KOLKATA: E-commerce giant Amazon is all set to close the MGM Studios acquisition deal for $9 billion according to a Wall Street Journal report, which says the deal could be announced as early as this week, provided there isn’t any last-minute glitch.
The studio of Gone with the Wind and Rocky could turn out to be a great asset for the tech giant as it is substantially focusing on building up its entertainment footprint globally. Notably, MGM offers the famous Bond franchise but without owning it. It is also known for classics like Singin’ in the Rain, The Pink Panther.
According to the report, the talks between the two parties started at the beginning of the year and have been on-off since then. But it gathered pace over the last few weeks. The board of the Hollywood studio was also informed on the matter on Sunday, the report added.
If the deal finally comes to fruition, it would be Amazon’s second-biggest acquisition ever, after the $13.7B deal for Whole Foods Market.
The e-commerce giant is putting in billions of dollars to boost its content library for prime video. It has also committed a huge budget for the production of a TV series based on Lord of the Rings. Then, it is also expanding its live sports portfolio across its key markets. Ultimately, the competition is with the likes of Netflix and Disney of the world.
MGM has been looking for prospective buyers for a long time now. While it wanted to cut a deal at $9 billion, prospective buyers in the past did find it over expensive. The market valued the studio around $5 billion. Even Apple, Comcast reportedly spoke to MGM but could not reach any agreement. This time it is amazon that never minds paying some extra to dodge off the competition.
New Delhi: Netflix is continuing its dream run in the United States, and it remains way ahead of its competitors Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. Well, this is what the latest report from US-based information, data, and market measurement firm Nielsen seems to suggest. Netflix is clearly showing its dominance in all three categories that include, movies, original series, and acquired shows.
Stowaway & Thunder Force leads the movie category
Nielsen’s data suggests that the science fiction thriller Stowaway which is currently streaming on Netflix is the most-watched movie in the United States. Directed by Joe Penna, this film set against the backdrop of a dangerous Mars mission stars Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette in the lead roles.
Stowaway is closely followed by Thunder Force in the second spot in the movie category. Despite a thumbs down from the critics, Thunder Force is still one of the most-watched movies in the United States. Thanks to the scintillating onscreen chemistry between Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer. The film is directed by Ben Falcone, and it revolves around the life of two childhood best friends who turn into superheroes in the latter part of their lives.
Synchronic, American Me, and The Little Rascals are the other Netflix films that are included in Nielsen’s top 10 movies list in the United States. Animated movies have saved Disney+ in the movie category with Frozen, Frozen II, Moana, and Ryan and the Last Dragon included in the Neilsen list. However, no films from Amazon Prime Video succeeded in finding a spot in this list of most-watched movies in the United States.
Disney+ dominates the original category
Disney Plus’ Falcon and the Winter Soldier continues to be the most-watched original series. The series created by Malcolm Spellman is based on the Marvel Comics characters Sam Wilson / Falcon and Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier. As the final episode of the series ended on 23 April, audiences are now eagerly waiting for a possible next installment, either in the form of a film or series, as Falcon has been appointed as the next Captain America.
Closely following Falcon and the Winter Soldier in Nielsen’s list is Shadow and Bone which is being streamed on Netflix. Even though Shadow and Bone failed to recreate the magic of HBO’s Game of Thrones, the series based on Leigh Bardugo’s novel successfully catered to the needs of fantasy lovers.
Amazon Prime Video’s anthology horror series Them is included in Nielsen’s top 10 list of original series. Other series that found their place in the list are The Circle, The Crown, Great British Baking Show, Lucifer, The Serpent, Life in Color, and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me, which are currently streaming on Netflix.
In the acquired original series category, all the ten inclusions are from Netflix’s arsenal. NCIS is topping the list followed by Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Cocomelon,The Baker and the Beauty, and Heartland.
KOLKATA: For fans of DC comic book superheroes this is super good news. Amazon Prime Video today announced the addition of five new DC Comic titles to its line-up of shows and movies. Famous and iconic ones like Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow and Gotham will now be available to Prime members in India. Flash and Super Girl will be launched on 24 and 31 May respectively with DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow and Gotham following soon thereafter.
