Paramount Names Australia/New Zealand Chief
Paramount Global has named Beverley McGarvey President of Network 10, Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately. This comes after the exit of the UK-based Maria Kyriacou, Paramount’s former President of Broadcast and Studios, who counted Australia among her responsibilities. It also follows a local restructure that saw the departure of Executive VP, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Regional Lead Jarrod Villani. McGarvey, previously EVP, Chief Content Officer and Head of Paramount+ Anz, will now report to Pam Kaufman, President & CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products and Experiences. Kaufman said Australia was one of Paramount’s “most important, priority markets,” with McGarvey’s promotion reflecting that fact. McGarvey will have commercial and creative leadership of Paramount’s business in Australia, with oversight of Network 10 and its portfolio of brands, including streamer 10 Play. She will also retain her current duties,...
Paramount Global has named Beverley McGarvey President of Network 10, Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately. This comes after the exit of the UK-based Maria Kyriacou, Paramount’s former President of Broadcast and Studios, who counted Australia among her responsibilities. It also follows a local restructure that saw the departure of Executive VP, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Regional Lead Jarrod Villani. McGarvey, previously EVP, Chief Content Officer and Head of Paramount+ Anz, will now report to Pam Kaufman, President & CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products and Experiences. Kaufman said Australia was one of Paramount’s “most important, priority markets,” with McGarvey’s promotion reflecting that fact. McGarvey will have commercial and creative leadership of Paramount’s business in Australia, with oversight of Network 10 and its portfolio of brands, including streamer 10 Play. She will also retain her current duties,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock, Max Goldbart and Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Sarah Rose has been upped to president of Channel 5, the Paramount-owned broadcaster confirmed today.
In the role Rose will also be U.K. regional lead, overseeing both Channel 5 and its streamer platform My5 as well as the company’s local pay TV brands.
The news follows last week’s announcement that Maria Kyriacou was stepping down as Paramount Global president after four years.
Rose joined Paramount in 2020 from rival U.K. network Channel 4, where she was chief consumer and strategy officer. At Channel 4 she oversaw the channel’s move into free streaming while at Channel 5 she helped launch the company’s Canadian streaming services. During her twenty-year television career she has worked across all three of the U.K.’s largest commercial PSBs.
Chief content officer Ben Frow will remain in his role, reporting to Rose and George Cheeks while EVP and head of international advertising sales...
In the role Rose will also be U.K. regional lead, overseeing both Channel 5 and its streamer platform My5 as well as the company’s local pay TV brands.
The news follows last week’s announcement that Maria Kyriacou was stepping down as Paramount Global president after four years.
Rose joined Paramount in 2020 from rival U.K. network Channel 4, where she was chief consumer and strategy officer. At Channel 4 she oversaw the channel’s move into free streaming while at Channel 5 she helped launch the company’s Canadian streaming services. During her twenty-year television career she has worked across all three of the U.K.’s largest commercial PSBs.
Chief content officer Ben Frow will remain in his role, reporting to Rose and George Cheeks while EVP and head of international advertising sales...
- 2/6/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount+ has yanked a raft of international originals from its service along with several big-ticket acquired series.
Numerous English-language originals disappeared overnight last week, as the U.S. conglom’s strategy shift towards more Hollywood-style content and lower costs played out in real time. Other series that had been tipped for second seasons will not return.
Subscribers were left perplexed as shows vanished, and voiced bewilderment and frustration on X and elsewhere online. The removed shows have been taken off the streaming service in all territories.
Samantha Morton-starrer The Burning Girls and One Night, the Australia-set drama with Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, have disappeared from the streamer. Likewise, Eleventh Hour Films-produced The Killing Kind, based on the book of the same name, and thriller The Serial Killer’s Wife, have been pulled.
The Doll Factory, the adaptation of the bestselling novel from Marcella producer Buccaneer, has also come down.
Numerous English-language originals disappeared overnight last week, as the U.S. conglom’s strategy shift towards more Hollywood-style content and lower costs played out in real time. Other series that had been tipped for second seasons will not return.
Subscribers were left perplexed as shows vanished, and voiced bewilderment and frustration on X and elsewhere online. The removed shows have been taken off the streaming service in all territories.
Samantha Morton-starrer The Burning Girls and One Night, the Australia-set drama with Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, have disappeared from the streamer. Likewise, Eleventh Hour Films-produced The Killing Kind, based on the book of the same name, and thriller The Serial Killer’s Wife, have been pulled.
The Doll Factory, the adaptation of the bestselling novel from Marcella producer Buccaneer, has also come down.
- 2/5/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
This week saw a “Black Monday” for the TV industry due to the proposed layoffs at Channel 4 and Paramount, according to storied The Office and It Crowd producer Ash Atalla.
Atalla predicted there will be “less” shows made this year, “not more,” and that freelancers are “hurting” due to the industry slowdown, compounded by the redundancy plans.
On Monday, Channel 4, for which Atalla’s Roughcut TV has made a wealth of shows down the years including current hit Big Boys, announced it will be laying off around 240 staff as part of a ‘Fast Forward’ strategy, which will see Film4 and TV drama commissioning merged. Channel 5-owner Paramount, meanwhile, is prepping to make hundreds of layoffs in the States and UK-based international studios boss Maria Kyriacou is leaving.
“Yesterday felt like a ‘Black Monday’ in the world of TV,” Atalla said last night on a Royal Television Society panel.
Atalla predicted there will be “less” shows made this year, “not more,” and that freelancers are “hurting” due to the industry slowdown, compounded by the redundancy plans.
On Monday, Channel 4, for which Atalla’s Roughcut TV has made a wealth of shows down the years including current hit Big Boys, announced it will be laying off around 240 staff as part of a ‘Fast Forward’ strategy, which will see Film4 and TV drama commissioning merged. Channel 5-owner Paramount, meanwhile, is prepping to make hundreds of layoffs in the States and UK-based international studios boss Maria Kyriacou is leaving.
“Yesterday felt like a ‘Black Monday’ in the world of TV,” Atalla said last night on a Royal Television Society panel.
- 1/31/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Maria Kyriacou, Paramount Global’s President, Broadcast & Studios, International Markets, is exiting the U.S. studio after four years, as it prepares to slim down its international originals offerings.
Paramount international boss Pam Kaufman and CBS CEO George Cheeks have emailed staff in the past few minutes announcing the news, stressing that international content strategy is now “focusing more heavily on our Hollywood franchises, films and series, which have mass global appeal,” coming after head honcho Bob Bakish detailed strategy yesterday.
Kyriacou will not be replaced externally. CBS Studios President David Stapf will take on her Paramount Television International Studios (Ptis) remit, and local leaders will continue overseeing international free-to-air networks.
Kyriacou’s last day is today, but she will continue working with the team until March. She joined from ITV Studios in 2019 to oversee the UK, Australia, Canada and Israel and most recently has been leading Ptis along with Channel 5,...
Paramount international boss Pam Kaufman and CBS CEO George Cheeks have emailed staff in the past few minutes announcing the news, stressing that international content strategy is now “focusing more heavily on our Hollywood franchises, films and series, which have mass global appeal,” coming after head honcho Bob Bakish detailed strategy yesterday.
Kyriacou will not be replaced externally. CBS Studios President David Stapf will take on her Paramount Television International Studios (Ptis) remit, and local leaders will continue overseeing international free-to-air networks.
Kyriacou’s last day is today, but she will continue working with the team until March. She joined from ITV Studios in 2019 to oversee the UK, Australia, Canada and Israel and most recently has been leading Ptis along with Channel 5,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Combines Streamers Pluto & My5 In UK
Paramount is to combine its AVoD platform Pluto TV with BVoD My5 in the UK. In a move that could be the precursor to the breaking down of barriers between AVoD and BVoD, the new streamer will launch in the market in the second half of next year, with more details coming in the next few months. The platform will combine My5’s collection of Paramount UK network Channel 5’s content such as All Creatures Great and Small with Pluto, which carries numerous Fast Channels. Pluto has recently expanded annual revenue beyond $1B, according to Paramount, and is available in 35 markets. Fast once again dominated much of the chatter at Mipcom Cannes and Paramount Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer Jeff Shultz spoke at the confab’s now-annual Fast Summit. “As we look ahead to an IP-delivered future, this is...
