TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 27 November 2024
Climate fund boosts docs; Cry Wolf TV adapts; Inside Out 2 insights; WBD grows; Aussie screen crisis; Kaling backs Anuja; tax debate; Acorn expands; LALIGA drama; UK TV decline looms.
Today’s Highlights:
Together Films Launches $50,000 Climate Action Fund - Together, Films awarded $25,000 grants to two documentaries, Power Station and Unearth, to develop impact campaigns raising awareness about climate crisis solutions.
Jesper Ganslandt Adapts Vargasommar (Cry Wolf) for TV4 - The adaptation blends mystery, dark comedy, and suspense, following police officer Hannah Wester's investigation in a border town linked to a drug deal gone wrong.
Pixar Releases Inside Out 2 Script - The sequel explores Riley's teenage struggles and emotional growth with new characters, continuing the franchise's mental health themes.
Warner Bros. Discovery Achieves Streaming Growth Amid Challenges - WBD's Max platform drives significant subscriber growth to 110.5 million, but cable reliance and heavy debt present obstacles.
SPA Warns of Australian Screen Industry Content Development Crisis - Screen Producers Australia highlights a need for more sustainable funding, calling for increased support to ensure the industry's future.
Mindy Kaling Produces Award-Winning Short Film Anuja - The film explores a 9-year-old girl's life-changing decision, earning accolades and becoming Kaling's "favourite of the year."
Governor Newsom's Expanded Tax Incentives Overlook Unscripted TV - California's $750 million incentive plan neglects unscripted TV, prompting calls for reform to include it and improve competitiveness.
Acorn TV Expands Mystery Slate with New Originals - Acorn's offerings include Irish Blood and Art Detectives, emphasising empathy-driven narratives and global audience appeal.
LALIGA Studios and Little Spain Create Soccer-Driven Drama - A new series explores emotional, cultural, and authentic stories through the lens of Spain's LALIGA, aiming for global resonance.
British Television Faces Creativity and Financial Decline - The UK TV industry struggles as financial pressures and lack of innovation force companies to close, threatening systemic collapse.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with SBS, Disney, Channel 4, BBC, Netflix, MrBeast & Paramount.
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NEWS
Together Films Selects Projects for $50,000 Climate Action Fund
Together Films, a UK-based marketing, distribution, and sales company, has announced the recipients of its Climate Action Together Fund. The selected documentary features are Power Station by Dan Edelstyn, Hilary Powell and Unearth by Hunter Nolan. Each film will receive a $25,000 grant and strategic support to develop and implement tailored impact campaigns to raise awareness of climate crisis solutions. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Jesper Ganslandt on Adapting Vargasommar (Cry Wolf): Swedish Crime with a Dark Twist
Jesper Ganslandt discusses adapting Hans Rosenfeldt’s debut novel Vargasommar into a six-part TV4 series. Set in the Swedish-Finnish border town of Haparanda, the show stars Eva Melander as police officer Hannah Wester, who uncovers a macabre mystery involving a wolf with human remains linked to a botched drug deal. The thriller weaves mystery, violence, and dark comedy as professional killer Kat hunts for missing bags tied to Hannah’s troubled past. Produced by Nordic Drama Queens, Vargasommar blends suspense with humour, inspired by Steven Spielberg’s storytelling. Read More
Inside Out 2: Read Pixar’s Script
Pixar has released the script for Inside Out 2, offering fans a glimpse into the sequel that dives deeper into Riley’s evolving emotions. The screenplay, written by Meg LeFauve, expands the emotional palette with new characters, reflecting Riley’s teenage struggles and growth. The film continues to explore mental health themes through its innovative storytelling. Read More
Comcast Employees React to Cable Spinoff Plan
NBCUniversal cable network staff face mixed emotions as Comcast plans to spin off several assets into a new company, "SpinCo," in 2025. While some express disappointment, calling the move a result of declining cable networks, others remain optimistic about potential opportunities. SpinCo will include MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, E!, Syfy, Oxygen, and digital brands like Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes. The restructuring aims to boost Comcast’s growth by focusing on Peacock Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery's Streaming Growth Fuelled by Max, Cable Remains Critical
