Hollywood
Worldwide 2015 box office sets new record with $38+ billion
MUMBAI: The global box office crossed the $38 billion benchmark, making 2015 the highest-earning year at the global box office in movie history according to Rentrak.
An incredibly strong line-up of movies inspired audiences worldwide to flock to cinemas in 2015 and with Rentrak data culled from more than 125,000 screens in more than 25,000 theaters across the globe, the industry posted its biggest overall revenue in worldwide box office history, with a total of $38 billion-plus projected for the year.
“The importance of the international marketplace to the overall success of the motion picture studios, the exhibition business and the movies themselves cannot be overstated, with key territories across the globe plus North America providing the collective horsepower to push us near the $40 billion mark for the first time ever. Following hot on the heels of a record-breaking first-time ever $11 billion-plus year at the box office in North America, this global record proves that going to the movies is a beloved pastime that is enjoyed throughout the world, with moviegoers from a wide array of backgrounds and cultures all coming together for the shared in-theater experience,” said Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.
A vast lineup of films in 2015 including this summer’s mega-hit Jurassic World, the action-packed Furious 7, the superhero-filled Avengers: Age of Ultron, the family-friendly Minions and of course the record breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens, helped to fuel this incredible year’s record performance. Notably, global hits came from virtually every studio and included the latest James Bond installment Spectre, the action-packed Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, the final film in The Hunger Games franchise,Mockingjay, Part 2, Ridley Scott’s hit science fiction drama The Martian and Dwayne Johnson in San Andreas among many others.
Below is a list of the top five highest-earning films at the Global box office in 2015:
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
