10 Global TV Stories You Should Know: 01/29/2024

Here are the stories that should be on your radar

Here are the global TV and streaming video stories that should be on your radar for Monday. January 29th, 2024:

Why Canada’s Creative Sector Is On Tenterhooks Months After The Hollywood Strikes (Deadline)
Talks between the Canadian Media Producers Association and the Writers Guild of Canada over a new deal have resumed, amid tensions around falling fees, mini-rooms and AI. It’s not panic stations yet, but the threat of labor action is real and made starker by the reality of the bruising actors and writers strikes that shook the industry last year.

Report: French SVoD Revenues Top €2bn (Advanced-Television)
The French video market has grown by 6.3 per cent in 12 months to €2.46 billion revenues in 2023, largely driven by the SVoD sector. According to a study by French public funding body Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), the SVoD segment topped the €2 billion revenue mark.

U.K. Broadcaster Channel 4 Confirms 200 Layoffs, Reveals Plans For Becoming ‘Digital-First Public Service Streamer by 2030’ (Variety)
The broadcaster is proposing to reduce headcount by 18% – around 200 redundancies – and the closure of some 40 unfilled roles. The layoffs are amid a continuous decline in TV advertising. The cost cutting also includes moving out of Channel 4’s central London base on Horseferry Road “in the next few years.” “With 600 roles based outside of London by the end of 2025, lower headcount in London overall, and a shift to flexible working, Channel 4 will find a new fit-for-purpose office space in central London,” the broadcaster said. In addition, Channel 4 is proposing to close small linear channels that “no longer deliver revenues or public value at scale.”

Viacom18’s Colors Adapts ‘November Rain’, Marking First Continuing Drama For BBCS India (TBIVision)
Viacom18’s Colors network in India has partnered with BBC Studios (BBCS) on a scripted romantic thriller, marking the UK-based firm’s shift into continuing drama in the country. Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak is from BBC Studios Productions India and has been inspired by the true story told in the the novel November Rain, written by Mrinal and Abhigyan Jha.

Forecast: NZ Telco, Pay-TV Services Revenue To Remain Stagnant (Advanced-Television)
The total telecom and pay-TV services revenue in New Zealand is poised to register a marginal compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7 per cent between 2023 and 2028, with continued decline in mobile voice service revenue denting the overall growth prospects, despite considerable revenue growth in mobile data and fixed broadband segments.

Movistar Plus+ To Show LIV Golf League (Broadband TV News)
Movistar Plus+ has acquired rights to the controversial LIV Golf League. The League features names including Jon Rahm and Sergio García, their compatriots Eugenio López Chacarra and David Puig, as well as other big names such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith. However, it has run into criticism because of its funding by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and the country’s alleged human rights abuses.

CNN Philippines To Shutter; Cites Financial Losses (Deadline)
After nine years in business, CNN Philippines will discontinue its news and production operations on all media platforms effective January 31. The news organization, which is a franchise holder of the CNN International brand and operated by Nine Media Corp, began airing under a brand and content licensing deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific in 2015. It cited years of financial issues as the reason for the closure.

Zee Fallout Sees Cricket Deal Cancelled (Advanced-Television)
Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL), clearly suffering as a result of its collapsed merger with Sony’s Indian broadcasting interests, is pulling out of its contract with Disney India for a massive sub-licensing $1.4 billion (€1.29bn) agreement to cover key International Cricket Council (ICC) matches for the 2024-2027 seasons.

SPI International Dubs Dizi Channel Into Hindi For NXTDIGITAL India Launch (Broadband TV News)
Dizi channel and the FilmBox+ streaming service are launching in India following a partnership signed between SPI International and NXTDIGITAL India. Subscribers will be able to enjoy Dizi’s Turkish drama series in Hindi. It will be available through the VAS Bouquet package and available on-demand via the FilmBox+ platform.

Endemol France Appoints Head Of Sport (WorldScreen)
Didier Lahaye has been tapped for the newly created head of sport role for Endemol France. Lahaye will manage the creation and development of the brand-new division Endemol France Sport, working alongside French labels Yasuke Production and 4-3-3 Production to grow the company’s sports offering.