TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 16 October 2024
German film deal; Max in Asia; YouTube AI; Lexington film hub; Silverback on AI; HBO's Like Water for Chocolate; Paramount vs Nielsen; AI in film; Ken Burns' Da Vinci; Deadline's Oscar panels.
Today’s Highlights:
German Film and TV Industry Finalises Collective Agreement for Freelance Workers—This landmark agreement covers 25,000 freelance workers and introduces reduced hours, a pension scheme, and regulations on AI use. It is valid until 2027.
Warner Bros. Discovery to Launch Max Streaming Service in Southeast Asia—Starting November 19, Max streaming service will launch in Southeast Asia, replacing HBO Go.
Deadline Launches Streaming Site Featuring Contenders London Panels - Deadline introduces a streaming site showcasing Oscar-contending films' panels featuring industry icons like Denis Villeneuve and Selena Gomez.
YouTube Rolls Out Major Updates, Including AI Features and New Playback Controls - YouTube introduces updates like a sleep timer, collaborative playlists, and AI-generated playlist thumbnails.
Lexington Launches Film Hub to Promote Kentucky's Entertainment Incentive Program - Lexington introduces Film Lexington to support productions with tax incentives, attracting 19 projects in 2024.
Silverback Films' Keith Scholey Discusses Natural History Filmmaking and AI Concerns—Keith Scholey addresses the challenges of adapting natural history filmmaking to evolving technologies, especially AI.
HBO Drops First Trailer for 'Like Water for Chocolate' Series—HBO has released the first trailer for Like Water for Chocolate, a series adaptation of Laura Esquivel's novel produced by Salma Hayek Pinault.
Paramount Global's Break with Nielsen Could Reshape TV Rating Landscape—Paramount Global suspended its partnership with Nielsen, raising questions about future TV ratings accuracy.
AI Could Put Artists at the Heart of Film Production, Say Tech Experts—At the Saudi Film Confex, experts discussed AI's impact on filmmaking, emphasizing that human creativity remains irreplaceable.
PBS Distribution to Launch Ken Burns' Leonardo da Vinci Documentary at Mipcom - PBS will debut Ken Burns' Leonardo da Vinci documentary at Mipcom, covering his contributions to art and science.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Filmschule Köln, Disney, NBCUniversal, WBD, BBC, ITV, Paramount, Sony, Netflix, Prime & M6.
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NEWS
German Film and TV Industry Finalises Landmark Collective Agreement for Freelance Workers
The German film and TV industry has finalised a collective agreement for over 25,000 freelance actors and crew, covering reduced working hours, a pension scheme, salary increases, and AI use regulations. The agreement, running until 2027, limits daily working hours to 12 and introduces a four-day workweek once per month starting in May 2025. Negotiations lasted a year, concluding on October 12 in Berlin. Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery to Launch Max Streaming Service in Southeast Asia
Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed its streaming service Max will launch in Southeast Asia on November 19, reaching Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Max will offer multiple plans, including mobile-only options in Indonesia and the Philippines, with pricing details to be announced soon. This replaces HBO Go in parts of East Asia, offering a better platform and expanded content lineup. Read More
Deadline Launches Streaming Site Featuring Contenders London Panels
Deadline has launched a streaming site showcasing panel discussions from Contenders London, the awards-season event featuring key creatives from seven Oscar-contending films. Notable panels included Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Jacques Audiard discussing Emilia Pérez, France’s Oscar entry. Denis Villeneuve spoke about Dune: Part Two, while Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson featured his brother, John David Washington. Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths was also highlighted, with actors Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin discussing the film. Read More
Pigeon Shrine to Unveil AI-Animated Feature 'Where the Robots Grow'
Pigeon Shrine is set to debut its first-ever AI-animated feature film, Where the Robots Grow, at MIPCOM. The film explores the themes of technology and humanity and uses AI to push the boundaries of animation and storytelling. Read More
The TV Foundation Announces Social Equity Working Group for TV Industry
The TV Foundation, owner of the Edinburgh TV Festival, has announced 24 industry figures, including Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland and future BBC Studios exec Karl Warner, for its class and social equity working group. The group, part of the Foundation's Impact Unit, aims to improve access to TV careers for people from all backgrounds and promote purpose-driven content. Observers from The Sutton Trust and British Screen Forum will also contribute to the initiative. Read More
