TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 13-14 July 2024

TCA Awards: “Shōgun” and “Hacks” triumph. Global production up 22%. “The Boys” hits streaming top 10. Rebel Wilson sued. Paramount lawsuit. CBS Studios success. Beau Bridges insights.

Today’s Highlights:

• TCA Awards Winners: FX's "Shōgun" and Max's "Hacks" dominate the 40th annual TCA Awards, with "Shōgun" winning four awards, including program of the year, and "Hacks" earning outstanding achievement in comedy.

• Global Production Increase: Global film and TV production rose by 22% in Q2 2024 compared to last year, with the U.S. seeing a 30% increase despite being 37% lower than in 2022.

• Intergalactic Friendship Day: "Star Trek" and "Doctor Who" showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Russell T Davies will appear together at Comic-Con to celebrate the first "Intergalactic Friendship Day."

• Nielsen Streaming Top 10: "The Boys" ranks third after the release of Season 4, while "Bridgerton" leads with 3.5 billion minutes watched from June 10-16, 2024.

• Bucheon Fantasy Film Festival: "The Last Stop in Yuma County" wins the top prize at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, with JT Mollner named best director for "Strange Darling."

• San Sebastian Film Festival: A strong lineup of Spanish titles from women directors, including Iciar Bollaín and Pilar Palomero, is announced for the San Sebastian Film Festival.

• Rebel Wilson Defamation Suit: The producers of Rebel Wilson's "The Deb" sued her for defamation after she accused them of embezzlement and misconduct.

• Paramount-Skydance Deal Lawsuit: Major shareholder Mario Gabelli files a lawsuit against Paramount Global over the Skydance deal, seeking records that could lead to a lawsuit challenging the deal.

• CBS Studios Streaming Success: CBS Studios' "Your Honor" leads streaming charts after its Netflix debut, with "NCIS" and "Evil" also performing well on streaming platforms.

• Beau Bridges Career Insights: Beau Bridges reflects on his career and new projects, including his upcoming film "Camera" and roles in CBS's "Matlock" and Apple TV+'s "Lessons in Chemistry."

Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Events & Jobs.

---

Want to stay informed with the latest in TV, film, and media? 

Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest updates in one place. 

Our subscribers include executives from: 

• Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime.

• Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play.

• Producers: Fifth Season, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Paramount Television International, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures.

• Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW.

NEWS

‘Shogun’ and ‘Hacks’ Dominate TCA Awards, Andre Braugher and ‘Twin Peaks’ Receive Top Honors: Full Winners List

The 40th annual TCA Awards announced its winners on Friday, ahead of its first in-person ceremony in five years. FX’s “Shōgun” dominated, winning four awards, including individual achievement in drama for Anna Sawai, outstanding achievement in drama, program of the year, and new program of the year. Max’s “Hacks” also triumphed, with Jean Smart winning individual achievement in comedy and the series taking home the Outstanding Achievement in Comedy award. “Twin Peaks” received the Heritage Award, and the late Andre Braugher was honoured with the Career Achievement Award.

From: Variety

Global Production Ticked Up In Q2

The number of film and TV projects filming globally in the second quarter rose by 22 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to ProdPro data. In the U.S., production activity has increased by 30 per cent since last year’s writers’ strike. Despite these gains, production activity remains 16 per cent lower than in 2022 and 37 per cent lower in the U.S. In Q2, 344 scripted productions began principal photography worldwide, including 130 TV shows and 214 feature films, with TV series up 20 per cent year-over-year.

From: World Screen

‘Star Trek’ and ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunners to Appear Together at Comic-Con Panel Celebrating ‘Intergalactic Friendship Day’

In a show of geek unity, the executive producers and showrunners of the "Star Trek" TV universe and the "Doctor Who" Whoniverse — Alex Kurtzman and Russell T Davies, respectively — will appear together on a panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The panel on Saturday, July 27, will kick off the first "Intergalactic Friendship Day" on July 30. Under the banner "Friendship is Universal," the event will feature original costumes, props, photo opportunities, and friendship bracelet giveaways in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego during Comic-Con.

From: Variety

Nielsen Streaming Top 10: ‘The Boys’ Hits Third Place After Season 4 Debut, While ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Your Honor’ Continue to Lead

"The Boys" was the third-most-streamed title in the U.S. from June 10-16, per Nielsen, driven by the release of Season 4. With four days of availability for the first three episodes, the series was watched for 1.2 billion minutes. The top title was "Bridgerton," its Season 3 finale drove the series to 3.5 billion minutes watched from June 10 to 16.

From: Variety

‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’ Takes Top Prize at Bucheon Fantasy Film Festival

American-made films took two top prizes at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan) in South Korea. Francis Galluppi's crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County won the $14,500 Bucheon Choice feature award for its "profound exploration of human nature." JT Mollner was named best director for Strange Darling, a retro-feel horror-romance praised for its "exhilarating and engaging narrative" that challenges genre and character stereotypes.

