TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 19 November 2024
Sky backs diverse documentaries; Sweetpea redefines dark comedy; NBCUniversal revamps studio; SpringHill merges; Gen Z trends; Yoshimoto global reach; Canal+ expands; XiXi thrives.
Today’s Highlights:
Sky's Development Partnership Fund
Sky Documentaries partners with DARE Pictures, Proper Content, Zandland, and 22Summers to support diverse-led storytelling with tailored guidance and funding of at least £15,000. The six-month initiative focuses on developing compelling documentaries.Sweetpea: A Darkly Comedic Drama
Sky's Sweetpea, created by Kirstie Swain and directed by Ella Jones, stars Ella Purnell as a young woman who embarks on a vengeful killing spree, blending dark humour with drama to redefine the coming-of-age narrative.NBCUniversal’s Studio Redevelopment
NBCUniversal has transformed its Los Angeles studio lot with a $1 billion redevelopment, led by CEO Brian Roberts and Chairman Donna Langley, featuring modern facilities like The Commons and The Paseo to revitalise Southern California’s film industry.SpringHill and Fulwell 73 Merger
The merger of The SpringHill Company and Fulwell 73 combines strengths in unscripted, live, and branded entertainment, backed by $40 million in funding, with Maverick Carter and Leo Pearlman as co-CEOs.Generational Media Habits Analysis
Millennials and Gen Z are shaping TV and streaming trends through emotionally connected and frequent platform engagement, highlighting generational shifts crucial for predicting future media consumption patterns.Yoshimoto Kogyo’s Global Expansion
Japanese entertainment leader Yoshimoto Kogyo, known for LOL: Last One Laughing, expands its global footprint with localised versions of its formats in countries including Mexico, France, and the UK.Canal+ Strategy Ahead of Vivendi Split
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada emphasises cost control, global growth in 52 countries, and a diverse content mix, leveraging SVOD integration and sustainable practices for profitability and agility.XiXi Pictures' Global Storytelling
XiXi Pictures, led by Yang Xiaopei, captures global audiences with universal themes in series like Islands, achieving over 3.6 million YouTube views and demand for multilingual adaptations.BBC Studios’ TalentWorks Initiative
BBC Studios’ TalentWorks bridges online creators with traditional TV, integrating fresh talent into shows like EastEnders and adapting to younger audiences’ changing media habits.RTV Slovenija’s Modernisation Efforts
RTV Slovenija President Natalija Gorščak prioritises financial stability, restructures production, and enhances the RTV 365 platform while fostering collaborations with independent Slovenian producers and regional broadcasters.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Stan, Banijay, Fox, Prime, Netflix, ARTE, Little Dot & Newen.
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NEWS
Sky Names Indie Partners for Documentary Development Fund
Sky Documentaries has selected four diverse-led production companies—DARE Pictures, Proper Content, Zandland, and 22Summers—for its new Development Partnership Fund. Each company will collaborate with Sky’s commissioning team for six months, receiving tailored support and a minimum of £15,000 for development. The initiative aims to foster diverse storytelling and create compelling documentaries for Sky audiences. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Sweetpea: A Darkly Comedic "Coming of Rage" Drama
Creator Kirstie Swain and director Ella Jones explore themes of empowerment and vengeance in Sweetpea, Sky’s dark comedy starring Ella Purnell. Purnell plays Rhiannon, a timid young woman pushed to her limits, who snaps and embarks on a vengeful killing spree. With a blend of dark humour and drama, the series offers a unique twist on traditional coming-of-age stories inspired by The Office and focused on finding one’s voice through murderous intent. Read More
NBCUniversal’s Scripted TV Strategy: NBC, USA Network, and Peacock
NBCUniversal’s scripted content spans NBC’s procedural-heavy lineup, USA Network’s return to lighter "Blue Skies" programming, and Peacock’s unorthodox, boundary-pushing ideas. Led by Lisa Katz, the creative team is well-regarded among agents and writers. NBC thrives on Dick Wolf’s procedural universe, including Law & Order and Chicago-based emergency dramas, while Peacock and USA Network explore diverse strategies to adapt to the cord-cutting era and evolving audience demands. Read More
Bump Season 5 Trailer Released
The fifth and final season of Stan Original series Bump follows the Chalmers-Davis family as they navigate Angie’s (Claudia Karvan) diagnosis and Oly’s (Nathalie Morris) second pregnancy. Returning cast members include Carlos Sanson Jr., Ava Cannon, and Angus Sampson, alongside new writing contributions from Morris. Co-creators Karvan and Kelsey Munro lead the production, with Screen NSW support and ITV Studios handling international sales. Read More
