Latest news with #Comscore
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bridget Jones and Minecraft Movie lead big screen bounce back as box office takings beat pandemic downturn
Cinemas across the UK and Ireland are roaring back to life after posting their strongest first-half performance since the Covid19 pandemic in a stunning box office comeback. After years of gloom, audience numbers are surging and tills are ringing once more. New data from Comscore shows box office takings hit a massive £532.4million in the first six months of the year – up a hefty 18 per cent on the same period in 2024. It is a dramatic reversal from the post-Covid slump that many feared was here to stay. This year's box office has outpaced 2024 for all but a single week, and analysts say the trend is only gathering speed. Film fans have been flocking to the big screens for a string of smash hits - with the Minecraft Movie leading the charge, grossing a staggering £56.7million. Hot on its heels came Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy with £46.4million, followed by a live-action Lilo & Stitch reboot, which raked in £35.3million. Other crowd pleasers included Ryan Coogler's Sinners which grossed a whopping £162.2million, contributing to a bumper first half. New data from Comscore shows box office takings hit a massive £532.4million in the first six months of the year – up a hefty 18 per cent on the same period in 2024 In total, cinema admissions were up 12 per cent, with box office receipts rising even faster - up to 18 per cent on last year. Experts now believe the worst is behind the industry. Gower Street Analytics forecasts the UK and Ireland box office will reach £1.2billion this year. 'A 16.5 per cent advantage over last summer's performance is a great place to be,' Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, told The Times. 'With August looking particularly strong, I think we'll see this momentum continue'. Phil Clapp, chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, credited a broad range of appealing titles for luring audiences back into cinemas. 'The summer slate has really started to gear up, and there's still more to come - including Fantastic Four: First Steps,' he said, adding that high expectations now rest on tentpoles such as Wicked: For Good and Avatar: Ash and Water, later this year. Even the slightly underwhelming UK launch of Superman - which opened with £6.9million, compared to Man of Steel's £11.2million in 2013 - has not dampened the mood. Vue's group director of screen content, Eduardo Leal, dismissed fears the superhero's return signalled another dip. 'We're seeing external factors, like the heatwave, weighing on UK numbers, but the film has already picked up in the last few rainy days,' he said. 'We're optimistic it will track upwards.' Even the slightly underwhelming UK launch of Superman - which opened with £6.9million, compared to Man of Steel's £11.2million in 2013 - has not dampened the mood Leal also pointed to a structural shift. 'There's a much higher volume of films this year - levels recovered after 2022 but then dipped due to the [Hollywood writer] strikes. Now they're looking really good again'. Looking ahead, hopes are high for a strong finish to the year. Titles including the Fantastic Four, Wicked, and Avatar are all poised to deliver box office fireworks in the autumn and winter months. Film journalist Charles Gant described the year's progress as 'continued gentle recovery, supercharged by strong releases'. He added that 'success breeds success' and that anticipation is built on audiences coming in and seeing striking trailers. Despite this, the path is not entirely smooth. September is expected to be quieter, and some insiders warn the final quarter may struggle to replicate last year's blockbuster-heavy finish, which included Wonka and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. But there remains cautious optimism that the UK box office could return to pre-pandemic heights by late 2016 - or even sooner. 'It's been a long haul and we're still behind 2019, but 2025 is showing cinemas can bounce back when the right films come along,' Gant said.
Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
End of Covid disaster movie as cinemas bounce back
Cinemas have posted their strongest first-half performance since the pandemic, defying fears that audiences had abandoned the big screen for good. From Bridget Jones to Captain America, cinemas have found their summer sequel: a real-life comeback story. UK and Ireland box office revenue in the first six months of 2025 reached £532.4 million, according to Comscore — a clear bounce back from recent years and a reversal of the steady post-Covid decline that had set in since cinemas fully reopened. That total is an 18 per cent rise on the same period last year. When comparing cumulative revenue totals across the first half of the year, 2025 has been ahead for all but one week compared with 2024. In the sole week when 2024 nudged in front, it was only by a mere 0.2 per cent. Since then, a strong summer showing has propelled 2025 to an impressive return year-on-year. The recovery is gaining momentum and is unlikely to slow down any time soon, according to experts. Gower Street Analytics forecasts the UK and Ireland box office will reach £1.2 billion this year — a 10 per cent jump on 2024 and 9 per cent ahead of 2023, marking a strong rebound as the market continues to close the gap with pre-pandemic levels. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, said the UK performance echoed a wider global trend. 'A 16.5 per cent advantage over last summer's performance is a great place to be. With August looking particularly strong, I think we'll see this momentum continue,' he said, pointing to the cumulative impact of a robust summer slate. Phil Clapp, chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, said the resurgence had been powered by a broad range of hits. A Minecraft Movie led the way, grossing £56.7 million, while Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (£46.4 million) and Lilo & Stitch (£35.3 million) both outstripped expectations. Other successes included Ryan Coogler's Sinners, which brought in £16.2 million. While some films underperformed, Clapp said the overall effect had been positive: cinema admissions were up 12 per cent and box office takings up 18 per cent on the year. Much has been made of the disappointing start made by the latest blockbuster, Superman, causing many to mistakenly see its struggles as a symbol of cinema's decline. The film opened with £6.9 million in the UK and Ireland — a noticeable drop from 2013's Man of Steel, which debuted with £11.2 million. 'The summer slate has really started to gear up, and there's still more to come — including Fantastic Four: First Steps,' he said, adding that high expectations now rest on tentpoles such as Wicked: For Good and Avatar: Ash and Water later this year. But insiders pointed to mitigating factors. Eduardo Leal, group director of screen content at Vue, said Superman's US performance had actually matched Man of Steel's. 'We're seeing external factors, like the heatwave, weighing on UK numbers, but the film has already picked up in the last few rainy days. We're optimistic it will track upwards,' he said. Analysts agree this year's success is partly structural. 'There's a much higher volume of films this year — levels recovered after 2022 but then dipped due to the [Hollywood writer] strikes,' said Leal. 'Now, they're looking really good again.' Many believe that this was an underappreciated fact, and that cinema was being written off far too hastily. Charles Gant, a film journalist and critic, said this year marked a return to a slow but steady recovery trend after 2024's flatlining. 'What we're seeing is continued gentle recovery, supercharged by strong releases,' he said.A Minecraft Movie and Bridget Jones gave early momentum, while summer saw an unusual run of back-to-back hits — F1: The Movie, Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman — giving cinemas a sustained lift. 'Success breeds success,' Gant said. 'Audiences come in, see trailers, build anticipation. That momentum's been missing since the pandemic.' But some familiar challenges remain. September looks patchy, with a slate of medium-sized releases and no guaranteed hits. Last year's fourth quarter, which featured heavyweights such as Wonka, rescued 2024's box office, and while this year's slate is strong, it may struggle to replicate that late surge. Leal believes the second half of the year will still deliver, especially with major franchise films in the pipeline, and predicts UK box office could match — or even possibly exceed — pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. Gant struck a similar note of cautious optimism: 'It's been a long haul and we're still behind 2019, but 2025 is showing cinemas can bounce back when the right films come along.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
OUTKICK DELIVERS STRONG 2ND QUARTER INCREASES IN 2025
