TBI’s 2024 Predictions: Tim Mutimer, CEO Rights, Cineflix Media

By Tim Mutimer 9th January 2024

Tim Mutimer (Source: Cineflix Media)

2024 is set to be a pivotal year for the global content industry, so TBI has enlisted some of the biggest names in the business to share their thoughts on the major trends of the next 12 months and how they’re going to capitalise on them.

Here, Tim Mutimer, CEO Rights, Cineflix Media, talks FAST growth, the rise of AI and US mega-mergers in the year ahead.

What is the biggest growth area for your company this year?

During 2023 we launched five FAST channels – a mix of single brand channels like Property Brothers and American Pickers – and genre channels like Real Disaster Channel. They are providing a significant route to increasing revenue from our producer partners’ IP, and 2024 will be when we start to benefit commercially from our busy year of launch activity. We will continue to launch new channels in 2024, and also expect to see further growth in AVOD as we look to maximise the digital exploitation of our large catalogue.

We will continue our growth in scripted with new series such as So Long, Marianne and Virdee launching alongside returning seasons of existing hits. We’re also building our slate into new genres with comedies and straight dramas sitting alongside our strong crime offering.

What is the key trend going to be in 2024?

2024 will be another tough year for producers, in particular those in the UK relying on terrestrial broadcasters. Financing shows through pre-sales, co-productions, tax breaks, and other funding opportunities will be more important than ever – both for scripted and unscripted productions – which means the know-how distributors can provide will be essential to content creators.

We expect FAST to grow in 2024, in particular in more nascent markets (outside of the US) where that growth curve might be steeper. It will also be interesting to see what shakes down with the revival of drama production post strikes and the impact on factual budgets and commissions.

What is your New Year’s resolution and why?
Be bold and seize the opportunities we have as the UK’s largest independent distributor!

What will be the biggest headline (not involving your own company) in 2024 and why?

In the industry, a final resolution to the All3Media sale process will be big news. Once that’s done, further mega-mergers could be on the table involving the big US verticals and perhaps commercial broadcasters in Europe merging or changing ownership. And of course the impact of AI on our industry and the wider world will continue to make headlines.

What show are you most looking forward to in 2024?

I’m looking forward to HBO’s new miniseries The Regime, starring Kate Winslet.

Read more from TBI’s 2024 Predictions

Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios

Nomsa Philiso, CEO of general entertainment, MultiChoice Group

Marina Williams, co-CEO, Asacha Media Group

Kate Beal, founder & CEO, Woodcut Media

James Burstall, CEO, Argonon

Julian Bellamy, MD, ITV Studios

Daria Leygonie-Fialko, founder, Space Production

Rob Wade, CEO, Fox Entertainment

Frank Spotnitz, CEO, Big Light Productions