TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 17 October 2024
Asia Pacific Screen Awards lead films; Channel 4 gets new license; Disney+ adapts "Rivals"; NSW film struggles; Streaming delays rise; Hollywood eyes Middle East; Amazon rebounds; Citadel expands.
Today’s Highlights:
Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations Led by 'All We Imagine as Light' and 'April' Two films by women directors lead the nominations, competing in five categories including best film, director, and cinematography.
Channel 4 Granted New 10-Year Public Service Broadcast Licence Ofcom has issued a new licence with increased production quotas for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Disney+ Brings High Drama and Romance with 'Rivals' Adaptation Disney+ is releasing an adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's novel, starring David Tennant and Aidan Turner.
NSW Film Industry Faces Crew Shortages Despite Hosting Major Blockbusters Despite hosting big-budget films the NSW film sector struggles with crew shortages and a lack of production spaces.
Streaming Era Delays: Why Are Hit Shows Like Stranger Things Taking Longer Between Seasons? Shows face delays due to high production demands, an influx of new talent, and streaming model issues.
Hollywood Eyes Middle East for New Investments Amid Declining Global Interest Hollywood turns to Saudi Arabia for investments as international funding diminishes.
Amazon Prime Video Increases Share of Streaming Original Series in 2024 Amazon Prime has recovered its global share of original series premieres, marking a solid return in Q3 2024.
Morgan Neville Breaks Documentary Rules with Pharrell Williams' 'Piece by Piece' The Oscar-winning documentarian explores Pharrell Williams' life creatively using Lego figures.
Citadel Expands With India and Italy Spinoffs Prime Video's Citadel series universe expands with international spinoffs set in Italy and India.
Marie-Philippe Bouchard to Become President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada Bouchard will succeed Catherine Tait as president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities and Jobs with Crunchyroll, Paramount, ITV, Audible, Netflix & CAA.
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NEWS
Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations Led by 'All We Imagine as Light' and 'April'
Two films by women directors, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light and Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April, lead the Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations, each competing in five categories: best film, director, screenplay, cinematography, and performance. Other best film contenders include Desert of Namibia (Japan), Happyend (Japan, U.S.), and To Kill a Mongolian Horse (Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, U.S.). Read More
Channel 4 Granted New 10-Year Public Service Broadcast Licence with Increased UK Production Quota
UK regulator Ofcom has granted Channel 4 a new 10-year public service broadcast licence, requiring increased production in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The quota for production spending outside of England will rise from 9% to 12% by 2030, though Channel 4 aims to meet this target by 2028. Ofcom also requires Channel 4 to be more transparent about its commissioning approach and impact on TV production in each UK nation. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Disney+ Brings High Drama and Romance with Rivals Adaptation
Disney+ is set to release Rivals, an adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's novel, on October 18. Produced by Happy Prince, the eight-part series explores 1980s duelling egos in the fictional county of Rutshire, starring David Tennant, Alex Hassell, and Aidan Turner. Focusing on high drama, sexual tension, and witty humour, the adaptation aims to stay true to Cooper's complex themes while bringing a lavish production to the screen. Read More
NSW Film Industry Faces Crew Shortages Despite Hosting Major Blockbusters
Recent big-budget films like The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Mad Max: Furiosa have chosen NSW for production, highlighting a strong local film sector. However, industry bodies warn of a skilled crew shortage and insufficient production spaces. Despite NSW's new screen strategy, local filmmakers seek more funding and statutory support to produce unique Australian content, with fears that global productions may shift focus if these challenges aren't addressed. Read More
Streaming Era Delays: Why Hit Shows Like Stranger Things Are Taking Longer Between Seasons
Major streaming shows like Stranger Things and Euphoria are experiencing increasingly long gaps between seasons, often over two years. Industry insiders point to three main reasons: the shift to blockbuster-level production with complex special effects, the influx of film talent unaccustomed to TV's faster pace, and a streaming model that delays production and renewal decisions. Read More
Hollywood Eyes Middle East for New Investments Amid Declining Global Interest
With international investment in Hollywood dwindling, the industry focuses on the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, for potential funding. While countries like Qatar and the UAE have shown interest, including a $150 million investment in North Road and $200 million for DNEG, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key player despite controversies surrounding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Hollywood's evolving attitudes reflect a willingness to overlook past issues in pursuit of new financial opportunities. Read More
Amazon Prime Video Increases Share of Streaming Original Series in 2024
Over the past year, Amazon Prime Video has grown its share of streaming original series premieres, reaching 8.7% globally by Q3 2024, according to Parrot Analytics. This marks a significant recovery for the platform, which had seen a decline similar to Netflix as new competitors entered the market. Despite increased competition, Prime Video has regained ground, nearing its pre-2020 share of original series premieres. Read More
Morgan Neville Breaks Documentary Rules with Pharrell Williams' Piece by Piece
Morgan Neville, Oscar-winning documentarian, steps away from traditional documentary rules with Piece by Piece, a film about Pharrell Williams’ life captured in Legos. Pharrell's unique idea allowed Neville to explore his subject's imagination creatively, with figures like Snoop Dogg re-enacting scenes in Lego form. Neville describes the process as "liberating," offering a fresh take on storytelling and even negotiating with Lego to ensure everything in the film could exist in reality. Read More
Hulu Live TV Faces User Interface and DVR Issues Amid Uncertainty Over Its Future
