Leading Black British stars, writers and execs have become the latest to criticize the Labour Party for its controversial mishandling of a row involving the UK’s first ever Black female MP.
Diane Abbott’s return, or departure, from the party she has been an MP for since 1987 has dominated UK front pages over the past week and the likes of Lenny Henry, David Harewood and Afua Hirsch have now had their say.
In a damning open letter titled Loyalty Has Never Been Unconditional, the group of around 40 prominent Black figures said they are “appalled by the Labour Party’s treatment of Diane Abbott,” describing it as “disproportionate, undemocratic and vindictive.”
Diane Abbott addresses her supporters and the media on the steps of Hackney Town Hall. Image: Guy Smallman/Getty Images.
Prominent stars like Henry, Harewood and Adrian Lester are signatories, along with the likes of Yomi Adegoke, whose bestseller...
Diane Abbott’s return, or departure, from the party she has been an MP for since 1987 has dominated UK front pages over the past week and the likes of Lenny Henry, David Harewood and Afua Hirsch have now had their say.
In a damning open letter titled Loyalty Has Never Been Unconditional, the group of around 40 prominent Black figures said they are “appalled by the Labour Party’s treatment of Diane Abbott,” describing it as “disproportionate, undemocratic and vindictive.”
Diane Abbott addresses her supporters and the media on the steps of Hackney Town Hall. Image: Guy Smallman/Getty Images.
Prominent stars like Henry, Harewood and Adrian Lester are signatories, along with the likes of Yomi Adegoke, whose bestseller...
- 5/31/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: BBC insiders have voiced alarm over a funding deal that has blown a £90M ($113M) hole in the UK broadcaster’s finances and sources say potentially threatens its independence.
The British government announced on Thursday that it would increase the BBC’s income in line with inflation, but ministers have ripped up the agreed way of measuring this price hike and the timetable for future funding settlements. A senior BBC insider said it was an “unhealthy way to do business.”
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said the license fee, a levy that all UK households must pay to access BBC services, will increase by 6.7% from April 2024. This was the spot rate of inflation in September this year. Traditionally the government has pegged licence fee increases to an annual average of inflation, which would have been 9% in 2024 had this calculation been kept in place.
It means the £159 fee, which has been frozen for two years,...
The British government announced on Thursday that it would increase the BBC’s income in line with inflation, but ministers have ripped up the agreed way of measuring this price hike and the timetable for future funding settlements. A senior BBC insider said it was an “unhealthy way to do business.”
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said the license fee, a levy that all UK households must pay to access BBC services, will increase by 6.7% from April 2024. This was the spot rate of inflation in September this year. Traditionally the government has pegged licence fee increases to an annual average of inflation, which would have been 9% in 2024 had this calculation been kept in place.
It means the £159 fee, which has been frozen for two years,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
It is possible that in his search for CNN’s next boss, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav simply checked back through the news network’s archives.
In the otherworldly days of 2020, when Richard Quest was broadcasting in front of a bookcase, the gravel-voiced anchor conducted an exit interview with former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson.
“What is next? People of your age, with your experience … you do not go off to grow petunias and go fishing,” Quest twinkled. Sat in a wood-paneled kitchen in Maine, Thompson chuckled. “I’ll be doing a bit of cooking later,” demurred the 66-year-old Brit, renowned for his culinary skills among friends.
But there was more on his mind than the next meal. “I like big challenges, that should be fairly apparent. That might come in the shape of another big executive job,” he told Quest. “I’m interested in the puzzle of...
In the otherworldly days of 2020, when Richard Quest was broadcasting in front of a bookcase, the gravel-voiced anchor conducted an exit interview with former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson.
“What is next? People of your age, with your experience … you do not go off to grow petunias and go fishing,” Quest twinkled. Sat in a wood-paneled kitchen in Maine, Thompson chuckled. “I’ll be doing a bit of cooking later,” demurred the 66-year-old Brit, renowned for his culinary skills among friends.
But there was more on his mind than the next meal. “I like big challenges, that should be fairly apparent. That might come in the shape of another big executive job,” he told Quest. “I’m interested in the puzzle of...
