Merger Gets Green Light! AI Buzz at RTS London, Deadline Hits Zurich

Hello everyone, Max Goldbart here guiding you through a significant week where a monumental entertainment transaction received the green light. Keep reading for more details, and don’t forget to subscribe.

Greenlit Merger!

Executives on the Move: Things progressed rather swiftly. Not long ago, it seemed David Ellison might be stopped by regulators from the UK, Europe, and several U.S. state Attorney Generals. However, by Wednesday, the enormous $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery was approved, with plans for the new merged entity to launch next Tuesday (October 6). The focus quickly shifted to the executives who gained and those who lost in this deal. It didn’t take long for Cindy Holland to announce her departure, with strong indications that HBO’s Casey Bloys will take over her role, overseeing streaming for both giants. In her farewell email, Holland hinted at Ellison’s focus on “optimizing HBO stability,” a veiled reference to her successor. Meanwhile, HBO has been promoting its Spanish originals at Iberseries in Madrid, with expectations high on how Bloys will expand the streaming strategy internationally, with Sarah Aubrey likely staying as his right hand. More insights are available in Nellie Andreeva’s detailed analysis. Unexpectedly, Ynon Kreiz, a former executive at Endemol and Mattel, was named co-CEO of the new Warner-Paramount alongside Ellison, bringing his vast international expertise to the forefront. Long-time executives Gerhard Zeiler at Warner and Kevin MacLellan at Paramount still hold significant international roles, suggesting more strategic adjustments are forthcoming.

AI Buzz at RTS London

Making Waves: Just a day before the merger was finalized, Reemah Sakaan, chief of Paramount’s UK network Channel 5, adeptly handled tough questions about political interference from her new superiors at the RTS London Convention. This event brought together top figures from the British TV industry and was rife with major announcements. Amidst significant layoffs at the BBC and Channel 4 and ongoing mergers like Sky-ITV and Banijay-All3Media, AI discussions stole the show. Kelly Day from Prime Video championed AI, claiming it boosts rather than threatens creativity. BBC’s Matt Brittin then surprised attendees by revealing he had received a complete AI-generated episode of Doctor Who, which he found quite impressive, much to the astonishment of BBC producers present. The reality is that AI is here to stay, and industry leaders are keen to explore its advantages, though creatives might need more time to adjust. Later, Steven Knight expressed his strong opposition to AI, but the audience was more eager to learn about his work on the next 007 movie for Amazon MGM, although he firmly dismissed any notion that the high-profile project was affecting his sleep. More details on our RTS coverage can be found here.

The Insider Interview: Academy Leader Bill Kramer in Zurich

During our Deadline Studio in Zurich, which hosted numerous celebrities and industry figures, we had an intriguing conversation with Academy head Bill Kramer, alongside Mattel Studios’ Robbie Brenner and Michael Barker from Sony Pictures Classics. They discussed the impact of YouTube creators breaking into mainstream cinema through hits like Obsession and Backrooms, highlighting the growing influence of fan-driven content. Watch the full interview here.

Worldwide Spotlight

Despite challenges in the French TV market, the manga-based series Cat’s Eyes from the 1980s is making waves with its upcoming second season on TF1, also available on Hulu in the U.S. We delve into the international acclaim surrounding the show. Read more about this breakout series here.

Must-Know Updates

Exciting Project: Nicolas Cage and Michael Sheen are among the stars in the upcoming psychological cyber-thriller C.L.A.Y. by Simon Afram.

Star-Studded Cast: Woody Allen’s next film will feature Marton Csokas and Jemima Kirke.

New Team: Banijay reveals its revamped sales team led by Cathy Payne, with Rachel Job securing a major role.

Upcoming Release: The Indian rural horror film Kaali Keti is set for a theatrical premiere on October 23.

Business Closure: True Brit Entertainment, known for The Death of Robin Hood, has declared bankruptcy.

Awards Update: The European Film Academy has honored Beki Probst, Marin Karmitz, and Sandra den Hamer with its inaugural Community Award.

Festival Focus: Attention at Iberseries in Madrid was on co-productions, young adult content, and the Banijay-All3Media merger.

Who’s Next: Several BBC Studios divisions are expected to compete to produce the next Doctor Who.

Box Office Plans: KPop Demon Hunters 2 aims for a widespread theatrical release, according to Ted Sarandos.

Sneak Peek: Get an early look at the third season of the popular African drama series Shaka iLembe ahead of its debut at MIPCOM.

International Insider was crafted by Max Goldbart and edited by Jesse Whittock. For tips, feedback, or ideas on international coverage, reach out to jwhittock@deadline.com and mgoldbart@deadline.com