Tony Hall-Chaired Indie Ties With Off The Fence To Expand ‘Rising Phoenix’ Paralympic Games Universe
Exclusive: The rise of the Paralympic Games has been one of sport’s biggest recent triumphs, and a trailblazing content initiative charting its story is now set to take the narrative even deeper.
Harder Than You Think (Htyt), which has exclusive worldwide rights to tell the story of the Paralympics through to the 2028 Games in LA, has appointed European production and sales house Off the Fence to find partners for the next four projects coming from its Rising Phoenix Universe initiative.
British indie Htyt was set up by London 2012 Chief Marketing Officer Greg Nugent and is chaired by ex-BBC Director General Tony Hall. It has been building the Rising Phoenix Universe since launching the double Emmy-winning Netflix and Bytedance doc Rising Phoenix, about the history of the Paralympic movement, in 2020.
As part of the agreement, Zdf Studios-owned Off the Fence will also co-produce additional content commissioned outside of the core four projects.
Harder Than You Think (Htyt), which has exclusive worldwide rights to tell the story of the Paralympics through to the 2028 Games in LA, has appointed European production and sales house Off the Fence to find partners for the next four projects coming from its Rising Phoenix Universe initiative.
British indie Htyt was set up by London 2012 Chief Marketing Officer Greg Nugent and is chaired by ex-BBC Director General Tony Hall. It has been building the Rising Phoenix Universe since launching the double Emmy-winning Netflix and Bytedance doc Rising Phoenix, about the history of the Paralympic movement, in 2020.
As part of the agreement, Zdf Studios-owned Off the Fence will also co-produce additional content commissioned outside of the core four projects.
- 1/12/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
In 1989, the 7-year-old Daveed Diggs queued up outside Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre, his hometown multiplex, to see “The Little Mermaid” with his father, Dountes.
“It must’ve been opening weekend. The line wrapped around the block,” Diggs recalls. “I remember loving Scuttle, thinking he was just the funniest thing I’d seen up to that point, and loving the songs.”
Thirty years later, Diggs is a Tony- and Grammy-winning actor, rapper and filmmaker, best known for “Blindspotting” (both the 2018 film and the Starz series) and “Hamilton,” where he delighted Broadway audiences by putting his unique imprint on Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. After playing those historical figures night after night, one might imagine he’d have no qualms about taking on another well-known character — the calypso-singing crab Sebastian in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which opens on May 26.
But Diggs’ insecurities — much like Sebastian’s persistent...
“It must’ve been opening weekend. The line wrapped around the block,” Diggs recalls. “I remember loving Scuttle, thinking he was just the funniest thing I’d seen up to that point, and loving the songs.”
Thirty years later, Diggs is a Tony- and Grammy-winning actor, rapper and filmmaker, best known for “Blindspotting” (both the 2018 film and the Starz series) and “Hamilton,” where he delighted Broadway audiences by putting his unique imprint on Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. After playing those historical figures night after night, one might imagine he’d have no qualms about taking on another well-known character — the calypso-singing crab Sebastian in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which opens on May 26.
But Diggs’ insecurities — much like Sebastian’s persistent...
- 5/25/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Prime Minister “ought to” give up their involvement with the hiring of the BBC Chairman in the future following the Richard Sharp scandal, according to former Director General Tony Hall.
Hall urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “say something interesting” about the government’s involvement with the process, which, in Sharp’s case, led to a chain of events surrounding the Boris Johnson loan scandal that has forced the former Goldman Sachs banker and Conservative Party donor to resign.
Hall, who was BBC Dg between 2013 and 2020, told the Voice of the Listener & Viewer (Vlv) Conference that the Prime Minister of the day “ought to” give up their involvement in the Chair appointment, which is currently decided by a government committee.
“When you say the Prime Minister appoints the Chairman people tend to respond with a wry grin and question whether that is really independent,” he said.
Hall forecasted that...
Hall urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “say something interesting” about the government’s involvement with the process, which, in Sharp’s case, led to a chain of events surrounding the Boris Johnson loan scandal that has forced the former Goldman Sachs banker and Conservative Party donor to resign.
Hall, who was BBC Dg between 2013 and 2020, told the Voice of the Listener & Viewer (Vlv) Conference that the Prime Minister of the day “ought to” give up their involvement in the Chair appointment, which is currently decided by a government committee.
“When you say the Prime Minister appoints the Chairman people tend to respond with a wry grin and question whether that is really independent,” he said.
Hall forecasted that...
- 5/11/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The BBC is considering a U-turn on closing BBC4 as a television channel amid solid ratings and a backlash against cuts at the corporation.
The BBC said last year that it would shut down BBC4’s linear channel and move the brand online from 2025 as part of plans to become a “digital first” broadcaster.
Deadline hears, however, that the BBC’s content team is considering maintaining the channel given its relatively low running costs and popularity with viewers.
Sources said no decision has been made, but there is growing confidence it could be rescued. “Tim [Davie] is minded to save BBC4,” said one source familiar with the Director-General’s thinking.
Another BBC insider said the position has not changed since last May, when Davie announced that BBC4 would move online alongside children’s channel Cbbc.
BBC4 has been hollowed out to become largely an archive service, where highbrow comedy and...
The BBC said last year that it would shut down BBC4’s linear channel and move the brand online from 2025 as part of plans to become a “digital first” broadcaster.
Deadline hears, however, that the BBC’s content team is considering maintaining the channel given its relatively low running costs and popularity with viewers.
Sources said no decision has been made, but there is growing confidence it could be rescued. “Tim [Davie] is minded to save BBC4,” said one source familiar with the Director-General’s thinking.
Another BBC insider said the position has not changed since last May, when Davie announced that BBC4 would move online alongside children’s channel Cbbc.
BBC4 has been hollowed out to become largely an archive service, where highbrow comedy and...
- 3/31/2023
- by Jake Kanter and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
New report warns the UK risks being overtaken by other countries.
The UK government has been accused of a “baffling” failure to capitalise on the thriving creative sector by the Lords Communications Committee as it warns the UK risks being overtaken by other countries.
In its 67-page At risk: our creative future report, the committee has called on senior figures within Westminster to recognise the commercial potential of the sector, which were worth £115bn pre-pandemic, more than the aerospace, life sciences and automotive industries combined and is estimated to support 4m jobs by 2030.
Led by Baroness Tina Stowell and counting...
The UK government has been accused of a “baffling” failure to capitalise on the thriving creative sector by the Lords Communications Committee as it warns the UK risks being overtaken by other countries.
In its 67-page At risk: our creative future report, the committee has called on senior figures within Westminster to recognise the commercial potential of the sector, which were worth £115bn pre-pandemic, more than the aerospace, life sciences and automotive industries combined and is estimated to support 4m jobs by 2030.
Led by Baroness Tina Stowell and counting...
- 1/17/2023
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
All3Media To Begin Shopping ‘The Kardashians: A Billion Dollar Dynasty’
All3Media International will begin selling Channel 4’s two-part doc The Kardashians: A Billion Dollar Dynasty. The series, which launched in the UK last week, follows how the reality TV royal family exploit every situation to turn them into money-making ventures. All3-owned Optomen produced the show, which is billed as a “balanced account” of how the family became one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Optomen’s documentary is told with impressive journalistic rigour, featuring incredible archive footage and new insights from high-profile contributors, offering an illuminating and refreshingly unbiased take on the Kardashian’s journey,” said Rachel Job, SVP Non-Scripted at All3Media International.
BBC Vet Bob Shennan To Depart After 36 Years
BBC veteran Bob Shennan is exiting the corporation after 36 years. Shennan was most recently Director of Audio, BBC Studios and held a number of senior...
All3Media International will begin selling Channel 4’s two-part doc The Kardashians: A Billion Dollar Dynasty. The series, which launched in the UK last week, follows how the reality TV royal family exploit every situation to turn them into money-making ventures. All3-owned Optomen produced the show, which is billed as a “balanced account” of how the family became one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Optomen’s documentary is told with impressive journalistic rigour, featuring incredible archive footage and new insights from high-profile contributors, offering an illuminating and refreshingly unbiased take on the Kardashian’s journey,” said Rachel Job, SVP Non-Scripted at All3Media International.
BBC Vet Bob Shennan To Depart After 36 Years
BBC veteran Bob Shennan is exiting the corporation after 36 years. Shennan was most recently Director of Audio, BBC Studios and held a number of senior...
- 1/11/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Meghan and Harry’s long-awaited docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” threw plenty of punches – mostly aimed at the Royal Family with the British media (specifically sister papers the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday) next in the firing line.
So far, the royals have not responded publicly, declining to release any kind of official statement. But “Palace sources” did brief the U.K.’s royal reporters after Volume I (comprised of the first three episodes of the series) aired last week. The sources claimed Harry’s dad, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, hadn’t been contacted for comment, contrary to the title card that appears at the opening of the doc, which reads: “Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content within this series.”
A Netflix source disputed this, saying the royals’ communications offices had been contacted and given the chance to respond to the couple’s claims.
So far, the royals have not responded publicly, declining to release any kind of official statement. But “Palace sources” did brief the U.K.’s royal reporters after Volume I (comprised of the first three episodes of the series) aired last week. The sources claimed Harry’s dad, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, hadn’t been contacted for comment, contrary to the title card that appears at the opening of the doc, which reads: “Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content within this series.”
A Netflix source disputed this, saying the royals’ communications offices had been contacted and given the chance to respond to the couple’s claims.
- 12/16/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
BBC journalists have fired back at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s claims regarding their 2017 engagement interview in their new Netflix docuseries.
In the third episode, of the first three that were released on Thursday, the couple claim that their engagement interview with the outlet five years ago was “orchestrated” and “rehearsed.”
“We weren’t allowed to tell our story because they didn’t want [us to],” Markle says in the episode, to which Harry adds: “We’ve never been allowed to tell our story.”