- 9/1/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Welcome to Earth with Will Smith producer Nutopia is pushing further into the returning formats game with the hire of a new Creative Director in the UK.
Tom Watt-Smith joins Nutopia from Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb producer Lion TV just a few months after he was promoted to become Lion’s Creative Director of Premium and Specialist Factual.
At Nutopia, he will take on the newly-created Creative Director of Formats and Special Projects post to expand the transatlantic outfit’s documentary and returning formats slate, based out of London. He will “support Nutopia’s continued growth into new markets, price points, and territories,” according to the indie.
Nutopia’s shows include Nat Geo’s Welcome to Earth with Will Smith, Netflix’s African Queens and Sky History’s Royal Mob. Jane Root’s outfit also has a deal in place with former Travel Channel boss Pat Younge to...
Tom Watt-Smith joins Nutopia from Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb producer Lion TV just a few months after he was promoted to become Lion’s Creative Director of Premium and Specialist Factual.
At Nutopia, he will take on the newly-created Creative Director of Formats and Special Projects post to expand the transatlantic outfit’s documentary and returning formats slate, based out of London. He will “support Nutopia’s continued growth into new markets, price points, and territories,” according to the indie.
Nutopia’s shows include Nat Geo’s Welcome to Earth with Will Smith, Netflix’s African Queens and Sky History’s Royal Mob. Jane Root’s outfit also has a deal in place with former Travel Channel boss Pat Younge to...
- 4/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Gal-Dem, the UK-based digital and print magazine for women and non-binary people of color, is set to close after eight years in circulation.
The editorial team behind Gal-Dem shared the news Friday afternoon with a public statement that said it was “unfortunately no longer feasible” for the publication to continue running as a business. Financial and structural difficulties exacerbated by the current global cost of living crisis were cited as the leading factors behind the decision.
“Keeping a small, independent media company that is reliant on partnerships afloat over the last three years has been increasingly challenging,” the statement read.
“Through a global pandemic, brand budget reductions, and economic downturn, we have worked tirelessly to reconfigure how we operate and keep Gal-Dem going through it all. And while we’re passionate about our membership model, it’s been difficult to sustain the level of growth needed here to support...
The editorial team behind Gal-Dem shared the news Friday afternoon with a public statement that said it was “unfortunately no longer feasible” for the publication to continue running as a business. Financial and structural difficulties exacerbated by the current global cost of living crisis were cited as the leading factors behind the decision.
“Keeping a small, independent media company that is reliant on partnerships afloat over the last three years has been increasingly challenging,” the statement read.
“Through a global pandemic, brand budget reductions, and economic downturn, we have worked tirelessly to reconfigure how we operate and keep Gal-Dem going through it all. And while we’re passionate about our membership model, it’s been difficult to sustain the level of growth needed here to support...
- 3/31/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Award winning Exec Maxine Watson joins to bolster creative development Industry veteran Pat Younge invests to support IP push Company’s first formats initiative - Pilot Season - launches on 13 March
Award-winning audio powerhouse Unedited has announced the appointment of two UK industry heavyweights to help fuel its growth into audio formats and the creation of its own IP. The announcement comes as the Unedited prepares to launch Pilot Season, the inaugural showcase of its new formats.
Maxine Watson, MD of Black Ruby Pictures will be Unedited’s **Creative Executive, supporting their push into original documentaries and formats. Multi-award-winning Watson, who led BBC Documentaries Commissioning, has been responsible for a host of high-profile programmes across documentary, drama and factual entertainment. A former Head of Production for Warner Brothers’ indie, Twenty Twenty, and currently Executive Producer for Nutopia’s upcomingNetflix series African Queens, her credits include: formats such as BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?,...
Award-winning audio powerhouse Unedited has announced the appointment of two UK industry heavyweights to help fuel its growth into audio formats and the creation of its own IP. The announcement comes as the Unedited prepares to launch Pilot Season, the inaugural showcase of its new formats.
