C21Podcast

SERIES MANIA: From Lille, as HBO Max rolls out in the UK, we hear from head of original programming Sarah Aubrey about Paramount Skydance's commitment to the streamer and its upcoming Harry Potter TV series [18:40]; plus the teams behind new Swedish legal thriller Burden of Justice [38:59] and Belgian dystopian drama The Best Immigrant [48:09] give the inside line on these hot new shows.

From Content India in Mumbai, Warner Bros Discovery's Arjun Nohwar [02:44], Big Light Productions' Frank Spotnitz [06:18], All3Media's Sabrina Duguet [14:07], Prime Video's Shilangi Mukherji, Banijay's Deepak Dhar, Times TV's Ashish Sehgal and Reliance Jio's Anuj Gandhi [22:04] discuss the opportunities and challenges within the Indian TV business and its growing significance on the international stage.

Velvet Hammer Media's Jennifer O'Connell and Rebecca Quinn on new Netflix dating show Age of Attraction and Paramount Skydance's Warner Bros Discovery buy-out [02:16]; Bell Media's Justin Stockman on Heated Rivalry's success [22:22] and Boat Rocker Studios' Jon Rutherford on the halo effect for Canadian TV [28:52]; TGC Global Entertainment's Phil Gurin on the present state of international TV distribution [43:58].

C21's Jordan Pinto reflects on the merger of Banijay and All3Media [02:10] and Paramount Skydance's surprise acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery after Netflix walked away [13:10]; and, to mark International Women's Day 2026, Wonder Women's Ria Hebden, Channel 5's Debbie Ramsay and Banijay's Carlotta Rossi Spencer discuss the issues facing women in the TV industry today [37:44].

LONDON TV SCREENINGS: Banijay Rights' Cathy Payne [02:42], All3Media International's Louise Pedersen [21:28], Fremantle's Jens Richter [48:54] and ITV Studios' Tom Clark [33:02] discuss the multitude of mergers hanging over this year's event – not least that of two of its co-founders – plus other changes sweeping the distribution business post-peak TV.

DCD Rights' Nicky Davies Williams, APC Studios' Emmanuelle Guilbart, BossaNova Media's Claire Runham and TVF International's Sam Joyce look ahead to this year's London TV Screenings and discuss how the latest wave of consolidation sweeping the industry is likely to change the landscape, not least the potential merger of event co-founders Banijay and All3Media.

Drama Quarterly editor Michael Pickard looks ahead to Berlinale Series Market 2026 [02:32]; Wood Water Films' Arto Sebastian on the present state of German TV drama and new series House of Yang [11:33]; Oleksandr Schchur and Maksym Isayev on going from comedy to Ukrainian 'Fauda meets Narcos' four years on from Russia's invasion of the country [27:20].

Intuitive Content's Patrick Weiland, Black Watch Entertainment's Meghan Duffy, Cineflix Productions' JC Mills and Hot Snakes Media's Eric Evangelista discuss the state of the US unscripted market and what the sale of Warner Bros Discovery will mean [02:44]; TelevisaUnivision's Rafael Urbina reveals how leading Spanish-language streamer ViX is moving from melodrama to microdrama [32:33].

From Content Americas in Miami, Cineverse's Erick Opeka on why the company is backing microdrama start-up MicroCo and strategies for reaching Gen Z audiences [02:28]; 3Pas Studios' Ben Odell, COL's Fiona Li, Telemundo Studios' Juan Ponce and Sonoro Global's Alex González on building programme brands and leveraging IP in the New Content Economy [25:43].

CONTENT AMERICAS: Wild Sheep Content's Erik Barmack, 3Pas Studios' Leo Zimbrón, Conspiraçao Filmes' Tereza Gonzalez, NBCUniversal Telemundo's Monica Albuquerque on coproducing with Ibero-America [02:30]; NBCUniversal's Hannah Mabruk, Banijay's Lucas Green, ITV Studios' Mike Beale and Dori Media Group's Nadav Palti on adapting to tightening budgets and attention spans [38:41].