DC, which is also referred to as home to the “World’s Greatest Super Heroes” has a huge following worldwide and in India. The addition of these titles promises something for everyone. Whether it’s the journey to battle evil with Flash and Supergirl, or about exploring the streets of the city we know as Gotham, or fighting corruption with Arrow and plunging into the future with a quest to save the earth in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, this summer, there will be no shortage of action, adventure, and thrill!
Flash: A central police forensic scientist, Barry Allen meets with a massive particle accelerator explosion accident. Nine months later, he wakes up from the coma discovering that the blast has given him the power of super speed. However, he learns that many more have also been affected by the event but chose to use their powers for evil. Taking on the role of a hero, Barry dedicates himself to fighting against such threats as the superhero The Flash.
Supergirl: Escaping a fateful Kryptonian blast, Kara along with her cousin is sent to earth. In a turn of events, she is diverted to a timeless phantom zone before finally reaching earth and finding out her cousin is the infamous Superman. Stuck at a dead-end job, a critical crisis stirs Kara’s veiled Kryptonian powers and she is inspired to use them for the better. Introduced to a secret world of the Department of Extra-Normal Operations, Supergirl sets on her way to save planet earth.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Having seen the future, desperately trying to prevent it from becoming a reality, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter ( Arthur Darvil) is tasked with assembling a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront an unstoppable threat – one in which not only is the planet at stake, but all of time itself. He assembles a ragtag team that strives to defeat an immortal threat unlike anything they have ever known. DC’S Legends Of Tomorrow, promises the fans an enthralling experience as they immerse themselves into the action and adventure of the DC universe.
Arrow: Things take a turn for the worse when spoiled brat, Oliver Queen and his billionaire father are lost at sea. Their luxury yacht sinks and his father does not make it. Stranded on an forgien island, Oliver learns the reality of his father’s dealings by its inhabitants and embarks on a journey of change. Hardened and resolute to set things straight, he returns to his home city eliminating the ones who have plagued it with corruption.
Gotham: Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered right before young Bruce Wayne’s eyes. The two detectives- James Gordon and his cynical partner, Harvey Bullock solve the case with ease. However, things are not as simple as they seem. Driven by the young Bruce’s desire for justice Gordon pledges to eradicate the corruption that caused the chain of events. Fighting against his colleagues and super villains, Gordon is on a mission to clean up Gotham as Bruce Wayne observes the hero.
KOLKATA: US tech giant Amazon is in talks to acquire the “Bond studio” MGM to bolster its ambition in the streaming media, according to reports. The mega-deal is being orchestrated by Amazon Studios and Prime Video senior vice president Mike Hopkins, along with MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich.
Founded in 1924 MGM’s wide Hollywood library includes names like Bond, Hobbit, Rocky, and Pink Panther franchises as well as movies like The Silence of the Lambs,The Magnificent Seven, Four Weddings, and A Funeral along with a streaming service Epix.
Although media is not a big part of e-commerce giant Amazon’s portfolio, it has gradually increased focus on the segment. Prime Video’s viewer base has surpassed 175 million, the company revealed recently. According to reports, MGM has been looking for prospective buyers. While the company wants to value itself at $9 billion, others are valuing it at $5 billion.
At the end of 2020, there were already reports that MGM had tapped Morgan Stanley and LionTree to explore a sale. Even Apple and Comcast also reportedly spoke to the studio but they could not reach an agreement.
The reports came close on the heels of Discovery-AT&T’s media assets merger deal to build a new streaming giant. In the last few years, the global media and entertainment industry has witnessed a number of consolidations as the streaming competition rises.
Mumbai: Netflix is the uncrowned SVOD king in the United States. This is what the latest report from US-based information, data, and market measurement firm Nielsen seems to suggest. According to Nielsen’s data, the OTT giant enjoys an unquestionable lead compared to their competitors, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video in all categories that include original series, movies, and acquired shows.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier leads the series category
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the most popular original series in the United States. Premiered on Disney+, this six-episode series is a part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). The mini-series received rave reviews from all corners, and audiences are now eagerly waiting for a fourth Captain America movie which will be the continuation of this series.
Amazon Prime’s Them is another original series that is grabbing maximum eyeballs. Created by Little Marvin and executive produced by Lena Waithe, this horror anthology series has impressed the viewers with its raw cinematic language. The series stars Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill, and Ryan Kwanten in the lead roles.
