Prime Video is bullish about the large, diverse and volatile Asian streaming market, driven by growth in India and Japan, the streamer’s top executives responsible for the region have said.
The region’s online video component, excluding China, where international streamers cannot be present, is projected to grow at 9.2%, to reach $46 billion by 2028, according to a study from research and consultancy firm Media Partners Asia. The study valued the total video market in Japan at $32 billion, the second largest market in Asia after China. Prime Video is the market leader in the Japanese streaming space.
Gaurav Gandhi, VP, Apac and Mena at Prime Video told Variety, “In Japan we are a very large and interesting business… a combination of licensed as well as originals, we’re doing much more unscripted.” Gandhi provides the example of the “Lol” format that originated from Japan and is franchised around the world. “We...
The region’s online video component, excluding China, where international streamers cannot be present, is projected to grow at 9.2%, to reach $46 billion by 2028, according to a study from research and consultancy firm Media Partners Asia. The study valued the total video market in Japan at $32 billion, the second largest market in Asia after China. Prime Video is the market leader in the Japanese streaming space.
Gaurav Gandhi, VP, Apac and Mena at Prime Video told Variety, “In Japan we are a very large and interesting business… a combination of licensed as well as originals, we’re doing much more unscripted.” Gandhi provides the example of the “Lol” format that originated from Japan and is franchised around the world. “We...
- 3/22/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video has unveiled a 69-title 2024 slate of new and returning series and original and licensed films. The slate was revealed at a star-studded event in Mumbai on Tuesday hosted by Indian media personality Karan Johar.
Amazon executives present at the event included Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Kelly Day, VP Prime Video International, James Farrell, VP, international originals, Gaurav Gandhi, VP, Apac and Mena, Sushant Sreeram, country director, India, Aparna Purohit, head of originals, India and Southeast Asia, Manish Menghani, director, content licensing, India, and Nikhil Madhok, head of Hindi-language, India.
Jonathan Nolan and Ella Purnell were on hand to provide a preview of upcoming series “Fallout.” The stars of all the Indian originals were also present.
“As we look at the next 250 million subscribers that we’re going to acquire, they are definitely going to come from outside of the United States. And...
Amazon executives present at the event included Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Kelly Day, VP Prime Video International, James Farrell, VP, international originals, Gaurav Gandhi, VP, Apac and Mena, Sushant Sreeram, country director, India, Aparna Purohit, head of originals, India and Southeast Asia, Manish Menghani, director, content licensing, India, and Nikhil Madhok, head of Hindi-language, India.
Jonathan Nolan and Ella Purnell were on hand to provide a preview of upcoming series “Fallout.” The stars of all the Indian originals were also present.
“As we look at the next 250 million subscribers that we’re going to acquire, they are definitely going to come from outside of the United States. And...
- 3/19/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video has big plans for the Southeast Asia region, including the introduction of channels and an expanded local-language content slate, the streamer’s Vice President, Asia Pacific, Gaurav Gandhi, told the Apos conference today.
Gandhi, who headed Prime Video India before being appointed to lead the wider Apac region in April, confirmed what Prime Video VP International Kelly Day mentioned at Apos yesterday, that channels and Tvod will be added to the streamer’s offering in Southeast Asia. Gandhi was speaking on a panel with David Simonsen, Prime Video Director, Southeast Asia, and Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India & Sea.
“We’ve always said we’re not just about the core SVOD service, but we’re also a content hub and marketplace with Tvod and channels,” said Gandhi, who relocated from Mumbai to Singapore in his new role. “We’re at different growth stages across the region – obviously we...
Gandhi, who headed Prime Video India before being appointed to lead the wider Apac region in April, confirmed what Prime Video VP International Kelly Day mentioned at Apos yesterday, that channels and Tvod will be added to the streamer’s offering in Southeast Asia. Gandhi was speaking on a panel with David Simonsen, Prime Video Director, Southeast Asia, and Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India & Sea.
“We’ve always said we’re not just about the core SVOD service, but we’re also a content hub and marketplace with Tvod and channels,” said Gandhi, who relocated from Mumbai to Singapore in his new role. “We’re at different growth stages across the region – obviously we...
- 9/28/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The Asia Pacific region is seen as one of the key drivers for growth in the global streaming industry, but is still feeling the squeeze as investment spirals and cost conscious consumers cut back on subscription spend.
Speakers at this year’s Apos conference looked at strategies to increase profitability in the pandemic hangover era, including aggregation, introducing ads, forming partnerships and rationalizing sky-high content costs.
In a first day session, Kelly Day, Amazon Prime Video VP International, said that a combination of original content and aggregated channels, delivered through a single app and billing relationship, was key to driving usage in an era where customers face overwhelming choices and “we’re starting to see a little bit of subscription fatigue”.
“At Prime Video we’re focused on delivering great selection – and that can come from our original SVOD content and sports. But it’s also increasingly coming from our partners – services like Paramount+,...
Speakers at this year’s Apos conference looked at strategies to increase profitability in the pandemic hangover era, including aggregation, introducing ads, forming partnerships and rationalizing sky-high content costs.
In a first day session, Kelly Day, Amazon Prime Video VP International, said that a combination of original content and aggregated channels, delivered through a single app and billing relationship, was key to driving usage in an era where customers face overwhelming choices and “we’re starting to see a little bit of subscription fatigue”.
“At Prime Video we’re focused on delivering great selection – and that can come from our original SVOD content and sports. But it’s also increasingly coming from our partners – services like Paramount+,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Is Prime Video in the best position to lead a new wave of aggregation?
One of the biggest challenges confronting streaming users today is the dispersal of content. Streaming would be incredibly simple if users could find all of their favorite shows, movies, and sports on a single platform, but as of now, content is highly fragmented as services try to differentiate themselves from the competition by accruing more diverse titles and programming.
Amazon vice president of international Kelly Day recognizes the problem. According to Variety, Day spoke at the Apos media and entertainment conference in Indonesia this week regarding the evolution of the Prime Video platform, and made it clear her company sees the struggle its users have in finding new content in a world that presents them with more video options than ever before.
30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month amazon.com
“The last few years have been incredible,” Day said.
One of the biggest challenges confronting streaming users today is the dispersal of content. Streaming would be incredibly simple if users could find all of their favorite shows, movies, and sports on a single platform, but as of now, content is highly fragmented as services try to differentiate themselves from the competition by accruing more diverse titles and programming.
Amazon vice president of international Kelly Day recognizes the problem. According to Variety, Day spoke at the Apos media and entertainment conference in Indonesia this week regarding the evolution of the Prime Video platform, and made it clear her company sees the struggle its users have in finding new content in a world that presents them with more video options than ever before.
30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month amazon.com
“The last few years have been incredible,” Day said.
- 9/27/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Massive, internally-produced originals such as “Lord of the Rings” should sit alongside acquired content and aggregated channels and content to drive usage of the Prime Video platform, says Kelly Day, VP of international for Prime Video at Amazon.
That spin on aggregation echoes the ‘flywheel effect’ that Amazon executives regularly refer to, meaning the way that content and e-commerce businesses drive each other.
“Over the last few years, we’ve invested in a lot of big titles – ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ‘Citadel,’ ‘Jack Ryan’ – and these titles really resonate with our Prime customers all over the world, and we see these working in almost every country around the world. That’s really what brings people into Prime Video. And then the opportunity is, once we have [viewers] engaged with our platform, going out and seeking [third party] content, whether that is ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘The Last of Us, ‘Barbie’ or ‘Super Mario Brothers,’ They’re...
That spin on aggregation echoes the ‘flywheel effect’ that Amazon executives regularly refer to, meaning the way that content and e-commerce businesses drive each other.
“Over the last few years, we’ve invested in a lot of big titles – ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ‘Citadel,’ ‘Jack Ryan’ – and these titles really resonate with our Prime customers all over the world, and we see these working in almost every country around the world. That’s really what brings people into Prime Video. And then the opportunity is, once we have [viewers] engaged with our platform, going out and seeking [third party] content, whether that is ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘The Last of Us, ‘Barbie’ or ‘Super Mario Brothers,’ They’re...
- 9/27/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
NATPE, under new management after encountering turbulence during the pandemic, has appointed a new advisory board and is firming up plans for the return of its signature U.S. conference next January in Miami.
