TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 19 December 2024
US streamers fight CRTC; Paramount+ revamps The Road Trip; Bad Monkey moves; Stan tops drama; Netflix Nadal doc; Rare TV CEO exits; Hallmark debuts reality; EU TV dips; CA tax credits rise.
Today’s Highlights:
US Streamers Appeal Canadian Contribution Mandate - The Federal Court of Appeal allowed the Motion Picture Association – Canada to challenge the CRTC’s mandate requiring 5% of annual revenues over C$25M to fund local broadcasting and news.
Paramount+ Adapts The Road Trip - A six-part series debuts December 26, using innovative virtual filming techniques and a camper van to amplify interpersonal drama on a journey to a Spanish wedding.
Bad Monkey Relocates to California with $20M Tax Credits - Apple TV+’s production moves from Florida to California, part of a broader push to attract productions with expanded film tax credits.
European Scripted TV Market Declines in 2023 - A European Audiovisual Observatory report reveals a 6% drop in original TV fiction titles and episodes, marking a halt in post-pandemic recovery.
Stan Becomes Australia's Top Drama Commissioner - Nine Entertainment's Stan leads Australian drama production with 15 series and four films in 2024, surpassing international streaming competitors.
California Coalition Supports $750M Film Tax Credit Expansion - A coalition of 33 businesses backs Governor Newsom’s proposal to counter production exodus from Hollywood, emphasising its economic importance.
Netflix Announces Rafael Nadal Docuseries - A series delving into Nadal’s career, personal life, and 2024 comeback will feature rare footage and interviews, directed by Zach Heinzerling.
Alexander Gardiner Steps Down as Rare TV CEO - The Rare TV leader resigns to focus on health and family but will stay on as non-executive chair, leaving plans for a new CEO in early 2025.
Hallmark Ventures into Reality TV with Small Town Setup - Hallmark+ debuts its first dating reality series, hosted by Ashley Williams, emphasizing connection and romance in small-town settings.
WildBrain Sells Majority Stake in TV Business - WildBrain sells 66.6% of its TV business to IoM Media Ventures for $28M, allowing WildBrain to focus on other ventures while retaining a 33.3% stake.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations, Opportunities and Jobs with ITV, Fifth Season, Amazon, Disney & SVT.
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NEWS
US Streamers Granted Appeal on Canadian Contribution Mandate
The Federal Court of Appeal has permitted the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-C), representing platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, to challenge a Canadian regulatory decision mandating 5% of annual revenues over C$25M to be allocated to local broadcasting. MPA-C, led by Wendy Noss, argues that requiring 1.5% to fund local news is unreasonable and unfairly excludes Canadian broadcaster-affiliated streamers. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Paramount+ Reinvents Beth O’Leary’s The Road Trip with Camper Vans and Virtual Filming
Paramount+’s The Road Trip, a six-part adaptation of Beth O’Leary’s romcom novel, debuts December 26, swapping the book’s Mini Cooper for a camper van to accommodate filming logistics. Starring Emma Appleton and Laurie Davidson, the series uses cutting-edge virtual production stages, blending real-world settings and digital environments. The camper van becomes a key "character," intensifying tensions among five passengers navigating love, friendship, and chaos on their journey to a Spanish wedding. Read More
Gazer Trailer Unveiled: Ryan J. Sloan’s Neo-Noir Thriller Captivates with 16mm Style
Ryan J. Sloan’s debut film Gazer blends Memento and Blow-Up in a neo-noir heist thriller that premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2024. Co-written by lead Ariella Mastroianni, the 16mm indie film, shot over two years, channels 1970s New York thrillers. Acquired by Metrograph Pictures, Gazer has been hailed for its tense storytelling and homage to cinematic history, marking Sloan as a director to watch. Read More
Bad Monkey Secures $20M Tax Credits to Move Production from Florida to California
Apple TV+'s Bad Monkey will relocate from Florida to California, receiving $20.6M in tax credits through the California Film Commission. The relocation is part of the state's efforts to retain productions, with other projects like Disney's untitled miniseries and Whalefall also benefiting. Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed raising the annual tax credit cap to $750M to compete with other states like Georgia in luring film and TV productions. Read More
Testing OpenAI Sora: A Female Taxi Driver and Hollywood’s AI Future
Erik Barmack explores OpenAI’s Sora, the multi-modal AI video generator, by prompting it to create a “Female Taxi Driver.” With tools that generate videos from text, images, or existing footage, Sora raises questions about Hollywood's relevance. Tyler Perry’s $800M studio expansion halt and Ashton Kutcher’s prediction of personalized movies highlight industry fears. After a $200 Pro subscription trial, Barmack evaluates Sora’s capabilities and potential to reshape storytelling and production. Read More
