TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 14-15 September 2024

PMI CEO suspended; Vinterberg’s TV debut; Prime Video Nordic shifts; Pixar's AI concerns; Jeff Bridges returns; Sony vs. Warner Bros.; Niche streamers grow; NY film push; Electra premiere.

Today’s Highlights:

• Productivity Media CEO Suspended Amid Investigation: William Santor, CEO of Productivity Media Inc., was suspended amid a financial mismanagement probe, with PricewaterhouseCoopers auditing the company's books.

• Danish Director Thomas Vinterberg Debuts TV Series: Vinterberg, known for his film Another Round, debuts his TV series Familier som vores, focusing on climate change and immigration.

• Prime Video Nordic Shifts Focus: Prime Video Nordic prioritises original scripted content by collaborating with local creators to expand its global reach.

• Pixar's Pete Docter on Inside Out 2 and AI: Pixar head Pete Docter discussed Inside Out 2 and his concerns about AI in filmmaking.

• Jeff Bridges Reflects on The Old Man Season 2: Jeff Bridges discussed his return in The Old Man Season 2 after delays due to COVID-19 and industry strikes.

• Sony and Warner Bros. Compete for Las Vegas Studios: Sony and Warner Bros. vie for state funding to build new production facilities in Las Vegas, with Nevada considering tax incentives.

• Streaming Niche Services Grow in Popularity: Niche streaming services like BET+ are gaining significant growth in the U.S. despite being smaller than premium platforms.

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul Pushes for More Film Production: Governor Hochul urged Disney's Bob Iger and others to boost film and TV production in New York with expanded tax credits.

• Bahraini director Hala Matar premiered Electra at the Oldenburg Film Festival, a film blending Greek tragedy elements.

• Tim Meadows Cast in CBS Pilot DMV: Tim Meadows will star in DMV, a CBS comedy pilot based on a short story by Katherine Heiny, exploring life in a DMV office.

Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Warners, Endeavor, ITV, PPL, Disney, NBCUniversal, Fifth Season, Leonine & JustWatch.

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NEWS

Productivity Media CEO Suspended Amid Investigation

Productivity Media Inc. (PMI) has suspended CEO William Santor amid a financial mismanagement investigation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. PMI informed investors that PricewaterhouseCoopers has been brought in to audit its books and review loans. Some producers of PMI's under-$10 million indie films claim they have not received total payments, raising concerns about the company's distribution efforts. Santor, who also runs the Canadian wealth management firm Prosapia, has not commented. PMI, a Hollywood lender for over a decade, is behind notable films like The Little Hours and Black Bear. Read More

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INSIGHTS

Family Ties

Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, known for Festen and Oscar-winning Another Round, makes his TV debut with Familier som vores (Families Like Ours), a dystopian series tackling climate change and immigration. The show centres on a family forced to flee their home, exploring humanity's fragility. Vinterberg shares how the series began as a thought experiment and reflects his long-standing desire to extend stories beyond film, having felt similarly when making Festen. The series, produced across multiple countries, addresses global issues like the refugee crisis. Read More

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Diana Bartha: European Fiction Revolution is Underway

Wild Bunch TV, known for its diverse international catalogue, continues to grow in the global market. Diana Bartha, Head of International Sales & Acquisitions, highlighted the success of Nudes, a French adaptation of the Norwegian original, marking their first foray into French fiction production. Bartha aims to return to pre-pandemic growth despite market volatility by adjusting offerings to cater to more risk-averse buyers. While Wild Bunch is known for bold, off-genre shows, they are leaning into mainstream genres like crime dramas to meet the current demand for lower-risk content. Read More

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Prime Video Nordic Shifts Focus in Search of Original Scripted Content

Prime Video Nordic is refocusing on finding original scripted content. As part of its new strategy, the platform is looking to collaborate with local creators to develop shows that appeal to Nordic audiences while having global reach. Read More

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Jeff Bridges Talks The Old Man Season 2 and Career Reflections

