2 years ago

Beyond Hollywood: Netflix in South Africa, Shahrukh Khan’s Blockbuster, IBC Highlights, DistroTV FAST Channels, ARRI’s NYC Studio, and More!

In this week’s edition of Entertainment Supply Chain Digest we delve into the global stage of non Hollywood productions that are making waves worldwide. From Netflix’s bold expansion in South Africa to Shahrukh Khan’s blockbuster success, and the latest highlights from IBC, we bring you the freshest insights and deals. Join us as we go ‘Beyond Hollywood’ to uncover the thrilling, diverse, and captivating world of non-Hollywood entertainment.

We at Vitrina AI, the global marketplace for the entertainment industry, strive to keep you informed of the latest happenings in the industry, so you don’t have to spend countless hours researching and keeping up to date.

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IP Deals

Hottest IP Stories, Formats, Books, Games, Podcasts to be turned into the next big blockbuster

The game “Stray” developed by Annapurna Interactive to be adapted into a movie by Annapurna Animation. The game, released in 2022, follows a stray cat with a drone as it battles robots. (🇺🇸)
Netflix expands investment in South Africa and has secured book adaptation deals with Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media, as well as Gambit Films. Stained Glass Productions will adapt books across genres, while Black Brain Pictures will create both TV series and films. (🇿🇦)
Poland’s Polsat has comissioned its own version of “Temptation Island”, a reality show that tests couples’ commitment by placing them in separate villas with singles. This marks the 25th adaptation of the format. (🇵🇱)
Telefe and Pluto TV are teaming up for a new installment of the immensely popular reality show, “Big Brother”. Santiago del Moro is set to return as the host for this exciting revival. (🇦🇷)
A heartwarming Christmas tale, “Stargate,” based on Ingvild Rishøi’s acclaimed book, is set to become a film directed by Ida Sagmo Tvedte. The story follows a father and his two daughters in Oslo’s Tøyen neighborhood. Produced by Motlys and co-produced by B-Reel, it aims to capture the essence of a modern Christmas classic. (🇳🇴 🇸🇪)

Production Deals

Sneak peak into recently announced production projects worldwide

Tel Aviv’s Sipur Studio and Israeli broadcaster Reshet13 have inked a multi-year co-financing and coproduction agreement. They’ll collaborate on scripted series, formats, and documentaries for both local and global audiences. (🇮🇱)
Fashion icon Manish Malhotra is venturing into film production with his company, Stage5 Production. His debut film, “Bun Tikki,” will feature a reunion of veteran Indian actresses Zeenat Aman and Shabana Azmi. (🇮🇳)
The Oscar-winning Navalny documentary team is partnering with National Geographic for “Blink of an Eye.” It chronicles the Pelletier family’s world tour after discovering three children losing their vision, in collaboration with MRC and Fishbowl Films (🇺🇸).
Director Tereza Nvotová readies her third film, “Father / Otec,” a real-events-based drama. Produced by DANAE Production and partners Moloko film, Lava Films, and Czech Television. It explores a tragic infant car incident. (Czech Republic 🇸🇰)
Austrian director Danielle Proskar begins filming “Pirates and Slaves of the Mediterranean”, backed by Malta Film Commission. This documentary delves into three centuries of Mediterranean piracy, drawing from 16th-century records by Balthasar Sturmer and Timmy Gambin’s research. Co-produced by e&a film in Austria and Urban Canyons in Malta. ( 🇦🇹 🇲🇹)

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Season Renewals

More episodes on the way! Season Renewal Announcements

Disney+ is set to launch the second season of its debut Brazilian original series, “All the Same… SQN,” featuring actress Gabriella Saraivah returning as Carol. (🇧🇷)
Netflix renews South African mystery drama series “Savage Beauty” for S2. (🇿🇦)
The Dutch thriller “Anonymous” is returning for a second season on NPO. The series revolves around two vigilante crime fighters who unknowingly pursue justice independently, combating the criminal underworld. (🇳🇱)”
Comedy Central is renewing “Drunk History: Black Stories,” a spin-off of the main “Drunk History” franchise, for its second season. Produced by Fan Studios with Femi Oyeniran and Nicky ‘Slimting’ Walker as executive producers, the show celebrates unsung black heroes in history with the assistance of celebrity narrators. (🇬🇧)
Sir David Attenborough is set to make his return as the presenter for the final season of the BBC’s globally acclaimed nature series, “Planet Earth.” (🇬🇧)

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Distribution Deals

Distributors securing worldwide content across different genres, languages and format types

