TBI Weekly: The UK’s international platform challenge

This week the UK TV industry has had its eye on what the rise of global platforms means for its local market, something that many territories will be thinking about as SVOD and digital services continue to attract young adult viewers.

In his autumn statement, BBC director general Tony Hall discussed how he plans to future-proof the BBC, which includes getting the strategic relationship between the pubcaster’s international sales and production division right to help “secure the future of British content at home and around the world”.

A report from OC&C Strategy Consultants claims that linear broadcasters in the UK could stand to lose up to £1 billion (US$1.3 billion) due to “super-aggregators” such as Amazon Channels taking control of content provision.

It’s not all doom and gloom for the UK, however, it was also reported this week that UK production companies made £468 million (US$606.7 million) in commissions from international broadcasters and SVOD services between 2015 and 2016.

Also in the news…

Propagate teamed with Nitro Circus to handle international distribution of the prodco’s series and specials.

9 Story Distribution International, the international distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, and Magic Mall Entertainment have joined forces on the animated children’s series Luo Bao Bei.

Former MGM Studios TV Group & Digital president Roma Khanna was named CEO of Sean Combs’ Revolt Media and TV.

Distributor FilmRise has raised an additional $50 million in financing to further its acquisition of film and television titles.

Thumb Candy, the newly formed digital studio division of producer B17 Entertainment, and Snap Inc announced several new shows that Thumb will be developing and producing for Snapchat’s Discover platform.

BBC Studios has commissioned two factual shows for BBC Three: Life And Death Row – The Arkansas Killings and Killed By My Debt.

Red Arrow International has sold its UK reality format Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds to a number of international territories, including France, Spain, Netherlands, Australia and Sweden.

Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries and ZDF Enterprises signed a distribution agreement that sees Lineup become the go-to for ZDF international formats sales.

Endemol Shine Iberia and Spain’s Movistar are set for a second season of social experiment The Bridge.

The week’s top TBI stories:

• Discovery is set for a slate of Facebook originals
• Ex-Nat Geo topper Wade Platt to lead Blue Ant networks unit
• Netflix & Amazon take UK int’l prod spend to £468 million
• Tony Hall: BBC must future-proof against US threats
• Discovery poached an MTG exec