10 Stories You Should Know: 04/06/2023

Here are the global TV stories that should be on your radar

Here are the global TV and streaming stories that should be on your radar for Thursday, April 6th, 2023:

Company Selling Illicit Access To Netflix, HBO Suffers Data Breach (The Desk)
Some of Z2U’s customers appear to be people who want access to the services or products in countries where they are not offered, while others seem to buy login information that is misappropriated from account holders without their knowledge. Fowler said customers were offered access to Disney Plus for as little as $17 a year, even though Disney charges $110 for an annual subscription. Netflix accounts went for as low as $1, far below the streamer’s usual price of $15.50 per month.

Smart TVs Account For Half Of All OTT TV Viewing (Rapid TV News)
Over the years a bright new future was predicted for bridge devices such as games consoles to watch streaming video but research from Aluma Insights has found adult SVOD viewers spent 2.5 more time watching apps on smart TVs than on all other streaming media players.

Priest Featured In Netflix Docuseries Prominently Described In Abuse Report (WBAL)
The name is seen nearly 200 times throughout the over 450-page report -- Father Anthony Joseph Maskell. He is not only accused of abuse, but for helping other priests do the same. He was one of the primary subjects of the Netflix docuseries "The Keepers," about a Baltimore Archbishop Keough High School teacher found dead in 1970.

Actor Melvin Alusa Quits Salem TV Series Citing ‘Toxic’ Work Conditions (Nairobi News)
Melvin Alusa is the latest actor to exit Maisha Magic’s telenovela Salem. The multi-talented actor and commercial model who wears many hats has cited toxic working conditions as the reason he left the show.

“As you may be aware I have been on the Showmax /Maisha magic series Salem playing Melchizedek Karani for the past year. However, I have now resigned from this position due to unacceptable work conditions,” he said in a post on his Instagram page.

Australia: Foxtel Extends IPL Rights (Advanced-Television)
The Foxtel Group has extended its long-term partnership with the Tata Indian Premier League which will see it continue as the exclusive tournament broadcaster in Australia with games to be shown live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, until at least 2027.

Netflix Responds To Legal Notice Against The Big Bang Theory's Madhuri Dixit Remark, Directs It To Warner Bros (The Business Standard)
Kumar accused the show of promoting sexism and misogyny. In the first episode of The Big Bang Theory Season Two, which aired on September 22, 2008, actor Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper) called Aishwarya Rai 'a poor man's Madhuri Dixit.' In the same scene, actor Kunal Nayyar's character Raj Koothrapalli, replied, "Aishwarya Rai is a goddess, by comparison, Madhuri Dixit is a leprous prostitute."

Amazon Inks Pact With India To Promote Local Content (TechInAsia)
The firm will promote made-in-India content on a global scale. It will also provide internships and scholarships to students from state-run film institutes.

Amazon.in will also curate a storefront feature to promote books and journals reflecting India’s heritage from the ministry’s publication division.

Pope Says Using Tinder Is 'Normal,' Talks Inclusivity In Disney Documentary (National Catholic Reporter)
Wanting to meet potential partners through dating apps like Tinder is "normal," and the church's teaching on sex is "still in diapers," Pope Francis said in a conversation with a group of young people gathered in Rome.

Speaking with 10 young adults, Spanish-speakers between 20 and 25 years old from around the globe, the pope responded to questions on topics ranging from the church's abuse crisis to abortion and from LGBTQ inclusion to immigration.

WBD Unveils First European Scripted Original (Television Business International)
The Mythomaniac Of The Bataclan (working title) is a 4 x 52-minute scripted drama that picks up the true story of Christelle, who creates a support group in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris. However, it becomes clear that her connection with the tragedy is not as it seems, threatening to unravel a deeper web of lies.

Rogers Merger With Shaw To Trigger ‘Billions In Investment’ (Digital TV Europe)
After protracted negotiations with regulators, Canadian telco giant Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications have finally completed their long-awaited merger. The companies said the merger will “create one national cable, media, and wireless company” unlocking “billions in investment”.