Scandal and branding issues are catching up with Harry Potter: The latest film is struggling domestically, and international box offices might not save it.

Warner Bros. Discovery will flex power in streaming, film, and measurement: The historic merger is set to be completed soon, reshaping the media industry.

Marvel’s ups and downs in 2021 signal change for the film industry: The superhero franchise returned to theaters this year, but trouble abroad and issues with streaming will force studios to rethink blockbuster release strategies.

Many marketers have yet to fully understand the Hispanic consumer: advertising and film remain two areas where inclusion remains an opportunity

Prime Video bets content will draw international viewers: Amazon’s streaming service is investing to create regional shows in Europe and Asia.

The consumption of at-home media and entertainment thrived amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the total shutdown of live events and the pause on film and TV production will cause digital ad spending to decline in 2020.

The Academy Awards have always reflected the state of film—and this year, it has proclaimed that a film seen on a small screen via streaming services has the potential to be better than any movie released on the big screen. The CODA win is a coup for Apple TV+, which lags far behind Netflix in viewership.

In 2019, HBO Max secured a deal to exclusively stream Japanese film animation company Studio Ghibli’s catalog, which contains internationally successful films like “Ponyo,” “Spirited Away,” and others by famed director Hayao Miyazaki. Amazon Prime Video also has a catalog of critically acclaimed anime exclusive to the platform, and Disney+ has announced plans to release new anime series.

Disney+ has been modifying content from its original versions since the platform launched—and even more in DVD releases of films—often to remove insensitive depictions and scenes that could influence young viewers to do dangerous things. Disney+ does not keep a changelog of edits, but fans have been quick to notice when scenes are edited.

Apple TV+ has developed an HBO-like reputation for so-called “prestige” television shows and films. Critics and audiences alike have praised “Ted Lasso” and the current hit “Severance,” which have made an imprint on popular media. Earlier this year, the Apple TV+ film “CODA” became the first streaming original to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Lastly, following its acquisition of the Quibi and “This Old House” libraries, Roku signed an exclusive deal with Saban Films to stream its movies on The Roku Channel three months after they appear in theaters. These moves show that, for a growing number of streaming services, original content production is becoming essential. Read Next.

But with its recent announcement of 40 planned shows and films over the next five years, Amazon is set to become one of the largest content producers in the region. Looking forward: Even with its significant lead over other streamers, Disney+ Hotstar’s dominance in India isn’t a sure thing.

Apple TV+ has developed an HBO-like reputation for so-called “prestige” television shows and films. Don't forget about Amazon Prime Video. Prime Video is also expanding its offerings, by making investments to create regional content in markets such as the UK, France, and parts of Asia, as streaming providers compete to win over international viewers.

With movie theaters in disarray, studios turned to other venues to distribute and promote their films. Notably their affiliated subscription OTT services, which spiked by 36.8% in time spent in 2020 as millions stayed home and binged on movies and shows.

CNN tapped talent like Anderson Cooper and former Fox News anchor Chris Wallace to host shows on the services alongside documentaries from CNN Films. That news personality-driven approach is the hallmark of former CNN president Jeff Zucker, who resigned suddenly in February.

The Coca-Cola Co. is “demystifying” the plastic recycling process with an animated film featuring Bill Nye. The film joins Coca-Cola’s other eco-conscious campaigns, including its initiative to recycle all beverage bottles and cans collected from the NCAA Women’s and Men’s Final Fours to be reused as new packaging.

Streaming services are currently warring over exclusive rights to live sports, Japanese animation, studio films, and more. If users find it difficult to hunt down specific content now, it might only become harder as time goes on. Streaming has been at a saturation point for some time now, and the space is only going to become more divided and competitive.

Beyond the chart: HBO Max likely got its boost from the launch of its ad-supported tier last year, as well as its day-and-date release of Warner Bros. films. Competition will be tighter than ever in 2022, with streamers doing all they can to stand out, whether it be live sports, gaming, or news.

The news: YouTube users will now be able to stream over 4,000 full seasons of TV shows on the platform for free with ads, with plans to add up to 100 more shows and films every week.

Franchise films will also play a large role in Paramount’s future. Paramount has announced sequels or expansions to series like A Quiet Place and Transformers. The company hasn’t said how long new films will remain in theaters before arriving on Paramount+, but it will likely stick to the 45-day release window that it and Disney already use.

Many advertisers feel that television product placement works. 2019 figures from PQ Media show that product placement in TV, digital, and film surpassed $20.5 billion. Global spending on product placement was projected to be $23.3 billion in 2021, per PQ Media. That’s a 13.8% increase versus 2020, a significantly greater growth rate than marketing spending (5.9%) on the whole.