Why the TV you stream is starting to be different
With ads on streamers, the game just shifted
Television is set to be a lot more commercial again because of, well, commercials.
There was an interesting panel at Content London on Wednesday - “Fundamentals: Show me the money – what content the majors are investing in and why.” It brought on stage several international network and distribution execs.
On the panel they discussed the desire for the buzz du jour phrase of the moment: “returnable dramas.” Which is to say that they are looking for TV shows that encourage people to come back every week, dipping in and out the way we used to watch TV.
They’re also after “shows that have a central character or characters that are really strong,” which seems like a redundant statement to say because surely all narratives chase that, but when Fremantle’s Jens Richter said that, they are really talking about having a truly identifiable lead for a show - like a Dr House, or a Mulder & Scully in The X-Files.
What’s particularly of note is that the introduction of ads means that streaming services are shifting the way they are commissioning - they aren’t after shows for subscription retention as much as they are after big and buzzy shows that drive larger audiences:
“Windowing is back big time,” Richter said, arguing that the walled garden approach of the early streaming days was behind us. And except for Apple, all big players sell ads now. “So, everybody needs mainstream shows that can generate big audiences” and feature them for a limited period, he concluded, meaning this is a time for “commercial, mainstream” programming.
Read more at THR
Australian drama expenditure on the rise
As per Screen Australia’s annual Drama Report, in 2024/25, drama production in Australia reached a record $2.7 billion in expenditure, that’s up 43% from 2023/24 with a $678 million uplift in international production.
There were 174 titles in total, with $1.1 billion expenditure coming from 71 Australian titles, a 14% increase in expenditure from 2023/24.
The overall volume of titles dropped, however, from 89 to 71. So, we are making fewer shows, but like everything, it is just costing more to make them.
News Desk
UK megapodcast The Rest Is Football will stream on Netflix during the 2026 World Cup. Who needs sporting rights? Read: THR
HBO Max’s Sarah Aubrey told international producers that the streamer is seeking international shows with longer episode orders in the style of The Pitt. Read: Deadline
HBO Max will launch in Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein on Jan 13. Read: Variety
HBO Max will launch in the UK and Ireland in March next year. Read: Variety
The BBC has announced a six-part mini-series about The Beatles, Hamburg Days. Read: Variety
Boston Blue and Sheriff Country have both been renewed for second seasons at CBS. Read: Deadline
Billions creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien will write an eight-episode Netflix series about the high-stakes world of Las Vegas casinos. Martin Scorsese will EP. Read: Tudum
The Old Guard star Matthias Schoenaerts has been sentenced to six months in prison following driving offences. Read: Deadline
NBC has cancelled Deal Or No Deal Island. Read: Deadline
Spotify has revealed its list of the most listened to podcasts on platform with Joe Rogan at number one for the fifth year running. Almost half of the top 50 have video versions on Spotify. Read: Variety
Chad Powers has inexplicably been renewed for a second season at Hulu. Read: thefutoncritic
Lauren Graham and creator Amy Sherman-Palladino will be co-writing a Gilmore Girls book about the making of the show. Read: People
Eurphoria will return to HBO for season three (four years after season two) in April 2026. Read: Deadline
Netflix with Ads license restriction
On Netflix there are multiple yuletime log shows, letting people run video of a crackling logfire in the background as they celebrate Christmas festivities.
Yuletime log videos aren’t seasonally appropriate here in Australia, so back in December 2015 just after Netflix launched, it commissioned and released ‘Oscillating Fan For Your Home.’
I believe that it is technically the first original production Netflix invested in locally. There’s some conjecture around it being an investment into kids show Mako Mermaids, but I’d contend that wasn’t a wholly Netflix show.
I got curious about the production the other day and discovered that while it is still on platform, it wasn’t cleared for ad insertion, so it is unavailable to Netflix With Ads subscribers like me.
It’s probably not something that will encourage me to shift to a higher plan.
Trailer Park
Emily in Paris is back for season 5 on Netflix Dec 18.
Australia’s ABC debuts Goolagong on Jan 4 by way of ABC TV and the ABC iPlayer.
Goolagong is based on the inspiring true-life story of world champion tennis player Evonne Goolagong, one of Australia’s most revered sporting heroes. From her Wimbledon debut in 1970, to becoming the first mother to win Wimbledon in the modern era in 1980, Evonne’s story is one of family, love, loss, and an unwavering spirit. In the time of burgeoning black rights and women’s lib, Evonne proved to herself, her people, and the world that she was a true champion.
The Manny returns for season 3 on Netflix Dec 17.
A Thousand Blows returns to Hulu for season 2 Jan 9.
That’s the newsletter for today.
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