HOW TO WATCH U.S. OPEN IN EUROPE
Warner Bros. Discovery Europe has revealed that it will air every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets.
As tennis fans gear up for the final Grand Slam, taking place at Flushing Meadows in New York City, they will be able to stream the tournament live and on-demand. In addition, viewers in the Nordics will have access to free-to-air coverage centered on players representing Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
On-site coverage will be led by former U.S. Open champions John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, alongside Alex Corretja and Barbara Schett. Justine Henin will also provide her insight from Paris.
“This year marks the first of our renewed and long-term partnership with the USTA which enables us to bring our passion for tennis, deep sports expertise and industry-leading production to the US Open, a tournament we have shown for over two decades, expanding its reach for fans across Europe to savour,” said Scott Young, senior VP of content and production at WBD Sports Europe, in a statement. “We’ve already witnessed a Grand Slam season for the ages this year with new champions, young prodigies and legends of the game creating new chapters in sporting history. Our role is to connect our viewers with these athletes and we look forward to telling their stories in a way no other broadcaster can match, from the first point in qualifying to match point on Arthur Ashe on 10 September.”
Qualifying for the U.S. open begins on Aug. 22, with the tournament beginning on Aug. 28.
PARAMOUNT’S BOB BAKISH TO RECEIVE MIPCOM HONOR
Television conference Mipcom will honor Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount Global, with its Personality of the Year award at its 39th edition, which runs Oct. 16-19 in Cannes. The award will be presented as part of a keynote session in the Palais des Festivals on Oct. 17.
Honorees over the past decade have included Bob Greenblatt, Issa Rae, David Zaslav, Shonda Rhimes, Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Simon Cowell and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Bakish oversees a stellar portfolio of consumer brands that includes flagship streaming services Paramount+ and Pluto TV; the Paramount Pictures film studio; and television networks CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Channel 5 in the U.K., Network 10 in Australia and Telefe in Argentina.
Bakish has led Paramount since 2019, unifying the company created from the recombination of Viacom and CBS. Prior to the merger, Bakish was president and CEO of Viacom from 2016. Bakish previously headed Viacom’s international division as president and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, starting in 2007. Bakish joined Viacom in 1997 from Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he was a partner in its media and entertainment practice.
“Bob Bakish personifies exemplary leadership during these transformative times,” said Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom Cannes. “Perhaps most ‘paramount’ to everyone attending Mipcom Cannes is Bob’s market-leading growth strategy that sees streaming and third-party international licensing not only co-exist but flourish as business models under one global media company. He is equipping Paramount for its next era, and our Personality of the Year 2023 honor could not be timelier or more relevant.”
‘WATERLOO ROAD’ GETS DOUBLE SERIES ORDER
The BBC has recommissioned drama series “Waterloo Road” for two new series, in addition to its next series, which has already been filmed. That means three more instalments of “Waterloo Road” are en route.
Filming will begin in Manchester this fall, with each series consisting of eight 60-minute episodes. The original “Waterloo Road” ran form 2006 to 2015 and was rebooted in early 2023 with a new cast, including Angela Griffin, Adam Thomas and Kym Marsh as school staff. The show continues to be a hit on BBC iPlayer, where it one of the top three titles of the year for 16-34 year olds. “Waterloo Road” will continue to cast its key roles through open auditions at schools and youth clubs, and will offer workshops for those new to the industry.
“We’re beyond thrilled with the triumphant return of Waterloo Road, and so thankful to the BBC for committing to the show so fully,” executive producer Cameron Roach said in a statement. “We love that the show has the potential not only to be a crown jewel for BBC iPlayer, but also serve as a true beacon for training, and inspiring next generation talent. In addition to our open auditions and full-time production trainee placements for industry newcomers, our workshops across Greater Manchester this Summer for 14-16 year olds, in partnership with BBC Young Reporter, have truly demonstrated the infectious power of this show.”
U.K. FILM AND TV CHARITY ADDS EXTRA £500K OF SUPPORT
The U.K. Film and TV Charity has added another £500,000 ($637,000) to its budget in response to an 800% increase in support applications from industry workers in financial need. The charity’s partners from the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Prime Video have also pledged further donations.
The announcement comes as its new CEO, Marcus Ryder, prepares to speak at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival on Aug. 23. “Having weathered the pandemic as an industry, the cost-of-living crisis and other contributing factors like the impact of U.S. strikes on global production, and pressures on scripted and unscripted production budgets, see financial instability emerging as a growing concern and a significant contributor to the mental health and wellbeing of film, TV, and cinema workers, especially freelancers and other already marginalised workers,” Ryder said in a statement.
Industry workers who are experiencing financial need, debt or mental health concerns are encouraged to contact the Film and TV Charity via its free, 24/7 support line at 0800 054 0000 or by visiting http://www.filmtvcharity.org.uk.
TRAINING SCHEME
Hatch Films, a social enterprise production company founded by Glen Funnell and Robert Douglas, has partnered up with U.K. communications agency WDM Entertainment for a talent training initiative aimed at plugging the skills gap.
Future Producers is a free, comprehensive training program for producers with the aim of placing each trainee in a paid placement within a year of completing their training. based in London, it is fully accessible with bursaries available for travel and expenses.
Applicants can apply now until Sept. 13 at www.hatch-films/futureproducers.
PRODUCTION
“Tell That to the Winter Sea” director Jaclyn Bethany has launched production on her latest project. Operating under SAG-AFTRA’s microbudget agreement, “Ruby” is a short written and directed by Bethany.
The film, about a young Catholic schoolgirl and quirky nun who form an unlikely bond, features Sarah Schuler in the title role alongside Fallon Goodson (“Maladies”), Sky Hardison (“Dear Annabelle”), Mary Stieffel (“Preacher”), Logan MacRae (“Where the Crawdads Sing”), Ayla Miller, Summer Joy Campbell (“Bottoms”) and Ajaye Hopper. Ruby Green cast the film.
The film is produced by In Ceremony Productions and BKE Productions.
ENGLAND VS. SPAIN WORLD CUP FINAL DRAWS 12 MILLION VIEWERS ON BBC ONE
Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final, during which Spain defeated England, drew 12 million viewers on BBC One. Marking England’s first time in a World Cup final since 1966, the match also garnered 3.9 million streams on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online.
The overall tournament led to 21.2 million people watching 15 minutes or more of BBC TV, and it was streamed 25.7 million times on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. This marks a 75% increase from the 2019 World Cup.
“We’re proud to be long-term partners for women’s football which continues its fantastic upward trajectory,” Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said in a statement. “The Lionesses came so close but they should be incredibly proud of reaching a World Cup final. It was a brilliant tournament for audiences and these figures prove once again that no one can bring the nation together for the big moments quite like the BBC across TV, iPlayer, Sounds and the Sport website.”
