Kevin Costner’s ‘The Gray House’ To Open Monte-Carlo TV Festival
The 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival, which takes place 14-18 June, has added a touch of star power. The Kevin Costner-produced civil war spy drama The Gray House will be this year’s World Premiere Screening. The limited series, which Costner’s Territory Pictures and Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment are making alongside Republic Pictures and Big Dreams Entertainment, will open the fest following a red carpet arrival and opening ceremony. The show, based on a true story, stars Mary-Louise Parker, Daisy Head (Harlots), Amethyst Davis (Kindred) and Ben Vereen (Roots) as the unsung women who turned the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the North. Paramount Global Content Distribution has international sales rights. Previous Monte-Carlo openers have included Harlan Coben’s Shelter, Last Light, Empire, Absentia, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and L.A’s Finest.
The 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival, which takes place 14-18 June, has added a touch of star power. The Kevin Costner-produced civil war spy drama The Gray House will be this year’s World Premiere Screening. The limited series, which Costner’s Territory Pictures and Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment are making alongside Republic Pictures and Big Dreams Entertainment, will open the fest following a red carpet arrival and opening ceremony. The show, based on a true story, stars Mary-Louise Parker, Daisy Head (Harlots), Amethyst Davis (Kindred) and Ben Vereen (Roots) as the unsung women who turned the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the North. Paramount Global Content Distribution has international sales rights. Previous Monte-Carlo openers have included Harlan Coben’s Shelter, Last Light, Empire, Absentia, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and L.A’s Finest.
- 4/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock, Max Goldbart and Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
Pay deals in the U.S. and the streamer reset’s impact on international TV development were among the topics at the opening panel of the Berlinale Series Market this morning in Europe.
During the panel at the EFM event, Gersh partner Roy Ashton described that while production costs have gone up significantly over recent years, writer pay had not kept up with the inflation. He suggested indie producers, writers and agents should collaborate more to ensure packages lead to better financial deals when they approach streamers or studios.
Ashton noted that the model behind Netflix’s hit action series The Night Agent, which has been viewed tens of millions of times on the service, meant its writing team did not receive more than originals shows launched at the same time that performed far worse. Creator Shawn Ryan last year gave an interview in which he said anyone assuming he...
During the panel at the EFM event, Gersh partner Roy Ashton described that while production costs have gone up significantly over recent years, writer pay had not kept up with the inflation. He suggested indie producers, writers and agents should collaborate more to ensure packages lead to better financial deals when they approach streamers or studios.
Ashton noted that the model behind Netflix’s hit action series The Night Agent, which has been viewed tens of millions of times on the service, meant its writing team did not receive more than originals shows launched at the same time that performed far worse. Creator Shawn Ryan last year gave an interview in which he said anyone assuming he...
- 2/19/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Happy New Year, everybody. Jesse Whittock with you for the first Insider of 2024, as we look forward to bringing you the biggest stories throughout the year. Read on, and please and sign up here to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox every week.
10 Stories To Track In 2024
What to follow: This year is set to be a crucial one for the future of the global entertainment business, with the resolution of several key talking points set to color the agenda years into the future. Our team pulled together to discuss the big trends and narratives, and then published our ‘Ten Storylines Set To Dominate The International Market In 2024’ feature as the clocks struck twelve and the New Year began. Our predictions include: Continuing market contraction around the world, union talks and possible labor action outside the U.S., big-scale M&a of some nature, debate around AI and ongoing...
10 Stories To Track In 2024
What to follow: This year is set to be a crucial one for the future of the global entertainment business, with the resolution of several key talking points set to color the agenda years into the future. Our team pulled together to discuss the big trends and narratives, and then published our ‘Ten Storylines Set To Dominate The International Market In 2024’ feature as the clocks struck twelve and the New Year began. Our predictions include: Continuing market contraction around the world, union talks and possible labor action outside the U.S., big-scale M&a of some nature, debate around AI and ongoing...
- 1/5/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Deadline is continuing to bolster its formidable international ranks with the hire of respected industry vet Stewart Clarke, recent Creative Director of the Edinburgh TV Festival and former international correspondent at Variety.
Clarke is joining Deadline as SVP, Content, International. Based in London, he will contribute to editorial and work closely with Deadline’s SVP Global Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Celine Rotterman, and International Features Editor Diana Lodderhose, to help grow Deadline’s international business opportunities.
Clarke, who starts Monday (Dec 11), will report to Deadline’s President Ellie Duque and collaborate with the overseas team, including International Editor, Andreas Wiseman, who oversees international editorial.
“Stewart’s unique background as a seasoned trade reporter and accomplished festival executive makes him a perfect addition to Deadline’s formidable international team,” said Deadline co-editors in chief Nellie Andreeva and Mike Fleming, Jr. “He had been on our wish list for awhile, and we...
Clarke is joining Deadline as SVP, Content, International. Based in London, he will contribute to editorial and work closely with Deadline’s SVP Global Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Celine Rotterman, and International Features Editor Diana Lodderhose, to help grow Deadline’s international business opportunities.
Clarke, who starts Monday (Dec 11), will report to Deadline’s President Ellie Duque and collaborate with the overseas team, including International Editor, Andreas Wiseman, who oversees international editorial.
