As a media enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I find myself intrigued by the evolving landscape of television series across different regions. The South Series buzz titles for 2024 have certainly piqued my interest, especially given the UK’s dominance in scripted content.
At the 2nd South International Series Festival held in Cadiz on Thursday, the second series produced under a first-look TV deal between CBS Studios and Berlin-based Syrreal Entertainment, titled “Oderbruch,” was victorious, winning the award for the best fictional series.
In the first person:
Another major victor in the scripted category was “Joan,” distributed by All3International, which won both the Audience Award and the Best Screenplay accolade. The series features Sophie Turner, who is captivating in her role as a skilled jewel thief in The CW’s nail-biting and riveting drama, according to EbMaster’s review.
As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for the outstanding non-fiction series, “On Thin Ice: Putin vs. Greenpeace.” This gripping narrative unfolds the daring actions of Greenpeace in their valiant protest against Russia’s Arctic drilling operations. The Guardian aptly described it as an “awe-inspiring, indelible real-life saga.
Banijay Entertainment’s production titled ‘Alive: The Andes Plane Disaster’ received the South Series non-fiction Audience Award for its compelling three-part documentary series. This series recounted the story of the infamous 1972 Chilean air crash, focusing on the perspectives of the survivors.
The South Series concluded in a subdued manner, as the closing night celebration and red carpet events featuring stars were called off out of respect for the approximately 95 individuals who tragically lost their lives due to flash floods on Wednesday in eastern Spain.
South Series director Joan Álvarez mentioned during the award ceremony that he would share his thoughts, or conclusions, at a later date.
Prior to the heavy downpour that struck Cadiz, the MediaSet España South Series had already made significant strides, boosting its reputation as Spain’s top television festival through its impressive roster of shows and its conference segment focused on the industry.
Six takeaways from the second edition:
Crime Wins the Day at South Series
Approximately 39% of scripted series orders for 2024 in Western Europe are crime and thrillers, which account for 47% of Netflix and Amazon’s first-run scripted orders this year. To make a mark, blending genres could be an effective strategy. For instance, “Oderbruch,” produced by CBS Studios, combines procedural and fantasy elements in a gripping manner. The series revolves around murders linked to an ancient legend of the “Great Hunter” in a suspenseful thriller where past events have profound personal, historical, and supernatural implications. On the other hand, “Joan,” set in the 1980s, is a fast-paced crime drama that delves into themes of opportunity, motherhood, and the risks we take to pursue our desired lives. As for Magical Society producer JJ Lousberg, he highlighted the growing complexity of police characters at a South Series panel, suggesting that crime continues to be a successful genre.
Europe’s Public Broadcasters Turn to VOD…
The German television series “Oderbruch” is also produced by ARD, one of Europe’s largest TV companies, alongside the German public broadcaster. This company has been increasingly daring in its choices, backing award-winning productions like Canneseries winner “The Zweiflers” and now “Mozart/Mozart,” a series with a loud poppy soundtrack. This production is available on ARD Mediathek, the network’s Video On Demand (VOD) service, which is the second most popular VOD service in Germany, after YouTube. By premiering “Oderbruch” on January 19, ARD Mediathek has ventured into the horror genre within a controlled subscriber environment, attracting seven million views in its first ten days. This represents a bold branding move and an attempt to cater to younger audiences.
…While SVOD Operators Tap Iconic Broadcast Network Shows
Without a shadow of a doubt, the most significant announcement made at South Series was the renewal agreement for Seasons 16 and 17. This contract was sealed between Spain’s Amazon Prime Video and the Mediterráneo division of Mediaset España Group.
La Que Se Avecina,” a long-running comedy series set in an apartment building community that draws heavily on Spanish tradition of sainete comic sketches dating back to the 1880s, has become a cultural icon and one of Mediaset España’s most valuable assets. Ghislain Barrois, head of Mediterráneo, recently previewed “La Favorita 1922,” an exquisite period drama-comedy from “Cable Girls” producer Bambú Producciones, which will soon be available on free TV as well. As more pay TV networks offer free shows, free TV is now producing titles with premium production quality.
South Series Buzz Titles
All major award winners had fans. South Series began with a bang, opening with “La Vida Breve,” from on-the-rise creators Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor whose ensemble, led by highly-regarded Javier Gutiérrez (“Below Zero”) and Leonor Watling (“Talk to Her”) scooped best cast. Also well received was France’s “Sea Shadows” (“Rivages”), the story created by Monica Rattazzi and Jonathan Rio of a broken family and broken natural world, wrapped in a sci-fi eco thriller set in Fécamp, a fishing port in Normandy. South Boost projects competition was won by Rocío Sepúleveda’s thriller “La Roca,” “a kind of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ set in 1960s Gibraltar,” Sepúlveda said.
The U.K. Reigns in Scripted
Approximately half of the main fiction section in the South Series, which includes “Nautilus,” “This Town,” and “Joan,” are British productions. Notably, three out of four major winners in this series are also British, with significant support from U.K. companies such as All3Media Intl., Banijay Entertainment, and ITV. This trend mirrors a broader picture. In 2023, both Banijay and Fremantle reported higher revenues than Disney, who were affected by a strike, according to Omdia. Furthermore, in 2024’s top four Netflix series, as confirmed by their September data release, three were British productions: “Fool Me Once,” “Baby Reindeer,” and “The Gentleman.” At present, the U.K.’s dominance, bolstered by its English language and Europe’s largest TV industry, can be seen as a formidable force. However, it’s important to remember that Hollywood will eventually reassert itself in the global entertainment landscape. For now, we might say that the British are calling the shots.
Successful Series: Is There a Magic Formula?
During a major industry discussion at South Series, Fremantle’s Al Aizpuru, Atresmedia’s José Antonio Salso, Xavier Marchand from Moon River Content in the UK, and JJ Lousberg shared insights on how to captivate commissioners and broader audiences. Instead of dismissing the concept of a formula, they offered various strategies. “The market seems to prefer less risk, such as well-known intellectual properties or stars,” stated Lousberg. “Currently, audiences are drawn towards more optimistic settings, some form of escapism,” Aizpuru observed. “When meeting commissioners, there’s a focus on appealing to the 18-35 age group, which is undoubtedly the audience of tomorrow and a segment we must connect with through stories that resonate with them,” Marchand noted. “American series often have lots of action. In Europe, particularly in Spain, we have compelling narratives aimed at stirring emotions in audiences, which is crucial for a successful season,” Salso concluded.
Cadiz’s South Intl. Series Festival ran Oct. 24-31.
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2024-11-01 22:47