Netflix keen to remain BBC co-producer
Netflix has reiterated that it wants to continue working as a co-producer with the BBC, rather than being perceived as a competitor.
The streaming giant has co-produced with the BBC several times and wants to pursue a similar relationship on future projects, while also “competing fairly” with traditional broadcasters, according to a Broadcast report.
“I want to make sure they know we’re a good partner for them, as a licensor of their content, as a co-producer,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, addressing the BBC’s Media Show. “But I also want to make sure we’re a good partner when we compete.”
Sarandos related the notion of being a “good partner” to Netflix’s recent high-end wildlife documentary Our Planet, which was narrated by David Attenborough and involved several key crew with experience of working on BBC documentaries, but did not involve the corporation.
“There are certain things that are more valuable to us around the world than they are to the BBC,” said Sarandos. “If we were able to outbid for something, it’s because it has outsize value to us.”
International production companies continue to seek UK firms as co-production partners, often encouraged by the high-end TV series emerging from Britain.
Cable channel Epix is a co-producer on Julian Fellowes’ new period drama Belgravia and earlier this year UK involvement was being sought for a major new documentary series provisionally entitled Understanding China.
Also on The Knowledge
Studios Spotlight – Behind the scenes at The Bottle Yard Studios
The latest spotlight in our Studios series shines on Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV studio in the west of England.
Ralph Fiennes, Jim Broadbent to film Alan Bennett feature in Yorkshire
A new film that reunites Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner will shoot in Yorkshire this May.
James Norton leads starry cast on period drama King & Conqueror
Filming is underway in Iceland on UK period drama King & Conqueror, starring James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Saoirse Ronan begins filming Bad Apples
Filming is due to get underway this week (w/c 18 March) on Bad Apples, a satirical thriller starring Saoirse Ronan.
Martin Compston, Anjli Mohindra film thriller in Glasgow for Prime Video
Filming is underway in Glasgow on Fear, a new, three-part thriller for Prime Video.
Netflix UK agrees writers remuneration deal
Netflix UK has reached a landmark remuneration agreement with the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and agency body the Personal Managers Association (PMA) for writers on live-action scripted series, Broadcast reports.