Paramount is to combine its AVoD platform Pluto TV with BVoD My5 in the UK. In a move that could be the precursor to the breaking down of barriers between AVoD and BVoD, the new streamer will launch in the market in the second half of next year, with more details coming in the next few months. The platform will combine My5’s collection of Paramount UK network Channel 5’s content such as All Creatures Great and Small with Pluto, which carries numerous Fast Channels. Pluto has recently expanded annual revenue beyond $1B, according to Paramount, and is available in 35 markets. Fast once again dominated much of the chatter at Mipcom Cannes and Paramount Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer Jeff Shultz spoke at the confab’s now-annual Fast Summit. “As we look ahead to an IP-delivered future, this is...
- 11/1/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Global will combine its free streaming services Pluto TV and My5, the video-on-demand service of British broadcaster Channel 5, in the U.K. next year.
The entertainment conglomerate said on Wednesday that the move will bring together broadcast video-on-demand (Bvod) service My5 “with its leading Fast service Pluto TV to bring audiences in the U.K. a supersized, free streaming service in 2024.” It called the U.K. a “critical market.”
The launch is planned for the second half of next year. “Further details on the brand and product will be announced in early 2024,” Paramount said on Wednesday.
However, it promised “an extensive range of new, exclusive and archived content from Channel 5, as well as an extensive on-demand section and an outstanding collection of curated Fast channels from Pluto TV.” And it highlighted: “The product, which will leverage Pluto TV’s best-in-class technology platform, will combine Bvod, Fast, AVOD and live TV all at once,...
The entertainment conglomerate said on Wednesday that the move will bring together broadcast video-on-demand (Bvod) service My5 “with its leading Fast service Pluto TV to bring audiences in the U.K. a supersized, free streaming service in 2024.” It called the U.K. a “critical market.”
The launch is planned for the second half of next year. “Further details on the brand and product will be announced in early 2024,” Paramount said on Wednesday.
However, it promised “an extensive range of new, exclusive and archived content from Channel 5, as well as an extensive on-demand section and an outstanding collection of curated Fast channels from Pluto TV.” And it highlighted: “The product, which will leverage Pluto TV’s best-in-class technology platform, will combine Bvod, Fast, AVOD and live TV all at once,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Britain’s public service broadcasters (PSBs) are developing a new free TV service that will deliver live TV over broadband.
Set for launch in 2024, the service, called Freely, will allow viewers to browse and watch live TV channels together with on-demand content streamed to their smart TV via the internet. Freely will be built-in to the next generation of smart TVs and feature a lineup of public service broadcaster content and other free-to-air channels. It will replicate the terrestrial TV experience, building on the heritage and popularity of the Freeview TV platform, currently used in 16 million homes.
The initiative is being developed by Everyone TV, the organization which runs free TV in the U.K. and is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: “This new development is a reflection of the fact that a growing number of U.K.
Set for launch in 2024, the service, called Freely, will allow viewers to browse and watch live TV channels together with on-demand content streamed to their smart TV via the internet. Freely will be built-in to the next generation of smart TVs and feature a lineup of public service broadcaster content and other free-to-air channels. It will replicate the terrestrial TV experience, building on the heritage and popularity of the Freeview TV platform, currently used in 16 million homes.
The initiative is being developed by Everyone TV, the organization which runs free TV in the U.K. and is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: “This new development is a reflection of the fact that a growing number of U.K.
- 9/17/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Creative Diversity Network’s sixth annual report on inclusivity in the U.K. TV industry reveals a generally sorry state of affairs with some sparks of progress.
The report analyzes data collected through the Diamond diversity monitoring system, used by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount (which owns U.K. broadcaster Channel 5), UKTV and Sky to obtain consistent diversity data on programs they commission, revealing several areas of concern within the industry, particularly in off-screen and senior roles.
A significant finding is that women are making fewer contributions compared to four years ago, primarily due to a decline in senior roles. The number of female writers and directors remains alarmingly low, contributing to the overall decrease. Disabled individuals and individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (Bame) backgrounds also continue to be underrepresented in senior positions, while craft roles remain largely segregated.
Except for the role of commissioning editor,...
The report analyzes data collected through the Diamond diversity monitoring system, used by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount (which owns U.K. broadcaster Channel 5), UKTV and Sky to obtain consistent diversity data on programs they commission, revealing several areas of concern within the industry, particularly in off-screen and senior roles.
A significant finding is that women are making fewer contributions compared to four years ago, primarily due to a decline in senior roles. The number of female writers and directors remains alarmingly low, contributing to the overall decrease. Disabled individuals and individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (Bame) backgrounds also continue to be underrepresented in senior positions, while craft roles remain largely segregated.
Except for the role of commissioning editor,...
- 7/6/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Global has unveiled a name change and new mission for its international studios operation, Paramount Television International Studios. Maria Kyriacou, the executive overseeing the division, said the business will now focus its work on scripted content that can help “accelerate growth for Paramount+.”
The former ITV Studios president of international was hired by what was then Viacom in late 2019, before its merger with CBS closed, as president of U.K., Northern and Eastern Europe based in London. She started post-merger in early 2020, with her role changing to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization. Last year, the conglomerate changed its name to Paramount Global, and CEO Bob Bakish’s new mandate was for a closer alignment of global teams and streamlined operations: global mindset, local execution.
With that in mind, Kyriacou now oversees studios and broadcast operations outside the U.S.
The former ITV Studios president of international was hired by what was then Viacom in late 2019, before its merger with CBS closed, as president of U.K., Northern and Eastern Europe based in London. She started post-merger in early 2020, with her role changing to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization. Last year, the conglomerate changed its name to Paramount Global, and CEO Bob Bakish’s new mandate was for a closer alignment of global teams and streamlined operations: global mindset, local execution.
With that in mind, Kyriacou now oversees studios and broadcast operations outside the U.S.
- 5/18/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The heads of Britain’s four main public service broadcasters gave their verdicts on the current industry climate and the future of PSBs at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference in London on Thursday afternoon.
The BBC’s director general Tim Davie, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon and Maria Kyriacou, Paramount Global’s president of international broadcast and studios (which oversees Channel 5), spoke on a variety of topics including the Media Bill, digital supremacy and even slug sex.
Read on for some more highlights from the panel:
Tim Davie, BBC
“I think we now have cast iron evidence that, far from simply managing decline in the digital age, this is a time when Psb is not only needed more than ever, but, with the right support, can and should thrive.”
“We face a global crisis on our watch… Which in turn is an...
The BBC’s director general Tim Davie, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon and Maria Kyriacou, Paramount Global’s president of international broadcast and studios (which oversees Channel 5), spoke on a variety of topics including the Media Bill, digital supremacy and even slug sex.
Read on for some more highlights from the panel:
Tim Davie, BBC
“I think we now have cast iron evidence that, far from simply managing decline in the digital age, this is a time when Psb is not only needed more than ever, but, with the right support, can and should thrive.”
“We face a global crisis on our watch… Which in turn is an...
- 5/18/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
As Paramount Global refocuses its operations on a global mindset and local execution, it’s unveiling a new name and mission for its studios operations across markets that will now concentrate on high-end scripted content that can drive growth at Paramount+.
Led by Maria Kyriacou, president, broadcast & studios, international markets at Paramount Global, the company’s studios business outside the U.S. will now be known as Paramount Television International Studios (Ptis). That name replaces the ViacomCBS International Studio (Vis) brand that the company had kept following the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS. The operation is set to have a closer relationship and alignment with the wider Paramount Studios organization.