The actress didn’t clarify who “they” referred to- the royal family or the BBC.
One of BBC’s most esteemed journalists, Mishal Husain, who conducted the couple’s engagement interview, disputed Meghan and Harry’s claims, along with some of her co-workers.
Read More: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Spokesperson Responds Amid Documentary Backlash, Insists Decision To Step Down As Senior Royals Wasn’t About...
In the third episode, of the first three that were released on Thursday, the couple claim that their engagement interview with the outlet five years ago was “orchestrated” and “rehearsed.”
“We weren’t allowed to tell our story because they didn’t want [us to],” Markle says in the episode, to which Harry adds: “We’ve never been allowed to tell our story.”
The actress didn’t clarify who “they” referred to- the royal family or the BBC.
One of BBC’s most esteemed journalists, Mishal Husain, who conducted the couple’s engagement interview, disputed Meghan and Harry’s claims, along with some of her co-workers.
Read More: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Spokesperson Responds Amid Documentary Backlash, Insists Decision To Step Down As Senior Royals Wasn’t About...
- 12/9/2022
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
BBC journalists have hit back at claims made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their new Netflix documentary over the couple’s engagement interview.
In the new six-part docuseries, the first three episodes of which dropped on the streamer yesterday, the couple claim an interview they gave to the BBC in 2017 about their engagement was “orchestrated” and “rehearsed.” Meghan also said in the documentary: “We weren’t allowed to tell our story because they didn’t want [us to].”
She does not clarify whether “they” refers to the Royal Family or the BBC.
The BBC interview, which the couple gave shortly after their engagement was announced in 2017, was conducted by one the network’s most esteemed journalists, Mishal Husain.
Now, some of the BBC’s top journalists – including Husain – have disputed the couple’s claims, as well as their assertion the British media was out to “destroy” Meghan.
Husain, who was...
In the new six-part docuseries, the first three episodes of which dropped on the streamer yesterday, the couple claim an interview they gave to the BBC in 2017 about their engagement was “orchestrated” and “rehearsed.” Meghan also said in the documentary: “We weren’t allowed to tell our story because they didn’t want [us to].”
She does not clarify whether “they” refers to the Royal Family or the BBC.
The BBC interview, which the couple gave shortly after their engagement was announced in 2017, was conducted by one the network’s most esteemed journalists, Mishal Husain.
Now, some of the BBC’s top journalists – including Husain – have disputed the couple’s claims, as well as their assertion the British media was out to “destroy” Meghan.
Husain, who was...
- 12/9/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s Harry & Meghan looks set to reopen old wounds about the controversial 1995 Panorama interview as the Duke of Sussex broke rank to say his mother was “speaking the truth of her experience” in the interview.
In episode one of the hotly-anticipated doc series, which came out this morning, Netflix uses footage of the now-disgraced interview secured by Martin Bashir for the BBC to illustrate Diana’s treatment by the media.
Harry states before the clip: “I think we all know she was deceived into giving the interview but at the same time she spoke the truth of her experience.”
Prince William has previously said the interview “holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again,” jarring with Harry’s remark in the Netflix series and the fact that Netflix aired the clip.
The clip shows Diana saying she was “terrified of being driven away by the media” and that...
In episode one of the hotly-anticipated doc series, which came out this morning, Netflix uses footage of the now-disgraced interview secured by Martin Bashir for the BBC to illustrate Diana’s treatment by the media.
Harry states before the clip: “I think we all know she was deceived into giving the interview but at the same time she spoke the truth of her experience.”
Prince William has previously said the interview “holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again,” jarring with Harry’s remark in the Netflix series and the fact that Netflix aired the clip.
The clip shows Diana saying she was “terrified of being driven away by the media” and that...
- 12/8/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The BBC is on track to spend £100 million (121 million) on diverse and inclusive TV content by 2023/2024, a target it set for itself in 2020 in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd.
In the first progress update on the network’s Creative Diversity Commitment, the BBC said it had invested £44 million (53 million) on 67 diverse TV programs since 2021. These shows — including Tonight With Target, Then Barbara Met Alan, Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star and Dreaming Whilst Black — were made by 48 different independent production companies, the BBC said, 73 percent of which had diverse leaderships and 10 percent had never been commissioned by the BBC before.
A total of £4 million (4.8 million) had also been invested in supporting 90 diverse radio commissions, with the BBC confirming that this means it was “on track” to investing the full £112 million (135 million) targeted.
“The BBC is for everyone and audiences...
The BBC is on track to spend £100 million (121 million) on diverse and inclusive TV content by 2023/2024, a target it set for itself in 2020 in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd.
In the first progress update on the network’s Creative Diversity Commitment, the BBC said it had invested £44 million (53 million) on 67 diverse TV programs since 2021. These shows — including Tonight With Target, Then Barbara Met Alan, Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star and Dreaming Whilst Black — were made by 48 different independent production companies, the BBC said, 73 percent of which had diverse leaderships and 10 percent had never been commissioned by the BBC before.
A total of £4 million (4.8 million) had also been invested in supporting 90 diverse radio commissions, with the BBC confirming that this means it was “on track” to investing the full £112 million (135 million) targeted.
“The BBC is for everyone and audiences...
- 7/28/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC’s board has launched an investigation into the British broadcaster’s editorial culture and practices following last week’s damning inquiry into a 1995 Princess Diana interview.
In a statement on Monday, the board said Lord Dyson’s report had been “profoundly sobering” after it concluded that former reporter Martin Bashir deceived his way into securing the Princess Diana interview via fake bank statements, and the BBC subsequently failed to properly investigate his wrongdoing.
The new investigation will be undertaken by non-executive directors Sir Nick Serota, Ian Hargreaves, and Sir Robbie Gibb, who oversees the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee. It will report back by September.
“We have confidence that the processes and guidelines in today’s BBC are much stronger than they were in 1995, but we know we must also do what we can to prevent such an incident happening again. As such, we think it...
In a statement on Monday, the board said Lord Dyson’s report had been “profoundly sobering” after it concluded that former reporter Martin Bashir deceived his way into securing the Princess Diana interview via fake bank statements, and the BBC subsequently failed to properly investigate his wrongdoing.
The new investigation will be undertaken by non-executive directors Sir Nick Serota, Ian Hargreaves, and Sir Robbie Gibb, who oversees the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee. It will report back by September.
“We have confidence that the processes and guidelines in today’s BBC are much stronger than they were in 1995, but we know we must also do what we can to prevent such an incident happening again. As such, we think it...
- 5/24/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Former BBC director general Tony Hall has resigned from his position as chair of the U.K.’s National Gallery in the wake of the investigation over his role in the Princess Diana “Panorama” interview scandal.
“I have today resigned as chair of the National Gallery,” Hall said in a statement on Saturday. “I have always had a strong sense of public service and it is clear my continuing in the role would be a distraction to an institution I care deeply about.”
“As I said two days ago, I am very sorry for the events of 25 years ago and I believe leadership means taking responsibility.”
An independent investigation into a 1995 BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana, conducted by journalist Martin Bashir, had found that the public broadcaster “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark.”
The findings of the Lord Dyson inquiry, which...
“I have today resigned as chair of the National Gallery,” Hall said in a statement on Saturday. “I have always had a strong sense of public service and it is clear my continuing in the role would be a distraction to an institution I care deeply about.”
“As I said two days ago, I am very sorry for the events of 25 years ago and I believe leadership means taking responsibility.”
An independent investigation into a 1995 BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana, conducted by journalist Martin Bashir, had found that the public broadcaster “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark.”
The findings of the Lord Dyson inquiry, which...
- 5/22/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Hello, I’m Jake Kanter, and welcome to International Insider. It’s been a wild week, so please do join us to reflect on the biggest headlines in global film and TV. Want to get in touch? I’m on jkanter@deadline.com. And sign up here to get this delivered every Friday.
Merger Mayhem
The new Hulk in town: It’s a week that will go down in history as a seismic moment in the streaming arms race. In the increasingly fraught fight for eyeballs, WarnerMedia and Discovery stunned the industry on Monday by announcing plans to combine in a deal that sounds like it’s ripped from a Succession storyline. In doing so, they will create a hulking $52 billion empire, which will be second only to Disney in the U.S. media landscape. But they weren’t the only ones on maneuvers. We also learned that Amazon is...
Merger Mayhem
The new Hulk in town: It’s a week that will go down in history as a seismic moment in the streaming arms race. In the increasingly fraught fight for eyeballs, WarnerMedia and Discovery stunned the industry on Monday by announcing plans to combine in a deal that sounds like it’s ripped from a Succession storyline. In doing so, they will create a hulking $52 billion empire, which will be second only to Disney in the U.S. media landscape. But they weren’t the only ones on maneuvers. We also learned that Amazon is...
- 5/21/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is engulfed in one of the biggest crises in its 100-year history after an independent inquiry concluded that former reporter Martin Bashir deceived his way to a Princess Diana interview and the broadcaster failed to properly investigate his wrongdoing.
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson’s inquiry elicited a blistering statement from Prince William, who was excoriating about the BBC’s failings. The future King said the 1995 Panorama interview “contributed significantly” to the “fear, paranoia and isolation” of his mother in her tragic final years.
The BBC has apologized profusely, but such an intervention from the monarchy is usually catastrophic for the broadcaster. Prince William was clear that the Princess Diana interview should never see the light of day again and that “this settled narrative now needs to be addressed by the BBC.”
The gravity of the situation prompted the government into announcing that it will consider reforming...
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson’s inquiry elicited a blistering statement from Prince William, who was excoriating about the BBC’s failings. The future King said the 1995 Panorama interview “contributed significantly” to the “fear, paranoia and isolation” of his mother in her tragic final years.
