MGM and Amazon Is the takeover in danger of failing?

Status: 22.06.2021 10:18 p.m.

Actually, the mega-deal between the traditional MGM studio and the online giant Amazon was already dry. Now the takeover is to be checked again by the US Trade Commission FTC.

From Marcus Schuler, ARD studio Los Angeles

The Wall Street Journal reports that the new head of the FTC Trade Commission, Lina Khan, wants to take another closer look at the planned takeover of the renowned Hollywood studio by Amazon. The reason for this is an already existing competition procedure against Amazon, which the FTC has initiated.

The group actually wanted to take over the 97-year-old film studio from Jeff Bezos for the equivalent of 6.91 billion euros. This was intended to increase the Amazon Prime film library – Amazon’s streaming service – in order to be able to remain competitive with the video platforms of Netflix, Disney Plus and HBO Max. More than 4,000 productions are slumbering in the MGM archive – including all James Bond films. In addition, Amazon is increasingly producing its own content for its Prime video platform. In addition, the company has attracted attention with its aggressive purchasing policy in US sports rights. Among other things, it holds broadcasting rights to the US National Football League (NFL). Compared to other providers, however, their own library of entertainment goods such as series and feature films is relatively small.

In the worst case, no approval

The takeover has now suffered a setback. In the worst case scenario, it could not be approved. Only a few weeks ago, after consulting the Justice Department, the FTC reserved the right to examine the takeover more closely. Neither the US agency nor the online company wanted to comment on the process.

In the US, a great deal of competition has arisen for dominance in the streaming market. This market has so far been dominated by Netflix. The new head of the FTC, the 32-year-old Khan, caused a sensation five years ago with a legal article in the Yale Law Journal. In this she had described what she believed was anti-competitive behavior on the part of Amazon. She came to the conclusion that the current US competition laws are too weak to be able to put a constantly expanding company like Amazon in their place.

Less freedom for tech companies

In the past, Khan had advocated curbing large dominant companies time and again. This is one of the few overlaps shared by the two parties represented in Congress. Both Democrats and Republicans want to tighten the power of tech companies like Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon.

Khan was appointed to office by US President Joe Biden a few days ago. She is expected to regulate the big tech companies in Silicon Valley and on the US West Coast more tightly

Director films for streaming service Spielberg signs with Netflix

Status: 06/22/2021 4:00 a.m.

Just a few years ago, Oscar winner Spielberg couldn’t gain much from streaming services. But now the director is surprising with an exclusive deal: Spielberg will be shooting for Netflix in the coming years.

From Marcus Schuler, ARD studio Los Angeles

The collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Netflix is ​​also a symbolic step. One of Hollywood’s great directors basically changes sides – from the cinema screen to the television. Until recently, the 74-year-old director was still considered a proven opponent of streaming services. In an interview with the British TV broadcaster ITV he justified it three years ago: “If you get involved in the TV format, you are a TV film. If the material is good, it has earned an Emmy TV award but no Oscar. I think it is wrong that films that only show a week in theaters are allowed for the Oscars. ”

This rumor also persisted: Spielberg is said to have used his influence as a member of the Oscar Academy and chairman of the directing department to exclude Netflix films from participating in the Oscar. The immediate environment of Spielberg has always denied that. Spielberg himself also made it clear to the “New York Times” two years ago that he was interested in a good story, regardless of the medium in which it took place.

One of the most influential directors in Hollywood

With Spielberg, Netflix has now hired one of the most important and influential directors and producers in Hollywood. His name is linked to box office hits like ET, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List. The collaboration between Spielberg and its production company Amblin Partners with Netflix is ​​planned for several years. During this time, a number of feature films for the streaming platform from Silicon Valley are to be made. There is talk of at least two productions per year. Both sides are silent about the financial scope of the deal.

Fiercely competitive streaming market

Film expert Julia Boorstin from business broadcaster CNBC says Netflix wants to attract new subscribers with the director’s glamorous name. That could be a big win for Netflix, even if it is not clear what the financial scope of the partnership is.

The streaming platform is best known for reacting particularly early to the market. And the competition is getting harder and harder: Disney Plus, HBO Max and Amazon are all billionaire companies that attack the market leader Netflix not only in the domestic US market, but also internationally. Netflix produced 60 major feature films this year alone. With Spielberg, there is less mass, but class. His commitment also shows that times have definitely changed in Hollywood

Apple is expanding Facetime On the way to the digital campfire

Status: 08.06.2021 7:46 p.m.

Apple renews its Facetime app. The group is not only reacting to competition from providers such as Zoom, but is also opening up to Windows and Android devices. From Marcus Schuler, ARD studio Los Angeles Apple is slowly opening up to Android and Windows devices with its video chat service Facetime. It’s almost a small revolution – at least by Apple standards. Software boss Craig Federighi sold the news as follows: “Not only Apple devices can do something with the Facetime link. Users with Android or Windows can also open it directly in their browser and take part in the chat.” So far, Apple has struggled when it came to opening up core functionalities on its iPhone or desktop computers. But the popularity of video chat services like Zoom has exploded in the Corona crisis. Apple reacts precisely to this development and has given its Facetime app a fundamental facelift.

Competition for Zoom

From there, you can send links to friends with Android phones or Windows computers in order to meet with them in the Facetime chat. Marc Gurman, an analyst at the Bloomberg business service, says Apple is primarily competing with Zoom. Among other things, with scheduling and improved sound and picture quality. The new Facetime app is supposed to deliver a bit of a digital campfire. With the help of the app, you will be able to listen to music and watch videos together in the future without interrupting the chat. It should be possible to watch programs together with friends. Ambient noises should be better suppressed in the chat app. There will also be a portrait mode that blurs the background.

More control and more data protection as an issue

The second big innovation on Apple’s smartphones concerns the notification functions. They give users more control over how and when they want to be disturbed or undisturbed. “There are new features with which you can adapt the notifications to different activities. For example, while you are working or want to be undisturbed,” says analyst Gurman. Data protection and privacy have been playing an increasingly important role at Apple for the past three years. The Californian company is trying to sharpen its profile in order to differentiate itself more strongly from its competitor Google and its Android system. So-called tracking pixels are now blocked in the Group’s mail app. Advertisers and marketing people are likely to be annoyed with Apple again. You can no longer check whether and where an e-mail has been opened.