TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 23-24 November 2024
A+E-Amazon deal, YLE cuts, Saint-Pierre debut, AI’s rise, Sing Sing shines, UK film challenges, Martha Stewart doc, TV M&A, Paramount+ growth, Maxine Peake leads Say Nothing.
Today’s Highlights:
A+E Networks Settles 'Live PD' Suit and Strikes Amazon Deal
A+E Networks resolved its lawsuit with Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz, securing a multi-year licensing deal with Amazon. This agreement includes expanded A&E content on Prime Video and new FAST channels.YLE Announces €66M Budget Cuts
Finnish broadcaster YLE plans €66 million in savings over three years, which will affect 375 jobs, restructure operations, and boost domestic content investments.Allan Hawco’s Saint-Pierre Debuts on CBC
This Canadian crime drama, set in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, blends procedural elements with a unique locale and was co-created by Allan Hawco.Generative AI to Reshape Industries by 2025
Deloitte predicts generative AI will transform industries, with rapid adoption across devices and enterprises, reshaping global tech and streaming markets.Colman Domingo Stars in Sing Sing
Greg Kwedar's prison drama, featuring real-life stories of rehabilitation through arts, highlights brotherhood and personal transformation.British Screen Forum Highlights Industry Challenges
Key speakers addressed AI, inclusivity, ad-supported streaming, and the influence of U.S. productions, stressing the need for systemic change.R.J. Cutler’s Martha Explores Martha Stewart's Legacy
This Netflix documentary delves into Stewart's life and influence, blending interviews with reflections on her cultural impact.European TV M&A Gains Momentum
European TV producers face consolidation as RedBird IMI acquires All3Media for $1.45 billion amid shifting market dynamics.Paramount+ Faces Global Growth and Licensing Challenges
While achieving subscriber growth and profitability, Paramount+ struggles with exclusivity due to licensing deals with competitors.Maxine Peake Stars in the FX Drama Say Nothing
Peake delivers a compelling performance as IRA operative Dolours Price, blending history and drama into a conflict and resilience story.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with WBD, ABC, ITV, Amazon, Netflix & Paramount.
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NEWS
A&E Networks Settles 'Live PD' Suit and Strikes Amazon Deal
A+E Networks has settled its lawsuit against Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz over the series On Patrol: Live by entering a multi-year licensing agreement with Amazon, Big Fish's parent company. This deal will feature numerous A&E channel titles on Amazon's Prime Video, extend existing A&E FAST channels, and introduce new ones. In a joint statement, the companies announced, "A+E Networks and Amazon have agreed to expand their commercial relationship significantly... In connection with that agreement, the legal dispute between A+E and Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz concerning Live PD has been resolved." Read More
Finnish Broadcaster YLE Announces €66M Budget Cuts, 375 Jobs at Risk
YLE has announced a €66 million budget reduction over three years, potentially cutting 375 of its 1,700 employees. The restructuring follows a parliamentary decision on its funding model, with €50 million in savings planned for 2025/26 and further cuts in 2027. CEO Merja Ylä-Anttila highlighted streamlining, reduced real estate use, paused investments, and increased AI adoption. YLE must also boost domestic production spending by €11-15 million by 2030. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Allan Hawco’s Saint-Pierre Brings Crime Drama to a Unique French Territory
The upcoming Canadian series Saint-Pierre, debuting on CBC this winter, blends a police procedural with the distinctive setting of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French territory near Newfoundland. Co-created by Allan Hawco, the show stars Josephine Jobert and Hawco as inspectors navigating local crimes in a picturesque but darkly criminal locale. Hawco, also co-showrunner, writer, and producer, crafted the series from his passion for unique, compelling police dramas. Read More
Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin Bring Sing Sing to Life
Colman Domingo stars in Sing Sing, Greg Kwedar’s prison drama inspired by the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. The film, a Toronto Film Festival hit and Oscar contender, sees Domingo as John Whitfield, a theatre leader at Sing Sing prison. A former inmate, Clarence Maclin, plays a version of himself, reflecting on how theatre transformed his life. The project highlights the power of brotherhood and art. Read More
Generative AI Poised to Transform 2025 Across Industries, Deloitte Predicts
Deloitte's 2025 TMT Predictions report highlights generative AI's transformative impact, forecasting doubled energy use by data centres, with tech companies driving clean energy transitions. Women’s GenAI adoption in the U.S. is set to match or exceed men’s by 2025, while enterprise AI agent adoption is expected to hit 25%. GenAI smartphones will reach 30% of shipments, PCs 50%, and aggregated streaming platforms will gain traction as subscription fatigue sets in, reshaping global streaming and telecom markets. Read More