The BBC has apologized profusely, but such an intervention from the monarchy is usually catastrophic for the broadcaster. Prince William was clear that the Princess Diana interview should never see the light of day again and that “this settled narrative now needs to be addressed by the BBC.”
The gravity of the situation prompted the government into announcing that it will consider reforming...
- 5/21/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Princes Harry and William have responded to the explosive findings of an independent inquiry into the BBC’s infamous 1995 Panorama interview with their mother, Princess Diana.
The investigation was centred on British journalist Martin Bashir and his use of forged bank documents to secure access to the princess in the now-iconic sit-down, in which Diana claimed there were “three of us in the marriage.” Bashir, who was serving as the corporation’s Religion Editor up until last week, abruptly stepped down from the corporation on May 14, citing poor health.
The findings of the investigation, carried out by retired judge Lord Dyson, revealed on Thursday that the BBC “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark” and that the internal investigation at the time, led by former BBC director general Tony Hall, was “woefully ineffective.”
Reacting to the findings, Prince Harry said: “Our mother was...
The investigation was centred on British journalist Martin Bashir and his use of forged bank documents to secure access to the princess in the now-iconic sit-down, in which Diana claimed there were “three of us in the marriage.” Bashir, who was serving as the corporation’s Religion Editor up until last week, abruptly stepped down from the corporation on May 14, citing poor health.
The findings of the investigation, carried out by retired judge Lord Dyson, revealed on Thursday that the BBC “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark” and that the internal investigation at the time, led by former BBC director general Tony Hall, was “woefully ineffective.”
Reacting to the findings, Prince Harry said: “Our mother was...
- 5/20/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC Panorama has finally aired the results of its own internal probe into Martin Bashir’s infamous interview with Princess Diana.
Thursday night’s episode of the long-running investigative series, titled “Princess Diana, Martin Bashir and the BBC,” detailed the inside story of how Bashir obtained the candid sit-down, as well as the BBC’s response upon discovering that Bashir had shown falsified documents to Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer.
In the opening statement, Bashir was described as having “spun a web of elaborate lies” in order to secure an interview with the princess.
“We’ve pieced together the calculated deceit that Martin Bashir deployed to get his scoop,” said the program’s lead reporter John Ware.
During the program, Earl Spencer alleged again that the said documents, which supposedly revealed that two senior courtiers were being paid to provide information on Diana, played a large part in his decision...
Thursday night’s episode of the long-running investigative series, titled “Princess Diana, Martin Bashir and the BBC,” detailed the inside story of how Bashir obtained the candid sit-down, as well as the BBC’s response upon discovering that Bashir had shown falsified documents to Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer.
In the opening statement, Bashir was described as having “spun a web of elaborate lies” in order to secure an interview with the princess.
“We’ve pieced together the calculated deceit that Martin Bashir deployed to get his scoop,” said the program’s lead reporter John Ware.
During the program, Earl Spencer alleged again that the said documents, which supposedly revealed that two senior courtiers were being paid to provide information on Diana, played a large part in his decision...
- 5/20/2021
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
An independent inquiry into the tactics used by the BBC to secure a bombshell 1995 interview with Princess Diana has concluded that reporter Martin Bashir “deceived” his way to accessing the Princess of Wales, and that the BBC’s response to his deception was “woefully ineffective.”
The BBC has apologized unreservedly after the findings of Lord Dyson’s inquiry were published on Thursday following a six-month investigation by the former supreme court judge, which has cost the UK broadcaster £1.4 million ($2M).
The inquiry is being described in the UK press as the BBC’s phone-hacking moment and Dyson’s report effectively accuses the broadcaster of a cover-up. A cover-up that was ultimately overseen by Tony Hall, who was the BBC’s director general until just last year.
Incumbent BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Although the report states that Diana, Princess of Wales, was keen on the idea of an interview with the BBC,...
The BBC has apologized unreservedly after the findings of Lord Dyson’s inquiry were published on Thursday following a six-month investigation by the former supreme court judge, which has cost the UK broadcaster £1.4 million ($2M).
The inquiry is being described in the UK press as the BBC’s phone-hacking moment and Dyson’s report effectively accuses the broadcaster of a cover-up. A cover-up that was ultimately overseen by Tony Hall, who was the BBC’s director general until just last year.
Incumbent BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Although the report states that Diana, Princess of Wales, was keen on the idea of an interview with the BBC,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is today expected to publish the findings of an independent inquiry into the methods it used to secure a bombshell 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
Lord Dyson’s inquiry is set to conclude that Martin Bashir, the man who sat down with Diana for the Panorama special 26 years ago, used deceitful tactics to obtain the interview with Princess Diana, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Dyson has reportedly established that Bashir — a relatively unknown journalist at the time of the interview — forged documents, including bank statements, in order to win Princess Diana’s trust. This would have been a breach of the BBC’s editorial rules.
The retired judge is also expected to be critical of former BBC management over its handling of the controversial world exclusive interview, amid allegations of a coverup. BBC executives involved include former director general Tony Hall, who was the BBC’s news chief at the time.
Lord Dyson’s inquiry is set to conclude that Martin Bashir, the man who sat down with Diana for the Panorama special 26 years ago, used deceitful tactics to obtain the interview with Princess Diana, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Dyson has reportedly established that Bashir — a relatively unknown journalist at the time of the interview — forged documents, including bank statements, in order to win Princess Diana’s trust. This would have been a breach of the BBC’s editorial rules.
The retired judge is also expected to be critical of former BBC management over its handling of the controversial world exclusive interview, amid allegations of a coverup. BBC executives involved include former director general Tony Hall, who was the BBC’s news chief at the time.
- 5/20/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Martin Bashir obtained his bombshell interview of Princess Diana on the 1995 BBC “Panorama” program by “deceitful” means, according to U.K. newspaper the Telegraph.
The findings of an independent investigation are expected to be published on Thursday. It was conducted by Lord Dyson and the report is understood to be critical of the role of Tony Hall, former director general of the BBC and then the corporation’s head of news and current affairs, in the matter.
The Dyson report is separate from the Panorama investigative team’s own investigation into the earlier episode.
Richard Ayre, BBC controller of editorial policy in 1995, told the Telegraph: “The use of deceit in making factual programs would have been permissible only in the case of investigating serious crime . . . and where prima facie evidence of the guilt of that person being investigated had already been obtained. Those circumstances clearly don’t apply to an...
The findings of an independent investigation are expected to be published on Thursday. It was conducted by Lord Dyson and the report is understood to be critical of the role of Tony Hall, former director general of the BBC and then the corporation’s head of news and current affairs, in the matter.
The Dyson report is separate from the Panorama investigative team’s own investigation into the earlier episode.
Richard Ayre, BBC controller of editorial policy in 1995, told the Telegraph: “The use of deceit in making factual programs would have been permissible only in the case of investigating serious crime . . . and where prima facie evidence of the guilt of that person being investigated had already been obtained. Those circumstances clearly don’t apply to an...
- 5/20/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been 25 years since journalist Martin Bashir interviewed Princess Diana on U.K. broadcaster BBC’s Panorama program in 1995. The resulting interview, in which the princess revealed her troubled relationship with Prince Charles, grabbed headlines around the world, but its legacy is now being questioned.
A documentary, “The Diana Interview: Revenge of a Princess,” that aired Nov. 9 on rival U.K. broadcaster ITV now alleges that Bashir may have used forged bank documents that may have helped to secure access to the Princess. At the center of the storm is graphic designer Matt Wiessler, who has said that he was asked to create the documents by Bashir and was “made the scapegoat” by a 1996 BBC enquiry into the interview.
“It’s a bit like blaming the pen for writing a nasty letter,” Wiessler told the BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ program on Tuesday. “I don’t know how you can...
A documentary, “The Diana Interview: Revenge of a Princess,” that aired Nov. 9 on rival U.K. broadcaster ITV now alleges that Bashir may have used forged bank documents that may have helped to secure access to the Princess. At the center of the storm is graphic designer Matt Wiessler, who has said that he was asked to create the documents by Bashir and was “made the scapegoat” by a 1996 BBC enquiry into the interview.
“It’s a bit like blaming the pen for writing a nasty letter,” Wiessler told the BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ program on Tuesday. “I don’t know how you can...
- 11/10/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has begun the negotiations process that will determine how much the annual TV license will cost, the proceeds of which currently fund the BBC and Welsh free-to-air broadcaster S4C.
The license fee, which helps to keep the BBC commercial-free, makes up the bulk of the public broadcaster’s income, which, in the financial year 2019/20 was £3.5 billion ($4.6 billion). The license fee currently costs £157.50 ($208.6) per household per year.
The overall license fee model is guaranteed until the end of the BBC Charter period in 2027, but its reform from this point is something Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has promised to scrutinize. The BBC is now headed by director general Tim Davie, former boss of BBC Studios, who took over from Tony Hall in September.
The negotiations will decide how much public funding the BBC and S4C will receive for at least five years from...
The license fee, which helps to keep the BBC commercial-free, makes up the bulk of the public broadcaster’s income, which, in the financial year 2019/20 was £3.5 billion ($4.6 billion). The license fee currently costs £157.50 ($208.6) per household per year.
The overall license fee model is guaranteed until the end of the BBC Charter period in 2027, but its reform from this point is something Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has promised to scrutinize. The BBC is now headed by director general Tim Davie, former boss of BBC Studios, who took over from Tony Hall in September.
The negotiations will decide how much public funding the BBC and S4C will receive for at least five years from...
- 11/10/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Stath Lets Flats Renewed For Season 3
Channel 4 has commissioned a third season of BAFTA-winning comedy Stath Lets Flats. Created by Fleabag actor Jamie Demetriou and produced by Roughcut TV, the comedy follows the career of hapless realtor Stath and his family business, Michael & Eagle. Stath Lets Flats, which was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S., won a hat-trick of BAFTAs earlier this year for best male actor in a comedy, best comedy writer, and best scripted comedy. Executive producers are Demetriou and Ash Atalla, while Season 3 was ordered by Channel 4’s head of comedy Fiona McDermott and commissioner Jack Bayles.
