Here are the global TV and streaming video stories that should be on your radar for Thursday, September 26th, 2024:
Netflix Unveils Nordic Originals, Including ‘Home For Christmas’ Season 3; Danish Fertility Dramedy ‘Sult;’ Swedish Crime Series ‘Synden’ (Variety)
Netflix has unveiled three new Nordic originals as part of its 2025 slate, including the Swedish crime series “Synden,” the Danish fertility dramedy “Sult,” and season 3 of Norwegian romantic comedy series “Home for Christmas,” confirming its ambition to keep investing in Scandinavian content.
Next Narrative Africa Fund to Put $40M Into African Film, TV to Empower Creators (The Hollywood Reporter)
A new $40 million fund, called the Next Narrative Africa Fund, has been unveiled “to empower content creators in Africa and the diaspora” and finance the development, production and marketing of “projects that confront and shift long-standing narratives about Africa.”
MultiChoice, NBCUniversal Pump R2.8bn Into Showmax (IT Web)
MultiChoice video streaming platform Showmax has received equity funding of $164 million (R2.8 billion), as it looks to take on international video-on-demand platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. This, after in March last year, MultiChoice entered into an agreement with Comcast subsidiary NBCUniversal and Sky, to form a partnership for purposes of driving Showmax to become the “leading streaming service in Africa”.
Bluey’s Brisbane Digital Series Launches (Advanced-Television)
Bluey’s Brisbane, a new digital series, has launched ahead of the opening of the Bluey’s World Brisbane immersive experience. Produced by BBC Studios and Ludo Studio, in association with Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), Bluey’s Brisbane is a comedic travelogue that brings Bluey’s world to life – for real life – by showcasing the best of Brisbane.
BBC Moves ‘Newsround’ To News Unit & Beefs Up CBeebies Under Kids Content Changes (Deadline)
The BBC is re-shuffling its kids content teams as part of plans to boost brands and better serve young audiences. Under changes announced internally on Wednesday, the BBC is moving children’s news show Newsround to its news division and beefing up pre-school brand Cbeebies.
Big screen stars claim small screen honors at Seoul International Drama Awards (Korea Joongang Daily)
Renowned director Park Chan-wook and acclaimed actor Song Kang-ho, both iconic figures in Korean cinema, took center stage at the Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA) 2024, winning the night's top honors.
Paramount+ To Launch In Thailand Within Monomax Streaming Platform (Variety)
In some territories, such as Japan, the service is a standalone direct-to-consumer product.. In others, it exists as a branded destination through licensing deals. Branded areas are currently available via Cosmote in Greece, Streamz in Belgium, MultiChoice in Africa, JioCinema in India. It will also launch on Blast TV in the Philippines.
Hungary Streaming Less To PCs And Mobile (Broadband TV)
The number of Hungarians visiting streaming providers from a computer or mobile device has decreased by almost 20%, compared to a year earlier. The National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH), analysed the mobile and computer traffic of the web interfaces of nine nationally available streaming services.
Spain: New DTT Plan (Advanced-Television)
The Spanish Administration is set to approve a Royal Decree with a new DTT Technical plan that will pave the way for a new nationwide DTT channel and for an Ultra HD migration of all TV channels. The favourite candidate for the new DTT channel is the media group Prisa, which is the publisher of Spanish daily newspaper El Pais and in political alignment with the Spanish government.
Warner Bros Confirms Streamer Max Will Launch Down Under In 2025 (C21 Media)
Speaking at the APOS media and technology conference in Bali yesterday, Warner Bros’ Asia-Pacific president James Gibbons told delegates the launch is “definitely happening.” The executive gave little detail on how the rollout would be structured and who its partners might be but added: “We have had a long-standing and important relationship with Foxtel, and I think the time has come for us to expand that into the direct-to-consumer space. Partners are really important for us.”