This Week's Handful of Must-See Headlines

Industry

Hollywood University: Savannah Film Studios To Complete Largest Expansion
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, is nearing completion of its film complex's initial construction phase this year. The complex features a backlot with 17 street facades and set spaces, a cutting-edge LED volume for virtual production, and soundstages. By 2025, it will be the largest university film studio complex in the nation, enriching SCAD's curriculum with hands-on production experiences for students.

Television

Reality Programming: 2022-23 Season Shows Increase in Female Contestants
According to San Diego State University's latest "Boxed In" report, the 2022-23 TV season showcased greater female representation on reality shows and game programs when compared to comedy and drama series. The study also monitored diversity statistics, encompassing race, ethnicity, and age, examining 3,500 characters and 4,500 behind-the-scenes credits.

Streaming

Spain’s TV Market: Broadcasters Making the Leap to Streaming
Recent data from research firm The Wit reveals a rising trend in Spain's broadcasters, with an increase of 9% in exclusive online release series. From September 2022 to August 2023, 82 new fiction series were commissioned. This shift underscores the industry's move toward online and co-production, aligning with the aim of reaching younger audiences.

Advertising

Olympic Ads: Sales for the 2024 Paris Games Selling Fast
NBCUniversal anticipates robust revenue growth for the 2024 Paris Olympics, surpassing the 2020 Tokyo Games. They've already sold out advertising inventory for the live Opening Ceremony coverage and halftime sponsorship slots. With every Olympic and Paralympic event streaming live and on demand on Peacock, early marketing efforts aim to engage a broader, younger audience.

International

U.K. Creatives: BAFTA Creates Low-Income Grants
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is allocating £277,000 in grants to support emerging talents from lower-income backgrounds in the U.K. entertainment sector. They've also begun disclosing internal data, revealing that 19% of their members originate from lower-income backgrounds. These statistics will be released annually to address class inequality in the screen industries.

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