Paramount Global has big international expansion plans. Coinciding with the launch of streamer Paramount+ in the UK, the company announced plans for 150 new series to be produced outside of the US within the next three years. This includes projects from Germany (The Sheikh, A Thin Line), Italy (Circeo, Murder of God’s Banker), France (MASK: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer) and Mexico (First Lady of Sinaloa, One Must Die).

Paramount+ to Order 150 Int’l Originals by 2025, Unveils New Slate
The streamer is investing in original content sourced from such markets as Germany, France and Mexico.
The Hollywood ReporterGeorg Szalai

Will more international TV impact upon the Emmys?

In a post-Squid Game, post-Parasite world, The Hollywood Reporter today asks if the increase of investment by US companies in international productions will see an increase of foreign language titles nominated for Emmy Awards?

I'm skeptical purely because voters do tend to be a bit self-interested in their vote and are more likely to vote for productions that have given their local industry work. But, that win for Parasite did happen...

Non-English Content Has a Bigger Shot Than Ever at This Year’s Emmys
With American networks and streamers developing non-English-language series, this year’s Primetime Emmys could feature more shows from across the globe.
The Hollywood ReporterTyler Coates

Paramount+ says no to censoring the past

Two thoughts about Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish's claim that they won't censor programs from the past on its streaming services. First thought: past culture is textually interesting and we shouldn't be smoothing over all of our bumps in order to meet a current set of standards (even if I am fully here for the conversation about the perceived need to be entertained in modern days by our ill-informed entertainment of the past). I have a second thought, but first, Mr Bakish:

Bob Bakish, Paramount’s CEO, said his company had thousands of shows in its back catalogue. “By definition, you have some things that were made in a different time and reflect different sensibilities,” he said. “I don’t believe in censoring art that was made historically, that’s probably a mistake. It’s all on demand – you don’t have to watch anything you don’t want to.”

Streaming companies have struggled with how to adapt to modern cultural expectations when it comes to archive shows, with BritBox and the BBC’s iPlayer among those removing content that is no longer deemed appropriate for modern tastes.

My second thought is that this is very convenient for a streaming platform that seems like, new content spend aside, is run incredibly cheaply. Reviewing and editing older content is an expense that I am certain Mr Bakish is happy to avoid.

Paramount: we won’t remove content from eras with ‘different sensibilities’
Boss of media company says it would be a mistake to censor art because it may offend some people today
The GuardianJim Waterson

Harrison Ford & Helen Mirren's Yellowstone show experiences a loss

The Paramount+ Yellowstone prequel series 1932 starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren is set to debut this coming December. But when it does, there will be something pretty significant missing: nine years. That's right, the show you barely knew as 1932 will now be titled 1923. One suspects that this means a change in the year that the show is set. But who knows, maybe they just moved down the street.

After “1883,” which followed Dutton family members as they moved across the country to Montana during the 19th century, “1923” will tell the story of a new generation as they continue to build the Dutton Ranch. As previously announced, the show will still address droughts, famine, cattle theft, and the end of Prohibition in Montana. The new timeline also allows the show to overlap with the end of World War I.
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s ‘Yellowstone’ Prequel ‘1932’ Is Now ‘1923’ — More Details on New Series
The series is still set to premiere on Paramount+ this December.
IndieWireChristian Zilko
  • CBC comedy Workin' Moms (which you probably watch on Netflix) will conclude with season 7. Read: Twitter
  • Marvel's Kevin Feige reckons the next Marvel saga will be clear once this current crop of Phase 4 films finish. Read: Variety
  • Dana Dalany will join the Sylvester Stallone show Tulsa King. Read: Variety
  • Another round of layoffs are expected at Netflix this week. Read: Variety
  • Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo will star in Criminal Report for Apple TV+. Read: THR
  • A third Doctor Who film was planned in the 60s that would have involved a 'Young Doctor' and an 'Old Doctor'. Keep in mind, this was years before The Exorcist hit cinemas, so it's really a fairly revolutionary concept. Read: Radio Times
  • I don't quite understand the value in moving Australian multicultural broadcaster SBS from Artarmon, but I do see the value in it being in Cantebury-Bankstown. I just wish that had happened while I worked there to cut down on my then-commute. Read: TV Tonight

Corner Gas season 4 debuts July 5 on FreeVee.

Season 3 of Sintonia debuts on Netflix July 13.

That's it. We are done for today. But tomorrow is another day, I'm told.