The conference organizer was rescued out of bankruptcy at the start of 2023 by Brunico, the Canadian company behind events like the Realscreen Summit and Banff World Media Festival. The flagship NATPE conference, rooted in Miami over the past decade-plus, had managed to weather massive industry disruptions over nearly six decades but couldn’t survive Covid. The 11th-hour decision to cancel the 2022 edition due to the Omicron wave left NATPE on the hook for hefty fees to hotel operators and vendors, prompting management to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last October.
The retooled January conference, now called NATPE Global, is returning to Miami but not to the event’s longtime South Beach base at the Fontainebleau. Instead,...
The conference organizer was rescued out of bankruptcy at the start of 2023 by Brunico, the Canadian company behind events like the Realscreen Summit and Banff World Media Festival. The flagship NATPE conference, rooted in Miami over the past decade-plus, had managed to weather massive industry disruptions over nearly six decades but couldn’t survive Covid. The 11th-hour decision to cancel the 2022 edition due to the Omicron wave left NATPE on the hook for hefty fees to hotel operators and vendors, prompting management to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last October.
The retooled January conference, now called NATPE Global, is returning to Miami but not to the event’s longtime South Beach base at the Fontainebleau. Instead,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Media Partners Asia has announced the full line-up of speakers for its Apos Summit in Bali, which includes Canal+ Group’s Asia Pacific chief Manuel Rougeron, Bodhi Tree Systems director Uday Shankar and Amazon Prime Video head of international Kelly Day.
Canal+ Group recently acquired a 26% stake in Asian regional streamer Viu, which will also be present at the Asia-focused media, tech, telecoms and streaming conference, with Viu CEO Janice Lee among the confirmed speakers.
The heavy duty roster also includes Warner Bros Discovery CEO and president, Global Streaming, Jb Perrette; Paramount president & CEO, International, Pam Kaufman; Netflix Japan vice president of content Kaata Sakatomo; BBC Studios’ SVP & Gm Phil Hardman; Candle Media co-ceo and founder Kevin Mayer; Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany; Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby; and Saugata Mukherjee, head of content at Indian streamer SonyLIV.
Leading figures from the tech world include Animoca Brands executive chairman Yat Siu...
Canal+ Group recently acquired a 26% stake in Asian regional streamer Viu, which will also be present at the Asia-focused media, tech, telecoms and streaming conference, with Viu CEO Janice Lee among the confirmed speakers.
The heavy duty roster also includes Warner Bros Discovery CEO and president, Global Streaming, Jb Perrette; Paramount president & CEO, International, Pam Kaufman; Netflix Japan vice president of content Kaata Sakatomo; BBC Studios’ SVP & Gm Phil Hardman; Candle Media co-ceo and founder Kevin Mayer; Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany; Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby; and Saugata Mukherjee, head of content at Indian streamer SonyLIV.
Leading figures from the tech world include Animoca Brands executive chairman Yat Siu...
- 8/17/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Prime Video has revealed its top traveling non-English local originals in the history of the service, with Spanish YA romance “My Fault” and French crime thriller “Medellín” topping the list.
Both are feature films that launched in the last two weeks across Prime Video’s footprint in 240 countries around the world. Interestingly, both titles have more than 75% of their viewership coming from outside their country of origin, though Prime Video hasn’t disclosed any further metrics related to ratings or impressions. Of the list (available in full below), 60% are movies and 40% are TV series.
While it makes sense for local originals like Prime Video’s unscripted format “Lol” to perform well in their home countries — “Big local stars and very local comedy — those don’t really travel beyond their borders,” explains James Farrell, VP of international originals for Amazon Studios — the reason the streamer is highlighting this crop of non-English...
Both are feature films that launched in the last two weeks across Prime Video’s footprint in 240 countries around the world. Interestingly, both titles have more than 75% of their viewership coming from outside their country of origin, though Prime Video hasn’t disclosed any further metrics related to ratings or impressions. Of the list (available in full below), 60% are movies and 40% are TV series.
While it makes sense for local originals like Prime Video’s unscripted format “Lol” to perform well in their home countries — “Big local stars and very local comedy — those don’t really travel beyond their borders,” explains James Farrell, VP of international originals for Amazon Studios — the reason the streamer is highlighting this crop of non-English...
- 6/20/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Josh McIvor has been promoted to global general manager of MGM+, the Amazon-owned streamer that relaunched in January after previously being known as Epix.
As global general manager, he will report to Chris Brearton, who serves as vice president of Prime Video Studios corporate strategy, and work alongside Michael Wright, head of MGM+, as well as Laura Sher, head of MGM+ business operations, and Peter Lops, head of MGM+ finance. Based in Seattle, he will oversee the U.S. and international MGM+ business and its continued expansion, guiding long-term strategic planning, P&l management, distribution strategy, operations and commercial deals.
McIvor enters the role one decade into his tenure at Amazon, which he joined in 2013. He began in Amazon’s music business before moving to Amazon Prime Video in 2016. Most recently, he led Amazon Prime Video’s international expansion strategy, building out localized content and marketing plans for the streaming platform in Southeast Asia,...
As global general manager, he will report to Chris Brearton, who serves as vice president of Prime Video Studios corporate strategy, and work alongside Michael Wright, head of MGM+, as well as Laura Sher, head of MGM+ business operations, and Peter Lops, head of MGM+ finance. Based in Seattle, he will oversee the U.S. and international MGM+ business and its continued expansion, guiding long-term strategic planning, P&l management, distribution strategy, operations and commercial deals.
McIvor enters the role one decade into his tenure at Amazon, which he joined in 2013. He began in Amazon’s music business before moving to Amazon Prime Video in 2016. Most recently, he led Amazon Prime Video’s international expansion strategy, building out localized content and marketing plans for the streaming platform in Southeast Asia,...
- 5/23/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
MGM+ has a new global general manager.
The network and streaming service has added Amazon exec Josh McIvor in the new role.
It was just revealed by Chris Brearton, VP, Prime Video Studios Corporate Strategy, in an email to staff.
McIvor will report to Brearton and will work alongside Michael Wright, who is head of MGM+.
He will also work closely with Laura Sher, head of MGM+ business operations and Peter Lops, head of MGM+ finance, to form the core strategy team for its U.S. operations. He will oversee the U.S. and international MGM+ business and its continued expansion and integration into a global service, focusing on long-term strategic planning, P&l management, distribution strategy, operations, and commercial deals.
He will be based in Seattle.
McIvor joined Amazon in 2013 and most recently reported to Kelly Day, VP of Prime Video International, where he led Prime Video’s international...
The network and streaming service has added Amazon exec Josh McIvor in the new role.
It was just revealed by Chris Brearton, VP, Prime Video Studios Corporate Strategy, in an email to staff.
McIvor will report to Brearton and will work alongside Michael Wright, who is head of MGM+.
He will also work closely with Laura Sher, head of MGM+ business operations and Peter Lops, head of MGM+ finance, to form the core strategy team for its U.S. operations. He will oversee the U.S. and international MGM+ business and its continued expansion and integration into a global service, focusing on long-term strategic planning, P&l management, distribution strategy, operations, and commercial deals.
He will be based in Seattle.
McIvor joined Amazon in 2013 and most recently reported to Kelly Day, VP of Prime Video International, where he led Prime Video’s international...
- 5/23/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A slew of executives from across the global entertainment and tech sectors will be among the speakers at this year’s Apos, Asia’s influential media industry conference.
With the Asia-Pacific regional still a rare bright spot for growth in the streaming sector, the Singapore-set event will play host to a broad range of presentations and panel discussions that collectively aim to take the pulse of a global entertainment business in flux. Topics will include streaming’s sustainability, the rapid growth of premium Asian content, the coming impact of the metaverse, the battle for sports rights, premium AVOD’s scalability and much more.
Keynote speakers unveiled this week include: Candle Media CEO Kevin Mayer; Netflix’s head of content in Apac, Minyoung Kim; Kelly Day, vp of international at Amazon Prime Video; Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, Gerhard Zeiler; Paramount’s head of Europe and Asia,...
A slew of executives from across the global entertainment and tech sectors will be among the speakers at this year’s Apos, Asia’s influential media industry conference.
With the Asia-Pacific regional still a rare bright spot for growth in the streaming sector, the Singapore-set event will play host to a broad range of presentations and panel discussions that collectively aim to take the pulse of a global entertainment business in flux. Topics will include streaming’s sustainability, the rapid growth of premium Asian content, the coming impact of the metaverse, the battle for sports rights, premium AVOD’s scalability and much more.