“Stewart’s unique background as a seasoned trade reporter and accomplished festival executive makes him a perfect addition to Deadline’s formidable international team,” said Deadline co-editors in chief Nellie Andreeva and Mike Fleming, Jr. “He had been on our wish list for awhile, and we...
- 12/8/2023
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Woods is a respected film and TV curator, acquisitions executive and festival consultant, with stints at British Council, BFI, BBC Film and AMC Networks.
Rowan Woods is taking over the role of creative director at the Edinburgh TV Festival, replacing Stewart Clarke who leaves the role after four festivals.
Woods is a well-respected film and TV curator, acquisitions executive and festival consultant, responsible for launching and running the BFI London Film Festival’s TV-facing programme since 2021, programming the likes of Succession, Dopesick and The English. The former BBC Film development executive has also done stints as an acquisitions consultant for...
Rowan Woods is taking over the role of creative director at the Edinburgh TV Festival, replacing Stewart Clarke who leaves the role after four festivals.
Woods is a well-respected film and TV curator, acquisitions executive and festival consultant, responsible for launching and running the BFI London Film Festival’s TV-facing programme since 2021, programming the likes of Succession, Dopesick and The English. The former BBC Film development executive has also done stints as an acquisitions consultant for...
- 12/6/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Jesse Armstrong will reveal the secrets of Succession in a talk at the Edinburgh TV Festival this year.
The HBO show’s creator will feature in an In Conversation session with journalist Marina Hyde. He’ll discuss all things Roy family, career highlights and what he’ll do next. Succession ends this Sunday on HBO after four seasons and numerous Emmy and BAFTA Awards.
Besides creating Succession, which tells the story of media mogul Logan Roy and his ambitious but incapable children, Armstrong is the co-creator of cult British comedies Peep Show, The Thick of It and Fresh Meat. He also received an Academy Award nomination for scripting satire In the Loop and was a co-writer on Chris Morris comedy Four Lions.
Succession has been dominating the news narrative this week ahead of the finale. Logan Roy actor Brian Cox yesterday told a BBC program his character was written...
The HBO show’s creator will feature in an In Conversation session with journalist Marina Hyde. He’ll discuss all things Roy family, career highlights and what he’ll do next. Succession ends this Sunday on HBO after four seasons and numerous Emmy and BAFTA Awards.
Besides creating Succession, which tells the story of media mogul Logan Roy and his ambitious but incapable children, Armstrong is the co-creator of cult British comedies Peep Show, The Thick of It and Fresh Meat. He also received an Academy Award nomination for scripting satire In the Loop and was a co-writer on Chris Morris comedy Four Lions.
Succession has been dominating the news narrative this week ahead of the finale. Logan Roy actor Brian Cox yesterday told a BBC program his character was written...
- 5/25/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 was the big winner at the Edinburgh TV Awards, winning six of the 20 awards on offer, including Channel of the Year.
The awards returned as an in-person event this year as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival, supported by Screen Scotland. Jodie Comer, who won the 2021 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, won the best TV actor in a drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 drama “Help.”
Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan received the 2022 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland” and and her much loved character Philomena Cunk.
Jury president Sue Vertue handed out the channel of the year award to Channel 4 director of content Ian Katz in what has been a very challenging year for the broadcaster, with the...
The awards returned as an in-person event this year as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival, supported by Screen Scotland. Jodie Comer, who won the 2021 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, won the best TV actor in a drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 drama “Help.”
Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan received the 2022 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland” and and her much loved character Philomena Cunk.
Jury president Sue Vertue handed out the channel of the year award to Channel 4 director of content Ian Katz in what has been a very challenging year for the broadcaster, with the...
- 8/26/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Apple TV+’s Pachinko and Netflix’s Sex Education are among the big winners at the Edinburgh TV Awards. Jodie Comer, Mo Gilligan and Sharon Horgan’s indie also scooped goings at the event, held this evening in Scotland’s capital as the Edinburgh TV Festival’s second day comes to an end.
Soo Hugh’s South Korean series Pachinko won the home Best International Drama category, marking Apple TV+’s first win at the awards. Sex Education, which comes from Sony-owned indie Eleven was named Best Comedy, while Martin Freeman-fronted BBC drama The Responder was Best Drama.
In the acting categories, Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, who last year’s Outstanding Achievement Award recipient, won the Best TV Actor in a Drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 care home drama Help, and Daisy Haggard won Best TV Actor in a Comedy for...
Soo Hugh’s South Korean series Pachinko won the home Best International Drama category, marking Apple TV+’s first win at the awards. Sex Education, which comes from Sony-owned indie Eleven was named Best Comedy, while Martin Freeman-fronted BBC drama The Responder was Best Drama.
In the acting categories, Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, who last year’s Outstanding Achievement Award recipient, won the Best TV Actor in a Drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 care home drama Help, and Daisy Haggard won Best TV Actor in a Comedy for...
