Disney announced that Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is jumping exclusively to Disney+. It’s a move with potential implications for the documentary niche. DWTS’s 16 years (30 seasons) of primetime on Disney’s ABC broadcast network are over. CEO Bob Chapek‘s announcement accelerates the strategic shift in Disney’s investment in original programming towards Disney+ and away …
Essential Afghan Documentaries – War boosters & critics: 15 key documentaries about Afghanistan, From ‘Taxi to the Dark Side’ to ‘Hell and Back Again‘ // Variety ‘Pat Tillman‘ and other films both critical and supportive of the war // Washington Post Art Workers in France Mobilize to Help Afghan Creators // Artnet Women journalists fear brutal Taliban // Vice Director’s escape from …
Sylvia Bugg is PBS‘s highly-respected Chief Programming Executive & General Manager, General Audience Programming. Sylvia shares her strategy and program highlights in our engaging Meet the Executive session for Sunny Side of the Doc. Watch the Session: Key Themes I begin by asking Sylvia how PBS is adapting to the streaming era. She references clips …
PBS’s Nature strand is celebrating its 40th year of global leadership in Wildlife programming. A highlight episode for the anniversary year is SEASON OF THE OSPREY (October 27). I’m honored to have co-xecutive produced OSPREY for director Jacob Steinberg and the co-production partners Love Nature and The WNET Group. The project is loaded with personal meaning: 40 …
Who are key documentary buyers worldwide? What programs and series do they want? How can you reach them? 260 decision-makers / 137 companies / 42 countries The expanded and updated Sunny Side of the Doc Guide to Documentary Decision Makers is now available for $99.95. That’s a 33% instant savings of $50 off the regular …
Today’s announcement of the production wrap of the superb SEASON OF THE OSPREY special is particular thrill. I’m honored to have joined director Jacob Steinberg on much of his long journey from concept to distribution with industry-leading partners Nature, Love Nature and Blue Ant International. And thankful to everyone on the editorial and commercial teams …
Two articles on the state of the industry caught my attention this week: A brilliant analysis of a key success factor for streamers from Lightshed Partners. And a ho-hum Wall Street Journal story that nonetheless captures the current investment frenzy for Unscripted productions. Nat Geo also shared an updated INCLUSION STANDARDS. Scroll down for the …
Howard Swartz is the Senior Vice President Docs and Specials, Factual Networks & Streaming, for Discovery. For Sunny Side of the Doc‘s Meet the Executive session, he joined Peter Hamilton to share Discovery’s documentary strategy and key buckets. Following are session highlights, including clips of several projects that reveal Howard’s priorities. MISSION & STRATEGY What …