James Purnell Quits The BBC
James Purnell, a central figure in Tony Hall’s tenure as BBC director general, has left the British broadcaster to become the president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London. Purnell first joined the BBC in 2013 as director of strategy and digital,...
Channel 4 has commissioned a third season of BAFTA-winning comedy Stath Lets Flats. Created by Fleabag actor Jamie Demetriou and produced by Roughcut TV, the comedy follows the career of hapless realtor Stath and his family business, Michael & Eagle. Stath Lets Flats, which was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S., won a hat-trick of BAFTAs earlier this year for best male actor in a comedy, best comedy writer, and best scripted comedy. Executive producers are Demetriou and Ash Atalla, while Season 3 was ordered by Channel 4’s head of comedy Fiona McDermott and commissioner Jack Bayles.
James Purnell Quits The BBC
James Purnell, a central figure in Tony Hall’s tenure as BBC director general, has left the British broadcaster to become the president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London. Purnell first joined the BBC in 2013 as director of strategy and digital,...
- 10/23/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC published its annual financials today, revealing its top earning presenters and executives.
Sports personality Gary Lineker leads the way again but has agreed to take a £400,000 pay cut as part of signing a new five-year deal with the broadcaster, also announced today. Lineker earned £1.75M ($2.25M) in 2018-2019 but the cut will see him land in line with Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball as the org continues to try and reduce its gender pay gap.
Here are the BBC’s top earners for 2019/20:
1. Gary Lineker – £1.75M
2. Zoe Ball – £1.36M
3. Graham Norton – £725,000
4. Steve Wright – £475,000
5. Huw Edwards – £465,000
6. Fiona Bruce – £450,000
7. Vanessa Feltz – £405,000
8. Lauren Laverne – £395,000
9. Alan Shearer – £390,000
10. Stephen Nolan – £390,000
As part of its annual report, the broadcaster also discloses all executive salaries above £150,000. Previous director general Tony Hall earned a base salary of £450,000 in 18-19, while new Dg Tim Davie’s salary was £400,000 in his previous role as CEO of BBC Studios,...
Sports personality Gary Lineker leads the way again but has agreed to take a £400,000 pay cut as part of signing a new five-year deal with the broadcaster, also announced today. Lineker earned £1.75M ($2.25M) in 2018-2019 but the cut will see him land in line with Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball as the org continues to try and reduce its gender pay gap.
Here are the BBC’s top earners for 2019/20:
1. Gary Lineker – £1.75M
2. Zoe Ball – £1.36M
3. Graham Norton – £725,000
4. Steve Wright – £475,000
5. Huw Edwards – £465,000
6. Fiona Bruce – £450,000
7. Vanessa Feltz – £405,000
8. Lauren Laverne – £395,000
9. Alan Shearer – £390,000
10. Stephen Nolan – £390,000
As part of its annual report, the broadcaster also discloses all executive salaries above £150,000. Previous director general Tony Hall earned a base salary of £450,000 in 18-19, while new Dg Tim Davie’s salary was £400,000 in his previous role as CEO of BBC Studios,...
- 9/15/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
It is, by common consent, the job from hell, but within days of starting as BBC director general, Tim Davie, achieved the impossible by generating positive headlines in outlets normally critical of the Beeb.
He achieved this simply by reversing a decision not to sing “Rule Britannia” — a patriotic song linked to the United Kingdom’s colonial past — at the famed Last Night of the Proms, the finale to the BBC’s annual summer music festival, and as much a part of the English psyche as Wimbledon and tea drinking. Whether Davie can repeat this deft touch, which overturned an initial decision to skip the lyrics and only play an orchestral rendition, once he gets into his stride is anyone’s guess. But he has hit the ground running.
In his first speech as Dg on Thursday, Davie appeared to break with the BBC’s past by saying the BBC...
He achieved this simply by reversing a decision not to sing “Rule Britannia” — a patriotic song linked to the United Kingdom’s colonial past — at the famed Last Night of the Proms, the finale to the BBC’s annual summer music festival, and as much a part of the English psyche as Wimbledon and tea drinking. Whether Davie can repeat this deft touch, which overturned an initial decision to skip the lyrics and only play an orchestral rendition, once he gets into his stride is anyone’s guess. But he has hit the ground running.
In his first speech as Dg on Thursday, Davie appeared to break with the BBC’s past by saying the BBC...
- 9/4/2020
- by Steve Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Tim Davie has laid out his priorities for the BBC in his first speech after taking over as Director General.
In the speech, Davie, who was formerly boss of commercial division BBC Studios, reveals that it is cutting 900 jobs in news and across the nations and regions as it looks to “further reduce duplication, layers and overheads.”
He says the BBC is still “relevant” in millions of people’s lives across the UK but that as it looks to the future, “there is no room for complacency”.
“The truth is that for all our extraordinary efforts there is significant risk. If current trends continue we will not feel indispensable enough to all our audience. We must evolve to protect what we cherish. The evidence is unequivocal: the future of a universal BBC can no longer be taken for granted,” he said. “We have no inalienable right to exist. We are...
In the speech, Davie, who was formerly boss of commercial division BBC Studios, reveals that it is cutting 900 jobs in news and across the nations and regions as it looks to “further reduce duplication, layers and overheads.”
He says the BBC is still “relevant” in millions of people’s lives across the UK but that as it looks to the future, “there is no room for complacency”.
“The truth is that for all our extraordinary efforts there is significant risk. If current trends continue we will not feel indispensable enough to all our audience. We must evolve to protect what we cherish. The evidence is unequivocal: the future of a universal BBC can no longer be taken for granted,” he said. “We have no inalienable right to exist. We are...
- 9/3/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
New BBC director general Tim Davie, who took charge Sept. 1, replacing Tony Hall, has addressed the long-discussed issue of the license fee that is a primary funding source for the corporation.
“I do not want a subscription BBC that serves the few. We could make a decent business out of it, and I suspect it could do quite well in certain postcodes, but it would make us just another media company serving a specific group,” Davie said in his first address to staff on Thursday.
“So we must act now to secure our future and ensure that more people feel the BBC is for them,” Davie added. “We all recognize when someone says ‘I would pay my license fee for Radio 4, for ‘Strictly,’ or for the website.’ But this kind of connection is under pressure and cannot be taken for granted. Across the U.K., across all political views,...
“I do not want a subscription BBC that serves the few. We could make a decent business out of it, and I suspect it could do quite well in certain postcodes, but it would make us just another media company serving a specific group,” Davie said in his first address to staff on Thursday.
“So we must act now to secure our future and ensure that more people feel the BBC is for them,” Davie added. “We all recognize when someone says ‘I would pay my license fee for Radio 4, for ‘Strictly,’ or for the website.’ But this kind of connection is under pressure and cannot be taken for granted. Across the U.K., across all political views,...
- 9/3/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Tim Davie has stepped into the top job at the BBC, where he takes over from Tony Hall.
“It is a tremendous honor to be taking on the role of director general today,” Davie said.
Davie is spending the day in Glasgow, meeting the BBC teams there. He will lay out his blueprint regarding the BBC’s priorities and direction for the future on Thursday.
“Overall my guiding principle is that we are a universal public service – a BBC for all, that serves and represents every part of this country,” Davie said. “Our focus must be to ensure that we deliver outstanding and unique value to all audiences – those who pay for us and are in effect our customers – in return for their license fee. To do this we will need to keep reforming the BBC with urgency so that we are trusted, relevant and indispensable in this digital age.
“It is a tremendous honor to be taking on the role of director general today,” Davie said.
Davie is spending the day in Glasgow, meeting the BBC teams there. He will lay out his blueprint regarding the BBC’s priorities and direction for the future on Thursday.
“Overall my guiding principle is that we are a universal public service – a BBC for all, that serves and represents every part of this country,” Davie said. “Our focus must be to ensure that we deliver outstanding and unique value to all audiences – those who pay for us and are in effect our customers – in return for their license fee. To do this we will need to keep reforming the BBC with urgency so that we are trusted, relevant and indispensable in this digital age.
- 9/1/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
You made it, it’s Friday. Thanks for reading International Insider. Tom Grater here with your weekly dose of major international headlines.
Edinburgh: TV’s New Diversity Dawn
Diversity urgency: The Edinburgh TV Festival’s advisory chair Patrick Holland told us last week that diversity would be written through this year’s event like a stick of rock. He was not wrong. Nearly every session featured impassioned and impatient calls for change following the Black Lives Matter movement, and my colleague Jake Kanter reports that there was a sense of urgency he has not seen in a decade of watching Edinburgh sessions.
A blistering MacTaggart: Setting the tone for the whole virtual event was British historian, producer and presenter David Olusoga, who delivered the centerpiece MacTaggart Lecture. It was a deeply personal address, in which Olusoga shared experiences of racism, talked about a “lost generation” of Black program makers, and a concluded with a plea that a non-diverse industry shares power. Here’s our write-up. You can also watch the speech here, or read it here.
A powerful citation: Olusoga captured a deep mistrust of diversity initiatives following decades of false dawns. His message was clear, change must come now or never. He said: “30 years of failed initiatives and ineffective training schemes, and the constant hemorrhaging of Bame, talent has left another legacy. A lack of trust so deep that the announcements and initiatives of 2020 have been met, by many black and brown people in the industry, not with enthusiasm and excitement but with skepticism born of repeated disappointment. Proving that this time such skepticism is not warranted is among the biggest challenges.”
