+5) The Chiefs defense stinks and the team hasn't won a playoff game in Arrowhead in 25 years. Patrick Mahomes has been fantastic this season but Andrew Luck is no slouch either. The Chiefs may win but they won't cover the five points. Dallas Cowboys (+7) vs Los Angeles Rams (-7) Winner: Dallas Cowboys (+7) There will be as many Cowboys fans as Rams fans in the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday night. The Rams are the better team but Geoff has looked shaky of late and a seven-point spread is too big for what will be essentially a neutral
field NFL playoff game. Los Angeles Chargers (+4) vs New England Patriots (-4) Winner: Pats (-4) This is too tall of a task for the Chargers: play early games back-to-back weeks on the east coast? Yikes. Plus, it's going to be below freezing in Foxboro. That's GOAT weather. Philadelphia Eagles (+8) vs New Orleans Saints (-8) Winner: Eagles (+8) Not much to say here: Bet against Nick Foles and his plucky Eagles all you want. Give me the eight points and some popcorn. This email was sent to <<Email Address>> why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Height Media 15 N Winooski Ave Burlington, VT 05401-3739 USA