20-24 Jan: Your guide to what’s happened this week in the media, entertainment and technology industry.

Netflix makes moves across the globe

Netflix this week has announced a deal with Comcast-owned Sky to keep content from the streamer on the UK pay-TV operator, Variety has reported.

Under the new deal, Sky customers signed up to the Sky Q set-top box service will have the option to opt into Netflix’s basic plan which is priced at £5.99. 

The Netflix app is currently offered on the platform, though the new deal effectively extends the arrangement, with the option of the basic plan in addition. 

Sky originals such as Chernobyl will also be offered alongside Netflix content. 

Meanwhile, Netflix also officially opened its French headquarters in Paris.

According to Deadline, the new office is home to 40 new employees in film, TV and marketing with likely plans to expand as the streamer grows its presence in the city.

With France being one of Europe’s most important markets, Netflix also announced plans to increase investment in the region.

20 new French productions will be in the works and partnerships with leading French create institutions. 

Oscar tips at the Producers Guild Awards

The Producers Guild unveiled the year’s best in film and TV producing Saturday at the 31st annual PGA Awards at the Hollywood Palladium, Empire has reported. 

1917  took home the top prize, Darryl F. Zanuck Award Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures. 

Toy Story 4, which was said to have been largely snubbed in the Oscar nominations,  landed Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures.

Elsewhere, RuPaul’s Drag Race took the award for Outstanding Producer of Game & Competition Television. 

Disney drops Fox branding on movies 

The Walt Disney Company has unveiled plans to drop the Fox name from 21st Century Fox products.

Disney Company will change the name of 20th Century Fox to 20th Century Studios and Fox Searchlight Pictures to Searchlight Pictures, to distinguish it from the remaining Fox assets it did not buy during the merger of the two companies.

The New York Times reports that Disney does not want to be associated with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News network.

It means the 85-year-old brand will no longer appear on some of the biggest films of all-time, including Avatar and Titanic.

Liberty Global and Hemisphere Media seek to buy Univision

Bloomberg reports that Liberty Global’s investment arm is working with Hemisphere Media to bid for Spanish media company Univision Communications.

The media giant is up for sale and final offers are due in February. So far, former Viacom chief financial officer Wade Davis is reported to be interested in putting a bid forward. 

A final decision has yet to be made and Liberty Global and Hemisphere, as well as other bidders could opt not to proceed with offers.

Topics