Which Streamer is Coming on Strongest?
The results of the first quarter of 2022 are in! which streamer do you suppose saw the most growth? Before you look at the charts below, take a guess: Netflix? Amazon? Disney+? HBO Max? The folks at JustWatch.com spell it all out for you below?
Market shares in Q1 2022
HBO Max saw the most growth in Q1, adding +2% market share and overtaking Disney+ and Hulu to become the third largest streaming platform in the US. Netflix remains the market leader, but has continued to feel the effects of the increasingly competitive market and fell -2% in Q1.
Market share development in 2022
Since January, HBO Max has continued to gain momentum and added +1% market share, passing a standstill Disney+. The growth of midfield players Apple TV+ and Paramount+ affected market leader Netflix and Hulu, which each lost -1% since the beginning of 2022.
The Academy Hath Spoken and Will’s Out for 10
Well, it’s official. Will Smith won’t be able to attend the Oscar ceremony, or any other Academy function, for the next 10 years. Good. But is it enough? Does this mean the Oscar he won for King Richard is safe? No one really knows. We’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, here’s the official statement from the Academy:
Guess What Was the Most Streamed Last Week…
It should come as no surprise that Academy Award winner CODA was the most streamed film last week. But the fact that Death on the Nile came in second, and other Oscar nominees ranked 4-7, (King Richard’s at #6) would have been harder to predict.
When it comes to TV series, the new Marvel series Moon Knight is on top, but the Yellowstone, which hasn’t released any new episodes in several months, beats other newbies like Halo and Slow Horses. Could there be some comfort watching going on?
New Lakers Bio Series Scores a Production Deal
FX has ordered The Sterling Affairs, a six-episode limited series about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship under coach Doc Rivers. Laurence Fishburne has signed on to star as former Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers and Jacki Weaver will play Shelly Sterling, Donald Sterling’s wife.
The Sterling Affairs is written by Gina Welch and based on the ESPN 30 for 30 Podcast of the same name reported and hosted by Ramona Shelburne. It tells the behind the scenes story of Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Donald Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60+ years, Shelly Sterling, and his mistress, V. Stiviano.
For Your Watch List: White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch
Coming April 19th on Netflix: White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch
What’s it about: In the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Abercrombie & Fitch was the first stop for many shoppers on their trip to the mall. Shirtless jocks stood guard at store entrances, selling a potent mix of sex and wholesomeness. Pulsing dance beats and the brand’s fierce scent drew in hordes of young people hoping to buy themselves a seat at the cool kids’ table.
Led by outspoken CEO Mike Jeffries, A&F cashed in on an “all-American” image and enshrined its clothes as must-haves for the new millenium. But over time, revelations of exclusionary marketing and discriminatory hiring practices began to engulf the white hot brand in scandal.
Featuring interviews with dozens of former employees, executives, and models,White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch unravels the complex history of the iconic brand that influenced an entire generation.
Which Oscar Nominated Pix Were Most Watched?
On this date, the day of the 94th Annual Academy Awards, I thought it would be fun to show you which of the Best Picture nominees were most popular from where the viewers sit…or stream, actually, according to JustWatch.com.
Here’s the latest data about which Best Picture nominee is the most popular on streaming platforms leading up to the Oscars. I was stunned to find out that Nightmare Alley has dominated the charts since its release to streaming platforms this month. It comes as no surprise, however, that Dune continues to be a steady fan favorite. And I’m sad to see that despite the large spike in popularity after its streaming debut earlier this month, West Side Story comes in at 8th place.
Would You Cruise on a Real Live Love Boat?
It appears that CBS, the network that originated The Love Boat, is setting sale on it once again, but this time as a dating reality competition series.
The official description says: “Destination dates, challenges and surprise singles will test the couples’ compatibility and chemistry. Like the beloved original scripted series, the indispensable crew members including ‘captain’ and ‘cruise director’ will play pivotal roles in the matchmaking and navigation of the romantic (and sometimes turbulent) waters ahead. After almost a month at sea, only one winning couple will make it to the final port and take home a cash prize.”
