In The Frame – November ’16

Tom Pammenter Published: 30.11.2016 Industry news

Connected-TV service YouView has announced an upgrade of its platform including what it describes as a “slicker and faster new interface” for its 2.5 million customers. YouView will move to the cloud, enabling personalised viewing experiences, features to be added and updated continually, and a deeper understanding of how viewers use the service (Frame 25 looked at similar developments in a recent post about the Internet of Things).

EE becomes the first UK TV platform to offer ‘Watch with Twitter’ functionality having partnered with the social network. Subscribers will be able to discover and watch, in real time, shows which are trending, which will be highlighted in EE’s EPG and interface, while in the programme view, official hashtags of major shows are included.

EE is also withdrawing 41 channels from the TVPlayer and Box Plus apps and integrating them directly into the EPG (viewing some TVPlayer channels will require a subscription). Also, reality TV streaming service Hayu has been introduced on EE TV in app form.

Research by Ovum, an independent analyst and consultancy firm, suggests that Netflix’s current business model is unsustainable. In a critical report on the streaming company, Ovum said: “Netflix’s current business model burns massive and increasing amounts of cash, which we think is not sustainable.” Netflix are reported to be raising additional $1 billion to spend on content, as its annual programming spend approaches $6 billion.

Amazon has held talks with US sports leagues including the NBA, MLB, NFL and MLS on acquiring live rights. The Seattle-based company has also looked at less prominent sporting competitions – such as the Mexican football and Russian hockey leagues – as potential sources of content, while Indian Premier League cricket is also being discussed.

BBC News

Staying with sport, BBC3 is to go behind the scenes of Premier League club Watford in a four-part series that’ll also be shown on BBC TV, while the corporation has signed a deal with the All England Club to broadcast the Wimbledon tennis championships until at least 2024, which extends their partnership by four years.

The BBC is to go global with a new radio service which director general Tony Hall describes as a “Netflix of the spoken word”. The service is intended to showcase the BBC’s radio archives more effectively and the corporation will attempt to replicate the success of the iPlayer.

Twelve months ago, Frame 25 highlighted news of the BBC’s agreement to take on the cost of providing over-75s with free television licences – approximately £650 million – which are currently funded by the government. Now, though, a cross-party group of MPs want the government to reverse the decision.

BBC Studios could soon become a commercial unit but Bectu, the broadcast industry’s biggest and most influential union, warns that costs of programming will rise as a result, saying in a detailed statement that “it seems inevitable that…programming costs to the BBC will increase”.

And finally…

Sky has boosted its support of women’s sport with a four-year deal guaranteeing every live netball match it broadcasts will be made available on Sky Sports Mix.
It’s emerged that Samsung has been selling smart TVs without all the necessary software in place, meaning that sets don’t have the relevant BBC licence to allow people to watch the iPlayer or use other popular catch-up apps.
Like the idea of writing for the screen? A Screenwriting Goldmine contest is looking for new writers. Similarly, Creative Skillset’s Series Producer Programme returns for a second year, looking for the next generation of TV execs.
The shortlist for the Broadcast Awards 2017 has been announced.
ITV wants producers to bring it the next You’ve Been Framed or Family Fortunes for what the network describes as the “white heat” of Saturday night primetime entertainment.
Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller Bridge is writing and fronting a spy drama for US network BBC America.