From: Variety

San Sebastian Unveils Spanish Titles, Led by an Ester Expósito Chiller, New Pics From Albert Serra, Iciar Bollaín, Pilar Palomero

The San Sebastian Film Festival, the largest film event in the Spanish-speaking world, has unveiled a lineup rich in Spanish titles, highlighting women auteurs such as Iciar Bollaín, Pilar Palomero, Paula Ortiz, and Alauda Ruiz de Azua. These filmmakers are gaining momentum as major SVOD players like Movistar Plus+ and Prime Video invest in Spanish movies and original series. In the main competition, Bollaín’s “I Am Nevenka” stands out as the first film from a series of six auteur event movies co-produced by Movistar Plus+, featuring directors like Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Alberto Fernández.

From: Variety

Producers of Rebel Wilson’s Directorial Debut File Defamation Suit as ‘Pitch Perfect’ Star Alleges Embezzlement and Misconduct

Three producers of Rebel Wilson’s movie "The Deb" have sued her for defamation in California after she accused them of embezzling funds and sabotaging her directorial debut. Wilson posted a video on Instagram accusing producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden of embezzling and retaliatory behaviour. The producers' suit denies these accusations and claims Wilson tried to hold the film hostage over screenwriting and musical credits.

From: Variety

Paramount-Skydance Deal Hit With Legal Salvo From Major Shareholder

Paramount Global may soon have to turn over records related to a bid by Skydance to take control of the company. Billionaire Mario Gabelli filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court for access to Paramount’s books, potentially leading to a lawsuit challenging the deal that some believe enriches controlling shareholder Shari Redstone at their expense. Gabelli seeks information on whether Redstone will get more money for her Class B shares than others. Multiple law firms are investigating whether Paramount's board breached fiduciary duties to minority investors. Gabelli’s lawsuit follows a similar action by the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

INSIGHTS

CBS Studios’ David Stapf On ‘Your Honor’ Streaming Resurgence & Possible Revival, Those Painful CBS & CW Cancellations, ‘Blue Bloods’ Offshoots & More

When the Nielsen streaming charts for the week of June 3 were revealed, Your Honor led the overall ranking. Initially running for two seasons on Showtime, the legal thriller starring Bryan Cranston amassed 1.5B minutes viewed in its first whole week on Netflix in the U.S., in addition to streaming on Paramount+. CBS Studios' procedural NCIS and drama Evil, also available on Paramount+ and Netflix, joined Your Honor in the Top 10. CBS Studios President David Stapf discussed Your Honor’s success, the benefits of windowing strategies, and the growing demand for broadcast-style procedurals.

From: Deadline

How Dad’s ‘Sea Hunt,’ ‘Combat’ & Sidney Poitier’s ‘For Love Of Ivy’ Forged Path For Beau Bridges: The Film That Lit My Fuse

With early credits, including My Three Sons, Rawhide, and his father's famous show, Sea Hunt, Beau Bridges has many stories to share. The 3-time Emmy winner, son of Lloyd Bridges and brother of Jeff Bridges, is 82 and shows no signs of slowing down. Surrounded by his grandchildren in Hawaii, Bridges is gearing up to release Camera on July 23, a heartwarming story of loss and healing. He also co-stars in CBS's Matlock this fall opposite Kathy Bates and has recent roles in Apple TV+'s Lessons in Chemistry and indie films The Neon Highway and Dreamin’ Wild. Bridges reflects on the influences that shaped his timeless career.

From: Deadline

Hollywood Execs, Including Betsy Beers, Talk Up Spanish Opportunities At Iberseries & Platino Industria Event – Watch

When ABC launched the period drama Still Star-Crossed in 2016, a precursor to Netflix’s Bridgerton, it was notably shot in Spain. Shondaland’s Betsy Beers, who executive produced the series, described filming in Spain as an "incredible experience" and expressed openness to returning for future projects. “If the opportunity to film in Spain arose, we would absolutely pursue it. The experience was fantastic, with a wealth of storytelling opportunities and a welcoming production environment,” she said.

From: Deadline

Tall Tudor tale

The Tudors might be an evergreen subject for historical dramas, but history is almost unrecognisable in the hands of My Lady Jane showrunners Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn. They explain how they created this dramatic alt-history series that imagines a different future for Lady Jane Grey. Dramas based on British royal history frequently draw from the Tudor period, best known for King Henry VIII and his six wives. Disney+ launched the murder mystery Shardlake, and the sequel to Wolf Hall, Wolf Hall: The Mirror & The Light, is on the horizon. The Tudors inspired an HBO series, Becoming Elizabeth, which explored the young monarch's formative years; The Spanish Princess followed Catherine of Aragon’s journey, and Anne Boleyn took the perspective of Henry’s doomed second wife.