“Our goal is to deliver on the strategic priorities of our business and accelerate growth for Paramount+, creating premium scripted content that reflects the cultures and experiences of our diverse international audiences,” said Kyriacou in an internal memo. “Working in...
Led by Maria Kyriacou, president, broadcast & studios, international markets at Paramount Global, the company’s studios business outside the U.S. will now be known as Paramount Television International Studios (Ptis). That name replaces the ViacomCBS International Studio (Vis) brand that the company had kept following the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS. The operation is set to have a closer relationship and alignment with the wider Paramount Studios organization.
“Our goal is to deliver on the strategic priorities of our business and accelerate growth for Paramount+, creating premium scripted content that reflects the cultures and experiences of our diverse international audiences,” said Kyriacou in an internal memo. “Working in...
- 5/18/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount, which is a rare Fortune 500 company with a majority of female board members, has been trying to make good on its promise to put a spotlight on gender equity by making it part of regular company life by providing ongoing initiatives and adding new opportunities for debate and networking for employees, as well as showcasing programming that highlights the topic of gender equity to its TV and streaming audiences.
The message to staff: gender equity must and will be a continuous focus rather than an issue getting attention only once a year, such as on March 8’s International Women’s Day.
“I could not be prouder of the work we are doing across Paramount to fight for equity with respect to gender and overall diversity to ensure that all our employees feel empowered at work to share their ideas and their perspectives,” Redstone tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Advancing the...
The message to staff: gender equity must and will be a continuous focus rather than an issue getting attention only once a year, such as on March 8’s International Women’s Day.
“I could not be prouder of the work we are doing across Paramount to fight for equity with respect to gender and overall diversity to ensure that all our employees feel empowered at work to share their ideas and their perspectives,” Redstone tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Advancing the...
- 3/8/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Paramount Global is shuttering the UK unscripted division of its international production arm, which makes the likes of Catfish UK and True Life Crime.
We hear around 20 roles will be impacted at Viacom International Studios (Vis) UK, and that March 31 has been earmarked as the date for closure. Paramount declined to comment.
Related Story Paramount Global Shares Dip As Q4 Ad Sales Fall, Streaming Costs Rise; Paramount+ Adds 9.9 Million Subs; Film Bright On ‘Smile’ Related Story Paramount+ To Boost Prices After Showtime Merge, Paramount Global Will Take Up To 1.5 Billion Q1 Content Charge Related Story Les Moonves Lies, Shari Pushes, Philippe Dauman Falls, Sumner Steals His Grandson's Girlfriend And Other Tales In New Book On The Redstones
The news comes as Paramount is shifting its international production focus to high-end scripted. As such, several UK-based Paramount TV studio execs working shows such as Paramount+’s big budget Sexy Beast...
We hear around 20 roles will be impacted at Viacom International Studios (Vis) UK, and that March 31 has been earmarked as the date for closure. Paramount declined to comment.
Related Story Paramount Global Shares Dip As Q4 Ad Sales Fall, Streaming Costs Rise; Paramount+ Adds 9.9 Million Subs; Film Bright On ‘Smile’ Related Story Paramount+ To Boost Prices After Showtime Merge, Paramount Global Will Take Up To 1.5 Billion Q1 Content Charge Related Story Les Moonves Lies, Shari Pushes, Philippe Dauman Falls, Sumner Steals His Grandson's Girlfriend And Other Tales In New Book On The Redstones
The news comes as Paramount is shifting its international production focus to high-end scripted. As such, several UK-based Paramount TV studio execs working shows such as Paramount+’s big budget Sexy Beast...
- 2/16/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Nearly 30 people are set to be hit by layoffs at CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios, which will be merged with Paramount+’s scripted team, an individual with knowledge confirmed to TheWrap.
Back in October, George Cheeks, president and CEO at CBS and chief content officer of News & Sports at Paramount+ took over the shepherding of both studios. At the time, Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish alluded that Paramount TV Studios, headed by president Nicole Clemens, and CBS Studios, led by president David Stapf, would work in conjunction with one another.
Per an internal memo from Cheeks’ office, obtained by TheWrap, CBS Studios and Ptvs are remaining largely intact and independent from each other, though department heads will “support and work across” both brands in the spirit of “healthy collaboration.”
Also Read:
‘Tulsa King’ Scores Early Season 2 Renewal at Paramount+
“To reiterate, this new structure will feature two independently operated...
Back in October, George Cheeks, president and CEO at CBS and chief content officer of News & Sports at Paramount+ took over the shepherding of both studios. At the time, Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish alluded that Paramount TV Studios, headed by president Nicole Clemens, and CBS Studios, led by president David Stapf, would work in conjunction with one another.
Per an internal memo from Cheeks’ office, obtained by TheWrap, CBS Studios and Ptvs are remaining largely intact and independent from each other, though department heads will “support and work across” both brands in the spirit of “healthy collaboration.”
Also Read:
‘Tulsa King’ Scores Early Season 2 Renewal at Paramount+
“To reiterate, this new structure will feature two independently operated...
- 11/30/2022
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Paramount wants to increasingly approach its networks, streamers and other assets with a truly global mindset. The conglomerate is working to structure reporting lines within the organization with that in mind — rather than relying on traditional regional clusters — and executives are now sharing additional details of that strategy.
For example, “piloting” content from international businesses locally, such as in Britain, with an eye on a possible expansion into other markets, including the U.S., is now a regular goal. “I was talking to Ben Frow who runs programming for [U.K. broadcast network] Channel 5,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish told The Hollywood Reporter. “His thesis is … the real opportunity is about piloting in the U.K. as a step towards a global franchise, not necessarily trying to launch a global franchise out of the gate,” which has often proven difficult.
He pointed to CBS’ season 2 of the BBC remake Ghosts.
Paramount wants to increasingly approach its networks, streamers and other assets with a truly global mindset. The conglomerate is working to structure reporting lines within the organization with that in mind — rather than relying on traditional regional clusters — and executives are now sharing additional details of that strategy.
For example, “piloting” content from international businesses locally, such as in Britain, with an eye on a possible expansion into other markets, including the U.S., is now a regular goal. “I was talking to Ben Frow who runs programming for [U.K. broadcast network] Channel 5,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish told The Hollywood Reporter. “His thesis is … the real opportunity is about piloting in the U.K. as a step towards a global franchise, not necessarily trying to launch a global franchise out of the gate,” which has often proven difficult.
He pointed to CBS’ season 2 of the BBC remake Ghosts.
- 11/22/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Royal Television Society (Rts) annual convention, which took place all day Thursday (Sept. 27) in London, U.K., brought together some of television’s biggest hitters including Warner Discovery, Disney, Sky, ITV and BBC.
The title – and theme – of this year’s convention was “The Fight For Attention” and the broadcasters and content creators discussed challenges, strategy and sustainability, especially in the shadow of a looming recession.
Content is King
Undoubtedly, content is still the most important factor for broadcasters, streamers and viewers alike. “Content is still probably the most – for sure, in my opinion – the most important [factor],” in terms of consumer choice, said Warner Bros Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler, who said that as well as continuing to invest in local content the company was of course investing in franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and more. Unsurprisingly, Jan Koeppen, president of IP powerhouse The Walt Disney Company Emea,...
The title – and theme – of this year’s convention was “The Fight For Attention” and the broadcasters and content creators discussed challenges, strategy and sustainability, especially in the shadow of a looming recession.
Content is King
Undoubtedly, content is still the most important factor for broadcasters, streamers and viewers alike. “Content is still probably the most – for sure, in my opinion – the most important [factor],” in terms of consumer choice, said Warner Bros Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler, who said that as well as continuing to invest in local content the company was of course investing in franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and more. Unsurprisingly, Jan Koeppen, president of IP powerhouse The Walt Disney Company Emea,...
- 9/27/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Major European streaming and media bosses have debated how best to help viewers navigate the overwhelming content choice out there in today’s TV landscape, as they talked up the future of AVoD and Fast channels at the Rts London event today.
