TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Friday 1 November 2024
Disney+, UTA layoffs, UK film inquiry, Roku shifts, Downey vs AI, Colman’s Paddington role, Comcast spinoff, Scott’s Gladiator II, Sweeney's rise, and Andalusia film hub spotlight industry changes.
Today’s Highlights:
Disney+ Introduces Personalised Top 10 List – Disney+ launches a Top 10 feature, showcasing popular content tailored to each subscriber, varying by region and parental settings.
UTA Implements Agent Cuts Amid Structural Changes—United Talent Agency initiated layoffs, impacting around ten agents across multiple departments.
UK Parliament Relaunches Inquiry into British Film and High-End TV—The CMS Committee resumes its inquiry into British film, high-end TV, AI, and the British Film Institute's role.
Roku and Netflix to Stop Reporting Streaming Household Numbers – Roku shifts its focus on metrics, ceasing to stream household reports while surpassing revenue expectations in Q3.
Robert Downey Jr. Raises Concerns on AI Replicas in Hollywood—Downey Jr. opposes AI recreations of his likeness and plans to take legal action against future use.
Olivia Colman Cast in "Paddington in Peru" – Olivia Colman stars as a nun in the new Paddington film, featuring a cameo of Queen Elizabeth II, referencing her iconic sketch with Paddington.
Comcast Considers Spinning Off Cable Networks—Comcast is exploring the possibility of spinning off cable networks like Bravo and MSNBC to adapt to evolving media landscapes.
Ridley Scott Discusses 'Alien: Romulus' and Upcoming Projects—Scott reflects on the success of Alien: Romulus and teases Gladiator II, along with the planned Alien and Blade Runner TV series.
Sydney Sweeney's Career Soars with Box Office Success – Sweeney achieves new heights with major roles after the success of Anyone But You, which grossed $220 million.
Andalusia Gains Popularity as a Film Production Hub – Andalusia emerges as a preferred location for filmmakers, supported by diverse landscapes and production-friendly infrastructure.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Endemol Shine, ABC, Banijay, Paramount, Disney, WBD & Hulu.
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NEWS
Disney+ Introduces Personalised Top 10 List Highlighting Popular Titles Across Regions and Parental Settings
Disney+ is launching a personalised Top 10 feature similar to Netflix, showcasing popular movies and series tailored to each subscriber. Lists will vary based on parental control settings, and Disney Bundle subscribers will see Hulu content included. Viewers in different countries may notice unique selections, reflecting content availability in their region. Read More
UTA Implements Agent Cuts Amid Structural Changes
United Talent Agency (UTA) is initiating layoffs affecting approximately ten agents across various departments, including talent, production, unscripted, endorsements, and licensing. This move mirrors recent reductions at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which, following its acquisition by Artémis, has begun year-end evaluations leading to agent departures. Read More
UK Parliament to Launch Second Inquiry into British Film and High-End TV
The UK’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee has relaunched its inquiry into British film and high-end television, focusing on artificial intelligence and the British Film Institute’s (BFI) role. The original inquiry was halted in July due to a general election. Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage, re-elected as committee chair in September, continues to lead this initiative. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Seine-sational Drama: French River-Themed Series Gains Popularity
In Paris, we meet the creators of Paris Has Fallen, a spin-off from the Gerard Butler series centred on a terrorist plot in the French capital. Director Oded Ruskin, thrilled by the rare authority to close major Paris streets, recalls filming an intense car crash scene, saying, “I can’t believe I’m doing this in Paris – me!” The team envisions this as the start of a global action-drama franchise. Read More
Roku and Netflix to Stop Reporting Streaming Household Numbers
Roku exceeded Wall Street expectations in its third-quarter earnings, reporting revenue of $1.06 billion—a 16% increase from the previous year—and a net loss of $9.03 million, or 6 cents per share, which was narrower than anticipated. The company also announced that, starting in the first quarter of 2025, it will cease providing quarterly updates on streaming households and average revenue per user, shifting focus to metrics like streaming hours, platform revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow. Read More
