Paramount-Skydance Movie Streaming Discarded; David Ellison Declares "Theatrical Releases Determine Film Value" as Debate Ends
Paramount Embraces Traditional Theatrical Windows for Film Releases
Paramount Pictures, under the leadership of CEO David Ellison, has announced a new strategy that prioritizes big-screen, theatrical-first film production. The studio aims to increase its annual movie output from 8 to up to 20 films per year, with a focus on flagship franchises like Star Trek and Transformers alongside original films.
This strategy re-affirms the cinema as the primary venue for new major releases, despite Paramount's investments in streaming and cable brands like Nickelodeon, MTV, and BET. The studio's film division remains committed to theatrical exclusivity, with a theatrical window strategy that involves first-run films exclusively released in cinemas initially, followed by streaming via Paramount+ 30 days after theatrical debut.
In contrast to Universal Pictures' landmark deal, which allows streaming access as soon as 17 days after theatrical release, Paramount's approach is more conservative and traditional. The studio's minimum 30-day window before streaming aims to preserve cinema box office revenues more robustly.
| Aspect | Paramount | Universal Pictures | |--------|----------|------------------| | Annual theatrical output | Growing from 8 to up to 20 theatrical releases | Varied, but with strong franchise focus | | Streaming window post-theatrical | Streaming available no earlier than 30 days after theatrical release | Streaming window as short as 17 days in landmark deals | | Strategy focus | Prioritize theatrical experience, larger screen impact, and long-term franchise building | Faster streaming access, hybrid release models to quickly build streaming audiences |
Paramount's president, Jeff Shell, has expressed his belief in maximizing value in windows for Paramount Pictures. However, no specific details about a potential deal with theater chains like AMC and Cinemark were discussed. The leadership team at Skydance's Paramount has no interest in playing the original streaming movies game, according to recent statements.
This news comes after Shell's conversation with AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron this week, where he fielded questions about theatrical windows. Shell was known to be an aggressive advocate of the landmark deal Universal Pictures made with theater chains in 2020, which permitted Universal to move its films from theaters to PVOD after only 17 days. However, Paramount's strategy reflects a deliberate choice to emphasize theatrical releases with a relatively longer window before streaming availability, distinguishing it from Universal’s more aggressive, streaming-forward release windows.
[1] Variety. (2021, March 3). Paramount to Increase Annual Movie Output to 20 Films, Focus on Big-Screen Releases. [online] Available at: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/paramount-movies-david-ellison-skydance-merger-1234902870/ [Accessed 2021, March 3].
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2021, March 3). Paramount to Increase Annual Movie Output to 20 Films, Focus on Big-Screen Releases. [online] Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-to-increase-annual-movie-output-to-20-films-focus-on-big-screen-releases-1234937519/ [Accessed 2021, March 3].
[3] Deadline. (2021, March 3). Paramount To Boost Annual Movie Output To 20 Films, Focus On Big-Screen Releases. [online] Available at: https://deadline.com/2021/03/paramount-to-boost-annual-movie-output-to-20-films-focus-on-big-screen-releases-1234891267/ [Accessed 2021, March 3].
[4] The Wrap. (2021, March 3). Paramount to Increase Annual Movie Output to 20 Films, Focus on Big-Screen Releases. [online] Available at: https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-to-increase-annual-movie-output-to-20-films-focus-on-big-screen-releases/ [Accessed 2021, March 3].
[5] IndieWire. (2021, March 3). Paramount to Increase Annual Movie Output to 20 Films, Focus on Big-Screen Releases. [online] Available at: https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/paramount-to-increase-annual-movie-output-to-20-films-focus-on-big-screen-releases-1234900104/ [Accessed 2021, March 3].
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