Music streaming giant Spotify Technology said Thursday that it has appointed Christian Luiga as its new chief financial officer.
The executive joins Spotify, led by CEO Daniel Ek, from Saab Ab, a European defense and security company, where he served as deputy CEO and CFO. He replaces Paul Vogel. Spotify had in December announced that Vogel would leave the CFO role.
Prior to joining Saab, Luiga also held several key leadership roles, including as CFO and acting CEO and president at European telecommunications company Telia.
He will be based in Sweden and have responsibility for financial planning and analysis, audit and risk, investor relations, accounting, corporate development, tax and treasury, Spotify said. The company added that it currently plans for Luiga to join in the third quarter of 2024.
“Ben Kung, Spotify vice president of financial planning and analysis, who has been a leader on our finance team for several years,...
The executive joins Spotify, led by CEO Daniel Ek, from Saab Ab, a European defense and security company, where he served as deputy CEO and CFO. He replaces Paul Vogel. Spotify had in December announced that Vogel would leave the CFO role.
Prior to joining Saab, Luiga also held several key leadership roles, including as CFO and acting CEO and president at European telecommunications company Telia.
He will be based in Sweden and have responsibility for financial planning and analysis, audit and risk, investor relations, accounting, corporate development, tax and treasury, Spotify said. The company added that it currently plans for Luiga to join in the third quarter of 2024.
“Ben Kung, Spotify vice president of financial planning and analysis, who has been a leader on our finance team for several years,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify’s Chief Financial Officer Paul Vogel is stepping down, the company said on Thursday — the news arrives three days after the streaming service announced plans to layoff off 17 percent of its global workforce.
Vogel joined Spotify in 2016 and was appointed Spotify’s CFO in 2020. He’ll remain at the streaming platform until March 31, 2024.
The shakeup at the company this week comes as Spotify looks to rein in its spending and improve its profit margins. While Spotify is the largest music streaming service in the world and has grown its...
Vogel joined Spotify in 2016 and was appointed Spotify’s CFO in 2020. He’ll remain at the streaming platform until March 31, 2024.
The shakeup at the company this week comes as Spotify looks to rein in its spending and improve its profit margins. While Spotify is the largest music streaming service in the world and has grown its...
- 12/7/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Spotify said chief financial officer Paul Vogel will be leaving at the end of March. The news comes several days after the music streamer announced about 1,500 layoffs, some 17% of its workforce.
The company has launched an external search for his successor but in the interim, Ben Kung, VP Financial Planning and Analysis, will take on expanded responsibilities to support the company’s realignment of its financial leadership team.
Vogel joined in 2016 and has been CFO since 2020.
“Spotify has embarked on an evolution over the last two years to bring our spending more in line with market expectations while also funding the significant growth opportunities we continue to identify,” said founder and CEO Daniel Ek. “I’ve talked a lot with Paul about the need to balance these two objectives carefully. Over time, we’ve come to the conclusion that Spotify is entering a new phase and needs a CFO with a different mix of experiences.
The company has launched an external search for his successor but in the interim, Ben Kung, VP Financial Planning and Analysis, will take on expanded responsibilities to support the company’s realignment of its financial leadership team.
Vogel joined in 2016 and has been CFO since 2020.
“Spotify has embarked on an evolution over the last two years to bring our spending more in line with market expectations while also funding the significant growth opportunities we continue to identify,” said founder and CEO Daniel Ek. “I’ve talked a lot with Paul about the need to balance these two objectives carefully. Over time, we’ve come to the conclusion that Spotify is entering a new phase and needs a CFO with a different mix of experiences.
- 12/7/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Spotify gave an early peek at its two-week-old Audiobook rollout with chief executive Daniel Ek telling investors, “It’s early days, but we feel good.”
“We just believe it is going to be a great product that will open up more authors to more consumers. And what we have seen is that when we enter a business, it gets bigger,” he said on a call after strong third quarter financials that included a swing to profitability as users weathered price hikes pretty well and despite investment in the audiobook launch. CFO Paul Vogel called the quarter an “inflection point” for the company which now expects to be consistently profitable. The stock is up 10% today.
Audiobooks on Spotify, announced early this month, has launched in a few markets including the UK and will roll out to the U.S. this winter. Premium subscribers get 15 hours free a month and can top...
“We just believe it is going to be a great product that will open up more authors to more consumers. And what we have seen is that when we enter a business, it gets bigger,” he said on a call after strong third quarter financials that included a swing to profitability as users weathered price hikes pretty well and despite investment in the audiobook launch. CFO Paul Vogel called the quarter an “inflection point” for the company which now expects to be consistently profitable. The stock is up 10% today.
Audiobooks on Spotify, announced early this month, has launched in a few markets including the UK and will roll out to the U.S. this winter. Premium subscribers get 15 hours free a month and can top...
- 10/24/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Audio streaming giant Spotify reported better-than-expected third-quarter subscriber gains and a surprise operating profit.
The company ended September with 226 million paying premium subscribers, up from 220 million as of the end of June, exceeding its forecast that it would reach 224 million in the latest period.
Stockholm-headquartered Spotify, led by CEO Daniel Ek, also reported that it hit 574 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of the third quarter, up from 551 million at the end of the second quarter. The company had previously estimated it would end the latest period with 572 million MAUs.
“We walked into 2023 thinking we would do just over 20 million in net subscriber ads for the full year, but we’re actually on track to deliver 30 million, which is a significant beat from where we thought we would be. In fact, this will be the second biggest full year gain in net subs additions since going public,...
The company ended September with 226 million paying premium subscribers, up from 220 million as of the end of June, exceeding its forecast that it would reach 224 million in the latest period.
Stockholm-headquartered Spotify, led by CEO Daniel Ek, also reported that it hit 574 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of the third quarter, up from 551 million at the end of the second quarter. The company had previously estimated it would end the latest period with 572 million MAUs.