Stephen van Rooyen, Comcast-owned Sky’s Executive Vice President and CEO, UK & Europe, said media companies have “created problems for consumers” with this abundance of choice.
It is these companies’ responsibility, he added, to help audiences find the shows they crave. He pushed partners to work together, citing the success of Sky and HBO’s marketing of global mega-hit House of the Dragon.
“The truth about the modern media economy is it’s highly fragmented,” he added. “Everything is all over the place. It’s nice to believe that you can monopolize whatever service you have to the fullness of [audience’s] time but the reality is you can’t just do that.
Stephen van Rooyen, Comcast-owned Sky’s Executive Vice President and CEO, UK & Europe, said media companies have “created problems for consumers” with this abundance of choice.
It is these companies’ responsibility, he added, to help audiences find the shows they crave. He pushed partners to work together, citing the success of Sky and HBO’s marketing of global mega-hit House of the Dragon.
“The truth about the modern media economy is it’s highly fragmented,” he added. “Everything is all over the place. It’s nice to believe that you can monopolize whatever service you have to the fullness of [audience’s] time but the reality is you can’t just do that.
- 9/27/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
President of Paramount International Studios Raffaele Annecchino has been placed on leave from the company effective immediately, though no official reason behind the move was given.
“Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, president, Paramount international studios, networks and streaming, is on leave from the company,” Paramount said in a statement.
Representatives for Paramount Global did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read:
Paramount Promotes Shauna Phelan and Zack Olin to Executive VP Roles for Nickelodeon
Annecchino will be replaced on an interim basis by a collection of Paramount executives, according to the announcement. These leaders include Jc Acosta; Maria Kyriacou; and Mark Specht.
Annecchino has been one of the driving forces behind the continued overseas expansion of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. He is considered a long-time member of Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish’s inner circle. Yet there remains no word as to why the long-time company man was sidelined.
“Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, president, Paramount international studios, networks and streaming, is on leave from the company,” Paramount said in a statement.
Representatives for Paramount Global did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read:
Paramount Promotes Shauna Phelan and Zack Olin to Executive VP Roles for Nickelodeon
Annecchino will be replaced on an interim basis by a collection of Paramount executives, according to the announcement. These leaders include Jc Acosta; Maria Kyriacou; and Mark Specht.
Annecchino has been one of the driving forces behind the continued overseas expansion of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. He is considered a long-time member of Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish’s inner circle. Yet there remains no word as to why the long-time company man was sidelined.
- 6/15/2022
- by Brandon Katz
- The Wrap
Paramount Global’s International CEO Raffaele Annecchino has been placed “on leave,” according to an internal note seen by Deadline.
A short statement revealed the exec, who is considered to be a key lieutenant of Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish in Europe, was no longer in post but provided no further details of the situation. “Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, President, Paramount International Studios, Networks and Streaming, is on leave from the company,” the note read.
Annecchino will be replaced in the interim by Jc Acosta, President, International Studios, Streaming and Networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa; Maria Kyriacou, President, Australia, Canada, Israel and UK; and Mark Specht, Executive VP and Managing Director, Central and Northern Europe and Asia, the memo notes.
Annecchino has been leading the role out of Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Europe, recently handing Marco Nobili and Olivier Jollet key new roles to turbo-charge the expansion.
A short statement revealed the exec, who is considered to be a key lieutenant of Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish in Europe, was no longer in post but provided no further details of the situation. “Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, President, Paramount International Studios, Networks and Streaming, is on leave from the company,” the note read.
Annecchino will be replaced in the interim by Jc Acosta, President, International Studios, Streaming and Networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa; Maria Kyriacou, President, Australia, Canada, Israel and UK; and Mark Specht, Executive VP and Managing Director, Central and Northern Europe and Asia, the memo notes.
Annecchino has been leading the role out of Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Europe, recently handing Marco Nobili and Olivier Jollet key new roles to turbo-charge the expansion.
- 6/15/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Paramount Global said Wednesday that its international boss Raffaele Annecchino was “on leave” from the company, effective immediately.
“Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, president, Paramount international studios, networks and streaming, is on leave from the company,” the company said in a statement. The surprise announcement didn’t immediately detail a reason or say whether he had any role in the decision. Company representatives didn’t provide further details.
Three executives will jointly run Paramount’s international business for now. “Jc Acosta, president, international studios, streaming & networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Maria Kyriacou, president, Australia, Canada, Israel and U.K., and Mark Specht, executive vp and managing director, Central & Northern Europe and Asia, will be stepping in as interim heads to lead the international business,” the company statement said.
Annecchino has been a long-time right-hand man of Paramount Global president and CEO Bob Bakish.
Paramount Global said Wednesday that its international boss Raffaele Annecchino was “on leave” from the company, effective immediately.
“Effective today, Raffaele Annecchino, president, Paramount international studios, networks and streaming, is on leave from the company,” the company said in a statement. The surprise announcement didn’t immediately detail a reason or say whether he had any role in the decision. Company representatives didn’t provide further details.
Three executives will jointly run Paramount’s international business for now. “Jc Acosta, president, international studios, streaming & networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Maria Kyriacou, president, Australia, Canada, Israel and U.K., and Mark Specht, executive vp and managing director, Central & Northern Europe and Asia, will be stepping in as interim heads to lead the international business,” the company statement said.
Annecchino has been a long-time right-hand man of Paramount Global president and CEO Bob Bakish.
- 6/15/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Raffaele Annecchino, president of Paramount International Studios, Networks and Streaming has been put “on leave” from the company “effective immediately.”
A terse internal Paramount memo obtained by Variety also says that Jc Acosta, president, International Studios, Streaming and Networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa; Maria Kyriacou, president, Australia, Canada, Israel and U.K.; and Mark Specht, executive VP and managing director, Central and Northern Europe and Asia, “will be stepping in as interim heads to lead the international business.”
There was no immediate comment from Paramount International on Wednesday.
As he rose through the ranks at what is now Paramount Annecchino is known to have had a close rapport with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish, but it appears that this rapport has suddenly gone sour.
Annecchino had been leading the expansion of Paramount+ which, in a recent coup, is set to be the home for streamed cricket...
A terse internal Paramount memo obtained by Variety also says that Jc Acosta, president, International Studios, Streaming and Networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa; Maria Kyriacou, president, Australia, Canada, Israel and U.K.; and Mark Specht, executive VP and managing director, Central and Northern Europe and Asia, “will be stepping in as interim heads to lead the international business.”
There was no immediate comment from Paramount International on Wednesday.
As he rose through the ranks at what is now Paramount Annecchino is known to have had a close rapport with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish, but it appears that this rapport has suddenly gone sour.
Annecchino had been leading the expansion of Paramount+ which, in a recent coup, is set to be the home for streamed cricket...
- 6/15/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The heads of the U.K. public service broadcasters (PSBs) are in agreement that the market is undergoing seismic changes and evolution is the way forward.
“There’ll be huge changes going on in this market and we underestimate it at our peril,” said Tim Davie, director general of the BBC. “We’ve got to innovate, innovate, keep innovating. And I think any complacency is always going to end in serious consequences.”
Davie was speaking at a high-powered panel on PSBs at the the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference in London on Thursday, alongside Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, Stv CEO Simon Pitts, ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall and Maria Kyriacou, U.K., Canada, Israel and Australia president of Paramount, which owns broadcaster Channel 5.
Davie said that the U.K. market is undergoing a transition with a large segment of the audience, not just the youth, increasingly...
“There’ll be huge changes going on in this market and we underestimate it at our peril,” said Tim Davie, director general of the BBC. “We’ve got to innovate, innovate, keep innovating. And I think any complacency is always going to end in serious consequences.”
Davie was speaking at a high-powered panel on PSBs at the the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference in London on Thursday, alongside Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, Stv CEO Simon Pitts, ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall and Maria Kyriacou, U.K., Canada, Israel and Australia president of Paramount, which owns broadcaster Channel 5.
Davie said that the U.K. market is undergoing a transition with a large segment of the audience, not just the youth, increasingly...