OutKick Also Notches Month Over Month Growth in June NEW YORK, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National multimedia sports platform OutKick saw significant increases from Q1 to Q2 2025 with 6.2 monthly average desktop and mobile unique visitors up 26%, 61 million total views up 38%, and 57 million total minutes up 37%, according to Comscore. Additionally, in June 2025 the platform recorded 6.7 million total desktop and mobile unique visitors, up 19% versus May 2025 and 14% versus June 2024, 31 million total multiplatform views up 16% versus the prior month and 35% versus the prior year, and 29 million multiplatform minutes up 17% versus the prior month and 40% versus the prior year, according to Comscore.* In commenting on the digital performance, Senior Vice President and Managing Editor Gary Schreier said, "June was a great month for OutKick and completes a tremendous Q2 2025. In this month alone the platform garnered national attention around Simone Biles attempting to criticize OutKick's Riley Gaines and was the only site to ask Brittney Griner about her comments from the bench. These moments highlight OutKick's authentic and fearless approach, which drives growth every month and quarter." OutKick also finished with 20.1 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, which ranked 15th out of over 350 sports entities in June platform finished ahead of The Athletic, NBC Sports Group Video, DraftKings, Complex Sports, Dailymail – Sport, and many more.** On Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, OutKick in June 2025 saw over 1.7 million social actions, up 33% versus May 2025 and over 16.9 million total video views up 54% versus the prior month on Facebook, X, and YouTube, according to Comscore Social.*** *Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, June 2024 - June 2025, Desktop and Mobile, US. **Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, June 2025, Total Digital Population, US ***Source: Comscore Social, Metrics & Trends, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, January 2025, Report Date: 7/17/2025. Custom-Defined List including Outkick. About OutKickOutKick is one of the fastest growing national multimedia platforms that produces and distributes engaging content at the intersection of sports, sports culture, pop culture and news. OutKick's industry recognized stable of reporters, hosts and contributors are accessible on as well as across video livestreams, social media, podcasts, and radio, reaching tens of millions of fans each month. Owned by FOX Corporation, OutKick was originally founded by Clay Travis. For more information, please visit OutKick Press Contact:Brian Karpas212-301-9966 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fox News Network, LLC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Fox News Digital marks its best quarter ever in multiplatform unique visitors, continues YouTube domination
Fox News Digital has made history with its highest quarter ever in multiplatform unique visitors. During the second quarter of 2025, Fox News Digital averaged a whopping 138 million monthly total digital multiplatform unique visitors, according to Comscore. Fox News Digital finished No. 1 in multiplatform minutes among key news brands – including CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times and USA Today – with a whopping 12.1 billion, a 31% increase from Q2 2024. CNN came in a distant second with 4 billion multiplatform minutes but suffered a 27% decrease compared to last year. The New York Times came in third with 3.8 billion multiplatform minutes, a 22% decrease year-over-year. Fox News Digital also trounced all news brands among multiplatform views, reaching 5.8 billion, an increase of 19% from the second quarter last year. The Times came in second with 4.4 billion multiplatform views, down 4%, followed by CNN with 2.8 billion multiplatform views, down 18% year over year. Fox News Digital finished the quarter strong, leading all news brands in both multiplatform views and minutes during June, with year-over-year gains across the board. Along the way, Fox News Digital crushed Q2 on YouTube with 1.2 billion views on the platform with a 122% increase year-over-year to lead all news brands, according to Emplifi. On YouTube, Fox News topped MSNBC's one billion views, CNN's 659 million views, NBC News' 368 million views, ABC News' 345 million views, and CBS News' 164 million views. FOX Business led all business brands on YouTube with 180 million views for the quarter. Fox News Digital, CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, and the Washington Post have opted in to account for Social Incremental in total digital multiplatform unique visitors, while brands like CNN and The New York Times have not opted in. Data courtesy of Comscore.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FOX NEWS DIGITAL MARKS ITS BEST QUARTER IN HISTORY WITH TOTAL DIGITAL UNIQUE MULTIPLATFORM VISITORS
