The week's insight...

Here is your lunchtime round-up of the latest news and insights within the TV, VOD & FAST Industry:

1. Broadcast Magazine said it understands Channel 4 has switched to payment-on-delivery for a number of shows as it seeks to ride out the current advertising downturn, shelving its usual phased payments model. A C4 spokeswoman said: “Channel 4 is using a standard industry practice, used by other broadcasters, to finance shows. Channel 4 cares deeply about the indie community and our wider chain of freelancers, they are the beating heart of our industry and we remain totally committed to supporting the UK’s production sector.”

Source:

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-4/channel-4-alters-payment-model-to-ease-cashflow-concerns/5183073.article

2. China's 腾讯 has secured streaming rights to show Formula 1 across its platforms for the 2024 season.

Source:

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2023/06/12/tencent-secures-formula-1-streaming-rights-for-china/

https://sportsmintmedia.com/tencent-obtains-formula-1-streaming-rights-in-china/

3. Roku said it is looking to order 20 to 30 unscripted originals this year and is considering a further pivot towards international partnerships following a deal with Channel 4 on reality adventure show Tempting Fortune. David Eilenberg, Roku’s VP & head of content, said the show’s model “points to the type of work we are moving into”.

Source:

https://tbivision.com/2023/06/13/roku-doubles-down-on-food-lifestyle-entertainment-as-models-pivot-to-international-partnerships/

4. BT has begun trialling its rebrand of BTSport as TNT Sports, seeking customers who do not currently take the service. It said: “Aside from helping us iron out any bugs, we’ll obviously be covering the cost of the BT Sport package for the duration of the trial."

Source:

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/06/broadband-isp-bt-trial-tnt-sports-service-ahead-of-uk-rebrand.html

5. Speculation that Nordic streaming service Viaplay Group would challenge the incumbents for UK Premier League TV rights has faded after it issued a profit warning last week and replaced chief executive Anders Jensen.

Source:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/premier-league-big-six-pact-broken-manchester-city-charges-b6kj6w2qw

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