Netflix plans spending increase
Streaming giant Netflix has announced plans to spend up to $8bn on content in 2018, up from $6bn for this year.
The company’s UK shoots include high-end drama The Crown (pictured), historical feature Outlaw King and an upcoming TV prequel to 80s cult fantasy The Dark Crystal.
Netflix is also working with UK production company Sister Pictures on drama series Giri/Haji (Duty/Shame), which will be shown on BBC One in the UK before launching internationally on Netflix.
The story follows a Tokyo-based detective who travels to Europe to search for his wayward younger brother, who is thought to be hiding among Yakuza gangsters in London.
Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, revealed that the platform wants to release around 80 original films next year, although it’s not yet clear what the balance is planned to be between original productions and licenced content.
“They range anywhere from the million-dollar Sundance hit, all the way up to something on a much larger scale,” said Sarandos, in comments to investors earlier this week.
Netflix’s revenue for the third quarter of this year reached $2.99bn – a 30% increase on the same period in 2016 – with 5.3 million new subscribers having signed up worldwide over the past three months alone.
Image: Netflix
Also on The Knowledge
Pact issues principles for using AI in production
Pact has issued a set of principles for using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in TV and film production, urging members to champion human talent above the technology.
Global Production Awards – entry deadline extended!
The deadline for entries to this year’s Global Production Awards has been extended to 15 March.
UK indie film boosted as government announces 40% tax relief
The UK Government has announced it is to introduce tax relief of 40% for films with budgets of up to £15m, a move welcomed by industry bodies PACT and the BFI.
Global Production Awards – final call for entries!
The deadline to enter this year's Global Production Awards is 8 March, with the ceremony to be held during this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
BBC greenlights 12 new dramas
At a BBC event in London last night (21 February), director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt set out her vision as she confirmed the commission of 12 new dramas across BBC channels.
UK film offices join European sustainable-filming pledge
CineRegio, a network of regional European film funds, has launched a Manifesto for Sustainable Filming, with Film London, Screen Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales among the many signatories.