Streaming platforms such as Disney +, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max have been, during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifeline for the film world, which was hit by the impact generated by the confinement, since this kept the cinemas closed – for almost a year – as a security measure to avoid crowds and try to cut the chains of coronavirus infections.
Undoubtedly, one of the industries that has benefited the most during the health crisis has been streaming platforms. Like the music sector, film producers had to resort to this option to continue bringing the best of entertainment to lovers of good series and great movies.
Although some decided to postpone the premieres of their productions in order to take them to the big screen in the future, others preferred to bet on the online launches, which has left significant gains, since the premieres in the traditional way leave the studios a profit of approximately 50% of ticket sales, while online distribution leaves them 80% net profit.
An important example of this was what happened with Universal, who after the streaming premiere of “Trolls World Tour”, it managed to generate 100 million dollars, which means that this sequel achieved, through non-traditional means, more income for the company within the United States, than its predecessor –Trolls- achieved during its entire stay at the box office.
Another company that joined this alternative was Warner Bros. Pictures. For their part, they took this step in December 2020, after HBO Max – streaming platform owned by WarnerMedia- announce that the films of said company, which were planned for 2021, would be launched simultaneously in movie theaters and on its online service, a strategy that just began with the launch of “Wonder Woman 1984.”
The long-awaited tape Directed by Patty Jenkins from a screenplay written by Geoff Johns and David Callaham, made its triumphal entry on December 25, 2020. The feature film, starring Gal Gadot who plays Diana Prince (Wonder Woman), managed to raise more than 165 million dollars with its strategy.
Health Crisis increases Disney + subscribers
Who also benefited from the health crisis was the entertainment giant, Disney. Although the covid-19 pandemic affected its tourism businesses such as theme parks and hotels, the company had a positive impact thanks to its virtual signal, Disney +, which registered millions of new users in the first quarter of 2021.
Disney +, which has only been in the market for a year and a half, has seen rapid growth and is seen as great competition for Netflix, It has amassed more than 203 million subscribers worldwide.
According to information released by the Mickey Mouse company, The company, which at the end of the last quarter of 2020 had 74 million subscribers on Disney +, accumulated -until March 2021- 100 million subscribers globally, an increase fueled by the premiere of “Soul,” the culmination of the second season of the hit Star Wars series “The Mandalorian,” and the premiere of the first series. from the Marvel Universe, “WandaVision.”
In addition, the company assured that, thanks to this transmission service, Disney posted its first profit after reporting two quarterly losses in a row due to the pandemic. In the future, the company, which plans approximately 100 film and television projects, of which 80% will be launched on Disney +, expects to reach between 230 million and 260 million subscribers by 2024.
Netflix the leader of straeming
Although currently Netflix has lost ground in the streaming market, registering a 31% drop, due to the arrival of new competitors such as Disney +, HBO Max and Apple, the company continues as a leader in straming with a total of more than 203 million customers worldwide, according to a study by the consulting firm Ampere Analysis.
Second, Amazon Prime Video remains, the audiovisual catalog of the electronic commerce giant that controls 16% of the market, although with a considerable decrease since at the beginning of 2020 it represented 21% with its more than 50 million users.
The consultancy estimates that throughout 2021 the platform Disney + will succeed in imposing itself as the third option despite having little time in the industry.
For their part, new competitors such as Apple TV +, from Apple; HBO Max, from WarnerMedia; Peacock, from NBCUniversal; and Paramount +, Viacom CBS have shown slower growth, which will continue as they expand their catalog, so the market is expected to further fragment.
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