FOX News Secures its Best Quarter Ever on YouTube with 1.2 Billion Views Leading All News Brands Including Broadcast Networks ABC, CBS and NBC News CNN Slumps to Lowest Quarter with Multiplatform Views and Minutes Since 2015 NEW YORK, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FOX News Digital marked its best quarter in history with an average of 138 million monthly total digital multiplatform unique visitors, according to Comscore.* Meanwhile, FOX News Digital continued to lead all news brands with both multiplatform views (12th consecutive quarter) and minutes (17th consecutive quarter). During the second quarter, FOX News Digital secured 12.1 billion total multiplatform minutes (up 31% over Q2 2024) and 5.7 billion total multiplatform views (up 19% over Q2 2024).* Notably, FOX News Digital also surpassed broadcast networks NBC News and ABC News across the board during the second quarter. While FOX News saw year-over-year increases across all key performance indicators, CNN once again saw declines across the board with multiplatform views (down 18% vs. Q2 2024), multiplatform minutes (down 27% vs. Q2 2024) and average total digital unique multiplatform visitors (down 13% vs. Q2 2024). In fact, this marked the lowest quarter for CNN with both views and minutes since 2015. The FOX News Mobile app drew 6.5 million unique viewers during the quarter. ** Additional highlights include: On YouTube, FOX News nabbed its best quarter ever with video 1.2 billion video views leading all news brands, according to Emplifi. Seeing a 122% increase year-over-year, FOX News led all news brands including MSNBC (1 billion views), CNN (659 million views), ABC News (345 million views), NBC News (368 million views) and CBS News (164 million views). Additionally, FOX Business led all business brands on YouTube with 180 million views for the quarter. In the month of June, FOX News Digital led news brands with multiplatform views and minutes.* Marking year-over-year gains across the board, FOX News Digital commanded 4.4 billion multiplatform minutes, 2 billion multiplatform views and 148 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors in June. FOX News was once again the most engaged brand on social media in the competitive set in Q2'25, with 244 million total social interactions, notching the 44th consecutive quarter FOX News has placed on top, according to Emplifi. FOX News drove 177 million interactions on Facebook (up 630% versus Q2'24) 84.5 million Instagram interactions (up 19% versus Q2'24) and 6.5 million X interactions (up 16% versus Q2'24). On TikTok, FOX News drew 59 million engagements according to Shareablee. delivered a strong quarter with 718 million multiplatform minutes and 22.2 million average multiplatform unique visitors. The business network also drove 396 million multiplatform views, surpassing CNN Business and for the 13th and 15th consecutive quarters respectively.*** Q2 2025 FOX NEWS DIGITAL VS. AND Multi-Platform Total Views FOX News Digital – 5,729,000,000 (up 19% vs. Q2'24) – 2,786,000,000 (down 18% vs. Q2'24) – 4,440,000,000 (down 4% vs. Q2'24) – 273,000,000 (up 9% vs. Q2'24) NBC – 839,000,000 (up 24% vs. Q2'24) Multi-Platform Total Minutes FOX News Digital – 12,057,000,000 (up 31% vs. Q2'24) – 4,011,000,000 (down 27% vs. Q2'24) – 3,783,000,000 (down 22% vs. Q2'24) – 270,000,000 (up 5% vs. Q2'24) NBC – 2,134,000,000 (flat vs. Q2'24) Average Monthly Total Digital Multi-Platform Unique Visitors FOX News Digital – 137,585,000 (up 32% vs. Q2'24) – 91,603,000 (down 13% vs. Q2'24) – 70,829,000 (down 7% vs. Q2'24) – 29,169,000 (down 47% vs. Q2'24) NBC – 96,140,000 (up 28% vs. Q2'24) *Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. Fox News Digital, and have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like and have not opted in. Custom-Defined List including Fox News Digital, NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and June 2025, U.S. **Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. Fox News Digital, and have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like and have not opted in. Custom-Defined List including Fox News Digital, NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and June 2025, U.S. & Comscore Mobile Metrix®, Mobile App Only, [FOX News Mobile App and CNN Mobile App], June 2025, U.S. ***Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. Yahoo! Finance, have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors. Custom-Defined List including CNN Business, HuffPost Business, MarketWatch, Motley Fool, MSN Money, USA TODAY Money, WSJ Online, Yahoo! Finance, June 2025, U.S. ****Source: Comscore Social, PowerRankings, YouTube, June 2025, Report Date: 7/17/2025. Custom-Defined List including Fox News Digital, NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 23 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month. FOX News Media Contact: Connor Smith: 212-301-3879 or View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fox News Network, LLC