Sign us up for that voyage!
“My Brilliant Friend” to End With Season 4
Nothing good lasts forever, and we always kind of suspected that the Italian-language coming-of-age drama would close with a final season based on the fourth book in Elena Ferrante’s four-part series, The Story of the Lost Child. But we still hate to see it go, it’s such a lovely and riveting series.
It tells the story of Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella Cerullo, aka Lila, whom she met in her first year of primary school in 1950. Set in a dangerous and fascinating Naples, their story goes on to cover more than 60 years of their lives and explores the mystery of Lila, who is both her best friend and her worst enemy.
Bridgerton 2 Coming to You
Is your heart a flutter with anticipation? Ours isn’t, but we know Bridgerton has a huge following out there, and millions are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the second season of the beloved period drama from producer Shonda Rhimes.
This time around, duty, desire and scandal collide when Viscount Anthony Bridgerton decides to marry, only to meet his match in his intended bride’s headstrong big sister. Look for it this Friday, May 25, on Netflix.
https://youtu.be/qYNCws-a6CQ
The Future of Television is Now
Hanging out with the young ‘uns at the Critics Choice Awards. Iain Armitage of Young Sheldon, Selina Gomez of All Murders in the Building and Elle Fanning of The Great. rest assured that the future of television is in good hands. They’re sincerely good people and great actors. A delight to be around.
Critics Choice Super Awards Winners!
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced today the winners of the 2nd annual Critics Choice Super Awards, honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both movies and television, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” led the film winners this year, garnering three awards overall. The film was awarded Best Superhero Movie, while Andrew Garfield took the prize for Best Actor in a Superhero Movie, and Willem Dafoe won Best Villain in a Movie.
“Squid Game” and “WandaVision” tied for most series wins, earning three awards each. “Squid Game” swept the Action Series categories, with Lee Jung-jae winning Best Actor in an Action Series, HoYeon Jung winning Best Actress in an Action Series, and the show taking home the Best Action Series award. “WandaVision” was named Best Superhero Series, and Elizabeth Olsen was awarded Best Actress in a Superhero Series, while her co-star Kathryn Hahn won Best Villain in a Series.
See more acceptance speeches like the one below here.
Since this is TV News Flash, here’s the list of series winners:
SERIES WINNERS FOR THE 2ND ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE SUPER AWARDS
BEST ACTION SERIES
Squid Game (Netflix)
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION SERIES
Lee Jung-jae – Squid Game (Netflix)
BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION SERIES
HoYeon Jung – Squid Game (Netflix)
BEST SUPERHERO SERIES
WandaVision (Disney+)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO SERIES
Tom Hiddleston – Loki (Disney+)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPERHERO SERIES
Elizabeth Olsen – WandaVision (Disney+)
BEST HORROR SERIES
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR SERIES
Hamish Linklater – Midnight Mass (Netflix)
BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR SERIES
Melanie Lynskey – Yellowjackets (Showtime)
BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY SERIES
Station Eleven (HBO Max)
BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY SERIES
Daveed Diggs – Snowpiercer (TNT)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY SERIES
Mackenzie Davis – Station Eleven (HBO Max)
BEST VILLAIN IN A SERIES
Kathryn Hahn – WandaVision (Disney+)
I Want ‘Candy’ on Hulu
Hulu revealed a first look of the upcoming original limited series Candy, starring Jessica Biel, Timothy Simons, Melanie Lynskey, Pablo Schreiber, and Raúl Esparza today, and does it ever look intriguing!
It premieres on Hulu Monday, May 9, kicking off a five-night event leading up to the finale on Friday, May 13.
It’s the story of Candy Montgomery, a 1980 housewife and mother who did everything right—good husband, two kids, nice house, even the careful planning and execution of transgressions—but when the pressure of conformity builds within her, her actions scream for just a bit of freedom. With deadly results. We’ll be watching!