Keynote speakers unveiled this week include: Candle Media CEO Kevin Mayer; Netflix’s head of content in Apac, Minyoung Kim; Kelly Day, vp of international at Amazon Prime Video; Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, Gerhard Zeiler; Paramount’s head of Europe and Asia,...
- 7/28/2022
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Unveiling its biggest slate to date in India, at its maiden Prime Video Presents India showcase event in Mumbai, Amazon Prime Video announced over 40 new titles, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, across original series, original movies and co-productions that it plans to launch over the next 24 months.
Dialling up its strategy of bringing the best and latest movies to consumers across languages, Prime Video announced new multi-year licensing deals and co-productions with some of India’s biggest and most successful studios. Prime video also announced its foray into original movie production in India with films in Hindi and Telugu, to be released directly on the service.
The service recently completed half a decade of super-serving customers in India, and announced that it will more than doubling its investment in Prime Video India over the next 5 years.
The upcoming Amazon Originals will enthral customers by offering a wide gamut of genres,...
Dialling up its strategy of bringing the best and latest movies to consumers across languages, Prime Video announced new multi-year licensing deals and co-productions with some of India’s biggest and most successful studios. Prime video also announced its foray into original movie production in India with films in Hindi and Telugu, to be released directly on the service.
The service recently completed half a decade of super-serving customers in India, and announced that it will more than doubling its investment in Prime Video India over the next 5 years.
The upcoming Amazon Originals will enthral customers by offering a wide gamut of genres,...
- 4/29/2022
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Dharma Productions and Amazon Studios announced a new streaming deal at their Prime Video Presents India showcase event today.
The majority of Dharma Productions’ film library is already available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Dharma’s recent direct-to-streaming releases in the pandemic Shershaah and Gehraiyaan premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The deals for these were brokered with the streaming giant post production.
Under the new deal, the digital content arm of the production house, Dharmatic, will produce one thrilling film based on true events called Aye Watan… Mere Watan as well as four new series. The series are being kick-started with Call Me Bae and India Love Project.
Plus, Amazon Prime Video will also stream three upcoming films produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom 18 Studios after their theatrical release. These include Jug Jugg Jeeyo starring Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, and Neetu Kapoor; Govinda Naam Mera starring Vicky Kaushal,...
The majority of Dharma Productions’ film library is already available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Dharma’s recent direct-to-streaming releases in the pandemic Shershaah and Gehraiyaan premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The deals for these were brokered with the streaming giant post production.
Under the new deal, the digital content arm of the production house, Dharmatic, will produce one thrilling film based on true events called Aye Watan… Mere Watan as well as four new series. The series are being kick-started with Call Me Bae and India Love Project.
Plus, Amazon Prime Video will also stream three upcoming films produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom 18 Studios after their theatrical release. These include Jug Jugg Jeeyo starring Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, and Neetu Kapoor; Govinda Naam Mera starring Vicky Kaushal,...
- 4/29/2022
- by Sunny Malik
- Bollyspice
Amazon’s top U.S. and international execs are banking on even bigger things in India after launching the streamer’s biggest ever slate in the country.
The streamer’s Head of Local Originals James Farrell told a packed room in Mumbai at Amazon’s massive film and TV slate launch that one in five Amazon Prime Video subscribers outside of India watch content from the country — one of several reasons the country has become a key priority.
Asked why Indian content has worked internationally for Amazon, he pointed to the work of Head of Indian Originals Aparna Purohit and her team, who assess content already on the service and work out what stories have not yet been told. “That’s what you’ve been seeing for the past five years and you’re going to see more of it,” he added.
“I truly believe India is a land of...
The streamer’s Head of Local Originals James Farrell told a packed room in Mumbai at Amazon’s massive film and TV slate launch that one in five Amazon Prime Video subscribers outside of India watch content from the country — one of several reasons the country has become a key priority.
Asked why Indian content has worked internationally for Amazon, he pointed to the work of Head of Indian Originals Aparna Purohit and her team, who assess content already on the service and work out what stories have not yet been told. “That’s what you’ve been seeing for the past five years and you’re going to see more of it,” he added.
“I truly believe India is a land of...
- 4/28/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Prime Video pulled out the heavy international artillery to launch a massive Indian slate on Thursday. They are bullish about the market.
Kelly Day, VP of international, Amazon Prime Video, said at a round table during the event: “The future of global streaming services is really about global expansion, and moving much more ambitiously, to serving customers in our international markets all over the world. And truly, India is really leading the way for us. It is one of our fastest growing markets, represents some of our most engaged consumers. It’s just been doing really, really well.”
Day also said that India is an “innovation hub” for the service, with the country being used as the pilot for the single-device, mobile-only plan Prime Video Mobile Edition. The success of the plan prompted Amazon to roll out the service to a variety of countries around the world. “I really...
Kelly Day, VP of international, Amazon Prime Video, said at a round table during the event: “The future of global streaming services is really about global expansion, and moving much more ambitiously, to serving customers in our international markets all over the world. And truly, India is really leading the way for us. It is one of our fastest growing markets, represents some of our most engaged consumers. It’s just been doing really, really well.”
Day also said that India is an “innovation hub” for the service, with the country being used as the pilot for the single-device, mobile-only plan Prime Video Mobile Edition. The success of the plan prompted Amazon to roll out the service to a variety of countries around the world. “I really...
- 4/28/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Prime Video is betting big on Indian content. At a marquee event in Mumbai the streamer announced that it will more than double its investment in Prime Video India over the next five years and revealed a 40-strong slate, its biggest to date in the country.
The titles are in the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages, across new and returning scripted and unscripted original series and co-productions, streaming over the next 24 months. The service has also revealed a foray into original films. Some 70 of the upcoming titles will feature new talent, both in front of and behind the camera.
In addition, the streamer has set licensing deals with leading Indian production houses Ajay Devgn FFilms, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment and Yash Raj Films.
Amazon has also launched Prime Video Store, its transactional video-on-demand (Tvod) movie rental service in India, available to both Prime members and non-members. Customers will get...
The titles are in the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages, across new and returning scripted and unscripted original series and co-productions, streaming over the next 24 months. The service has also revealed a foray into original films. Some 70 of the upcoming titles will feature new talent, both in front of and behind the camera.
In addition, the streamer has set licensing deals with leading Indian production houses Ajay Devgn FFilms, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment and Yash Raj Films.
Amazon has also launched Prime Video Store, its transactional video-on-demand (Tvod) movie rental service in India, available to both Prime members and non-members. Customers will get...
- 4/28/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Afternoon International Insiders, Max Goldbart here. Another busy week but we’ve got you covered with all the international headlines and analysis you need. To get this sent to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
Rating The Streamers
BARBed move: It feels like industry bigwigs have been debating streamer ratings since the dawn of time but, this week, UK ratings body Barb moved a step closer to shutting down that debate. Netflix Co-CEO Reed Hastings told the Rts Cambridge in 2019 he “wanted Netflix on Barb”, the standardised ratings measurement that has buy-in from all UK linear channels and, while there has been little co-operation since, Barb has sidestepped the SVoDs and started publishing streamer ratings anyway.
“Once in a generation”: The “once in a generation” upgrade can now reveal how many people are watching Netflix shows in line with other broadcasters, using a program measurement system developed by Kantar.
Rating The Streamers
BARBed move: It feels like industry bigwigs have been debating streamer ratings since the dawn of time but, this week, UK ratings body Barb moved a step closer to shutting down that debate. Netflix Co-CEO Reed Hastings told the Rts Cambridge in 2019 he “wanted Netflix on Barb”, the standardised ratings measurement that has buy-in from all UK linear channels and, while there has been little co-operation since, Barb has sidestepped the SVoDs and started publishing streamer ratings anyway.
“Once in a generation”: The “once in a generation” upgrade can now reveal how many people are watching Netflix shows in line with other broadcasters, using a program measurement system developed by Kantar.
- 12/3/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon has tapped digital video veteran Kelly Day -- most recently of ViacomCBS -- to serve as VP of Prime Video international, a newly-created role.
Day will be charged with overseeing Amazon’s video business in overseas markets, reports Variety, including SVOD, transactional rentals and sales, and Prime Video Channels, which enables consumers to subscribe to various services -- like Showtime and Discovery+ -- through Amazon.
She will start in her new role in January, reporting to SVP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video Mike Hopkins.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
Day will be charged with overseeing Amazon’s video business in overseas markets, reports Variety, including SVOD, transactional rentals and sales, and Prime Video Channels, which enables consumers to subscribe to various services -- like Showtime and Discovery+ -- through Amazon.
