TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 9 October 2024
Channel 4's £52M loss; SkyShowtime’s new ad-free tier; UK film tax credit boost; Warner Bros. deals; German drama debuts; AI reshapes Hollywood; Jason Reitman returns; Quay Street expands.
Today’s Highlights:
Channel 4 Reports Record Losses Amid Digital Growth – Channel 4, led by CEO Alex Mahon, reported a £52 million loss in 2023 due to declining advertising revenue, though digital revenue grew by 10%.
Fox CTO Melody Hildebrandt on AI and Big Tech—Fox’s CTO, Melody Hildebrandt, emphasized the importance of Hollywood studios positioning themselves as equals to Big Tech in harnessing AI's potential and discussed AI’s growing role in the entertainment industry.
SkyShowtime Premium Tier Launch – SkyShowtime introduces an ad-free Premium plan in Europe, expanding its streaming offerings.
Bell Media and Rogers Strike Deals with Warner Bros. Discovery – New agreements solidify WBD content distribution in Canada, extending HBO access for Bell and exclusive Discovery rights for Rogers.
Independent Film Tax Credit Approved by UK Government—The UK's new tax credit is set to boost the independent film sector, and applications will open on October 30.
Crash Course: German Drama "Hundertdreizehn"—Inspired by real-life events, a new series explores the effects of a fatal accident on 113 people.
AI Tools Are Changing Hollywood DevelopmentAI's— growing influence extends beyond creative roles, reshaping development and executive decision-making processes.
Jason Reitman Discusses His New Film, 'Saturday Night'—Filmmaker Jason Reitman discusses his latest film and efforts to preserve the Village Theater.
Nicola Shindler Promotes Richard Fee at Quay Street – ITV's Quay Street Productions expands Richard Fee's role to Head of Drama after producing several Netflix hits.
Mitch Mallon on FAST and AVoD Platforms – Media expert Mitch Mallon advises indie filmmakers to avoid placing new films on FAST platforms for better long-term benefits.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations, Opportunities and Jobs with Prime, SBS, Audible, WBD, BBC, Sony, Endeavor, Dick Clark & MPA.
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NEWS
Channel 4 Reports Record Losses Amid Digital Growth
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4, led by CEO Alex Mahon, reported a £52 million ($68 million) loss in 2023 due to a prolonged advertising downturn and continued investments in digital transformation and original content. Despite the loss, the broadcaster anticipates a narrowed deficit for 2024 and eventual breakeven. Channel 4 saw digital revenue increase by 10% and streaming views rise by 6%, with plans for digital advertising to account for 30% of total revenue in 2024. Read More
Ian Katz Turns Down Bonus as Channel 4 Hails YouTube Partnership
Channel 4's Ian Katz, CEO Alex Mahon, and COO Jonathan Allan saw their pay hit a 12-year low, with Katz foregoing his bonus amid indie sector criticism and a 250-person layoff. Mahon revealed that Katz rejected his bonus due to the challenges faced by producers, a move supported by the team. Mahon and Allan took reduced bonuses, and their pay also saw significant cuts, reflecting the company's financial struggles and KPI-based decisions. Read More
SkyShowtime Premium Tier to Launch Ad-Free Streaming
SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global, is launching a new ad-free Premium plan on October 29 across all its markets, including Bulgaria, Denmark, and Spain. This plan will join the existing “Standard With Ads” and “Standard Plus” options. Pricing for the Premium plan starts at €8.99 per month, while the Standard plan starts at €5.99, and the ad-supported plan begins at €3.99. Read More
Bell Media and Rogers Strike Deals with Warner Bros. Discovery
Bell Media and Rogers Communications have secured new agreements with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), settling all legal disputes over WBD content distribution in Canada. Bell Media extended Crave’s exclusive access to HBO and Max content and agreed to co-produce original Canadian content with WBD. Rogers became the exclusive English-language rights holder for WBD's Discovery brands in Canada, launching Discovery channels and offering content via Citytv+ on Amazon Prime starting in 2025. Read More
Independent Film Tax Credit Gets Official Greenlight from the UK Government
The UK Labour government has approved the Independent Film Tax Credit (Iftc), announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy ahead of the BFI London Film Festival. The BFI certification unit will start accepting applications from October 30, when the Iftc takes effect. BFI Deputy Chief Executive Harriet Finney confirmed five additional staff have been hired to manage the expected demand. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Crash Course
The upcoming German drama Hundertdreizehn explores the aftermath of a deadly traffic accident through the interconnected stories of six people. The six-part series, written by Arndt Stüwe, is inspired by a study revealing that 113 lives are impacted by a single fatal accident. The show follows investigators and relatives of those involved, with each episode focusing on a different character, offering a multi-perspective view of the crash and its ripple effects. Read More
Should Indie Filmmakers Embrace or Avoid FAST and AVoD Platforms?
