Highlights From Today's Lesson

• Film 4 is owned by Channel 4. Film 4 is a production company but it also has a website and digital TV channel

• Film 4's TV channel used to be subscription only costing about £5 a month with no advertising. It is now a freeview channel and so most people in the UK have access to it. The channel sells advertising slots to make monry



• This is a great opportunity for synergy for Film 4 because they have the right to exhibit their film productions on the Film 4 TV channel. Slumdog Millionaire was premiered on Film 4 with audiences of over 1 million. It was then shown on Channel 4 where an 'Indian Summer' festival was built around it to build interest.



• Channel 4 also owns music channels which offers more opportunities for synergy. 'Jai Ho' was key in the marketing of the movie. The music video was on high rotation on 4music as well as Smash Hits, a sister channel.



• Although it promoted the movie heavily through it's soundtrack, Channel 4 does not own a music division. The soundtrack was distributed through Interscope Records which is owned by Universal Music Group: another example of Film4 having to sell the rights of their productions.



• By comparison Hollywood film companies are owned by larger conglomerates that have a wide range of media and non-media interests. Think about the fact that Columbia is owned by Sony who also have a music division as well as electronics. A general example could be the joint promotion of a movie and PlayStation game as well as releasing a soundtrack that is also used in the game! Casino Royale is a film and a PlayStation game.



• Disney benefits from synergy is a major way. Think about how it combines it's theme parks and stores to promote it's movies, or even get ideas for movies! Disney also has it's own digital TV channel just like Channel 4 so they too are able to exhibit their movies. Disney also has it's own music label so it can distribute the soundtrack and reep the rewards! Don't forget that they can also advertise their merchandise on their TV channel as well as strike a deal with McDonald's to promote Happy Meals based around their film.