- 8/25/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Cox And Rose Matafeo Unveiled For Packed Edinburgh TV Festival Lineup
Succession star Brian Cox, Starstruck creator Rose Matafeo and the biggest UK broadcasting bosses will feature at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, which unveiled its Alternative MacTaggart speaker. Deaf Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis will deliver the annual alternative address, billed as an “uncompromising speech about her experiences as a deaf actress and the stark realities of life as a young person with a disability in this industry.” Her speech comes a year after Help scribe Jack Thorne’s blistering MacTaggart, which blasted the UK TV industry for “utterly and totally” failing disabled people. Elsewhere, Cox will discuss his lauded career in an in-depth interview and Matafeo will be in conversation with Dolly Alderton, the creator of BBC One’s Everything I Know About Love, which debuted last night. Masterclasses will feature stars from...
Succession star Brian Cox, Starstruck creator Rose Matafeo and the biggest UK broadcasting bosses will feature at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, which unveiled its Alternative MacTaggart speaker. Deaf Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis will deliver the annual alternative address, billed as an “uncompromising speech about her experiences as a deaf actress and the stark realities of life as a young person with a disability in this industry.” Her speech comes a year after Help scribe Jack Thorne’s blistering MacTaggart, which blasted the UK TV industry for “utterly and totally” failing disabled people. Elsewhere, Cox will discuss his lauded career in an in-depth interview and Matafeo will be in conversation with Dolly Alderton, the creator of BBC One’s Everything I Know About Love, which debuted last night. Masterclasses will feature stars from...
- 6/8/2022
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Some of the U.K.’s biggest TV and streaming stars are set to appear at the 2022 Edinburgh TV Festival. Among those who will be present at the in-person event in Edinburgh are “Succession” patriarch Brian Cox, “Heartstopper” star Kit Connor and “Strictly Come Dancing’s” Rose Ayling-Ellis, who will give this year’s Alternative Mactaggart speech.
Actor Ayling-Ellis, who was “Strictly’s” first deaf contestant and is a British Sign Language (Bsl) campaigner, is set to discuss her experiences in the industry in what is sure to be a no-holds barred speech that follows on from last year’s Alternative Mactaggart lecture by “His Dark Materials” writer and disability campaigner Jack Thorne.
Cox will appear in conversation to discuss his career, his scene-stealing role as Logan Roy and his working-class Scottish roots while the cast and creative team from Netflix hit “Heartstopper” will also be on hand to discuss the coming-of-age romantic drama,...
Actor Ayling-Ellis, who was “Strictly’s” first deaf contestant and is a British Sign Language (Bsl) campaigner, is set to discuss her experiences in the industry in what is sure to be a no-holds barred speech that follows on from last year’s Alternative Mactaggart lecture by “His Dark Materials” writer and disability campaigner Jack Thorne.
Cox will appear in conversation to discuss his career, his scene-stealing role as Logan Roy and his working-class Scottish roots while the cast and creative team from Netflix hit “Heartstopper” will also be on hand to discuss the coming-of-age romantic drama,...
- 6/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Jodie Comer has won the Variety Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2021 Edinburgh TV awards. The award is in celebration of her work, which includes acclaimed U.K. dramas “Killing” Eve and “Help.”
Channel 4’s critically acclaimed hit “It’s A Sin” and Netflix’s global smash “Lupin” were awarded the national and international drama accolades respectively.
The cast of Channel 4’s “We Are Lady Parts” were presented with the Best Comedy Series award by this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival international editor, Tan France.
BBC One was crowned Channel of the Year, while Channel 4 won seven awards across the On Demand, Drama, Comedy, Actor, Factual and Breakthrough Talent categories.
Production Company of the Year was awarded to Bad Wolf and presented to Jane Tranter by “His Dark Materials” actor Amir Wilson.
The awards were presented in a digital ceremony hosted on the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Twitter handle by rising comedy star Kae Kurd,...
Channel 4’s critically acclaimed hit “It’s A Sin” and Netflix’s global smash “Lupin” were awarded the national and international drama accolades respectively.
The cast of Channel 4’s “We Are Lady Parts” were presented with the Best Comedy Series award by this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival international editor, Tan France.
BBC One was crowned Channel of the Year, while Channel 4 won seven awards across the On Demand, Drama, Comedy, Actor, Factual and Breakthrough Talent categories.
Production Company of the Year was awarded to Bad Wolf and presented to Jane Tranter by “His Dark Materials” actor Amir Wilson.
The awards were presented in a digital ceremony hosted on the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Twitter handle by rising comedy star Kae Kurd,...
- 10/22/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A range of topics dominating television industry headlines in the U.K. will be front and center at the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival (Aug. 23-26), the event’s chiefs promise.
The proposed privatization of Channel 4 and global streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus stealing a march over U.K. public service broadcasters have dominated local headlines in recent months — all of which will be unpacked at the fully virtual event.
“Channel 4, and of course, the future of public service broadcasting and the streamers and their place in the fabric of U.K. production and TV, these are all things that will absolutely be talked about,” said festival creative director Stewart Clarke, a former Variety correspondent.
Like the 2020 edition, 2021 is packed with heavyweight speakers including Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Coogan, and climate activist Greta Thunberg who will be in conversation with bestselling author Jo Nesbo.
“It really was...