“We walked into 2023 thinking we would do just over 20 million in net subscriber ads for the full year, but we’re actually on track to deliver 30 million, which is a significant beat from where we thought we would be. In fact, this will be the second biggest full year gain in net subs additions since going public,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Georg Szalai and Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify’s CFO touted the success of AI DJ, the company’s artificial intelligence-driven personalized guide, during an investor conference on Wednesday and highlighted management’s continued belief in more upside in the podcasting business, while emphasizing an “evolution” in its approach to it.
Calling it one of the company’s most successful service launches, Paul Vogel said during an appearance at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, that AI DJ was already available in 50 countries and has been “really well received.”
He added: “Reviews have been amazing, and it’s something that’s very differentiated, that consumers love, that the artists love because it’s getting the content out there, and so we’re going to continue to invest in those types of things.”
Pointing out user growth in newer, more developing markets as well as more mature markets, Vogel touted Spotify’s mix of free and paid-for offerings.
Calling it one of the company’s most successful service launches, Paul Vogel said during an appearance at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, that AI DJ was already available in 50 countries and has been “really well received.”
He added: “Reviews have been amazing, and it’s something that’s very differentiated, that consumers love, that the artists love because it’s getting the content out there, and so we’re going to continue to invest in those types of things.”
Pointing out user growth in newer, more developing markets as well as more mature markets, Vogel touted Spotify’s mix of free and paid-for offerings.
- 9/6/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify had its best quarter ever for new additions but revenue fell short of expectations and the music streamer booked a wider loss on severance and other business charges for the three months ended in June.
Shares of the global platform, headquartered in Sweden, are down more than 12%. The latest financials follow news yesterday of price increases.
CEO Daniel Ek and CFO Paul Vogel on a post-earnings call today the full impact of the hikes won’t be evident in numbers until the fourth quarter. The company is raising the price of its premium subscriptions, bringing the audio streaming service in line with top competitors. Individual subscriptions will be $10.99 a month, up from the $9.99 level where they started in 2011. Premium Duo will be $14.99 (up $2), while Premium Family will be $16.99 and Premium Student will be $5.99, both up a dollar. “We felt the timing was right,” said Ek today. “We have expanded...
Shares of the global platform, headquartered in Sweden, are down more than 12%. The latest financials follow news yesterday of price increases.
CEO Daniel Ek and CFO Paul Vogel on a post-earnings call today the full impact of the hikes won’t be evident in numbers until the fourth quarter. The company is raising the price of its premium subscriptions, bringing the audio streaming service in line with top competitors. Individual subscriptions will be $10.99 a month, up from the $9.99 level where they started in 2011. Premium Duo will be $14.99 (up $2), while Premium Family will be $16.99 and Premium Student will be $5.99, both up a dollar. “We felt the timing was right,” said Ek today. “We have expanded...
- 7/25/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Spotify reported 551 million monthly active users in its second quarter, adding 36 million from the previous quarter and hitting an all-time high for the company.
Additionally, the music giant added 10 million paid subscribers, three million above its guidance forecast and a record for the second quarter, to reach 220 million.
Still, operating losses at the company, which has been promising to focus on profitability, grew to reach €247 million (approximately $273 million), missing the company’s guidance of €129 million ($142 million). The number was impacted by “charges related to our actions to streamline operations and reduce costs,” the company said, which includes reducing its real estate footprint and making changes to its podcasting business. These charges had been excluded from Q2 guidance. Excluding these charges, the company reported an operating loss of €112 million ($124).
Gross margins hit 24.1 percent, compared to guidance of 25.5 percent and total operating expenses grew to €1 billion ($1.1 billion), up 13 percent year over year.
Additionally, the music giant added 10 million paid subscribers, three million above its guidance forecast and a record for the second quarter, to reach 220 million.
Still, operating losses at the company, which has been promising to focus on profitability, grew to reach €247 million (approximately $273 million), missing the company’s guidance of €129 million ($142 million). The number was impacted by “charges related to our actions to streamline operations and reduce costs,” the company said, which includes reducing its real estate footprint and making changes to its podcasting business. These charges had been excluded from Q2 guidance. Excluding these charges, the company reported an operating loss of €112 million ($124).
Gross margins hit 24.1 percent, compared to guidance of 25.5 percent and total operating expenses grew to €1 billion ($1.1 billion), up 13 percent year over year.
- 7/25/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In its latest attempt to boost revenue and cut losses, Spotify unveiled a widely telegraphed move to raise prices for its premium paying subscriber base.
The new monthly cost for U.S. users will be $10.99, the company said. The hike brings Spotify in line with rivals Apple Music ($10.99 a month) and Amazon Music ($10.99, though cheaper for Prime members), which both raised prices last year. And Spotify’s move arrives days after YouTube Music also raised its price by $1 to $10.99 a month.
The price of Spotify’s Premium Duo plan will go up by $2 to $14.99 per month, while the Family plan and Student plans rise by $1 to $16.99 and $5.99, respectively.
“The market landscape has continued to evolve since we launched. So that we can keep innovating, we are changing our Premium prices across a number of markets around the world,” the company said in a statement. “These updates will help us continue...
The new monthly cost for U.S. users will be $10.99, the company said. The hike brings Spotify in line with rivals Apple Music ($10.99 a month) and Amazon Music ($10.99, though cheaper for Prime members), which both raised prices last year. And Spotify’s move arrives days after YouTube Music also raised its price by $1 to $10.99 a month.
The price of Spotify’s Premium Duo plan will go up by $2 to $14.99 per month, while the Family plan and Student plans rise by $1 to $16.99 and $5.99, respectively.
“The market landscape has continued to evolve since we launched. So that we can keep innovating, we are changing our Premium prices across a number of markets around the world,” the company said in a statement. “These updates will help us continue...