Maxine Watson, MD of Black Ruby Pictures will be Unedited’s **Creative Executive, supporting their push into original documentaries and formats. Multi-award-winning Watson, who led BBC Documentaries Commissioning, has been responsible for a host of high-profile programmes across documentary, drama and factual entertainment. A former Head of Production for Warner Brothers’ indie, Twenty Twenty, and currently Executive Producer for Nutopia’s upcomingNetflix series African Queens, her credits include: formats such as BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?,...
- 2/22/2023
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: Nutopia, the Welcome to Earth with Will Smith and Limitless with Chris Hemsworth producer, has created a Chief Creative Officer role for veteran exec Simon Willgoss.
Willgoss, who has been with Jane Root’s transatlantic indie for 15 years, was most recently EVP Development and became Head of Development in 2015. Prior to this, he was part of the team that pioneered the “mega-doc”, an in-vogue genre that has seen the likes of National Geographic trio Welcome to Earth with Will Smith, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and Darron Aronofksy’s One Strange Rock hit TV screens.
Root said Willgoss has been a “crucial part of Nutopia’s success over the past decade and his creative vision and leadership will help take the company to new heights.”
Simon Willgoss
Willgoss added that “big plans and new partnerships” are incoming in 2023. “It’s been a fantastic journey so far and I look forward...
Willgoss, who has been with Jane Root’s transatlantic indie for 15 years, was most recently EVP Development and became Head of Development in 2015. Prior to this, he was part of the team that pioneered the “mega-doc”, an in-vogue genre that has seen the likes of National Geographic trio Welcome to Earth with Will Smith, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and Darron Aronofksy’s One Strange Rock hit TV screens.
Root said Willgoss has been a “crucial part of Nutopia’s success over the past decade and his creative vision and leadership will help take the company to new heights.”
Simon Willgoss
Willgoss added that “big plans and new partnerships” are incoming in 2023. “It’s been a fantastic journey so far and I look forward...
- 1/11/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
All3Media CEO Jane Turton has said the debate around British public service broadcasting needs to be “reframed” as the biggest indie bosses in the country debate future Psb, privatization and the plethora of reboots.
These broadcasters are not “Netflix, Apple TV+ or YouTube,” Turton stressed during an Edinburgh TV Festival session on public service broadcasting, where she debated with Banijay UK Exec Chair Patrick Holland, Naked MD Fatima Salaria, Cardiff Productions Founder Pat Younge, Avalon Founder Jon Thoday and former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham.
“We have to concentrate on what PSBs do well and make more of that,” added Turton, whose company owns the likes of Gogglebox producer Studio Lambert. “I don’t think people celebrate their success enough.”
She called for a “reframing” of the debate around these broadcasters.
Other panelists pushed the PSBs to do more for young audiences, in a world in which younger people are...
These broadcasters are not “Netflix, Apple TV+ or YouTube,” Turton stressed during an Edinburgh TV Festival session on public service broadcasting, where she debated with Banijay UK Exec Chair Patrick Holland, Naked MD Fatima Salaria, Cardiff Productions Founder Pat Younge, Avalon Founder Jon Thoday and former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham.
“We have to concentrate on what PSBs do well and make more of that,” added Turton, whose company owns the likes of Gogglebox producer Studio Lambert. “I don’t think people celebrate their success enough.”
She called for a “reframing” of the debate around these broadcasters.
Other panelists pushed the PSBs to do more for young audiences, in a world in which younger people are...
- 8/24/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Project Funding
The Asian Cinema Fund, a bursary scheme for film and documentary projects operated alongside the Busan International Film Festival, has announced six Korean recipients and seven hailing from elsewhere in Asia. The fund was put on hiatus during the two years of Covid, which also reduced the festival in size and turned the Asian Contents & Film Market into a virtual event. Three winners – “In the Land of Brothers,” by Raha Amirfazali, “Life I Stole,” by Putri Purnama Sugua and “Smart City,” by Rohin Raveendran – each receive KRW10 million for script development and are invited to participate in the Acfm’s Asian Project Market. Three films currently in post-production — “Birth,” by Yoo Jiyoung, “Juhee from 5 to 7,” by Jang Kunjae and “Mariam,” by Arvind Pratap — will receive in-kind support for digital intermediates, Dcp production, sound mixing and sub-titling, and are expected to premiere as finished works at the Busan festival.
