Nippon TV has appointed Satoru Hiramatsu as the new General Manager of Global Content Business. Hiramatsu, who previously worked in programming and streaming, will oversee global content sales and promotion. He replaces Mikiko Nishiyama, now Executive Advisor at Global Strategy Headquarters. Hiramatsu aims to expand Nippon TV’s international reach with formats like Dragons’ Den, Old Enough!, and Mother.October 3, 2024
The BBC has named Hayley Valentine as the new Director of BBC Scotland, effective early November. With a career at the BBC since 1996, Valentine has held various significant roles, including Executive Producer of BBC Question Time. In her new role, she will oversee content development for Scottish audiences across television, radio, and online platforms, aiming to enhance BBC Scotland’s editorial success and strengthen its online presence.October 3, 2024
Chick-Fil-A is launching its own streaming platform, focusing on family-friendly originals, particularly in the unscripted space. The fast-food chain is collaborating with major production companies and studios, and is also exploring content licensing and acquisition.October 1, 2024
Evoke Studios has partnered with Malak XR Virtual Production Studios to enhance TV, film, and advertising production in Mexico. The collaboration combines expertise in virtual production technologies, setting new industry standards.October 1, 2024
Workerbee Group has launched a new label, Navybee, led by renowned producer Demi Doyle. Specializing in talent-led premium documentaries, Navybee will focus on stories from entertainment and sport.October 1, 2024
Titmouse and Polygon Pictures, two renowned animation studios, have announced a partnership to develop and produce multiple CG series. The partnership aims to create innovative CG series for streaming platforms, blending Titmouse’s comedic and subversive storytelling with Polygon’s expertise in high-end CG animation.October 1, 2024
DesiPlay TV, Viacom18’s FAST channel offering Hindi content, has launched on Rakuten TV across the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. The channel features dramas, crime thrillers, entertainment competitions, and Bollywood hits.September 22, 2024
Cineverse partners with Frequency to distribute its FAST channels across 25+ platforms and integrate its Matchpoint VOD platform. The deal expands global reach, cuts costs, and elevates viewer experiences.September 21, 2024
Xavi Mas and Roberto Mitrani launched Liquid Rock Entertainment, a kids & family production/distribution company, backed by Multitrade Group, focusing on global brand investments.September 20, 2024
BBC Studios has expanded BBC Player’s reach in Poland through a partnership with CDA, making it available to CDA Premium subscribers from September 1. Subscribers can stream curated content from BBC Brit, Earth, Lifestyle, First, and CBeebies, including shows like “Absolutely Fabulous” and “The Diplomat.” (UK)September 20, 2024
Caroline Kusser has joined Anton as Executive Vice President of Coproduction and Distribution. She will oversee global coproduction and distribution strategies, aiming to expand Anton’s presence in international markets. Kusser brings significant experience from her previous role at Upgrade Productions and her background in managing large-scale productions is expected to contribute to Anton’s ongoing global initiatives. Her appointment aligns with the company’s strategy to strengthen its international reach.September 20, 2024
Aby Media and Globo have partnered to bring Globo’s popular scripted formats, such as Pantanal and Total Dreamer, to Africa. The deal focuses on localizing global narratives and strengthening African content production.September 19, 2024
KOCCA signs an MoU with BBC Studios and Viu to broaden global K-content reach. The collaboration aims to produce high-quality content, expand distribution, and tackle production costs and genre diversity challenges.September 19, 2024
Sony is shifting its content strategy to focus on developing original intellectual properties (IPs), with an emphasis on anime. Since 2018, the company has invested over $10 billion in entertainment, making up 60% of its revenue. In Q1, Sony saw a 2% rise in revenue and a 10% increase in operating profit. Crunchyroll, its anime platform with 15 million subscribers, is key to the company’s growth strategy.September 19, 2024
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) has appointed Shiva Chinnasamy as Chief Technology & Product Officer, effective September 2, 2024. Based at ZEE’s Technology & Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, he will report to Amit Goenka and oversee efforts in data, AI, and ML to enhance consumer experiences. Chinnasamy brings over 20 years of experience from companies like Rippling, Google, and Amazon, specializing in ad tech, eCommerce, and B2B SaaS.September 19, 2024