Despite offering a solid mix of live sports and television, Hulu Live TV struggles with a clunky user interface and persistent DVR issues that frustrate users. Longtime subscribers report challenges in content discovery, with a carousel limited to a single title and hard-to-navigate features. As Disney remains undecided on Hulu's future, the platform's outdated tech stack and poor functionality deter current and potential subscribers. A complete overhaul may be the only solution. Read More
Citadel Expands With India and Italy Spinoffs
Following the success of Citadel, Prime Video’s second most-watched original series outside the U.S., the Russo Brothers' AGBO is expanding the universe with international spinoffs. Citadel: Diana, set in Milan in 2030, follows undercover agent Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), trapped in enemy territory after Citadel’s fall. She must trust an unlikely ally, Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), heir to Manticore Italy, as power struggles unfold within the syndicate. Read More
Manoj Bajpayee Talks Despatch and Family Man
Manoj Bajpayee, one of India’s finest actors, is gaining acclaim with The Fable, which premiered at Berlinale and is now screening at Valladolid’s SEMINCI and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Directed by Raam Reddy, the film follows Dev (Bajpayee), whose peaceful life on a Himalayan orchard estate is disrupted by mysterious fires. Bajpayee, in a period of personal transition, is deeply connected with the character's struggle between materialism and spirituality. Read More
Charlotte Moore: A Cold Wind Blowing Through Natural History
Charlotte Moore, a key figure in the natural history programming sector, warns of challenges facing the genre. With budget cuts and shifting audience preferences, Moore outlines the difficulties of producing high-quality natural history content and the need for innovative solutions to keep the genre alive. Read More
Keri Russell on The Diplomat Season 2 and Her Love Story With Matthew Rhys
Keri Russell discusses the upcoming season of Netflix's "The Diplomat" and how her personal life, including her relationship with Matthew Rhys, influences her work. The actress opens up about the challenges and joys of balancing her career with her life off-screen. Read More
YouTube Creators Call for Greater Recognition in the UK’s Media Landscape
YouTube and its creator community are pushing for more recognition in the UK, highlighting outdated perceptions that exclude creators from the traditional media landscape. The platform's creators contribute an estimated £2bn to the UK economy and support 45,000 full-time jobs. Despite their success, many creators, like YouTuber Brandon Baum, feel undervalued by traditional media. YouTube’s new initiative aims to amplify creators' voices within the government and industry as they continue to build their own media companies while traditional TV struggles. Read More
BBC’s Bootle Launches Rebuttal of Blue-Chip Natural History’s Creative Rut
BBC’s Head of Natural History, Jack Bootle, refutes claims that the blue-chip natural history genre is stuck in a creative rut. Bootle highlights the innovative approaches and successful programming within the genre, citing examples of projects that have pushed the boundaries of storytelling in wildlife documentaries. Read More
BBC Studios' Nick Lee Prepares for Mipcom with New Drama and Comedy Slate
Nick Lee, BBC Studios' head of commercial for drama and comedy productions, is preparing for his first Mipcom after joining from Channel 4 seven months ago. Despite a turbulent 2024 for the industry, Lee notes that BBCS is collaborating closely with its production companies and international partners to navigate challenges. He discusses the evolving marketplace and highlights new scripted programming BBCS will pitch to buyers in Cannes next week. Read More
Peak TV Era Is Over, But Drama Market Can Recover, Say Scripted Execs
Scripted executives agree that the Peak TV era has ended, with a declining volume of new series being produced. However, they remain hopeful that the drama market can bounce back through strategic investments and a focus on quality storytelling. Executives discuss the evolving landscape and the need for resilience in the face of market challenges. Read More
Jay Hunt Highlights AppleTV+'s Investment in British Creativity at BFI London Film Festival
Jay Hunt, AppleTV+'s European creative director and chair of the British Film Institute (BFI), praised the streamer for investing millions in British creativity during her first public speech in the role. At the BFI London Film Festival, Hunt acknowledged concerns about American investment but pointed to AppleTV+ shows like Slow Horses and Criminal Record as distinctly British productions that have resonated with global audiences. Read More
Nordic Drama Queens Unveil First Three Projects Amid Industry Challenges
Scandinavian production company Nordic Drama Queens, founded by Josefine Tengblad, Sandra Harms, and Line Winther Skyum Funch, is set to release its first three series: Cry Wolf, Blind Spot, and The Scarab Flies at Dusk. Despite launching during a turbulent time marked by changing commissioning strategies and reduced scripted output in Scandinavia, the company is moving forward with its ambitious projects, which will air soon. Read More
FTC Finalises "Click to Cancel" Rule, Making Subscription Cancellations Easier
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalised its "click to cancel" initiative, requiring companies like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ to simplify their cancellation processes. The new rule mandates easy-to-use mechanisms for cancelling subscriptions and halting recurring charges, eliminating complex procedures designed to trap consumers. This rule, aimed at reducing deceptive practices, will take effect in 180 days, forcing businesses like Amazon, which faced a lawsuit for its manipulative cancellation interface, to comply with the streamlined process. Read More
Natasha Rothwell’s How to Die Alone Offers Heartwarming Take on Self-Love
Natasha Rothwell’s Onyx Collective series How to Die Alone blends humour, candour, and self-reflection, drawing from her journey of self-love. Rothwell, who created, co-showruns, and stars in the series, admits she didn’t want to "pull any punches." Reflecting on her fears, she shared that the real fear isn’t dying alone but dying lonely—a revelation she came to after over 20 years of therapy. Read More
Demi Moore and Michelle Yeoh’s Bold Roles Are Redefining Opportunities for Actresses Over 60
At 61, Demi Moore is making a major career comeback with The Substance, a critically acclaimed horror film by Coralie Fargeat that explores society’s obsession with beauty and youth. In a daring role, Moore navigates vulnerable terrain, including a transformation into a grotesque troll. This performance follows a trend of bold roles for women over 60, like Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar-winning turn in Everything Everywhere All at Once and Jamie Lee Curtis’ standout roles in the same film and The Bear. Read More
Disclaimer: Star Sacha Baron Cohen Names the Best Actors in the World & Talks Drama
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