- 7/24/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek says the streaming audio giant is going to be “very diligent” in assessing future investments in podcasting as several of the company’s rich talent deals come up for renewal.
Speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call, Ek responded to a question from a Wall Street analyst wondering about the plans for potentially pricey renewals this year and next. During the period when Dawn Ostroff was spearheading content, Spotify spent more than $1 billion acquiring podcast assets and locking up exclusive deals with the likes of Joe Rogan and Dax Shepard. Ostroff left the company earlier this year, and her responsibilities have been taken on by Alex Nörstrom, the exec whose specialty has been the free, ad-supported side of the business.
“You’re right in calling out the overpaying and over-investing and I can start off by saying that we’re not going to do that,...
Speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call, Ek responded to a question from a Wall Street analyst wondering about the plans for potentially pricey renewals this year and next. During the period when Dawn Ostroff was spearheading content, Spotify spent more than $1 billion acquiring podcast assets and locking up exclusive deals with the likes of Joe Rogan and Dax Shepard. Ostroff left the company earlier this year, and her responsibilities have been taken on by Alex Nörstrom, the exec whose specialty has been the free, ad-supported side of the business.
“You’re right in calling out the overpaying and over-investing and I can start off by saying that we’re not going to do that,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Spotify CFO Paul Vogel said the company’s decision several weeks ago to cut 6% of its global workforce was a “a real positive” in terms of the company being willing to take a hard look at its operations and “evolve.”
Today, the company is “a more efficient business,” the exec said during a virtual appearance at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. “Reporting lines are more streamlined, the accountability is there. The ability to get things done with fewer people is there. And when you become a business that’s as big as we’ve become, you sometimes have to make changes.”
When Vogel started at the company seven years ago, he said, it had about 1,500 workers, compared with today’s workforce of almost 10,000. The layoffs announced in January followed a 26% year-over-year increase in employees in 2022 compared with 2021, including the hiring of some 1,000 engineers.
Before the Q&a...
Today, the company is “a more efficient business,” the exec said during a virtual appearance at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. “Reporting lines are more streamlined, the accountability is there. The ability to get things done with fewer people is there. And when you become a business that’s as big as we’ve become, you sometimes have to make changes.”
When Vogel started at the company seven years ago, he said, it had about 1,500 workers, compared with today’s workforce of almost 10,000. The layoffs announced in January followed a 26% year-over-year increase in employees in 2022 compared with 2021, including the hiring of some 1,000 engineers.
Before the Q&a...
- 3/8/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Audio streaming giant Spotify ended 2022 with better-than-expected user growth, but its latest quarterly loss widened amid investments in podcasting growth, among other factors. The company said on Tuesday that it ended the fourth quarter with 205 million premium, or paying, subscribers, up from 195 million as of the end of the third quarter and ahead of its own target, “aided by promotional intake and household plans.”
Spotify also disclosed that it hit 489 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of December, up from 456 million at the end of September. “Net additions of 33 million represented our largest-ever fourth-quarter growth,” the firm highlighted.
The Stockholm, Sweden-based company, led by CEO Daniel Ek, had previously forecast it would wrap up the year with 202 million premium subscribers and 479 million MAUs. On Tuesday, it predicted it would end the current first quarter with 207 million premium subs and 500 million MAUs.
Spotify’s stock rose about 3 percent...
Spotify also disclosed that it hit 489 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of December, up from 456 million at the end of September. “Net additions of 33 million represented our largest-ever fourth-quarter growth,” the firm highlighted.
The Stockholm, Sweden-based company, led by CEO Daniel Ek, had previously forecast it would wrap up the year with 202 million premium subscribers and 479 million MAUs. On Tuesday, it predicted it would end the current first quarter with 207 million premium subs and 500 million MAUs.
Spotify’s stock rose about 3 percent...
- 1/31/2023
- by Georg Szalai and Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Audio streaming giant Spotify on Monday said that it would be laying off about 6 percent of its workforce, or about 600 people, as the streaming audio giant becomes the latest company in the technology space to cut back on staff amid a challenging economy.
The company said that it expects to take severance costs of between 38 million and 49 million in connection with the layoffs.
The layoffs, unveiled by CEO Daniel Ek in a blog post, were expected to be more broadly based than a previous round of cuts in October, which hit staff working on canceled shows from in-house podcast studios Gimlet and Parcast.
To that end, one of Spotify’s most high-profile executives, chief content and advertising officer Dawn Ostroff, will depart the company “as part of a broader reorganization,” the company said. Ostroff will become a senior adviser to Spotify to help with the transition.
As part of other executive changes,...
The company said that it expects to take severance costs of between 38 million and 49 million in connection with the layoffs.
The layoffs, unveiled by CEO Daniel Ek in a blog post, were expected to be more broadly based than a previous round of cuts in October, which hit staff working on canceled shows from in-house podcast studios Gimlet and Parcast.
To that end, one of Spotify’s most high-profile executives, chief content and advertising officer Dawn Ostroff, will depart the company “as part of a broader reorganization,” the company said. Ostroff will become a senior adviser to Spotify to help with the transition.
As part of other executive changes,...
- 1/23/2023
- by J. Clara Chan, Alex Weprin and Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Delhi, Jan 23 (Ians) Swedish music streaming giant Spotify is expected to lay off employees this week amid the deepening economic slowdown, the media reported on Monday.
The number of workers to be fired wasn’t specified at the moment, reports Bloomberg, citing sources.
The company had nearly 9,800 employees, as last reported.
Spotify did not immediately comment on the report.
In October last year, Spotify reportedly shut down 11 original podcasts from its in-house studios, as a part of cost-cutting and layoffs which recently took place.
Less than 5 per cent of the company’s staff on original podcasts were either laid off or reassigned to new shows.
Among the podcasts cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast were ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Show’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is...