Abacus Media Rights (AMR) has pre-sold the docu “The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee” to networks like Sky Arts, SBS Television Australia, NonStop Entertainment for Scandinavia, Iceland, and the Baltics, and Movistar Spain. This unique documentary uses interviews, archive footage, and innovative animation to bring the legendary actor Christopher Lee back to life on screen. ( 🇮🇸, Baltics, Scadinavia, 🇪🇸)
Cake, a UK-based distributor, has acquired the global rights for the newest installment in the Cracké series from Canadian animation studio Squeeze Productions. “Cracké Family Scramble” marks the first time this family-oriented, dialogue-free 3D animated comedy is presented in a longer format. (🌐)
MBC Group in the MENA has extended its licensing deal with Paramount Global Content Distribution for Nickelodeon programming by three years. MBC3 will broadcast a minimum of 350 Nickelodeon episodes annually. The streaming platform, Shahid, will also have access to the Nickelodeon catalog. (🇦🇪)
Zone3 International has joined forces with Wild Bunch TV to distribute “Motel Paradis,” a show which won the Gold Winner title at the 44th Annual Telly Awards. The series follows 22-year-old Jen’s mission to challenge her sister Noémie’s apparent suicide following a near-death experience. (🇫🇷 🇨🇦)
Inter Medya has secured several content sales across various African regions. They’ve partnered with Novelas TV for series like “Last Summer,” “Scorpion,” and “A.RIZA.” Through their collaboration with Multichoice, “Scorpion” will be available in several African countries. (🇧🇼 🇱🇸 🇲🇼 🇲🇿 🇳🇦 🇸🇿 🇿🇲 🇿🇼)

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Acquisition Deals

Streamers & channels acquiring latest content across the world

Spanish prodco Zona Mixta to produce “The Hidden Secrets of the Museums,” a docu-series that will uncover the stories behind artworks in museums across London, Paris, Berlin, and Madrid, visiting a total of twenty museums.The History Channel Iberia has acquired broadcast rights for Spain and Portugal. (🇪🇸 🇵🇱)
The French biographical drama series “Bardot” has been acquired by multiple European broadcasters, including TVP, AMC , Nova, MTVA, RTVS, LTV and Tet+, and ERR. The series stars newcomer Julia de Nunez as the iconic French actor and activist Brigitte Bardot. (🇵🇱 🇬🇷 🇭🇺 🇸🇰 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 Iberia)
Viaplay Group and CH Media in Switzerland have entered a multi-year partnership, providing over 900 hours of curated premium content from Viaplay Select to CH Media’s OnePlus streaming service. The partnership also extends to content for CH Media’s channel lineup and catch-up services. (🇸🇪 🇨🇭)
APC Kids has sealed global sales for the action-comedy series “Jade Armor” produced by TeamTO. The deals cover Téléquébec, WildBrain, RTBF and DR. The series follows Lan Jun’s transformation into the legendary Jade Armor, a mythical superhero. (🇨🇦 🇧🇪, 🇩🇰)
Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios have announced multiple sales for the tween series “Theodosia.” BBC, TV3, RAI, BYUtv, RTL (for Videoland), and AMC Networks International along with LRT, MTVA, YLE, and DR TV. The series is based on Robin L. LaFevers’ books and is set in Edwardian London and Egypt. (🇬🇧 🇪🇸 🇮🇹 🇺🇸 Nederland 🇪🇸 Lithunia 🇭🇺 🇫🇮 🇩🇰)

Partnerships/M&A

Cross-Border Collaborations, Joint Ventures, M&A and Partnerships!

Illusorium Studios, renowned for 3D animation and VFX, is launching its production division in 2024, offering ample office space for 250+ people. This move will foster Spain’s animation and VFX industry hub.(🇪🇸)
German media company, High View, has acquired all linear channels from Sony Pictures Television in German-speaking regions. This includes Sony AXN, Sony Channel, and the SVOD service Sony One. The deal, initially discussed in July 2023, is now confirmed. (🇩🇪)
Keshet International launches Keshet Germany, a scripted production company, expanding on Keshet Tresor Fiction’s success. It aims to create top-tier scripted series and films for the global and German markets, building on KTF’s achievements and adaptations like “Unter Freunden stirbt man nicht” and “How To Dad.” (🇩🇪)
Fremantle and IBI Investment House form a $160 million fund for global scripted TV and film projects, supporting three initial projects. The four-year partnership aims to enhance project development and market strategies, collaborating closely with Fremantle’s creative talent. (🇫🇷 🇮🇱)

Companies Making Headlines

Launch and Expansions of facilities, studios, services & technologies

Signiant and TMT Insights collaborate to enhance content supply chain optimization for media and entertainment firms. Signiant’s SaaS platform enables secure global content exchange, with plans for modern media-centric capabilities and a scalable workflow automation solution. (🇺🇸)
Aditya Birla’s Applause Entertainment joins hands with Zindagi (a TV channel owned by Zee Entertainment) to invest in South Asian content that resonates globally and offers cross-border narratives. (🇮🇳)
CineWaves Films, a Saudi Arabian film distributor, has opened an office in China, becoming the first Arab cultural entity to establish a physical presence in China. This move is part of CineWaves Films’ global expansion strategy and aims to create opportunities for Saudi films on an international scale. (🇦🇪)
The Australian state of Victoria, initiates a A$15m digital rebate to boost digital screen content creation, including VFX, animation, post-production, and gaming, aiming to attract international projects. (🇦🇺)

