TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 5 December 2024
Max cracks down on sharing; Gatiss revives horror; Ellison reshapes Paramount; Baylin tackles neo-Nazis; Netflix uses AI; Yang shines; Disney+ grows; Kidman stuns; Banijay guides; Shindler thrives.
Today’s Highlights:
Max to Begin Password-Sharing Crackdown Strategy—Max, Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming platform, will implement a phased password-sharing crackdown starting next week. In early 2025, it will introduce a paid "add a member" feature.
Mark Gatiss Discusses BBC's Woman in Stone - Mark Gatiss revitalizes E. Nesbit's story Man-Size in Marble for BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas series, featuring an all-star cast and premiering on BBC platforms in December.
David Ellison Plans Paramount TV Consolidation - Skydance Media CEO David Ellison is restructuring Paramount Global's TV assets following an $8 billion merger, potentially leading to co-CEO Brian Robbins' exit.
Zach Baylin Explores Neo-Nazism in The Order - Zach Baylin's The Order examines neo-Nazi militant Bob Matthews' violent crimes in the 1980s, with Nicholas Hoult and Tye Sheridan portraying the chilling historical narrative.
Netflix's Churchill at War Documentary Uses AI - Netflix's Churchill at War combines AI and archival footage to reconstruct Winston Churchill's speeches, redefining historical storytelling while navigating ethical considerations.
Jimmy O. Yang Reflects on Hulu's Interior Chinatown—Jimmy O. Yang stars in Hulu's Interior Chinatown, a transformative role that showcases his commitment to authenticity and career resilience.
Sparknews and Banijay Unveil Sustainability Guide—A global guide co-developed by Sparknews and Banijay will launch in January and aims to help unscripted producers integrate environmental and social themes into storytelling.
Disney+ Expands with ESPN+ and Hulu Integration - Disney+ now includes ESPN+ content in its streaming bundle, offering select live sports and studio programming with plans for a standalone ESPN streaming service in 2025.
Nicole Kidman Shines in A24's Babygirl—Nicole Kidman stars in Babygirl, an erotic thriller that flips traditional tropes. She caps a year with six major projects that showcase her enduring demand.
Nicola Shindler Discusses Career, and Future Projects - Acclaimed producer Nicola Shindler reflects on her storied career and reveals Quay Street Productions' upcoming character-driven dramas.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with BBC, Disney, AMC, Lionsgate, UTA, Netflix, Sony & WBD.
Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest TV, Film & Media updates in one bulletin.
Our subscribers include executives from:
Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL, TVNZ, SRF.
Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media.
NEWS
Max to Begin Password-Sharing Crackdown Strategy
Max, Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service, will kick off its password-sharing crackdown next week with "gentle messaging" targeting high-usage accounts, according to JB Perrette, global streaming chief. In early 2025, Max plans to introduce a paid "add a member" option, allowing legitimate account sharing for an additional fee. The initiative mirrors similar efforts by Netflix and will gradually tighten restrictions through 2025 and 2026. Read More
Share Further&Better with your network, and if one of your contacts subscribes, you’ll receive a 30-day upgrade to your subscription.
INSIGHTS
Mark Gatiss Discusses BBC's Woman in Stone
Mark Gatiss has revitalized E. Nesbit’s chilling short story “Man-Size in Marble” in his seventh instalment of A Ghost Story for Christmas, titled Woman of Stone. This 30-minute film, produced by Isibéal Ballance for Adorable Media, is set to air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in December 2024. The cast includes Éanna Hardwicke as Jack Lorimer, Phoebe Horn as Laura Lorimer, Celia Imrie as Edith Nesbit, Monica Dolan as Mrs. Dorman, and Mawaan Rizwan as Dr. Zubin. A special preview screening is scheduled at BFI Southbank prior to its broadcast. Read More
Deadpool & Wolverine Script Read Now Available
Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy, paired Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in an opposites-road-trip superhero epic, earning $1.34 billion globally and setting R-rated opening records. The plot sees Deadpool (Reynolds) and a reluctant Wolverine (Jackman) teaming up to save their world, with Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, and Matthew Macfadyen also starring. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick co-wrote the film alongside Levy and Zeb Wells. Read More & Read the Screenplay
David Ellison Plans Paramount TV Consolidation as Brian Robbins Faces Potential Exit
Following Skydance Media’s $8 billion merger with Paramount Global, CEO David Ellison plans to consolidate Paramount’s television assets into a single unit. This restructuring may lead to the departure of co-CEO Brian Robbins, while co-CEO George Cheeks is expected to remain due to his strong relationship with Jeff Shell, Ellison’s deputy. CBS is anticipated to be the only network retained, with other assets potentially up for sale. Read More
Zach Baylin Talks The Order and True-Life Domestic Terrorism