YouTube Rolls Out Major Updates, Including AI Features and New Playback Controls
YouTube is introducing over two dozen new features and updates across its desktop, mobile app, and TV platforms. Key changes include a sleep timer, customizable playback speeds, collaborative playlists, and generative AI for creating playlist thumbnails. Users will also see UI improvements, badges, and a new mini-player. Read More
Lexington Launches Film Hub to Promote Kentucky’s Entertainment Incentive Program
Lexington’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has launched Film Lexington, led by Hollywood marketing exec Lisa Brin, to promote Kentucky’s entertainment incentive program and assist producers. The incentive offers fully refundable 30% to 35% tax credits, with a state cap of $75 million and a project cap of $10 million. Despite industry strikes, Lexington saw a rise in productions, with 19 projects approved so far in 2024, including 12 films and seven TV shows. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Parminder Nagra and Maya Sondhi Reveal Secrets of DI Ray Season 2
DI Ray star Parminder Nagra joins creator and writer Maya Sondhi to discuss the second season of the ITV crime drama, where personal and professional challenges intersect for the lead detective. Despite introducing more supporting characters, Nagra, who appeared in nearly every scene of the 2022 debut season, continues to play a central role as the series expands for its sophomore run. Read More
Fede Goldenberg: YouTube Episodes Now "Almost Indistinguishable" from TV
YouTube's Head of TV and Film Content Partnerships, Fede Goldenberg, claims that YouTube episodes are now "almost indistinguishable" from traditional TV content. With an increasing focus on higher production values, YouTube continues to narrow the gap between online creators and conventional TV series, further disrupting the entertainment landscape. Read More
Silverback Films’ Keith Scholey Discusses Adapting Natural History Filmmaking and AI Concerns
Keith Scholey, co-founder of Silverback Films, discusses how natural history filmmaking must adapt amid technological advances, including AI. Scholey, whose company created the Netflix hit Our Planet, highlights the growing role of streamers and his concern that AI could replace real-life footage. Silverback’s next project, Ocean, is set to debut on Disney+ and National Geographic in 2025. Scholey emphasizes the importance of narrative in response to these industry changes. Read More
Paramount’s Leadership Shifts Focus to Streaming Ambitions
Paramount’s new mogul and deputy, Jeff Shell, are meeting with top executives to clarify the studio’s direction, particularly its streaming video strategy. As the post-merger landscape settles, plans for Paramount’s future, including its storied legacy and growing focus on streaming, are becoming more defined. Read More
Flops for Dummies: Breaking Down 'Joker: Folie à Deux' and 'Megalopolis'
The current backlash against box office flops like Joker: Folie à Deux and Megalopolis highlights how Hollywood’s focus has drifted. Beating up on studios after failures has always been a pastime, but today’s blame game ignores the industry’s need for risk-taking and creativity. The obsession with Big IP and Big Data creates a false belief that entertainment can avoid risk, revealing a misunderstanding of what drives long-term success in filmmaking. Read More
Searchlight Pictures’ Katie Goodson-Thomas Highlights Studio’s Passion and Humanity at BFI London Film Festival
Katie Goodson-Thomas, Searchlight Pictures’ head of international production, emphasized the studio’s focus on passion and humanity despite being “priced out” by streaming giants. Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, she noted that the UK team is small, with eight staffers, including four lawyers. Searchlight is known for films like The Banshees of Inisherin, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Jojo Rabbit. Read More
HBO Drops First Trailer for ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ Series Produced by Salma Hayek Pinault
HBO has released the official trailer for Like Water for Chocolate, a series adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s Mexican literary classic, executive produced by Salma Hayek Pinault. Set during the Mexican Revolution, the six-episode series follows Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida), two lovers separated by family customs. The series blends magical realism with Tita’s deep connection to cooking, turning her culinary skills into a form of resistance against oppression. Read More
