Disney is poised to emerge as the frontrunner in the ongoing licensing renaissance within the entertainment industry. According to a report by Ampere Analysis, Disney's extensive ownership of powerful licensable content places it in a commanding position, with a portfolio more than double the size of its competitors.
In the context of Hollywood, major studios are exploring avenues to generate revenue from their content beyond their own streaming platforms.
Ampere Analysis underscores Disney's dominance in this arena. Highlighting its ownership of 148 titles with significant licensing potential, exclusively available on its streaming services as of December 2023.
Notable among these titles are acclaimed series such as Sons of Anarchy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The analysis further delves into the genre distribution of licensable content, revealing comedy as the most common genre, capturing 25% of major studios' titles with licensing potential. This trend reflects the enduring popularity of locally produced sitcoms among U.S. audiences. This includes classics like The Office, The Golden Girls, and Seinfeld, alongside recent hits like Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
However, Ampere emphasizes that not all identified titles with licensing potential will necessarily be cross-licensed. While certain titles may witness substantial popularity following transmission in a second window, studios must strategically navigate exclusivity and non-exclusivity to optimize the value of their content.
Disney vs. Competitors
Hollywood Reporter reported that Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBCUniversal also feature prominently in the licensing power ranking, each holding many titles with licensing potential.
Paramount Global boasts 72 titles, including Hawaii Five-0 and Star Trek: The Next Generation, while Warner Bros. Discovery holds 54 titles, including The Sopranos and The Wire. NBCUniversal possesses 47 titles, including The Office and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Looking ahead, Ampere anticipates a surge in licensing deals for high-profile titles among major video-on-demand providers in 2024. Rahul Patel, Research Manager at Ampere, states the importance of balancing exclusivity and non-exclusivity. All to ensure compelling streaming offerings while maximizing content value.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, licensing agreements hold the potential to expand audience reach, prolong content shelf life, and inspire franchise expansion. Disney is undeniably a thousand steps ahead.
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