TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 11 June 2024

‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ wins award; Alexi Wheeler launches Wheel in Motion; UKTV's new brand U; Lionsgate rebrands eOne; Idris Elba’s 22Summers; AI group urges deepfake ban; FX, Netflix lead TV Awards.

Today’s Highlights:

• 'The Teachers' Lounge' Wins Award: Leonie Benesch stars as an elementary teacher in İlker Çatak's Oscar-nominated thriller, winning the Latin American Critics' Award for Best European Film.

• Superprod Sets Wheel in Motion: Former Netflix exec Alexi Wheeler launches UK-based Wheel in Motion, focusing on animation and live-action content.

• UKTV Launches New Masterbrand, U: UKTV's new master brand, U, launched on July 16, unites UKTV’s free-to-air channels with 8,500 hours of content.

• Entertainment One Rebrands as Lionsgate Canada: Six months after acquisition, Entertainment One's Canadian operation rebrands under the Lionsgate banner.

• Conker Pictures Opens Belfast Base: Banijay-owned Conker Pictures, led by Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell, opens in Northern Ireland to create a globally appealing original series.

• Idris Elba Launches 22Summers: Elba's production company 22Summers, co-founded with Diene Petterle, focuses on documentaries and scripted content, starting with Erased: WWII Heroes of Color.

• BritBox to Exit South Africa: After a three-year tenure, streaming service BritBox will leave the South African market in August 2024.

• AI Lobbying Group Urges Congress on Deepfakes: Following Scarlett Johansson's call, an AI lobbying group pushes Congress to outlaw unauthorized AI deepfakes.

• Paramount For Sale: Edgar Bronfman Jr. is considering acquiring Paramount Global amid ongoing discussions with Skydance.

• 'Baby Reindeer,' 'Ripley,' 'Shogun' Lead TV Critics Awards Nominees: FX and Netflix lead the nominations with 16 each, followed by HBO/Max with 13.

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NEWS

‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ Wins Inaugural Latin American Critics’ Award as Best European Film

Leonie Benesch stars as an elementary school teacher caught in a web of internal intrigue in İlker Çatak's Oscar-nominated thriller.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Superprod sets Wheel in Motion with former Netflix exec Alexi Wheeler

ANNECY: Former Netflix executive Alexi Wheeler has launched a production company backed by France’s Superprod Group, focusing on animation and live-action content. Industry veteran Wheeler, who left Netflix last year, has set up UK-based Wheel in Motion, having previously served as head of animated series at Netflix EMEA and VP of animated production and development at Nickelodeon.

From: C21

UKTV to Launch Its New Masterbrand, U, On July 16

UKTV has announced that U, its new master brand, will launch on July 16. The master brand will include nearly 8,500 hours of content on its free streaming service, an uplift of almost 1,500 hours from the start of the year. The master brand will unite UKTV's family of free-to-air channels, becoming U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY, and U&W. Its free streaming service will transition from UKTV Play to U.

From: Señal News

Entertainment One’s Canadian operation rebranded under Lionsgate banner

The Canadian operation of Entertainment One (eOne) has officially been rebranded under the Lionsgate umbrella. The new entity, Lionsgate Canada, is launching around six months after Lionsgate acquired eOne from toy giant Hasbro for around US$375m, plus the assumption of production financing loans.

From: C21

Banijay-owned scripted prodco Conker Pictures to open Belfast base

Conker Pictures, the Banijay-backed scripted startup from ex-BBC commissioning editor Tommy Bulfin and former Apple TV+ drama commissioner Kim Varvell, is to open an office in Northern Ireland. Bulfin commissioned the hit Belfast-based police drama Blue Lights when he was at the BBC and wants to build on that experience of working in the nations and regions by making original series with global appeal from Northern Ireland, working with local writers, talent, and crew.

