This Week's Handful of Must-See Headlines

International

All-Time High: French TV Industry Breaks Record Sales
In 2022, French TV sales hit a record €214.8 million ($230 million), surging 15.4% YoY. This growth was fueled by hit series like HPI, The Bureau, and Marie Antoinette. The post-pandemic era brought a wave of fresh content, driven by international travel and in-person film markets. In terms of platforms, French linear channels accounted for 49% of sales, while streaming contributed 43%.

Film Festival

Venice Ticket Sales: Iconic Film Festival Reports Increased Admissions
At the halfway point of this year’s Venice Film Festival, attendance reached 114,851, an 18% uptick from the previous year. Subscription pass sales surged by 17%, while public ticket sales also outpaced 2022. The festival's first week featured premieres by acclaimed directors like David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, and Yorgos Lanthimos, likely contributing to the attendance boost.

Sports

ESPN and Tennis Stars: Network Provides Live-Streaming Access for U.S. Open Players
Amidst an ongoing Disney-Charter Spectrum dispute, a TV blackout for the U.S. Open has inconvenienced many players. Following player complaints from Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, and tennis analyst John McEnroe, ESPN has stepped in to provide live-streaming access to those affected, ensuring they can follow the tournament.

DEI

Diversity at TIFF: The Trans Film Mentorship Announces 2nd Annual Summitt
This Sunday, the Trans Film Mentorship's second summit at TIFF welcomes trans, non-binary filmmakers, industry partners, and allies. The event fosters dialogue on the industry's current state and opportunities for progress, also showcasing films by trans and non-binary talent featured at TIFF.

Box Office

Summer of Moviegoing: Seasonal Box Office Breaks $4 Billion
The summer box office soared past $4 billion thanks to The Equalizer 3's $345.5 million debut, marking a 25% increase over 2022. A mix of blockbuster hits, smaller releases, and special events contributed to the success. Barbie and Oppenheimer led the way with a combined $920 million in domestic revenue. Taylor Swift's concert film announcement disrupted schedules, with single-day advanced ticket sales reaching $26 million for the October 13 showing.

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).

INDUSTRY NEWS, FRIDAY5