How can film studios use 'Franchises' to create Synergy?

How can film studios use 'Franchises' to create Synergy?

It is becoming more and more apparent that films are not the most important way of making money in the movie industry. There are certain aspects in the industry that are unlocked when a film franchise are created. One of these markets are merchandise, things ranging from apparel, shoes, household items like toasters and waffle makers, and stupid things like pen holders. For example, the conglomerate Time Warner, owns the film studio Warner Brothers, who itself has a few subsidiary companies like New Line Cinema, DC Entertainment and owning half of the TV station, Cartoon Network.

Warner Brothers distributed the poplar film trilogy 'The Dark Knight,' The company DC comics, where Batman originated from is also owned by Time Warner, which gives Warner Brothers exclusive access to the DC comic content. This itself creates synergy because other companies would have to pay a lot of money to use that content, and it gives Time Warner an advantage in controlling the production and using subsidiary companies means less money spent, and in turn, more money made. Another example of this are the showing of a Batman series on Cartoon Network, which is also Owned by Time Warner, this means that they don't have to sell the rights to use it, they just allow it because they own them, and they make more money in the long run.

Another example of Synergy is the Batman Arkham game franchise. These games were published By Warner Brothers interactive Studios and developed by a small, 'Sister company' of Warner Bros called Rocksteady studios. Using these type of companies that have many ties together with Warner Brothers benefits them in using less money to make the game, and keeps the franchise 'in the loop' of their own company, not having to sell rights to other companies. Also another subsidiary company NetherRealm studios creates a small series of IOS and andriod Batman games for the company.

I believe that doing this and developing and publishing games and films allows companies to create synergy and control the film industry because it means that only them and certain 'sister' companies can use the content and can target that specific audience and they are the only one who can give them what they want to see. Film as a form of making money is not seen as the main way of making money nowadays, it is seen as more of a gateway, or a pathway that unlocks certain paths, that can make more and more money the more sequels make. The film is topped by merchandise and toys as a way of making money, because these are things that can't expire, as with a film the technology is moving so fast, a film made in 2000 can look dated, but if you were to get a vintage Batman first edition mug, it would be worth a lot of money and sell for a considerable amount.  

Time Warner as a conglomerate, owns enough companies to get the content from DC Comics, go to Warner Brothers, make the film franchise, who also make their own merchandise, and have exclusive rights to make them. They produce a franchise internally, within their own companies, not needing help from external companies, then when creating a spin of TV series, they can show it on Cartoon Network, also owned by Time Warner. Then when it comes to a game franchise, Warner Brothers themselves own about 5 subsidiary companies who can develop the game, and hand it to Warner Brother Interactive Entertainment to publish and distribute without having to get help from other companies or allowing other companies credit for doing the work.