Amazon


MGM+ moves forward with ‘Emperor Of Ocean Park’

Amazon-owned streamer MGM+ is moving forward with Emperor Of Ocean Park, an adaptation of Stephen L Carter’s novel of the same name. The 10-part thriller, which was first announced as being in development in January, is being written and executive produced by Sherman Payne and produced by John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Set […]

Amazon strikes Lionsgate pact ahead of relaunching MGM streamer in Europe

Amazon is relaunching MGM’s international streaming service across Europe and is stocking it with shows including Mad Men, the Power franchise and Black Sails after striking a far-reaching pact with Lionsgate. The move, which follows the launch of MGM+ in the US in January, will see Amazon roll out an MGM+ International branded streamer in […]

Amazon takes 1999 movie ‘Cruel Intentions’ to series

Amazon has ordered an adaptation of 1999 movie Cruel Intentions. The eight-part series is being produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon Studios and Original Film, the banner of Neal H. Moritz who produced the movie. Phoebe Foster and Sara Goodman are writing. The show is to be set at a college in Washington DC and […]

TBI Weekly: Nine factual takeaways from Fipadoc in Biarritz

French broadcasters were out in force at Fipadoc last week in Biarritz, with true crime, miniseries, impact docs and history shows emerging as the major trends. The troubles of the world also invited themselves, writes Marie-Agnès Bruneau. Although 2023 might be only one month in, demand for quality factual programming is only increasing. Traditional broadcasters […]

News round-up: Amazon picks up Witherspoon comedy; Fox courts ‘Farmer Wants A Wife’; HBO Max renews ‘Sex Lives of College Girls’  

Amazon picks up Witherspoon comedy Amazon has handed a two-season order to half-hour comedy series All Stars from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Witherspoon will star and executive produce the series, which follows a former cheerleader from the US who travels to UK to teach at coastal school. “I’ve been looking for a project that brought […]

Amazon global media & entertainment chief Jeff Blackburn set to retire

Amazon veteran Jeff Blackburn, who is currently the retailer’s SVP of global media & entertainment, is to retire in January. Blackburn has been with the US giant for more than 20 years and took up his most current remit, which covered oversight of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, last year following a sabbatical. He also […]

Amazon eyes deal for troubled French streamer Salto

Amazon is reportedly interested in acquiring troubled French streaming platform Salto, according to reports. Following an expression of interest by Canal+ in Salto, Amazon has let it be known to broadcaster TF1 and M6 that it is also interested in a potential acquisition, according to specialist news site La Lettre A. Amazon already distributes Salto […]

MGM’s Mark Burnett steps down following Amazon’s $8.5bn acquisition

MGM topper Mark Burnett is stepping down from the company, six months after its $8.5bn acquisition by Amazon. Burnett, who had been chairman of MGM’s Worldwide Television Group, will continue to work on some of the company’s longest running shows, including Survivor for CBS, The Voice for NBC and Shark Tank for ABC. However, he […]

TBI Weekly: Five reasons why unscripted is the global trend

As the global demand for high quality documentaries and factual formats continues to rise, Mark Layton looks back on some of the week’s developments that point to a booming unscripted sector With crew shortages and rising production costs currently plaguing the scripted sector, those working on the unscripted side of the business are finding plenty […]