In The Frame September '20

Tom Pammenter Published: 01.10.2020 Industry news

This month's latest news across the industry.

Streaming/Online/Tech

SVoD revenues for 138 countries will reach $100 billion by 2025, double the $50 billion recorded in 2019, according to a new report, the SVoD Forecasts Update. SVOD revenues are expected to exceed $1 billion in 16 countries by 2025, double the corresponding figure in 2019.

Disney has introduced GroupWatch to its streaming platform, enabling up to seven people to watch content together across web, mobile and smart TVs even while physically apart.

BritBox’s UK MD has told members of the Broadcasting Press Guild the streaming service is “very happy” with how it’s performed since its launch in November 2019. Will Harrison said BritBox is “ahead of our plan in terms of subscribers”.

Live streaming of non-televised EFL football matches during the opening fortnight of the 2020/21 season has failed to offset matchday losses. Games were streamed by 150,000 fans, paying £10 each per match, but the viewing figures represent only 40% of the clubs’ combined average matchday attendances.

Avid’s forthcoming update to its MediaCentral platform will enable Adobe Premiere Pro editors to access Avid-based media assets.

BBC News

New director general Tim Davie is reportedly keen to move the BBC TV away from a focus on linear slots by introducing an iPlayer-led, genre-first approach to commissioning that will end the role of channel controllers.

The BBC’s annual report covering April 2019- March 2020 is out. Figures in the report state that Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker received £1.75 million during that period. He has since signed a new five-year contract, agreeing to a 23% cut in his salary – equating to £400,000. Zoe Ball is now the BBC’s highest-paid presenter.

Ofcom has launched a review of BBC Sounds and asked commercial radio groups who regard the app, which has 3.4 million weekly users, as an existential threat to substantiate their claims. Some of the BBC’s commercial rivals are concerned that the corporation’s licence-fee funding is damaging competition.

And finally...

Former BBC presenter Andrew Neil is to leave the corporation to become the face and chairman of Discovery-backed GB News, which aims to start broadcasting early next year. Rupert Murdoch’s News UK is also planning an opinionated TV news station and has begun hiring staff.
The BFI London Film Festival takes place next month (7-18 October), offering a series of free-to-access digital events.
NAB 2021 is scheduled for 9-13 October 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, while next year’s Media Production & Technology Show will take place on Wednesday 12 May and Thursday 13 May at London’s Olympia exhibition centre.
The Manchester Animation Festival, the UK’s largest, takes place 15-30 November 2020 as a virtual festival including screenings, masterclasses, live Q&As and a ‘sculpt-along’.
Amazon has bought global rights to Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat sequel and will debut the film ahead of the US presidential election on 3 November.
Sky’s Now TV app is now available on Sony Bravia Android TVs in the UK and Ireland, while Virgin Media has added the kids app, Hopster, to its TV platform.
ITV has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
The TV Talent North Facebook group bringing together independent production companies and freelancers has attracted more than 3,000 members since launching in June to help TV professionals return to work after the Convid-19 lockdown.
Channel 4 will show three live matches during the Autumn Nations Cup this November. The broadcaster will show highlights from all the rounds of the eight-team rugby tournament after signing a deal with Amazon Prime Video.