TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 14 November 2024
Thailand boosts film rebate; Spotify profits; Louisiana debates tax credits; Amazon Freevee ends; Disney+ launches Say Nothing; Animaj debuts AI; Secuoya, HBO Max, BBC face industry shifts.
Today’s Highlights:
Thailand Increases Film Rebate: Thailand is raising its film rebate from 20% to 30% to attract international productions and boost the country's film industry through high-profile collaborations with Hollywood.
Spotify's Subscriber Growth and Profit: Spotify reports strong growth with 640 million monthly active users and a profitable quarter, marking a milestone in its business trajectory.
Louisiana Considers Tax Credit Changes: Louisiana debates the future of its tax credit for film and TV, weighing its economic benefits against budgetary concerns.
Amazon Freevee to Shut Down: Amazon will discontinue Freevee and shift its content to Prime Video's free-to-watch section, impacting international audiences.
TPC Expands to London for Film Tax Credit: Indie film financier TPC opens a London office to leverage the UK's new Independent Film Tax Credit, expanding its footprint in mid-budget productions.
New Drama Say Nothing on Disney+: Disney+ releases Say Nothing, a drama about Northern Ireland's Troubles that dramatises historical conflicts and emotional legacies.
Animaj Launches AI for Kids' Animation: Animaj introduces Sketch-to-Motion, an AI tool for rapid 3D animation, aiming to transform production for both high-end and independent creators.
London Indies Affect Scottish Quota: A report reveals that London-based companies are fulfilling the BBC's Scottish quota, raising concerns over economic impacts on local Scottish production.
Secuoya Studios' Expansion in Content Creation: Secuoya Studios is expanding its content, including high-profile projects like Zorro for Prime Video, and plans to create additional series.
HBO Max's Call Me Ted Docuseries on Ted Turner: Max releases Call Me Ted, a docuseries exploring media mogul Ted Turner's legacy, including his pioneering role in cable news.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with Prime, ITV, Sony, NBCUniversal, UTA & ProSiebenSat.1.
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NEWS
Thailand Boosts Film Rebate Program to Attract International Productions
Thailand is set to boost its cash rebate for foreign film shoots from 20% to 30% following discussions with senior Hollywood executives. The initiative, promoted since early 2023, was highlighted during a networking event hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, with executives from Disney, HBO/Warner Bros, Amazon MGM, Netflix, and others in attendance. With no cap, the new rebate replaces the previous 15% base rebate and 5% cultural bonus, previously capped at 75 million baht ($2.1 million). Read More
Spotify Reports Profit, Boosts Subscribers as CEO Ek Highlights Resilience
Spotify's monthly active users rose 11% year-over-year to 640 million in Q3, with paid subscribers increasing 12% to 252 million, both beating guidance. Revenue grew 19% to €4 billion, while operating income hit a record €454 million due to strong margins and reduced costs, setting Spotify on course for its first profitable full year. Premium revenue surged 21%, though ad-supported growth slowed to 6% amid a challenging ad environment. Read More
Louisiana Weighs Increased Tax Credits for Film, TV Production
Louisiana's popular state tax credit for film and TV production, capped at $150 million annually with potential for an extra $30 million from unclaimed credits, may face repeal as legislators discuss incentive cuts amid budget concerns. Offering 25-40% credits, it has attracted over 700 productions in the past decade, including Interview with the Vampire, National Treasure, and Where the Crawdads Sing. The debate centres on the program’s economic impact versus its cost. Read More
Amazon to Shut Down Freevee as Part of Cost-Cutting Effort
Amazon Freevee, the free, ad-supported streaming service featuring originals like Jury Duty, Bosch: Legacy, and Judy Justice, will be phased out, with its content now accessible on Prime Video for non-Prime members as “Watch for Free.” This transition impacts Freevee’s U.S., UK, Germany, and Austria regions while keeping popular shows available without requiring Prime membership. No layoffs are planned, as Freevee’s team was previously integrated into Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video. Read More
Jasmila Žbanić Secures Austrian Funding for New Project
The Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI), through its selective funding program and the ÖFI+ automatic incentive, along with the Vienna Film Fund, has allocated nearly €15 million to support 38 film projects. Among the beneficiaries is Vienna-based Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion, which received €175,000 from ÖFI's project committee and €120,000 from the Vienna Film Fund for its minority participation in Jasmila Žbanić's upcoming film, Quo Vadis, Aida? - The Missing Part. This sequel to her acclaimed 2020 war drama Quo Vadis, Aida? is produced by Žbanić's company, Deblokada, in collaboration with partners including Germany's Razor Film and Poland's Madants. Read More
US Indie Film Financier TPC Expands to London for Tax Credit Collaboration
U.S.-based independent film financier TPC has expanded into London, motivated by the UK's new Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC), which aims to boost production of lower and mid-budget films. TPC recently financed Longlegs, featuring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, and Stephen King's The Monkey, starring Theo James and Elijah Wood, set for a February 2025 release by NEON. TPC's parent company, The Forest Road Company, also owns ACF, a media and entertainment investment bank with offices in London and Los Angeles. Read More
