TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 10-11 August 2024

MrBeast probes company culture; Netflix data leak; Italy eyes RAI privatization; Cartoon Network site closes; Disney invests $5B in Europe; Foxtel sale; AMC losses.

Today’s Highlights:

• MrBeast Investigating Company Culture—MrBeast's company is investigating internal culture and inappropriate behaviour. It plans to hire a chief HR officer and implement sensitivity training.

• Netflix and Crunchyroll Data Leak - Episodes from Netflix and Crunchyroll titles were leaked on social media, leading to concerns about spoilers and early releases.

• Italy Considers Partial Privatisation of RAI—The Italian government is contemplating privatising parts of public broadcaster RAI that are not considered public services.

• Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down Cartoon Network Website - Warner Bros. Discovery closed Cartoon Network's website, redirecting users to Max.

• News Corp. Considers Sale of Foxtel—News Corp. is exploring the sale of Australian pay TV and streaming operator Foxtel amid competition challenges.

• Disney's $5 Billion Investment in Europe - Disney plans to invest $5 billion in European movies and TV shows over the next five years.

• AMC Networks Takes $97 Million Hit - AMC Networks reported a $97 million loss due to devaluation and impairments in its international business and BBC America.

• Screen Industry Faces Production Accountant Shortage—The screen industry faces a significant shortage of production accountants, impacting film and TV projects.

• Disney+, Hulu, and Max Bundle Against Netflix - The new Disney-Max bundle aims to challenge Netflix by combining Disney+, Hulu, and Max with minimal content overlap.

• Netflix's Video Game Strategy - Netflix is expanding its video game strategy, with 100 titles released and 80 more in development, positioning itself for growth in the gaming market.

Plus: News, Festivals, Insights, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Opportunities, Events and Jobs with UGC, BBC, Disney, CAA, ITV, Prime, Sony, NBCUniversal & Netflix.

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NEWS

MrBeast Is Examining Company Culture, and Sensitivity Training Will Be Implemented

MrBeast's company is investigating its internal culture and "allegations of inappropriate behaviour" within the organisation, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press. The investigation, led by law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, focuses on former co-host Ava Tyson, who left the company in July amid allegations of inappropriate sexual messages with minors. The memo also outlines plans to hire a chief human resources officer and implement company-wide sensitivity training. This investigation follows other controversies, including allegations of contestant abuse in the Beast Games reality show and past slurs by Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast.

From: Deadline

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Netflix and Crunchyroll Impacted by Data Leak: Heartstopper and Arcane Episodes Released

Netflix and Crunchyroll titles, including Heartstopper Season 3, Arcane, and the Season 3 premiere of Re, were leaked on social media Thursday. Full episodes appeared on TikTok and X. Fans quickly noticed the unfinished footage, prompting concerns about spoilers and calls for early releases. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed the leak, attributing it to a compromised post-production partner, and stated that the company is taking aggressive action to remove the content.

From: The Wrap

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Italy Could Privatise Part of Public Television RAI

Italian Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti has hinted at the possibility of privatising parts of public broadcaster RAI that are not dedicated to public service. At a press conference, Giorgetti suggested that while RAI's public service role would be preserved, activities not considered public service could be subject to partial privatisation. Rumours suggest that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni might consider selling a stake to private investors to increase RAI's independence, reduce political control, and raise funds for the State Budget.

From: Señal News

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Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down Cartoon Network Website

Warner Bros. Discovery has shut down Cartoon Network's website, redirecting visitors to Max. A new landing page informs users that episodes of their favourite Cartoon Network shows are now available on Max, with a subscription required. The site encourages users to sign up for Max and create a Kids Profile for a kid-friendly experience. A Cartoon Network spokesperson said the company focuses on areas with higher consumer engagement, such as streaming and social media, with significant growth potential.

From: The Wrap

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Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Considering Sale of Australian Pay TV Company Foxtel

News Corp. is considering selling Australian pay TV and streaming operator Foxtel, as revealed in its full-year earnings release. CEO Robert Thomson mentioned that potential buyers have shown interest in Foxtel, prompting the company to evaluate its options with advisors. Foxtel, which has diversified into sports streamer Kayo, entertainment platform Binge, and OTT aggregator Hubbl, faces challenges competing in the Netflix-dominated market and struggles with lower margins amid declining cable and satellite TV users in Australia.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

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Disney Plans To Spend $5B On Movies & TV In Europe Over Next Five Years

According to EMEA boss Jan Koeppen, Disney is planning to invest at least $5 billion in blockbuster movies and TV shows across Europe over the next five years. This investment is similar to the $4.5 billion spent in the UK alone over the past five years. The success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which has surpassed $900 million globally, has bolstered Disney's financials, contributing to Disney+ turning a profit ahead of schedule. Koeppen noted that the superhero genre "seems to have a lot of life left."

