As global demand for Japanese anime and the manga that inspires it continues to rise, two key streaming platforms—Netflix and Crunchyroll—are increasingly dominating the international market. According to a recent Bernstein report, the two companies control over 80% of the global anime streaming market, which generated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2023. Crunchyroll, which has evolved from a niche platform to the leading anime streamer in the U.S., has seen its subscriber base triple in just three years, surpassing 15 [...]

After 18 months of meetings and six months of negotiations, Veronica Vitale—an artist, composer, and music entrepreneur—has signed a $500,000 agreement with Hollywood studios for the production and marketing of her upcoming multimedia project, set for release in mid-2025. The project spans an album, docufilm, music film, and Japanese manga, addressing themes like cyber hate, mental health, injustice, and female entrepreneurship. Described as "liquid cinematic pop," the project has been endorsed by industry figures Jesse Rogg (OCA), Robin DiMaggio (David [...]

At the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, Amazon and MGM Studios unveiled their theatrical release plans for 2025, reflecting a growing commitment to the big screen. With an ambitious goal of releasing 12 to 14 films annually by 2026, the company is using 2025 as a transitional year to expand its international distribution and marketing network, laying the groundwork for a stronger theatrical presence. Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon and MGM Studios, and Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film, emphasized [...]

Las Vegas is set to make its mark in the entertainment industry as Warner Bros. Discovery and Sony Pictures unveil plans for Summerlin Studios, a large-scale film and television production campus in collaboration with Howard Hughes Holdings. This ambitious project signals a transformative moment for Nevada’s film industry, contingent upon the passage of AB 238, a legislative bill that would introduce substantial tax incentives for the sector. A Game-Changer for Nevada’s Entertainment Landscape The proposed Summerlin Studios is expected to [...]

Netflix has released its latest Engagement Report covering the second half of 2024, providing insight into the platform’s most-watched content globally.  The Netflix Engagement Report is a biannual report published by Netflix that provides detailed data on content consumption on the platform. This report covers approximately 99% of all viewing time on Netflix, offering a comprehensive overview of user viewing habits. The primary metric used in the report is the number of views, calculated by dividing the total hours watched [...]

The 2025 Academy Awards celebrated milestones and historic achievements, marking a night of firsts and a significant triumph for independent cinema. The independent film Anora dominated the night, winning five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Original Screenplay (Sean Baker), and Best Editing (Sean Baker). Sean Baker made history by becoming the first director ever to win four individual Oscars in a single night for the same film. This unprecedented achievement surpasses even [...]