Netflix has a handful of original series that are now the hottest picks among the US audiences. The OTT giant’s reality show ‘The Circle’ is enjoying a huge fan base in the country. Amid receiving negative reviews, Netflix’s Dad stop embarrassing me has been received warmly by the US audiences. The historical drama series The Crown has also succeeded in impressing the audiences. Other Netflix series that are currently placed in Nielsen’s list of top originals in the US are The Crown, The Serpent, and Who Killed Sara.
Netflix’s Thunder Force creates wonders
When it comes to movies on SVOD, Netflix’s Thunder Force topped Nielsen’s list. Directed by Ben Falcone, this film stars Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff, Taylor Mosby, Melissa Leo, and Jason Bateman in the lead roles. Upon its digital release on 9 April on Netflix, the film received unanimously positive reviews from audiences and critics. The movie revolves around the life of two childhood best friends who meet in the latter part of their lives, and one among them now has a formula that could give superhuman powers to ordinary people.
American documentary movie Why did you Kill Me? is another top pick among US audiences. The film follows the life of Belinda Lane as she tracks down those involved in the murder of Crystal Theobald, her daughter, using MySpace.
The science-fiction movie Synchronic is another Netflix film that is topping Nielsen’s list. Directed by Justin Benson, this film stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan in the lead roles. The film revolves around the life of New Orleans paramedics and long-time best friends Steve and Dennis who discover a mysterious new drug at the scene of multiple gruesome accidents.
Disney+ films that enjoy a spot in the Nielsen list are Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Frozen. However, no movies from Amazon Prime Video were included in this list of most-watched movies in the United States.
According to the Nielsen data in the acquired show category, Netflix is away ahead of Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. The top show in this list is Netflix’s NCIS, followed by Grey’s Anatomy, Cocomelon, Criminal Minds, Schitts Creek, Heartland, Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, The Baker, and The Beauty, Supernatural and New Girl. No acquired show available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video made its way to the list of most-watched acquired shows.
Mumbai: Post the coronavirus outbreak, the OTT platforms in India have witnessed a rapid surge in popularity. As people remained confined to their homes, they turned to the streaming platforms to binge watch some of their favourite shows and films. With the second wave of pandemic ravaging the country, the restrictions on movement will continue and so, will the influx of new viewers on these platforms.
Indiantelevision.com presents you with a list of five most-anticipated movies and shows that audiences can watch this week on the OTT platforms.
Army of the Dead (Netflix)
After the mammoth success of Justice League: Snyder’s Cut, acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder is revisiting his favourite zombie genre with Army of the Dead. Starring Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Tig Notaro in the lead roles, this film will be premiered on Netflix on 21 May.
Apart from the stellar Hollywood star cast, Indian actress Huma Qureshi is also playing a crucial role in this film. Army of the Dead is set in the backdrop of a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas. As the entire city is quarantined, a group of mercenaries plans the greatest heist ever to secure their lives.
Sardar Ka Grandson (Netflix)
Bollywood movie Sardar Ka Grandson will have its premiere on Netflix on 18 May. Directed by Kaashvie Nair, this romantic drama stars Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, and Neena Gupta in lead roles, while Bollywood superstar John Abraham and Aditi Rao Hydari will be seen playing extended cameos.
The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Divya Khosla Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, Nikkhil Advani, and John Abraham under the banners T-Series, Emmay Entertainment, and JA Entertainment.
Solos (Amazon Prime Video)
Produced by Amazon Studios, Solos is an American anthology drama directed by David Weil, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Zach Braff, and Tiffany Johnson. The seven-episode series is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 21 May.
Solos has an ensemble star cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Helen Mirren, Uzo Aduba, Anthony Mackie, Constance Wu, Dan Stevens, and Nicole Beharie.
Who Killed Sara (Netflix)
It was on 24 March that Netflix premiered the first season of Who Killed Sara. In an unexpected move, the OTT giant is now all set to premiere the second season of Who Killed Sara on 19 May.
The first season of Who Killed Sara took the audience on a lurid journey through the dark underground of the powerful Lazcano family, and the second season is expected to begin from where the first season ended.
Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Season 3 (Netflix)
The much-anticipated third season of the animated series Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous will premiere on Netflix on 21 May. The series which won the award for Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects at the 48th Annie Awards is expected to offer an ultimate visual treat to young audiences in the nation.