People emboldened: Olusoga was far from alone in channeling his dissatisfaction into purposeful prose on the Edinburgh platform. Noel Clarke revealed how he made the crew on his latest show more diverse by telling producers: “Just fix it.” Jameela Jamil was her typically articulate self as The Good Place star reflected being “denied the chance to fully spread my wings” until she moved from the UK to the U.S.
Programming pledges: There were also big commitments to Black programming made by a number of broadcasters. Channel 4 said it would host a Black takeover day next year to mark 12 months since the death of George Floyd. Among the lineup will be a reboot of The Big Breakfast, hosted by BAFTA-winning Mo Gilligan. ITV, meanwhile, announced a Black History Month, with shows presented by the likes of This Morning favorite Alison Hammond.
Best Of The Fest
Elba steps back in the ring: Among the more eye-catching commissions was a BBC Two series with Idris Elba. The Luther star will provide seven disadvantaged young people with lessons in discipline, focus, and determination by putting them through an experimental boxing school. Produced by Workerbee and Green Door, it’s titled Idris Elba’s Fight School. Story here.
Tony Hall’s valedictory speech: The outgoing BBC director general talked about the broadcaster’s role amid a “pandemic of misinformation.” The BBC’s “responsibility as the UK’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer and more important” in this environment, he said. Go deeper.
And finally: Edinburgh didn’t hold its usual awards this year, so Deadline has decided to hand out a few gongs for some the festival’s lighter moments.
The award for Inevitable Zoom Moment goes to: ITV content chief Kevin Lygo, who had to interrupt his controller session to let his dog out of the room. The Modesty Prize is awarded to: ViacomCBS UK’s programming boss Ben Frow, who told his industry peers: “I am the most creative channel controller in this country.” The Roast Of The Week gong goes to: BBC comedy controller Shane Allen. In a vintage bit of Allen tomfoolery, as he turned on his camera to join the festival, he pretended to be on the phone and joked: “Sorry, it was Channel 4, they want to buy another old format. Ian Katz, he’s taking more treasures than the British Museum.” Tenet Time
It’s finally here: It has become the cinematic talking point of the summer – will Tenet be the savior of the big screen experience? – and Christopher Nolan’s time-bending epic is finally here.
Positive indicators: The film began its international-led roll-out this week, and early signs were promising, with the film taking $2M in Korean previews. The pic also opened in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Italy and Spain on Wednesday (August 26) but Warner Bros is being tight-lipped about box office numbers and has asked exhibitors not to spill the beans as it looks to control the narrative in this tricky, unprecedented situation. Our sources are predicting a $25M opening for its first five days, and some are saying $30M+. One analytics company also told us the film’s pre-sales were significantly outstripping previous Nolan pics.
Choppy waters: However, no one is taking the smoothness of the release for granted, as this pandemic continues to move the goalposts on an almost daily basis. Korea, so far one of the lockdown good news stories in terms of its rapid and effective response to the virus, is experiencing a significant second wave and is implementing stricter preventative measures, which could disrupt cinema takings. Several key European territories, notably France and Spain, are also facing increased lockdown measures.
Exhibitor’s view: Nancy Tartaglione spoke to Cineworld boss Mooky Greidinger to get his take on the current situation. The exec spoke about reopening its Regal cinemas in the U.S., and what he thinks the prospects for Tenet are. Read the interview here.
Roll Out The Red Carpet
The new reality: Venice Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday, and chatter among the international community is zoned in on how a major festival can operate in the pandemic era. Safe to say, with reduced screening capacity, distancing, and various other safety measures, it isn’t going to look like any other festival we’ve seen before.
Unearthing gems: It’s not the most eye-catching line-up of films in Venice’s history, but there’s always gold to be found. Cineastes could be in line for a treat with Hopper/Welles, a documentary capturing a meeting between the two famed film figures with never-before-seen footage. You can see a clip from the movie here. This week, Deadline also brought you first trailers for Majid Majidi’s Sun Children and Out Of Competition drama Mosquito State.
Show of support: The fest revealed today that eight artistic directors from major film festivals around the world will fly into Venice to take part in the opening night event, each taking to the stage to deliver a statement talking up the importance of such events in the cinema ecosystem. Read more.
Life on the Lido: Deadline will be boots on the ground in Venice, so check in regularly with us for insight into how a pandemic era festival looks and feels.
On the horizon: It might be six months away, but the Berlinale is already unveiling plans for its 2021 edition, including making its acting awards gender neutral.
Recovery Plan
Long-lasting impact: The world is going to be dealing with the impact of the coronavirus for many years to come, and governments are game-planning for ways to stimulate their economies and save embattled businesses. One of many hard-hit sectors is culture, which has been financially devastated by months of closures and cancellations.
France’s €2Bn package: In France, the government outlined its €2Bn plan to save the cultural sector. It’s part of an overall €100Bn stimulus package for the country’s economy, which will be unveiled in full on September 3. The country is looking to get business back on track and to kick-start the economy. During the announcement, French Pm Jean Castex urged people to get back to the big screen: “I say to the French: Go to the cinema, go to the theater, you risk nothing.”
Best Of The Rest
The master: From Hero to Shanghai Knights and the IP Man series, Donnie Yen has firmly established himself as one of the biggest Chinese movie stars on the planet. He’s also crossed over into westerns films with roles in the likes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the upcoming Mulan. But how did he get there? Deadline caught up with Yen this week in the latest entry in our The Film That Lit My Fuse video series to find out. Watch the video.
Biohackers is back: After a successful global launch on August 20, Netflix has moved quickly to renew its original series Biohackers. The show is the streamer’s latest buzzy commission out of Germany, which has served up hits including Dark and How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) in recent years. Here’s our scoop.
After Parasite: Following an act such as Parasite and its Oscar glory was never going to be easy for anyone involved. Star actor Song Kang-ho is going to give it a go with Broker, which he will lead for Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, making his Korean cinema debut. Read our story.
BritBox original: Chernobyl star Jared Harris is leading the cast of The Beast Must Die, one of the first original productions from new streamer BritBox. Filming starts next week. Here’s our scoop.
Tequila time: Omar Chaparro is one of Mexico’s biggest stars, having led the mega-grossing local series No Manches Frida. We had the scoop this week on his latest lead role in Sony’s comedy Tequila Re-Pasado.
And finally…
Sad news this week that Colin Levanthal, a key player in UK film’s famously successful period in the 1990s, had passed away at the age of 73. Deadline spoke to several of those close to the well-liked and highly respected executive to gather remembrances. Read our obituary.
Edinburgh: TV’s New Diversity Dawn
Diversity urgency: The Edinburgh TV Festival’s advisory chair Patrick Holland told us last week that diversity would be written through this year’s event like a stick of rock. He was not wrong. Nearly every session featured impassioned and impatient calls for change following the Black Lives Matter movement, and my colleague Jake Kanter reports that there was a sense of urgency he has not seen in a decade of watching Edinburgh sessions.
A blistering MacTaggart: Setting the tone for the whole virtual event was British historian, producer and presenter David Olusoga, who delivered the centerpiece MacTaggart Lecture. It was a deeply personal address, in which Olusoga shared experiences of racism, talked about a “lost generation” of Black program makers, and a concluded with a plea that a non-diverse industry shares power. Here’s our write-up. You can also watch the speech here, or read it here.
A powerful citation: Olusoga captured a deep mistrust of diversity initiatives following decades of false dawns. His message was clear, change must come now or never. He said: “30 years of failed initiatives and ineffective training schemes, and the constant hemorrhaging of Bame, talent has left another legacy. A lack of trust so deep that the announcements and initiatives of 2020 have been met, by many black and brown people in the industry, not with enthusiasm and excitement but with skepticism born of repeated disappointment. Proving that this time such skepticism is not warranted is among the biggest challenges.”
People emboldened: Olusoga was far from alone in channeling his dissatisfaction into purposeful prose on the Edinburgh platform. Noel Clarke revealed how he made the crew on his latest show more diverse by telling producers: “Just fix it.” Jameela Jamil was her typically articulate self as The Good Place star reflected being “denied the chance to fully spread my wings” until she moved from the UK to the U.S.
Programming pledges: There were also big commitments to Black programming made by a number of broadcasters. Channel 4 said it would host a Black takeover day next year to mark 12 months since the death of George Floyd. Among the lineup will be a reboot of The Big Breakfast, hosted by BAFTA-winning Mo Gilligan. ITV, meanwhile, announced a Black History Month, with shows presented by the likes of This Morning favorite Alison Hammond.
Best Of The Fest
Elba steps back in the ring: Among the more eye-catching commissions was a BBC Two series with Idris Elba. The Luther star will provide seven disadvantaged young people with lessons in discipline, focus, and determination by putting them through an experimental boxing school. Produced by Workerbee and Green Door, it’s titled Idris Elba’s Fight School. Story here.
Tony Hall’s valedictory speech: The outgoing BBC director general talked about the broadcaster’s role amid a “pandemic of misinformation.” The BBC’s “responsibility as the UK’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer and more important” in this environment, he said. Go deeper.
And finally: Edinburgh didn’t hold its usual awards this year, so Deadline has decided to hand out a few gongs for some the festival’s lighter moments.
The award for Inevitable Zoom Moment goes to: ITV content chief Kevin Lygo, who had to interrupt his controller session to let his dog out of the room. The Modesty Prize is awarded to: ViacomCBS UK’s programming boss Ben Frow, who told his industry peers: “I am the most creative channel controller in this country.” The Roast Of The Week gong goes to: BBC comedy controller Shane Allen. In a vintage bit of Allen tomfoolery, as he turned on his camera to join the festival, he pretended to be on the phone and joked: “Sorry, it was Channel 4, they want to buy another old format. Ian Katz, he’s taking more treasures than the British Museum.” Tenet Time
It’s finally here: It has become the cinematic talking point of the summer – will Tenet be the savior of the big screen experience? – and Christopher Nolan’s time-bending epic is finally here.