The number of workers to be fired wasn’t specified at the moment, reports Bloomberg, citing sources.
The company had nearly 9,800 employees, as last reported.
Spotify did not immediately comment on the report.
In October last year, Spotify reportedly shut down 11 original podcasts from its in-house studios, as a part of cost-cutting and layoffs which recently took place.
Less than 5 per cent of the company’s staff on original podcasts were either laid off or reassigned to new shows.
Among the podcasts cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast were ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Show’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is...
- 1/23/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Click here to read the full article.
Music streaming giant Spotify reported 195 million paid subscribers in the third quarter of 2022, up from 188 million paid or premium subscribers in the previous quarter and above expectations.
The company had forecast it would hit 194 million premium subscribers this quarter.
Spotify also exceeded its monthly active user expectations, reaching 456 million monthly active users in the third quarter, above its forecast of 450 million. In the second quarter, monthly active users hit 433 million, up from 422 million in the previous quarter.
The company now says it has 4.7 million podcasts. At the end of June, Spotify had 4.4 million podcasts on the platform, up from 4.0 million at the end of March. New additions this quarter included the launch of Meghan Markle’s podcast, Archetypes.
Total revenue came in at €3.04 billion compared to a forecast of €3.0 billion.
Still, the continuing focus is on the company’s margins (which came in...
Music streaming giant Spotify reported 195 million paid subscribers in the third quarter of 2022, up from 188 million paid or premium subscribers in the previous quarter and above expectations.
The company had forecast it would hit 194 million premium subscribers this quarter.
Spotify also exceeded its monthly active user expectations, reaching 456 million monthly active users in the third quarter, above its forecast of 450 million. In the second quarter, monthly active users hit 433 million, up from 422 million in the previous quarter.
The company now says it has 4.7 million podcasts. At the end of June, Spotify had 4.4 million podcasts on the platform, up from 4.0 million at the end of March. New additions this quarter included the launch of Meghan Markle’s podcast, Archetypes.
Total revenue came in at €3.04 billion compared to a forecast of €3.0 billion.
Still, the continuing focus is on the company’s margins (which came in...
- 10/25/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
San Francisco, Oct 7 (Ians) Leading music streaming platform Spotify is shuttering 11 original podcasts from its in-house studios, which will reportedly result in some layoffs at the company.
Less than 5 per cent of Spotify’s staff on original podcasts will be laid off or reassigned to new shows, a company spokesperson told The Verge.
Among the podcasts being cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast are ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Showa’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
This is the first time Spotify has made a group cancellation of podcasts. The news comes in the wake of significant staffing changes at Spotify.
The Swedish music-streaming platform has more than 433 million monthly active users (MAUs).
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is reducing new hiring by at least 25 per cent as tech companies navigate through volatile global conditions.
Less than 5 per cent of Spotify’s staff on original podcasts will be laid off or reassigned to new shows, a company spokesperson told The Verge.
Among the podcasts being cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast are ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Showa’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
This is the first time Spotify has made a group cancellation of podcasts. The news comes in the wake of significant staffing changes at Spotify.
The Swedish music-streaming platform has more than 433 million monthly active users (MAUs).
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is reducing new hiring by at least 25 per cent as tech companies navigate through volatile global conditions.
- 10/7/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
San Francisco, Oct 7 (Ians) Leading music streaming platform Spotify is shuttering 11 original podcasts from its in-house studios, which will reportedly result in some layoffs at the company.
Less than 5 per cent of Spotify’s staff on original podcasts will be laid off or reassigned to new shows, a company spokesperson told The Verge.
Among the podcasts being cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast are ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Showa’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
This is the first time Spotify has made a group cancellation of podcasts. The news comes in the wake of significant staffing changes at Spotify.
The Swedish music-streaming platform has more than 433 million monthly active users (MAUs).
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is reducing new hiring by at least 25 per cent as tech companies navigate through volatile global conditions.
Less than 5 per cent of Spotify’s staff on original podcasts will be laid off or reassigned to new shows, a company spokesperson told The Verge.
Among the podcasts being cancelled from in-house studios Gimlet and Parcast are ‘How to Save a Planet’, ‘Crime Showa’, and ‘Medical Murders’.
In the second quarter of 2023, Spotify will say goodbye to “Horoscope Today”.
This is the first time Spotify has made a group cancellation of podcasts. The news comes in the wake of significant staffing changes at Spotify.
The Swedish music-streaming platform has more than 433 million monthly active users (MAUs).
In June, reports surfaced for the first time that Spotify is reducing new hiring by at least 25 per cent as tech companies navigate through volatile global conditions.
- 10/7/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Click here to read the full article.
Spotify Chief Financial Officer Paul Vogel touted the company’s early ticketing efforts as one way of boosting monetization at the music streaming and podcast company.
The company has recently been experimenting with selling tickets to listeners, with the launch of a ticket selling website on Aug. 10 for select artists. Speaking at the Evercore Isi Technology Conference Wednesday, Vogel said the early efforts have been a hit with artists and have also helped increase listening hours for that artist on Spotify.
“The artists have been thrilled with the pre-sales that we’ve had and our ability to target and sell tickets to their super fans and get that audience engaged,” Vogel said. “What we’ve also seen is when people buy tickets through Spotify, they actually then tend to listen to more of that artist on Spotify as well.”
While Vogel spoke to...
Spotify Chief Financial Officer Paul Vogel touted the company’s early ticketing efforts as one way of boosting monetization at the music streaming and podcast company.
The company has recently been experimenting with selling tickets to listeners, with the launch of a ticket selling website on Aug. 10 for select artists. Speaking at the Evercore Isi Technology Conference Wednesday, Vogel said the early efforts have been a hit with artists and have also helped increase listening hours for that artist on Spotify.