The Asian Cinema Fund, a bursary scheme for film and documentary projects operated alongside the Busan International Film Festival, has announced six Korean recipients and seven hailing from elsewhere in Asia. The fund was put on hiatus during the two years of Covid, which also reduced the festival in size and turned the Asian Contents & Film Market into a virtual event. Three winners – “In the Land of Brothers,” by Raha Amirfazali, “Life I Stole,” by Putri Purnama Sugua and “Smart City,” by Rohin Raveendran – each receive KRW10 million for script development and are invited to participate in the Acfm’s Asian Project Market. Three films currently in post-production — “Birth,” by Yoo Jiyoung, “Juhee from 5 to 7,” by Jang Kunjae and “Mariam,” by Arvind Pratap — will receive in-kind support for digital intermediates, Dcp production, sound mixing and sub-titling, and are expected to premiere as finished works at the Busan festival.
- 7/15/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
PBS Boards Adrian Dunbar Detective Drama ‘Ridley’ For North American Distribution
PBS Distribution has taken North American rights to upcoming ITV detective drama Ridley, which stars Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar, following a deal with All3Media International. Currently filming in northern England, the show follows retired police officer Ridley who resumes his partnership with former protégée Di Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh) to solve complex murder cases. All3 has secured pre-sales for the four-part drama with Npo in the Netherlands, Vrt in Flemish-speaking Belgium and Britbox in Australia. Pumpkin TV has taken VoD rights in China. The show comes from Paul Matthew Thompson (Vera) and is co-created by former Midsomer Murders exec Jonathan Fisher, whose All3-owned indie West Road Pictures is producing in association with All3Media International.
Channel 5 Orders First True Crime Drama
British broadcaster Channel 5 has turned to long-time scripted partner Clapperboard Studios to create its...
PBS Distribution has taken North American rights to upcoming ITV detective drama Ridley, which stars Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar, following a deal with All3Media International. Currently filming in northern England, the show follows retired police officer Ridley who resumes his partnership with former protégée Di Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh) to solve complex murder cases. All3 has secured pre-sales for the four-part drama with Npo in the Netherlands, Vrt in Flemish-speaking Belgium and Britbox in Australia. Pumpkin TV has taken VoD rights in China. The show comes from Paul Matthew Thompson (Vera) and is co-created by former Midsomer Murders exec Jonathan Fisher, whose All3-owned indie West Road Pictures is producing in association with All3Media International.
Channel 5 Orders First True Crime Drama
British broadcaster Channel 5 has turned to long-time scripted partner Clapperboard Studios to create its...
- 4/21/2022
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
As the BBC enters its centenary year, its future appears more precarious than ever before. An oddly timed government decision this week to freeze the U.K. TV license fee, which is the primary source of income for the BBC, has reignited fierce public discussion about the corporation’s funding model — and whether change can happen fast enough for the world’s oldest national broadcaster.
Up for debate is whether Boris Johnson’s government is genuine in its urgent desire to safeguard the public broadcaster, or momentarily deflecting from a political firestorm. The freeze comes as the beleaguered U.K. prime minister is facing calls to resign amid revelations that 10 Downing Street hosted several parties while the U.K. was in lockdown between 2020 and 2021.
“[The license fee freeze] strikes me as a very sudden, last minute, not-yet-thought-through release of a decision before the discussion and debate and research has even taken place,” declares “The Death of Stalin...
Up for debate is whether Boris Johnson’s government is genuine in its urgent desire to safeguard the public broadcaster, or momentarily deflecting from a political firestorm. The freeze comes as the beleaguered U.K. prime minister is facing calls to resign amid revelations that 10 Downing Street hosted several parties while the U.K. was in lockdown between 2020 and 2021.
“[The license fee freeze] strikes me as a very sudden, last minute, not-yet-thought-through release of a decision before the discussion and debate and research has even taken place,” declares “The Death of Stalin...
