10 Global TV Stories You Should Know: 05/01/2024

Here are the global TV and streaming stories that should be on your radar for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024:

BBC News Presenters Claim They Were Forced Off Air & Harassed After “Sham” Hiring Process (Deadline)
Four female BBC News presenters have commenced legal action against the UK broadcaster, arguing they were forced off air for a year and harassed as a result of a “rigged” recruitment process.

Al Habtoor Group To Launch New Beirut-Based TV Channel In Effort To Shake Up Local Media Sector (Arab News)
UAE-based conglomerate Al Habtoor Group said Tuesday it will open its new TV channel in Beirut in an effort to shake up the Lebanese media landscape. In a statement revealing new details about the group’s first foray into broadcasting, the Emirati channel said it “promises to offer extensive job opportunities and serve as a beacon of positivity in the media landscape.”

‘Jackie Chan Adventures,’ ‘Men in Black’ On The Slate As Sony Strikes Pakistan Deal With Streamer Begin (Variety)
The deal also includes TV Shows such “The Goldbergs,” “Damages,” “The Big C,” “Preacher,” “Sneaky Pete,” “Men in Black” and “Jackie Chan Adventures.” Begin will also license rights to select titles from SPE’s film library. Begin has existing live sports deals with Professional Golfers Association, Saudi Premier League and All Elite Wrestling.

Report: 46% EU Viewers Frustrated Finding New TV Content (Advanced-Television)
Comcast Advertising and FreeWheel have released a report titled, Content Discovery in a Multiscreen TV World: Surfing and Scrolling in a Sea of Content. This global report analyses trends of how consumers navigate and discover TV content across traditional and streaming in the US and five European countries (UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy).

Viaplay Retains F1 Rights In Netherlands And Nordics Through 2029 (Sportcal)
The multi-year renewal, which covers the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, will run through the 2029 season, and continue to see all practice and qualifying sessions, F1 Sprint events, and grands prix shown live across Viaplay's platforms.  

International Launch For TF1+ Confirmed (Broadband TV News)
TF1 has confirmed plans to extend its recently launched streaming service into additional markets. The French commercial broadcaster says TF1+ got off to “a very good start”. In the first quarter TF1+ recorded an average of 33 million monthly streamers and 35 million in March, a new record, which compares to 28 million monthly streamers for predecessor MYTF1 in 2023.

'National Singing Contest': Can Latest Host Bring Back Show's Glory Days? (Korea Joongang Daily)
One of Korea's longest-running music programs is struggling to improve its viewership ratings, even after changing out its show host earlier this year. As opposed to most weekly music shows featuring young K-pop artists, "National Singing Contest" became popular for touring the nation to find talented singers among ordinary citizens. Regular people take part in the show's audition format and show off their vocal skills.

Warner Bros Discovery ANZ Networks Chief Leaving Amid Newshub Layoffs (Deadline)
Glen Kyne is exiting his role as Senior Vice President and Head of Networks at Warner Bros Discovery Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) on July 5. Juliet Peterson, current Senior Director of Content and BVOD, will lead the business as Vice President, Head of Networks, ANZ, and report to James Gibbons , President of WBD’s Asia Pacific business.

Italy: Mediaset Surpasses Rai In Daily Viewers (Advanced-Television)
Average daily TV audiences in Italy dropped by 2.6 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022 to 8.22 million, while prime-time audiences declined by 2.5 per cent in the same period to 18.99 million, according to the Communications Authority (AgCom).