iWorld
Amazon Prime signs multiyear licensing deal with Comcast’s Universal
New Delhi: Starting 2022, Universal Pictures’ new live action films will first debut on Comcast’s OTT platform Peacock after their theatrical releases, and then land exclusively on Amazon Prime Video four months later.
The arrangement is part of a multiyear deal that Amazon has signed with Comcast’s Universal Pictures and Peacock, and applies to all live-action films including Jurassic World: Dominion that are scheduled to be released in theatres in 2022.
The deal is part of the company’s plan to change the traditional home entertainment release pattern. Generally, new movies go to a cable channel or streaming service about six months or more after they debut in cinemas. These films remain with the outlet for an 18-month window, which is referred to as the ‘Pay-One Window’.
Under the new arrangement, Universal will send its films to streaming quicker and will break up the 18-month period. So, new movies will go to Peacock four months after their theatrical debut, and four months later, these films will be available on Amazon Prime Video for ten months and then back to Peacock for four months, it said in a statement.
“We’re thrilled to team up with Amazon to deliver our titles to its customers. This agreement further delivers on our distribution strategy to monetize our unparalleled movie library across multiple services, while offering customers the most choice, control and flexibility in how, when and where they watch films,” said UEFG, vice chairman and chief distribution officer, Peter Levinsohn in a statement.
As the streaming war rages on, media companies are trying new strategies to bolster their streaming services and challenge the domination of streaming giant Netflix, which currently boasts of 208 million subscribers.
iWorld
Serena Menon Netflix’s head of PR exits, likely to join Prime Video & Amazon MGM
After seven years at Netflix, India PR chief moves to Amazon’s studio fold
MUMBAI: Serena Menon is turning the page on a seven year run at Netflix, stepping down as director, public relations, India to join Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
Her exit comes shortly after Das moved on as head, brand PR, prime video Apac, signalling a wider shuffle within Amazon’s streaming communications set up.
At Netflix, Menon most recently led the India publicity team, shaping the streamer’s reputation in one of its most competitive markets. As director, public relations, India, she oversaw strategy, brand positioning and high impact earned campaigns for both homegrown originals and international titles.
Before that, she served as director, photo and av studio, asia pacific, managing creative teams across India, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The brief was ambitious: craft the story behind the story and strengthen title campaigns with compelling visual narratives.
Her Netflix journey began in 2018 as manager, visual communications, India. She later became India lead, photo and av studio, building the team from scratch and putting in place the processes that helped scale operations in a fast growing market.
Prior to streaming, Menon built her editorial credentials at Elle Magazine as managing editor and associate editor, leading film and lifestyle coverage while collaborating on brand led initiatives. She earlier spent over six years at Hindustan Times, rising through roles including staff writer, senior staff writer, principal correspondent and assistant editor.
With a career that bridges newsroom rigour and global brand storytelling, Menon now steps into Amazon’s studio fold at a time when streaming competition is only getting sharper. Her next chapter promises to be as closely watched as the premieres she once publicised.