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INSIGHTS
New Drama Say Nothing, set in Northern Ireland’s Troubles
Patrick Radden Keefe, writer and executive producer of Say Nothing, discusses the Disney+ adaptation of his acclaimed book on Northern Ireland's Troubles. The series, launching tomorrow, dramatises the story of Jean McConville, abducted in 1972, and IRA member Dolours Price, highlighting the emotional toll of radical beliefs and a divided society. Starring Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, and Maxine Peake, Say Nothing explores loyalty, loss, and the path from violence to peace. Read More
New Book Examines Legacy of Joan Didion and Eve Babitz in Hollywood
A new book, Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik, explores the dynamic between celebrated Los Angeles writers Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Released today by Scribner, the book delves into their contrasting ties to Hollywood, enhanced by unseen letters uncovered by Anolik. Didion, known for screenwriting with her husband John Gregory Dunne, tackled iconic projects like A Star Is Born, while Babitz, dubbed the “dowager groupie,” briefly ventured into screenwriting but focused on her distinct literary style. Read More
Hollywood Workers Pursue Other Jobs Amid Industry Contraction
Hollywood's creative workforce increasingly turns to outside work as the entertainment industry faces significant cuts. Between early 2022 and 2024, California’s film and television sector employment dropped nearly 30%, with 2024 production volumes still lagging due to strikes and a streaming downturn. Professionals adjust résumés to appeal to non-entertainment roles, recasting industry-specific skills like showrunning as project management. Some, like former executive Lauren Kotlen, are exploring roles in marketing and digital media to adapt to these industry challenges. Read More
Don’t Move Directors Reflect on High-Stakes Gamble Behind Netflix Hit
Minnesota natives Adam Schindler and Brian Netto, co-directors of Netflix's Don't Move, began making films together as kids inspired by fellow Minnesotans, the Coen brothers. Like the Coens, they initially credited only one as director for financier appeal—Netto for Delivery: The Beast Within (2013) and Schindler for Intruders (2015). Working on Sam Raimi’s 50 States of Fright introduced them to Raimi, setting the stage for their collaboration on Don't Move. Read More
Streaming Platforms Struggle with Underperforming Horror Content
Horror films often excel in theatres, performing well on a mid-budget, low-cost model, but face revenue limits and underperform on streaming. In October, major streamers released several horror titles, yet most failed to hit strong viewership numbers. Max’s Salem’s Lot remake did relatively well, while Netflix’s The Platform 2 and It’s What’s Inside underperformed. Five horror originals missed key streaming charts, reflecting a broader trend that theatrical horror success doesn't consistently translate to streaming hits. Read More
Animaj Launches AI Tool Aimed at Revolutionizing Kids’ Animation
Animaj has launched Sketch-to-Motion, an AI tool that instantly converts rough sketches into fully-rendered 3D animations, promising a “new era” in animation. Debuted at Web Summit 2024, the tool aims to revolutionise production speed while keeping complete creative control with artists, empowering high-end and independent creators alike. While maintaining exclusivity over this technology, Animaj focuses on producing content from its IP library, including Pocoyo, as it pushes to make animation ten times faster by 2029. Read More
London Indies Dominate Scottish Network Quota, Raising Local Industry Concerns
A report by Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates, commissioned by Screen Scotland, reveals that London-based companies with Scottish branch offices have fulfilled a large portion of the BBC's Scottish network quota. Reviewing 2014-2022 data, the study found that 80% of “Scottish” episodes for the BBC came from London HQs, compared to 43% for Channel 4. Screen Scotland advocates stricter criteria, as many “Scottish” productions bring minimal economic benefit to Scotland under current Ofcom guidelines. Read More
Secuoya Studios Emphasises Creativity in Three-Year Plan
Secuoya Content Group's Secuoya Studios, founded in 2021, has transformed the Spanish company from a production service provider into a major content creator, driven by executive chairman Raúl Berdonés' vision. Known for its $40M Zorro series co-produced with Amazon’s Prime Video and Mediawan, Secuoya has expanded with projects like The Count of Monte Cristo adaptation for ViX and Movistar Plus+, and is developing a Zorro prequel featuring Ted Lasso’s Cristo Fernández. Read More
HBO Max Docuseries Call Me Ted Explores Ted Turner’s Legacy
The six-part docuseries Call Me Ted, premiering Wednesday on Max, offers an in-depth look at media mogul Ted Turner’s life, from his groundbreaking ventures with CNN, TBS, and TNT to personal stories shared by close acquaintances like ex-wife Jane Fonda, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, and cable mogul John Malone. Directed by Joni Levin and Keith Clarke, the series is blessed by Turner, who granted Levin his life rights five years ago. Read More
Rami Malek and James Hawes Discuss New Thriller, The Amateur
In The Amateur, Rami Malek and director James Hawes bring a fresh take to the revenge thriller genre. Based on Robert Littell’s 1981 novel, Malek stars as CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller, who embarks on a personal vendetta after his wife dies in a terrorist attack. Rather than becoming a classic one-man army, Heller leverages his technical skills with Laurence Fishburne’s character as his mentor. This modern adaptation highlights a tech-savvy, emotionally driven protagonist. Read More
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