TBI’s 2020 Wrap: GloboPlay’s Ana Carolina Lima; ITVS’s Julian Bellamy; Starz’s Superna Kalle

As a tumultuous year for the industry draws to a close, TBI talks to execs from all corners of the world to get their thoughts on the past 12 months and what the year ahead might hold. This is the first instalment of a five-part series, which will run every day this week.

Julian Bellamy

Julian Bellamy, MD, ITV Studios

 What has been your favourite show of the year?

I absolutely loved The Last Dance on Netflix – an extraordinary piece of storytelling.

What has been the single biggest lesson you’ve learned in 2020 and why?

Less of a lesson, more of a reminder that people’s creativity, commitment and invention can overcome even the most extraordinary of challenges.

What are you most excited to see (industry-related) in 2021?

Our most loved shows back on air around the world and in all their full glory.

What keeps you awake at night?

Where the next big hit will come from.

Which country/region do you expect to flourish on the global stage next?

I suspect we’ll see an industry-wide power surge next year as months of pent up creativity get unleashed in multiple markets.

Which genre is set to boom in 2021?

“Makeability” will become the new watchword for buyers – watch out for a rise in game and quiz shows as a result.

Superna Kalle

Superna Kalle, EVP, Int’l Digital Networks, Starzplay

What has been your favorite show of the year?

Normal People was my favorite show of the year, without question. It was amazing the way the creative team translated the book onto the screen and the acting was phenomenal. It was just a fantastic show all around.

I also loved the The Undoing. Amazing acting. Cinematography. The coats. New York City. Hugh Grant. What’s not to love?

What has been the single biggest lesson you’ve learned in 2020 and why?

The single biggest lesson I’ve learned in 2020 is that resilience is critical. Different folks have different strengths and weaknesses and I think resilience is one of the greatest strengths a person can have.

What are you most excited to see (industry-related) in 2021?

I am excited to see the continued evolution of people moving from Pay TV to the SVOD environment. Also, I look forward to a little more normalcy in terms of viewing and theater experiences.

What keeps you awake at night?

This year has brought to the surface so many issues that our world faces and as it comes to an end, I honestly find myself awake at night thinking about things like the Covid crisis, income inequality and so much more.

Which country/region do you expect to flourish on the global stage next year?

I think this is the year of Brazil, at least for Starzplay. We are very excited about the growth that we’ve seen there so far. New distributors coming online and new content will create a thriving environment.

Which genre is set to boom in 2021?

For us I think we are really excited about local language programming across multiple genres – thrillers, docuseries and more. I also think sci-fi is coming back in a big way.

Ana Carolina Lima

Ana Carolina Lima, head of content, GloboPlay

What has been your favourite show of the year?

I fell in love with two very different shows this year – The Last Dance and Unorthodox, both from Netflix.

What has been the single biggest lesson you’ve learned in 2020 and why?

Opportunities arise when we least expect them, we need to be always attentive.

What are you most excited to see (industry-related) in 2021?

The most improbable alliances being made, alliances that we have never expected.

What keeps you awake at night?

Nothing.

Which country/region do you expect to flourish on the global stage next year?

Brazil.

Which genre is set to boom in 2021?

I would say fantasy and romance.