“The artists have been thrilled with the pre-sales that we’ve had and our ability to target and sell tickets to their super fans and get that audience engaged,” Vogel said. “What we’ve also seen is when people buy tickets through Spotify, they actually then tend to listen to more of that artist on Spotify as well.”
While Vogel spoke to...
- 9/7/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek says the “dire macro environment” of inflation and other headwinds has not slowed the company’s momentum.
He delivered the comments on the company’s second-quarter earnings call. The company reported total revenue of 2.9 billion, up 23 and just ahead of Wall Street analysts’ consensus expectation. Net losses widened to 126.8 million, or 86 cents a share, which missed the Street’s consensus, though any concerns about profitability were more than offset by strong subscriber trends.
The company said it had 433 million monthly active users by the end of the quarter, which was 5 million more than its projections and up 19 from a year ago. Its roster of premium subscribers hit 188 million, up 14 and 1 million more than the company’s guidance.
A continuing strategic push into podcasting, via acquisitions of suppliers like Gimlet and The Ringer as well as deals with Joe Rogan and other popular names in the sector,...
He delivered the comments on the company’s second-quarter earnings call. The company reported total revenue of 2.9 billion, up 23 and just ahead of Wall Street analysts’ consensus expectation. Net losses widened to 126.8 million, or 86 cents a share, which missed the Street’s consensus, though any concerns about profitability were more than offset by strong subscriber trends.
The company said it had 433 million monthly active users by the end of the quarter, which was 5 million more than its projections and up 19 from a year ago. Its roster of premium subscribers hit 188 million, up 14 and 1 million more than the company’s guidance.
A continuing strategic push into podcasting, via acquisitions of suppliers like Gimlet and The Ringer as well as deals with Joe Rogan and other popular names in the sector,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Music streaming giant Spotify ended the second quarter of 2022 with 188 million premium, or paying, subscribers, up from 182 million as of the end of the first quarter, exceeding its own forecast.
The company said the result came in “above our guidance, aided by promotional intake and household plans.”
Spotify also said on Wednesday that it hit better-than-expected 433 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of June, up from 422 million as of the end of March. “Net additions of 19 million represented our largest ever second-quarter growth,” the firm said, citing such factors as reactivations in Europe and what it described as “Gen Z strength in Latin America.”
The company, led by CEO Daniel Ek, had previously forecast it would end the quarter through June with 187 million paying subscribers, assuming “additional 600,000 disconnects from full closure of Russian operations in April,” and 428 million monthly active users,...
Music streaming giant Spotify ended the second quarter of 2022 with 188 million premium, or paying, subscribers, up from 182 million as of the end of the first quarter, exceeding its own forecast.
The company said the result came in “above our guidance, aided by promotional intake and household plans.”
Spotify also said on Wednesday that it hit better-than-expected 433 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of the end of June, up from 422 million as of the end of March. “Net additions of 19 million represented our largest ever second-quarter growth,” the firm said, citing such factors as reactivations in Europe and what it described as “Gen Z strength in Latin America.”
The company, led by CEO Daniel Ek, had previously forecast it would end the quarter through June with 187 million paying subscribers, assuming “additional 600,000 disconnects from full closure of Russian operations in April,” and 428 million monthly active users,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Georg Szalai and Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Spotify will “reduce hiring growth by 25 percent” over the next few quarters, according to an email sent by CEO Daniel Ek to employees on Wednesday.
Though Ek said the company will continue to hire new staff, he cautioned that Spotify will “slow that pace and be a bit more prudent with the absolute level of new hires over the next few quarters,” the email said, an individual with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
The slowdown in hiring comes shortly after CFO Paul Vogel hinted at Spotify’s investor day earlier in June that the company would be reducing its headcount amid the ongoing economic downturn.
“We are clearly aware of the increasing uncertainty regarding the global economy. And while we have yet to see any material impact to our business, we are keeping a close eye on the situation...
Spotify will “reduce hiring growth by 25 percent” over the next few quarters, according to an email sent by CEO Daniel Ek to employees on Wednesday.
Though Ek said the company will continue to hire new staff, he cautioned that Spotify will “slow that pace and be a bit more prudent with the absolute level of new hires over the next few quarters,” the email said, an individual with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
The slowdown in hiring comes shortly after CFO Paul Vogel hinted at Spotify’s investor day earlier in June that the company would be reducing its headcount amid the ongoing economic downturn.
“We are clearly aware of the increasing uncertainty regarding the global economy. And while we have yet to see any material impact to our business, we are keeping a close eye on the situation...
- 6/15/2022
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Business is not as bad as you think, Spotify executives emphasized Wednesday in the company’s first investor presentation since 2018.
While Wall Street had recently soured on the streaming platform, due to its high level of investment, company executives said they expect to grow revenue by moving into the audiobook business, and potentially moving into the education, news and sports spaces. Significantly, Spotify’s podcast business, which executives said has been dragging down gross margins, is expected to see its margins turn positive after 2022.
“Some may also think that we’re a bad business, or at least a business with bad margins for the foreseeable future,” said Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. “And others may even think that the audio market just isn’t that significant.”
“I can confidently say that this model in its totality is doing way better than you think,” he said.
Business is not as bad as you think, Spotify executives emphasized Wednesday in the company’s first investor presentation since 2018.
While Wall Street had recently soured on the streaming platform, due to its high level of investment, company executives said they expect to grow revenue by moving into the audiobook business, and potentially moving into the education, news and sports spaces. Significantly, Spotify’s podcast business, which executives said has been dragging down gross margins, is expected to see its margins turn positive after 2022.
“Some may also think that we’re a bad business, or at least a business with bad margins for the foreseeable future,” said Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. “And others may even think that the audio market just isn’t that significant.”
“I can confidently say that this model in its totality is doing way better than you think,” he said.
- 6/8/2022
- by Caitlin Huston and J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Spotify brought in “close to” €200 million, or roughly 215 million, in podcast revenue last year, according to Dawn Ostroff, the company’s chief content and advertising business officer.