CONTENT AMERICAS: C21 editor-in-chief AND managing director David Jenkinson, Cveintiuno co-editors Pina Mezzera and Gonzalo Larrea and North American editor Jordan Pinto look ahead to Content Americas 2026 and reflect on the latest developments with Warner Bros Discovery and Banijay and All3Media [02:26]; while Rose d'Or Latinos jury co-chair Pierluigi Gazzolo gives his perspective and previews this year's awards [25:56].

C21 North American editor Jordan Pinto on the latest developments in the sale of Warner Bros Discovery, plus Disney's mega deal with Open AI [02:00]; Drama Quarterly editor Michael Pickard shares his hot picks for 2026 [29:22]; and C21 editor-in-chief AND managing director David Jenkinson and Allied Global Marketing chief strategy officer Adam Cunningham give their perspectives on the year ahead [45:28].

All3Media's Jane Turton, Fox Television Network's Michael Thorn, EbonyLife Group's Mo Abudu, Banijay UK's Patrick Holland and Hearst Networks' Heather Jones discuss the key trends, challenges and opportunities defining the global content business heading into 2026 [02:45]; and BBC Studios Productions CEO and chief creative officer Zai Bennett spells out his international strategy [41:39].

Former ABC and Showtime chief Jana Winograde details the launch of new venture MicroCo and its plans to take a slice of the burgeoning microdrama market [01:58]; Expectation's Peter Fincham and Hat Trick's Jimmy Mulville on the state of the UK's independent production sector [21:42]; and Zandland's Ben Zand on digital-first documentary-making and his predictions for 2026 [41:32].

CONTENT LONDON: RedBird IMI's Jeff Zucker on the present wave of industry consolidation and how he sees media and entertainment over the next few years [02:38]; HBO Max's Sarah Aubrey on the Warner Bros Discovery-owned streamer's programming needs and European roll-out [25:40]; Disney's Eric Schrier on the Mouse House's plans to ramp up its overseas content investment and partnerships [41:21].

C21 editor-in-chief AND managing director David Jenkinson and group programming director Ruth Palmer on what's in store next week at world-leading development market, conference and screenings event Content London [03:12]; Rose d'Or Awards chair Mark Rowland teases this year's prestigious ceremony [21:53]; and Eline Van der Velden, creator of Tilly Norwood, on what's next for the AI actress and from her company Particle6 [29:34].

BBC Studios' Jasmine Dawson on how the UK pubcaster's commercial arm is evolving its YouTube strategy as the TV industry and creator economy increasingly come together [03:12]; After Party Studios' Joshua Barnett on building digital-first formats with the likes of The Sidemen and Nella Rose [22:15]; and Banijay NXT's Naique Tanate on the company's recent investment in an influencer-led professional football team [36:12].

C21's Mark Rowland, Jordan Pinto and Nico Franks on the resignation of BBC boss Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness over a deceptive edit of Donald Trump's January 6 Capitol rally speech, the implications for the international TV business and those now in the frame for the top BBC job [02:00]; and former Discovery Networks head of originals Ed Sayer on his new venture Legend Entertainment [22:30].

Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady on new, steamy ice hockey romance Heated Rivalry for Canada's Crave [01:56]; Bell Media's Sean Cohan on his strategy two years into the job and the broader North American TV market [20:25]; Universal International Studios' Margaret Schatzel and Carnival Films' Nigel Marchant on new Sarah Snook drama All Her Fault for Peacock and Sky's Now TV [40:07].

With Nvidia becoming the first US$5tn company, Australia quashing AI copyright exemptions and Hollywood still reeling from Tilly Norwood, we hear from Protege's Dave Davis [04:21], Luma AI's Verena Puhm [15:04] and Gennie's Tejas Shah and Chelsea Durgin [30:30] about the latest developments in this fast-moving space, from swirling legal battles to the realities of industry uptake.

