C21Podcast

The TV business has plenty to contend with in 2025 as Donald Trump heads for a second term in the White House, the uptake and impact of AI accelerates, and the 'creator economy' is eclipsed by something else entirely. Allied Global Marketing's Adam Cunningham's [37:03], C21's Jordan Pinto, Nico Franks and Karolina Kaminska discuss [01:18].

NBCUniversal's Corie Henson on her search for 'holy sh*t ideas' and her upcoming ‘Barbenheimer’-like launch of new seasons of The Traitors and Deal or No Deal Island [00:35]; Sony Pictures Television's Eli Holzman on the state of the US unscripted market and why Mr Beast really made the leap from YouTube to Amazon [32:22].

Netflix's Larry Tanz, Pauline Dauvin and Tinny Andreatta talk about how the streamer has changed during its first decade in Europe and its programming strategy for the year ahead [01:13]; and Amazon MGM Studios' Lauren Anderson reflects on the company's own evolution of Prime Video and Freevee [32:35].

From Content London 2024, Propagate Content's Ben Silverman talks to Irish comedian and TV host Patrick Kielty about his career and the present state of the international TV market [02:45]; and Amplify Pictures' Rachel Eggebeen, EndemolShine Australia's Sara Richardson and Blink Films' Justine Kershaw reflect on adapting to survive and thrive in The New Content Economy [34:07].

Ahead of Content London 2024, C21 editor-in-chief AND managing director David Jenkinson and event programming director Ruth Palmer discuss the incredible line-up and issues top of mind as TV grapples with seismic change and opportunity [02:56]; Underknown's Steve Hulford, Calliope Networks' Dave Davis and a mystery AI-generated guest on the fast-emerging AI licensing market [23:37]; and Rose d'Or...

Silverback Films' Keith Scholey on how blue-chip natural history needs to adapt to survive and why he's afraid of AI; and writer Brendan Foley on new drama Sherlock AND Daughter, and Starlings Entertainment execs Chris Philip and Karine Martin on the innovative financial and development model behind it.

Media guru Evan Shapiro on how the 'creator economy' is upending traditional TV and what the industry must do to respond [00:33]; and Epic Story Media's Jaka Benedicic [26:01] and former Disney exec Emily Horgan [44:26] on how the kids' TV business needs to embrace YouTube and Roblox.

Ru Paul's Drag Race maker Fenton Bailey offers his thoughts on the changing face of reality TV and the rise of Donald Trump [22:43]; Cineflix's JC Mills, PBS's Tracy Beckett and Moonbug's Nicolas Eglau on the industry's current state of flux and what can be done about it [01:02]; and Banijay's Steve Matthews on the health of the global scripted market [36:12].

From Mipcom 2024, ProSiebenSat.1's Henrik Pabst and ITV Studios' Ruth Berry on digital transformation [00:47]; FRAPA's Phil Gurin, TF1's Julien Degroote and Entertainment Masterclass's Christoph Fey on the future of TV formats [21:09]; former BBC exec Jo Redfern and Hidden Pigeon's Karen Miller and Kris Updike on the crisis facing kids' TV [38:19]; and SpongeBob SquarePants stars Tom Kenny and Bil...

The C21 team looks ahead to Mipcom 2024 and asks, is the industry experiencing a mid-life crisis? [00:36] Banijay Rights' Cathy Payne on her biggest deal and receiving the Gold Award at the International Format Awards [36:00]; and BBC Studios' Nick Lee gives his take on the present market [54:39].

BBC Studios' natural history unit chief Jonny Keeling [01:50], Plimsoll's Dr Martha Holmes [18:40], If Pigs Could Talk director Miki Mistrati [31:40], and WildBear Entertainment's Craig Meade [57:11] discuss innovation in wildlife documentary making, from the use of AI, to micro-drones and social media.

FRAPA co-chairs Phil Gurin and Jan Salling on the TV formats protection body's 25th anniversary and how it's recalibrating for a future shaped by AI [01:04]; and Ria Hebden, founder of Wonder Women, on how the organisation aims to elevate the careers of diverse women working in TV and the creative industries [37:02].

A string of TV execs discuss the growing influence of social gaming services like Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft on the kids' animation business: Diego Ibáñez from DeAPlaneta; Delphine Dumont from Banijay; Dandeloo's Jean-Baptiste Wery and Emmanuele Petry Sirvin; and Film London's Julian Scott share their thoughts.

