Greenlights and awards are buzzy for Wildlife

The Wildlife genre is enjoying a hot streak that can be measured by an expanding pipeline of commissions and prestigious awards.

MY OCTOPUS TEACHER swam away with the PGA 2021 Documentary Award, and is a buzzy competitor for the Oscar.

As well as the intimate Human/Animal connection found in OCTOPUS, recent greenlights cover pure Blue Chip Natural History from BBC Bristol and its spinoffs and competitors, and celebrity-hosted series.

Buyers range from Netflix and the big streamers to broadcasters who are re-entering the wildlife space.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2021 will feature a dedicated “Wildlife Conservation” pitching session next June. The submission deadline is set for April 22.

Read the updated Sunny Side / Doc Business New Roundup blast here.

Angela Bassett with Malika the Lion Queen for Plimsoll and Fox

Angela Bassett narrates Fox’s wildlife special from Plimsoll Productions // Deadline

Fox partners with Germany’s ARD for Natural History series // TBI

Discovery and Ellen Degeneres team up for multi-year deal // RealScreen

PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS

HBO Documentary Films and Spike Lee team up for NYC project // RealScreen

Two films give new insight into the assassination of MLK // Consortium News

A&E Upfront slate includes Janet Jackso n doc // RealScreen

Pres. Erdogen reveals murder of Khashoggi in The Dissident // Guardian

Khashoggi doc and Palestinian feature nominated for BAFTAs // Middle East Eye

SEASPIRACY: Netflix doc accused of misrepresentation // Guardian

New York Times expands its doc reviews in the Golden Age of the Documentary:

PBS’s portrait of Twyla Tharp
Demi Lovato is brutally honest
Nat Geo’s “Genius” explores Aretha‘s life

NETFLIX & THE STREAMERS

Legislate Netflix & Amazon to share viewing data // Deadline

Aussie entertainment industry pushes for a 20% local content quota // The Age

“Downloads For You” sends content to Netflix users’ mobile devices // VideoNuze

Amazon Prime France reveals new original series // C21Media

ViacomCBS to raise $3 Bn to bolster Paramount+ streaming service // World Screen

Netflix changes release format of unscripted programs // THR

Cord-cutting is the worst it’s ever been // Rapid TV News

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on diversity efforts and more // KCRW podcast

TRENDS

Oprah interview with Meghan & Harry recharges the prime-time interview genre // NYT

Celebrity documentaries sway public opinion // Washington Post

A-List actors starring in documentaries // Washington Post

WORTH READING!!

What is the carbon footprint of Netflix and the streamers? // Wired

BBC 3 moves back to linear // TV Europe

Sundance Institute creates funds for BIPOC artists // RealScreen\

Director sues A+E for censoring his Nixon documentary // NYT

Monthly News Roundup, Sunny Side of the Doc