TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 19-20 October 2024
Netflix gains 5.1M subscribers; Bell Media rebrands channels; Kendrick’s directorial debut; See-Saw Films’ new projects; Fan Bingbing in Mother Bhumi; Hounsou in The Monster.
Today’s Highlights:
Netflix Added 5.1 Million Subscribers in Q3, Surpassing Analyst Expectations Netflix gained 5.1 million subscribers, exceeding expectations, and generated significant revenue growth. Free cash flow reached $2.2 billion.
Bell Media Rebrands Specialty Channels After Losing Discovery Rights, Bell Media rebrands multiple channels, including renaming Discovery Canada as USA Network and rebranding other Discovery channels.
Anna Kendrick's 'Woman of the Hour' Tackles Rodney Alcala's Crime Spree Anna Kendrick's directorial debut focuses on Rodney Alcala's chilling crimes, blending true crime with societal commentary.
See-Saw Films Discusses Diverse Slate and Production Locations See-Saw Films presents its upcoming projects and productions across Australia and the UK, focusing on faster greenlighting.
Fan Bingbing Discusses Role in Malaysian-Italian Co-Production' Mother Bhumi' Fan Bingbing delves into her role in Mother Bhumi, a supernatural drama filmed on the Malaysia-Thailand border.
How ReelShort Turned Short-Form Content into a Profitable Model ReelShort produces 15 to 16 short-form shows monthly, showcasing a growing trend in digital content creation.
Jeff Shultz to Depart Paramount Global's Streaming Division by Year-End Jeff Shultz, Paramount's chief strategy and business development officer for streaming, will leave after building the streaming business.
Maserati Biopic' Maserati: The Brothers' to Star Anthony Hopkins Anthony Hopkins stars in Maserati: The Brothers, which chronicles the story of the iconic carmakers alongside Michele Morrone.
Djimon Hounsou to Star in Darren Lynn Bousman's Thriller 'The Monster' Djimon Hounsou joins The Monster, a horror-thriller directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, known for the Saw franchise.
Pippa Harris on HBO's 'The Franchise': A Loving Satire of the Film Industry Pippa Harris discusses HBO's The Franchise, a satire of the superhero film industry, featuring eccentric characters and industry commentary.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals and Jobs with Netflix, BBC, ITV, UKTV, WBD, Hulu, TikTok, Amazon/MGM & RTL.
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NEWS
Netflix Adds 5.1 Million Subscribers in Q3, Surpassing Analyst Expectations
Netflix gained 5.1 million paid subscribers in Q3 2024, reaching 282.72 million globally, marking 14% year-over-year growth. The streamer exceeded Wall Street’s forecast, reporting adjusted EPS of $5.40 and $9.83 billion in revenue, a 15% increase from Q3 2023. Free cash flow stood at $2.2 billion. While no U.S. price hikes were announced, Netflix raised prices in regions including Europe, Japan, Spain, and Italy. Read More
Bell Media Rebrands Specialty Channels After Losing Discovery Rights
Bell Media announced a major rebranding of its specialty channels after losing the licensing rights to Discovery brands. Starting January 1, 2025, Discovery Canada will be rebranded as USA Network, airing shows like Suits and The Traitors. Discovery ID will become Oxygen True Crime. Additionally, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, and Discovery Velocity will be rebranded as CTV Nature, CTV Wild, and CTV Speed. These changes align Bell’s portfolio with its flagship network, CTV. Read More
BIFA 2024 New Talent Longlist Highlights Filmmakers from Bring Them Down, The Ceremony, and Tuesday
Filmmakers from Bring Them Down, The Ceremony, and Tuesday are prominently featured on the 2024 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) new talent longlists. Christopher Andrews (Bring Them Down) is longlisted for best debut director and screenwriter, while Jacob Swan Hyam is recognised as a breakthrough producer. Jack King (The Ceremony) and Daina O Pusic (Tuesday) are also acknowledged for their contributions in writing, directing, and producing, reflecting a solid showing from emerging talent across multiple categories. Read More
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INSIGHTS
‘The Split: Barcelona’ Brings Back Nicola Walker for a Two-Part Special
Two years after The Split ended, the BBC legal drama is returning with The Split: Barcelona, a two-part special set in Spain. Nicola Walker reprises her role as Hannah Defoe, the family law expert, for a sun-soaked destination wedding in Catalonia’s wine region. Creator Abi Morgan and executive producer Jane Featherstone join Walker to explore the next chapter for Hannah and her family in this highly anticipated reunion special. Read More