The proposed privatization of Channel 4 and global streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus stealing a march over U.K. public service broadcasters have dominated local headlines in recent months — all of which will be unpacked at the fully virtual event.
“Channel 4, and of course, the future of public service broadcasting and the streamers and their place in the fabric of U.K. production and TV, these are all things that will absolutely be talked about,” said festival creative director Stewart Clarke, a former Variety correspondent.
Like the 2020 edition, 2021 is packed with heavyweight speakers including Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Coogan, and climate activist Greta Thunberg who will be in conversation with bestselling author Jo Nesbo.
“It really was...
- 8/16/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The International Icon Interview with Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner Whoopi Goldberg will be one of the highlights of the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival.
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The U.K.’s Edinburgh TV Festival has appointed fashion designer Tan France as international editor of its advisory board, while Screen Scotland will be a joint headline sponsor for the event alongside YouTube.
France is known as one of the Fab Five in Netflix’s Emmy-winning makeover hit, “Queer Eye.” The NY Times best-selling author and influential tastemaker also fronted Netflix’s global fashion design competition series “Next in Fashion,” and also hosts popular celebrity makeover series “Dressing Funny” on Netflix’s YouTube channel Netflix Is A Joke.
In the newly created position, France will work with newly appointed advisory chair Georgia Brown, head of European originals for Amazon; festival creative director Stewart Clarke, a former Variety correspondent; and the festival’s advisory board to shape and curate this year’s event.
“I am passionate about making content that touches people around the world, and content that is truly representative of the audience watching,...
France is known as one of the Fab Five in Netflix’s Emmy-winning makeover hit, “Queer Eye.” The NY Times best-selling author and influential tastemaker also fronted Netflix’s global fashion design competition series “Next in Fashion,” and also hosts popular celebrity makeover series “Dressing Funny” on Netflix’s YouTube channel Netflix Is A Joke.
In the newly created position, France will work with newly appointed advisory chair Georgia Brown, head of European originals for Amazon; festival creative director Stewart Clarke, a former Variety correspondent; and the festival’s advisory board to shape and curate this year’s event.
“I am passionate about making content that touches people around the world, and content that is truly representative of the audience watching,...
- 3/24/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
HBO-Sky drama “Chernobyl” continued its stellar awards run, winning best drama at the Edinburgh TV Festival, while its producer Sister won the production company of the year award.
Joining the virtual nature of many of this year’s awards, this year’s Edinburgh winners were revealed on Twitter, hosted by social media influencer Munya Chawawa.
HBO and Sky’s “Succession” won best international drama, Glenda Jackson added the Edinburgh best TV actor award to her BAFTA leading actress award for the BBC’s “Elizabeth Is Missing,” while BBC Two won channel of the year. “For Sama” won best documentary, Channel 4 and Netflix’s “Feel Good” won best comedy series, while BBC Three’s “The Rap Game U.K.” won best entertainment series.
Adeel Amini was presented with the industry champion award for his campaigning on behalf of industry freelancers resulting in his successful Coalition for Change agreement. A new,...
Joining the virtual nature of many of this year’s awards, this year’s Edinburgh winners were revealed on Twitter, hosted by social media influencer Munya Chawawa.
HBO and Sky’s “Succession” won best international drama, Glenda Jackson added the Edinburgh best TV actor award to her BAFTA leading actress award for the BBC’s “Elizabeth Is Missing,” while BBC Two won channel of the year. “For Sama” won best documentary, Channel 4 and Netflix’s “Feel Good” won best comedy series, while BBC Three’s “The Rap Game U.K.” won best entertainment series.
Adeel Amini was presented with the industry champion award for his campaigning on behalf of industry freelancers resulting in his successful Coalition for Change agreement. A new,...
- 11/18/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
British actor and presenter David Harewood will receive the Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, distributed in association with the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The award marks the first partnership between Variety and the festival. Harewood receives the prize in recognition of his extensive body of work and success in both the U.K. and U.S., as well as his work around mental health and social issues.
Having worked across film, theater and television, Harewood is best known for his starring role on Showtime’s hit series “Homeland” as David Estes, the director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center alongside Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. More recently, he has co-starred alongside Melissa Benoist in the DC Comics series “Supergirl.”
Other credits include AMC/BBC drama “The Night Manager,” where he starred opposite Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Elizabeth Debicki, and the films “Blood Diamond” and “Tulip Fever.”
Harewood contributed to the dialogue...
The award marks the first partnership between Variety and the festival. Harewood receives the prize in recognition of his extensive body of work and success in both the U.K. and U.S., as well as his work around mental health and social issues.
Having worked across film, theater and television, Harewood is best known for his starring role on Showtime’s hit series “Homeland” as David Estes, the director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center alongside Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. More recently, he has co-starred alongside Melissa Benoist in the DC Comics series “Supergirl.”
Other credits include AMC/BBC drama “The Night Manager,” where he starred opposite Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Elizabeth Debicki, and the films “Blood Diamond” and “Tulip Fever.”
Harewood contributed to the dialogue...
- 11/4/2020
- by Variety Editors
- Variety Film + TV
The rapid onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic caused several media events around the world to take rapid decisions to either cancel and postpone to 2021 or pivot to digital. The U.K., one of the worst hit countries in the world, was no different, and the venerable Edinburgh TV Festival, now in its 45th year, decided on the digital route.