Will.i.am on AI's impact on the TV business and wider creative industries [00:43]; MultiChoice's Nomsa Philiso on the South African broadcaster's desire to foster more international drama partnerships [19:21]; and Three River Fiction's Benjamin McGrath on why BBC/Virgin Media's Dead AND Buried exemplifies increasingly multifaceted TV finance [40:14].

Universal's Beatrice Springborn and former HBO chief Sue Naegle on the scramble for literary IP during a time of industry contraction [00:37]; BBC commissioning editor Muslim Alim on how producers can use AI to become more efficient [18:06]; and former Channel 4 head of youth Karl Warner on how struggling indies can futureproof through online branded content [36:36].

Jeff Wachtel, the former boss of USA Network and NBCUniversal International Studios, on new venture Future Shack Entertainment and today's rapidly changing TV landscape [00:43]; Banijay's Lucas Green on why branded entertainment is crucial to the future of formats and how Big Brother is just like the Olympics [31:10]; and Oscar-winning Danish director Thomas Vinterberg on his first foray into TV s...

Pressman Film's Sam Pressman on how the US indie behind American Psycho, The Crow and Wall Street, is moving into TV [00:39]; Danish director Kaspar Munk on new Viaplay drama Secrets [18:23]; and Incendo's Graham Ludlow on how TV movies are dodging an industry downturn and reaching younger audiences [40:02].

Fudge Park Productions' Damon Beesley and Phil Gilbert on new BBC comedy Daddy Issues and why they think things are looking up for British producers in a tough industry climate [00:37]; and Charlene Putney and Martin Pichlmair on how their AI tool Write With LAIKA can aid creativity but why the technology won't replace human film and TV scribes any time soon [30:05].

Helion Partners' Tom Manwaring on Sony's acquisition of Alex Rider maker Eleventh Hour Films and why the industry's in much better health than many may believe [00:38]; screenwriter Ben Schiffer on learning his craft on Skins and his latest series, The Turkish Detective [22:25]; and Bambú Producciones co-founder Teresa Fernández-Valdés on setting up her new production company [49:03].

Kinetic Energy Entertainment's Diana Williams about why Hollywood is still stuck in a 1920s mentality [00:34]; Bavaria Fiction's Emanuel Rotstein on the challenges of today's documentary marketplace [22:49]; and Paul Vincett and Becky Johnson of puppet maker Stitches AND Glue on their work on Netflix drama Eric [40:41].

Studio 1's Adrian Woolfe on his hopes for emulating the success of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? with new ABC quiz show Lucky 13; Gedeon Media Group and Terranoa's Isabelle Graziadey on adapting to the changing dynamics of the documentary market; and Endemol Shine Brasil's Renato Martinez on expanding beyond core entertainment formats.

Former Blumhouse TV co-chief Marci Wiseman on her work setting up international copros since leaving the US horror specialist [00:38]; one-time Food Network topper Courtney White on disrupting the dessert world via Wheelhouse JV Butternut [15:55]; and ex-Netflix drama exec Chris Regina on developing AI-driven originals for Chinese connected TV giant TCL [31:07].

SkyShowtime's Kai Finke on the pan-European streamer's content strategy for this year and beyond [00:42]; Terra Mater Studios' Markus Mooslechner on how the firm is integrating AI in its latest project exploring space [33:19]; and showrunners Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn on making new Amazon Prime Video alt-history fantasy drama My Lady Jane [55:40].

SUNNYSIDE: France Télévisions' Caroline Behar [00:39] and Federation Studios' Myriam Weil [17:00] on the state of the French factual market and uncertainties around the country's upcoming election; Autentic's Patrick Hoerl [31:45] on why the industry is akin to Keanu Reeves movie The Matrix; and Ubisoft's Amy Jenkins [54:23] on the video games giant's latest documentary cross-over.

Hollywood star Morgan Freeman and the chief of his production company, Lori McCreary, on their latest series and the impact of AI; Warner Bros Discovery's Jason Sarlanis on how true crime is bucking the commissioning downturn; and former Electus and Shine execs Chris Grant and Eli Shibley on their new distribution and finance venture Osmosis Global.