Sean Atkins on Dhar Mann Studios' plans to build on its lead in the scripted digital content space and how the creator economy and traditional TV are merging [02:09]; Electric Entertainment's Dean Devlin on the firm's recent US$20m raise and industry consoliation [26:21]; Infinite Studios' Adrienne Lahens and Mehmet Bal on working with Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary's Revelations Entertainment and the furore around AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood [36:00].

In part two of our Mipcom 2025 special from Cannes, we hear from Fox Entertainment's Rob Wade about investing in vertical entertainment specialist Holywater [01:01]; Mattel Studios' Robbie Brenner on building on Barbie's success [13:05]; Studio Lambert's Stephen Lambert on what's next after The Traitors and Squid Game - The Challenge [28:22]; ITV Studios' Ruth Berry on working with YouTube [44:18]; and Banijay's Johannes Jensen on the challenges in scripted right now [53:45].

MIPCOM: From Cannes, Boston Blue stars Donnie Wahlberg and Sonequa Martin-Green give the lowdown on their new CBS cop drama [02:22]; Ferrari legend Luca Montezemolo and director Manish Pandey discuss their new feature documentary Seeing Red about the Italian icon's life [20:12]; and Mackenzie Crook and Gill Isles talk teaming up again after Dectorists for new BBC comedy Small Prophets [43:03].

C21's Clive Whittingham, Jordan Pinto and Karolina Kaminska look ahead to Mipcom and MipJunior 2025 [01:44]; outgoing Frapa chair Phil Gurin reflects on receiving the International Format Awards Gold Award and more [26:10]; BBC Studios' Sumi Connock embraces AI [45:04]; and scribe Dennis Kelly on penning Waiting for the Out for Sister and the BBC [58:06].

As YouTube's influence on the TV industry grows, with its impact keenest on children's media and entertainment, the BBC's Patricia Hidalgo [02:32], Cake Distribution's Dominic Gardiner [12:54], JAM Media's John Rice [26:54] and 9 Story Media Group's Alix Wiseman [39:28] discuss the challenges and opportunities in dealing with the world's biggest video platform.

After ABC pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live but then enraged US president Donald Trump by reinstating him, C21's Jordan Pinto discusses the ramifications [02:26]; Hera Pictures' Liza Marshall and Charlotte Webber on new ITV drama I Fought the Law [19:50]; and MultiChoice's Nomsa Philiso on what Canal+'s takeover means for the African media giant [38:20].

As K-Pop Demon Hunters becomes Netflix's most popular movie of all time and YouTube increasingly steals younger audiences from TV, the UK government is exploring what can be done to help UK animation fight back. Aardman's Sean Clarke, Blue Zoo's Oli Hyatt, Wild Child Animation's Sueann Rochester, Jam Media's Richard Gordon and Locksmith Animation's Britt Gardiner discuss.

From C21's Content Canada, Fox Entertainment Global president Prentiss Fraser details her growth strategy and sense of the international TV business right now [02:25]; Blink49 Studios' Adam Steinman, ITV Studios' Mike Beale, Fremantle's Michela Di Mondo and Fifth Season's Ava Knight discuss the dynamics shaping the present content funding landscape [21:00].

From C21's Content Canada, Blue Ant Media's Michael MacMillan discusses the company's recent move to go public via a reverse takeover of Boat Rocker Studios and the state of the international TV business right now [02:27]; Amazon MGM Studios' Brent Haynes, Corus Entertainment's Rachel Nelson and Bell Media Carlyn Klebuc spell out their commissioning priorities and coproduction opportunities [24:04].

Former BBC One controller, ITV director of television and co-founder of independent producer Expectation, Peter Fincham [01:02], and Red Planet Pictures co-CEO Alex Jones and executive producer Tim Key [20:02] discuss The Chelsea Detective, Death in Paradise and the growing appeal of 'cosy crime' as C21 investigates the genre.

