TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 14 January 2025
WGGB honours Hughes & Renard; King & Conqueror debuts; Latin TV thrives; Fireside reshapes content; Disney's Fubo deal leads M&A; BBC funding shifts; Cathcart grows; Talpa hires; French cinema expands
Today’s Highlights:
Gwyneth Hughes and Gail Renard Honoured with Outstanding Contribution to Writing Award - WGGB recognised screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes and Treasurer Gail Renard for their influential writing and activism in a ceremony on January 13.
James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Star in King & Conqueror - This historical drama centres on the rivalry between Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy, culminating in the 1066 Battle of Hastings, set to premiere on BBC One this year.
Latin America’s TV Landscape Thrives with Localised Entertainment Formats—Shows like Bake Off and Power Couple succeed across the region, showcasing the region's innovative approach to entertainment.
Fireside Empowers Creators with Interactive Livestreams - The Mark Cuban-backed platform revolutionises creator monetisation with tools for engaging audiences and managing content.
Mergers and Acquisitions Success Rates Transform the Media Industry. A rise in success rates, diversification strategies, and major deals like Disney's acquisition of Fubo highlight pivotal trends in media M&A.
Lisa Nandy Considers Alternatives to BBC Licence Fee—UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is exploring funding models like taxation and mutualisation ahead of the BBC’s Royal Charter renewal.
Anna Cathcart Balances Netflix Stardom and College Life - The 21-year-old actress reflects on her role in XO, Kitty, while navigating personal growth and her transition to adulthood.
Jasper Hoogendoorn Appointed Chief Creative Officer at Talpa Studios - The co-creator of The Traitors joins Talpa Studios to drive innovation and international collaboration.
Unifrance Expands Rendez-Vous With French Cinema - The Paris event now integrates TV screenings and export-focused activities, uniting film and TV industries under one roof.
Netflix Announces Final Season of Brazilian Hit Sintonia—The critically acclaimed series concludes with its fifth season, premiering February 5. It highlights the challenges its main characters face.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals & Jobs with SBS, BritBox, NITV, ITV, Channel 4, Banijay & Fox.
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NEWS
Gwyneth Hughes and Gail Renard Honored with Outstanding Contribution to Writing Award
The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) awarded its highest honour, the Outstanding Contribution to Writing Award, to screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes and WGGB Treasurer Gail Renard. Presented by WGGB Chair Emma Reeves on January 13 at the Garden Museum, the award recognises their impactful careers and activism. Hughes is celebrated for her real-life inspired dramas, including Mr Bates vs The Post Office, while Renard, a BAFTA-winning writer and union advocate, champions better conditions for writers. Read More
INSIGHTS
James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Star in the Epic Drama King & Conqueror
King & Conqueror, an eight-part historical drama, explores the rivalry between Harold of Wessex (James Norton) and William of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), culminating in the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Produced by Rabbit Track Pictures, CBS Studios, and others, the series features Emily Beecham, Clémence Poésy, and Eddie Marsan. Written by Michael Robert Johnson and directed by Baltasar Kormákur, it premieres on BBC One and iPlayer this year. Read More
Entertainment Formats Thrive Across Latin America’s Evolving TV Landscape
Latin America’s TV industry is transforming, driven by innovative entertainment formats tailored to diverse cultures. BBC Studios’ Rebecca Tavares highlights the success of Bake Off in Brazil and Argentina, while Dori Media’s Power Couple and Smart Face have global adaptations. Economic challenges and cultural nuances inspire collaboration among producers, broadcasters, and streaming platforms. Formats like Real Love and The Remix have expanded to international platforms, marking a promising future for localised entertainment. Read More
Mark Cuban-Backed Fireside Empowers Creators with Interactive Livestreams
Fireside, co-founded by Falon Fatemi and Mark Cuban, offers creators an end-to-end platform to own content and engage fans through interactive livestreams. Creators monetise via subscriptions, pay-per-view, and sponsorships, earning significantly more than traditional platforms. Like the Steve Harvey Network, Fireside's white-labelled networks enhance creator-audience connections. With $30M raised and profitability expected in 2025, Fireside plans to expand into new verticals, reshaping content creation. Read More
Mergers and Acquisitions Success Rates Soar, Transforming Media Industry
Over the past two decades, M&A success rates have risen from 30% to 70%; according to Bain & Co., diversification strategies, improved diligence, and cultural integration drive this shift. With regulatory relaxation anticipated in the U.S., experts predict 2025 will be a pivotal year for M&A. Notably, Disney’s acquisition of Fubo sparked industry speculation, highlighting a trend toward transformative deals shaping the media landscape. Read More
Lisa Nandy Explores Alternatives to BBC Licence Fee
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is reportedly evaluating alternatives to the BBC licence fee, including funding via general taxation and mutualisation. Ahead of the Royal Charter renewal in 2027, Nandy considers the current model unsustainable and suggests citizens could own and influence the broadcaster's strategic direction. She previously expressed interest in mutualisation, urging a creative approach to future-proof the BBC for the decades ahead. Read More
Anna Cathcart Balances College Life and Leading Netflix’s XO, Kitty
Anna Cathcart, 21, stars in Netflix’s hit series XO, Kitty, a spinoff of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. The Vancouver native first played Kitty Covey at 14, growing alongside her character, who now explores love and identity in a Korean international school. As season two approaches, Cathcart reflects on revisiting her role, balancing college, and navigating her transition into adulthood alongside her on-screen persona. Read More
MrBeast’s Beast Games Tops December Wit List with Record-Breaking Debut
Prime Video’s Beast Games, featuring 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize, gained 125,000 Instagram followers after its December 19 premiere, fueled by MrBeast’s massive fanbase. Other top performers included Twitch.tv’s DTR Fight (79,000 followers), Turkish drama Şakir Paşa Ailesi (50,000), Middle East singing competition Arabia’s Next Star (44,000), and Prime Video’s Secret Level (24,000), showcasing diverse entertainment formats resonating globally. Read More
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