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| Hello and thanks for opening today's Inside Streaming brief. It's maybe a bit counter-intuitive that HBO's "The White Lotus" leads to mini-tourism booms. After all, the show is very sharply satirical, often presenting the tourists it depicts as clueless or crass or incapable of truly appreciating the exotic locations to which they've traveled. The show investigates the ways that privilege and class can be isolating, and that often includes pushing its characters away from the kinds of authentic, satisfying travel experiences we all crave and into interpersonal conflicts that reflect their own baggage and expectations. Plus at least one person inevitably dies every time! But the show does always feature very pretty scenery and inviting resorts, so I guess I get it. I'm sure Thailand will experience a surge in interest after Season 3, just as Sicily did in 2022. Enjoy today's issue! Lon
p/lon-harris | |
| 1 | | New data from Ampere Analysis suggests that, by the end of 2024, overall streaming revenue will eclipse cable subscription revenue in the US. Specifically, Ampere expects streaming to surpass cable in Q3 of this year. More: - The value of the American pay TV market reached its peak in 2017; by 2028, Ampere estimates its value will have declined by half.
- The total number of streaming subscribers surpassed cable subscribers in 2016, but because streaming subscriptions are so much cheaper, total revenue has taken a while to catch up.
- Ad-supported subscriptions have helped streamers close this gap more quickly; this year alone, streaming ad revenue will hit around $9 billion.
- Currently, US pay TV revenue sits at around $17.1 billion, compared to $17 billion for streaming.
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| 2 | | In a new interview with Total Film, star Jake Gyllenhaal suggests that Amazon always intended its "Road House" remake to debut exclusively on Prime Video. Director Doug Liman intends to boycott the film's SXSW premiere next month in protest of Amazon's decision to skip a theatrical release. More: - Gyllenhaal tells Total Film that, while he admires Liman's "tenacity" in "advocating for filmmakers and film in the cinema," Amazon was "always clear" that the action film was intended for Prime Video release.
- Gyllenhaal also remarked that, while he enjoys seeing films in theaters, he "embrace[s] the streaming world" and has been "profoundly moved" by films he watched on a computer.
- According to a previous report in Variety, Amazon offered Liman and his fellow "Road House" producers the option of releasing the film theatrically with a $60 million budget, or boosting the budget to $85 million but debuting directly on Prime Video.
- The new "Road House" -- a remake of the '80s Patrick Swayze classic -- hits Prime Video on March 21.
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| 3 | | DAILY CALENDAR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 SHŌGUN: Limited historical drama series from FX, based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell that previously inspired a classic '80s miniseries. Cosmo Jarvis stars as English sailor John Blackthorne, who gets stranded in Japan in the year 1600, then clashes with the powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroto Kanai, and Takehiro Hira co-star; husband and wife team Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks ("Top Gun: Maverick") created the series. [Hulu] AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM: 2023 superhero film, following up on 2018's "Aquaman" and serving as the final entry in the "DC Extended Universe" franchise. Aquaman (Jason Momoa) teams up with brother and former rival Orm (Patrick Wilson) to stop Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) from destroying the global environment with an ancient pollutant. Amber Heard, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Nicole Kidman, and Temuera Morrison co-star; "Aquaman" director James Wan returned for the sequel. [Max] GOD SAVE TEXAS: Three-part docuseries, inspired by Lawrence Wright's book "God Save Texas: A Journey Into the Soul of the Lone Star State," and looking into stories that reflect the state's past, present, and future from different perspectives. Richard Linklater, Alex Stapleton, and Iliana Sosa each directed an episode that centers on their hometowns. [Max] THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER: YACHTS AND THE SUPER RICH: Newsmagazine special that aired on CNN in January in which correspondent Alisyn Camerota visits Monaco during its annual Yacht Show, which brings together a number of the world's wealthiest people. [Max] AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL: Documentary feature from filmmaker J.M. Harper ("Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy") and Bronx rapper Kemba, examining the use of rap lyrics as evidence in the US criminal justice system, typically in cases involving young Black men. The film premiered at this year's Sundance. [Paramount+] THE GREATEST LOVE STORY NEVER TOLD: Behind-the-scenes documentary from Jennifer Lopez, chronicling the production of her narrative musical film "This is Me... Now: A Love Story" and the true stories that inspired the project. Jason Bergh ("30 for 30") directed; Artists Equity, the studio founded by Lopez's husband Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, developed the film. [Prime Video] PATHOLOGICAL: THE LIES OF JORAN VAN DER SLOOT: True crime documentary profiling the convicted murderer, who confessed in 2022 to killing young tourist Natalee Holloway after decades of speculation. The film chronicles Van Der Sloot's criminal career -- also including the 2012 murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores in Peru -- via interviews with witnesses, experts, and family members of his victims. [Peacock] CHAPPELLE'S HOME TEAM – DONNELL RAWLINGS: A NEW DAY: The "Chappelle Show" veteran's first solo comedy special for Netflix was filmed at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City, and features material about toxic relationships, aging, and traveling to New Zealand. Dave Chappelle executive produced. [Netflix] IWÁJÚ: A DAY AHEAD: Documentary special from ABC News Studios centering on the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali, which teamed with Walt Disney Animation Studios on the new animated series "Iwájú." The groundbreaking series -- the first-ever collaborative project from Walt Disney Animation -- debuts tomorrow. [Disney+] | | | |
| 4 | | According to The New York Times, HBO's "The White Lotus" is now a significant driver of real-world tourism. Season 3 of the series will be set in Thailand, and the production received financial incentives from the Thai government for shooting there. More: - Though the specific amount HBO received to shoot in Thailand has not been disclosed, last year the Thai government approved a $4.5 million overall rebate for international productions.