Sunder Aaron [01:46] from Locomotive Global – producer of Netflix India Ray Donovan remake Rana Naidu – and Kalpana Malviya [12:11] of Rarefied Studio, discuss the Indian marketplace and US$6bn content opportunity it presents; while Pernel Media's Samuel Kissous [24:51] details how recent 5/Canal+ drama The Au Pair was put together and explores current programme financing.

After CBS cancels The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as parent Paramount Global seeks approval for its US$8bn Skydance merger, C21's Jordan Pinto dissects the story [02:26]; and Mix Tape exec producer Marc Lorber reveals the intricacies of financing the Irish-Australian drama and broader funding opportunities in the present economic environment [18:40].

Ampere principal analyst Rahul Patel [01:24], Hallmark chief marketing officer Darren Abbott [07:58] and Happy Accidents senior VP of international sales Louise Oliver [24:57] prepare for the festive season as C21investigates Why Christmas begins in July for the TV industry, exploring the latest trends shaping holiday programming and feelgood TV movies.

Children's Media Conference editorial director Greg Childs reacts to news of a UK inquiry into kids' TV in the era of YouTube [01:52]; Plimsoll's Karen Plumb and Andrea Jackson talk ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters [14:42]; and SkyShowtime's Monty Sarhan and Edyta Pytlewska-Mele detail the streamer's content strategy [29:56].

Director and exec producer Jack Bender, creator and exec producer Benjamin Cavell and MGM+ chief Michael Wright discuss new Stephen King thriller The Institute [01:38]; and Uzo Oleh, writer and director of Beth, reflects on making Channel 4's first digital original drama commissioned for YouTube and its own linear and streaming channels in the UK [29:10].

As news of Off the Fence going bankrupt sends tremors through the documentary sector and speculation over PBS's future continues, C21's Clive Whittingham speaks with Sunny Side of the Doc director Aurélie Reman [19:54], France Télévisions' Caroline Behar [29:55] and ITV Studios' Cecilie Olsen [39:45] in La Rochelle and contrasts the event with last week's Sheffield DocFest.

MCTV: From the Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco, Scott Free Productions' David W Zucker [15:00] and exec producer Rola Bauer [31:30] discuss their latest series and perspectives on the present state of the industry; and actresses Famke Janssen [42:00] and Sarah Rafferty [53:00] reflect on their careers to date, how the decisions they made shaped these and their current projects.

C21's Jordan Pinto reports from the Banff World Media Festival on renewed optimism in the Canadian TV industry [01:36]; screenwriter Samantha Strauss on her Netflix dramas Apple Cider Vinegar and Grown Ups [20:12]; and Łukasz Kłuskiewicz, director of film and content acquisitions for Netflix in Central and Eastern Europe, details the streamer's content strategy across the region [39:20].

CONTENT WARSAW: As Content Warsaw 2025 wraps in the Polish capital, C21's Ed Waller and Neil Batey discuss the topics top of mind for execs at this year's event and give their perspective on the issues shaping the Central and Eastern European TV market right now [01:12]; while Warner Bros Discovery Poland's Dorota Eberhardt and Bogumił Lipski share their views on the return of the HBO Max brand and their programming strategy [17:46].

With Poker Face returning on Peacock, creator Rian Johnson discusses the case-of-the-week crime drama and collaborating with star Natasha Lyonne [01:39]; Spotter president Nic Paul on working with Dude Perfect and Mr Beast to help build the creator economy [18:32]; former ITV Studios exec Pascal Dalton shines a spotlight on new formats venture Shimmer Media [39:28].

LA SCREENINGS: C21's Jordan Pinto and Cveintiuno's Pina Mezzera deliver their verdict on this year's event [02:37], while former Channel 4 acquisitions and coproductions consultant Crispin Leyser offers his analysis [20:57], and Lisa Kramer details Paramount Global's slate and her take on shifting buyer-seller dynamics [41:24].

