Advanced Television

Production

Apple TV+ orders World Surf League docu-series

Apple TV+ has ordered a new six-part documentary series from Box to Box Films and the World Surf League (WSL) that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the aspirations, failures and accomplishments of the world’s best surfers as they battle for the WSL Title and struggle to remain on the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT). […]

December 7, 2020

Mediaset wins La Liga highlights lawsuit

The Spanish Court Audiencia Nacional has sided with Mediaset in its four-year legal conflict with La Liga and ruled that the TV group has the right to air TV highlights and summaries of La Liga football matches. Following the ruling, Mediaset’s Tele 5 will be able to enter stadiums with its TV crew and equipment […]

December 4, 2020From David Del Valle in Madrid

Report: Record investment in UK drama

Increases in both co-commissions between traditional broadcasters and SVoDs, and in sole commissions, drove investment in British TV drama to a record £2.6 billion (€2.88bn) in 2019, according to a new report commissioned by COBA, the industry association for commercial broadcasters and on-demand services. Fuelling the growth, co-commissions surged by 17 per cent, from 30 […]

December 4, 2020By Colin Mann

Universal Music Group launches Mercury Studios

Universal Music Group (UMG), has announced the formation of Mercury Studios – a new multi-faceted content studio established to develop, produce, and invest in innovative, music-based storytelling. In addition to content development and production, Mercury Studios will include global film and television producer, Eagle Rock Entertainment (ERE) and build upon ERE’s award winning library that […]

December 4, 2020

Ford, Eurosport digital content partnership

Ford and Eurosport have revealed a new digital content partnership to explore the future of motorsport and bring to life the carmaker’s electrification promise across the continent. A new and exclusive series will showcase the innovations at the forefront of the changes in motorsport to ignite discussions about this transformation. Developed by multichannel programmer Discovery’s […]

November 27, 2020By Colin Mann

Channel 4 unveils Future4 digital-first strategy

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive of UK PSB Channel 4, has unveiled a new five-year strategy for the business, Future4 – which will accelerate its pivot to digital and significantly increase both streaming of Channel 4 content and new revenues. Channel 4 says this will underpin the organisation’s commercial self-sufficiency and its reach – ensuring Channel […]

November 26, 2020By Colin Mann

Netflix $1bn on UK production

Netflix is preparing to increase its spending budget on UK productions by more than 50 per cent to $1 billion (€0.84bn) in 2020. The streamer makes hit shows including The Crown, The Witcher and Sex Education in the UK, and has already produced over 50 TV shows and films in the UK this year alone, […]

November 25, 2020

Report: Record-breaking year for UK TV exports

The latest UK TV Exports report from Pact, the trade association representing the commercial interests of UK independent television, film, digital, children’s and animation media companies, shows that 2019/20 was another record-breaking year for UK TV exports, generating £1.48 billion, a 6 per cent year-on-year increase. Scripted drama – such as Chernobyl, His Dark Materials, […]

November 24, 2020

NENT Studios UK seeks new owner

NENT Studios UK, the London-based content development, production and distribution business currently owned by Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), is looking for a new owner. Richard Halliwell, NENT Studios UK’s CEO, is involved in the sale process which currently has expressions of interest from more than 20 UK and international businesses. NENT Group is divesting […]

November 23, 2020

Shutterstock launches production studio

Shutterstock has announced the official launch of Shutterstock Studios along with the hire of their new Head of Global Production, Aiden Darné. This new creative division extends Shutterstock’s offering by providing custom, high-quality content matched with production tools and services at scale. Shutterstock Studios delivers end-to-end custom creative services providing data-driven content strategy, full scale […]

November 20, 2020