Features


The script for AMC International

With consumers and the TV industry fixated on high-end drama, TBI speaks to the people behind the new international AMC channel about bringing its brand of scripted cool to market. When US-listed channels group AMC Networks stumped up US$1 billion for Chellomedia’s channel portfolio last October, AMC was already part of the plan. In August, […]

VR TV: virtually a reality

UK producer Atlantic has set up Alchemy VR, an experimental virtual reality studio. Atlantic boss Anthony Geffen and Phil Harper, creative director of Alchemy tell TBI about making VR into a commercial reality In July, UK producer Atlantic and its visual effects studio Zoo set up Alchemy VR, a virtual reality studio, which will make […]

Viewpoint: Katie O’Connell Marsh, CEO, Gaumont TV

The television landscape is changing. That we know for sure. With the rise of new platforms and independent studios entering into an already competitive marketplace, there is a plethora of content and new business models to explore. While this feeds commerce, it does not necessarily guarantee art. To me, the most exciting thing to emerge […]

A+E makes dramatic move with Studios

A+E launched A+E Studios just over a year ago to deliver premium scripted programming to its A&E, History and Lifetime brands, and now the company is taking that content international, its executive VP, Sean Cohan, tells Stewart Clarke. When History moved into scripted programming, it immediately hit its stride – The Bible, Vikings and Hatfields […]

HBO hangs hopes on Euro drama

HBO Europe has made a concerted push into both the local scripted and non-scripted markets. Jesse Whittock heads to Bucharest to hear about its drama series Umbre and future programing plans from executive VP, programming and production Antony Root Dangling metres above a yellow Bucharest taxi and suspended by a thick metal cable, the stuntman […]

The new vintage

The international kids TV market will soon be swamped by much-loved heritage brands that are set to relaunch. Jesse Whittock investigates whether looking to the past is the way to secure future TV hits Question: what do the years 1965, 1969, 1973, 1980, 1983 and 1997 have in common? Answer: they all represent years that […]

Capturing the Magic

Objective Productions Bafta-winning ‘Head of Magic’ Anthony Owen writes about the experience of capturing Derren Brown’s hit UK live tour ‘Infamous’ and the challenges of filming the impossible for TV. Filming magic for is a unique challenge unlike any other form. The 21st century viewing audience is now so familiar with the artifice and techniques […]

Danny Fenton’s postcard from Russia

Zig Zag founder Danny Fenton’s first experience of Russia included horrible hotel rooms and excellent opportunities for coproduction and format deals, despite the political situation and the local pay TV advertising crisis. At the time when I was invited to join the Pact / UKTI-sponsored trip to Russia it seemed like a great opportunity to […]

Signs of the Zodiak

In his first interview since becoming Zodiak Media’s CEO, Marc-Antoine d’Halluin outlines his plan to turn its group of worldwide production companies and studios into a unified confederation, while putting international format development at the heart of the business. Jesse Whittock reports. With an office perched at the summit of a west London business village, […]

Viewpoint: Coming up next… consolidation

Simon Murray, Digital TV Research Few were surprised by BSkyB’s announcement in late July that it wanted to buy 21st Century Fox’s stakes in Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland – the three companies have been cooperating for some time. Several ex-Sky senior managers work in Germany and Italy, while the firms share the same technologies. […]