LA SCREENINGS: C21's Jordan Pinto [02:16] and Parrot Analytics' Alex Cameron [16:40] preview this year's event, discuss US programming trends, buzzworthy new titles, and shifting market dynamics; while buyers Sofie Schütt from TV4 Media [26:22], HBO Max's Ragnhild Thorbech [38:52], and UKTV's Melanie Rumani [48:48] share their expectations and the kind of shows they're looking out for.

LA Screenings: ITV Studios' exec VP of global content Julie Meldal-Johnsen [01:28], writers Matthew Barry [07:57] and Catherine Moulton [18:38], and Lingo Pictures exec producer AND founder Helen Bowden [27:05] discuss new shows The Guest, Code of Silence, Watching You and more, being presented to buyers for the first time at this week's LA Screenings. This episode is brought to you by ITV Studios.

C21 North American editor Jordan Pinto delves into Donald Trump's vow to impose 100% tariffs on films produced outside the US and 'special ambassador' John Voight's proposals to help 'make Hollywood great again' [02:38], while former X-Files showrunner and Big Light Productions CEO Frank Spotnitz offers his reaction [26:09], and ACF Investment Bank dealmaker-in-chief Thomas Dey gives his response [47:25].

C21 editor-in-chief and managing director David Jenkinson details the US$6bn in unrealised value that exists in the Indian entertainment business and reflects on last month's inaugural Content India Summit where Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India's Deepak Dhar, ITV Studios' Augustus Dulgaro, Lionsgate's Anugrah Joshi, All3Media International's Louise Pedersen and Warner Bros Discovery's Andrew Zein discussed how they're doing business in India and what opportunities exist for international coproduction, sales, acquisitions and development.

With Earth Day having taken place this week and new landmark David Attenborough documentary Ocean out next month, we investigate how the TV industry is performing in terms of its commitment to addressing climate change, as part of C21's own Big Picture initiative, hearing from Climate Spring's Lucy Stone [17:44] and Picture Zero's Steve Smith [40:00].

BBC Studios' Andrew Cohen on the return of Walking With Dinosaurs 25 years after the original [01:58]; writer Mona Masri and director Ahmed Abdullahi discuss new drama A Life's Worth, about the first Swedish UN troops to reach Bosnia during the war [28:53]; Banijay Rights' Simon Cox on glimmers of hope in the present marketplace [39:27].

Ireland continues to punch above its weight as an animation powerhouse, but can it withstand the multiple threats of YouTube, 'AI slop' and the broader economic challenges being felt across the sector? Jam Media's John Rice, Piranha Bar's Nicky Gogan, Turnip AND Duck's Colm Tobin and Little Moon's Vanessa Robinson speak with C21Kids editor Karolina Kaminska.

SERIES MANIA: Actor Amanda Seyfried, showrunner Nikki Toscano and writer Liz Moore on new Peacock crime thriller Long Bright River [02:43]; Sheila Nortley, producer of Bafta-nominated Netflix drama Supacell on her concerns over Donald Trump's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policies [12:31]; and Sky's Cécile Frot-Coutaz, Meghan Lyvers and Nils Hartmann on The Day of the Jackal and more [27:48].

James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky, co-founders of Rabbit Track Pictures, plus Lindsey Martin of CBS Studios, discuss new BBC historical drama King and Conqueror – among the shows to be spotlighted at Series Mania in Lille [32:00]. Banijay Entertainment's Johannes Jensen looks ahead to the event and what else the company has up its scripted sleeve [12:23].

Director Philip Barantini discusses the making of new Stephen Graham/Jack Thorne single-shot Netflix drama Adolescence, tackling the topic of teenage knife crime [11:30]; and C21 investigates concerns over an 'apocalyptic' outlook for those hoping to get new ideas away in the unscripted TV marketplace [01:35].