“The question about staging a long-running event like ours moved quite quickly from ‘how can we’ to ‘how should we?’,” festival managing director Campbell Glennie tells Variety. “We are governed by The TV Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit charity, and very much designed for the industry in collaboration with it. When we decided to move to digital, we knew that serving our free-to-access schemes and audiences had to come first, and we’ve all had a challenging year. Being digital makes us more accessible and affordable, and we wanted to make sure...
“The question about staging a long-running event like ours moved quite quickly from ‘how can we’ to ‘how should we?’,” festival managing director Campbell Glennie tells Variety. “We are governed by The TV Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit charity, and very much designed for the industry in collaboration with it. When we decided to move to digital, we knew that serving our free-to-access schemes and audiences had to come first, and we’ve all had a challenging year. Being digital makes us more accessible and affordable, and we wanted to make sure...
- 8/21/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast-owned pay TV operator Sky is recommending that dramas with significant international shoots delay filming until spring 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The U.K. commissioning team is instead looking to create more local scripted shows, like hit thriller “Save Me,” which are not so expensive or challenging to produce in the current environment.
Last week, Sky revealed that “Save Me Too,” created by and starring Lennie James, was the most downloaded show among U.K. subscribers during lockdown, followed by East London-set “Bulletproof 2.”
Speaking in a live Edinburgh TV Festival-moderated YouTube interview today with the Sky commissioning team, Sky director of drama Cameron Roach said he is being “quite cautious” about any dramas that are due to shoot abroad. “I have said to those indies that (are making them) that it is probably better for us to plan those shoots for spring 2021 rather than having to be...
The U.K. commissioning team is instead looking to create more local scripted shows, like hit thriller “Save Me,” which are not so expensive or challenging to produce in the current environment.
Last week, Sky revealed that “Save Me Too,” created by and starring Lennie James, was the most downloaded show among U.K. subscribers during lockdown, followed by East London-set “Bulletproof 2.”
Speaking in a live Edinburgh TV Festival-moderated YouTube interview today with the Sky commissioning team, Sky director of drama Cameron Roach said he is being “quite cautious” about any dramas that are due to shoot abroad. “I have said to those indies that (are making them) that it is probably better for us to plan those shoots for spring 2021 rather than having to be...
- 4/27/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Britain’s top television executives will be questioned on the coronavirus crisis during a series of live Zoom interviews that form part of the reimagined online Edinburgh TV Festival.
Starting from April 27, the festival’s creative director Stewart Clarke will sit down with BBC director of content Charlotte Moore, ITV director of television Kevin Lygo, Channel 4 director of programs Ian Katz, Viacom International Media Networks’ UK director of programs Ben Frow and Sky’s managing director of content Zai Bennett.
Also taking part in the interviews will be UKTV’s director of commissioning Richard Watsham and BBC Two controller Patrick Holland. Later interviews will take place with the bosses of...
Starting from April 27, the festival’s creative director Stewart Clarke will sit down with BBC director of content Charlotte Moore, ITV director of television Kevin Lygo, Channel 4 director of programs Ian Katz, Viacom International Media Networks’ UK director of programs Ben Frow and Sky’s managing director of content Zai Bennett.
Also taking part in the interviews will be UKTV’s director of commissioning Richard Watsham and BBC Two controller Patrick Holland. Later interviews will take place with the bosses of...
- 4/21/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The Edinburgh TV Festival, set to take place in late August, has been reimagined as a digital event in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Organizers confirmed Tuesday morning that the festival, which is a key stop in the U.K. TV industry’s calendar, will not be held as a physical event from August 26-28, but will instead virtually offer its flagship sessions, including the MacTaggart Lecture, controller sessions and awards, and talent schemes.
Crucially, the festival has been made free for freelancers this year, with organizers acknowledging that the self-employed are “particularly affected by this crisis.”
The festival is also set to create a stream of online content that will launch in the coming weeks. Applications are now open for the festival’s assortment of schemes, including The Network for new TV talent, Ones to Watch for rising stars, and TV PhD, which unites television and academia.
This...
Organizers confirmed Tuesday morning that the festival, which is a key stop in the U.K. TV industry’s calendar, will not be held as a physical event from August 26-28, but will instead virtually offer its flagship sessions, including the MacTaggart Lecture, controller sessions and awards, and talent schemes.
Crucially, the festival has been made free for freelancers this year, with organizers acknowledging that the self-employed are “particularly affected by this crisis.”
The festival is also set to create a stream of online content that will launch in the coming weeks. Applications are now open for the festival’s assortment of schemes, including The Network for new TV talent, Ones to Watch for rising stars, and TV PhD, which unites television and academia.
This...
- 4/7/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
James McAvoy, Andrew Scott, Wendell Pierce and Toby Jones are going head-to-head for best actor in this year’s Olivier Awards, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Hayley Atwell, Juliet Stevenson and Sharon D Clarke have been nominated for best actress.
New musical & Juliet has nabbed nine nominations, Trevor Nunn’s Fiddler on the Roof has secured eight and Dear Evan Hansen has scored seven.