The Creatives Producers Alliance Aims to Revolutionise Global Filmmaking
Romain Bessi, newly appointed CEO of The Creatives, announced that the alliance of independent production companies seeks financing to stay competitive and expand its reach. Speaking at Rome’s MIA Market, Bessi emphasized the need for investment in talent and development to drive faster growth. The Creatives, launched in 2021, aims to foster co-productions, joint ventures, and shared networks among its member companies, with plans to partner rather than sell the group. Read More
Paramount Global’s Break with Nielsen Could Reshape TV Ratings Landscape
Paramount Global’s suspended partnership with Nielsen, in protest over price hikes, challenges Nielsen’s dominance in TV ratings measurement. If Paramount fully breaks ties, it could signal a major shift in the TV industry, as networks have long criticized Nielsen’s ability to measure audiences amid the shift from linear to streaming accurately. Nielsen defends its streaming data as the most accurate in the industry. Read More
Andrea Arnold Takes Bold Step with Surreal Coming-of-Age Film Bird
Academy Award winner Andrea Arnold ventures into surrealism with Bird, a coming-of-age fable starring Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, and newcomer Nykiya Adams. The film, set in north Kent, England, explores life on the margins of contemporary society through the eyes of 12-year-old Bailey (Adams) as she navigates family chaos and discovers adult friendship with nomad Bird (Rogowski). Arnold writes and directs the film, expanding her acclaimed filmography. Read More
Saudi Arabia Positioned to Lead Global Film Industry, Says Artist International Group CEO
David Unger, CEO of Artist International Group, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s potential to lead global film industry change during the Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh. Speaking on a panel about international content growth and investment opportunities, Unger praised the energy of Saudi creatives, calling it unparalleled worldwide. He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s unique opportunity to be at the forefront of the evolving global film landscape. Read More
Norman Reedus Reflects on Daryl Dixon's Journey as Season 2 Airs
Norman Reedus, who played Daryl Dixon through all 11 seasons of The Walking Dead, now stars in his own spinoff series. In season two of Daryl Dixon, currently airing on AMC, Daryl is fully invested in protecting a young boy while reuniting with Walking Dead survivor Carol. While filming season three in Spain, Reedus shared how his character has evolved over 14 years, learning to care for others and make better decisions. Read More
Most Powerful Women in International Television 2024
Amid widespread layoffs and market contraction, global entertainment industry executives are rethinking operations to prioritize efficiency while maintaining equity and inclusion. Leaders like All3Media CEO Jane Turton stress the importance of authenticity and bold decision-making for women in the business. As the industry shifts away from unchecked growth, these executives are finding new ways to innovate and lead during a challenging time, with their vision key to shaping the future of entertainment. Read More
Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner Aim for More Films Under $15M
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-chairmen of Working Title, plan to increase the number of films with budgets under $15M. The move comes as the production company looks to balance high-end projects with more cost-effective, creatively driven films that align with market trends. Read More
Former Fox Head Jim Gianopulos on AI’s Potential to Improve the Global Film Industry
Jim Gianopulos, former CEO and chairman of 20th Century Fox, emphasised that artificial intelligence (AI) should be viewed as a beneficial tool rather than a threat to the global film industry. Speaking at the Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh, Gianopulos shared his insights during a conversation with Saudi actor and presenter Yasir Alsaggaf, highlighting AI’s potential in shaping the future of filmmaking. Read More
AI Could Put Artists at the Heart of Film Production, Say Tech Experts
During a panel at the Saudi Film Confex, industry leaders agreed that artificial intelligence (AI), while impacting every stage of filmmaking, will not replace human creativity. Moderated by Olsberg Spi’s Leon Forde, panellists including Technicolor Group CEO Caroline Parot, Ori Group founder Qian Feng, and Untold Studios’ Michael Wolfson emphasised that human individuality and creativity will always be essential as audiences continue to seek out brilliant, unique ideas in the film. Read More
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