Weekly Recap: Now Streaming Highlights

“Now Streaming” is The Fly’s weekly recap of the latest developments concerning major content streamers, shedding light on the recent additions to their streaming catalogs and upcoming movie strategies.

Entertainment Lineup for This Weekend

Playing This Weekend: This weekend offers an exciting array of streaming content. Hulu’s comedy-drama miniseries “Dying for Sex,” featuring acclaimed actresses Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, promises to deliver a blend of humor and heartfelt moments. In the realm of Netflix (NFLX), subscribers can indulge in the gripping medical drama “The Pulse,” alongside the animated series “Devil May Cry.” This series, based on the popular Capcom (CCOEY) video games, is sure to delight fans of the franchise. Not to be outdone, Amazon Prime Video (AMZN) presents the thrilling action horror series “The Bondsman,” featuring performances by stars Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles, capturing the attention of horror genre enthusiasts.

Amazon’s Ambitious Movie Strategy

Amazon Movie Strategy: Amazon is making waves with its ambitious movie strategy, aiming to revolutionize its presence in the film industry. As reported by Nicole Sperling of The New York Times earlier this week, Amazon is set to showcase its commitment at the annual convention for theater owners. The objective is to illustrate the seriousness of its movie division, Amazon MGM Studios, as it plans to release approximately 14 major commercial films each year across global theaters. Most of these films will have a theatrical run of 45 days before transitioning to pay-per-view and eventually making their way to Prime Video. This strategic push not only aims to boost Amazon’s film portfolio but also intends to strengthen its brand standing in the highly competitive entertainment landscape.

Comcast and YES Network in Deal

Comcast/YES Network: In a surprising turn of events, YES Network and Comcast (CMCSA) reached a last-minute carriage agreement just hours before the regional sports network was set to go dark for Xfinity subscribers in northern New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. An informal extension of the ongoing YES-Comcast carriage dispute was about to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, which would have led to immediate disruption for viewers in those areas. This new agreement ensures that fans will continue to enjoy their favorite sports programming without interruption.

Comcast’s Standing in the Market

Comcast/Loop: Loop Capital analyst Alan Gould recently reiterated a Buy rating and a price target of $50 on Comcast’s stock, highlighting its position as a top choice among its peers in the current “tariff world.” Although no media or digital company is entirely shielded from the ramifications of tariffs, it’s worth noting that a significant 70% of Comcast’s revenue is driven by subscription and affiliate-based models. Furthermore, nearly 80% of its revenue is generated domestically. The analyst also pointed out that Comcast’s stock trades at a lower multiple than other telecom companies, indicating untapped potential for growth amidst current market fluctuations. This insight provides investors with valuable information to navigate their portfolios strategically.

Paramount Faces Challenges

Paramount/Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank recently downgraded Paramount (PARA) from Buy to Hold, setting a new price target of $12, down from $15. According to the firm, the risk-to-reward ratio for Paramount’s stock has become more balanced, particularly due to growing uncertainties surrounding its advertising outlook influenced by macroeconomic conditions. The analyst identified more attractive investment alternatives within the sector, such as Fox (FOXA) and Formula One (FWONK), which seem better positioned to handle potential economic downturns. Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and Disney (DIS) are noted for their appealing valuations and clearer outlooks, prompting investors to reassess their portfolio strategies amid these shifts in market dynamics.