Featured New Specializations

Global innovations & breakthroughs in the Entertainment supply-chain

London start-up Electric Sheep, known for AI visual effects, has launched Spotlight, a cloud-based AI platform designed to streamline post-production in film and TV. Spotlight functions as a rotoscoping tool, simplifying background removal and offering visual effects artists more flexibility for adjustments. (🇬🇧)”
MRMC launches the SR-1 camera robot, a versatile pan-tilt head for challenging locations. Compatible with Nikon cameras, IP control, controllable via MHC or third-party systems, and supports a 4kg payload. It’s also compatible with MRMC’s Polymotion Chat automated tracking software. (🇬🇧)
At IBC 2023, Mo-Sys will unveil MultiViewXR, streamlining LED virtual studio multi-camera workflows. Powered by machine learning, it provides real-time AI-assisted director previews, accommodating numerous cameras per system and eliminates the need for multiple render nodes. (🇬🇧)
At IBC 2023, Evertz will present solutions that facilitate the transition from CAPEX hardware to flexible cloud-based workflows, including Reflektor, a cloud SaaS media transcoding and distribution platform. (🇨🇦)

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Localization & Post-Production

Latest updates in the world of content Localization & Post-Production

The Cutting Room introduces an Enhanced Finishing Service, bringing together their in-house specialists, senior editors, and assistants to enhance post-production services, encompassing tasks from fine-tuning to extensive revisions. (🇦🇺)
Memnon secures a three-year contract with the BBC Archive Technology & Services group to digitize and migrate 115,000 legacy Quarter Inch (QI) and DAT audio tapes to a file-based format. Integrated into BBC workflows. (🇬🇧)
Post-production house RunVT expands with a Fitzrovia office on Charlotte Street, complementing existing locations on Newman Street. The facility boasts a 4K HDR grading suite, 13 offline rooms, two 5.1 audio suites with VO booths, and an accessible hybrid suite. (🇬🇧)
Unreal Engine introduces Unreal Engine 5.3, offering extensive enhancements to broaden its capabilities and potential for game developers and creators across various industries. (🇺🇸)

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Animation, VFX & Virtual Production

Latest global updates in Animation, Visual Effects VFX & Virtual Production

Zero Density’s Traxis Platform brings AI to virtual production with high-precision tracking and minimal latency. It simplifies camera and talent tracking, removing calibration delays and latency errors. Traxis Camera Tracking offers 0.2 mm accuracy and just six milliseconds of latency, enhancing virtual storytelling with photoreal graphics. (🇹🇷)
Pixotope launches the Live Controller, an all-in-one graphics control solution for broadcast virtual production. It’s powered by Unreal Engine, featuring no-code templates and simplified workflows. This allows broadcasters of any size to integrate CG, AR, XR, and virtual sets without requiring dedicated engineering teams. (🇳🇴)
ARRI launches a versatile virtual production studio in NYC for agencies, corporate clients, and creatives to produce high-quality advertising and commercial content. (🇺🇸)
Vu Technologies, North America’s virtual studio network, introduces the Vu One, democratizing virtual production for creators of all backgrounds. It offers a cost-effective, user-friendly solution combining hardware and creative software, empowered by the Virtual Studio suite of tools. (🇺🇸)
Sony unveils the ‘Verona’ line of Crystal LED displays for virtual production. The cinematic production solutions group collaborated with Epic Games and Sony Pictures, among others, for development. (🌐)

Fast Channels

World of FAST channels & related market moves

TCL has entered the FAST market in North America with the launch of TCLtv+. Available on TCL-made TVs, it offers over 200 linear FAST channels and 1,500 on-demand movies and TV series from various studios, including Scripps Media, Fremantle, NBCUniversal, FilmRise, and Banijay, among others. (North America)
DistroTV is adding 120 new FAST channels spanning news, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle, along with a multicultural lineup catering to English, Southeast Asian, Indian, Spanish-speaking viewers, and a bundle for the African community. (🇺🇸)
Allen Media Group’s Local Now has partnered with Banijay Rights to launch 6 FAST channels featuring popular reality, dating, and game shows such as ‘Deal or No Deal,’ ‘Fear Factor,’ and ‘The Biggest Loser.’ (🇺🇸, 🇫🇷)
UK’s Channel 4 is launching its first international channels, 4 Adventure and 4 Emergency, on US streaming platforms Tubi, Plex, and Xumo Play. These will showcase C4 content and UK programming and are set to go live this month in the US. (🇬🇧)

New Global Arrivals

Recent biggest releases across the globe!

Denzel Washington’s “The Equalizer 3” dominates the US domestic box office, fetching in $34.5 million in ticket sales. Its global debut reaches $60.6 million, including $26.1 million from overseas markets.
Apple TV’s high octane drama series “The Morning Show” gets a season 3 release this week. (🌐)
Indian superstar Shahrukh Khan’s action film “Jawan” releases with a bang globally with a box office collection of $64.4M and growing. (🌐)
The Oscar-nominated movie “The Banshees of Inisherin” recently premiered on Hulu, making it available to a global audience. (🌐l)
Warner’s recent release “The Nun II” is creating horror magic across the globe. (🌐)

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