- 1/18/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has made the first renewal from its groundbreaking Black to Front initiative in September, when all programs and commercials on the channel were led by Black talent.
Late-night chat show “Unapologetic,” presented by DJ Yinka Bokinni and social media star Zeze Millz (left), which was piloted as part of Black to Front has now scored a six-part series order. The show will continue to be produced by Sbtv and Cardiff Productions.
“Unapologetic” is billed by Channel 4 as a show “where guests will be encouraged to say what they want to say without apologizing for it.”
“This isn’t a show about Black people, this is the show where Black people talk freely about everything. It will offer new views on existing subjects as well as bringing new subjects and voices to the table,” reads an official description.
The show’s pilot in September tackled everything...
Late-night chat show “Unapologetic,” presented by DJ Yinka Bokinni and social media star Zeze Millz (left), which was piloted as part of Black to Front has now scored a six-part series order. The show will continue to be produced by Sbtv and Cardiff Productions.
“Unapologetic” is billed by Channel 4 as a show “where guests will be encouraged to say what they want to say without apologizing for it.”
“This isn’t a show about Black people, this is the show where Black people talk freely about everything. It will offer new views on existing subjects as well as bringing new subjects and voices to the table,” reads an official description.
The show’s pilot in September tackled everything...
- 10/28/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Australian Thriller Gets North America Deal
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to Australian indie feature film Rage for VOD release in North America and a Vimeo On Demand release in Australia from February 23rd, 2021. Matt Theo (Night Shift), Hayley Beveridge (Dead Moon Circus) and Richard Norton (Mad Max: Fury Road) star in the film about a man who waked up after a violent home invasion to find that one of the attackers is still on the loose. Director is John Balazs and writer is Michael J. Kospiah. Producers are Marlane Ghmed and Vikki Blinks for Prima Lux Films in association with Adam La Rosa for La Rosa Productions.
Channel 5/Acorn TV Team For ‘The Reluctant Madame Blanc’
ViacamCBS network Channel 5 and AMC streamer Acorn TV have partnered on their second drama series together: The Reluctant Madame Blanc (working title). Produced by Clapperboard and Saffron Cherry Productions, the six-part...
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to Australian indie feature film Rage for VOD release in North America and a Vimeo On Demand release in Australia from February 23rd, 2021. Matt Theo (Night Shift), Hayley Beveridge (Dead Moon Circus) and Richard Norton (Mad Max: Fury Road) star in the film about a man who waked up after a violent home invasion to find that one of the attackers is still on the loose. Director is John Balazs and writer is Michael J. Kospiah. Producers are Marlane Ghmed and Vikki Blinks for Prima Lux Films in association with Adam La Rosa for La Rosa Productions.
Channel 5/Acorn TV Team For ‘The Reluctant Madame Blanc’
ViacamCBS network Channel 5 and AMC streamer Acorn TV have partnered on their second drama series together: The Reluctant Madame Blanc (working title). Produced by Clapperboard and Saffron Cherry Productions, the six-part...
- 1/20/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of 700 Black, Asian, and minority ethnic TV workers have written to UK networks and streamers, including Netflix, the BBC and Sky, and the government demanding action on racial equality.
The letter, which Deadline has made available to read in full here, is the work of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic TV Task Force, which has swelled to hundreds of members after being established shortly after the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Jacqueline Baker, one of the organizers of the letter, told Deadline that the group has held detailed discussions about life in the industry and discovered many shared experiences. “We really wanted to make a change, have an impact, and speak for the people who shared their experiences,” she said.
The four-page letter, delivered at midday today, added: “For many years we have stayed silent, due to fear of being blacklisted or totally dismissed.
The letter, which Deadline has made available to read in full here, is the work of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic TV Task Force, which has swelled to hundreds of members after being established shortly after the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Jacqueline Baker, one of the organizers of the letter, told Deadline that the group has held detailed discussions about life in the industry and discovered many shared experiences. “We really wanted to make a change, have an impact, and speak for the people who shared their experiences,” she said.
The four-page letter, delivered at midday today, added: “For many years we have stayed silent, due to fear of being blacklisted or totally dismissed.
- 6/19/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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