From: Deadline

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AMC Networks Takes $97 Million Hit to Balance Sheet in Q2 on Devaluation of International Business, BBC America

AMC Networks reported its second-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a $97 million hit, including a $68 million goodwill impairment charge at its international division following the sale of 25/7 Media and a $29 million asset impairment charge at BBC America, a joint venture with BBC Studios. On the positive side, AMC Networks has already met its full-year free cash flow guidance, reaching $239 million by June 30, with $95.2 million generated in Q2. CEO Kristin Dolan highlighted the company's strategy of creating great shows and monetising content in a fragmented media landscape.

From: Variety

FESTIVALS

‘Mishima’ Was Unofficially Banned in Japan, but the Tokyo Film Festival Wants to Premiere It There This Fall

Since its 1985 release, Paul Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, based on the life of Japanese writer Yukio Mishima, has become a revered classic. It was even ranked by IndieWire as the second-best film of the 1980s. Despite its acclaim, the film has never been screened in Japan. However, that may change this fall. Schrader recently revealed that the Tokyo International Film Festival (October 28 to November 6, 2024) is considering hosting the film’s Japanese premiere.

From: IndieWire

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Deauville American Film Festival unveils 50th-anniversary competition lineup

The Deauville American Film Festival’s 50th-anniversary edition, running September 6-15, features 14 U.S. films, including Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio’s In The Summers and Cannes titles like Roberto Minervini’s The Damned. Michael Douglas will be honoured, and James Gray and Frederick Wiseman will receive career tributes. The festival, led by new artistic director Aude Hesbert, will also showcase 50 influential American films. Last year, Shane Atkinson’s LaRay won top awards.

From: Screen Daily

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TIFF 2024 TV Series Lineup Includes Works by Alfonso Cuarón and Janicza Bravo

TIFF announced Friday that a new episodic series from Alfonso Cuarón, Thomas Vinterberg, Joe Wright, and Janicza Bravo will be featured in the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival’s Primetime program. Highlights include Cuarón’s Apple TV+ thriller Disclaimer, Vinterberg’s Families Like Ours, Wright’s M: Son of the Century about Mussolini, and Bravo’s The Listeners starring Rebecca Hall. Other notable projects include Tomas Alfredson’s Faithless and Canadian films The Knowing and The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal.

From: The Wrap

INSIGHTS

Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet on Becoming Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI for ‘The Flood’

Mélanie Laurent stars as Marie Antoinette alongside Guillaume Canet as Louis XVI in Le Déluge (The Flood), directed by Gianluca Jodice. The film opened the 77th Locarno Film Festival on Wednesday night in Switzerland’s Piazza Grande. Set in 1792, the movie depicts the final days of the royal couple as they and their children are imprisoned in a Paris chateau awaiting trial. During a press conference, Laurent shared how reading Stefan Zweig’s biography Marie Antoinette: The Portrait of an Average Woman helped her understand and empathise with her character, challenging the usual cliches associated with the queen.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

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It helped us keep the passion for the project at the fore: Sarah Bassiuoni on channelling real-life experience for Critical Incident

Sarah Bassiuoni discusses how her real-life experiences as a senior solicitor at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre influenced the creation of "Critical Incident," a drama that delves into trauma's psychological and social impacts on individuals. She emphasises the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how it helps maintain passion and focus throughout the production process.

From: IF

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Screen industry still grappling with production accountant shortage

The screen industry faces a significant shortage of production accountants critical in ensuring financial management and budget tracking during film and TV production. The shortage affects projects of all sizes, with industry experts calling for more training programs and incentives to attract new talent into this specialised field.

From: IF

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Docs that do justice to the facts

A gripping documentary is defined by its "great drama" and "compelling story with a character we can root for." In today's era of widespread documentaries across broadcasters and streamers, sophisticated storytelling techniques are crucial. True crime, for example, uses tension and suspense to keep audiences hooked, as seen in Libby, Are You Home Yet? and The Push: Murder on the Cliff. These techniques apply across genres, whether in sports, natural history, or personal stories, where the stakes often involve survival or personal acceptance.

