2015 Year in Review

21 Dec, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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From North Korea’s alleged cyber attack on Sony Pictures, which prompted the studio for the first time to simultaneously bow a major theatrical release — The Interview — with Digital HD, to the Federal Communications Commission’s landmark vote on net neutrality, the launch of major branded subscription streaming video services, skinny online TV bundles and 4K Ultra HD, 2015 saw digital distribution firmly establish itself as both the present and future of home entertainment.

January

» Warner Announces First 4K Release Slate

» Report: 4KTV Shipments Up 700% in 2014

» FBI Doubles Down on North Korean Ties to Sony Cyber Attack

» Court Upholds Dish Network's Hopper Ad-Skipping Feature

» Nickelodeon Launching SVOD Service

February

» Dish Network Bows Sling TV OTT Video Service

» Amazon Celebrates Prime 10th Birthday

» Cyber Attack Cost Sony $15 Million

» Target Exiting Digital Movie Business

» FCC Votes to Regulate Internet as Utility

March

» Netflix Acquires Beasts of No Nation for Joint Theatrical-Streaming Run

» Dennis Maguire Leaving Paramount Home Media Distribution

» Sony Bows PlayStation Vue Web TV Service

» NFL to Stream Football Game for First Time

» Redbox, Warner Ink New Distribution Deal

April

» HBO Now Officially Launches

» Paramount Promotes Bob Buchi to Run Home Entertainment 

» Netflix Adds Record 4.9M Subs, Tops 62M Globally

» Amazon CFO: Prime Instant Video Driving E-commerce Sales

» ESPN Files Lawsuit Against Verizon Smaller TV Bundle  

May

» Redbox Hits Fiscal Home Run

» BDA Finalizes Ultra HD Blu-ray Specs

» IHS: 31 Million Streaming Devices Shipping in 2015

» Ted Sarandos: Netflix Original Programming Better Than Licensed Content  

» Secure Content Storage Association Bows 'Vidity' Brand Name

June

» 4K TV Shipments Grew 400% in Q1

» Redbox Expanding Video Game Offering

» Redbox Inks New Fox Distribution Agreement

» Anchor Bay Marks 20 Years in the Business

» Amazon Looking to 'Double Down' on Original Content Spend

July

» Netflix, OTT Video Grab 45% of All U.S. TV Viewing in the First-Half of 2015

» Paramount, Theaters Look to Redefine Home Entertainment Release Window

» Showtime Bows OTT Video Service

» Comcast to Test Online TV Service

» Amazon Partners With Spike Lee for First-Ever Original Movie

August

» DEG: Home Entertainment Spending Up Slightly in First Half of 2015, While Digital Outpaced Physical in Q2

» Fox Partners With Western Digital for 4K UHD Movies

» HBO CEO Says Less Than 1% of Subs Switching to HBO Now

» BDA to Start Licensing Ultra HD Blu-ray  

» Nielsen: 73% of Consumers Still Buy or Rent Movies and TV shows

September

» IHS: Pay-TV Lost 658,000 Video Subs in Q2

» Samsung and Fox Announce First Ultra HD Blu-ray Player and Software

» Tech Companies Form Alliance for New Streaming Video Format

» Sony Partners With Dolby for 4K Ultra HD Releases

» Sony Films Streaming on Amazon in 4K With High Dynamic Range

October

» Netflix Raising Monthly Subscription Fee $1

» Vudu Rolls Out Warner 4K Movies 

» Netflix No Beast at the Box Office

» YouTube Launching SVOD Service

» CEO: Regal Cinemas 'Open' to Altered Release Windows That Make Economic Sense

November

» Technicolor Buying Cinram 

» Ultra High-Def Blu-ray Gets Push from Sony, DEG and Lionsgate

» Sony Ending Betamax Production

» Trans World Entertainment Opening More Stores

» Fox, MLB Sign Streaming Deal

December

» Paramount Sets Digital Release Dates for First Titles Under New Theatrical Revenue-Sharing Plan

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