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☆ Amazon's pricey 'Lord of the Rings' show saw only 37% of viewers complete the series, a new report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"The Rings of Power" series reportedly only had a 37% percent completion rate, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter published Monday — meaning that far less than half of its viewers finished the series. THR noted that the figure was confirmed by unnamed sources, but didn't offer more details. THR noted that Amazon held information more closely than usual on the "The Rings of Power" series. Nevertheless, THR noted that Amazon Studios Chief Jen Salke deems the series a success. That's not to say Amazon Studios hasn't had hits, which include shows like "Transparent," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and "Fleabag," THR noted.

☆ A new documentary on Subway and Jared Fogle couldn't come at a worse time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jared Fogle became Subway's pitchman after losing 245 pounds by mostly eating the chain's subs. A Fogle documentary airing in March is bad timing for Subway as it looks for a buyer, analysts say. Yet, a ghost from Subway's past, Jared Fogle, is returning to haunt America's largest sub chain. The new documentary series promises to reveal the "rise and fall" of the former Subway pitchman who "masqueraded as a national hero while hiding a horrific side." Are you a Subway insider with insight to share?

☆ Why Netflix is placing cars like the Chevy Bolt in its shows, and what the streamer's deal with GM means for its growing advertising business
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Netflix announced a new deal to integrate GM electric vehicles into popular shows like "Love is Blind" and "Queer Eye." On a press call announcing the deal, Lee said directors and showrunners would be involved in the process and that cars would be integrated in an "authentic" way so they don't "feel out of place." Netflix has a history of placing brands like Coke and GM in shows like "Stranger Things" and "Queer Eye." Lee insisted the GM deal isn't "product placement" and that GM isn't paying to put its vehicles on shows. Terms of the deal weren't shared; GM said it wasn't part of a TV ad buy on Netflix's Basic with Ads.

☆ 'The Last of Us' made a major change to a game character. The showrunners explain why it was important to expand on Bill and his love story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kirsten Acuna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sunday's episode expands greatly on a minor survivor from the video game, Bill (Nick Offerman). The showrunners told Insider why it was important to show Bill's love story with Frank. In the game, Joel and Ellie seek out Bill, shown as a paranoid loner who speaks to himself, to help them fix up a vehicle and carry on across the country. Frank, also his partner in the game, is only seen dead, hanging after committing suicide some time ago after the infected bit him. Bill tells Joel to keep his partner, Tess, safe in the same way he protected Frank for years.

☆ 11 details you may have missed on Sunday's heartbreaking episode of 'The Last of Us'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kirsten Acuna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bill dies on Sunday's episode, but he's still alive in the game. Frank and Bill get to play out their lives differently on "TLOU" series. HBOSunday's episode is a complete expansion on Bill and Frank's game characters. "There's this lovely thread that indicated this hint of a relationship between Bill and Frank in the game," Mazin said. You can watch our conversation with the showrunners on Sunday's episode here.

☆ 'Poker Face' showrunners say guest stars like Joseph Gordon-Levitt 'raised their hand' to appear on the show: 'Everybody wants to work with Rian Johnson'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Poker Face," which premiered on Peacock Thursday, is filled with guest appearances from star actors. "Poker Face" is the second murder-mystery project Johnson has taken on since his highly successful "Knives Out" movies. "I really hope that everybody dips a toe into 'Poker Face' because they're 'Knives Out' fans," Lilla said. "If you are a fan of 'Knives Out,' if you're a fan of 'Glass Onion,' I think you're gonna love 'Poker Face.'" "Poker Face" is now streaming on Peacock.

☆ Netflix's 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' is a Christmas present for superfans only
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Ani Bundel | Ani Bundel Is A Cultural Critic Who Has Been Writing Regularly Since Her Work Can Also Be Found At Elite Daily | Weta'S Telly Visions | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Sadly, “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” Netflix’s new spinoff, is a disappointment. Not that the original “Witcher” wholly depended on Cavill as its titular lead. “Blood Origin” is the first live-action spinoff, a prequel deep-dive that chronicles how witchers came to be. Unfortunately, “Blood Origin” doesn’t do much with its excellent pieces. “Blood Origin” just feels like a side quest, something that’s only worthwhile for superfans.