She will start in her new role in January, reporting to SVP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video Mike Hopkins.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 11/30/2021
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Digital media veteran Kelly Day is exiting ViacomCBS to join Amazon as VP of Prime Video International, a newly created role overseeing the ecommerce giant’s streaming video business in global markets.
Day will join Amazon in early January 2022, reporting to Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video. She will lead Prime Video’s business and video offerings available outside the U.S., including subscription VOD, transactional video sales and rentals, and Prime Video Channels.
Most recently, Day has served as president of streaming for ViacomCBS Networks International after she had been president of Viacom Digital Studios for over two years. Day first joined Viacom in late 2017 after more than four years at AwesomenessTV, the youth-focused media company that Viacom subsequently acquired in 2018 under her leadership and made part of Vds.
Day is “accomplished executive in the international streaming space,” Hopkins wrote in a memo Tuesday to Amazon employees.
Day will join Amazon in early January 2022, reporting to Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video. She will lead Prime Video’s business and video offerings available outside the U.S., including subscription VOD, transactional video sales and rentals, and Prime Video Channels.
Most recently, Day has served as president of streaming for ViacomCBS Networks International after she had been president of Viacom Digital Studios for over two years. Day first joined Viacom in late 2017 after more than four years at AwesomenessTV, the youth-focused media company that Viacom subsequently acquired in 2018 under her leadership and made part of Vds.
Day is “accomplished executive in the international streaming space,” Hopkins wrote in a memo Tuesday to Amazon employees.
- 11/30/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Star Trek: Discovery is heading home.
Over four years after the Sonequa Martin-Green led series launched on what was then CBS All Access in North America and Netflix in the rest of the world, Discovery will be leaving the Ted Sarandos co-run steamer as of midnight tonight.
In a just closed deal between ViacomCBS and Netflix, the Shari Redstone controlled company has ended the lucrative financial arrangement that launched Discovery back in 2017. In broad strokes, the bargain that then CBS head honcho Les Moonves made with Netflix saw the latter paying the vast majority of Discovery’s hefty budget for the overseas rights. With the top tier IP fully back in the fold, the plan is for Discovery to take flight on Paramount+ around the globe starting next year.
The likes of the UK, Germany, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland will be among the first markets to stream Discovery on...
Over four years after the Sonequa Martin-Green led series launched on what was then CBS All Access in North America and Netflix in the rest of the world, Discovery will be leaving the Ted Sarandos co-run steamer as of midnight tonight.
In a just closed deal between ViacomCBS and Netflix, the Shari Redstone controlled company has ended the lucrative financial arrangement that launched Discovery back in 2017. In broad strokes, the bargain that then CBS head honcho Les Moonves made with Netflix saw the latter paying the vast majority of Discovery’s hefty budget for the overseas rights. With the top tier IP fully back in the fold, the plan is for Discovery to take flight on Paramount+ around the globe starting next year.
The likes of the UK, Germany, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland will be among the first markets to stream Discovery on...
- 11/16/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS on Wednesday unveiled its content leadership structure for its global streaming services. The moves include appointing Tanya Giles, currently Gm of MTV Entertainment Group, as “a centralized programming head” to oversee content strategy for Paramount+ and Pluto TV globally.
The changes had been in the works in the leadership structure of Paramount+ — Deadline reported last week that Showtime boss and CBS chief content officer David Nevins was in talks to take a content role at the streamer. Names like Paramount Television president Nicole Clemens, MTV Entertainment Group president Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins, President of Kids & Family Entertainment, were also tipped.
Those names are all indeed part of today’s revamp which essentially sees ViacomCBS bumping up each of its global content leaders to oversee their respective genres within Paramount+, all reporting to chairman and CEO Bob Bakish. Those names include:
George Cheeks, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS,...
The changes had been in the works in the leadership structure of Paramount+ — Deadline reported last week that Showtime boss and CBS chief content officer David Nevins was in talks to take a content role at the streamer. Names like Paramount Television president Nicole Clemens, MTV Entertainment Group president Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins, President of Kids & Family Entertainment, were also tipped.
Those names are all indeed part of today’s revamp which essentially sees ViacomCBS bumping up each of its global content leaders to oversee their respective genres within Paramount+, all reporting to chairman and CEO Bob Bakish. Those names include:
George Cheeks, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS,...
- 6/23/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS has shuffled seven top content executives in a new leadership structure designed to bolster its streaming service Paramount Plus.
Teased recently by ViacomCBS Streaming president and CEO Tom Ryan, the new structure is intended to bolster original programming and help Paramount Plus achieve scale in a crowded market.
Executives George Cheeks, Jim Gianopulos, Bruce Gillmer, Chris McCarthy, David Nevins, Nicole Clemens and Brian Robbins will all help the service amass originals in addition to leading their respective divisions.
Tanya Giles, currently the general manager of MTV Entertainment Group, has also been elevated to centralized programming head for Paramount Plus and the conglomerate’s other streamer Pluto TV. She will report to Ryan.
“The strong launch and early months of Paramount Plus have demonstrated the power and potential of our platform, as well as audiences’ appetite for a broad and diverse array of content, all in one place,” ViacomCBS CEO...
Teased recently by ViacomCBS Streaming president and CEO Tom Ryan, the new structure is intended to bolster original programming and help Paramount Plus achieve scale in a crowded market.
Executives George Cheeks, Jim Gianopulos, Bruce Gillmer, Chris McCarthy, David Nevins, Nicole Clemens and Brian Robbins will all help the service amass originals in addition to leading their respective divisions.
Tanya Giles, currently the general manager of MTV Entertainment Group, has also been elevated to centralized programming head for Paramount Plus and the conglomerate’s other streamer Pluto TV. She will report to Ryan.
“The strong launch and early months of Paramount Plus have demonstrated the power and potential of our platform, as well as audiences’ appetite for a broad and diverse array of content, all in one place,” ViacomCBS CEO...
- 6/23/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
After the arrival of four major new streaming services in late-2019 and early-2020, this year is when the competition is going global.
One of the newest worldwide hopefuls is a Stateside pioneer. Paramount+, the rebranded and reconceived version of CBS All Access, which launched in 2015, is boldly going where the latter service has not gone before. Like its media rivals Disney, WarnerMedia and Discovery, ViacomCBS sees transcending the U.S. as crucial to being able to replace traditional revenue with streaming as a hedge against cord-cutting. By 2024, the company expects to have 65 million to 75 million subscribers (up from 16 million for CBS All Access and Showtime’s Ott service). Total streaming revenue should hit $7 billion to $8 billion.
On March 4, the Paramount+ branding kicked in domestically. At the same time, the service also lit up in 23 other markets — 18 in Latin America, four in the Nordics as well as in Canada. Australia, New...
One of the newest worldwide hopefuls is a Stateside pioneer. Paramount+, the rebranded and reconceived version of CBS All Access, which launched in 2015, is boldly going where the latter service has not gone before. Like its media rivals Disney, WarnerMedia and Discovery, ViacomCBS sees transcending the U.S. as crucial to being able to replace traditional revenue with streaming as a hedge against cord-cutting. By 2024, the company expects to have 65 million to 75 million subscribers (up from 16 million for CBS All Access and Showtime’s Ott service). Total streaming revenue should hit $7 billion to $8 billion.
On March 4, the Paramount+ branding kicked in domestically. At the same time, the service also lit up in 23 other markets — 18 in Latin America, four in the Nordics as well as in Canada. Australia, New...
- 4/18/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Raffaele Annecchino is replacing David Lynn as president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International (Vcni), effective immediately. Lynn has been with ViacomCBS for 24 years; Annecchino has been with Vcni for 23 years.
No reason for Lynn’s departure was provided. A person with knowledge of the decision said it was one that Lynn had been mulling with family for a while now.
In January, Vcni was restructured into two brand groups and three regional hubs, all overseen by Lynn.
Like seemingly all major media companies this year, ViacomCBS has recently undergone layoffs.
ViacomCBS restructured its streaming businesses in October, when Pierluigi Gazzolo stepped down from his position as president of Vcni streaming and studios and Jc Acosta was named president of ViacomCBS International Studios. Marc DeBevoise, the ViacomCBS chief digital officer and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital, also left at the time.
ViacomCBS’ CBS All Access is being expanded and...
No reason for Lynn’s departure was provided. A person with knowledge of the decision said it was one that Lynn had been mulling with family for a while now.