- The ensemble cast of "The White Lotus" Season 3 also won't need to pay Thai taxes on their compensation for the series.
- Previous real-world resorts that stood on for the fictional White Lotus, and received a tourism boost after the show aired, include the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Taormina, Sicily.
- According to Expedia, searches for Thailand travel shot up by 50% after "White Lotus" Season 3 was announced.
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| 5 | | Deadline reports that Netflix's award-winning comedy-drama series "Beef" will return for a second season, now focused on two separate feuds. Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny are apparently being pursued to play one warring couple, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway likely to sign on as well. More: - Gyllenhaal and Hathaway have previously appeared together in two films: "Brokeback Mountain" and "Love & Other Drugs."
- Melton and Spaeny both had breakout roles in 2023; he co-starred in "May December" while she portrayed Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola's biopic "Priscilla."
- No final deals are yet in place, so these plans could still change.
- "Beef" won eight Primetime Emmy Awards this year, including Outstanding Limited Series and trophies for Season 1 stars Ali Wong and Steven Yuen; it just picked up additional honors this past weekend at both the Producers Guild Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.
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| 6 | | Netflix acquired the independently-produced comedy series "Tires" from star, writer, co-creator, and executive producer Shane Gillis. The six-episode first season hits the streamer on May 23. More: - Steven Gerben stars in "Tires" as Will, who attempts to take over his father's failing auto repair chain; Gillis co-stars as Will's irritating cousin and first employee.
- Gillis co-created the series with Gerben and frequent collaborator John McKeever, who also directed.
- Gillis will also produce a second stand-up special for the streamer, following last year's "Beautiful Dogs."
- Gillis and McKeever also self-produce the popular YouTube sketch comedy series "Gilly and Keeves."
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| 7 | | A new research note published by analysts from UBS Securities predicts that Netflix will hike subscription prices in 2024. The analysis suggests that, by raising prices, the company can reach 15% total revenue growth in 2024, compared to just 7% growth in 2023. More: - Netflix raised prices in October of last year for many subscribers, increasing the Basic Plan from $9.99 per month to $11.99 in the US, UK, and France.
- The company has not formally announced any specific plans to raise prices this year, and in its Q4 2023 earnings call, co-CEO Greg Peters suggested that price increases were currently "on hold."
- UBS has given Netflix a "buy" rating, and raised its 12-month price target from $570 per share to $685.
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- Variety reports that Sara Ramírez won't return for Season 3 of HBO's "And Just Like That..." as stand-up comedian Che Diaz; though online rumors indicated that Ramírez was dropped from the show following her advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza, Variety suggests that the character's arc had reached a natural conclusion.
- Distributor Fifth Season is selling a $1 billion package of Apple TV+ originals on the international TV market, including shows like "See," "Truth Be Told," "Roar," and "Servant"; because TV+ has very few international subscribers, for most of the world, this is fresh content.
- Amazon ordered a first season for "Overcompensating," an autobiographical comedy from creator Benito Skinner; he'll star as a closeted former homecoming king struggling to find himself and fit in at college.
- On March 1, Max will switch up its line-up of classic "Looney Tunes," dropping a number of titles but adding a new collection of over 130 shorts; incoming titles include "Duck Amuck," "Porky's Duck Hunt," "What's Opera, Doc," and "One Froggy Evening."
- Amazon also grabbed the thriller "El Gato," originally developed for Apple TV+ and based on the comic "El Gato Negro" by Richard Dominguez; Diego Boneta stars as a man who discovers his father was an infamous crime-fighting vigilante in the 1970s.
- A two-hour primetime special celebrating the 10th anniversary of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" will air on May 14, and streams on Peacock the following day.
- NBC Sports is developing a documentary about pro golfer Michelle Wie West, which will air on NBC and stream on Peacock in May; the five-time LPGA Tour winner made her professional debut at age 13, making her the youngest LPGA competitor in history.
- Anime series "The Fable," about a hitman who's ordered not to kill anyone for an entire year, hits Disney+ internationally on April 7.
- French actor Sebastian Roché ("1923") appears in the upcoming Netflix Korean drama series "Queen of Tears."
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 | Writer | | Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." | | This newsletter was edited by Lon Harris | |
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