☆ "Yellowstone" prequel “1923” bring white grievances to Paramount Plus
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Ani Bundel | Ani Bundel Is A Cultural Critic Who Has Been Writing Regularly Since Her Work Can Also Be Found At Elite Daily | Weta'S Telly Visions | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

It’s a grimmer chapter of an ongoing story, and one that is plagued by an inability to articulate why these white men murdering their way across the landscape are heroes worth rooting for. Cultural critics love prestige series. Few celebrated the end of the toxically misogynist “The Big Bang Theory,” or have seemed eager to discuss the resurgence of seemingly endless police procedurals starring white men. But the series has gained viewership year over year, with subsequent spinoffs debuting on new flagship streaming service, Paramount+. Like so many white male grievances, to question the logic is to side with the enemy.

☆ Katherine Heigl: Hollywood has changed, and so have I — it's easier to speak up now
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Katherine Heigl, 44, says there's a delicateness in Hollywood that didn't use to exist. She said "Firefly Lane" gave freedom to actors and showrunners and helped her focus her career. Hollywood is really different from how it used to beThe industry has really changed since I first started out. An example: For "Firefly Lane," we had an intimacy coordinator on set — a person whose job it is to ensure that actors feel comfortable during intimate scenes. The emergence of original streamer content is pushing some of the changeFilming for a streamer is a totally different kind of experience than filming for linear television.

☆ HBO layoffs, cuts, and 'ill will' over show cancellations have damaged its reputation among TV creators
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," said one TV agent. But concerns about new corporate leadership, layoffs, budget cuts, and the future of HBO Max — the streaming home of HBO — kept bubbling to the top. "I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," one TV agent said. Aside from the 70 or so layoffs at HBO and HBO Max over the summer amid broader restructuring at WBD, creatives were troubled by the company's decision to pull existing TV shows and films from HBO Max. Read all of Insider's 2022 report here: 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: HBO is No.

☆ HBO is No. 1 as 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: Apple's a big spender and 'there's a sheen when you're a Hulu show,' but there's 'fear in the air' at Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

"It's definitely been not the most exciting and robust year," said one TV agent at a major agency. Around 70 people at HBO and HBO Max have been let go this year, and their comedy development teams have merged. While WBD doesn't break out streamer-specific figures, it said on Thursday's earnings call that HBO Max, HBO, and Discovery+ have a combined 94.9 million subscribers, ensuring that any show on HBO Max has the chance to get a lot of eyeballs. They'll also take smaller swings in the genre department, do things at a lower budget," said the second TV agent. Echoed the first TV agent: "You pitch and sell to them if no one else wants it."

☆ Netflix's 'Wednesday' creators on reimagining iconic character from 'The Addams Family'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Teddy Farkas | Fahiemah Al-Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNetflix's 'Wednesday' creators on reimagining iconic character from 'The Addams Family'On the latest episode of "Binge," CNBC's Carl Quintanilla speaks to Al Gough and Miles Millar, creators, showrunners and executive producers of Netflix's 'Wednesday.' They discuss how the series reimagines beloved 'Addams Family' member Wednesday as an angst-filled teenager, and how the show uniquely explores the notorious misanthrope's experiences at a supernatural boarding school all while navigating her emerging psychic abilities. The creators also open up about working with famed director Tim Burton, how the Netflix experience compares to their work on television mega-hit 'Smallville' and the unique challenges for storytellers developing and running a show in a streaming era.

☆ Meet the Netflix exec who's leading its disruptive new ads business strategy — and could be CEO one day
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Peters is a longtime Netflix exec who's quietly led its expansion overseas and into gaming. And the executive tapped to lead the charge is chief operating officer Greg Peters, who's long been the company's go-to for new business ventures. Joining Netflix in 2008 as chief streaming and partnerships officer, Peters quickly stood out as a rising star. The ads tier could also help Netflix with its expansion overseas, where its results have been uneven so far, Mahaney said. Peters played a key role in getting Netflix's creative execs on board with the ads business, one Hollywood insider noted.

☆ How to nail your pitch and sell a TV show, according to a long-time Hollywood exec and director of the Paramount-CBS writers mentoring program
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Carole Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

From what she's seen, pitching is the most neglected skill for TV writers at all levels. She shares 10 elements that every great pitch needs to nail. I'm the creator and director of the Paramount-CBS Diversity Writers Mentoring Program, and the director of WGA Showrunner Training Program. Here's my list of the 10 elements every great pitch needs1. A great pitch is the only way to win the TV gameGiving a fantastic pitch is how shows get sold and made.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery layoffs, cuts, and 'ill will' over canceled shows have tarnished HBO with TV creators
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," said one TV agent. But concerns about new corporate leadership, layoffs, budget cuts, and the future of HBO Max — the streaming home of HBO — kept bubbling to the top. "I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," one TV agent said. Even original series created just for the streamer, such as "Little Ellen," "Summer Camp Island," and "My Dinner with Hervé," were pulled. Read all of Insider's 2022 report here: 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: HBO is No.