The UK awards, which celebrates the best theatre in London, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on April 5.
Here’s the full list of play and musical nominations:
Best New Play
A Very Expensive Poison at The Old Vic
The Doctor at Almeida Theatre
Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre
The Ocean at the End of the Lane at National Theatre – Dorfman
Best New Musical
& Juliet at Shaftesbury Theatre
Amelie The Musical at The Other Palace
Dear Evan Hansen at Noel Coward Theatre
Waitress at Adelphi Theatre...
New musical & Juliet has nabbed nine nominations, Trevor Nunn’s Fiddler on the Roof has secured eight and Dear Evan Hansen has scored seven.
The UK awards, which celebrates the best theatre in London, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on April 5.
Here’s the full list of play and musical nominations:
Best New Play
A Very Expensive Poison at The Old Vic
The Doctor at Almeida Theatre
Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre
The Ocean at the End of the Lane at National Theatre – Dorfman
Best New Musical
& Juliet at Shaftesbury Theatre
Amelie The Musical at The Other Palace
Dear Evan Hansen at Noel Coward Theatre
Waitress at Adelphi Theatre...
- 3/3/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Edinburgh TV Festival has appointed new leadership, with Campbell Glennie promoted to managing director and former Variety international correspondent Stewart Clarke joining as creative director.
Glennie and Clarke join the team following the departure of long-time director Lisa Campbell, who left the festival to join “For Sama” producer ITN Productions in December.
The festival, which takes place in late August and is a fixture on the industry’s calendar, has also restructured ahead of expansion plans that will further integrate the festival with its charity arm, the TV Foundation.
Glennie, the event’s former director of education and talent development, occupies the newly created role of managing director for both the festival and TV Foundation.
Since joining in 2014, he has been responsible for growing the TV Foundation’s talent schemes, The Network and Ones to Watch, as well as introducing new initiatives such as TV PhD and the Living Wage Foundation.
Glennie and Clarke join the team following the departure of long-time director Lisa Campbell, who left the festival to join “For Sama” producer ITN Productions in December.
The festival, which takes place in late August and is a fixture on the industry’s calendar, has also restructured ahead of expansion plans that will further integrate the festival with its charity arm, the TV Foundation.
Glennie, the event’s former director of education and talent development, occupies the newly created role of managing director for both the festival and TV Foundation.
Since joining in 2014, he has been responsible for growing the TV Foundation’s talent schemes, The Network and Ones to Watch, as well as introducing new initiatives such as TV PhD and the Living Wage Foundation.
- 1/15/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The Edinburgh International Television Festival has appointed Variety’s international correspondent Stewart Clarke as creative director and promoted Campbell Glennie to managing director.
The pair will effectively replace Lisa Campbell — who stepped down as CEO in 2019 to become the director of communications at ITN — as the festival gears up to launch on 26 August this year.
Glennie, the former director of education and talent development, will lead the festival and its TV foundation, which helps provide career breaks for young talent.
Clarke will be responsible for building the Ed TV Fest’s editorial agenda, working closely with advisory chair Patrick Holland, the controller of BBC Two. Clarke has worked at Variety since 2017 and was previously editor of Tbi.
“Witnessing first-hand the transformative power of the festival and our life-changing schemes over the past six years, it’s a genuine privilege to lead the organization into the future,” Glennie said.
Clarke added:...
The pair will effectively replace Lisa Campbell — who stepped down as CEO in 2019 to become the director of communications at ITN — as the festival gears up to launch on 26 August this year.
Glennie, the former director of education and talent development, will lead the festival and its TV foundation, which helps provide career breaks for young talent.
Clarke will be responsible for building the Ed TV Fest’s editorial agenda, working closely with advisory chair Patrick Holland, the controller of BBC Two. Clarke has worked at Variety since 2017 and was previously editor of Tbi.
“Witnessing first-hand the transformative power of the festival and our life-changing schemes over the past six years, it’s a genuine privilege to lead the organization into the future,” Glennie said.
Clarke added:...
- 1/15/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
From unemployed actress to now a hot commodity, Sharon Horgan is riding a wave of creative success that includes the recently concluded hit show “Catastrophe,” a deal with Amazon Studios and a busy production company, Merman, that’s female-dominated and gets “more interesting stories because of it.”
“It was completely deliberate,” Horgan said of the choice to be a women-centric company. “And weirdly, we were worried we were being slightly too…female [a] company.” But the decision has been rewarded story-wise.
The proudly Irish Horgan, speaking to reporter Stewart Clarke at Variety’s European TV Summit on Thursday, laughed about how much of her time Merman is occupying, which she had no idea would be the case when she founded the company with Clelia Mountford. ““Honest to God, I don’t know what I was thinking,” she said.
Horgan’s breakout hit with Rob Delaney, “Catastrophe,” wrapped after its fourth season a few months ago.
“It was completely deliberate,” Horgan said of the choice to be a women-centric company. “And weirdly, we were worried we were being slightly too…female [a] company.” But the decision has been rewarded story-wise.
The proudly Irish Horgan, speaking to reporter Stewart Clarke at Variety’s European TV Summit on Thursday, laughed about how much of her time Merman is occupying, which she had no idea would be the case when she founded the company with Clelia Mountford. ““Honest to God, I don’t know what I was thinking,” she said.