Speaking at Spotify’s investor day presentation in New York on Wednesday, Ostroff noted that the company — which has spent 1 billion for its podcast expansion — is still in “investment mode” but expects podcasts to be a “20 billion opportunity.”
“Our bet in this space is already starting to pay off, beginning with improvements in ad products and, in turn, monetization,” Ostroff said.
But it may take a few more years before Spotify sees a profit from its podcast bet. Spotify’s chief financial officer, Paul Vogel, noted that podcasting had a €103 million negative impact (about 110 million based on current conversion rates) on gross profit and is expected to remain negative this year.
“But this drag will not last,...
Spotify brought in “close to” €200 million, or roughly 215 million, in podcast revenue last year, according to Dawn Ostroff, the company’s chief content and advertising business officer.
Speaking at Spotify’s investor day presentation in New York on Wednesday, Ostroff noted that the company — which has spent 1 billion for its podcast expansion — is still in “investment mode” but expects podcasts to be a “20 billion opportunity.”
“Our bet in this space is already starting to pay off, beginning with improvements in ad products and, in turn, monetization,” Ostroff said.
But it may take a few more years before Spotify sees a profit from its podcast bet. Spotify’s chief financial officer, Paul Vogel, noted that podcasting had a €103 million negative impact (about 110 million based on current conversion rates) on gross profit and is expected to remain negative this year.
“But this drag will not last,...
- 6/8/2022
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spotify said it is not experiencing any negative effects from blowback over podcast hosts like Joe Rogan, with the company’s first-quarter results exceeding Wall Street forecasts.
The Stockholm-based audio giant swung to earnings of 24 cents a share compared with a loss of 30 cents a year ago. Revenue inched up to 2.8 billion from 2.6 billion. Both top and bottom line figures came in well ahead of analysts’ forecasts.
During a conference call after the release of the numbers, CEO Daniel Ek and CFO Paul Vogel both maintained the company’s podcast business has never been stronger. Rogan was never named specifically on the call, but the early part of 2022 the surfacing of offensive and racist comments from the host put a bright spotlight on his Spotify deal, which is worth a reported 200 million. A number of prominent musical artists, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, pulled their music from Spotify in protest.
The Stockholm-based audio giant swung to earnings of 24 cents a share compared with a loss of 30 cents a year ago. Revenue inched up to 2.8 billion from 2.6 billion. Both top and bottom line figures came in well ahead of analysts’ forecasts.
During a conference call after the release of the numbers, CEO Daniel Ek and CFO Paul Vogel both maintained the company’s podcast business has never been stronger. Rogan was never named specifically on the call, but the early part of 2022 the surfacing of offensive and racist comments from the host put a bright spotlight on his Spotify deal, which is worth a reported 200 million. A number of prominent musical artists, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, pulled their music from Spotify in protest.
- 4/27/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Spotify CFO Paul Vogel said the audio streaming service has $3.5 billion cash on its balance sheet that can be used for growth and expansion—particularly in the podcast space. Speaking at the MIT Sloan CFO Summit this past week, Vogel said that Spotify is looking toward a future where the revenue it earns from advertising […]
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- 11/22/2021
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Music streaming services have a new favorite number. In recent job ads, Apple Music is telling would-be candidates: “We started with 1,000 songs in your pocket. Now it’s over 70 million.” Last week, YouTube’s Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen announced within a slew of new stats about music consumption: “YouTube Music has more than 70 million official tracks, more than any other music service.”
And in early November, Spotify CFO Paul Vogel told his firm’s investors that the streaming service now has “65 million to 70 million music tracks” in its...
And in early November, Spotify CFO Paul Vogel told his firm’s investors that the streaming service now has “65 million to 70 million music tracks” in its...
- 11/23/2020
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
At the start of the pandemic, concerns were mounting that the record industry was going to get lacerated. But at least in the case of the major music companies — Universal, Sony, and Warner — a different narrative is now starting to emerge.
Not only were Sony’s recorded music revenues up 11.2% in the third quarter of 2020, but in its latest quarterly fiscal results last week, the company confirmed it was upping its annual profits forecast for its music division by an eye-opening 16.9%. Sony’s music division (recorded music, publishing, and “Visual...
Not only were Sony’s recorded music revenues up 11.2% in the third quarter of 2020, but in its latest quarterly fiscal results last week, the company confirmed it was upping its annual profits forecast for its music division by an eye-opening 16.9%. Sony’s music division (recorded music, publishing, and “Visual...
- 11/3/2020
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
Spotify CFO Paul Vogel stressed the need for “a level playing” field for all services a day after Apple announced a bundle package with music, TV, and Cloud storage.
“For us it’s just about a level playing field and it’s treating all products and services equally and making sure that someone isn’t disadvantaged at the benefit of someone else — particularly if someone else owns a competing product,” Vogel said Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs media conference.
His three major concerns. “For us, particularly with Apple, it’s about being able to market and communicate with our users in a way that is is not restrictive. Right now there’s a lot of restrictions Apple places on how we can market and communicate with our users, so we feel that’s not right.”
“Also, having to use Iap for everything. I think that’s something consumers should have...
“For us it’s just about a level playing field and it’s treating all products and services equally and making sure that someone isn’t disadvantaged at the benefit of someone else — particularly if someone else owns a competing product,” Vogel said Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs media conference.
His three major concerns. “For us, particularly with Apple, it’s about being able to market and communicate with our users in a way that is is not restrictive. Right now there’s a lot of restrictions Apple places on how we can market and communicate with our users, so we feel that’s not right.”
“Also, having to use Iap for everything. I think that’s something consumers should have...
- 9/16/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Music streaming giant Spotify feels “really good” about how the business has performed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with consumption now above pre-pandemic levels, CFO Paul Vogel said during a virtual investor conference session on Wednesday.