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) saw significant Q3 2024 growth in its direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment, with global subscribers rising to 110.5 million from 103.3 million in Q2, driving a 9% revenue increase. Parrot Analytics estimates Discovery+ contributes just 12% of DTC revenue, with Max as the primary driver. Despite streaming gains, WBD's reliance on cable assets and a heavy debt load pose challenges as the company balances legacy and digital revenue streams. Read More
SPA Warns of Content Development Crisis in the Australian Screen Industry
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) highlights a looming content development crisis due to unsustainable financial pressures. A survey revealed that 57% of producers lack sufficient development funds to cover fees or overheads, with 62% saying current funding fails to cover essential costs like writer fees and legal expenses. SPA calls for increased funding, restructured development models, and a "rights reversion" framework to sustain businesses and ensure industry viability. Read More
Mindy Kaling Joins Award-Winning Live-Action Short Anuja as Producer
Mindy Kaling has joined Anuja as a producer following its wins at top festivals, including HollyShorts and Montclair. Directed by Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai, the film tells the story of 9-year-old Anuja, played by Sajda Pathan, a gifted girl working in a New Delhi garment factory who faces a life-changing decision about attending school. Kaling called the film her “favourite of the year.” Read More
Gavin Newsom’s Expanded Tax Incentives Fall Short for Unscripted TV
Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to double California’s film and television tax incentive program to $750 million annually overlooks unscripted television, despite its significant contribution to the industry. Unscripted content accounts for up to half of production slates for many networks and streamers yet remains excluded from tax credits. Industry expert Ben Samek advocates reforms, including adding unscripted TV to allocations, raising credit percentages, and making credits refundable to restore California’s competitive edge. Read More
Acorn TV Expands Global Mystery Slate With New Originals
As Acorn TV approaches 14 years in streaming, it remains focused on delivering compelling mysteries, dramas, and thrillers. Recent highlights include "Irish Blood" starring Alicia Silverstone and "Art Detectives" with Stephen Moyer, both filmed in Ireland. Acorn balances beloved series like Midsomer Murders with innovative originals, aiming to release a tentpole show monthly. Emphasising empathy-driven characters, Acorn continues attracting loyal viewers and new audiences worldwide. Read More
LALIGA Studios & Little Spain Develop Scripted Drama Exploring Football Culture
LALIGA Studios and Little Spain, led by C. Tangana, are collaborating on a scripted TV series set in the world of LALIGA. The series, the first officially endorsed by Spain’s soccer league, aims to tell universal stories through football, emphasizing emotion, cultural identity, and authenticity. With access to LALIGA’s clubs, stadiums, and talent, the series seeks to transcend clichés, resonating with global audiences and connecting through powerful narratives. Read More
How ‘Shogun’ Anchored FX’s Rise as a Streaming Powerhouse
FX has thrived under John Landgraf’s leadership, leveraging series like Shogun to solidify its streaming empire. Despite concerns over viewers’ dwindling attention spans in the “endless scroll” era, FX's most expensive series to date captivated audiences with its intricate storytelling set in 16th-century Japan. Supported by a slate of hits like The Bear and American Horror Story, FX continues to redefine narrative TV while navigating the rapidly evolving streaming landscape. Read More
Streaming Giants See Subscriber Growth and Revenue Gains
Legacy media streamers are gaining ground on Netflix, with platforms like Disney+ and Warner Bros. Discovery reporting subscriber growth and profits in the latest earnings cycle. Netflix remains the leader with 282.72 million global subscribers, up 14.4% year-over-year. Success is attributed to bundling, price hikes, and cost-cutting measures. Disney+ added 4.8 million subscribers, boosting its total to 158.6 million, showcasing the ongoing battle for streaming dominance. Read More
British Television Faces Existential Crisis as Creativity Declines
The UK TV industry, once a global leader, is in decline due to financial pressures and an aversion to risk. Independent production companies are folding, and 68% of freelancers are unemployed. Channels prioritise "high-end" dramas or reality fillers, ignoring the "middle" genres where new formats grow. As derivative programming dominates, creators call for government tax breaks or regulatory changes to revive homegrown content and avert a systemic collapse. Read More
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