Don’t forget to check out our The Friday Fivecast, the audio version of our weekly Friday Five blog. Listen in your car, at your desk, and anywhere you take your podcasts. Find it here, then click on our Spotify profile to subscribe.
Sports
March Madness: Basketball Tournament To Boost TV Viewership
he NCAA March Madness basketball tournament offers a promising opportunity for linear TV amidst current advertising market challenges. This year's heightened interest and robust advertising sales indicate its enduring appeal, despite a slight decline in ratings last year. March Madness maintains its allure for advertisers due to its thrilling knockout format and widespread engagement, including beloved bracket traditions that enhance viewer involvement.
International
New Studio Space Opening in the United Kingdom
Location Collective, renowned for its work on productions like Napoleon and The Crown, is set to launch OMA V Film Studios in Radlett, Hertfordshire. With 65,000 sq ft of sound stages and 35,600 sq ft of production office and support space, this marks their third studio venture in the U.K. Strategically located for easy access to the M25 motorway, it aims to meet the rising demands of the industry with top-tier facilities.
Digital
TikTok Ban: What This Could Mean for the Entertainment Industry
The House of Representatives has passed legislation that could force TikTok's removal from American phones unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership. While a ban might steer user engagement toward streaming services, analysts warn it may not greatly benefit traditional TV and could harm Hollywood's promotional strategies.
Film
Classification Updates: British Films Adjusts Ratings Based on Public Consultation
In 2023, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) conducted its largest-ever public consultation. As a result, the organization has updated its guidelines to align with evolving public views on depictions of violence, sex, and drug use in films. Concerns about violence portrayal, suicide, and self-harm have heightened across all age ratings since the last survey in 2019.
Television
Too Much Content: Peak TV Era Has Produced Centuries of Watch Time
Peak TV has reached unprecedented heights, with projections indicating it would require over 350 years to consume all streaming platform content available. This estimate excludes user-generated content and video games, underscoring the fierce competition media companies encounter in engaging viewers in today's smartphone-dominated economy.
High five! Another Friday Five is going live next week—same time, same place. We know what caught our eyes, but we’re all ears. Tell us what you’d like to learn more about in our upcoming editions by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Be sure to tag #FridayFive in your comments.
Want an even more convenient way to stay in the know? Get Friday Five sent right to your inbox each week by signing up for our direct newsletter below.
See you next Friday at 10 a.m. (PT).