Illegal downloads and streams are directly impacting the TV business, but how far are they changing the distribution models of tomorrow, and what can be done to stop the flow? Robert Shepherd reports The global TV industry has always faced major challenges. Whether it was uncertainty surrounding digital switchover, the ongoing lack of diversity on […]
The former executive producer and showrunner of Lost, Carlton Cuse, is returning to ABC through a multiyear deal. Cuse will develop new projects through his company Genre Arts, where he will be creating and collaborating with other writers for network, cable and streaming platforms. Genre Arts will be based on the Disney Studios lot, and […]
HBO’s Richard Plepler (left) and Michael Lombardo will headline the Banff World Media Festival. The industry confab, held in the Canadian Rockies in June, has HBO as its ‘company of distinction’ and Plepler, CEO and chairman of the premium cabler, will give a keynote address. Michael Lombardo, will also speak, in a session with Damon […]
US premium cable channel Epix looks set to push into original drama after hiring the former VP of production at Walt Disney Studios, Jocelyn Diaz. The exec will be executive VP, original programming at the MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount Pictures co-owned channel. This will see Epix pushing into original drama and comedy commissioning, placing it […]
Disney is rebranding its on-demand services as part of a wider initiative to have ‘ABC Studios’ as an umbrella brand for its content products and services. Catherine Powell, senior VP, Media Distribution, EMEA at The Walt Disney Company, told TBI that moving forward SVOD platforms that want Disney-distributed content will be sold it as part […]
FX has ordered Strain, a thirteen-part original series based upon the vampire book series by Guillermo del Toro. The series will follow a doctor heading up a disease control unit as a mysterious virus breaks out, infecting people with an ancient strain of vampirism. Production starts in Toronto next month and the US cable net […]
Turkish pay TV operator Digiturk has launched a new sci-fi channel, Dizimax Sci-Fi HD. The channel offers a raft of sci-fi series dubbed into Turkish or with Turkish/English subtitles and Digtiturk is offering customers the premium service free for a month. It has acquired a slew of new and classic sci fi series for the […]
Netflix went live today in the Netherlands, offering streamed access to its catalogue of movies and films for €7.99 per month. At launch the US-based VOD giant promised to offer “thousands of hours of entertainment,” including all episodes of its four original series that debuted this year and have not previously aired in the Netherlands […]
For a week in May the attention of the TV world is focused on Hollywood studios as they present their new shows to international buyers at the LA Screenings. While the acquisitions folk are spending time – and money – with the Majors, an increasing amount of high-end drama is coming out of the LA […]
With US cable series such as Hatfields & McCoys gaining traction with key demographics in the past year, broadcast networks have reacted with new comedies, reboots and spin offs and a shift toward short-run series for the new season. Jesse Whittock looks at how this will affect buyers at the LA Screenings. Laughter, it’s often […]