From: Drama Quarterly

This AI Company Wants to Revolutionize How Dialogue Is Re-Dubbed Into Different Languages

Watching foreign language content dubbed in English can be uncomfortable due to mismatched mouth movements and awkward translations. Streaming platforms have brought more local-language film and TV, but the experience often feels like a trip to the Uncanny Valley. Enter Flawless, an AI-driven filmmaking studio founded in 2018 by directors Scott Mann and Nick Lynes. Their TrueSync tech offers impressive translations, making dubbed content more enjoyable.

From: Variety

Licensing Your Movie & TV Content for AI Training: Can You? Should You?

Constructing realistic audiovisual scenes from text descriptions represents a significant advancement in generative AI. Developers seeking video to train this AI have approached studios for film and TV content, but responses have been lukewarm. Consequently, AI companies will likely look to more minor yet significant film and TV libraries in the U.S. and abroad. Licensing training data offers an additional revenue stream for library owners, but it risks damaging relationships with creative collaborators whose work or persona is used in the AI model.

From: Variety

Government documents reveal how much profit ‘Strictly Ballroom’ really made

Strictly Ballroom was a defining hit for the Australian film industry in the 1990s, earning $21.7 million at the box office and launching Baz Luhrmann’s career. Despite this success, the government film agency’s profits were limited due to the Film Finance Corporation's decision to prioritise returns to private investors and the slow return of investments. The film premiered at Cannes in 1992, receiving a 15-minute standing ovation. Miramax bought North American rights for $2.5 million, with other international deals totalling over $2.75 million. While it grossed $21 million in Australia, international response was mixed, though it earned $11 million in North America.

From: IF

ZDF Studios’ Oliver Grundel On Animation Trends

An established co-production ecosystem and a relatively healthy group of public broadcasters are helping Europe's kids’ media sector navigate industry shifts. ZDF Studios is leveraging its robust lineup of established brands and new concepts to meet the needs of platforms that entertain and educate children worldwide. Oliver Grundel, Director Junior, shares his insights on current trends in European animation.

From: TV Kids

How ‘Thelma’ Became a Rare Sundance Breakout Success

"Thelma" (Magnolia), an action-comedy starring June Squibb as a nonagenarian phone scam victim, has grossed about $7.3 million in three weeks. While not a summer blockbuster, it's a hit in the specialised film world, potentially reaching $9-10 million domestically. Debuting at Sundance and generating immediate acquisition interest, Magnolia picked up “ Thelma, which usually doesn't handle mid-wide releases. Its success offers valuable lessons for distributors navigating the current challenging market.

From: IndieWire

Giona A. Nazzaro on Why Locarno’s Competition Features First Works Solely by Female Filmmakers and No U.S. Titles

New films from renowned directors like Hong Sang-soo, Wang Bing, and Ben Rivers will compete for the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. Artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro describes the lineup as “a mosaic that reflects the multiple forms of contemporary cinema.” Notably, all four debut films in the 17-title competition are directed by women.

From: Variety

Nobody Else Is Making Art Like Julio Torres

Friday nights at eleven are typically a dreaded slot for linear TV, yet for five weeks, that’s when Fantasmas airs. A surreal journey through New York with sets reminiscent of Dogtown and Gremlins 2: The New Batch, each episode explores a world where consciousness uploads to the cloud, Zappos joins the streaming wars, and Smurf-like creatures and demonic Pomeranians inhabit Grindr. Created, written, directed, and starring Julio Torres, known for his avant-garde SNL shorts and HBO projects, this absurdist series defies conventional programming. Hilarious and relevant, Fantasmas stand out in an era focused on franchises. Torres admits he’s unsure how he managed to get it on air.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

‘Sing Sing’ Filmmakers Paid Everyone On Set the Same, and Now Their New Company Wants to Do It Again

Hollywood is often accused of lacking original ideas, but filmmakers Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar are attempting something new in independent film financing. They directed, wrote, and produced two films—Sing Sing, out this weekend via A24, and 2021’s Jockey—using a model where everyone from PAs to the director and lead actors is paid the same wage and receives equity in the production. They are launching Ethos, a company aimed at helping other independent filmmakers adopt this equitable model.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Film and TV crews protest long hours, overnight shifts. ‘We are dying to entertain people’

Hollywood crew members gathered around a table with battery-operated candles inside plastic cups, sharing memories of late colleagues and expressing frustrations about working conditions. When a property assistant asked, "How many of you have had a near-miss driving home from work?" every hand in the Burbank parking lot shot up.

From: Los Angeles Times

The booming Turkish TV drama industry captures hearts and minds worldwide and boosts tourism

The global popularity of Turkish TV dramas, or dizi, has positioned Turkey as a leading exporter of television, enhancing its international image and attracting millions of viewers and tourists to its historical and cultural sites. This success has fueled a billion-dollar industry that continues to expand into new markets, significantly boosting Turkey’s soft power. Between 2020 and 2023, global demand for Turkish series increased by 184%, making Turkey one of the world's top TV show exporters, according to Parrot Analytics.

From: ABC News