TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 13 November 2024

EchoStar gains capital; Wolf Hall returns; Squid Game tackles division; Apple TV+ grows ARPU; Chadha critiques diversity issues; HBO investigates spyware; Elysium launches; Zellweger returns

Today’s Highlights:

• EchoStar's Q3 Earnings and Capital Infusion—EchoStar reported a Q3 net income of $45 million and a capital boost of $200 million, positioning it for future satellite service growth.

• BBC's Wolf Hall Returns for a New Season - The historical drama Wolf Hall returns nearly a decade later, continuing the story of Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII.

• Squid Game Season 2 Tackles Societal Divisions—Squid Game's second season, premiering after the 2024 U.S. election, will delve into societal divisions and identity themes.

• Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video's ARPU Growth - Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video have boosted ARPU by leveraging flagship shows and strategic price increases.

• Gurinder Chadha on Diversity and Industry Challenges—Director Gurinder Chadha criticizes the industry's reluctance to fund projects with diverse casts, citing challenges with her new project.

• HBO's Surveilled on Cell Phone Spyware - Ronan Farrow investigates the reach of Pegasus spyware in HBO's new documentary, premiering Nov. 20.

• Launch of Elysium Studios for Tech-Driven Animation Production - Lucy Markovich and Peter Divers have launched Elysium Studios in Australia to innovate animation and VFX.

• Renée Zellweger Returns in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy—Zellweger reprises her role, joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Hugh Grant. The story focuses on Bridget's re-entry into the dating world.

• Netflix to Premiere Japanese Family Drama' Asura' Netflix's— Asura, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, will debut in January. The drama features the Takezawa sisters confronting family secrets.

• Netflix's Ad-Tier Reaches 70 Million Monthly Users - Netflix's ad-supported tier now has 70 million monthly users, marking significant growth and surpassing 50% of new sign-ups.

Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Crunchyroll, WBD, All3Media, Paramount, ITV, Fox, NBCUniversal, Prime & Sky.

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NEWS

EchoStar Reports Q3 Earnings, Highlights Subscriber Trends and Capital Infusion

EchoStar Corporation reported a Q3 net income of $45 million on revenues of $500 million. Despite facing a decline in DISH Network and Sling TV subscribers due to intensified streaming competition, the company has bolstered its financial position with a $200 million capital infusion through a private placement of senior notes. CEO Michael Dugan emphasised EchoStar's commitment to advancing satellite services and exploring new growth avenues. Read More

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INSIGHTS

BBC’s Wolf Hall Returns for Second Season After Nearly a Decade

A decade after its acclaimed debut, BBC historical drama Wolf Hall returns with The Mirror & The Light, continuing the story of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) and Henry VIII (Damian Lewis). Directed by Peter Kosminsky, the series picks up before the first season’s end, delving into the final book of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy. The new six-part season launched on BBC One and iPlayer, with episodes airing weekly. Read More

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Squid Game Season 2 Explores Divisive Themes of Modern Society, Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk Reveals

As Squid Game prepares for its highly anticipated second season, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk shares insights into the new season's focus on societal division. Set to premiere in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the season will highlight how the world’s escalating sectarian divides — from generation to class conflicts — shape choices and ignite hostilities, urging viewers to consider if reconciliation is possible amid polarized identities. Read More

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Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video Boost ARPU with Pricing Changes and Flagship Shows

Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video have seen significant ARPU gains over the past year, driven by strategic price increases and popular flagship series like Ted Lasso and The Boys. Recent insights from Parrot Analytics highlight how these streaming giants, despite limited transparency in earnings reporting, effectively maximise revenue through audience engagement with key content. Read More

Gurinder Chadha Criticises Industry Hesitance on Diverse Casting, Citing Funding Struggles

Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha expressed frustration over film financiers’ reluctance to back projects led by people of colour, noting it makes films "less commercial" in their eyes. Despite her success with Bend It Like Beckham, Chadha finds it challenging to secure funding for new projects like Christmas Karma, featuring Indian actor Kunal Nayyar, underscoring industry hesitancy toward diversity-driven storytelling. Read More

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Silo Season 2 Insights from Showrunner Graham Yost

The dystopian series Silo, adapted from Hugh Howey’s Wool trilogy, returns this Friday, with Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) escaping her authoritarian silo. Season 2 explores her discovery of a seemingly deserted neighbouring silo and her quest to find other survivors. Showrunner Graham Yost reveals that the new season introduces haunting scenes and raises fresh mysteries for fans. Read More

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HBO’s Surveilled Explores Chilling Cell Phone Surveillance with Ronan Farrow Leading the Investigation

In Surveilled, premiering on HBO on Nov. 20, Ronan Farrow delves into the disturbing reality of cell phone spyware developed by Israel's NSO Group. Directed by Emmy winners Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz, the documentary follows Farrow from New York to Israel, uncovering the widespread use of Pegasus spyware and its implications for personal privacy. Read More

Lucy Markovich and Peter Divers Launch Elysium Studios to Revolutionize Animation Production with Tech-Driven Solutions

Australian executives Lucy Markovich and Peter Divers have launched Elysium Studios, an innovative animation production company based in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The full-service studio offers production, post-production, and transmedia experiences, filling a gap in the Australian market. Elysium aims to streamline animation and VFX through advanced technology, recently working on projects for Bronte Pictures and ABC Kids. Read More

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Bridget Jones Returns in Mad About the Boy with Renée Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Hugh Grant

Renée Zellweger reprises her iconic role as Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, where Bridget, now a single mum and widow of Mr Darcy, steps back into the dating world. Joining her is an ensemble cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, and a returning Hugh Grant, with Colin Firth making a cameo appearance as Darcy. Read More

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Netflix to Debut 'Asura' in January

"Asura," a reimagining of the Japanese family drama "Like Asura," is set to premiere on Netflix on January 9, 2025. The series is written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, known for acclaimed films such as "Shoplifters" and "Our Little Sister." The cast features Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose, portraying the four Takezawa sisters. Set in the 1970s, the narrative unfolds as the sisters reunite and confront family secrets, including suspicions about their father's infidelity, leading to revelations that impact their lives. Read More

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Exploring the Idea of a “Super Streamer” for Indie Film

The indie film streaming landscape is fragmented across platforms like Mubi, Criterion Channel, and Shudder, making it challenging for audiences to find content easily. A unified “super streamer” could be the solution, aggregating independent films in one place. This could boost market reach, simplify discovery, and offer more consistent revenue for indie filmmakers, creating a win-win for both consumers and creators in the independent film industry. Read More

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Netflix’s Ad-Tier Gains 70 Million Monthly Users

Netflix’s ad-supported subscription tier has reached 70 million monthly active users globally, up from 40 million in May. This tier now accounts for over 50% of new sign-ups in regions where it’s available. Priced at $6.99 per month in the U.S., it offers a more affordable option than the ad-free standard plan at $15.49 monthly. Analysts suggest that increasing prices on ad-free options could encourage more users to choose the ad-supported tier, which typically generates higher revenue per user. Read More

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Director Pablo Larraín On Angelina Jolie And Shifting Between Hollywood and Chile

Director Pablo Larraín ('Spencer', 'No', 'Jackie') in an in-depth conversation about his transition from Chilean indie cinema to the heights of Hollywood. Plus, all you need to know about his Maria Callas biopic starring Angelina Jolie.