Zach Baylin’s The Order, directed by Justin Kurzel, recounts the chilling true story of neo-Nazi militant Bob Matthews (Nicholas Hoult) and his group’s violent crimes in the Pacific Northwest during the early 1980s. The film follows FBI agent Terry Husk, inspired by real-life agent Wayne Manis, as he works with his team (Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett) to thwart the group’s plans. Baylin says the story remains deeply relevant today. Read More
Jimmy O. Yang Reflects on Interior Chinatown and His Career
Jimmy O. Yang shines in Hulu’s Interior Chinatown, playing Willis Wu, a background character in a fictional police procedural navigating life’s blurred lines. For authenticity, Yang embraced method acting, donning thrifted clothes and driving a $1,500 1999 Toyota Corolla. Following Space Force, Yang saw the role as a perfect fit for his career ethos: “People tell me I can’t do this, I’m going to go do it.” His journey embodies resilience and reinvention. Read More
Netflix's Churchill at War Documentary Combines AI and Archival Footage
Netflix’s Churchill at War uses AI to bring Winston Churchill’s speeches to life, enabling him to narrate his own story in a groundbreaking approach by Imagine Entertainment. Producers Justin Wilkes and Sara Bernstein explain how AI tools reconstructed Churchill’s voice from historical texts and colorized archival footage, enhancing authenticity while navigating ethical challenges. The series exemplifies AI’s potential to enrich storytelling without compromising historical integrity, streaming now in a four-part documentary. Read More
King and Conqueror Explores Harold of Wessex’s Reign
James Norton initially aspired to portray William the Conqueror in CBS Studios’ King and Conqueror. However, due to contractual obligations with HBO’s The Nevers, he was unable to commit to the role. Consequently, Norton took on the character of Harold of Wessex, while Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was cast as William. Read More
Sparknews and Banijay Launch Global Guide for Unscripted Producers
Sparknews and Banijay Entertainment will release a global guide in January 2025 to help unscripted producers integrate environmental and social themes into storytelling. The Screens of Tomorrow guide, co-developed by Sparknews and Banijay’s ESG and Creative Networks teams, offers open-source toolkits for writing, production, and distribution. The initiative builds on Banijay’s successful testing with major labels like Big Brother and MasterChef and aims to foster inclusivity and sustainability in content creation. Read More
Disney+ Expands Bundle with ESPN+ and Hulu
Disney has integrated ESPN+ content into Disney+, completing its streaming bundle alongside Hulu. As of December 4, 2024, U.S. subscribers can access select live sports and studio programming via an ESPN+ tile on the Disney+ home screen. This move aims to enhance user experience and promote the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle. Disney plans to launch a full ESPN streaming service, featuring the actual cable channel, in the fall of 2025. Read More
Nicole Kidman on Babygirl and Balancing Family and Career
Nicole Kidman delivers a provocative performance in A24’s Babygirl, playing a powerful CEO whose affair with a young intern (Harris Dickinson) upends her life. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film flips the script on classic erotic thrillers. This role caps a remarkable year for Kidman, featuring six major projects, including Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, Paramount+’s Lioness, and Amazon’s Expats, showcasing her enduring demand at 57. Read More
Hollywood Reporter Highlights Most Powerful Women in Hollywood 2024
In a challenging year for Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter highlights the women driving the industry forward. From executives managing billion-dollar budgets to creatives behind top box office hits and actor-producers adapting to market shifts, these trailblazers set new standards for success. Honorees include record-setters like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, sharing insights on 2025 predictions, industry lessons, and the calls that still haven’t come in. Read More
Q&A: ‘Three Kilometers To The End Of The World’ director talks Romania's Oscar entry
Romanian director Emanuel Parvu’s Three Kilometers to the End of the World has been selected as Romania’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category. The Cannes Queer Palm-winning film explores the life of a teenage boy in a conservative Danube Delta community whose world is upended following a violent attack for being gay.
Nicola Shindler Reflects on Career, Discusses Future Projects
Nicola Shindler, founder of Quay Street Productions, shares insights into her storied career and her latest successes with After the Flood and The Guest. Known for creating iconic series like Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax, Shindler emphasizes her dedication to character-driven narratives. Quay Street continues to thrive, producing acclaimed dramas that resonate with audiences globally, with Shindler hinting at even more ambitious projects in the pipeline.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Further&Better to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.