Positive indicators: The film began its international-led roll-out this week, and early signs were promising, with the film taking $2M in Korean previews. The pic also opened in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Italy and Spain on Wednesday (August 26) but Warner Bros is being tight-lipped about box office numbers and has asked exhibitors not to spill the beans as it looks to control the narrative in this tricky, unprecedented situation. Our sources are predicting a $25M opening for its first five days, and some are saying $30M+. One analytics company also told us the film’s pre-sales were significantly outstripping previous Nolan pics.
Choppy waters: However, no one is taking the smoothness of the release for granted, as this pandemic continues to move the goalposts on an almost daily basis. Korea, so far one of the lockdown good news stories in terms of its rapid and effective response to the virus, is experiencing a significant second wave and is implementing stricter preventative measures, which could disrupt cinema takings. Several key European territories, notably France and Spain, are also facing increased lockdown measures.
Exhibitor’s view: Nancy Tartaglione spoke to Cineworld boss Mooky Greidinger to get his take on the current situation. The exec spoke about reopening its Regal cinemas in the U.S., and what he thinks the prospects for Tenet are. Read the interview here.
Roll Out The Red Carpet
The new reality: Venice Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday, and chatter among the international community is zoned in on how a major festival can operate in the pandemic era. Safe to say, with reduced screening capacity, distancing, and various other safety measures, it isn’t going to look like any other festival we’ve seen before.
Unearthing gems: It’s not the most eye-catching line-up of films in Venice’s history, but there’s always gold to be found. Cineastes could be in line for a treat with Hopper/Welles, a documentary capturing a meeting between the two famed film figures with never-before-seen footage. You can see a clip from the movie here. This week, Deadline also brought you first trailers for Majid Majidi’s Sun Children and Out Of Competition drama Mosquito State.
Show of support: The fest revealed today that eight artistic directors from major film festivals around the world will fly into Venice to take part in the opening night event, each taking to the stage to deliver a statement talking up the importance of such events in the cinema ecosystem. Read more.
Life on the Lido: Deadline will be boots on the ground in Venice, so check in regularly with us for insight into how a pandemic era festival looks and feels.
On the horizon: It might be six months away, but the Berlinale is already unveiling plans for its 2021 edition, including making its acting awards gender neutral.
Recovery Plan
Long-lasting impact: The world is going to be dealing with the impact of the coronavirus for many years to come, and governments are game-planning for ways to stimulate their economies and save embattled businesses. One of many hard-hit sectors is culture, which has been financially devastated by months of closures and cancellations.
France’s €2Bn package: In France, the government outlined its €2Bn plan to save the cultural sector. It’s part of an overall €100Bn stimulus package for the country’s economy, which will be unveiled in full on September 3. The country is looking to get business back on track and to kick-start the economy. During the announcement, French Pm Jean Castex urged people to get back to the big screen: “I say to the French: Go to the cinema, go to the theater, you risk nothing.”
Best Of The Rest
The master: From Hero to Shanghai Knights and the IP Man series, Donnie Yen has firmly established himself as one of the biggest Chinese movie stars on the planet. He’s also crossed over into westerns films with roles in the likes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the upcoming Mulan. But how did he get there? Deadline caught up with Yen this week in the latest entry in our The Film That Lit My Fuse video series to find out. Watch the video.
Biohackers is back: After a successful global launch on August 20, Netflix has moved quickly to renew its original series Biohackers. The show is the streamer’s latest buzzy commission out of Germany, which has served up hits including Dark and How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) in recent years. Here’s our scoop.
After Parasite: Following an act such as Parasite and its Oscar glory was never going to be easy for anyone involved. Star actor Song Kang-ho is going to give it a go with Broker, which he will lead for Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, making his Korean cinema debut. Read our story.
BritBox original: Chernobyl star Jared Harris is leading the cast of The Beast Must Die, one of the first original productions from new streamer BritBox. Filming starts next week. Here’s our scoop.
Tequila time: Omar Chaparro is one of Mexico’s biggest stars, having led the mega-grossing local series No Manches Frida. We had the scoop this week on his latest lead role in Sony’s comedy Tequila Re-Pasado.
And finally…
Sad news this week that Colin Levanthal, a key player in UK film’s famously successful period in the 1990s, had passed away at the age of 73. Deadline spoke to several of those close to the well-liked and highly respected executive to gather remembrances. Read our obituary.
- 8/28/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated
Outgoing BBC director general Tony Hall has spoken up about the role of public service broadcasters in the battle against fake news during the opening address of the Edinburgh TV festival on Monday.
“Our responsibility as the U.K.’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer or more important,” Hall said. “It’s right at the heart of this duty to help bring the nation together.”
“The forces of disinformation and social media tend to feed on fracture and drive polarization,” Hall said. “They’re often specifically designed to exploit division for commercial or political gain; to unsettle societies or undermine democracy.”
“What we do, as a Psb, is a force in the opposite direction.”
The BBC is part of the Trusted News Initiative that is setting up an early warning system against the spread of disinformation during the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
“BBC is more trusted in the U.
Outgoing BBC director general Tony Hall has spoken up about the role of public service broadcasters in the battle against fake news during the opening address of the Edinburgh TV festival on Monday.
“Our responsibility as the U.K.’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer or more important,” Hall said. “It’s right at the heart of this duty to help bring the nation together.”
“The forces of disinformation and social media tend to feed on fracture and drive polarization,” Hall said. “They’re often specifically designed to exploit division for commercial or political gain; to unsettle societies or undermine democracy.”
“What we do, as a Psb, is a force in the opposite direction.”
The BBC is part of the Trusted News Initiative that is setting up an early warning system against the spread of disinformation during the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
“BBC is more trusted in the U.
- 8/24/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The outgoing director general of the BBC will use one of his final speeches as a clarion call for the British broadcaster’s importance in a world ravaged by misinformation.
Before stepping down next month after seven years in the top job, Tony Hall will tell the Edinburgh TV Festival on Monday that fake news is as rife as coronavirus, and the BBC’s public service values “have never been more needed.”
Reflecting on an interview he conducted with Who executive director Michael Ryan, Hall will tell the virtual Edinburgh event: “Even if we have a vaccine tomorrow — up to thirty percent of people, according to polling, would not use it. There is, he said, another pandemic… that of misinformation.”
The BBC’s “responsibility as the UK’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer and more important” in this environment, Hall will add, following the broadcaster’s bulletins...
Before stepping down next month after seven years in the top job, Tony Hall will tell the Edinburgh TV Festival on Monday that fake news is as rife as coronavirus, and the BBC’s public service values “have never been more needed.”
Reflecting on an interview he conducted with Who executive director Michael Ryan, Hall will tell the virtual Edinburgh event: “Even if we have a vaccine tomorrow — up to thirty percent of people, according to polling, would not use it. There is, he said, another pandemic… that of misinformation.”
The BBC’s “responsibility as the UK’s most trusted news provider has never been clearer and more important” in this environment, Hall will add, following the broadcaster’s bulletins...
- 8/23/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline 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
Exclusive: Edinburgh TV Festival’s advisory chair Patrick Holland has said that this year’s event has been transformed into a popup television channel after the industry’s annual trip to Scotland was scotched by the coronavirus pandemic.
Holland, whose day job is running BBC Two and BBC Four, said he and the festival’s full-time team have curated a four-day event in the same way he shapes the schedules of the channels he oversees. Sessions will ebb and flow between “stimulation, excitement, provocation, and brilliant talent,” while there will be continuity announcers of sorts to ensure the Edinburgh feed never goes dark.
“From afar, you might think this is going to be a series of Zoom calls, and it’s really not. It’s much more like… a television channel. We’ve got a four-day television channel that’s taking over the television industry,” Holland explained.
As usual, speakers...
Holland, whose day job is running BBC Two and BBC Four, said he and the festival’s full-time team have curated a four-day event in the same way he shapes the schedules of the channels he oversees. Sessions will ebb and flow between “stimulation, excitement, provocation, and brilliant talent,” while there will be continuity announcers of sorts to ensure the Edinburgh feed never goes dark.
“From afar, you might think this is going to be a series of Zoom calls, and it’s really not. It’s much more like… a television channel. We’ve got a four-day television channel that’s taking over the television industry,” Holland explained.
As usual, speakers...
- 8/21/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Outgoing BBC director general, Tony Hall, will deliver the opening address at the Edinburgh TV Festival, in what will be one of his final public appearances in the position before he steps down in September.
Hall will address delegates in the first session of the festival on Aug. 24 about the role of public service broadcasters, the challenges they face, why they matter, and why producers, audiences and government need to be reminded of the part they play in the U.K. media landscape and in society.
He is also expected to look back his time at the BBC, including issues across his tenure such as diversity, the role of news in public service broadcasting, funding and how to stay relevant in an SVOD world. He is also expected to speak about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the U.K. TV industry in a post-pandemic scenario.
This year’s Edinburgh TV festival,...
Hall will address delegates in the first session of the festival on Aug. 24 about the role of public service broadcasters, the challenges they face, why they matter, and why producers, audiences and government need to be reminded of the part they play in the U.K. media landscape and in society.
He is also expected to look back his time at the BBC, including issues across his tenure such as diversity, the role of news in public service broadcasting, funding and how to stay relevant in an SVOD world. He is also expected to speak about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the U.K. TV industry in a post-pandemic scenario.
This year’s Edinburgh TV festival,...
- 8/20/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Tony Hall is to give one of his final speeches as BBC director general at the Edinburgh TV Festival next week.
Hall is poised to step down next month, at which point he will be replaced by BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie. He will use his Edinburgh address to reflect on his legacy and the unique role of public service broadcasting in the UK.
Hall’s speech will be streamed at 9:35Am local time on August 24, opening the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival, which takes place over four days next week.
