Streaming Movies ‘Not a Priority’ at Paramount-Skydance; David Ellison.

New Paramount-Skydance Strategy

• 💡 Streaming movies are not a priority for the newly merged Paramount-Skydance Corporation.
• 🚀 The leadership team is doubling down on the importance of robust theatrical releases, aiming to allow films to stay in cinemas for extended periods.
• 🎯 Cindy Holland, Paramount's new head of streaming, explicitly stated, "Streaming movies are not a priority for me."

Evolving Theatrical Windows

• 💬 President Jeff Shell, previously known for advocating shorter 17-day theatrical windows at NBC Universal, is now at Paramount.
• 🔍 Shell believes in maximizing value in windows and that "different movies deserve different windows," emphasizing that theatrical is critical.
• ✅ The company will be more diligent about looking at the value of these windows, with Shell having discussed this with AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aaron.

Impact of Theatrical vs. Streaming

• 🧠 CEO David Ellison stated the debate is over: straight-to-streaming films lack the impact and value of those supported by long, splashy marketing campaigns driving customers to theaters.
• 🎬 The new model aims to extend films' theatrical runs as long as possible before they are released on streaming services.
• 📈 An example given is "Thunderballs," which was released in May and only came to streaming in August, having been in theaters for over 100 days.