Advanced Television

Production

BBC resurrects Robot Wars

Mentorn Scotland, part of the Tinopolis Group, has been commissioned by BBC Two to produce a new series of the man and machine battle series Robot Wars. The iconic entertainment show will return some 13 years after is last aired as a 6x60min series and will feature “a new structure with more robots, more battles […]

January 13, 2016By Nik Roseveare

Whisper Films wins C4 F1 production deal

UK terrestrial pubcaster Channel 4 has awarded the production contract for its coverage of the FIA Formula One World Championship to experienced independent sports production company Whisper Films. The contract was awarded after a competitive tender process with production companies with Formula 1 credentials. The tender process was led by Ed Havard, Channel 4’s Head […]

January 12, 2016By Colin Mann

Hollywood studios: ‘VR a game changer’

The findings of a joint virtual reality (VR) research study of content creators in the Hollywood community reveal that participants are passionate about the new medium and think it is likely a game changer. The study, conducted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) was designed to paint a […]

January 11, 2016

NatGeo orders first scripted content

National Geographic Channel has signed a development deal with DNA Films & TV and FX Productions for what will be the network’s first scripted series, Blood Ivory (working title). Joshua Brand (The Americans) has been tapped to write the pilot script of what promises to be an “edge-of-your-seat thriller, tracing the massive global web of […]

January 8, 2016

Ofcom: ‘Deregulation of UK production sector risky’

UK comms regulator Ofcom believes that complete deregulation of the UK TV production sector would be uncertain and risky, having undertaken a review of the regulatory framework following a request from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in August 2015. Ofcom’s review recognises that the independent TV production industry has seen significant […]

December 23, 2015

Netflix: House of Cards returns March 2016

Netflix has confirmed it will deliver 13 new episodes of House of Cards on March 4th 2016. The announcement came in the form of a political ad that aired on CNN during the fifth Republican presidential debate in the US on December 15th. The ad’s narrator stated: “It’s a new day in America. Today more […]

December 16, 2015

Scripps Networks launches Scripps Lifestyle Studios

Scripps Networks Interactive is launching a new business division to drive digital content innovation and advertising solutions. Scripps Lifestyle Studios is a full-service editorial unit that will spearhead the development of lifestyle experiences across multiple platforms including social media, apps, websites and third party digital media outlets. As well as working with teams within Scripps […]

December 11, 2015

Disney, Lucasfilm, Great Britain Campaign join forces

The UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign, Disney and Lucasfilm have announced a collaboration that celebrates the British inspiration, creativity and innovation involved in the Star Wars saga ahead of the December 17th UK cinema release of the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens. A series of videos featuring British icons such as Sir Richard […]

December 9, 2015By Colin Mann

Netflix to double original content

Netflix will focus on developing its own content next year and aim to nearly double the number of original shows to 31 from 16, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos has vowed. The video-streaming giant has 10 feature films, 30 kids’ series, “about a dozen” feature documentaries, 10 stand-up specials and two documentary series in various […]

December 8, 2015

Lord Grade: “Piracy is the enemy of new content”

A £200 million (€275m) investment in the UK’s famous Pinewood Studios, which includes the construction of 10 mammoth sound stages, will better equip the facility for a range of high-end television production opportunities, although (Lord) Michael Grade, Chairman, is pleased to report that current demand from the movie sector means that there is little opportunity […]

December 8, 2015By Colin Mann