The Town with Matthew Belloni Apple’s ‘F1’ Win and Big Tech’s Streaming vs. Theaters Debate
34 snips
Jun 30, 2025 
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg media and entertainment expert, joins the discussion on Apple's surprising success with its F1 film, garnering $55 million on opening weekend. They analyze the metrics for film success, contrasting it with the shortcomings of 'Megan 2.0'. Lucas shares insights into Apple’s cautious theatrical strategy and how it impacts their high-profile releases. Additionally, they explore Netflix viewing trends, particularly audience fascination with sensational documentaries, and ponder potential directors for the next James Bond film.
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Apple's 'F1' Is A Win
- Apple’s movie "F1" made $55 million domestic and $144 million worldwide, exceeding low expectations and earning critical praise.
- It’s considered a win due to perception and international performance, despite similar box office compared to "The Flash," which was deemed a bomb.
Apple's 'Wait and See' Strategy
- Apple has pulled back from big theatrical releases with no current wide-release commitments.
- Their approach appears to be "wait and see" based on how "F1" performs before deciding on future theatrical investments.
Amazon Embraces Theaters, Netflix Avoids
- Amazon is actively investing in theatrical releases, scheduling 14 movies for theaters, showing a strong commitment.
- Netflix generally dislikes theatrical releases and rarely commits to wide theater runs for its movies.
