Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 36012435)

Just a little reminder to all:

Disney + has zero subscribers
HBOmax has zero subscribers
Peacock has zero subscribers
Apple + has zero subscribers

because they haven't launched yet and as far as many international markets go, some of these services are still at least a year away to launching.

Netflix has 150 million subscribers and counting and in another year will have millions more customers and thousands of hours of more new tv shows and films.

I don't discount the uphill challenge that Netflix will face, but at the moment, at least, Netflix is standing onto of the hill looking way down at the others.

What if Netflix were to take over someone like Lionsgate and/or MGM? That would add a ton of recognisable content. I'm not saying that will happen, but Netflix can adapt as it sees fit.

When all these streamers are launched that will then impact on the media companies' existing services, especially pay tv channels like HBO and ESPN. It's not a zero sum game.

Disney+ will be cheap when it launches, but it needs to offset losses that will inevitably happen as a result of cannibalisation to existing services and loss of revenue from expiring licensing deals. Disney's streamer will need to get a lot of subscribers very quickly, but with Disney's vast content, its doable, but even Netflix will still have rights to some of Disney's content for at least another eighteen months, so it's Disney and the others that has got the main challenge, not Netflix.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 36012436)

Peacock will have plenty of customers from the off as the main part of its service is ad free delivering an estimated $5 per customer.

I think you haven't fully read the articles , Netflix Originals on their own at the price they currently charge won't keep people interested they simply haven't got enough and many of what they have are cancelled shows meaning no future series.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36012443)

If Netflix were to take over someone else their already substantial debt, and associated interest payments, go up!

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 36012444)

No doubt Netflix will come out fighting but they better be prepared for a big fight once the other big 80lb gorillas start entering the ring as they will have some formidable weapons at their disposal.

Originally Posted by Legendkiller2k (Post 36012451)

Apple+ wont do very well i think yes it's Apple but they are well known for overpriced rubbish.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 36012453)

There are two things which Apple has in spades and makes them dangerous and that is a most formidable war chest and a track record of having very smooth running systems.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 36012456)

Besides, I reckon they will ultimately take over Disney as some pundits have been predicting for years.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 36012461)

Never say never but can see it personally , Disney currently has a market cap of over $230 billion and then theres the competition issues that could arise.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 36012467)

Disagree on the competition issues, chaps. Apple is a tech company, Disney a media one. They operate in different markets, well at least until Apple's streamer launches.

Apple was Disney's largest shareholder at one point after the Pixar takeover and today Disney's CEO Bog Iger sits on the Apple board.

I think if a big tech company with lots of money wants to get involved in televisions and film, Disney would be the No 1 target.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 36012467)

Disagree on the competition issues, chaps. Apple is a tech company, Disney a media one. They operate in different markets, well at least until Apple's streamer launches.

Apple was Disney's largest shareholder at one point after the Pixar takeover and today Disney's CEO Bog Iger sits on the Apple board.

I think if a big tech company with lots of money wants to get involved in televisions and film, Disney would be the No 1 target.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36012469)

You don't necessarily have to operate in the same market to create competition issues, although it's the most obvious. Vertical integration, of any description, can result in two markets being distorted by one merger especially if it makes one supermassive company that has a significant market share in both markets.

There's also a world of difference between being a shareholder and owning 100% and having operating control.