NBCUniversal Transforms Studio Lot into Modern Creative Campus
NBCUniversal has reimagined its historic Los Angeles studio lot with a $1 billion redevelopment. Spearheaded by CEO Brian Roberts and Chairman Donna Langley, the project includes the One Universal office building, The Commons dining and screening space, and The Paseo, a landscaped promenade inspired by college campuses. Designed by Lever Architecture and Field Operations, this overhaul aligns with a push to modernise Southern California’s film industry amid declining productions and rising competition from streaming and tax incentives elsewhere. Read More
Generational Shifts in Media Habits Shape TV and Streaming Trends
Millennials (aged up to 43) and Gen Z (aged up to 26) showcase lasting media habits formed during their youth, challenging the idea that younger generations will adopt traditional TV over time. GWI, Pew Research, and PCH Media surveys reveal generational differences in TV, streaming, and social media use, with platform engagement driven by frequency and emotional connection. These insights are key to understanding future media consumption patterns. Read More
Inside the Fulwell 73 and SpringHill Megamerger
The SpringHill Company, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, has merged with Fulwell 73, led by Ben Winston, James Corden, and others, forming a powerhouse in unscripted, live, and branded entertainment. A year in the making, the deal combines productions like Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Kardashians. Existing investors, including Nike and Epic Games, contribute $40 million for growth. Maverick Carter and Leo Pearlman will serve as co-CEOs. Read More
Yoshimoto Kogyo Expands Global Reach with LOL: Last One Laughing
Yoshimoto Kogyo, a leader in Japanese entertainment for over a century, has gained international acclaim with Documental, adapted globally as LOL: Last One Laughing. Partnering with Amazon Prime Video since 2016, the show has seen versions in Mexico, France, Italy, Argentina, and the Philippines, with the UK set to join in 2025. President Akihiko Okamoto highlights the company’s growing global influence and its focus on fostering culturally resonant, adaptable formats. Read More
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada Outlines Strategy Ahead of Vivendi Split
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada detailed the company’s strategy during its capital markets day, focusing on cost discipline, global growth across 52 countries, and a diverse content mix to ensure profitability and adaptability. Canal+ leverages its "super-aggregation strategy" to integrate SVOD platforms while emphasising environmental and social responsibility. Saada highlighted agility, local approaches, and the enduring appeal of the Paddington franchise as key to the company’s success. Read More
XiXi Pictures Expands Global Reach Through Universal Storytelling
XiXi Pictures, led by founder and CEO Yang Xiaopei, is broadening its international presence by focusing on universal themes like family, love, and personal growth. Its series Islands, exploring three generations of a family, gained over 3.6 million YouTube views in two months and is now sought after in English, Spanish, and Korean. Yang attributes the success to authentic depictions of social dynamics and human transformation resonating with global audiences. Read More
RTV Slovenija’s New President Focuses on Financial Stability and Modernisation
Natalija Gorščak, RTV Slovenija’s new president, prioritises financial stability, aiming to balance the broadcaster’s budget by year-end. Facing rising labour costs and constrained by a small market, Gorščak plans to restructure production, increase in-house factual programming, and enhance the RTV 365 streaming platform. While rejecting costly co-productions, RTVS invests in independent Slovenian producers and collaborates with public broadcasters like Croatia's HRT to exchange content, reflecting a drive for modernisation. Read More
BBC Studios’ TalentWorks Bridges Gap Between Online Creators and Traditional TV
BBC Studios’ TalentWorks, launched in 2018, has become a vital tool for developing content and IP with emerging online talent. Responding to the decline in traditional TV viewership among younger demographics, TalentWorks has introduced new writers to long-running shows like EastEnders and Casualty and discovered rising stars through initiatives like The Writer Spotlight. This approach highlights BBC Studios’ commitment to adapting to shifting media consumption habits and fostering fresh creative voices. Read More
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