- 5/12/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV boss Carolyn McCall has raised concerns that the British cost of living crisis could start hampering broadcaster revenues at a time when they are emerging from the pandemic, while BBC Director General Tim Davie warned against “complacency” over changing audience habits.
ITV’s main source of income is advertising but this income is “heavily tied to the economy,” according to McCall, who said a “gloomy” period could impact the network’s revenues.
She was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms Conference a day after ITV unveiled strong Q1 results and several weeks after it posted record ad revenues for full year 2021.
The UK is currently in the midst of a major cost of living crisis, with energy and gas bills soaring and serious concerns being raised by businesses over the knock-on effect this will have on the economy.
Although raising the cost-of-living concerns, she countered that...
ITV’s main source of income is advertising but this income is “heavily tied to the economy,” according to McCall, who said a “gloomy” period could impact the network’s revenues.
She was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms Conference a day after ITV unveiled strong Q1 results and several weeks after it posted record ad revenues for full year 2021.
The UK is currently in the midst of a major cost of living crisis, with energy and gas bills soaring and serious concerns being raised by businesses over the knock-on effect this will have on the economy.
Although raising the cost-of-living concerns, she countered that...
- 5/12/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Global’s streamer Paramount+ will launch in the U.K. and Ireland on June 22, with other international territories to follow.
June will also see the service’s South Korea launch, with no date specified yet, with further launches planned in Italy, Germany, France and Austria in the second half of the year.
In India, Paramount+ will launch in 2023 in partnership with Viacom18 as part of a recently announced agreement. In April, India’s Reliance and Viacom18 entered a strategic partnership with Bodhi Tree Systems, a platform of James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems and former Disney president Uday Shankar, to form a giant TV and digital streaming company in India.
Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO, International Networks, Studios and Streaming, Paramount Global, said: “This year will be monumental for our streaming strategy as we accelerate our global ambitions, rapidly expanding Paramount+ in Europe beginning with the U.K., Italy, Germany,...
June will also see the service’s South Korea launch, with no date specified yet, with further launches planned in Italy, Germany, France and Austria in the second half of the year.
In India, Paramount+ will launch in 2023 in partnership with Viacom18 as part of a recently announced agreement. In April, India’s Reliance and Viacom18 entered a strategic partnership with Bodhi Tree Systems, a platform of James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems and former Disney president Uday Shankar, to form a giant TV and digital streaming company in India.
Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO, International Networks, Studios and Streaming, Paramount Global, said: “This year will be monumental for our streaming strategy as we accelerate our global ambitions, rapidly expanding Paramount+ in Europe beginning with the U.K., Italy, Germany,...
- 5/3/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
There is a Sexy Beast prequel series happening after all.
The project, originally given a straight-to-series order at Paramount Network before being axed, now has turned up at sibling streamer Paramount+ from its international division.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Maria Kyriacou, President of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, at the company’s investor day. The series will be available in the U.S. as well as internationally.
2022 Paramount+ Pilots & Series Orders
The prequel to the 2000 cult British gangster movie will track the origin story of the Gal Dove, Don Logan and Teddy Bass characters, played in the movie by Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane, respectively. Writer Michael Caleo, whose TV credits include The Sopranos and Rescue Me, will write the adaptation.
ViacomCBS/Paramount’s Investors Day: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Sexy Beast is being produced by Chapter One and Viacom International Studios rather than Paramount TV Studios and Anonymous Content,...
The project, originally given a straight-to-series order at Paramount Network before being axed, now has turned up at sibling streamer Paramount+ from its international division.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Maria Kyriacou, President of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, at the company’s investor day. The series will be available in the U.S. as well as internationally.
2022 Paramount+ Pilots & Series Orders
The prequel to the 2000 cult British gangster movie will track the origin story of the Gal Dove, Don Logan and Teddy Bass characters, played in the movie by Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane, respectively. Writer Michael Caleo, whose TV credits include The Sopranos and Rescue Me, will write the adaptation.
ViacomCBS/Paramount’s Investors Day: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Sexy Beast is being produced by Chapter One and Viacom International Studios rather than Paramount TV Studios and Anonymous Content,...
- 2/15/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The bosses of all major UK broadcasters, Discovery UK and Sky have come together to sign a Climate Content Pledge at this week’s COP26, as they attempt to uproot their commissioning processes and teach audiences more about reaching net zero on greenhouse gases.
Twelve networks, which represent more than 70% of time UK audiences spend watching TV and film, have put their names to the pledge, as the CEOs of the major broadcasters appear in a panel session this morning at BBC Scotland.
The pledge reads:
We will reach more of our audiences with content that helps everyone understand and navigate the path to net zero, and inspires them to make greener choices. We will develop processes that help us to consider climate themes when we are commissioning, developing and producing content. We will ensure that our efforts are informed by the science. We will recognise the importance of fair...
Twelve networks, which represent more than 70% of time UK audiences spend watching TV and film, have put their names to the pledge, as the CEOs of the major broadcasters appear in a panel session this morning at BBC Scotland.
The pledge reads:
We will reach more of our audiences with content that helps everyone understand and navigate the path to net zero, and inspires them to make greener choices. We will develop processes that help us to consider climate themes when we are commissioning, developing and producing content. We will ensure that our efforts are informed by the science. We will recognise the importance of fair...
- 11/3/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Britain’s Royal Television Society has added Dazn Group chairman Kevin Mayer and HBO’s chief content officer Casey Bloys to the speaker lineup for its Cambridge Convention in September.
The organization said on Wednesday that YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl will deliver an international keynote at the event, for which the online video giant serves as principal sponsor.
Further speakers added to the Cambridge lineup include the likes of Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel; Brandon Riegg, vp, nonfiction series & comedy specials at Netflix; All3Media CEO Jane Turton; Britain’s culture secretary Oliver Dowden and Deborah ...
The organization said on Wednesday that YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl will deliver an international keynote at the event, for which the online video giant serves as principal sponsor.
Further speakers added to the Cambridge lineup include the likes of Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel; Brandon Riegg, vp, nonfiction series & comedy specials at Netflix; All3Media CEO Jane Turton; Britain’s culture secretary Oliver Dowden and Deborah ...
- 8/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Britain’s Royal Television Society has added Dazn Group chairman Kevin Mayer and HBO’s chief content officer Casey Bloys to the speaker lineup for its Cambridge Convention in September.
The organization said on Wednesday that YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl will deliver an international keynote at the event, for which the online video giant serves as principal sponsor.
Further speakers added to the Cambridge lineup include the likes of Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel; Brandon Riegg, vp, nonfiction series & comedy specials at Netflix; All3Media CEO Jane Turton; Britain’s culture secretary Oliver Dowden and Deborah ...
The organization said on Wednesday that YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl will deliver an international keynote at the event, for which the online video giant serves as principal sponsor.
Further speakers added to the Cambridge lineup include the likes of Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel; Brandon Riegg, vp, nonfiction series & comedy specials at Netflix; All3Media CEO Jane Turton; Britain’s culture secretary Oliver Dowden and Deborah ...
- 8/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The growing popularity, backed by financial clout, of global streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus are forcing U.K. public service broadcasters (PSBs) to face down an existential threat.
This was the overarching theme at the virtual Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference, which featured top brass from the country’s technology, media and telecom sectors. These included BBC director general Tim Davie, ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon, and Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia, which operates terrestrial broadcaster Channel 5.
Before the pandemic hit, the U.K. creative industry was going through a period of phenomenal growth, but is now confronting “a point of jeopardy,” said Davie at the conference. “It’s a brilliant British success story and it needs fuelling and [investment].” Describing the sector as an “enlightened blend of the private and public,” Davie...
This was the overarching theme at the virtual Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference, which featured top brass from the country’s technology, media and telecom sectors. These included BBC director general Tim Davie, ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon, and Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia, which operates terrestrial broadcaster Channel 5.