Michael Brooks has been named General Manager for the ANZ region at Warner Bros. Discovery. He will retain his role as Managing Director of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia while also overseeing Networks and Streaming, Content Licensing, Home Entertainment, Consumer Products, and Games. Brooks will report to James Gibbons and Ronald Goes.September 19, 2024
Crafty Apes, a Los Angeles VFX company, received strategic investment from Morgan Stanley and Camberline Capital. The funds will support operations, growth, and expansion of services.September 18, 2024
DeepMotion has launched SayMotion 2.0, an upgraded version of its browser-based text-to-animation AI service. This platform generates full-body animations in FBX, GLB, and BVH formats, suitable for games, AR, VR, animation, or motion graphics.September 7, 2024
Das Element has released Version 2.1 of its asset library software, featuring improved video player controls, easy setup options, and better asset migration tools to streamline workflows and boost productivity.September 6, 2024
Unigine has released version 2.19 of its game engine, introducing a new multi-threaded renderer, multi-bounce lighting, and OpenXR support. The update also includes improvements to the experimental character animation system.September 6, 2024
The Third Floor’s Cyclops AR, an iOS Simulcam app, is now available on the App Store. It lets users visualize CG assets in real time on an iPad, composited into the camera view. Previously in private beta, the app, used on projects like The Marvels and The Mandalorian, is a professional tool for virtual production and VFX.September 6, 2024
Marc van den Bosch-Mprah has been appointed Vice President of Acquisitions at The Match Factory, a newly created role based in Berlin. He will lead the company’s global acquisition strategy, reporting directly to General Manager Michael Weber. Van den Bosch-Mprah previously held key positions at Netflix, RTL Group, Warner Bros, and Viacom. The Match Factory will feature several films at upcoming festivals, including the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.September 5, 2024
Clear Angle Studios, DI4D, and TexturingXYZ to unveil a 4D facial performance capture service at SIGGRAPH 2024. The collaboration aims to set new standards for digital human faces in interactive entertainment, offering per-frame map data for lifelike results.September 5, 2024
Shutterstock and NVIDIA’s AI-powered Text-to-3D Modeler, launching this fall, will enable quick creation of 3D models from a vast library. This tool aims to streamline early design processes, allowing artists to focus on customization and animation.September 5, 2024
Ateliere has launched Ateliere Live, a cloud-native live production and editing platform that offers cost-efficiency and environmental benefits. The platform integrates production, editing, mixing, graphics, and effects in one software, supporting remote workflows with advanced proxy editing.September 5, 2024
OpenUSD now supports the Vulkan graphics API through its Hydra rendering framework, including the HdStorm renderer. The new HgiVulkan backend offers enhanced performance over OpenGL on Windows, Linux, and Android devices.September 5, 2024
Radical’s real-time markerless capture system, Radical Live, now supports beta finger tracking in its Upper Body Mode.September 5, 2024
Adobe has released Substance 3D Modeler 1.13, a quality-of-life update featuring a new light UI theme. This VR sculpting tool allows users to create organic and hard-surface models using a virtual clay workflow and Boolean operations.September 5, 2024
NVIDIA supports Getty Images and iStock with AI-driven tools like NVIDIA Edify for rapid image and asset generation. Edify enables high-resolution image creation and advanced multimodal workflows, enhancing content development and customization. (USA)September 5, 2024
DGG (Darmstadt Graphics Group) has launched RapidPipeline, a cloud-based 3D model optimization service for e-commerce and entertainment. The service allows studios to process large asset sets, convert file formats, adjust geometry and topology, and generate texture maps. RapidPipeline is now available as a Blender add-on, enabling artists to use it directly within the software. (Canada)September 5, 2024
MBC Group’s H1 2024 net income surged 359.8% to $63.36 million, driven by strong Shahid performance, doubling AVOD revenue, and a 10% overall revenue increase.September 3, 2024