‘F9’ Returns to PVOD Charts with a Director’s Cut as Studios Refocus on Their Streamers

Last week, three studios made major announcements that suggest Premium VOD income isn’t enough to prioritize it over other platforms; this week, the VOD charts suggests a drop in the momentum toward home viewing options.

This may be temporary, with “Candyman” (Universal/$19.99) scheduled for release September 16, but Disney will present the rest of its 2021 movie slate as initial theatrical exclusives.

Universal placed “Halloween Kills” day-and-date on Peacock October 15, and Paramount announced that it would replace chairman and and CEO Jim Gianopulos with the more Paramount+-friendly Brian Robbins, currently head of Nickelodeon.Warner Bros.

provides same-day HBO Max access for its theatrical releases, but James Wan’s “Malignant,” a $40 million-budgeted horror film, mustered only 735,000 viewings (per Samba TV’s estimate).

Clint Eastwood’s “Cry Macho” this weekend and next month’s “Dune” should do much better.

Disney’s “Free Guy,” just announced for September 28 PVOD, should also find high interest.

Read full article