Mediawan Kids & Family Focuses on Developing Original IPs and Global Expansion
Mediawan Kids & Family, led by President Julien Borde, has rapidly grown into a leading European animation provider, producing over eight series across Paris, Bristol, Amsterdam, and Rome. The division prioritizes original IP development, including Karters (WarnerMedia), Witch Detectives (TF1, Super RTL), and adaptations like Chefclub Adventures. With distribution successes like Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, it seeks further growth in Asia and Africa while fostering co-productions and new talent for 2025. Read More
Maxine Peake Shines in FX Drama Say Nothing
In FX's Say Nothing, Maxine Peake delivers a fiery portrayal of Dolours Price, a feared IRA operative. Known for her versatility, Peake critiques the term "The Troubles" as inadequate for describing the lasting horrors of the conflict. From comedies like Dinnerladies to dramas such as Peterloo and Words of War, Peake's range is unmatched. She also returns to the stage in February for a revival of Doubt at Theatre Royal Bath. Read More
Isabelle Huppert and Hong Sang-soo Reunite for A Traveler’s Needs
Isabelle Huppert and director Hong Sang-soo collaborate for the third time in A Traveler’s Needs, a sunlit, comedic film set in Seoul. Huppert plays Iris, a drifting tourist teaching French and piano lessons while day-drinking makgeolli. Shot in under two weeks with no script, the film highlights Hong's minimalist style as he handles writing, directing, music, and cinematography. The duo’s synchronicity shines, making this a Berlinale standout. Read More
British Screen Forum Tackles Industry Challenges Ahead of 2025
At the British Screen Forum, David Puttnam cited industry challenges like rising AI technology, production costs, and inclusivity issues, saying, “It’s no time for sissies.” Speakers including Kathleen Kennedy, Jane Featherstone, Stacy Smith, and Caroline Dinenage emphasized the return to ad-supported streaming and classic business models, a potential influx of US productions in the UK, and the slow progress on inclusivity. Dinenage revealed new evidence sessions for film and TV inquiries to address tax credits, skills shortages, and ethical AI use. Smith highlighted systemic barriers facing women and people of colour, calling for meaningful action. Read More
R.J. Cutler Explores Martha Stewart's Legacy in Netflix Doc Martha
Filmmaker R.J. Cutler’s Netflix documentary Martha captures the multifaceted life of Martha Stewart, blending her rise to fame with reflections on American womanhood. Anchored by candid interviews, Stewart alternates between engaging storytelling and reluctant participation, hinting at her desire to redefine her legacy for younger audiences and reevaluate her impact on Baby Boomers and Gen X. Cutler praises her courage in trusting him with her complex narrative. Read More
Guy Pearce Reflects on Power and Performance in The Brutalist
In Brady Corbet’s epic drama The Brutalist, Guy Pearce delivers a standout performance as Harrison Lee Van Buren, an ultra-wealthy patron who champions an immigrant architect's work while embodying "extreme power." Pearce likens the character to a "Donald Trump version" of influence. Reflecting on his nearly 40-year career, Pearce, 57, recalls iconic roles and his part in persuading Kylie Minogue to return to Neighbours, where his acting journey began. Read More
European TV M&A Heats Up Amid Shifting Market Dynamics
As consolidation looms globally, European TV producers face a shakeup after a decade-long "Golden Age." François Godard of Enders Analysis predicts mergers, with production firms as the focus, unlike U.S. studios like Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate. Major 2024 deals include RedBird IMI's $1.45 billion acquisition of All3Media, which retains its "federal" structure under CEO Jane Turton. Heading into 2025, European content firms face challenges from U.S. studio strategies, inflation, and ad market distress. Read More
Paramount+ Expands Globally but Faces Licensing Challenges
Paramount+ continues global growth, adding 3.5 million subscribers in Q3 2024, achieving profitability for two consecutive quarters. Despite success with originals like Yellowstone, which captured a 5.8% share of U.S. demand in Q3, it lags behind competitors like Netflix and Disney, ranking seventh in U.S. platform demand. Licensing deals with rivals while providing short-term revenue may limit the platform's long-term exclusivity and growth potential. Read More
Understanding the American Viewer: Lessons for Creating Popular TV
Streamers often prioritize shows they want to watch rather than catering to the preferences of most Americans. To succeed, content creators must focus on the tastes of their customers. "Popularist" programming—content aimed at broad appeal—can give platforms an edge in the streaming wars. While prestige and buzzy shows have value, their audience is smaller than many Hollywood executives assume, highlighting the need to balance acclaim with widespread popularity. Read More
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