☆ Facebook employees react to being laid off
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

After the company let go thousands of employees on Wednesday, some took to social media to discuss being fired and search for new jobs. Meta employees are taking to social media to discuss layoffs. After the company laid off more than 11,000 workers, some are turning to LinkedIn or Twitter to share their accounts of the layoffs and search for new jobs. Regulatory filings show Musk sold 19.5 million of the company's shares following his $44 billion Twitter buyout. Microsoft's former VP of HR shares three questions job candidates can use to nail an interview.

☆ Netflix COO Greg Peters is charged with driving the streamer's new ads business. Here's what's at stake and why insiders see him as a future CEO.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Netflix has tasked COO Greg Peters with figuring out its ad push, its biggest initiative in a decade. And the executive tapped to lead the charge is chief operating officer Greg Peters, who's long been the company's go-to for new business ventures. Joining Netflix in 2008 as chief streaming and partnerships officer, Peters quickly stood out as a rising star. The ads tier could also help Netflix with its expansion overseas, where its results have been uneven so far, Mahaney said. Peters played a key role in getting Netflix's creative execs on board with the ads business, one Hollywood insider noted.

☆ 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows now as Apple TV+ closes in on HBO Max amid turmoil at Warner Bros. Discovery
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

☆ Jimmy Kimmel returns as host for the 95th Oscars
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Jimmy Kimmel is back as host of the 95th Oscars in 2023, marking the late-night star’s third time fronting the ceremony — which he last did five years ago. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live” host previously led the 2017 and 2018 telecasts, the former of which produced the famous “La La Land” and “Moonlight” best picture screw-up. “Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap,” Kimmel said in a statement. “Jimmy is the perfect host to help us recognize the incredible artists and films of our 95th Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. Added Craig Erwich, president, ABC Entertainment, Hulu & Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals: “Having Jimmy Kimmel return to host ‘The Oscars’ is a dream come true.

☆ Shonda Rhimes is among the creators unhappy with Netflix's mid-video ads, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix has told creators it won't be sharing any revenue from advertising with them, the people said. Rhimes signed a multiyear deal with Netflix in 2021 to exclusively make content for the streaming service. When she inked the deal, Netflix had a firm policy not to include advertising in its programming, a longtime tenet of co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings. Netflix executives have told creators they have thoughtfully placed midroll advertising at intervals that make sense with each episode's storyline, according to people familiar with the matter. They've also told creators they don't expect that many people to sign up for the basic advertising tier relative to subscribers who will pay for no commercials, the people said.

☆ I'm one of 11 writers on 'Abbott Elementary.' The job is just as fun as it seems — we argue about whose joke is best and collaborate on every episode.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Courtesy of Cerise CastleThe first episode I wrote for season two of "Abbott" was episode four, "Principal's Office," which aired in October. We always have a lot of fun in the writers room. At the same time, other writers get at least a joke or a substantial moment in another writer's episode. Writers are on set during filming to help problem solveThe job of a writer on set is really to problem solve. It's come up in the "Abbott" writers' room occasionally when we're casting and someone will say, "Hey, what about this person?"

☆ Netflix wants more shows like 'Emily in Paris' and a female 'Jack Ryan.' Disney+ is looking for the next 'Nashville.' Here are the series top streamers are seeking from Hollywood.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Insider spoke with agents and Hollywood insiders about what new series Netflix, HBO Max, and more streamers are looking for. Netflix wants more "Emily in Paris" and a major reality talent competition show like "The Voice." As the streaming wars continue, developing shows that appeal to new subscribers is key. Programming choices, from the company's decision to scrap feature film "Batgirl" to paring down its kids and animated TV library, have been affected. Apple TV+ is known for being a big spender, while Amazon Studios recently plunked down the largest sum in history on a single TV series with its $1 billion bet on "Lord of the Rings" prequel "The Rings of Power."

Despite the growth and consumer power of U.S. Latinos, they continue to be significantly underrepresented in media, according to a new report. On TV shows, Latinos made up 3.1% of lead actors, 2.1% of co-leads/ensemble actors and 1.5% of showrunners. There are no Latino CEOs or film and production company chairs, important decision-making roles that help greenlight stories and steer content. Amid the lack of representation, more Latinos are turning to social media platforms and brands for content, such as YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat, the report found. The report also noted that 11 of the 20 most streamed songs of the summer, according to Spotify, are by Latino artists.

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