Sunny Side of the Doc | 19-22 June 2023

Documentary Business

Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc

Netflix

Netflix & the Streamers Put a Blowtorch to the PayTV Model. What Do the Charts Say?

There’s a mixed bag of stories revealed in the charts that caught my eye during this rather slow Summer month. Bottom line: The shift to streaming is gathering pace: consumers are putting a blowtorch to the “melting icecube” of legacy broadcast and cable media. The data asks a big question:  Do Discovery, Peacock, Paramount, and …

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True Crime Boom: Recent Releases Spotlight What Platforms Want (Part 1)

The True Crime genre earns ever more attention — and greenlights, from platforms worldwide. My editorial associate Camran Shealy surveyed recently announced or released True Crime projects, summarizing of 20+ of them here. Everyone’s doing it: commissioners include Netflix, Discovery+, Peacock, ARD Germany and hulu. Netflix dominates Camran’s selection, as expected given its nearly $20 …

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Is Peacock the “New Quibi?” Wall Streeters say “Stop! Put a bullet in it!”

Influential Wall Street analysts Lightshed Partners report that NBCUniversal has spent $2.5 Billion on its Peacock streaming service. And what has it got? Peacock subscribers are stuck at around 14 million. There were zero subscriber gains for the recent quarter. Peacock lags far behind its competitors Netflix (221 million subscribers), Disney+ (138 Mn), HBO Max (77 …

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Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


Selling Your Documentary to the Streamers: Opportunities beyond Netflix and the Big 5. Podcast with Wendy Bernfeld

WENDY BERNFELD is a highly respected, veteran executive who has enjoyed industry-leading roles in film, PayTV, SVOD , international co-production and distribution. She is the Founder and Managing Director of the Amsterdam-based RIGHTS STUFF CONSULTANCY. In our absorbing conversation, she shares her detailed, practical knowledge about how to identify and sell to the many platforms …

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Streamers Spend on Music Documentaries. Big Stars. Unique Access. Sky High Budgets. $25 Million for Billy Eilish

You’d have to look hard to find a more compatible pair than the Music documentary and the streaming ecosystem. The genre relies on the celebrity artist and is therefore pre-sold to an intense fan base that crosses borders, delivering on the streamers’ global ambitions. The market leaders can spend big on Music: $25 million by …

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Netflix & the Rise of the Streamers: What do the Charts Say?

Netflix and the streamers share only a sliver of useful data about their viewing audience. However, a steady flow of independent research provides a jigsaw puzzle of insights into the streaming ecosystem. Lots of worthwhile data crossed my desk this month. Here are 12 highlight charts, with just a little commentary. Don’t miss my Desktop …

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Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


How to Pitch Your Documentary & Reality Series to Streamers & Channels. Webinar with Steve Harris, Veteran Exec & Producer. Tues June 28, 10am/Pacific

Steve Harris bursts with inspiring insights into the pitching process. He has a gift for breaking out the key qualities for a successful pitch. As my charismatic, globe-trotting co-presenter, Steve has shared his insider knowledge to grateful producers at WESTDOC (LA), AIDC (Adelaide), Sunny Side (La Rochelle), and more. He draws on his veteran experience …

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True Crime All the Time: Bulk Gives Way to Bespoke

by Ed Hersh. If there’s anyone out there who doesn’t yet believe that the media ecosystem is shifting under our feet, the tumultuous events of the last few weeks at Netflix, Warner/Discovery and CNN certainly should convince you. And nowhere can you see these shifts more clearly than in the still-burgeoning field of True Crime …

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