10 Global TV Stories You Should Know: 02/20/2023

Here are the stories that should be on your radar

Here are the global TV and streaming stories that should be on your radar for Tuesday, February 20th, 2023:

The Good News For TV Drama Producers Is That The Bad News Might Be Over: Global Content Spend Tipped To Return To Growth in 2024 (Deadline)
The bad news might be over…. and at this point that counts as good news for the global TV drama business, analysts say. Laying down the stats at the Berlinale Series Market, Ampere Analysis' Richard Broughton declared that overall spending on TV content will increase this year after stalling in 2023.

Netflix CEO Says 'Squid Game' Season Two Will 'Blow Your Mind' (Korea JoonGang Daily)
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised the upcoming season of "Squid Game," expressing excitement over Korean content. He reaffirmed Netflix's commitment to investing in Korean creatives and spotlighting new voices in the industry.

German Series Creators Favor Public Broadcasters Over International Streamers In Rapidly Changing Global Market (Variety)
Industry executives, creatives and international buyers came together to preview an exclusive selection of upcoming high-end German series at the Up Next: Germany showcase at the Berlinale Series Market, the dedicated serial content arm of the EFM running between Feb. 19-21. 

Italy: Millions Face TV Blackout (Advanced-Television)
At least five million Italians, primarily in mountainous and rural regions, are struggling to access basic TV channels from RAI due to poor or non-existent signals. This represents nearly 10 per cent of the population, according to figures published by the National Union of Mountain Municipalities, Communities and Bodies (Uncem).

Saudi Media Minister Presents New Media Strategy, Designates 2024 ‘Year Of Media Transformation (Arab News)
Addressing the inaugural session of the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, Al-Dosari outlined the vision for the forthcoming year, celebrating the sector’s profound impact on the nation’s economy. He underscored that in 2023 alone, the media industry contributed a substantial SR14.5 billion ($3.9 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, and facilitated the creation of 56,000 job opportunities.

Hulu Japan Acquires Sony Action-Comedy ‘Twisted Metal’ (TBI Vision)
Hulu Japan has acquired US vehicular action-comedy series Twisted Metal from Sony Pictures Television (SPT). Written by Michael Jonathan Smith and hailing from SPT, Universal Television and Sony-owned PlayStation Productions, the series follows a smart-ass amnesiac milkman who hits the throttle as he faces an onslaught of savage vehicular combat while trying to deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Bectu Boss Urges “Open & Honest Conversation” From UK Broadcasters With Freelancers & Says She Worries U.S. Labor Strikes “Set An Expectation In The States” Over Future Action (Deadline)
The boss of the Bectu union has urged British broadcasters to have an “open and honest conversation about what the future looks like” with the ailing freelance workforce, while revealing concerns over future U.S. strike action.

Poland’s TVN Orders ‘Drag Me Out’ As Mastiff TV Format Extends Roll-Out (TBI Vision)
TVN in Poland has become the third broadcaster to order a local version of Drag Me Out, the entertainment format from Banijay’s Mastiff TV. The show, to be known locally as Czas Na Show, features six celebrities who undergo a transformative experience to discover their inner queens while impressing a jury in challenges that culminate in a lip sync battle.

Foxtel Secures 18 App Partners For Hubbl Launch Including Netflix, Disney+, & Paramount+ (Digital TV Europe)
Australia’s pay TV provider, Foxtel, will roll-out 18 global and local apps on new streaming platform, Hubbl, including Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+. Among the other streaming apps to join the platform are Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+ and Paramount. While local apps such as Kayo Sports, Stan, BINGE, Optus Sport and Flash, as well as as Australia’s free streaming apps — ABC iView and ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play are set to roll out on Hubbl.

MultiChoice, Disney Renew Carriage Deal (Advanced-Television)
Disney has renewed a multi-year distribution deal with MultiChoice Group to offer Disney’s portfolio of linear channels, including National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, ESPN and ESPN2 on DStv in South Africa until 2027. The Walt Disney Company operates the six 24-hour channels in Africa, in both English and Portuguese.