Since launching an originals strategy in 2012, CNN has built a formula for its series and films that has repeatedly produced award-winning non-scripted programming. This formula, according to Amy Entelis, executive VP for talent and content development at CNN Worldwide, is based on building context for audiences as they encounter increasingly complex political and social […]
Senior producers and BBC Studios execs have spoken out about the public broadcaster’s plans to extend the 30-day iPlayer window into a full year, as BBC Two lags six months behind Amazon’s premiere date for big-budget co-production Good Omens. The future of the BBC’s catch-up service – where hit show Bodyguard racked up around 10.8m views […]
The growing influence of European series was evident at Berlinale’s fourth TV market, which hosted some of the biggest small-screen players, including Netflix – which, at times, received a less than desirable reception. Netflix was on the charm offensive at this year’s event, bringing titles to screen and a list of execs to schmooze with […]
Netflix knocked down the house this week, dishing out a record-breaking $10m for a high-profile doc on newly appointed US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, more commonly known as AOC – revealing a growing drive towards youth-targeting feature docs. The sale for Rachel Lear’s Knock Down The House out of Sundance last week is the most lucrative doc […]
A wealth of shiny digital entrants may well suggest TV is currently a supplier’s market, but this week’s Realscreen Summit has been an invaluable reminder that sustainable business models in the unscripted world are still lacking, particularly as stalwarts such as Discovery and Nat Geo endure major upheaval. “Old money” cable networks and broadcasters […]
The aftermath of rampant consolidation was in the spotlight at this week’s NATPE market, where the uptick in AVOD models, rights ownership and branding à la Netflix-Lifetime hit You dominated the discussion. Steven Cahall, senior analyst with RBC Capital Markets, said it best early on in the week: “If you don’t work for the four […]
As test partner to Freedive, the new ad-supported streamer from Amazon and IMDb, Endemol Shine hopes to replicate the success it has had with Amazon’s self-publishing Video Direct service, which has offered ESG’s titles ‘tens of millions of minutes’ of viewing time on a daily basis. Freedive launched in the US last week with a string […]
While some warn that the latest distribution merger to rock the landscape proves there is “less space” for boutique and mid-sized firms in a competitive climate, producers could stand to benefit in the short term with greater financial backing for projects and a new factual SVOD. Earlier this week, ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) – the […]
It has been exactly a year to the day since Disney revealed its proposed acquisition of 21st Century Fox – a landmark takeover that has, in many ways, laid the foundation for the tectonic shifts in the media landscape across 2018. Mega-mergers such as Discovery’s acquisition of Scripps, Comcast’s Sky takeover and AT&T’s Time Warner […]
At this week’s UBS Media and Communications conference, Netflix, WarnerMedia and CBS hit the headlines over that $100m licensing deal for Friends and talking up how they will stay competitive in the SVOD space, but here’s some bits you might have missed… Netflix Why its programming spend won’t stop for some time Netflix will reportedly spend near $13bn […]