From: C21

Idris Elba Launches New Production Company 22Summers With Former Pulse & BBC Exec Diene Petterle

The company will initially specialize in high-end documentaries with a cultural bent but is also building a scripted department. The first project on the slate is Erased: WWII Heroes of Color – the 4×60 series for Disney +, Hulu, and National Geographic about the overlooked contribution of soldiers of color in World War II.

From: Deadline

Peabody Winners Urge Filmmakers to ‘Fight for Truth’ as Kudos Honor Programs That Tackle Global Conflicts and Social Ills

Mel Brooks, Quinta Brunson, Bluey, Star Trek, and The Bear were also recognised.

From: Variety

Streaming service BritBox announces August exit from South Africa

BritBox, the streaming service known for its extensive library of British television content, has decided to withdraw from the South African market. This move from the BBC Studios-backed streamer will take effect in August 2024, marking the end of a three-year tenure in the country.

From: C21

After Scarlett Johansson Dustup, AI Lobbying Group Urges Congress to Outlaw Deepfakes

Scarlett Johansson called for legislation to outlaw AI deepfakes last month after OpenAI released a voice chat demo that sounded eerily like her. Now, one of the AI industry’s leading trade groups is joining that call — urging Congress to pass legislation protecting artists from the unauthorized use of their likenesses.

From: Variety

‘Baby Reindeer,’ ‘Ripley,’ ‘Shogun’ Top TV Critics Awards Nominees

FX and Netflix lead the pack with 16 apiece, followed by HBO/Max with 13.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Paramount For Sale, Who’s Buying? Edgar Bronfman Jr Latest To Eye Deal As Skydance Talks Continue

Yet another name has surfaced in the Paramount Global scrum. Former entertainment executive and beverage billionaire Edgar Bronfman Jr. is eyeing control of the company in a deal scenario with multiple moving pieces, even as Shari Redstone‘s camp remains deep in talks with Skydance.

From: Deadline

Paramount Co-CEOs Secure Change-In-Control Pay Plans, Granted Cash Bonuses in Connection to Promotion

Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy, and George Cheeks will each be eligible for enhanced severance if and when Paramount sells. They will be eligible for an expanded bonus in connection with their promotions.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

INSIGHTS

‘Sweet Tooth’ Creator Jim Mickle Reflects On Drama’s Final Season On Netflix: “Gus’ Superpower Is Hope & Finding The Best In Humanity”

Here, Mickle — who also served as the showrunner on the Team Downey/DC Entertainment/Warner Bros. TV series — talks about wrapping up the high-concept series and which hybrid he will probably miss the most.

From: Deadline

Warner Bros. TV Boss Channing Dungey Would Consider Rebooting ‘The West Wing’ One Day — But Not ‘Friends’

It’s probably not the right time for a new version of “The West Wing,” but never say never, Warner Bros. TV Group chairman Channing Dungey told an audience on Monday at the Banff World Media Festival. “Perhaps there would be a point in the future when you might want to try to do that,” Dungey said of a new take on “West Wing.”

From: Variety

First Look: Grammy Winner Cecile McLorin Salvant’s Dazzling Musical ‘Ogresse,’ Backed by Claude Barras, Miyu

Stop-motion maestro Claude Barras (“My Life as a Zucchini,” “Savages!”) will back “Ogresse,” a tragicomic musical directed by three-time Grammy winner Cecile McLorin Salvant and Belgian animator Lia Bertels.

From: Variety

European broadcasters must resist cuts and embrace streaming – Ampere

The latest forecasts by Ampere predict spending by SVoD platforms will reach €10bn (US$10.75bn) in Europe’s major TV markets in 2024, surpassing the investment in original and acquired content by commercial broadcasters, who now face significant challenges from streamers, increased pressure on their content budgets and falling viewer engagement levels.

From: C21

RIO2C 2024: Globo Showcased the Potential Of Brazilian Production

The panel “Acontece: A commitment to Brazil” emphasized consistent investment in the independent market year after year, facilitated using open and collaborative dialogue with over 170 production companies of all sizes and from all regions of the country.