KERALA: As more and more people remain in the safety of their homes due to the pandemic raging outside, OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and Zee5 are providing ample doses of entertainment to keep the audience stress-free.
Indiantelevision.com presents you with the list of five most-anticipated movies that will be screened on OTT platforms this week.
Radhe (Zee5 and Zee Plex)
Salman Khan’s Radhe, directed by Prabhu Deva, is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. After postponing its release multiple times, the makers have now decided to release the film simultaneously in theatres and on Zee5 and Zee Plex as a pay-per-view on 13 May.
Radhe is the first Indian movie to have a hybrid release, and it is still unclear how audiences will welcome this new strategy, as partial lockdowns have been imposed in several states and PVoD is yet to find many takers in India.
A high-voltage action thriller, Radhe will see Salman Khan playing the role of a daredevil cop on a mission to stamp out drug cartels. The film is produced by Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, and Atul Agnihotri and also stars Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda, and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles.
The Woman in the Window (Netflix)
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Joe Wright, The Woman in the Window will arrive on Netflix India 14 May. The film is a psychological thriller and has a power-packed ensemble cast comprising Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianne Moor.
The film revolves around Dr Anna Fox (Amy Adams), an agoraphobic psychologist who befriends a neighbour across the street. However, things take an unexpected turn in her life when the neighbour disappears.
The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)
Historical drama series The Underground Railroad will premiere on Amazon Prime Video 14 May. The series has at its centre a young woman who escapes from a Georgia plantation, and boards a train seeking freedom. However, things take a turn when she gets hunted by a dreaded slave catcher.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, the series stars Thuso Mbedu, Chase W Dillon, Aaron Pierre, and Joel Edgerton in the lead roles. The Underground Railroad is based on the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead.
High School Musical: The Series season 2 (Disney+ Hotstar)
Disney+Hotstar has confirmed that the second season of High School Musical: The Series will drop on 14 May. The second season will portray the story of East High Leopards as they prepare to perform Beauty and the Beast as their spring musical, and face off against rival school North High.
High School Musical: The Series season 2 will have Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Sapperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Renée, Frankie Rodriguez, and Kate Reinders in the lead roles.
Unfriended (Netflix)
Unfriended will begin streaming on Netflix 16 May. The film was originally released in 2014 and due to repeated requests, the OTT platform has decided to bring back the movie again on their platform.
The movie revolves around the life of six teenagers who get a shock of their lives when they receive a message from their deceased friend during a video chat. Directed by Levan Gabriadze, this film stars Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki, and Courtney Halverson.
KOLKATA: As India tussles with the raging pandemic amid some drastic shifts in consumer behaviour, a new survey conducted by the market research firm CMR has concluded that Amazon Prime Video is the most trusted entertainment brand in the Indian entertainment landscape.
According to the findings of the Alpha Brands 2021 survey, Amazon Prime Video, which comes bundles with the e-commerce giant’s Prime subscription, has the most satisfied consumers in the period which is about 81 per cent (highest till date). This is followed by Disney+ Hotstar (73 per cent) and Netflix (67 per cent).
Going by the report, consumers have prioritised entertainment and welcomed OTT content with open arms over the course of the past year. During this period of increased video streaming, Amazon Prime Video has not only acquired the best of the global content but also enhanced its reach in various untapped regions in India with content across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bengali.
Some notable localised titles available on the streamer includes Soorarai Pottru (Tamil, Telugu), CU Soon (Malayalam), Joji (Malayalam), Drishyam 2 (Malayalam), French Biriyani (Kannada), Middle Class Melodies (Telugu), Shakuntala Devi (Hindi) among many others.
KOLKATA: Amazon Prime Video is all set to add to the excitement of the launch of the it’s original series LOL- Hasse Toh Phasse, as the chaotic and fun madhouse transforms into a PAC-MAN maze. The streaming service has rolled out a limited edition Pac-Man game as a part of a consumer engagement campaign for the unscripted comedy reality show.
This maze chase video game has the show’s hosts and comedians as Pac-Man icons. The player can choose their favourite comedian to play the game, and then try to evade the hosts Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi’s sharp and vigilant watch. The player has to score as much as possible with three lives to navigate through three challenging yet exciting levels. With an engaging and addictive web and mobile (iOS & Android) interface, this limited edition Pac-man game will have gaming enthusiasts and fans of the series hooked.