Before the pandemic hit, the U.K. creative industry was going through a period of phenomenal growth, but is now confronting “a point of jeopardy,” said Davie at the conference. “It’s a brilliant British success story and it needs fuelling and [investment].” Describing the sector as an “enlightened blend of the private and public,” Davie...
- 3/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
In late 2019, just before its merger with CBS closed, Viacom hired ITV Studios president of international Maria Kyriacou as president of U.K., Northern and Eastern Europe, lauding her “track record of growing international revenues from production, content licensing and distribution at both ITV and Disney.”
When she started in early 2020, her London-based role at the combined company had changed to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization that took effect after the merger.
Soon after, the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing Kyriacou and her team to work remotely. And in April ...
When she started in early 2020, her London-based role at the combined company had changed to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization that took effect after the merger.
Soon after, the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing Kyriacou and her team to work remotely. And in April ...
In late 2019, just before its merger with CBS closed, Viacom hired ITV Studios president of international Maria Kyriacou as president of U.K., Northern and Eastern Europe, lauding her “track record of growing international revenues from production, content licensing and distribution at both ITV and Disney.”
When she started in early 2020, her London-based role at the combined company had changed to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization that took effect after the merger.
Soon after, the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing Kyriacou and her team to work remotely. And in April ...
When she started in early 2020, her London-based role at the combined company had changed to president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia due to a new regional cluster organization that took effect after the merger.
Soon after, the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing Kyriacou and her team to work remotely. And in April ...
BBC & PBS Team For ‘Unsolved Histories’
The BBC and PBS are co-producing a four-part series in which historian Lucy Worsley will attempt to shed light on some of British history’s biggest unsolved mysteries. Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley (working title) will ask questions including, who killed the Princes in the tower in 1483? What actually caused the Black Death? Why did a witch craze sweep 16th century Britain? BBC Studios is producing the series with Julia Harrington executive producing. Unsolved Histories was commissioned by Patrick Holland and Abigail Priddle, while Bill Gardner is overseeing for PBS.
Exclusive: Graham Norton Novel Set For U.S. Release
UK talk show host Graham Norton’s third novel, Home Stretch, is set to be published in the U.S. by HarperCollins imprint HarperVia on June 22. The Sunday Times bestseller tells the story of a tragedy in a small Irish town that reverberates throughout the...
The BBC and PBS are co-producing a four-part series in which historian Lucy Worsley will attempt to shed light on some of British history’s biggest unsolved mysteries. Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley (working title) will ask questions including, who killed the Princes in the tower in 1483? What actually caused the Black Death? Why did a witch craze sweep 16th century Britain? BBC Studios is producing the series with Julia Harrington executive producing. Unsolved Histories was commissioned by Patrick Holland and Abigail Priddle, while Bill Gardner is overseeing for PBS.
Exclusive: Graham Norton Novel Set For U.S. Release
UK talk show host Graham Norton’s third novel, Home Stretch, is set to be published in the U.S. by HarperCollins imprint HarperVia on June 22. The Sunday Times bestseller tells the story of a tragedy in a small Irish town that reverberates throughout the...
- 2/4/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS Networks U.K. (Vcn U.K.) said Thursday that it “has accelerated its streaming business with the launch of a new growth and partnerships division, tasked with increasing streaming revenue and expanding its range of partnerships in the U.K.”
The newly formed unit will be led by Dan Fahy, who has been promoted to senior vp, head of emerging business, reporting to Sarah Rose, who takes on an expanded role as chief operating and commercial officer at Vcn U.K. with immediate effect. She will continue to report to Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS U.K....
The newly formed unit will be led by Dan Fahy, who has been promoted to senior vp, head of emerging business, reporting to Sarah Rose, who takes on an expanded role as chief operating and commercial officer at Vcn U.K. with immediate effect. She will continue to report to Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS U.K....
ViacomCBS Networks U.K. (Vcn U.K.) said Thursday that it “has accelerated its streaming business with the launch of a new growth and partnerships division, tasked with increasing streaming revenue and expanding its range of partnerships in the U.K.”
The newly formed unit will be led by Dan Fahy, who has been promoted to senior vp, head of emerging business, reporting to Sarah Rose, who takes on an expanded role as chief operating and commercial officer at Vcn U.K. with immediate effect. She will continue to report to Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS U.K....
The newly formed unit will be led by Dan Fahy, who has been promoted to senior vp, head of emerging business, reporting to Sarah Rose, who takes on an expanded role as chief operating and commercial officer at Vcn U.K. with immediate effect. She will continue to report to Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS U.K....
In today’s Global Bulletin, Italy’s Oscar contender “Notturno” named European Movie of the Year; U.K. extends furlough scheme; “Zappa” doc gets European distribution; BBC Studios and Bilibili team for culture series “Ancients”; Paul Moore to take over as chair of U.K.’s Creative Diversity Network; Fremantle takes format rights to “The Great Giveback”; and “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.” adds celebrity judges.
Italian director Gianfranco Rosi’s high-profile doc “Notturno,” (pictured) which is Italy’s candidate for the international Oscar, has been named European Movie of The Year by the 25th edition of Capri, Hollywood Film Festival.
Capri, Hollywood is dedicated to launching Oscar hopefuls and establishing a bridgehead between Hollywood and Italy’s film and showbiz communities. The event is being held online this year, rather than on the island of Capri, off the coast of Naples. It will run on Italian platform MyMovies from Dec.
Italian director Gianfranco Rosi’s high-profile doc “Notturno,” (pictured) which is Italy’s candidate for the international Oscar, has been named European Movie of The Year by the 25th edition of Capri, Hollywood Film Festival.
Capri, Hollywood is dedicated to launching Oscar hopefuls and establishing a bridgehead between Hollywood and Italy’s film and showbiz communities. The event is being held online this year, rather than on the island of Capri, off the coast of Naples. It will run on Italian platform MyMovies from Dec.
- 12/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS Networks International has announced that Jarrod Villani will join Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer and executive VP, as co-lead of ViacomCBS in Australia and New Zealand.
As chief operating and commercial officer and co-lead with McGarvey, from early next year, Villani will be responsible for all the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in both markets. The role was empty for the past eight months since the departure of Paul Anderson.
Both McGarvey and Villani report to Maria Kyriacou, president of Vcni’s operations in Australia, Israel and the U.K. Rod Prosser, chief sales officer, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand will work closely with McGarvey and Villani “to further strengthen revenue growth and strategy while providing oversight and management of the entire 10 ViacomCBS sales team.”
“Network 10 has performed very well this year. It is the only commercial network (in Australia) growing its audience and it has...
As chief operating and commercial officer and co-lead with McGarvey, from early next year, Villani will be responsible for all the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in both markets. The role was empty for the past eight months since the departure of Paul Anderson.
Both McGarvey and Villani report to Maria Kyriacou, president of Vcni’s operations in Australia, Israel and the U.K. Rod Prosser, chief sales officer, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand will work closely with McGarvey and Villani “to further strengthen revenue growth and strategy while providing oversight and management of the entire 10 ViacomCBS sales team.”
“Network 10 has performed very well this year. It is the only commercial network (in Australia) growing its audience and it has...
- 11/5/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Rebel Wilson Stars In Sky’s ‘Straight Talking’
Pitch Perfect actress Rebel Wilson has signed up for Sky’s wilderness interview format Straight Talking, hosted by Sas: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton. Produced by ITV Studios-owned Potato, Ant Middleton & Rebel Wilson: Straight Talking airs next year and features the pair traveling across Mexico with only a 4×4, a backpack, and each other’s company. Phil Mount and Michael Kelpie are the show’s executive producers and Craig Pickles is the series director. The previous Straight Talking was recorded with One Direction star Liam Payne.
Red Arrow’s Revenue Drops Amid Coronavirus
Love Is Blind production group Red Arrow Studios’ external revenues dropped 7% to €166M ($195M) in the third quarter of 2020 as it continued to be hampered by production shutdowns. Red Arrow’s parent company, the German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, said that coronavirus restrictions were particularly acute in the U.