From: Señal News

Serbia's TV Nova Was the Most Watched Channel During "Survivor" Finale

TV Nova became the most watched television in Serbia during the final "Survivor" episode, where it recorded phenomenal viewership results, with a share of 20.3%, according to TV Beat, far ahead of all televisions with a national frequency and Public broadcasters.

From: Señal News

Record Numbers For Talpa Studios’ “The Alliance” on SBS6 In The Netherlands

Since its launch on SBS6 in the Netherlands in October 2023, Talpa Studios’ reality show “The Alliance” has consistently engaged a large and loyal daily audience, maintaining strong viewership even beyond its 100th episode. It has achieved an impressive average market share of 13% in the key 25-59 demographic (including delayed viewing). This confirms its status as the highest-rated show in the 7:30 PM prime time slot since 2017. Due to its performance, SBS6 has decided to extend the series, indefinitely committing to an additional series.

From: Señal News

Which films are in the running for the 2024 Venice Film Festival?

Films starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Daniel Craig, Gal Gadot, Angelina Jolie, and Jude Law are tipped for the Lido.

From: Screen Daily

River rises

As his journey-making outback road trip drama Thou Shalt Not Steal enters its final stages, co-creator and director Dylan River talks about creating a series rooted in his hometown, his rules for filmmaking, and why storytelling is in his blood.

From: Drama Quarterly

Eureka Productions’ Chris Culvenor On The Entertainment Sector

Headquartered in Los Angeles and Sydney, Eureka Productions touts a portfolio of over 40 series for network, streaming, cable, and digital platforms in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, amassed in a relatively short period since its 2016 launch.

From: TV Formats

‘It Was Never My Intention to Be a Heartthrob’: Josh Hartnett on Finding His Focus, Shedding the Darkness of ‘Black Mirror’ and That ‘Bats— Crazy’ ‘Trap’ Script

Between 1998 and 2002, Hartnett was a staple in films. It’s not often that someone’s first movies are as memorable as “Halloween H20,” “The Faculty” and “The Virgin Suicides.” Follow that up with “Black Hawk Down,” “O,” and “Pearl Harbor,” and it’s hard to think of someone busier than he was in such a small amount of time.

From: Variety

Fox CEO Rob Wade Believes “Challenging” TV Business Is Starting To “Right-Size” Itself, Eyes The Next ‘Family Guy,’ ‘Gladiators’ Second Window & More “Sexy Rebels”

Rob Wade has been in charge of Fox for just over 18 months, coinciding with the fallout of the pandemic and two strikes in Hollywood. But the Brit is optimistic that while the television business is challenging, it is starting to right-size itself after a period of heavy spending by streamer rivals.

From: Deadline

‘White Collar’ Is Riding the ‘Suits’ Coattails

The revival of one 2010's buttoned-up USA Network procedural will follow the revival of another, and it's all thanks to Netflix.

From: IndieWire

Austin Butler & Jodie Comer Talk Getting Into Character for 1960s-Set 'The Bikeriders' | THR News

Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Norman Reedus, and writer and director Jeff Nichols sat down with THR's Tiffany Taylor to discuss their new movie, The Bikeriders.

Joey King & Taylor Zakhar Perez | Actors on Actors

Joey King ("We Were The Lucky Ones") and Taylor Zakhar Perez ("Red, White, and Royal Blue") share laughs while reminiscing about "The Kissing Booth 2" and how their friendship blossomed at an airport.

Cinematographer Robert Elswit Breaks Down 'Ripley's' Striking Black & White Cinematography

Legendary cinematographer Robert Elswit explains the process behind shooting the arresting images of Netflix's show 'Ripley' with Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning.

Richard Linklater Unmasks Glen Powell In "Hit Man" | The New Yorker

The director dissects a pivotal scene in his noir-inspired screwball comedy, loosely based on the real-life story of a fake hitman who helped detectives bust people soliciting murderers.

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