From: C21

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Is the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle the key to ending Netflix's dominance?

The recently launched Disney-Max bundle combines Disney+, Hulu, and Max, offering a stronger competitive front against Netflix by leveraging their unique content offerings. These platforms have more than double the audience demand compared to Netflix's catalogue. According to Parrot Analytics, only 7% of titles are shared across the platforms, highlighting their distinctiveness. Hulu contributes 43.2% of the new platform’s catalogue, Max 36.6%, and Disney+ 13.0%. This minimal overlap reduces cannibalisation and expands viewing options for subscribers, although the overlap among current subscribers to all three services remains unclear.

From: Señal News

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How Showrunners Konrad Kay and Mickey Down Created Industry

Konrad Kay and Mickey Down share insights into creating "Industry," an HBO series that explores the high-stakes world of finance. The showrunners discuss their approach to character development, the challenges of accurately depicting the financial sector, and the importance of authenticity in making the series relatable and engaging.

From: MovieMaker

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Netflix's video game strategy comes into focus

Netflix is approaching video games as it did in the Japanese market, where it overcame intense local competition by refining its content strategy and learning the language. Co-CEO Greg Peters explained that Netflix views gaming as another international market, constantly iterating based on user feedback. Since launching its gaming feature in 2021, Netflix has released around 100 titles, with 80 more in development. The recent hiring of former Epic Games executive Alain Tascan as President of Games underscores Netflix's commitment to significantly impacting the $193 billion global gaming market.

From: Fast Company

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List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs So Far In 2024: From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN

As Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav predicted, the media landscape has continued to shift dramatically following the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood strikes, the rise of streaming, and the advent of AI. His company has seen significant layoffs, including the closure of New Zealand's Newshub in May, which resulted in over 300 job losses. Paramount also reduced its global headcount by 3% this year.

From: Deadline

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Bad Wolf’s Jane Tranter Talks ‘Industry’ Season 3, Bold Storytelling & ‘Doctor Who’s Disney+ Revival

HBO's finance drama Industry is set to premiere its third season on Sunday, taking over the network's prestigious weekend primetime slot, a position previously held by hits like Euphoria, Succession, and Game of Thrones. This marks a significant step for the modest series, which producer Jane Tranter describes as "The Little Engine That Could." Through her production company Bad Wolf, Tranter has guided the Industry from its early days, collaborating with showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay on this intense drama about young finance grads navigating the ruthless world of investment banking.

From: Deadline

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The Most Powerful People in Podcasting in 2024

Podcasting has reached a mature phase where the extravagant spending of the early 2020s has given way to more measured dealmaking. Despite a slowdown, major acquisitions continued in 2023, with SmartLess moving to SiriusXM in a deal worth over $100 million and Armchair Expert joining Wondery for $80 million. The focus has shifted from exclusive distribution to exclusive sales and first-look agreements, allowing wider platform distribution. Companies like Spotify are tightening financials, making cuts, and shifting strategies. Yet, podcast listenership and advertising are still on the rise in 2024, showing that the medium continues to grow and evolve.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

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‘Lessons In Chemistry’ Star Aja Naomi King On Bringing The Reality Of The Civil Rights Movement To A Fictional Story & Her Feelings On Season 2

In Lessons in Chemistry, Aja Naomi King portrays Harriet Sloane, a 1950s lawyer and mother living across the street from the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott (played by Brie Larson). Originally depicted as an older white woman in Bonnie Garmus' novel, Harriet's role in the Apple TV+ adaptation is reimagined by creator Lee Eisenberg. In the series, Harriet takes on a more assertive role, organising a protest against a freeway that threatens to displace Black residents from their homes.

From: Deadline

Hannah Einbinder & 'Hacks' Creators on the Final Showdown Between Ava & Deborah | Making a Scene

Actor Hannah Einbinder, along with 'Hacks' creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, break down the third season finale. They discuss the 'double twist' of Ava and Debra's deceptions, filming the confrontation between the two, and how Hannah and Jean Smart reacted when they read the script.

Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure’s Ryan Kaji, Shion Kaji & Loann Kaji

The Ryan’s World franchise, featuring internet star Ryan Kaji, has expanded from YouTube to a TV series and now a theatrical movie. Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure blends live action and animation in a superhero story where Ryan saves his twin sisters from a comic-book world. Directed by Albie Hecht and co-produced by Ryan's parents, the film will be released on August 16 across 125 screens in Canada and 90 cinemas in the U.K. and Ireland.