Horgan’s breakout hit with Rob Delaney, “Catastrophe,” wrapped after its fourth season a few months ago.
- 6/14/2019
- by Henry Chu
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Europe has greenlit “Patria,” its first original series out of Spain, to be written and produced by Aitor Gabilondo (“El Príncipe”) and directed by award-winning helmers Pablo Trapero and Félix Viscarret (“Under the Stars”).
The eight-part series adapts author Fernando Aramburu’s 2016 novel of the same name, one of the most acclaimed of recent Spanish bestsellers. Variety reported on the development of the project last year.
Trapero, a leading light of New Argentine Cinema who won a best director plaudit in Venice for “The Clan” in 2016, will serve as lead director. Trapero has made movies that deal with weighty social and political issues but appeal far beyond art-house audiences, such as Cannes competition contender “Lion’s Den” and Ricardo Darin-starrer “Carancho.” Viscarret, a Goya award winner who helmed the Caribbean noir series “Four Seasons in Havana” for Tornasol, will direct some of “Patria’s” episodes.
The 646-page novel looks...
The eight-part series adapts author Fernando Aramburu’s 2016 novel of the same name, one of the most acclaimed of recent Spanish bestsellers. Variety reported on the development of the project last year.
Trapero, a leading light of New Argentine Cinema who won a best director plaudit in Venice for “The Clan” in 2016, will serve as lead director. Trapero has made movies that deal with weighty social and political issues but appeal far beyond art-house audiences, such as Cannes competition contender “Lion’s Den” and Ricardo Darin-starrer “Carancho.” Viscarret, a Goya award winner who helmed the Caribbean noir series “Four Seasons in Havana” for Tornasol, will direct some of “Patria’s” episodes.
The 646-page novel looks...
- 10/22/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The days of regular TV ratings bonanzas may be over because of an increasingly fragmented viewing environment, but the World Cup, which wrapped July 15, underscored the enduring power of linear TV when it comes to broadcasting live events.
While the Olympics are the biggest TV event globally, the World Cup final remains the single most-watched sporting event. Although the global viewing figure for this year’s deciding match, which saw France beat Croatia, has yet to be determined, it’s expected to be on par with the estimated 900 million people worldwide who tuned in to watch Germany defeat Argentina in 2014, according to Kantar Media.
“The takeaway from this World Cup is that the power of linear TV to reach millions of people with live events can’t be matched by Netflix and other streaming services,” said François Godard at Enders Analysis.
The final drew an estimated 107 million viewers in 19 European countries,...
While the Olympics are the biggest TV event globally, the World Cup final remains the single most-watched sporting event. Although the global viewing figure for this year’s deciding match, which saw France beat Croatia, has yet to be determined, it’s expected to be on par with the estimated 900 million people worldwide who tuned in to watch Germany defeat Argentina in 2014, according to Kantar Media.
“The takeaway from this World Cup is that the power of linear TV to reach millions of people with live events can’t be matched by Netflix and other streaming services,” said François Godard at Enders Analysis.
The final drew an estimated 107 million viewers in 19 European countries,...
- 7/18/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Walt Disney Company has boosted its bid to acquire the bulk of 21st Century Fox, raising its offer to $71.3 billion in cash and stock. In a statement, Fox said Wednesday that the new deal is significantly better than Disney’s earlier offer and “is superior to the proposal made by the Comcast Corporation.”
The move comes after Comcast launched a rival bid for most of Fox’s film and television holdings. Its $65 billion all-cash offer topped the $52.4 billion deal that Disney inked with Fox in December, fueling expectations of a bidding war between two of the world’s biggest media companies. Both Disney and Comcast see a Fox acquisition as potentially transformative, adding to their arsenal of hit movies and shows at a time when digital behemoths such as Netflix and Amazon are changing the way consumers watch and pay for content.
Disney said it would now pay $38 per share for Fox,...
The move comes after Comcast launched a rival bid for most of Fox’s film and television holdings. Its $65 billion all-cash offer topped the $52.4 billion deal that Disney inked with Fox in December, fueling expectations of a bidding war between two of the world’s biggest media companies. Both Disney and Comcast see a Fox acquisition as potentially transformative, adding to their arsenal of hit movies and shows at a time when digital behemoths such as Netflix and Amazon are changing the way consumers watch and pay for content.
Disney said it would now pay $38 per share for Fox,...
- 6/20/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Even if rights auctions proved underwhelming in many countries, the World Cup, which kicks off June 14 in Russia, remains the second-biggest global TV event outside of the Olympics and a brand booster for broadcasters in most parts of the world.
But competition from less costly
programming and shifting viewing habits pose challenges for those who splurged for rights to the quadrennial soccer tournament. Outlets are banking on digital innovation, cross-platform coverage and more commentary — often celebrity-led — to maximize ratings, broaden their audience base and lure more advertisers.
In Europe, soccer is still a ratings champion, but TV outlets in key territories such as France, Italy and Spain managed to pay less for rights this time than they did for the previous tournaments.