'Moana 2': Read the Screenplay
Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series highlights Moana 2, Disney’s blockbuster sequel that premiered Thanksgiving week. Written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues Moana’s journey three years after the 2016 hit. Originally conceived as a TV series, the animated adventure has earned $717M globally and secured a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Film, cementing its place among Disney’s award-winning legacy. Read More
Cat’s Eyes: Parisian Heist Drama Brings Iconic Manga to Life
Producers Benjamin Dupont-Jubien and Mehdi Sabbar bring the beloved Japanese manga Cat’s Eye to life with a Parisian twist. The six-part series, featuring Camille Lou, Constance Labbé, and Claire Romain, blends high-stakes heists with stunning locations like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Despite challenges, including Olympic preparations, the €25M project has captivated audiences, combining action, emotion, and iconic Parisian backdrops. Read More
European Scripted TV Market Faces Decline, New EAO Report Reveals
The European scripted TV market experienced a downturn in 2023, with original TV fiction titles and episode counts falling by 6%, marking a halt in the post-pandemic recovery, per the European Audiovisual Observatory. High-end drama titles dropped by 2%, while public broadcasters, such as the BBC and ZDF, dominated commissions, contributing 55% of titles. Coproductions rose to 10%, the highest since 2018, signalling a potential pivot in production strategies. Read More
Nine Entertainment's Stan Becomes Top Australian Drama Commissioner in 2024
Stan, owned by Nine Entertainment, emerged as Australia's largest commissioner of local drama in 2024, producing 15 series and four films, as revealed in Screen Australia’s annual Drama Report. Titles include Black Snow S2, Bump S4 and S5, and Critical Incident. CEO Martin Kugeler emphasized Stan's commitment to premium Australian storytelling and its collaboration with global partners. Screen Producers Australia noted Stan’s unmatched investment compared to international streamers. Read More
Bulgarian Broadcaster BNT to Launch "Gamechanger" OTT Platform
Bulgarian National Television (BNT) will launch its OTT platform in January 2025, positioning it as a "gamechanger," according to director general Emil Koshlukov. Built with Sofia University developers, the platform will feature an extensive library of movies, series, and educational content, leveraging BNT's 65-year archive. Unlike competitors like bTV’s Voyo, Koshlukov emphasizes its user-friendly design and robust content as key to its anticipated success in the Bulgarian market. Read More
UK Film Investment Boom in 2025
The UK anticipates a surge in film and high-end TV production investment for 2025, with major projects like Marvel's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka', 'Tin Man', and the third season of 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' slated to shoot. This follows a 49% decrease in inward investment to £3.11 billion in 2023, attributed to global industry challenges. The British Film Commission continues to support international productions, reinforcing the UK's status as a premier filming destination. Read More
Albatross World Sales Adapts to Changing Factual Market
Anne Olzmann, managing director of Albatross World Sales, highlights shifts in the factual TV market, including budget cuts, evolving buyer preferences, and increased demand for volume deals. While natural history remains a strong genre, focus is shifting to innovative storytelling and human-nature narratives. Albatross is investing earlier in projects to secure distribution rights and leveraging its library to meet growing streaming demands. The industry faces reduced commissioning and tighter budgets, impacting smaller producers significantly. Read More
California Production Coalition Forms to Retain Hollywood Productions
A coalition of 33 businesses, including Hudson Pacific Properties and the Motion Picture Association, has launched to counter Hollywood’s production exodus. Supporting Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed $750M film tax credit expansion, the group highlights how losing productions impacts local industries and jobs. Amid a 17% global production drop in 2024, the coalition advocates competitive incentives to keep California the hub of entertainment, spanning movies, TV shows, and reality programming. Read More
Verve Agency Marks 15 Years with Ambitious Growth Plans
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Verve Agency has expanded from a literary focus into IP, talent, and endorsements, with future plans for sports, live entertainment, and touring. Despite a turbulent start to 2024, including the departure of founding partner Bill Weinstein, Verve achieved milestones like an eight-figure deal for House of the Dragon writer Sara Hess. Managing partner Liz Parker emphasises Verve's independent, client-first approach and women-led operations team. Read More
Kieran Culkin & Colman Domingo | Actors on Actors
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