See-Saw Films Discusses Diverse Slate and Production Locations
Australian-UK production company See-Saw Films, known for international titles like Heartstopper, Slow Horses, and The Power of the Dog, has filmed across Australia and the UK in recent years. Producer Liz Watts highlights upcoming projects like Apple Cider Vinegar and Tenzing while emphasising their focus on compelling TV and feature films. See-Saw maintains offices in Sydney and London, with 50 full-time staff, and collaborates with major streamers like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. Watts hopes to see faster project turnarounds for greenlighting productions. Read More
Pippa Harris on HBO’s ‘The Franchise’: A Loving Satire of the Film Industry
Pippa Harris laughs off any personal connections to the characters in The Franchise, the HBO satire from Armando Iannucci. The series, set behind the scenes of a superhero franchise, features eccentric personalities like Richard E. Grant’s pompous villain and Daniel Brühl’s deep-thinking director. While Harris is too polite to name names from her career, she describes the show as a “generous-hearted” take on the absurdities of the movie-making industry. Read More
‘Slow Horses’ Breaks the Streaming Mold with Rapid Production Pace
In contrast to the long gaps typical of modern streaming releases, Slow Horses maintains a rapid production schedule, ensuring a regular release. According to Will Smith, showrunner for the series, work on Series 5 began during the prep and shoot of Series 4, while edits for Series 3 were still coming in. This fast-paced approach sets Slow Horses apart from the more relaxed rhythms of modern prestige TV. Series 6 was also just announced. Read More
Anna Kendrick’s ‘Woman of the Hour’ Tackles the Chilling Story of Rodney Alcala
Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on The Dating Game in 1978, was charming enough to win a date with Cheryl Bradshaw, but she declined after finding him “creepy.” By then, Alcala had already killed at least five women. Anna Kendrick’s feature directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, explores Alcala’s terrifying crime spree, blending true crime with societal commentary on toxic male behaviour, as penned by screenwriter Ian McDonald.Read More
How ReelShort Turned Short-Form Content into a Profitable Model
Fresh talent in vertical short-form video gathered at NeueHouse Hollywood for a digital media collaboration event. Sarah Moliski, 31, stood out on the red carpet in a leather corset set, embodying the “blonde villain” characters she often portrays on ReelShort. Moliski, who also serves as a casting director, keeps busy as the platform produces 15 to 16 shows monthly, showcasing the rapid growth of digital media content. Read More
Key Insights from Netflix Q3 Earnings Call Amid Familiar Themes
Despite multiple “breaking news” alerts, Netflix’s Q3 earnings call didn’t offer much new, sticking to familiar talking points. However, digging into the numbers reveals insights about the company’s future, particularly as it plans to stop sharing subscriber numbers in 2025. Netflix continues to generate significant revenue and profits, directing excess cash to buybacks and addressing debt. No U.S. price hike was announced, though increases are coming in Italy and Spain. Here’s a closer look at ad tier growth and potential U.S. price hike timelines. Read More
Fan Bingbing Discusses Role in Malaysian-Italian Co-Production ‘Mother Bhumi’
Chinese star Fan Bingbing shed light on her character Hong Im in the upcoming film Mother Bhumi at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Directed by Chong Keat Aun, the movie explores themes of loss and the supernatural along the Malaysia-Thailand border. Fan emphasised the need for authenticity, stating, “We actors have to convince the audience to believe in the character,” detailing the importance of presenting genuine emotions and a believable portrayal of a rural woman. Read More
André Holland Reflects on Challenges and His Role in ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’
In his new film Exhibiting Forgiveness, André Holland faced numerous challenges, from portraying artist Titus Kaphar convincingly to exploring personal emotions while playing a painter confronting his estranged father. Holland, who lost his father during filming, shared that despite his success, landing roles is still a struggle. He credits directors like Barry Jenkins and Ava DuVernay for believing in him and hopes to work with more people who recognise and invest in his talent. Read More
