Here are the global TV and streaming television stories that should be on your radar for Monday, March 3rd, 2025:
France’s Canal+ Group Signs Deal With Local Guilds To Invest At Least $503 Million In French Films Over Next Three Years (Variety)
The agreement comes alongside a pact allowing Canal+ to keep its access to movies at six months after their theatrical release. It took months of intense – if not rocky — negotiations with local guilds (including BLIC, BLOC and ARP) for Canal+ to reach this accord. Under the previous agreement that came to an end last December, Canal+ injected €600 million ($630 million) from 2022 to 2024.
DAZN Creates New Basketball Division (Broadband TV News)
DAZN has appointed Chus Bueno as Managing Director – Basketball, as the streamer launches a new division for the sport. Bueno’s previous roles include Vice President of NBA Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as Managing Director for NBA Spain. Bueno has also held positions such as Executive Director and Secretary General of the FEB (Federación Española Baloncesto), Secretary General of ABP (Asociación Baloncestistas Profesionales), and Vice President of UBE (Union du Basketeurs d’Europe).
Sky Director Of Original Film Julia Stuart To Depart (Screen Daily)
Stuart headed up Sky’s original film division for six years, working across a slate of titles including Lee, Ferrari and The Beekeeper. Alongside a day-and-date model, she also became a keen champion of the theatrical release model for Sky Original films.
WBD Brings In Binge Director Of Content John Beohm To Head Content Planning For Max In Australia (C21 Media)
Beohm will join the WBD team from Foxtel-owned streamer Binge, where he held the role of director of content for over four years. He will report to WBD APAC’s head of content and streaming Magdalene Ew.
BBC Studios Appoints New EVP & GM Of Global Media & Streaming ANZ (Mediaweek Australia)
BBC Studios has named Robi Stanton as executive vice president & general manager of global media and streaming for Australia and New Zealand. In this newly appointed role, Stanton will oversee content sales, channels and streaming, and advertising sales across the region.
Prime Video U.K. Director Chris Bird Stepping Down After 14 Years (Variety)
The news was announced in an internal memo sent to staff by Brigette Ricou-Bellan, the general manager of Prime Video EU, who noted that Bird had been with Amazon since joining as part of its acquisition of early streaming service LoveFilm in 2010 before taking over leadership of the U.K. team in 2021.
Afghan TV Station Reopens After Closure By Taliban Authorities (Arab News)
An Afghan TV station resumed operations Saturday, its leadership said, after being shut down in December by the Taliban morality ministry. Seals placed on Arezo TV’s doors in Kabul were removed in the presence of the country’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV), said station head Bassir Abid, who reported that the outlet had “resumed our operations.”
BBC Studios Secures Trio Of Swedish Format Deals (World Screen)
BBC Studios has clinched three new format deals in Sweden, including the first adaptation of the Norwegian game show Nation’s Dumbest. Montreux Film and Fjernsyn’s Nation’s Dumbest is set to be made for TV4 by BBC Studios Nordic Production alongside the paranormal format Uncanny. Both are being produced in the spring for launch later this year. In addition, SVT opted for a local take on Curve Media’s Our Dementia Choir, set to go into production in August.
Disney Expands Deal With BeIN Media Group to Include Disney Channel And Disney Junior Across Middle East (Variety)
Disney and Qatar-based powerhouse beIN Media Group have expanded their content agreement in a new partnership, giving beIN rights to Disney Channel and Disney Junior across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
JioStar Pulling Out All Stops To Woo Brands For IPL (Financial Express)
With the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) next edition just under three weeks away, broadcaster JioStar is betting big on three main offerings to draw more advertisers to the cricketing carnival. Ishan Chatterjee, chief business officer, sports revenue, SMB and creator, JioStar, expects the combination of improved reach, new advertising innovations and a partnership with Nielsen for digital advertising measurement to draw more advertisers to the cricketing extravaganza.