Vogel highlighted “better than expected” user and subscriber growth in the first half. Spotify this summer said that its user base had in the second quarter grown to 138 million premium, or paid, subscribers and 299 million total active monthly users as of the end of June.
Speaking during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, which was live streamed, he also touted the ...
Vogel highlighted “better than expected” user and subscriber growth in the first half. Spotify this summer said that its user base had in the second quarter grown to 138 million premium, or paid, subscribers and 299 million total active monthly users as of the end of June.
Speaking during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, which was live streamed, he also touted the ...
- 9/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music streaming giant Spotify feels “really good” about how the business has performed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with consumption now above pre-pandemic levels, CFO Paul Vogel said during a virtual investor conference session on Wednesday.
Vogel highlighted “better than expected” user and subscriber growth in the first half. Spotify this summer said that its user base had in the second quarter grown to 138 million premium, or paid, subscribers and 299 million total active monthly users as of the end of June.
Speaking during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, which was live streamed, he also touted the ...
Vogel highlighted “better than expected” user and subscriber growth in the first half. Spotify this summer said that its user base had in the second quarter grown to 138 million premium, or paid, subscribers and 299 million total active monthly users as of the end of June.
Speaking during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, which was live streamed, he also touted the ...
- 9/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Magic Sword
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1962/ 1:85 / 80 min.
Starring Gary Lockwood, Basil Rathbone, Estelle Winwood
Directed by Bert I. Gordon
Fresh off producing and directing Tormented, a mildly lurid psychological shocker released in 1960, Bert I. Gordon pointed his next film in the direction of the Saturday matinee crowd, a select audience of thrill crazy adolescents who made box office bonanzas out of phantasmagorical entertainments like 7th Voyage of Sinbad. As with most (all?) of Gordon’s work, his eyes were too big for his stomach – the 1962 fairy tale called for Sinbad-sized thrills but Gordon was working with a fraction of Ray Harryhausen’s budget and a two week shooting schedule. If nothing else the director was determined to put up on the screen what was promised on the poster, “The Most Unbelievable Sights Ever Seen” but once again, Mr. Big came up short.
In the run-up to its...
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1962/ 1:85 / 80 min.
Starring Gary Lockwood, Basil Rathbone, Estelle Winwood
Directed by Bert I. Gordon
Fresh off producing and directing Tormented, a mildly lurid psychological shocker released in 1960, Bert I. Gordon pointed his next film in the direction of the Saturday matinee crowd, a select audience of thrill crazy adolescents who made box office bonanzas out of phantasmagorical entertainments like 7th Voyage of Sinbad. As with most (all?) of Gordon’s work, his eyes were too big for his stomach – the 1962 fairy tale called for Sinbad-sized thrills but Gordon was working with a fraction of Ray Harryhausen’s budget and a two week shooting schedule. If nothing else the director was determined to put up on the screen what was promised on the poster, “The Most Unbelievable Sights Ever Seen” but once again, Mr. Big came up short.
In the run-up to its...
- 11/26/2019
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Are you dead? Let’s find out: Watch this video, which went viral on TikTok this week, and see if you don’t chuckle.
For those skeptical types who refrained from clicking the link above: It’s a human, clad in a dinosaur costume, petrifying members of the public. What can I say? It’s an oldie, but a goodie.
What’s it doing here, in a business-focused column about TikTok’s threat to Spotify’s dominance in music? Well, for one thing, I thought it might put you in a cheery mood.
For those skeptical types who refrained from clicking the link above: It’s a human, clad in a dinosaur costume, petrifying members of the public. What can I say? It’s an oldie, but a goodie.
What’s it doing here, in a business-focused column about TikTok’s threat to Spotify’s dominance in music? Well, for one thing, I thought it might put you in a cheery mood.
- 11/24/2019
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
As streaming services solidify their position as the dominant way that people listen to music, a common question swirling around — from investors and users both — has been whether subscription prices will go up. Over the past decade, Spotify has helped set a U.S. market standard of $9.99 per month for a premium music subscription; it hasn’t adjusted that figure once, even though its video-streaming counterpart Netflix has hiked its rates three times in the same time period. Discounts and multiple-user packages often take Spotity users’ payments even lower.
But...
But...
- 9/18/2019
- by Amy X. Wang
- Rollingstone.com
If you’ve kept half an eye on music industry shenanigans this year, you’ll know that Spotify isn’t exactly popular with songwriters. The Swedish streaming service has joined forces with Amazon, Google, and Sirius Xm/Pandora to appeal a statutory pay rise for composers and their publishers from on-demand streaming services in the United States. That pay rise could be significant, increasing the royalty checks coming out of these platforms, and others like them, by at least 44% between 2018 and 2022.
Whether or not instruments of the U.S. government should...
Whether or not instruments of the U.S. government should...
- 9/6/2019
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
"The Mild, Mild West"
By Lee Pfeiffer
The Warner Archive has released the 1965 comedy "The Rounders" on Blu-ray. The film is primarily notable for the teaming of Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda, two estimable Hollywood stars who could be relied upon to play convincingly in both dark, somber dramas and frolicking comedies. "The Rounders" was directed and written by Burt Kennedy, who adapted a novel from by Max Evans. Kennedy was a veteran of big studio productions who worked his way from screenwriter to director. If he never made any indisputable classics, it can be said that he made a good many films that were top-notch entertainment. Among them: "Support Your Local Sheriff", "The War Wagon", "Hannie Caulder" and "The Train Robbers". While Westerns were Kennedy's specialty, he did have a prestigious achievement with his screenplay for Clint Eastwood's woefully underseen and under-praised 1990 film "White Hunter, Black Heart". It's...