Pitch Perfect actress Rebel Wilson has signed up for Sky’s wilderness interview format Straight Talking, hosted by Sas: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton. Produced by ITV Studios-owned Potato, Ant Middleton & Rebel Wilson: Straight Talking airs next year and features the pair traveling across Mexico with only a 4×4, a backpack, and each other’s company. Phil Mount and Michael Kelpie are the show’s executive producers and Craig Pickles is the series director. The previous Straight Talking was recorded with One Direction star Liam Payne.
Red Arrow’s Revenue Drops Amid Coronavirus
Love Is Blind production group Red Arrow Studios’ external revenues dropped 7% to €166M ($195M) in the third quarter of 2020 as it continued to be hampered by production shutdowns. Red Arrow’s parent company, the German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, said that coronavirus restrictions were particularly acute in the U.
- 11/5/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Network 10 parent ViacomCBS Networks International (Vcni) has appointed Jarrod Villani to co-lead its operations in Australia and New Zealand with Beverley McGarvey.
Villani will be chief operating and commercial officer, responsible for all the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in both markets. He will work with McGarvey, who is chief content officer and executive vice president, commencing in early 2021.
ViacomCBS first flagged there would be shared leadership in Anz following the departure of former ViacomCBS Anz EVP and Network 10 CEO Paul Anderson in March.
McGarvey, who was 10’s chief content officer, was then promoted, with her new position seeing her responsible for all content and creative activities related to the company’s networks and digital properties.
Villani will join from advisory and investment firm KordaMentha, where he was Queensland’s head of restructuring and Brisbane’s head of office at advisory and investment firm KordaMentha.
Both McGarvey...
Villani will be chief operating and commercial officer, responsible for all the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in both markets. He will work with McGarvey, who is chief content officer and executive vice president, commencing in early 2021.
ViacomCBS first flagged there would be shared leadership in Anz following the departure of former ViacomCBS Anz EVP and Network 10 CEO Paul Anderson in March.
McGarvey, who was 10’s chief content officer, was then promoted, with her new position seeing her responsible for all content and creative activities related to the company’s networks and digital properties.
Villani will join from advisory and investment firm KordaMentha, where he was Queensland’s head of restructuring and Brisbane’s head of office at advisory and investment firm KordaMentha.
Both McGarvey...
- 11/5/2020
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
In today’s Global Bulletin, The Apartment and Castlefield team on “Death at SeaWorld” series adaptation, Series Mania opens the call for series and projects, MTV U.K. commissions “Celebs on the Farm,” Love Nature announces streaming plans for “Nature of the Beast,” and ViacomCBS Networks Intl. promotes long-time exec Wincie Knight.
Series
Fremantle companies The Apartment (“The Young Pope”) and recently launched Castlefield have scooped the rights to David Kirby’s popular book “Death at SeaWorld,” and will produce a 10-part series headed by showrunner Simon Allen.
The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli will produce along with Hilary Martin and Simon Judd for Castlefield, with shooting planned for late 2021. The book and series draw on investigations done ahead of the 2013 BAFTA-nominated documentary “Blackfish,” and the real-life story of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was killed by a captive killer whale during a performance.
“‘Death at SeaWorld’ will not only be...
Series
Fremantle companies The Apartment (“The Young Pope”) and recently launched Castlefield have scooped the rights to David Kirby’s popular book “Death at SeaWorld,” and will produce a 10-part series headed by showrunner Simon Allen.
The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli will produce along with Hilary Martin and Simon Judd for Castlefield, with shooting planned for late 2021. The book and series draw on investigations done ahead of the 2013 BAFTA-nominated documentary “Blackfish,” and the real-life story of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was killed by a captive killer whale during a performance.
“‘Death at SeaWorld’ will not only be...
- 10/19/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS has elevated company veteran Wincie Knight to become vice president of global inclusion strategy for ViacomCBS Networks International.
Knight, who first joined ViacomCBS in 1999 and is based in London, will join the UK senior leadership team and is tasked with boosting diversity and inclusion in Britain, Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The former senior director of global inclusion strategy will report to Marva Smalls, ViacomCBS’ executive vice president of global inclusion and public affairs EVP for kids and family brands, and Maria Kyriacou president of Vcn UK, Australia and Israel.
Knight played a key role in commissioning a Caerus Executive report to examine the experiences of Black, Asian, minority, and ethnic employees at Viacom UK, while she also oversaw a staff-led mental health initiative. Knight was recognized as a 2020 British LGBT+ Awards Top 10 Corporate Ally and was named a Bame Workplace Hero by the 2018 Investing in Ethnicity Awards.
Knight, who first joined ViacomCBS in 1999 and is based in London, will join the UK senior leadership team and is tasked with boosting diversity and inclusion in Britain, Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The former senior director of global inclusion strategy will report to Marva Smalls, ViacomCBS’ executive vice president of global inclusion and public affairs EVP for kids and family brands, and Maria Kyriacou president of Vcn UK, Australia and Israel.
Knight played a key role in commissioning a Caerus Executive report to examine the experiences of Black, Asian, minority, and ethnic employees at Viacom UK, while she also oversaw a staff-led mental health initiative. Knight was recognized as a 2020 British LGBT+ Awards Top 10 Corporate Ally and was named a Bame Workplace Hero by the 2018 Investing in Ethnicity Awards.
- 10/19/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS said on Monday that it has promoted Wincie Knight to the role of vp, global inclusion strategy at its ViacomCBS Networks International unit.
Based in London, Knight will report to Marva Smalls, the New York-based executive vp of global inclusion at ViacomCBS and executive vp, public affairs, kids & family entertainment brands at ViacomCBS Media Networks, as well as Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel.
In her expanded role, she will “join the U.K. cluster senior leadership team” and “continue to drive the company’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive culture ...
Based in London, Knight will report to Marva Smalls, the New York-based executive vp of global inclusion at ViacomCBS and executive vp, public affairs, kids & family entertainment brands at ViacomCBS Media Networks, as well as Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel.
In her expanded role, she will “join the U.K. cluster senior leadership team” and “continue to drive the company’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive culture ...
- 10/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ViacomCBS said on Monday that it has promoted Wincie Knight to the role of vp, global inclusion strategy at its ViacomCBS Networks International unit.
Based in London, Knight will report to Marva Smalls, the New York-based executive vp of global inclusion at ViacomCBS and executive vp, public affairs, kids & family entertainment brands at ViacomCBS Media Networks, as well as Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel.
In her expanded role, she will “join the U.K. cluster senior leadership team” and “continue to drive the company’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive culture ...
Based in London, Knight will report to Marva Smalls, the New York-based executive vp of global inclusion at ViacomCBS and executive vp, public affairs, kids & family entertainment brands at ViacomCBS Media Networks, as well as Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel.
In her expanded role, she will “join the U.K. cluster senior leadership team” and “continue to drive the company’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive culture ...
- 10/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
AMC’s British programming-focused streamer Acorn TV has commissioned eight-part procedural “Cannes Confidential.”
The series is a co-production between Dramacorp, the Stockholm-based production company founded by Patrick Nebout, part of Jan Mojto’s Beta Film, and Acorn Media Enterprises, Acorn TV’s commissioning and co-producing arm. Lead writer is prolific U.K. scribe Chris Murray, whose credits include “Casualty,” “Holby City,” “Van der Valk” and “Midsomer Murders.”
The series is set on the Cote d’Azur and will enjoy unprecedented access to film across the city of Cannes when production begins in early 2021. The series will exclusively premiere on Acorn TV in North America, New Zealand, Australia and the U.K. in late 2021.
Appointment
ViacomCBS Networks U.K. has announced the appointment of Sarah Rose as chief operating officer. She will report into Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia.
Rose is an industry veteran, beginning her...
The series is a co-production between Dramacorp, the Stockholm-based production company founded by Patrick Nebout, part of Jan Mojto’s Beta Film, and Acorn Media Enterprises, Acorn TV’s commissioning and co-producing arm. Lead writer is prolific U.K. scribe Chris Murray, whose credits include “Casualty,” “Holby City,” “Van der Valk” and “Midsomer Murders.”