The streamer has also come up with a quirky consumer engagement campaign titled #LastSeenLaughing by posting a flurry of memes about funny instances from its shows and movies, with the hashtag. Jumping on the bandwagon, close to a 100 brands which include Zomato, Jack and Jones India, Mentos, Dunzo and Rage Coffee joined the conversation along with netizens.
An international format comedy show with an Indian twist, LOL- Hasse Toh Phasse brings together comedy kings Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi to keep a vigilant watch on India’s 10 most celebrated comedians: Aadar Malik, Aakash Gupta, Aditi Mittal, Ankita Shrivastav, Cyrus Broacha, Gaurav Gera, Kusha Kapila, Mallika Dua, Sunil Grover and Suresh Menon. Bringing the toughest challenge of their life, the show witnesses the contestants pitted against each other in a house with two objectives – to make others laugh and more importantly, ensure that they should be the last one standing with a straight face!
MUMBAI: As we welcome a new month, OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar have prepared a fresh vat of content to enthral viewers and assert their dominance in the highly competitive video streaming space. Post the Covid2019 outbreak, these OTT giants have found their market among Indian audiences too, and the trend is likely to continue, as people have started confining to their households due to the pandemic’s second wave.
Indiantelevision.com presents you with a list of the five most anticipated movies set to land on OTT platforms in India this week.
Selena: The Series, Part 02 (Netflix)
It was in December 2020 that Netflix grabbed the eyeballs of the viewers with Selena:The Series, which paid homage to the best Latin American female artist to have ever walked this Earth, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. And now, the streamer is back with part 02 of the series, and it will be premiered on 4 May 2021.
The first part of the series depicted Selina’s unending love for music and her career’s humble beginning. Part 02 of the series will begin from where the first part ended. The upcoming edition of the series will also revolve around Selena’s breakout from Los Dinos and her rise to stardom as a solo artist.
Selena: The Series is created by Moisés Zamora. The series has Christian Serratos playing the role of Selena, while the supporting star cast includes, Gabriel Chavarria, Ricardo Chavira, Noemi Gonzalez, and Seidy López.
Robot and Frank (Amazon Prime Video)
Robot and Frank is a highly acclaimed Hollywood movie that was originally released in 2012. As Indian audiences may not have watched this classic film, Amazon Prime Video is releasing this movie on their platform on 9 May. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film revolves around the story of an old man who befriends a robot.
Set in the near future, Robot and Frank narrate the story of Frank Weld, an aging jewel thief who gets a robot from his son to help him in his household activities. Even though Frank hates the robot at the first sight, he soon understands that the machine can be used to revive his career as a cat burglar.
Acclaimed actor Frank Langella has played the role of jewel thief Frank in this movie. The supporting star cast includes Susan Sarandon, Peter Sarsgaard, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, and Jeremy Strong.
Girl from Nowhere, Season 2 (Netflix)
It was in 2018 that the first season of Girl from Nowhere had its release on GMM 25, a Thai television channel. As the series gained worldwide attention, Netflix too streamed the first season on their platform. And now, the second season of Girl from Nowhere is all set to hook audiences from 7 May 2021.
The second season of Girl from Nowhere also revolves around the life of Nanno, who has the ability to expose everyone’s different stories of hypocrisy.
Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele (Disney+Hotstar)
Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele will be premiered on Disney+Hotstar on 9 May. The film features, Anshuman Jha and Zareen Khan in lead roles. In this film, Anshuman and Zareen will be seen playing the roles of homosexual characters.
Directed by Harish Vyas, the film revolves around a road trip from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh, and during this trip, the lead characters in this movie discover their love hidden in friendship.
Jupiter’s Legacy (Netflix)
Jupiter’s Legacy is a superhero series that will be premiered on Netflix on 07 May. The series based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, stars Josh Duhamel, Ben Daniels, Leslie Bibb, Elena Kampouris, Andrew Horton, Mike Wade, and Matt Lanter in the lead roles.
Jupiter’s Legacy revolves around the story of a group of people who gained superpowers in the 1930s. Now, they are old guards, but things take an unexpected turn when their children struggle to live up to the legendary feats of their parents.