Mitch Mallon, founder of Stadium Media, advises against placing recent films on FAST, calling it "short-sighted." While he acknowledges that AVoD is valuable, he emphasises that it has its appropriate place in content distribution strategies. Read More
"If Pigs Could Talk" Director Miki Mistrati on AI in Documentaries
Miki Mistrati, director of If Pigs Could Talk, discusses the use of AI in the documentary, which was commissioned by European broadcasters including ARD, DR, RTS, NRK, and SVT. The film explores a decade-long experiment where scientists used AI to translate pigs' vocalizations into human language, raising new questions about swine farming. Produced by Seven.One Studios’ Snowman Productions, the documentary is distributed by Seven.One Studios International. Read More
Jason Reitman in Conversation on 'Saturday Night'
Jason Reitman, known for films like Thank You for Smoking and Juno, has evolved over 20 years into one of Hollywood's most gifted storytellers, excelling in grown-up comic dramas. As he approaches 47, Reitman is making headlines for his efforts to save the Village Theater and his new film Saturday Night, which parallels Hollywood's current creative renewal. Reitman’s warm, empathetic nature contrasts with the industry's stereotypical stern directors, reflected in his thoughtful and intimate approach to filmmaking. Read More
Interview with a Data Queen: Revolutionising Content Creation
Jo Redfern, a media consultant specialising in audience engagement, and Emily Horgan, a data specialist focused on streaming and kids’ content, are known as the "Queens of Media Data." They have established unique positions at the intersection of creativity and data-driven strategy. In this interview, they share insights on balancing creativity with analytics in today's media landscape, where content must entertain and captivate audiences strategically. Read More
The Culture of Trade and the Arts
Globalisation helps Hollywood overcome its unpredictability in predicting hits by increasing the chances of success somewhere globally. Advances in digital technology have democratised film and TV production, allowing creators to produce high-quality content without big budgets or studio backing. Streaming platforms enable films and shows to reach global audiences easily, benefiting Hollywood and fostering competition from foreign filmmakers. As a result, consumers now have access to a wider, more diverse range of high-quality content than ever before. Read More
Cristin Milioti Talks 'The Penguin' and Navigating Hollywood
Cristin Milioti, known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother and Made for Love, takes on a darker, more complex character in HBO’s The Penguin. In the series, she plays Sofia Falcone, daughter of Gotham crime boss Carmine Falcone, stepping beyond likability with a menacing presence. Fresh from Arkham Asylum, Sofia's chilling demeanour, even in seemingly friendly interactions, marks a thrilling shift for Milioti as she embraces this multifaceted role. Read More
Peter Guber and Jeff Sagansky Discuss Industry Trends at The Grill
Investor Jeff Sagansky criticised Hollywood for decisions that have caused significant value destruction and a "cataclysm" in the industry during a keynote at TheWrap's Grill conference. In conversation with Peter Guber and Sharon Waxman, Sagansky argued that traditional studios accelerated the collapse of linear TV by prioritizing streaming, leading to what he described as "predatory" behaviour from streamers, contributing to the industry's current turmoil. Read More
AI Tools Are Changing Hollywood Development Jobs
The conversation around AI in the entertainment industry has often focused on its potential to replace creative professions. However, what about AI's encroachment on executive roles? With advancements like the Lionsgate-Runway deal, AI rapidly moves beyond tasks like script coverage into strategic decision-making. AI is reshaping core functions, potentially transforming development, analytics, and even how we collaborate with AI "thought partners" in the future. Read More
Fox CTO Melody Hildebrandt on AI and Big Tech
Fox’s chief technology officer, Melody Hildebrandt, emphasized at TheGrill conference that Hollywood studios should view artificial intelligence as “peers” to Big Tech rather than subordinates. She highlighted the potential for AI in the entertainment industry but stressed the importance of positioning studios as equals in harnessing its power. Yves Bergquist, director of AI and neuroscience in media at USC, echoed this sentiment, suggesting the entertainment industry can naturally partner with the broader tech world in exploring AI’s capabilities. Read More
Netflix’s Vast Library Has Transformed Viewing Habits and Cultural Perception
Netflix built its vast content library through a cycle of borrowing to fund new shows, which attracted subscribers and generated revenue to fuel more content. By 2019, it had accumulated $15 billion in long-term debt, earning the nickname “Debtflix.” Operating like a tech company, Netflix reshaped the industry with a constantly expanding catalogue of over 16,000 titles, including thousands of Netflix Originals. The scale is so vast that watching it all would take years, making it a constantly evolving, nearly impossible-to-complete experience. Read More
Q&A: PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer Ira Rubenstein
Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at PBS since 2014, has driven the network's expansion across mobile, OTT services, and digital platforms. With over 12 years at Sony, Rubenstein played a crucial role in launching Movielink and managing digital growth for major brands like Seinfeld. His leadership at Marvel and 20th Century Fox shaped innovative digital campaigns. Here, Rubenstein discusses his insights on the evolving streaming landscape and PBS' strategy in today's multi-platform world. Read More
'House of the Dragon' Showrunner Explains the Vision Behind Season 2
Showrunner Ryan Condal takes us behind the scenes of House of the Dragon, from lighting stunt performers on fire to creating the movement and sounds of the dragons.
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