The series is set on the Cote d’Azur and will enjoy unprecedented access to film across the city of Cannes when production begins in early 2021. The series will exclusively premiere on Acorn TV in North America, New Zealand, Australia and the U.K. in late 2021.
Appointment
ViacomCBS Networks U.K. has announced the appointment of Sarah Rose as chief operating officer. She will report into Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K. and Australia.
Rose is an industry veteran, beginning her...
- 7/30/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS Networks UK has named Sarah Rose, Channel 4’s chief consumer and strategy officer, as its new chief operating officer.
Rose’s appointment comes after Deadline revealed earlier this month that Paul Dunthorne, the long-time Channel 5 executive, was stepping down as ViacomCBS’s COO and EVP UK of Northern and Eastern Europe.
She will report into Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, and will have oversight of all UK business functions including operations, legal and business affairs, finance, Hr, communications, research, broadcasting technology and ViacomCBS International Studios UK.
Rose spent more than 14 years at Channel 4, helping launch its streaming service All 4. She started her career at ITV, where she progressed to general manager of ITV digital channels.
Kyriacou said: “Sarah has a wealth of expertise in broadcast media and proven experience in successfully driving companies forward. This is a key role in our UK senior leadership team,...
Rose’s appointment comes after Deadline revealed earlier this month that Paul Dunthorne, the long-time Channel 5 executive, was stepping down as ViacomCBS’s COO and EVP UK of Northern and Eastern Europe.
She will report into Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, and will have oversight of all UK business functions including operations, legal and business affairs, finance, Hr, communications, research, broadcasting technology and ViacomCBS International Studios UK.
Rose spent more than 14 years at Channel 4, helping launch its streaming service All 4. She started her career at ITV, where she progressed to general manager of ITV digital channels.
Kyriacou said: “Sarah has a wealth of expertise in broadcast media and proven experience in successfully driving companies forward. This is a key role in our UK senior leadership team,...
- 7/30/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS Networks UK has introduced a new “no diversity, no commission” content policy to help promote diversity both on-screen and behind the scenes on the likes of Channel 5.
The policy, which is being communicated to suppliers, was one of six commitments made by ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia president Maria Kyriacou on Wednesday. The others included:
Hiring a new commissioning executive responsible for identifying and developing diverse talent Creating a new Promotion Opportunity Project, which will identify and support the promotion of Bame talent in the UK production sector ViacomCBS will create an Inclusion Board allying its senior leadership team in the UK with its Employee Resource Groups. It will provide quarterly reports on performance Introducing a Bame Talent Sponsorship Programme, pairing senior leaders with diverse talent Committing to tap into diverse candidate pools for every open vacancy and evolving its internship scheme
Kyriacou said: “Society is now at...
The policy, which is being communicated to suppliers, was one of six commitments made by ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia president Maria Kyriacou on Wednesday. The others included:
Hiring a new commissioning executive responsible for identifying and developing diverse talent Creating a new Promotion Opportunity Project, which will identify and support the promotion of Bame talent in the UK production sector ViacomCBS will create an Inclusion Board allying its senior leadership team in the UK with its Employee Resource Groups. It will provide quarterly reports on performance Introducing a Bame Talent Sponsorship Programme, pairing senior leaders with diverse talent Committing to tap into diverse candidate pools for every open vacancy and evolving its internship scheme
Kyriacou said: “Society is now at...
- 7/22/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS Networks U.K. has announced several steps that will actively strengthen its diversity and inclusion drive. The company is implementing a ‘no diversity, no commission’ content policy for its suppliers, and will extend the Creative Diversity Network’s Diamond diversity data monitoring across all its pay TV brands, in addition to ViacomCBS-backed public service broadcaster Channel 5.
In February, the Diamond report noted that while there was an uptick in on-screen representation of Bame and transgender people, off-screen contributions were below the national average.
ViacomCBS is creating a new position within its commissioning team that is responsible for identifying and developing diverse talent on and off-screen, at all levels. This role will help launch and run a ‘New Faces, New Voices’ diverse contributors search to improve on-screen representation.
The company’s new ‘Promotion Opportunity Project’ will identify and support several Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (Bame) mid-level freelancers,...
In February, the Diamond report noted that while there was an uptick in on-screen representation of Bame and transgender people, off-screen contributions were below the national average.
ViacomCBS is creating a new position within its commissioning team that is responsible for identifying and developing diverse talent on and off-screen, at all levels. This role will help launch and run a ‘New Faces, New Voices’ diverse contributors search to improve on-screen representation.
The company’s new ‘Promotion Opportunity Project’ will identify and support several Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (Bame) mid-level freelancers,...
- 7/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paul Dunthorne, a Channel 5 veteran who joined as part of billionaire Richard Desmond’s takeover a decade ago, is leaving the UK network’s parent company ViacomCBS.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
- 7/14/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Maria Kyriacou, the president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, has been named as the new chair of Britain’s Creative Diversity Network.
Kyriacou succeeds Jill Offman, who left ViacomCBS earlier this year, and will lead the organization until the end of 2020, helping it promote diversity and inclusion in the UK television industry.
Kyriacou said: “I look forward to championing the vital work that Cdn is doing at a time when actionable diversity and inclusion initiatives has never been more important.
“As Cdn’s chair, my aim is to put Cdn and its diversity monitoring tool, Diamond, at the centre of discussions with broadcasters and producers, in order that we can collectively work towards improving representation in all spheres of our sector.”
The Cdn published a Diamond report earlier this year that revealed that Bame writers and directors are still badly underrepresented in the industry, but broadcasters are doing a much better job on-screen.
Kyriacou succeeds Jill Offman, who left ViacomCBS earlier this year, and will lead the organization until the end of 2020, helping it promote diversity and inclusion in the UK television industry.
Kyriacou said: “I look forward to championing the vital work that Cdn is doing at a time when actionable diversity and inclusion initiatives has never been more important.
“As Cdn’s chair, my aim is to put Cdn and its diversity monitoring tool, Diamond, at the centre of discussions with broadcasters and producers, in order that we can collectively work towards improving representation in all spheres of our sector.”
The Cdn published a Diamond report earlier this year that revealed that Bame writers and directors are still badly underrepresented in the industry, but broadcasters are doing a much better job on-screen.
- 6/11/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Jill Offman, the executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK, is leaving the company after 12 years.
Offman is stepping down from running the division, which has created shows including Channel 5 reality series Make Or Break?, but she will maintain her links with the operation by acting as an executive producer on its drama slate.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting MovesTom Hayden Exits As President of Smithsonian Networks Amid Entertainment & Youth Group Integration & ViacomCBS LayoffsNickelodeon Evp Sharon Cohen Exits, On-The-Ground & Live Events Divisions Impacted In ViacomCBS Layoffs
In a statement, she said: “Whilst the time has come for me to leave, I’m happy that I will continue an ongoing relationship with the company as an executive producer for Vis UK’s exciting drama development slate.”
Offman joined Paramount Comedy in late 2007 and went on to become executive vice president of Paramount and Comedy Central International Channels.
Offman is stepping down from running the division, which has created shows including Channel 5 reality series Make Or Break?, but she will maintain her links with the operation by acting as an executive producer on its drama slate.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting MovesTom Hayden Exits As President of Smithsonian Networks Amid Entertainment & Youth Group Integration & ViacomCBS LayoffsNickelodeon Evp Sharon Cohen Exits, On-The-Ground & Live Events Divisions Impacted In ViacomCBS Layoffs
In a statement, she said: “Whilst the time has come for me to leave, I’m happy that I will continue an ongoing relationship with the company as an executive producer for Vis UK’s exciting drama development slate.”
Offman joined Paramount Comedy in late 2007 and went on to become executive vice president of Paramount and Comedy Central International Channels.
- 5/1/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.