One of the top growth companies over the past couple years has been Netflix (NFLX). The company has effectively transitioned from its DVD delivery business to streaming. However, the competition is heating up, and it is getting more expensive to license content.

Actually, one of the biggest competitive threats is Amazon.com (AMZN). Thursday the company announced that it has purchased LoveFilm, which is an online video rental service that's based in Europe.

Continue reading Amazon Buys LoveFilm, the 'Netflix of Europe'

Amazon Buys LoveFilm, the 'Netflix of Europe' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one of several on business heirs apparent. Let us know in the comments whether you think Colin Hanks can live up his father's legacy, and be sure to check out the other heir apparent posts.

I wonder if Tom Hanks ever stops to reflect on how lucky his career has been. I mean, I know this has been said before, but I still can't get over the fact that one of the biggest celebrity thespians of our era first came to prominence on a goofy sitcom called Bosom Buddies. If it wasn't for some species of divine intervention, Tom Hanks would have been just another deep footnote of the '80s. Although some might consider Bachelor Party a classic -- I'm not sure who that would be -- Tom Hanks' actual breakthrough role came in Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Splash (here's a bit of trivia for you: Splash was the first film released by Touchstone Pictures). Years later, he would go on to star in some of the most memorable movies of our time -- Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and The Green Mile. Yep, we all know Mr. Tom Hanks.

But have you ever heard of his son, Colin? He was the product of Tom's first marriage to a lady named Samantha Lewes (she unfortunately passed away in 2002). Colin Hanks may not be as famous as his dad, but, according to his page at IMDB, he is an actor in his own right, and has done a lot of television work -- he's worked on Numb3rs, The O.C., and he's been on many episodes of the sci-fi show Roswell. And he's not doing too shabby in the movie business. He's appeared in King Kong, two other movies starring the one and only Jack Black, Orange County and Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, and the recent internet thriller Untraceable.

Continue reading Heir apparent: Colin Hanks, looking to make a splash

Heir apparent: Colin Hanks, looking to make a splash originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Hollywood circles, Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN)'s Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is a mega brand (the site gets more than 50 million unique visitors per month). Basically, it's the place to go if you want to know just about anything about the entertainment industry.

Now, Amazon.com is expanding things even further; that is, the company has agreed to purchase Withoutabox.

All in all, it looks like a nice fit. Basically, Withoutabox operates a platform that allows indie filmmakers to submit their work to festivals. There are also tools to help with promotion (especially online methods). The company, which got started in 2000, has a community of more than 150,000 filmmakers.

But, by now being a part of IMDb, Withoutabox should get a nice boost. And, with the Hollywood strike, maybe people will have more time to check out indie films -- which should be easier with this deal.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates DealProfiles.com.

Amazon.com: M&A goes to the movies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Is Transformers worthy of a franchise? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.