TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Friday 13 September 2024
Foxtel sale, Ari Emanuel on media shifts, Emily in Paris tech, CBC expands, Vikander honored, Eastwood's Juror #2, Roku's new content, Tulsa King returns, Bang Bang at Oldenburg, and Dressed in Blue.
Today’s Highlights:
Vestidas de Azul (Dressed in Blue) - The sequel to Veneno, focusing on LGBTQ+ narratives and underrepresented voices.
Foxtel Announcement - Potential buyers for Foxtel’s streaming platforms and the future of premium HBO content in Australia.
Emily in Paris Product Placement - Netflix integrates Google Lens into its ad tier, blending fashion and tech.
Ari Emanuel’s Predictions - Media consolidation will leave five or six major content providers.
CBC’s Programming Expansion - Seeking legal dramas, medical dramas, and rom-coms for broader audience appeal.
Roku Originals Strategy - Expanding focus on food, home, comedy, and sports content, including MLB and Formula E rights.
Terence Winter Returns to Tulsa King - Resuming showrunner role to bring renewed focus to storytelling.
Tim Blake Nelson at Oldenburg Festival - Praising the festival and discussing his new film Bang Bang.
Alicia Vikander will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival, where she will receive the Golden Eye Award for her acting contributions.
Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 - Premiering at AFI Fest, featuring Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette in a legal drama.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Netflix, Foxtel, Disney, Wondery, BBC, AMC & Sky.
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Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL.
Producers: Fifth Season, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Paramount Television International, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC.
INSIGHTS
Dressed to impress
Vestidas de Azul (Dressed in Blue) is the sequel to Veneno, a biopic about the life of transgender TV star Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez (La Veneno). Produced by Atresmedia, it continues the story two years after La Veneno's death, focusing on underrepresented voices and highlighting LGBTQ+ narratives. Montse García Alvarez, from Atresmedia, shares that the series captures the past and reflects contemporary struggles and stories, emphasising the importance of diverse representation in media. The German premiere is set for Seriesly Berlin. Read More
An important Foxtel announcement...
Foxtel's parent company, News Corp, has hinted at potential buyers for its Foxtel business, including streaming platforms Kayo, Binge, and Hubbl. This is notable as it signals a shift in strategy amid increasing competition from streaming giants and rising sports content costs. Meanwhile, HBO, a significant content provider for Binge, plans to enter the Australian market directly, jeopardising Foxtel’s access to premium shows. With cord-cutting and sports migration to streaming intensifying, Foxtel’s future in the media landscape faces considerable challenges. Read More
Emily in Paris Integrates Product Placement in Netflix’s Ad-Tier Model
At the Los Angeles premiere for Emily in Paris season four, Netflix and Google collaborated on a brand activation using Google Lens. Attendees could scan show-related outfits to find where to buy them, turning the event into a fashion-meets-tech experience. This was followed by Google-sponsored ads featuring star Lily Collins using Google Lens, integrating the tool into the show's narrative for Netflix's ad-supported tier. Read More
Ari Emanuel Discusses Media Contraction and IMG-RedBird Deal at Summit
Endeavor Group Holdings and TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel predicted that only five or six primary streaming services or content providers will remain after media industry consolidation, with companies like Paramount, Warner, Disney, Comcast, Netflix, Amazon, and possibly Apple and YouTube likely to be among the survivors. He anticipates further consolidation over the next five years, leaving a smaller group of key players supplying content across scripted and unscripted programming and sports. Read More
Julia Schulte on Tailored Sales Strategies for Global Content Distribution
Julia Schulte, Senior VP at France TV Distribution, discussed her approach to sales strategies in an interview, emphasising how each project requires a unique, tailored plan. Schulte shared insights into how her team identifies market trends, adapts content to different regions, and collaborates closely with partners to maximise the success of each sale. She noted the importance of understanding cultural nuances and regional preferences when distributing international content. Read More
How Ireland's Distribution Market is Forging Its Own Identity
Ireland’s film and TV distribution market is developing a distinct identity as it navigates challenges and opportunities in a globalised industry. Local distributors are embracing a mix of traditional and digital strategies to increase the visibility of Irish content abroad. The market increasingly promotes homegrown talent while balancing international co-productions to compete globally. Industry leaders discussed how the market positions itself for future growth despite competition from more prominent players. Read More
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Canada’s CBC Seeks Legal, Medical Dramas and Rom-Coms for Programming Expansion
CBC in Canada actively seeks legal dramas, medical dramas, and romantic comedies to diversify its programming slate. The broadcaster aims to cater to a broader audience by incorporating more mainstream genres into its lineup, focusing on character-driven narratives that can resonate with viewers across demographics. Read More
Vera Santamaria on Crafting How to Die Alone for a Modern Audience
The new comedy series How to Die Alone premieres tomorrow on Hulu with four episodes, followed by weekly releases. It follows Mel, a Black airport employee who embarks on a transformative journey after a near-death experience. Natasha Rothwell, known for her roles in Insecure and The White Lotus, stars as Mel and serves as creator, co-showrunner, and executive producer. Co-showrunner Vera Santamaria highlights the show's unique perspective and the benefits of its multi-episode release model. Read More
Roku’s Originals Strategy to Focus on Food, Home, Comedy, and Sports
According to David Eilenberg, head of Roku Media, Roku Channel's content strategy is honing in on culinary, home, scripted comedies, and sports-adjacent programming. The service is expanding into sports with rights to Major League Baseball and Formula E, producing documentaries and talk shows. Roku commissions shows year-round but prepares for the NewFronts in May to present its upcoming slate. Recent announcements include "Celebrity Family Cook-Off" with Sofia Vergara and renewals of shows like "The Great American Baking Show" and "Honest Renovations." Read More
Terence Winter Returns to Tulsa King as Showrunner After Departure
Terence Winter, the former showrunner of Tulsa King, has returned to the Paramount+ drama after initially stepping down. In an interview, Winter explained that creative differences led to his departure but that recent developments in the series and his passion for the story drew him back. Winter’s return is expected to bring a renewed focus on character-driven storytelling as Tulsa King continues to explore the world of organised crime. Read More
Creating Action Sequences for Your Films with Action Xtreme | BFI Film Academy Labs September 2024
As part of the BFI FAN initiative Art of Action, supported by the National Lottery, a panel discussion with action film professionals Jo Rolison (Lift, Luther: The Fallen Sun, The Witcher) and Ermar Alexander (Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, Willow) offers practical advice on incorporating action sequences into films. They share tips and tricks on executing dynamic action scenes effectively, providing valuable insights for filmmakers looking to enhance their projects with action elements.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Mike Sneesby Steps Down as CEO & Director of Nine Entertainment
Mike Sneesby has announced his resignation as CEO and Director of Nine Entertainment. After leading the Australian media company through significant digital
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