Other speakers at this year’s event include Paul Feig, Emilia Clarke and historian David Olusoga, who will deliver the keynote MacTaggart Lecture.
Hall is poised to step down next month, at which point he will be replaced by BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie. He will use his Edinburgh address to reflect on his legacy and the unique role of public service broadcasting in the UK.
Hall’s speech will be streamed at 9:35Am local time on August 24, opening the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival, which takes place over four days next week.
Other speakers at this year’s event include Paul Feig, Emilia Clarke and historian David Olusoga, who will deliver the keynote MacTaggart Lecture.
- 8/20/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Hall, the director general of British public broadcaster the BBC, has apologized for the use of a racial slur in a news report last month. He said it had made a mistake and had created “distress amongst many people.”
The report, which aired on July 29 on the regional show “Points West” and on the BBC News Channel, covered an alleged attack in which a Black health worker in Bristol, England, was hit by a car. The vehicle’s occupants had allegedly used the N-word to abuse their victim, and the BBC journalist repeated the racial slur to explain why the police considered the crime to be “racially aggravated.”
Although the network received more than 18,600 complaints about the use of the word, it initially defended the report.
However, on Saturday, BBC Radio DJ Sideman – real name David Whitely – resigned in protest at the way the matter had been handled. “The...
The report, which aired on July 29 on the regional show “Points West” and on the BBC News Channel, covered an alleged attack in which a Black health worker in Bristol, England, was hit by a car. The vehicle’s occupants had allegedly used the N-word to abuse their victim, and the BBC journalist repeated the racial slur to explain why the police considered the crime to be “racially aggravated.”
Although the network received more than 18,600 complaints about the use of the word, it initially defended the report.
However, on Saturday, BBC Radio DJ Sideman – real name David Whitely – resigned in protest at the way the matter had been handled. “The...
- 8/9/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
BBC director general Tony Hall has apologized 12 days after a reporter used the N-word on-air, prompting outrage from both viewers and the British broadcaster’s employees.
Up until Sunday, the BBC had staunchly defended social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin’s use of the word in describing a race hate attack, saying it had been signed off by senior editors and was justified by its context.
But after receiving 18,656 complaints, staff voicing their concerns on social media, and the resignation of BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Sideman over the issue, Hall has intervened.
In an email to staff today, the director general said: “It should be clear that the BBC’s intention was to highlight an alleged racist attack. This is important journalism which the BBC should be reporting on and we will continue to do so.
“Yet despite these good intentions, I recognise that we have ended up creating distress amongst many people.
Up until Sunday, the BBC had staunchly defended social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin’s use of the word in describing a race hate attack, saying it had been signed off by senior editors and was justified by its context.
But after receiving 18,656 complaints, staff voicing their concerns on social media, and the resignation of BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Sideman over the issue, Hall has intervened.
In an email to staff today, the director general said: “It should be clear that the BBC’s intention was to highlight an alleged racist attack. This is important journalism which the BBC should be reporting on and we will continue to do so.
“Yet despite these good intentions, I recognise that we have ended up creating distress amongst many people.
- 8/9/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC appoints new Scotland chief
BBC Scotland has named program maker, commissioner and award-winning broadcaster Steve Carson (pictured) as its new director, replacing Donalda MacKinnon, who steps down later this year. Carson is currently head of multi-platform commissioning for BBC Scotland and will be elevated to look after 1,100 staff. BBC director general Tony Hall said: “He brings with him a combination of excellence in program making, leadership and the respect and trust of the staff. Steve set up the BBC Scotland Channel brilliantly and I wish him every success in the future.”
Channel 4 orders Klopp doc
Channel 4 has teamed with German brewer Erdinger Weißbräu to commission Whisper to make a fast-turnaround documentary on Liverpool’s Premier League-winning manager Jürgen Klopp. The film, Jürgen Klopp: Germany’s Greatest Export, will feature interviews with former Liverpool stars like Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steve McManaman. It will premiere...
BBC Scotland has named program maker, commissioner and award-winning broadcaster Steve Carson (pictured) as its new director, replacing Donalda MacKinnon, who steps down later this year. Carson is currently head of multi-platform commissioning for BBC Scotland and will be elevated to look after 1,100 staff. BBC director general Tony Hall said: “He brings with him a combination of excellence in program making, leadership and the respect and trust of the staff. Steve set up the BBC Scotland Channel brilliantly and I wish him every success in the future.”
Channel 4 orders Klopp doc
Channel 4 has teamed with German brewer Erdinger Weißbräu to commission Whisper to make a fast-turnaround documentary on Liverpool’s Premier League-winning manager Jürgen Klopp. The film, Jürgen Klopp: Germany’s Greatest Export, will feature interviews with former Liverpool stars like Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steve McManaman. It will premiere...
- 7/31/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Fake news fighter Trusted News Initiative (Tni) is setting up a shared early warning system of rapid alerts to combat the spread of disinformation during the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
The Associated Press and The Washington Post are the latest signees to Tni, an industry collaboration of major news and global tech organizations set up last year to stop the spread of disinformation. Tni partners include Afp, BBC, CBC/Radio-Canada, European Broadcasting Union, Facebook, The Financial Times, First Draft, Google/YouTube, The Hindu, Microsoft, Reuters, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Twitter and The Wall Street Journal.
In the month leading to polling day, Tni partners will alert each other to disinformation that poses an immediate threat to life or to the integrity of the election so that content can be reviewed promptly by platforms, while publishers ensure they don’t unwittingly republish dangerous falsehoods. The alerts will...
The Associated Press and The Washington Post are the latest signees to Tni, an industry collaboration of major news and global tech organizations set up last year to stop the spread of disinformation. Tni partners include Afp, BBC, CBC/Radio-Canada, European Broadcasting Union, Facebook, The Financial Times, First Draft, Google/YouTube, The Hindu, Microsoft, Reuters, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Twitter and The Wall Street Journal.
In the month leading to polling day, Tni partners will alert each other to disinformation that poses an immediate threat to life or to the integrity of the election so that content can be reviewed promptly by platforms, while publishers ensure they don’t unwittingly republish dangerous falsehoods. The alerts will...
- 7/13/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Scotland’s Stv are joining forces to broadcast a short film that attempts to burnish the credentials of British free-to-air television at a time when U.S. media giants such as Netflix and Apple are becoming increasingly influential.
The five broadcasters are clearing their schedules at 8.58 Pm Wednesday to show the two-minute film Our Stories, which was created by Uncommon Creative Studio and directed by Sam Walker through Pulse Films. It is the first time they have collaborated on such an endeavor.
Emboldened by the role they have played during the coronavirus pandemic and increasingly keen to underline their value when viewers are turning to streamers, the broadcasters hope that the campaign demonstrates the power of TV and its ability to bring people together. They said it also represents a statement on their contribution to the UK creative economy.
Our Stories takes...
The five broadcasters are clearing their schedules at 8.58 Pm Wednesday to show the two-minute film Our Stories, which was created by Uncommon Creative Studio and directed by Sam Walker through Pulse Films. It is the first time they have collaborated on such an endeavor.
Emboldened by the role they have played during the coronavirus pandemic and increasingly keen to underline their value when viewers are turning to streamers, the broadcasters hope that the campaign demonstrates the power of TV and its ability to bring people together. They said it also represents a statement on their contribution to the UK creative economy.
Our Stories takes...
- 7/7/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
All new BBC TV shows must have at least 20% diverse talent beginning April 2021, as part of the the U.K. broadcaster’s new Creative Diversity Commitment.
The BBC will devote $124 million (£100 million) of its existing commissioning budget over the next three years to “diverse and inclusive content,” marking the “the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry,” according to the media company. The financial component will be supported by the BBC’s new mandatory 20% diverse-talent target across all new network commissions, beginning in April 2021.
“With this commitment, the BBC is throwing open its doors more widely than ever to diverse stories and diverse storytellers. The media industry is not changing fast enough,” the BBC said in a press release. “The BBC has been committed to creative diversity and inclusion for 100 years; but we now want to go further. The measures announced today are designed to accelerate the pace...
The BBC will devote $124 million (£100 million) of its existing commissioning budget over the next three years to “diverse and inclusive content,” marking the “the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry,” according to the media company. The financial component will be supported by the BBC’s new mandatory 20% diverse-talent target across all new network commissions, beginning in April 2021.
“With this commitment, the BBC is throwing open its doors more widely than ever to diverse stories and diverse storytellers. The media industry is not changing fast enough,” the BBC said in a press release. “The BBC has been committed to creative diversity and inclusion for 100 years; but we now want to go further. The measures announced today are designed to accelerate the pace...
- 6/22/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
U.K. public service broadcaster BBC has set out a ‘Creative Diversity Commitment’ that will see the corporation spend £100 million ($124 million) of its existing commissioning budget over three years on diverse and inclusive content.
The fund will apply to a range of genres, and will also include children’s programming, education and current affairs. It will support the BBC’s Diversity Code of Practice, and commit the corporation to create content with at least two of the following three priorities: diverse stories and portrayal on-screen; diverse production teams and talent; and diverse-led production companies. Progress will be reported in the BBC’s Annual Report.
The BBC will also instate a mandatory 20% diverse-talent target across all new network commissions from April 2021.
The commitment comes just one day after more than 3,500 members of the U.K.’s film and TV industry, including “Luther” star Idris Elba, “I May Destroy You” creator Michaela Coel and actor Colin Firth,...
The fund will apply to a range of genres, and will also include children’s programming, education and current affairs. It will support the BBC’s Diversity Code of Practice, and commit the corporation to create content with at least two of the following three priorities: diverse stories and portrayal on-screen; diverse production teams and talent; and diverse-led production companies. Progress will be reported in the BBC’s Annual Report.
The BBC will also instate a mandatory 20% diverse-talent target across all new network commissions from April 2021.