In January, Vcni was restructured into two brand groups and three regional hubs, all overseen by Lynn.
Like seemingly all major media companies this year, ViacomCBS has recently undergone layoffs.
ViacomCBS restructured its streaming businesses in October, when Pierluigi Gazzolo stepped down from his position as president of Vcni streaming and studios and Jc Acosta was named president of ViacomCBS International Studios. Marc DeBevoise, the ViacomCBS chief digital officer and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital, also left at the time.
ViacomCBS’ CBS All Access is being expanded and...
- 12/10/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Digital guru Kelly Day has a new role at ViacomCBS following the merger of the two media giants. Day, who departed her position as president of digital division Viacom Digital Studios (Vds) in January, has assumed a new role as COO of ViacomCBS Networks International (Vcni) -- the company’s international unit.
In her new role, Day will be tasked with accelerating the digital transformation of Vcni’s business, strengthening the newly-merged company’s digital and streaming operations. She will oversee the Viacom Digital Studios International division (Vdsi) as well as Vcni’s finance, business intelligence, legal affairs, strategy, and operations.
Vcni, which operates in five continents and 180 countries, comprises Australia’s Network 10, U.K-based Channel 5, Argentinian network Telefe, and Viacom 18 in India, as well as the global iterations of U.S. staples like Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Bet. Vcni also comprises Paramount Network and Pluto TV on an international level.
In her new role, Day will be tasked with accelerating the digital transformation of Vcni’s business, strengthening the newly-merged company’s digital and streaming operations. She will oversee the Viacom Digital Studios International division (Vdsi) as well as Vcni’s finance, business intelligence, legal affairs, strategy, and operations.
Vcni, which operates in five continents and 180 countries, comprises Australia’s Network 10, U.K-based Channel 5, Argentinian network Telefe, and Viacom 18 in India, as well as the global iterations of U.S. staples like Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Bet. Vcni also comprises Paramount Network and Pluto TV on an international level.
- 3/5/2020
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
ViacomCBS has appointed former Viacom Digital Studios President Kelly Day as Chief Operating Officer of its international networks division.
This comes two months after she left her role in the digital content and distribution division. As a result of the move, Melody Tan, who has served as Chief Operating Officer of Vcni since 2017, will be leaving the company.
Reporting to ViacomCBS Networks International President & CEO David Lynn, she has been tasked with “accelerating the digital transformation” of Vcni’s business following the ViacomCBS merger and “strengthening” the company’s digital and streaming operations.
She will have direct responsibility for businesses including Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSi) and the company’s experiences and events divisions.
“Kelly has an outstanding track record in building digital businesses and her expertise will be crucial in driving forward our transition to becoming a more digitally led operation,” said Lynn. “Kelly is expert at reaching young audiences,...
This comes two months after she left her role in the digital content and distribution division. As a result of the move, Melody Tan, who has served as Chief Operating Officer of Vcni since 2017, will be leaving the company.
Reporting to ViacomCBS Networks International President & CEO David Lynn, she has been tasked with “accelerating the digital transformation” of Vcni’s business following the ViacomCBS merger and “strengthening” the company’s digital and streaming operations.
She will have direct responsibility for businesses including Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSi) and the company’s experiences and events divisions.
“Kelly has an outstanding track record in building digital businesses and her expertise will be crucial in driving forward our transition to becoming a more digitally led operation,” said Lynn. “Kelly is expert at reaching young audiences,...
- 3/5/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Kelly Day, former head of Viacom Digital Studios, has a new gig at ViacomCBS as chief operating officer of ViacomCBS Networks International.
With Day’s appointment to the COO position, Melody Tan, who had served as chief operating officer of Vcni since 2017, will be leaving the company, ViacomCBS announced.
As first reported by Variety, the media conglomerate in January moved Day out of the president role at Viacom Digital Studios, a role she had held for over two years. The company named Viacom veteran Stefanie Schwartz executive VP and general manager of Vds.
In her new position, Day will report to David Lynn, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International. As COO of the division, Day will oversee “the digital transformation of Vcni’s business” following the Viacom-CBS merger, the company said. She will have direct responsibility for lines of business including Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSi) and the...
With Day’s appointment to the COO position, Melody Tan, who had served as chief operating officer of Vcni since 2017, will be leaving the company, ViacomCBS announced.
As first reported by Variety, the media conglomerate in January moved Day out of the president role at Viacom Digital Studios, a role she had held for over two years. The company named Viacom veteran Stefanie Schwartz executive VP and general manager of Vds.
In her new position, Day will report to David Lynn, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International. As COO of the division, Day will oversee “the digital transformation of Vcni’s business” following the Viacom-CBS merger, the company said. She will have direct responsibility for lines of business including Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSi) and the...
- 3/5/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Kelly Day has been named COO of ViacomCBS Networks International two months after she left her post as president of Viacom Digital Studios following the merger of Viacom and CBS.
In her new post, Day will oversee the digital transformation of the Vcni business, including an expanding presence internationally for ViacomCBS' streaming platforms beyond the U.S. market. She replaces Melody Tan, who has served as COO of Vcni since 2017, and who will be leaving the company.
Day, who also served as COO of AwesomenessTV, joined Viacom in 2017 to lead the launch of Vds. Over the last two ...
In her new post, Day will oversee the digital transformation of the Vcni business, including an expanding presence internationally for ViacomCBS' streaming platforms beyond the U.S. market. She replaces Melody Tan, who has served as COO of Vcni since 2017, and who will be leaving the company.
Day, who also served as COO of AwesomenessTV, joined Viacom in 2017 to lead the launch of Vds. Over the last two ...
Kelly Day is exiting her post as head of Viacom Digital Studios, with Stefanie Schwartz taking over as Evp and Gm of the studio group.
Day is in talks to remain at ViacomCBS in a new role, a source familiar with the situation told Deadline, though nothing has been finalized. She is a seasoned digital executive who has had executive stints over the past decade at Discovery, digital video pioneer Blip and AwesomenessTV, which was acquired by Viacom.
Viacom formalized its merger with CBS in December and has made a flurry of executive changes in recent weeks as the new entity has taken shape. Marc DeBevoise, a longtime CBS Interactive exec, was appointed as head of the combined company’s digital operations late last year.
In spring 2018, Viacom unveiled its digital studio, announcing plans for “hundreds of hours of premium, original content with Viacom stars and digital-native talent from Bet,...
Day is in talks to remain at ViacomCBS in a new role, a source familiar with the situation told Deadline, though nothing has been finalized. She is a seasoned digital executive who has had executive stints over the past decade at Discovery, digital video pioneer Blip and AwesomenessTV, which was acquired by Viacom.
Viacom formalized its merger with CBS in December and has made a flurry of executive changes in recent weeks as the new entity has taken shape. Marc DeBevoise, a longtime CBS Interactive exec, was appointed as head of the combined company’s digital operations late last year.
In spring 2018, Viacom unveiled its digital studio, announcing plans for “hundreds of hours of premium, original content with Viacom stars and digital-native talent from Bet,...
- 1/6/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS is shaking up the executive leadership at Viacom Digital Studios, with Kelly Day set to depart and Stefanie Schwartz taking over as executive VP and general manager.
Day is in discussions for another senior role with ViacomCBS, an individual with knowledge of those talks told TheWrap. The news was first reported by Variety. Schwartz has been with Vds since 2018, most recently as executive vice president of strategy and operations, as well as digital partnerships at Viacom Media Networks. Day has led Vds since its inception in 2017, joining from AwesomnessTV.
Schwartz will be in charge of efforts to promote Viacom’s current slate of shows, while also developing new original and branded content for the company to push online. Vds was launched in 2017 as a way to develop original digital programming at a quicker pace that would extend Viacom brands into the digital ecosystem.
Also Read: ViacomCBS to Acquire 49% Stake...
Day is in discussions for another senior role with ViacomCBS, an individual with knowledge of those talks told TheWrap. The news was first reported by Variety. Schwartz has been with Vds since 2018, most recently as executive vice president of strategy and operations, as well as digital partnerships at Viacom Media Networks. Day has led Vds since its inception in 2017, joining from AwesomnessTV.
Schwartz will be in charge of efforts to promote Viacom’s current slate of shows, while also developing new original and branded content for the company to push online. Vds was launched in 2017 as a way to develop original digital programming at a quicker pace that would extend Viacom brands into the digital ecosystem.
Also Read: ViacomCBS to Acquire 49% Stake...