“For a free- or pay-tv channel, soccer is great to consolidate leadership, boost prestige and bolster the brand,” says Jean-Baptiste Sergeant, an analyst at MainFirst. “But it’s always a money loser,...
But competition from less costly
programming and shifting viewing habits pose challenges for those who splurged for rights to the quadrennial soccer tournament. Outlets are banking on digital innovation, cross-platform coverage and more commentary — often celebrity-led — to maximize ratings, broaden their audience base and lure more advertisers.
In Europe, soccer is still a ratings champion, but TV outlets in key territories such as France, Italy and Spain managed to pay less for rights this time than they did for the previous tournaments.
“For a free- or pay-tv channel, soccer is great to consolidate leadership, boost prestige and bolster the brand,” says Jean-Baptiste Sergeant, an analyst at MainFirst. “But it’s always a money loser,...
- 6/14/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
IMAX has signed a deal with Middle Eastern exhibitor Vox Cinemas to partner on at least four IMAX venues in Saudi Arabia, which last month opened its first movie theaters after the lifting of a 35-year-old religiously based ban.
The IMAX theaters will be added to multiplexes operated by Vox in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and in other locations in shopping malls, some of which are owned by Vox Cinemas’ parent company, Majid Al Futtaim, a leading mall and hotel developer in the region.
Vox, the region’s largest exhibitor, is among companies that have been granted a license to operate cinemas in Saudi Arabia. They currently have a four-screen multiplex up and running in the Riyadh Park Mall, one of which is an IMAX theater that is part of this deal.
Vox’s stated plan is to invest more than $500 million to open 600 screens in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.
The IMAX theaters will be added to multiplexes operated by Vox in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and in other locations in shopping malls, some of which are owned by Vox Cinemas’ parent company, Majid Al Futtaim, a leading mall and hotel developer in the region.
Vox, the region’s largest exhibitor, is among companies that have been granted a license to operate cinemas in Saudi Arabia. They currently have a four-screen multiplex up and running in the Riyadh Park Mall, one of which is an IMAX theater that is part of this deal.
Vox’s stated plan is to invest more than $500 million to open 600 screens in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.
- 5/15/2018
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes — Michelle Dockery, who found fame around the globe as “Downton Abbey’s” Lady Mary Crawley, was honored with the first Variety Icon Award for Canneseries at Saturday’s official opening ceremony for the inaugural Cannes TV fest.
Described by Variety’s Stewart Clarke as “an actor at the top of their game during this golden age of scripted television,” Dockery, striking in a one-strap full-length red evening gown, told a packed Palais des Festivals crowd that in the last decade, “pretty well as long as I’ve been doing TV,” television had “transformed enormously.” “I feel extremely fortunate to be part of the international surge in its landscape,” she added.
She had another, more personal, reason for being happy for the Variety Icon Award.
As a teenager Dockery was “obsessed” with television, she confessed on stage in her acceptance speech: “I would sit with my mum and dad, we would watch ‘Prime Suspect,...
Described by Variety’s Stewart Clarke as “an actor at the top of their game during this golden age of scripted television,” Dockery, striking in a one-strap full-length red evening gown, told a packed Palais des Festivals crowd that in the last decade, “pretty well as long as I’ve been doing TV,” television had “transformed enormously.” “I feel extremely fortunate to be part of the international surge in its landscape,” she added.
She had another, more personal, reason for being happy for the Variety Icon Award.
As a teenager Dockery was “obsessed” with television, she confessed on stage in her acceptance speech: “I would sit with my mum and dad, we would watch ‘Prime Suspect,...
- 4/8/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Featuring a string of international key-players, the Drama Series Days Conference presents inspiring talks on the latest trends and developments in serial content. The detailed list of panels, speakers and their topics is below.Monday, Feb 19
10–10.45 am
Zoo 2
Opening Session
Kick-Off Drama Series Days 2018
with Matthijs Wouter Knol (Efm), Petra Müller (Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw)
Moderated by Ali May
11–11.45 am
Zoo 2
Panel
How to Make Series Travel
with Rola Bauer, Sarah Doole, Ivar Køhn, Moritz von Kruedener
European key players from the fields of production, development and sales give insights into the business of internationally co-produced serial drama and share their recipes for success. What are their strategies to place serial content with an international audience? What are important factors in story development, casting and international financing?
In cooperation with Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw
Moderated by Stewart Clarke, Variety
1–1.45 pm
Zoo 4
Presentation
Follow the Money: Financing Series in Europe
Based...
10–10.45 am
Zoo 2
Opening Session
Kick-Off Drama Series Days 2018
with Matthijs Wouter Knol (Efm), Petra Müller (Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw)
Moderated by Ali May
11–11.45 am
Zoo 2
Panel
How to Make Series Travel
with Rola Bauer, Sarah Doole, Ivar Køhn, Moritz von Kruedener
European key players from the fields of production, development and sales give insights into the business of internationally co-produced serial drama and share their recipes for success. What are their strategies to place serial content with an international audience? What are important factors in story development, casting and international financing?
In cooperation with Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw
Moderated by Stewart Clarke, Variety
1–1.45 pm
Zoo 4
Presentation
Follow the Money: Financing Series in Europe
Based...
- 2/9/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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