Upfronts Archives - Documentary Business

Facebook Unscripted Strategy: From “Video First” to “Video Fumble”

2018 August 9 / Commissioning Process, Documentary TV, Facebook, Internet Economy, Netflix, Producers' Tool Kit, Reality Television, Streaming Video, Unscripted TV, Upfronts

Facebook is fumbling its video strategy. I have argued here that unlike traditional media players like Disney and Discovery, Facebook enjoys the financial scale and margins to throw endless buckets of mud against the wall of its video / social media strategy to see what sticks. That’s despite the hammering that Facebook’s reputation and enterprise value …

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‘The Bible’ 3/3: A Meditation on the Costs of the Signature Docu-drama and Scripted TV Series

2011 June 1 / Commissioning Process, Documentary Production, Producers' Tool Kit, Upfronts

We continue to explore issues raised by the commissioning process for The Bible, a 10-hour docu-drama series from the U.S. History channel In previous posts: Creation Theory #1: History Channel Refreshes a Golden Oldie. Chooses a Promotable, Rock-solid Producer Creation Theory #2: An A+E Networks’ Stakeholder is Eager to Establish a 50%-owned Production Company as a …

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History Refreshes ‘The Bible’. Creation Theory #2

2011 May 31 / Commissioning Process, Documentary Production, Producers' Tool Kit, Upfronts

Last week, History announced The Bible, a five-part, 10-hour docu-drama that explores Biblical stories The series will screen in 2013 According to History’s press release “THE BIBLE series is being produced for HISTORY by Lightworkers Media and Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. “Executive Producers are Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Richard Bedser.” So what is the …

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The Sundance Channel: Redford Fading. The Filters? How Many Green Lights? Which Producers?

2011 May 22 / 'Sweet Spots', Commissioning Process, Network Profile, Upfronts

Where is the Sundance Channel headed after 15 years? Founder Robert Redford is an occasional presence at the channel He’s certainly not gripping the tiller Is there anything left of his vision? A clue: What did Sundance green light at the 2011 Upfronts? Ownership Robert Redford, Universal Studios and Showtime Networks launched the Sundance Channel …

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Preferred Vendors: Multiple Commissions / Multiple Networks. Why?

2010 August 16 / Commissioning Process, Documentary Production, Documentary TV, Producers' Tool Kit, Upfronts

This week, we ask three questions: Which producers are getting the repeat commissions? Who gets commissions from multiple U.S. networks? And why? The Data We created lists of producers who earned commissions for new and returning programs from Discovery Networks, including the digi-nets, as well as AETN and Nat Geo Channels. Our sources were: Upfront press …

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