Global TV Executives Face Growing Risk Aversion at MIPCOM Amid Budget Challenges
As global TV buyers and sellers prepare to gather in Cannes for MIPCOM, risk aversion makes it harder to finance new shows, especially in the U.S., where budgets tighten. Executives like Jens Richter of Fremantle and Ruth Berry of ITV Studios note that buyers are increasingly focused on proven audience appeal rather than experimental titles. Despite this, companies like Fremantle are balancing safe bets like Got Talent with riskier, award-aiming film investments. Read More
Ted Sarandos: Netflix’s “Cost Plus” Model is Here to Stay
For nearly a decade, Netflix has shifted Hollywood’s business model by using cost-plus licensing deals, covering production costs and adding a 10-20% bonus for producers. This contrasts with the traditional deficit-financing model, where creatives could share backend profits from syndication and international licensing. While upfront fees remain lucrative, Hollywood creators now miss out on the long-term income from successful shows, as streaming services hold exclusive global rights. Read More
Legacy Media Faces Streaming Disruption Ahead of Mipcom
As industry insiders prepare for Mipcom, Europe’s largest legacy media companies have held up better than Hollywood’s studio giants, but challenges are mounting. The rise of streaming, led by Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery, has drastically changed the profit model, disrupting traditional studios. Paramount Global endured a nearly year-long sale process, with few serious bidders and a lowball $8 billion Skydance Media merger offer, reflecting the broader market challenges for traditional media. Read More
‘Gaucho Gaucho’ Documentary to Hit U.S. Theaters Ahead of Oscar Qualifying Run
The visually striking documentary Gaucho Gaucho, directed by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, will debut in U.S. theatres starting in Dallas on October 25, with showings in New York, L.A., San Francisco, and more cities in November. The film, exploring Argentina's cowboy and cowgirl culture through stunning black-and-white visuals, will also premiere on the Jolt streaming service on December 1. Read More
Amazon Labor Union Documentary Takes a Bold Distribution Path
Union, a documentary chronicling the first-ever U.S. union formed at an Amazon warehouse, faces a unique challenge despite its dramatic story arc, Sundance accolades, and glowing reviews. Lacking major studio or streamer backing, directors Brett Story and Stephen Maing turned to self-distribution, citing political documentaries' difficulties in today’s market. This move underscores the shrinking space for social-issue films in an increasingly risk-averse entertainment landscape. Read More
Caryn Mandabach on Producing Peaky Blinders and That '70s Show
Caryn Mandabach, one of television’s most successful producers, boasts a nearly 50-year career with hits ranging from The Cosby Show and That ’70s Show to Peaky Blinders. Mandabach discovered her passion for producing at age 8, organising shows for her grandmother’s retirement home. She attributes her success to recognising talent in others, saying, “It wasn’t about creation; I wanted to be in charge of platforming artists.” Read More
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s New Series ‘The New Years’ Heads to Mipcom
As Spanish TV production remains resilient, one of the most anticipated series at Mipcom 2024 is The New Years (Los años nuevos), directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. A Movistar Plus+ Original produced with Caballo Films and Arte France, the series follows Sorogoyen’s success with The Beasts, which earned a César Award for Best Foreign Film in 2023. The film also achieved impressive box office numbers in Spain and France, solidifying Sorogoyen’s reputation in European cinema. Read More
K-Dramas and Spanish Soaps Surge in U.S. Popularity
According to Parrot Analytics, interest in foreign language content has surged in the U.S., with demand rising from 12.8% to 17% between Q1 2022 and Q3 2024. This growth is driven by international content on U.S. streaming platforms, especially Korean shows on Netflix. Korean and Spanish are now the most significant foreign languages in U.S. TV, following Japanese, which has long maintained a global presence. Read More
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Lucky 8 Names Sarah Bickley as Head of Distribution
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