National Film

• Streaming services have dramatically transformed the media landscape, allowing consumers unparalleled access to vast libraries of content.
• This increase in competition has created many challenges for streaming services and resulted in many services recently reporting losses of both subscribers and profits.

Content removal: for the consumer experience or just a tax write-off?

• Previously, content has been usually removed from streaming services due to licensing agreements.
• But the more recent content removal discussion raises questions associated with streaming services – and their overarching corporations – wanting to save money.
• The removal of original content from streaming services, in most instances, means they will not be accessible to viewers anywhere.
• More content is expected to disappear in upcoming quarters, which could also include original content.

Has the streaming bubble burst?

• It was reported Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers worldwide, the complete opposite of Wall Street’s expectation that the service would add 2.5 million subscribers.
• This was only exacerbated by the loss of 3.8 million subscribers to its Disney+ Hotstar streaming services (the Disney+ service offered in India and parts of Southeast Asia).
• Warner Bros Discovery also reported a financial loss of US$217 million across its streaming services.

The impact on viewers and creators

• Eliza Skinner, head writer for Earth to Ned, which was removed from Disney+, says they were not aware of the decision until seeing it reported in an article.
• Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under and Ballers will also be available on Netflix as part of the deal.
• This is a significant shift in the previous approach by streaming services to create “originals” as a way to increase subscriptions.

Too many chefs in the production kitchen

• For television series, licensing and agreements can become extremely complicated when multiple studios are involved across multiple seasons.
• This resulted in the first three seasons streaming on Disney’s Hulu service, while Netlfix had all five on its service.
• This was due to a “first run” agreement Foxtel had signed many years prior to Netflix’s involvement.

Will there be resurgence of physical media?

• That is, if you can find a store that sells physical media – Kmart removed the sale of physical media more than five years ago.
• But for much of the new content being produced, physical media are not available.
• This means consumers will not be able to access the content once it has been removed from a streaming service.

• The forum, entitled 'Africa 2 America,' places the African creative sector in Hollywood for the development of bilateral exchange.
• ICON MANN reteamed with Sony Pictures for the annual ICON MANN HONORS dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, March 8th at Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, California.
• 2023 Honorees include Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reginald Hudlin and Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of the Africa Center NYC and NY Times Best-Selling Author of 'Beasts of No Nation.'
• ICON MANN's Africa 2 America film market sessions partners officially with the National Film Authority of Ghana and Uganda Communications Commission.

• By illuminating its windows with colour-changing cove lights and wall grazers, Sinclair accents the crumpled-looking exposed brick form with jewel-bright hues.
• Seen from the Goods Line, Frank Gehry's unmistakable "paper bag" aesthetic suddenly looks as enticing as a bag of mixed lollies.
• The Grand Concourse of Central Station becomes an impromptu concert hall with a different band performing every week.
• The city's best spinners will hit the decks during Vivid Sydney on a new stage set up among the Light Walk along The Goods Line.