LILLE, France — Germany’s Beta Group is a company for our challenged times, Moritz von Kruedener, Beta Group managing director told an audience at Series Mania’s Lille Dialogues on Thursday. He also broke down Beta’s business model which takes elements which hark back to the past – a powerful, ultra connected territory-by-territory international sales apparatus –…
Fremantle Buys Belgium’s A Team Productions, Continuing Its Indie Outfits Buying Spree
Fremantle has acquired a majority stake in Belgium’s A Team Productions the indie outfit behind hit drug gang drama “Patsers” by directorial duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and standout short “ “Baghdad Messi.” The company, which was founded in 2009, is headed by Kobe van Steenberghe and Hendrik Verthé and scored its first major international…
Anderson Cooper to Lead CNN Sunday Newsmagazine ‘The Whole Story’
Anderson Cooper, a regular contributor to “60 Minutes,” will now lead CNN’s attempt to put on something similar. Cooper will lead a new Sunday newsmagazine, “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper,” that will present one-hour deep dives into specific topics, interviews, profiles and investigations The show will debut Sunday, April 16 at 8 p.m. “Powered…
Canadian Comedian Bonnie McFarlane Sets Scripted Series Based on Memoir ‘You’re Better Than Me’ at Cineflix Productions (EXCLUSIVE)
Cineflix Productions has confirmed it is in development with comedian Bonnie McFarlane on a scripted comedy series based on her 2016 memoir, “You’re Better Than Me.” The project is inspired by McFarlane’s time as a high schooler in Cold Lake, Alberta, in the mid-1980s. McFarlane serves as the creator and writer for the half-hour series,…
Britain’s Indie Music Queen Lauren Laverne on Championing New Artists and Why Representation Isn’t a Problem for the 6 Music Festival
Lauren Laverne is buzzing with excitement. She woke up to the news that Lizzo had given her a shout-out from the stage at London’s O2 Arena. “Lauren Laverne played my record on Radio 6 and just like that, I was flying to England every other weekend,” declared the singer, who had her first major radio…
Carl Lewis Documentary in the Works From Noah Media, LeBron James’ Uninterrupted (EXCLUSIVE)
A feature documentary on champion athlete Carl Lewis will be the first film under the Noah Media Group‘s recently revealed multi-million dollar content fund. The documentary will be executive produced by Uninterrupted, the Emmy-winning athlete empowerment brand founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. In a record-breaking career spanning 18 years, Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals…
Queen Charlotte Receives a Royal Wedding in ‘Bridgerton’ Prequel Series Trailer
Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for its forthcoming “Bridgerton” prequel series, “Queen Charlotte.” The first full trailer of the upcoming season introduces viewers to a young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio), who goes on a journey of self-discovery and love. After being paired in an arranged marriage to King George, a worried Charlotte opens the…
‘The Night Agent’ Is a Sparky, Intriguing Political Thriller: TV Review
Hong Chau — the Oscar-nominated actor, who’s appeared in “The Whale,” “The Menu,” and “Downsizing” — is an interesting element on Netflix’s new series “The Night Agent,” and a revealing one. To cast Chau, a gifted and hardworking performer who’s been elevating projects for years, is to announce a certain ambition. Here, she’s playing the…
U.K. Media Regulator Ofcom Sets Strict Rules for BBC’s New Operating License
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has laid out the rules for the BBC’s new operating license, which comes into effect from April 1. There are several operating rules that serve as cornerstones for the new operating license. The Ofcom regulations recognize that while the license fee paid by the public provides a steady income for the…
Series Mania’s Coming Next from Quebec Showcase Boosts Top Productions From La Belle Province
LILLE, France – Producers, commissioning editors and creative talents from across La Belle Province took the spotlight at a Series Mania showcase of the best of recent Quebecois scripted offerings. Below are the seven series that drew whoops and appreciative hollers from a room full of international buyers. Late summer doldrums, young adult love, and…