Robert Downey Jr. Raises Concerns on AI Replicas in Hollywood
During a recent On With Kara Swisher podcast episode, Robert Downey Jr. expressed strong opposition to AI recreating his likeness, declaring his intent to “sue all future executives” who enable an AI-generated version of him. Downey, known for his role in Iron Man, clarified that he trusts current decision-makers at Marvel to respect his wishes, but he noted that future executives could change that stance. Read More
Olivia Colman Returns as Queen Elizabeth in "Paddington in Peru"
In Paddington in Peru, Queen Elizabeth II appears alongside a lively portrayal of Olivia Colman as a nun running a “home for retired bears.” Colman’s character is a vibrant new addition, while the late monarch’s brief cameo references a touching Platinum Jubilee sketch where she shared tea and a marmalade sandwich with Paddington. Following the Queen’s passing, this image became iconic, with fans leaving Paddington dolls and marmalade sandwiches in tribute across the U.K. Read More
Mélanie Laurent on Ten-Year Journey to "Freedom" and Proving Her Worth
Mélanie Laurent’s Freedom brings a fresh take to the heist genre, starring Emily in Paris actor Lucas Bravo as Bruno Sulak, a charismatic 1970s French thief known for jewellery heists without real guns. Newcomer Léa Luce Busato plays his partner and getaway driver, Annie. Laurent, who likens Freedom to a blend of Catch Me If You Can and Bonnie and Clyde, describes it as a decade-long project with romantic, comedic, and thrilling elements. Read More
Comcast Considers Spinning Off Cable Networks Amid Linear TV Decline
Comcast is exploring the possibility of separating its cable network portfolio, which includes Oxygen True Crime, Bravo, MSNBC, and more, into a standalone company to adapt to shifting media trends. Comcast president Mike Cavanagh noted that this move would allow shareholders to capitalize on new opportunities. Shares rose 7% in pre-market trading following the announcement, though specifics on the plan are still being determined. Read More
Ridley Scott on Pitching, 'Alien: Romulus' Success, and Upcoming 'Gladiator II'
Renowned director Ridley Scott, known for Blade Runner and Alien, advises filmmakers to pitch concisely, emphasizing a story's core "time bomb" element. Scott’s recent production, Alien: Romulus, earned $350 million globally, reinforcing his legacy. Upcoming projects include Gladiator II, premiering November 22, which Scott hails as his best work, and expansions of Alien and Blade Runner into TV series. Scott’s company, Scott Free, founded in the '70s, continues his creative legacy. Read More
Sydney Sweeney's Star Rises with Box Office Success and Major Pay Jump
Sydney Sweeney’s career surged after Anyone But You, a 2023 romantic comedy co-starring Glen Powell, which grossed $220 million on a $25 million budget. Her performance and backend profits propelled her to a $7.5 million role in The Housemaid, a thriller with Amanda Seyfried. Sweeney’s savvy project choices, including Madame Web, have positioned her as one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses. Read More
Andalusia Emerges as a Hotspot for Film Production
The region of Andalusia is becoming a go-to destination for local and international film productions. Known for its diverse landscapes and supportive infrastructure, Andalusia attracts filmmakers worldwide, boosting its reputation as a filmmaking hub. Read More
Spanish Content Gains Global Popularity with 22% Streaming Increase
Spanish-language content, increasingly popular worldwide, saw a 22% rise in availability on major streaming platforms from 2021 to 2023. With over 200 Spanish titles reaching the top 10% of global demand, Spain has become a significant origin market for high-value content that appeals far beyond Spanish-speaking regions. This surge highlights Spain’s expanding influence in global entertainment, driven by demand across diverse audiences worldwide. Read More
10 New Series to Watch in November: From High-Stakes Thrillers to Biographical Dramas
A feature highlighting the top series debuting in November, including Paris Has Fallen, an action-packed continuation of the Fallen film series, and Como Agua para Chocolate, a magical realist adaptation of the classic Mexican novel. Other notable picks include The Day of the Jackal, a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, and Senna, a six-part biopic on Formula 1 icon Ayrton Senna. Read More
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