Docsville

Documentary Business

Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc

True Crime

The True Crime Boom: What’s Hot in 2023?

The True Crime genre boom continues. What kinds of stories do the streamers prefer? Who gets the greenlights? Does your project fit the market? With seventeen projects from Hulu, Netflix, Max, Showtime, Peacock and ID, we continue Camran Shealy‘s survey of the genre. Previous True Crime Posts Part 1 includes The Tinder Swindler.  Part 2 …

The True Crime Boom: What’s Hot in 2023? Read More »

Reelz Explodes into the Top-Tier of U.S. Networks. How They Did It! A Pact Webinar

Reelz is currently the most-watched U.S. entertainment network on Fridays and Saturdays. It has not just grown, but exploded into a top-tier service — and in a matter of weeks! Veteran programming executive and respected senior consultant Dan Salerno continues his unique, deeply-researched strategic analysis of U.S. network schedules. How does the success of On …

Reelz Explodes into the Top-Tier of U.S. Networks. How They Did It! A Pact Webinar Read More »

Juan Carlos I: Downfall of a King. Interview with Producer Christian Beetz

Christian Beetz reveals in this interview and in our detailed case study how Berlin-based Gebrueder Beetz developed, funded and delivered his €2.5 Mn, 4-part docu-series that sheds new light on the former King’s notorious personal life and dramatic abdication. Watch here (20 min)   Read our Case Study Juan Carlos I: Money, Sex, Power and …

Juan Carlos I: Downfall of a King. Interview with Producer Christian Beetz Read More »

Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


Juan Carlos I: Money, Sex, Power and the Downfall of a King. Case Study of a €2.5 Mn Docu-series

King Juan Carlos I was a Spanish hero. He was celebrated around the world for helping Spain transition from Franco-era fascism to a modern democracy. And then, a series of financial scandals and salacious allegations forced Juan Carlos to abdicate in 2014. Christian Beetz reveals how his 4-part documentary series sheds new light on the …

Juan Carlos I: Money, Sex, Power and the Downfall of a King. Case Study of a €2.5 Mn Docu-series Read More »

True Crime Boom: “Sex, Lies…” and the Latest Commissions & Acquisitions

With Peacock’s Sex, Lies and the College Cult and Netflix’s Madoff we continue our coverage of the booming True Crime genre. Here below is Part 3 of Camran Shealy’s snapshot survey of 20+ recently announced or released projects. More: Part 1 includes The Tinder Swindler.  Part 2 leads with Worst Roommate Ever. In my Pact …

True Crime Boom: “Sex, Lies…” and the Latest Commissions & Acquisitions Read More »

Shedding Light on the Business of the Documentary Business. 2022 Report Card. Mission for 2023

My unchanging editorial goals since launching my Documentary Business newsletter in 2011 are to: Capture in a few words how the ever-evolving unscripted ecosystem shapes opportunities for industry veterans and rookies alike, and Publish detailed Case Studies that reveal how productions that aren’t by award-winning A-listers are developed, funded and ultimately delivered to grateful audiences. …

Shedding Light on the Business of the Documentary Business. 2022 Report Card. Mission for 2023 Read More »

Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


New Industry Trends series with Pact kicks off with Ed Hersh’s exploration of the True Crime boom

Pact UK press release, December 2022. Pact has teamed up with Documentary Business‘ Peter Hamilton to present Industry Trends, a new Pact Growth Accelerator series exploring key industry trends in handy bite-sized chunks. The first episode, which is now live, shines a spotlight on the True Crime boom and features StoryCentric Founder Ed Hersh, who …

New Industry Trends series with Pact kicks off with Ed Hersh’s exploration of the True Crime boom Read More »

Resilience Rules at World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, 2022. Impressions by Indie Producer Ruth Berry

By Ruth Berry Six hundred eighty-four producers, broadcasters and content makers filled the cavernous (but warm) hall of Glasgow’s Scottish Events Campus for the 30th anniversary of WCSFP hosted by BBC Studios Scotland. Over 30% of the delegates were newcomers. It was always going to be special. After a three-year hiatus, contact was craved, masks …

Resilience Rules at World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, 2022. Impressions by Indie Producer Ruth Berry Read More »