- 1/6/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
In today’s TV news roundup, Humanitas has released the finalists for the 45th Annual Humanitas Prize, and YouTube announced a new beauty competition series hosted by James Charles.
Castings
Jason Kennedy has been named as the host of E!’s new series “In The Room.“ The “E! News” host will bring viewers inside celebrity homes for in-depth interviews and conversation around their latest projects, products, passions and more. Several primetime specials of the series will be aired before its full launch. Four-time Super Bowl Mvp Tom Brady will be featured in the first episode premiering, Dec. 4. Watch a preview clip below:
Dates
“The Degenerates” will return with Season 2 Dec. 31, Netflix announced. The comedy stand-up series will feature six new and unfiltered sets from Adrienne Iapalucci, Donnell Rawlings, Jim Norton, Nikki Glaser, Ms. Pat and Robert Kelly. Watch a first look below:
Developments
YouTube Originals and James Charles have teamed...
Castings
Jason Kennedy has been named as the host of E!’s new series “In The Room.“ The “E! News” host will bring viewers inside celebrity homes for in-depth interviews and conversation around their latest projects, products, passions and more. Several primetime specials of the series will be aired before its full launch. Four-time Super Bowl Mvp Tom Brady will be featured in the first episode premiering, Dec. 4. Watch a preview clip below:
Dates
“The Degenerates” will return with Season 2 Dec. 31, Netflix announced. The comedy stand-up series will feature six new and unfiltered sets from Adrienne Iapalucci, Donnell Rawlings, Jim Norton, Nikki Glaser, Ms. Pat and Robert Kelly. Watch a first look below:
Developments
YouTube Originals and James Charles have teamed...
- 11/16/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of the long-anticipated Viacom and CBS merger, the forthcoming entity has announced a number of content and digital executives that will populate its top ranks upon the deal’s closing, which is expected to be finalized in early December.
At that time, ViacomCBS will form a new Content Council, it says, comprising leaders across the company and chaired by David Nevins, whose expanded role will include oversight of CBS Television Studios, CBS All Access, Showtime Networks, Pop, The CW, and Bet. This council will ensure that ViacomCBS' leadership and senior execs are “working together to maximize the use of IP and talent relationships across the combined company.”
In terms of other expanded roles on the ViacomCBS' digital front, Marc DeBevoise, who currently serves as president and COO of CBS Interactive, will serve as chief digital officer of ViacomCBS. His team will also be responsible for oversight of Viacom Digital Studios,...
At that time, ViacomCBS will form a new Content Council, it says, comprising leaders across the company and chaired by David Nevins, whose expanded role will include oversight of CBS Television Studios, CBS All Access, Showtime Networks, Pop, The CW, and Bet. This council will ensure that ViacomCBS' leadership and senior execs are “working together to maximize the use of IP and talent relationships across the combined company.”
In terms of other expanded roles on the ViacomCBS' digital front, Marc DeBevoise, who currently serves as president and COO of CBS Interactive, will serve as chief digital officer of ViacomCBS. His team will also be responsible for oversight of Viacom Digital Studios,...
- 11/12/2019
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Viacom and CBS Corp. on Monday confirmed some top content executives for when they complete their recombination as ViacomCBS, which is expected to happen in early December, including Jim Gianopulos as the executive overseeing the firm's filmed entertainment operations and continuing as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Viacom and CBS highlighted that his role includes oversight of Paramount Animation, Paramount Features, Paramount Players and Paramount TV.
The company also confirmed top TV executive appointments that had leaked over the weekend and reiterated that Marc DeBevoise will be chief digital officer of ViacomCBS.
Kelly Day, president, Viacom Digital Studios, will ...
Viacom and CBS highlighted that his role includes oversight of Paramount Animation, Paramount Features, Paramount Players and Paramount TV.
The company also confirmed top TV executive appointments that had leaked over the weekend and reiterated that Marc DeBevoise will be chief digital officer of ViacomCBS.
Kelly Day, president, Viacom Digital Studios, will ...
- 11/11/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Viacom and CBS Corp. on Monday confirmed some top content executives for when they complete their recombination as ViacomCBS, which is expected to happen in early December, including Jim Gianopulos as the executive overseeing the firm's filmed entertainment operations and continuing as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Viacom and CBS highlighted that his role includes oversight of Paramount Animation, Paramount Features, Paramount Players and Paramount TV.
The company also confirmed top TV executive appointments that had leaked over the weekend and reiterated that Marc DeBevoise will be chief digital officer of ViacomCBS.
Kelly Day, president, Viacom Digital Studios, will ...
Viacom and CBS highlighted that his role includes oversight of Paramount Animation, Paramount Features, Paramount Players and Paramount TV.
The company also confirmed top TV executive appointments that had leaked over the weekend and reiterated that Marc DeBevoise will be chief digital officer of ViacomCBS.
Kelly Day, president, Viacom Digital Studios, will ...
- 11/11/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In another step toward integrating CBS and Viacom’s assets following the merger of the two entertainment entities earlier this year, CBS chief creative officer David Nevins is adding oversight of Viacom-owned Bet Networks, while MTV/VH1 chief Chris McCarthy will take over Comedy Central, Paramount Network and other channels as longtime Comedy Central chief Kent Alterman and Viacom media networks COO Sarah Levy exit the company.
As part of the changes, head of Nickelodeon Brian Robbins is now assuming the title of president, kids and family entertainment at ViacomCBS. He will be reunited with AwesomenessTV, the company he founded, as it is being brought under his purview. These executive shifts come ahead of the close of the Viacom-cbs union, which is expected to happen as soon as early December and will be led by current Viacom chief Bob Bakish.
For Nevins, this marks an expansion of oversight. He was...
As part of the changes, head of Nickelodeon Brian Robbins is now assuming the title of president, kids and family entertainment at ViacomCBS. He will be reunited with AwesomenessTV, the company he founded, as it is being brought under his purview. These executive shifts come ahead of the close of the Viacom-cbs union, which is expected to happen as soon as early December and will be led by current Viacom chief Bob Bakish.
For Nevins, this marks an expansion of oversight. He was...
- 11/10/2019
- by Elaine Low and Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Nickelodeon has named former Fullscreen Media executive Ashley Kaplan as Svp, Digital Studios, and Luke Wahl as VP, Digital Studios, reporting to Kaplan. The announcement was made today by Nickelodeon President Brian Robbins and Kelly Day, President of Viacom Digital Studios, to whom Kaplan will dually report. Both Kaplan and Wahl will be based out of Nickelodeon’s Burbank, CA, headquarters.
In her new role, Kaplan will lead Nick’s YouTube strategic vision and oversee the creative and editorial voice for digital content creation, as well as development and production of original short-form content exclusively for Nickelodeon’s YouTube and social media platforms.
Wahl will work on the development and production of original short-form content exclusively for Nickelodeon’s YouTube and social channels, with an emphasis on sports-themed content.
Kaplan previously served as the Senior Vice President, Creative and Production at Fullscreen Media, where she oversaw ongoing production and development of premium content.
In her new role, Kaplan will lead Nick’s YouTube strategic vision and oversee the creative and editorial voice for digital content creation, as well as development and production of original short-form content exclusively for Nickelodeon’s YouTube and social media platforms.
Wahl will work on the development and production of original short-form content exclusively for Nickelodeon’s YouTube and social channels, with an emphasis on sports-themed content.
Kaplan previously served as the Senior Vice President, Creative and Production at Fullscreen Media, where she oversaw ongoing production and development of premium content.
- 8/27/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom's Kelly Day on Digitally Reinventing MTV, Nickelodeon and Buying Awesomeness TV for a "Steal"
On July 27 last year, as Kelly Day stood in front of the staff at Awesomeness to announce that her new company, Viacom, would be buying her old one, she almost began to cry. "It was maybe the most satisfying moment I have ever had," says Day, 47, who had left Awesomeness eight months earlier to head up Viacom's newly established Digital Studios business. That she acquired it for such a steal — under $100 million, per sources, after a onetime valuation of $650 million — didn't hurt.
Awesomeness, the YouTube brand that is now pumping ...
Awesomeness, the YouTube brand that is now pumping ...
Viacom Digital Studios, the newly created unit led by president Kelly Day announced a programming slate of new and returning titles on Monday at its NewFronts presentation.
New shows in the works include AwesomenessTV’s scripted romantic comedy How to Survive: A Break-Up, starring Eva Gutowski; Black Coffee, Bet’s daily morning talk show starring Marc Lamont Hill; David Spade’s untitled Comedy Central late-night show, which will push content across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; MTV No Filter: Tana Turns 21,” following Tana Mongeau; and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Smarty Pants Game Show.
