Advanced Television

VOD

Apple TV+ greenlights Harriet the Spy

Apple has announced a series order for Harriet the Spy, the first animated adaptation of the iconic children’s novel. Hailing from The Jim Henson Company and Rehab Entertainment, Harriet the Spy will join the growing slate of content for kids and families on the Apple TV+ streaming platform. Set in 1960s New York when the […]

August 13, 2020By Nik Roseveare

Research: Pandemic-related viewing likely to stick

Findings from Hub Entertainment Research’s Predicting the Post-Pandemic study suggest that although pandemic-related increases in streaming, broadcast network, and YouTube viewing in the US are likely to persist after the crisis eases, one behaviour that has increased during the pandemic—video chats with friends and family—is at the top of the list of behaviours consumers will […]

August 12, 2020

Scorsese signs first-look deal with Apple

Legendary Hollywood director Martin Scorsese has signed a multi-year agreement with Apple to create exclusive film and TV projects for the Apple TV+ streaming service. The deal with Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions will include the recently acquired Killers Of The Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Nir, according to Deadline. Last year, Scorsese directed […]

August 12, 2020

A+E Networks to launch Lifetime-branded AVoD in NZ

A+E Networks International has signed a deal with New Zealand’s TVNZ for the launch of the first Lifetime-branded AVoD channel in the territory. Kicking off this month with forty Lifetime movie titles, TVNZ will add four new titles each month from Lifetime’s extensive library of globally relevant, high quality TV movies during the first year […]

August 12, 2020

WaterBear Network names leadership team

WaterBear Network, a new free interactive VoD platform dedicated to supporting life on earth, has unveiled its team of industry talent as it prepares for an autumn launch. A digital platform and mobile app, WaterBear will showcase award-winning documentaries, inspirational original content, live streaming – and most importantly, will facilitate awareness and action. With original […]

August 12, 2020

CuriosityStream merges to go public

CuriosityStream Inc and Software Acquisition Group, a public special purpose acquisition company, (SPAC), which raised $150 million in November of 2019, announced that they are merging to turn Curiosity Stream into a NASDAQ company. The announcement was made by John Hendricks, Chairman of CuriosityStream, and Jonathan Huberman, Chairman of Software Acquisition Group. The combined company […]

August 11, 2020

Peacock orders late-night series; MacGruber

Peacock, the NBCUniversal-owned US streaming platform, has announced a new weekly topical late-night series anchored by Amber Ruffin and Larry Wilmore. Each week The Amber Ruffin Show will showcase Ruffin’s smart take on the week’s news. Peacock has ordered nine half-hour episodes of the show which is set to launch in September. “Having a late-night […]

August 11, 2020

Analyst: OTT revenues hit $83bn

Global online TV episode and movie revenues reached $83 billion (€70.35bn) in 2019, climbing from $67 billion in 2018 and up by $50 billion on 2017, according to the OTT TV and Video Databook from analyst firm Digital TV Research. From the $16 billion additional

August 10, 2020

Netflix now available in Hindi

Netflix has launched its user interface in Hindi. The complete Netflix experience in Hindi, from sign-up to search rows, collections and payment, is available across all devices on mobile, TV and web. Netflix members can switch to the Hindi user interface from the Language option in the ‘Manage Profiles’ section on their desktop, TV or […]

August 10, 2020

Analyst: SVoD drives demand for LGBT+ content

Research from Ampere Analysis has revealed that the SVoD players are leading the way in commissioning LGBT+ content. Between Q1 2019 and Q2 2020, 12 commissioners globally ordered multiple LGBT+ movies or series. 80 per cent of those commissions were destined

August 10, 2020