The commitment comes just one day after more than 3,500 members of the U.K.’s film and TV industry, including “Luther” star Idris Elba, “I May Destroy You” creator Michaela Coel and actor Colin Firth,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has committed to spending £100M ($124M) on “diverse and inclusive content,” in what it is describing as the biggest financial investment in diverse programming in the UK television industry.
The £100M fund will be carved out of the BBC’s existing content budget and will be spread out over three years, starting in 2021. It includes a commitment that from April 2021, 20% of a BBC show’s “talent” will come from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
The announcement was made on Windrush Day 2020, which honors Caribbean immigrants who moved to the UK after World War II. It also follows the publication of two letters from Bame creatives demanding change in the UK film and TV industry, one of which was signed by 3,500 people, including Michaela Coel, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Colin Firth. The other, from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic TV Task Force, was signed by 700 individuals.
The...
The £100M fund will be carved out of the BBC’s existing content budget and will be spread out over three years, starting in 2021. It includes a commitment that from April 2021, 20% of a BBC show’s “talent” will come from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
The announcement was made on Windrush Day 2020, which honors Caribbean immigrants who moved to the UK after World War II. It also follows the publication of two letters from Bame creatives demanding change in the UK film and TV industry, one of which was signed by 3,500 people, including Michaela Coel, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Colin Firth. The other, from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic TV Task Force, was signed by 700 individuals.
The...
- 6/22/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is committing £100 million ($124 million) of its existing commission budget towards diverse and inclusive content over three years, starting in 2021.
The investment — set out Monday as part of the U.K. public broadcaster's Creative Diversity Commitment — will be supported by a new mandatory 20 percent diverse-talent target in all new commissions from April 2021.
The decision was made in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and what it said about the "stain of system racism," said outgoing BBC director general Tony Hall. "It’s made us ...
The investment — set out Monday as part of the U.K. public broadcaster's Creative Diversity Commitment — will be supported by a new mandatory 20 percent diverse-talent target in all new commissions from April 2021.
The decision was made in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and what it said about the "stain of system racism," said outgoing BBC director general Tony Hall. "It’s made us ...
- 6/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dame Vera Lynn, the British singer and actress who was known as the “forces’ sweetheart,” has died at the age of 103.
Her family confirmed her death on Thursday, saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.”
Lynn is best known for performing the song We’ll Meet Again, which was made famous during World War II for boosting the morale of British troops and was recently evoked by Queen Elizabeth II to rally the nation in an address on the coronavirus crisis.
The song has appeared in countless movie and TV soundtracks, including Hellboy, Stranger Things and The Singing Detective. Lynn also featured in three films in the 1940s, including One Exciting Night and We’ll Meet Again, and presented BBC variety show Vera Lynn Presents in the 1960s.
BBC director general Tony Hall said: “She demonstrated how music and entertainment can bring joy in the most challenging times.
Her family confirmed her death on Thursday, saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.”
Lynn is best known for performing the song We’ll Meet Again, which was made famous during World War II for boosting the morale of British troops and was recently evoked by Queen Elizabeth II to rally the nation in an address on the coronavirus crisis.
The song has appeared in countless movie and TV soundtracks, including Hellboy, Stranger Things and The Singing Detective. Lynn also featured in three films in the 1940s, including One Exciting Night and We’ll Meet Again, and presented BBC variety show Vera Lynn Presents in the 1960s.
BBC director general Tony Hall said: “She demonstrated how music and entertainment can bring joy in the most challenging times.
- 6/18/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has offered some staff – those working in roles related to its “public service” commitments – the option of taking voluntary redundancy. In a staff briefing, BBC director-general Tony Hall stressed the need to make £125 million ($157 million) in savings, and as a third of the corporation’s costs are from human resources this will involve cutting payroll costs.
Voluntary redundancies could mean the BBC wouldn’t have to make compulsory redundancies in the future, Hall said.
The BBC’s need to make budgetary savings precedes the coronavirus pandemic. In January, the corporation announced the axing of 450 jobs across departments, in a bid to save £80 million ($100.4 million) by 2022. The pandemic exacerbated the issue and increased the amount to be saved.
“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic means the BBC needs to make £125 million of savings this financial year, in addition to the considerable efficiency savings the corporation had previously committed to and planned for.
Voluntary redundancies could mean the BBC wouldn’t have to make compulsory redundancies in the future, Hall said.
The BBC’s need to make budgetary savings precedes the coronavirus pandemic. In January, the corporation announced the axing of 450 jobs across departments, in a bid to save £80 million ($100.4 million) by 2022. The pandemic exacerbated the issue and increased the amount to be saved.
“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic means the BBC needs to make £125 million of savings this financial year, in addition to the considerable efficiency savings the corporation had previously committed to and planned for.
- 6/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
More than 100 actors, presenters and writers have written to the BBC warning the corporation against bringing the ax down on tent-pole regional programming. The letter landed on the doorstep of the BBC on the same day it announced a voluntary redundancy scheme for its 19,000 public service staff in a bid to help it save £125M ($157M).
Filming has been canceled on the autumn series of BBC regional journalism show Inside Out as its future is reviewed, while the corporation has also shrunk its Sunday Politics program from 11 regional broadcasts to just a single England-wide show during the coronavirus lockdown.
Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, director Ken Loach, Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure were among those who signed the National Union Of Journalists-organized letter urging the BBC to rethink cuts. Other signatories included Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry, Dominic West, David Morrissey and Miriam Margolyes.
“We are extremely concerned that...
Filming has been canceled on the autumn series of BBC regional journalism show Inside Out as its future is reviewed, while the corporation has also shrunk its Sunday Politics program from 11 regional broadcasts to just a single England-wide show during the coronavirus lockdown.
Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, director Ken Loach, Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure were among those who signed the National Union Of Journalists-organized letter urging the BBC to rethink cuts. Other signatories included Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry, Dominic West, David Morrissey and Miriam Margolyes.
“We are extremely concerned that...
- 6/17/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello, and welcome to International Insider, Jake Kanter here. For those who missed us last week, this is Deadline’s new weekly newsletter containing everything you need to know about the global film and television business. If you want to subscribe, sign up to our breaking news alerts here.
Here are the six things we want you to know this week:
1. Scoop: D-Day For Endemol Shine Deal
One for the diary: It’s been eight months since Banijay Group announced its $2.2Bn takeover of MasterChef producer Endemol Shine Group, and the deal is still in a regulatory quagmire not helped by coronavirus. But there is now light at the end of the tunnel, with the European Commission setting a provisional date of June 30 to make a ruling. As regulatory hurdles go, this is the Super Bowl for all concerned in the takeover. Read more here.
2. Cannes Gets Cracking
Sales slated:...
Here are the six things we want you to know this week:
1. Scoop: D-Day For Endemol Shine Deal
One for the diary: It’s been eight months since Banijay Group announced its $2.2Bn takeover of MasterChef producer Endemol Shine Group, and the deal is still in a regulatory quagmire not helped by coronavirus. But there is now light at the end of the tunnel, with the European Commission setting a provisional date of June 30 to make a ruling. As regulatory hurdles go, this is the Super Bowl for all concerned in the takeover. Read more here.
2. Cannes Gets Cracking
Sales slated:...
- 6/12/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC will not receive a dividend from commercial arm BBC Studios this year due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis.
Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s director of news and current affairs, has said there would be no dividend from BBC Studios due to “the collapse of production and advertising revenues.”
“The BBC’s financial position has gotten worse,” she explained in a webinar held by the Royal Television Society on Thursday.
Last year, BBC Studios profits more than doubled and the outfit returned a total of £243 million ($302 million) to the BBC, including £65 million ($81 million) in dividends. The division is led by Tim Davie, who was last week tapped to replace outgoing director general Tony Hall.
This year’s results, expected in July, will shed more light on the extent of the pandemic’s toll on earnings. However, the BBC’s Annual Plan last month suggested the health...
Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s director of news and current affairs, has said there would be no dividend from BBC Studios due to “the collapse of production and advertising revenues.”
“The BBC’s financial position has gotten worse,” she explained in a webinar held by the Royal Television Society on Thursday.
Last year, BBC Studios profits more than doubled and the outfit returned a total of £243 million ($302 million) to the BBC, including £65 million ($81 million) in dividends. The division is led by Tim Davie, who was last week tapped to replace outgoing director general Tony Hall.
This year’s results, expected in July, will shed more light on the extent of the pandemic’s toll on earnings. However, the BBC’s Annual Plan last month suggested the health...
- 6/11/2020
- by Steve Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Tim Davie is the right person at the right time to take over as director general of the BBC.
That seems to be the U.K. industry’s general view on the day that former PepsiCo and Proctor & Gamble marketing executive and long-time BBC staffer Davie won what is considered the most prized job in British media. His appointment came despite some sentiments that the job ought to have gone to the other internal candidate, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore, who would have been the first female director general.
When current boss Tony Hall announced earlier this year he was leaving, many thought the BBC would break with years of tradition and look to appoint somebody other than a white, male, Oxford or Cambridge University-educated leader. (Davie went to Cambridge.)
However, Davie, who has run the BBC’s production and distribution arm BBC Studios since 2018, quickly emerged as the front-runner,...
That seems to be the U.K. industry’s general view on the day that former PepsiCo and Proctor & Gamble marketing executive and long-time BBC staffer Davie won what is considered the most prized job in British media. His appointment came despite some sentiments that the job ought to have gone to the other internal candidate, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore, who would have been the first female director general.
When current boss Tony Hall announced earlier this year he was leaving, many thought the BBC would break with years of tradition and look to appoint somebody other than a white, male, Oxford or Cambridge University-educated leader. (Davie went to Cambridge.)
However, Davie, who has run the BBC’s production and distribution arm BBC Studios since 2018, quickly emerged as the front-runner,...
- 6/5/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
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