Programming from Viacom Digital Studios will circulate across Facebook, Snap, Twitter and YouTube for Viacom’s more than 880 million fans, which Viacom calls the largest social footprint among entertainment companies. With the addition of Pluto TV, Viacom predicts its digital video impressions will grow to 5 billion per month by 2020.
In addition to bringing back many digital series for new seasons and spinoffs,...
New shows in the works include AwesomenessTV’s scripted romantic comedy How to Survive: A Break-Up, starring Eva Gutowski; Black Coffee, Bet’s daily morning talk show starring Marc Lamont Hill; David Spade’s untitled Comedy Central late-night show, which will push content across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; MTV No Filter: Tana Turns 21,” following Tana Mongeau; and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Smarty Pants Game Show.
Programming from Viacom Digital Studios will circulate across Facebook, Snap, Twitter and YouTube for Viacom’s more than 880 million fans, which Viacom calls the largest social footprint among entertainment companies. With the addition of Pluto TV, Viacom predicts its digital video impressions will grow to 5 billion per month by 2020.
In addition to bringing back many digital series for new seasons and spinoffs,...
- 4/29/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom said its flagship networks Bet, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon will be added to the free, ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV, which it acquired in January.
The company made the announcement and unveiled a slate of digital programming during its second annual NewFronts pitch to media buyers at the PlayStation Theater in New York’s Times Square.
“We’re excited to return to the NewFronts after a year of rapid digital acceleration and momentum across the leading social and online video platforms,” Viacom Digital Studios president Kelly Day said in the official release. “Our remarkable growth continues to be driven by an investment in premium original programming and experiences that engage our young, diverse audiences on the platforms they love most, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for our advertising partners to join the conversation.”
Viacom bought Pluto for $340 million, signaling a strategy similar to NBCUniversal’s, emphasizing advertising and free...
The company made the announcement and unveiled a slate of digital programming during its second annual NewFronts pitch to media buyers at the PlayStation Theater in New York’s Times Square.
“We’re excited to return to the NewFronts after a year of rapid digital acceleration and momentum across the leading social and online video platforms,” Viacom Digital Studios president Kelly Day said in the official release. “Our remarkable growth continues to be driven by an investment in premium original programming and experiences that engage our young, diverse audiences on the platforms they love most, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for our advertising partners to join the conversation.”
Viacom bought Pluto for $340 million, signaling a strategy similar to NBCUniversal’s, emphasizing advertising and free...
- 4/29/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom dipped its toes into the NewFronts waters for the first time last year.
But for its second presentation, the media giant has substantial news to share, especially given the monumental purchases it has made in recent months on its path to becoming a full-fledged digital powerhouse. This includes its acquisitions of: VidCon (which it did tout at least year’s event), Gen Z media darling AwesomenessTV (which it acquired last July), and PlutoTV (a free streaming platform for which it paid $340 million in January).
“We’ve made this enormous investment in digital-first content and working with digital talent,” Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios, told Tubefilter in an interview leading up to the annual digital marketing event (below).
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
But for its second presentation, the media giant has substantial news to share, especially given the monumental purchases it has made in recent months on its path to becoming a full-fledged digital powerhouse. This includes its acquisitions of: VidCon (which it did tout at least year’s event), Gen Z media darling AwesomenessTV (which it acquired last July), and PlutoTV (a free streaming platform for which it paid $340 million in January).
“We’ve made this enormous investment in digital-first content and working with digital talent,” Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios, told Tubefilter in an interview leading up to the annual digital marketing event (below).
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 4/25/2019
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Nine months after its acquisition by Viacom, Awesomeness is re-birthing its vision for the Gen Z-focused media powerhouse, in what Awesomeness co-heads Rebecca Glashow and Shelley Zimmerman (pictured below) say has been a “hit-the-ground running integration” into the Viacom family.
This seamlessness -- despite the fact that Viacom tendered a number of layoffs as it brought Awesomeness into the fold last summer -- has been due to the fact that numerous Awesomeness vets are employed elsewhere within Viacom, Glashow and Zimmerman told Tubefilter in an interview ahead of next month’s NewFronts, including Nickelodeon president Brian Robbins and Viacom Digital Studios head Kelly Day. It also didn’t hurt that Awesomeness hit a home run within weeks of the purchase with To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before -- a Netflix romcom that rocked the zeitgeist and turned Noah Centineo (who had previously appeared in Awesomeness’ T@gged) into a bonafide star.
This seamlessness -- despite the fact that Viacom tendered a number of layoffs as it brought Awesomeness into the fold last summer -- has been due to the fact that numerous Awesomeness vets are employed elsewhere within Viacom, Glashow and Zimmerman told Tubefilter in an interview ahead of next month’s NewFronts, including Nickelodeon president Brian Robbins and Viacom Digital Studios head Kelly Day. It also didn’t hurt that Awesomeness hit a home run within weeks of the purchase with To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before -- a Netflix romcom that rocked the zeitgeist and turned Noah Centineo (who had previously appeared in Awesomeness’ T@gged) into a bonafide star.
- 4/16/2019
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Viacom has recruited Rory Brown, the former president of Turner-owned digital sports brand Bleacher Report, to serve as the new head of digital and social media for MTV, VH1, Cmt, and Logo.
In this role, Brown will help charge MTV’s resurgence as a top youth media brand, according to Viacom, and will also oversee MTV Studios -- which is developing reboots of classic MTV shows for distribution on streaming services. Brown will also oversee live events endeavors like Spring Break and the SnowGlobe Music Festival, a three-day event in Lake Tahoe that culminates on New Year's Eve, which MTV acquired in November. MTV’s total social footprint comprises 250 million followers, according to Viacom.
Brown will report directly to Jacqueline Parkes, who serves as Cmo and Evp of digital studios for MTV, VH1, Cmt, and Logo. He will also work closely with the Viacom Digital Studios, which is led...
In this role, Brown will help charge MTV’s resurgence as a top youth media brand, according to Viacom, and will also oversee MTV Studios -- which is developing reboots of classic MTV shows for distribution on streaming services. Brown will also oversee live events endeavors like Spring Break and the SnowGlobe Music Festival, a three-day event in Lake Tahoe that culminates on New Year's Eve, which MTV acquired in November. MTV’s total social footprint comprises 250 million followers, according to Viacom.
Brown will report directly to Jacqueline Parkes, who serves as Cmo and Evp of digital studios for MTV, VH1, Cmt, and Logo. He will also work closely with the Viacom Digital Studios, which is led...
- 4/8/2019
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Rory Brown is leaving Turner’s Bleacher Report after a decade to join MTV in a newly created position as head of digital and social media for the MTV, VH1, Cmt and Logo brands.
In the new role, Brown will report directly to Jacqueline Parkes, chief marketing officer and executive VP of digital studios for MTV, VH1, Cmt and Logo. Brown will work closely with Viacom Digital Studios, headed by Kelly Day, to develop and produce content for the brands.
Most recently, Brown served as president of Br for the past three years, overseeing content, product, social media, and programming including the House of Highlights hoops-focused Instagram brand. He first joined Bleacher Report in 2008, prior to its acquisition by Turner in 2012. During his 10 years with Br, Brown helped it grow from a 13-person team with 2 million monthly unique visitors to more than 1 billion monthly social interactions and more than 450 employees worldwide.
In the new role, Brown will report directly to Jacqueline Parkes, chief marketing officer and executive VP of digital studios for MTV, VH1, Cmt and Logo. Brown will work closely with Viacom Digital Studios, headed by Kelly Day, to develop and produce content for the brands.
Most recently, Brown served as president of Br for the past three years, overseeing content, product, social media, and programming including the House of Highlights hoops-focused Instagram brand. He first joined Bleacher Report in 2008, prior to its acquisition by Turner in 2012. During his 10 years with Br, Brown helped it grow from a 13-person team with 2 million monthly unique visitors to more than 1 billion monthly social interactions and more than 450 employees worldwide.
- 4/8/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
After years of mostly sitting on the sidelines of the digital land grab, Viacom has gotten serious about investing in an online future for its stable of youth-skewing TV properties like MTV, Nickelodeon, Bet and Comedy Central.
A cornerstone of CEO Bob Bakish’s digital road map is Viacom Digital Studios, led by president Kelly Day, a longtime digital-media exec whom Bakish hired in the fall of 2017. “A lot of people at the time were like, ‘Is Viacom really serious about this digital thing?’” says Day.
