Category: GREENLIGHT
Sky Deutschland bets big on original drama
Sky Deutschland’s latest scripted commission, Eight Days, is part of a heavyweight investment in original drama designed to combat competition from Netflix and Amazon.
China opens up to outside influences
China seems more receptive than ever to foreign drama – both acquisitions and coproductions. Also, Sky1 and Cinemax announce plans for a new series of action-adventure drama Strike Back.
US studios extend int’l footprint
NBC, Fox and Sony Pictures Television divisions have all announced major international projects this week. Andy Fry reports.
Japanese and Polish dramas make headlines
Japanese exports and Polish originals lead the line this week, while there are also interesting insights from Eurodata TV Worldwide about the big trends in scripted TV.
Creative heavyweights step up development
Neil Gaiman, Alan Ball, Robert Downey Jr, McG and Zadie Smith are among the high-profile talents in the news, while Vimeo is continuing its expansion into the TV business.
Networks bank on spin-off series
Prequels and sequels are the latest attempt by networks to cut through the clutter of competition. Andy Fry looks at their chances of success, with a Big Bang Theory spin-off among those in the pipeline.
Our friends in the frozen north
As Nordic drama continues to thrive, this week we look at some of the shows making headlines both within the region and beyond.
Amazon, BBC, HBO spend big on scripted
There’s no evidence of drama investment slowing down, with some of the industry’s heavy-hitters betting big on writing and production talent. However, shared risk seems to be the order of the day…
Grisham gets the TV treatment
With legal dramas still in demand, there are reports this week of a new series based on a classic John Grisham novel. Also, plenty of shows are going into development at the big four US networks.
Amazon boards D83 sequel
As Mipcom 2016 gets under way, Amazon has secured rights to the Deutschland 83 sequel and Eccho Rights is hoping to emulate its Turkish formats success with Indian drama titles.
Israeli and Icelandic formats crack US
There’s evidence that US networks are still on the hunt for international formats this week following HBO and NBC pickups. Meanwhile, European historical coproductions also continue to attract investment.
Williams brothers plot deceitful drama
The writers behind The Missing have been signed up to pen a new series for ITV in the UK. Elsewhere, Margaret Atwood, Alfred Hitchcock and Jay-Z are all in the news this week – and Dynasty looks set to return to US screens.
Victoria’s reign extended by ITV
ITV’s hit period drama Victoria has been given a second season and looks like it is bedding in for a lengthy run. Also, a planned reboot for Magnum PI continues US TV’s IP-mining trend.
European dramas get backing from buyers
European dramas like Medici: Masters of Florence and Trapped are in the news this week. There also seems to be growing trend for the TV business to turn to feature film directors.
The Last Ship extends tour of duty
US cable network TNT has greenlit a fifth season of hit series The Last Ship before season four hits the air. Elsewhere, there is news of a new Nordic noir series and a macabre Aussie thriller.
West spies Korea opportunities
Amazon and Warner Bros are the latest Western companies to target Korean drama following similar moves by Netflix and NBC.
A busy August in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International TV Festival has become a major platform for news about new British drama, while Turkey’s The End is getting another remake.
Asia awaits Korea’s Moon Lovers
The popularity of Korean drama shows no sign of abating, with a hotly anticipated new series set to launch across Asia.
Showtime plays the long game
US channel Showtime has again shown long-term commitment to its drama series by renewing Homeland for two further seasons, while BBC2 will continue to be the home of lavish French period drama Versailles.
TCA tour de force from US series
ABC, Starz and National Geographic are among the many networks that have used the TCA Summer Press Tour to reveal their latest programming plans.