By Lee Pfeiffer
The Warner Archive has released the 1965 comedy "The Rounders" on Blu-ray. The film is primarily notable for the teaming of Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda, two estimable Hollywood stars who could be relied upon to play convincingly in both dark, somber dramas and frolicking comedies. "The Rounders" was directed and written by Burt Kennedy, who adapted a novel from by Max Evans. Kennedy was a veteran of big studio productions who worked his way from screenwriter to director. If he never made any indisputable classics, it can be said that he made a good many films that were top-notch entertainment. Among them: "Support Your Local Sheriff", "The War Wagon", "Hannie Caulder" and "The Train Robbers". While Westerns were Kennedy's specialty, he did have a prestigious achievement with his screenplay for Clint Eastwood's woefully underseen and under-praised 1990 film "White Hunter, Black Heart". It's...
- 11/11/2017
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
The laid-back, plot challenged non-violent western gets a boost in this folksy comedy about two aging cowboys with less sense than the horses they tame. Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda star together for the first time, leaving behind their older images… they’re too tender-hearted for their own good. If the sex comedy wasn’t quite so dated, Burt Kennedy’s picture might be a classic.
The Rounders
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1965 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 84 min. / Street Date April 18, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Sue Ane Langdon, Hope Holiday, Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Kathleen Freeman, Joan Freeman, Denver Pyle, Barton MacLane, Doodles Weaver, Peter Fonda, Peter Ford, Bill Hart, Warren Oates, Chuck Roberson.
Cinematography: Paul Vogel
Film Editor: John McSweeney
Original Music: Jeff Alexander
From the Novel by Max Evans
Produced by Richard E. Lyons
Written and Directed by Burt Kennedy
Producer Richard E. Lyons is...
The Rounders
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1965 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 84 min. / Street Date April 18, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Sue Ane Langdon, Hope Holiday, Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Kathleen Freeman, Joan Freeman, Denver Pyle, Barton MacLane, Doodles Weaver, Peter Fonda, Peter Ford, Bill Hart, Warren Oates, Chuck Roberson.
Cinematography: Paul Vogel
Film Editor: John McSweeney
Original Music: Jeff Alexander
From the Novel by Max Evans
Produced by Richard E. Lyons
Written and Directed by Burt Kennedy
Producer Richard E. Lyons is...
- 4/22/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
This past weekend, the American Society of Cinematographers awarded Greig Fraser for his contribution to Lion as last year’s greatest accomplishment in the field. Of course, his achievement was just a small sampling of the fantastic work from directors of photography, but it did give us a stronger hint at what may be the winner on Oscar night. Ahead of the ceremony, we have a new video compilation that honors all the past winners in the category at the Academy Awards
Created by Burger Fiction, it spans the stunning silent landmark Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans all the way up to the end of Emmanuel Lubezki‘s three-peat win for The Revenant. Aside from the advancements in color and aspect ration, it’s a thrill to see some of cinema’s most iconic shots side-by-side. However, the best way to experience the evolution of the craft is by...
Created by Burger Fiction, it spans the stunning silent landmark Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans all the way up to the end of Emmanuel Lubezki‘s three-peat win for The Revenant. Aside from the advancements in color and aspect ration, it’s a thrill to see some of cinema’s most iconic shots side-by-side. However, the best way to experience the evolution of the craft is by...
- 2/6/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Battleground
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1949 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 118 min. / Street Date January 10, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Don Taylor, James Whitmore, Douglas Fowley, Leon Ames, Guy Anderson, Denise Darcel, Richard Jaeckel, James Arness
Cinematography: Paul Vogel
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Hans Peters
Film Editor: John D. Dunning
Original Music: Lennie Hayton
Written by: Robert Pirosh
Produced by: Dore Schary
Directed by William A. Wellman
“The Guts, Gags and Glory of a Lot of Wonderful Guys!”
— say, what kind of movie is this, anyway?
Action movies about combat are now mostly about soldiers that fight like killing machines, or stories of battle with a strong political axe to grind. WW2 changed perceptions completely, when a mostly civilian army did the fighting. With the cessation of hostilities combat pictures tapered off quickly, and Hollywood gave the subject a break for several years.
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1949 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 118 min. / Street Date January 10, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Don Taylor, James Whitmore, Douglas Fowley, Leon Ames, Guy Anderson, Denise Darcel, Richard Jaeckel, James Arness
Cinematography: Paul Vogel
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Hans Peters
Film Editor: John D. Dunning
Original Music: Lennie Hayton
Written by: Robert Pirosh
Produced by: Dore Schary
Directed by William A. Wellman
“The Guts, Gags and Glory of a Lot of Wonderful Guys!”
— say, what kind of movie is this, anyway?
Action movies about combat are now mostly about soldiers that fight like killing machines, or stories of battle with a strong political axe to grind. WW2 changed perceptions completely, when a mostly civilian army did the fighting. With the cessation of hostilities combat pictures tapered off quickly, and Hollywood gave the subject a break for several years.
- 1/6/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The Magnificent Seven is often heralded as one of the greatest westerns ever made. Great acting, memorable characters, and a striking score, all elevate The Magnificent Seven into more than your standard b-movie shoot-em-up western. Unfortunately for Burt Kennedy’s 1966 sequel, it has only one of these three traits working to keep this horse riding high. Given all that is working against it, Return of the Magnificent Seven turns out a little better than expected, even if the Blu-ray doesn’t have much faith in the film.
The Movie
The sequel begins much in the same way as the original. In fact, the film is set in the same village that was first mistreated in the original. A megalomaniac bent on revenge rides with a group of bandits into the village abducting all of the men and leaving behind the women and children. Chico (Originally played by Horst Buchholz and...
The Movie
The sequel begins much in the same way as the original. In fact, the film is set in the same village that was first mistreated in the original. A megalomaniac bent on revenge rides with a group of bandits into the village abducting all of the men and leaving behind the women and children. Chico (Originally played by Horst Buchholz and...
- 10/10/2011
- by Michael Haffner
- Destroy the Brain
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