There was plenty of reason for skepticism: Even Day acknowledges that Viacom had underinvested in digital. “Their strategy was to just harvest the linear-tv business,” says Brian Wieser, global president of business intelligence for GroupM, Wpp’s media investment group.
The new digital push became inevitable as TV audiences continued to shrink, Wieser notes. It’s not getting better: Viacom Media Networks ad sales...
A cornerstone of CEO Bob Bakish’s digital road map is Viacom Digital Studios, led by president Kelly Day, a longtime digital-media exec whom Bakish hired in the fall of 2017. “A lot of people at the time were like, ‘Is Viacom really serious about this digital thing?’” says Day.
There was plenty of reason for skepticism: Even Day acknowledges that Viacom had underinvested in digital. “Their strategy was to just harvest the linear-tv business,” says Brian Wieser, global president of business intelligence for GroupM, Wpp’s media investment group.
The new digital push became inevitable as TV audiences continued to shrink, Wieser notes. It’s not getting better: Viacom Media Networks ad sales...
- 3/27/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comedy Central is stepping on the gas in its digital-entertainment drive with the launch of its first YouTube channel for originals.
The Viacom-owned brand is touting the new Comedy Central Originals YouTube channel as a “one-stop shop for the very best digital original comedy.” The channel (available at this link) launched Wednesday (March 6) and will feature a slate of new and returning series, stand-up and social content, and is set to release about five new pieces of weekly, said Jen Danielson, Comedy Central’s senior VP of digital.
Comedy Central already has a primary YouTube channel, which has included original shows like short-form mockumentary series “Mini-Mocks” and commercial parody series “As Seen on Cc.” But overall, it’s largely tied to the TV channel. Jen Danielson, Comedy Central’s senior VP of digital, said it became clear there was an opportunity for a separate destination to feature its digital-only content and talent.
The Viacom-owned brand is touting the new Comedy Central Originals YouTube channel as a “one-stop shop for the very best digital original comedy.” The channel (available at this link) launched Wednesday (March 6) and will feature a slate of new and returning series, stand-up and social content, and is set to release about five new pieces of weekly, said Jen Danielson, Comedy Central’s senior VP of digital.
Comedy Central already has a primary YouTube channel, which has included original shows like short-form mockumentary series “Mini-Mocks” and commercial parody series “As Seen on Cc.” But overall, it’s largely tied to the TV channel. Jen Danielson, Comedy Central’s senior VP of digital, said it became clear there was an opportunity for a separate destination to feature its digital-only content and talent.
- 3/6/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Paula Kaplan, the executive vice president of talent and development at Viacom Digital Studios, is expanding her role to new include overseeing talent for Nickelodeon.
Kaplan’s new title will be executive vice president of talent and development for Viacom Digital Studios and Evp of talent for Nickelodeon. Kaplan will report to both Brian Robbins, president of Nickelodeon, and Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios. For Nickelodeon, Kaplan will lead all talent relations across television, music programming and events, and overseeing casting for live-action and animation properties. She has been with Viacom Digital Studios since April 2018.
“Paula is a creative leader who intuitively understands how to identify and cultivate breakthrough talent from, and for, all platforms,” Robbins said. “Her strong relationships with the creative community and experience across all areas of the business and all platforms will greatly contribute to the strength and influence of the Nick brand and its stars.
Kaplan’s new title will be executive vice president of talent and development for Viacom Digital Studios and Evp of talent for Nickelodeon. Kaplan will report to both Brian Robbins, president of Nickelodeon, and Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios. For Nickelodeon, Kaplan will lead all talent relations across television, music programming and events, and overseeing casting for live-action and animation properties. She has been with Viacom Digital Studios since April 2018.
“Paula is a creative leader who intuitively understands how to identify and cultivate breakthrough talent from, and for, all platforms,” Robbins said. “Her strong relationships with the creative community and experience across all areas of the business and all platforms will greatly contribute to the strength and influence of the Nick brand and its stars.
- 1/22/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
In a consolidation move, Viacom veteran Paula Kaplan will expand her current role as Evp, Talent and Development, Viacom Digital Studios, to also oversee talent for Nickelodeon. Named Evp, Talent and Development, Viacom Digital Studios; and Talent, Nickelodeon, Kaplan will dually report to Brian Robbins, President of Nickelodeon; and Kelly Day, President of Viacom Digital Studios.
On the Nickelodeon side, Kaplan will be replacing Shelly Sumpter Gillyard who exited as Evp, Talent, Music and Events.
This marks a return to Nickelodeon for Kaplan and a reunion with Robbins. The two had worked together at the Viacom network long time ago, and Robbins in 2015 named her Chief Talent Officer and Head of Live Content for his AwesomenessTV venture. She is the latest former close associate that Robbins is bringing to his team at Nickelodeon.
“Paula is a creative leader who intuitively understands how to identify and cultivate breakthrough talent from, and for,...
On the Nickelodeon side, Kaplan will be replacing Shelly Sumpter Gillyard who exited as Evp, Talent, Music and Events.
This marks a return to Nickelodeon for Kaplan and a reunion with Robbins. The two had worked together at the Viacom network long time ago, and Robbins in 2015 named her Chief Talent Officer and Head of Live Content for his AwesomenessTV venture. She is the latest former close associate that Robbins is bringing to his team at Nickelodeon.
“Paula is a creative leader who intuitively understands how to identify and cultivate breakthrough talent from, and for,...
- 1/22/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Lego executive Lars Silberbauer will be leading MTV’s digital studios as senior vice president, the network announced on Monday.
As Svp of MTV Digital Studios, Silberbauer will oversee creative, development, and production for the company’s digital originals. He will also lead MTV’s digital brand social channels, including the Snapchat version of “Cribs.” For his new role, Silberbauer will relocate from London to New York where he will report to Jacqueline Parkes, Cmo and Evp, Digital Studios, MTV, VH1 and Logo Group and Kelly Day, President, Viacom Digital Studios.
Also Read: Viacom Accuses Netflix of Poaching TV Executive in Lawsuit
“Lars is a proven innovator who reinvented an iconic brand for a new generation by bringing it to life in new, resonant ways across platform,” said Parkes. “His experience, fresh ideas and dynamic approach make him the perfect person to build on our momentum across platforms, fuel...
As Svp of MTV Digital Studios, Silberbauer will oversee creative, development, and production for the company’s digital originals. He will also lead MTV’s digital brand social channels, including the Snapchat version of “Cribs.” For his new role, Silberbauer will relocate from London to New York where he will report to Jacqueline Parkes, Cmo and Evp, Digital Studios, MTV, VH1 and Logo Group and Kelly Day, President, Viacom Digital Studios.
Also Read: Viacom Accuses Netflix of Poaching TV Executive in Lawsuit
“Lars is a proven innovator who reinvented an iconic brand for a new generation by bringing it to life in new, resonant ways across platform,” said Parkes. “His experience, fresh ideas and dynamic approach make him the perfect person to build on our momentum across platforms, fuel...
- 10/22/2018
- by Matt Lopez
- The Wrap
MTV has hired Lars Silberbauer, the former Lego executive credited with the social media strategy that lifted the global visibility of the Danish toy brand, as senior vice president for Viacom’s MTV Digital Studios.
In the newly created role, Silberbauer will oversee creative, development, and production for the network’s digital originals and lead MTV’s digital brand social channels, including Cribs, Trl and more. He will relocate from London to New York and begin on Nov. 1, reporting into Jacqueline Parkes, Cmo and Evp, of MTV and VH1 Digital Studios, and Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios.
“Lars is a proven innovator who reinvented an iconic brand for a new generation by bringing it to life in new, resonant ways across platform,” Parkes said in a statement. “His experience, fresh ideas and dynamic approach make him the perfect person to build on our momentum across platforms, fuel the...
In the newly created role, Silberbauer will oversee creative, development, and production for the network’s digital originals and lead MTV’s digital brand social channels, including Cribs, Trl and more. He will relocate from London to New York and begin on Nov. 1, reporting into Jacqueline Parkes, Cmo and Evp, of MTV and VH1 Digital Studios, and Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios.
“Lars is a proven innovator who reinvented an iconic brand for a new generation by bringing it to life in new, resonant ways across platform,” Parkes said in a statement. “His experience, fresh ideas and dynamic approach make him the perfect person to build on our momentum across platforms, fuel the...
- 10/22/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
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