10 Stories You Should Know: 01/26/2023
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 Friday, January 27th, 2023:
Disney Reorganization Looms Ahead Of First Earnings Report Since Bob Iger’s Return (Deadline)
The initial exuberance and relief following Iger’s return as Disney CEO has been replaced by anxiety as speculation about a pending corporate restructuring is intensifying — and with it, rumors about the layoffs likely to follow. Sources say the moves could coincide with the company’s Q1 2023 earnings report next month.
Starzplay To Launch First Arabic Original Series ‘Kaboos’ (Arab News)
Filmed across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and the UAE, the series takes viewers on a journey through urban legends of the region, with spine-chilling modern takes on stories inspired by local mythology.
ITV Studios’ ‘Blackwater,’ From ‘The Killing’ Producer Piv Bernth, Readies Göteborg Festival Premiere (Variety)
Made for public broadcast group SVT, “Blackwater” is a flagship title from Danish production co Apple Tree Productions, an ITV Studios company co-founded in 2017 by ex DR exec Piv Bernth, producer of “The Killing,” exec producer on “The Bridge” and DR commissioner for “Borgen.” Mikael Marcimain (“Call Girl,” “Gentlemen”) directs.
Xavier Niel reportedly looking to invest in France’s Brut (Digital TV Europe)
French media entrepreneur Xavier Niel, owner of service provider Free, and sometime rival French-Lebanese businessman Rodolphe Saadé have teamed up to make a large scale investment in youth-oriented online media outfit Brut, according media reports.
Chad Campbell Hired To Head PR As Sweden’s Viaplay Readies North American SVOD Service Launch (Mediaplay)
Veteran home entertainment communications executive Chad Campbell has been named head of public relations for Sweden-based Viaplay Group’s North American operations. In this new role, Campbell will oversee local publicity and events for the upcoming direct-to-consumer launches of the Viaplay streaming service in the U.S. and Canada.
Saudi Arabia’s Hollywood Dealmaking Ambitions Grow Despite Backlash (The Hollywood Reporter)
Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund have quietly — and in some cases not so quietly — built a multibillion-dollar foothold in Hollywood, four years after much of the industry cut ties with the country in response to the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Seven Women From Wales To Take Part In Netflix Sponsored Film Scheme (Nation CYMRU)
Seven women from Wales have been selected to take part in a mentoring scheme sponsored by Netflix. They will join 34 mentees from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland for this intensive six month programme which pairs each of the participants alongside senior industry professionals for one-to-one mentoring.
Pakistan’s Sajal Aly to Lead Series Adaptation of Classic Urdu Novel ‘Umrao Jaan Ada’ (Variety)
The latest adaptation starring Aly will be in the original Urdu language. Abu Dhabi-based South Asian celebrity management agency Action Consultancy is packaging and producing the project. Hamid Hussain and Muhammad Yaqoob are the producers.
England Hockey Launches Dedicated Streaming Service (Broadband TV News)
Coverage of domestic English domestic hockey will be available through a new direct-to-consumer service.
The custom-built over-the-top (OTT) digital content hub becomes the new home of England Hockey live and non-live content with match streams, highlights, and short and long-format video features, being made available to fans to watch live and on demand.
The Streaming Service SkyShowtime Has Announced When It Will Start In Slovakia (Zive)
For now, this is the last major service that should come to the Slovak market. The platforms Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video from Amazon, Filmbox+, Voyo and JOJ are currently available.