The FX drama The Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, and Alia Shawkat, has faced a tumultuous journey, much like its intense storyline. Production was halted in 2020 due to COVID-19, with only three episodes left to film. After premiering in 2022 to critical acclaim, the series faced further delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Now, over two years after its first season, The Old Man returns for its second season. Read More

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Kids’ Animation and the Box Office

Since 2023, animated kids' films have been Hollywood's most successful genre, consistently performing well at the box office and dominating streaming platforms. While blockbusters like Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie grab headlines, even smaller animated films are quietly making money. The genre's broad appeal and consistent success make kids and family films a rising force in the entertainment industry, signalling a significant moment for animated content. Read More

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Pixar’s Pete Docter Discusses Inside Out 2 and AI in Filmmaking

Pete Docter, head of Pixar and director of classics like Monsters Inc. and Up, is no stranger to taking significant creative risks despite overseeing some of Hollywood’s most successful films. Reflecting on Inside Out 2's massive $1.6 billion success, Docter acknowledges the uncertainty of the cinema industry. As Pixar navigates the aftermath of the pandemic and streaming challenges, Docter notes the company's layoffs and shift away from streaming-only projects like Win or Lose. While Pixar remains committed to high-quality animation, Docter expresses scepticism about AI's ability to achieve consistent results in the creative process. Read More

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NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Recalls Urging Bob Iger & Others To Help Her “Up The Cool Factor” In City By Boosting Film & TV Production

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has made an "aggressive" push to reassure film, TV, and Broadway executives of the state's support for their industries. Speaking at the Paley Center for Media, Hochul mentioned her recent conversation with Disney CEO Bob Iger, emphasizing her desire for more production in New York rather than in places like London or Georgia. Highlighting New York's generous tax credit of up to 30% of production budgets, which was expanded to $700 million through 2034, Hochul stressed the importance of keeping talent and productions in the state despite competition from other locations. Read More

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Streaming Customers Show Surprising Loyalty to BET+ and Other Niche SVOD Services, New Data Reveals

Specialty SVOD services, tracked by Antenna, now account for nearly 35 million U.S. subscriptions, but they remain much smaller than premium SVOD platforms, which boast around 250 million subscriptions. On average, a premium service is 20 times larger than a specialty one. Despite their smaller size, specialty streamers like History Vault and Gaia are proliferating, with 2024 memberships increasing by 20%, compared to just 8% for premium services. While premium services have matured, specialty streamers still have significant growth potential, with only 31% of Americans paying for a specialty service. Read More

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Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi on Endurance for National Geographic

In Endurance, Dr. John Shears recounts leading the 2022 expedition to find Shackleton's lost ship, which had a mere 10% chance of success. The Nat Geo feature documentary, directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, blends historical footage with the modern-day mission to uncover the Endurance wreck. Premiering at the London Film Festival, it will air on Nat Geo and stream on Disney+ and Hulu this fall. Read More

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Beetlejuice Star Arthur Conti Talks Sequel and Jenna Ortega's Role

Arthur Conti, who stars in the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, shared his excitement about the film and working alongside Jenna Ortega. Conti discussed how the sequel builds on Tim Burton’s original vision, blending nostalgia with new creative elements. Jenna Ortega’s performance is anticipated to bring fresh energy to the franchise. Read More

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Sony and Warner Bros. Battle over Rival Nevada Studios

Sony and Warner Bros. are competing for state funding to build production facilities in Las Vegas, aiming to expand beyond Los Angeles. Nevada leaders are keen to diversify the Las Vegas economy but are hesitant about funding both projects, setting up a competition between the studios. Warner Bros., proposing a larger facility with higher production capacity, has gained some legislative support. Sen. Roberta Lange cites their potential to keep the studios fully operational from day one as a key advantage. Tax incentives will be a significant factor in the final decision. Read More

FESTIVALS & MARKETS

Hala Matar’s 'Electra' Premieres at Oldenburg Film Festival

Hala Matar, the first female Bahraini director to make a feature film, premieres her latest project, Electra, at the Oldenburg Film Festival. After studying theatre in the