The clash to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in almost 25 years is finally set to happen as Tyson Fury's bout against Oleksandr Usyk was announced earlier this month.
03.11.2023 - 10:49 / deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: UK producers are anxious that Channel 4 is scrambling to delay the premiere of more shows until 2024 for political reasons.
The network has delayed at least 20 launches and several producers told Deadline that they believe Channel 4 wants to run a surplus in 2023 — even in the face of a chastening ad market slump.
The theory among producers is that it could be politically embarrassing for Channel 4 to post a loss so soon after winning the privatization battle, during which it repeatedly emphasized its financial sustainability.
Channel 4 stressed that programs move around the schedules “all the time for a number of reasons including editorial considerations, competitor activity, audience demands and the responsible management of content budgets.”
Deadline has spoken with multiple producers who reported their launch dates being pushed back. These sources estimate that between 20 and 50 shows that were due to launch in 2023 have been delayed to at least Q1 2024 if not beyond.
Some shows, according to sources, have been ‘on the shelf’ for more than a year and producers have been speculating as to the cause of the delays.
Prior to the government U-turn, one of Channel 4’s main arguments against privatization was that, financially, it was in rude health, having turned over £1B ($1.2B) for the first time in 2021. Its most recent annual report showed revenue plateauing while it delivered a surplus of £20M, down from £101M the year prior. The channel also has a £75M revolving credit facility, which some in the indie sector have criticized Channel 4 for not using during these troubled economic times.
Multiple sources landed on the notion that the network is desperate to run a surplus and prove to the UK government
The clash to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in almost 25 years is finally set to happen as Tyson Fury's bout against Oleksandr Usyk was announced earlier this month.
Peaky Blinders producer Caryn Mandabach Productions (CMP) has optioned P.D. James‘ Cordelia Gray novels and given itself room to expand the female detective’s universe.
A plan has been laid out to close the “burgeoning disconnect” between the UK’s physical production workforce and demand for skills.
EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed JamPot, the podcast network founded by Made In Chelsea star and regular podcaster Jamie Laing.
EXCLUSIVE: The anchor is in studio, speaking directly to the camera then cuts to a news segment, one in which the words coming from a French-speaking man come out of his mouth as English.
The executive producers of critically acclaimed BBC prison drama Time have launched their own scripted production operation.
ITV Studios and ITVX revenues helped to offset falls in linear at UK network ITV in the first nine months of 2023.
The Great British Bake Off fans have slammed Tuesday night's challenge, claiming that the remaining bakers were given an unfair advantage during the technical challenge.
Producers and animators behind Netflix and Disney's latest releases are giving special talks at Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) this November.
Zee-Sony Merger Back On Track
Most international TV networks and news agencies were unable to provide live coverage or video updates out of the Gaza Strip overnight due to communication outages as Israel stepped up its military campaign on the Palestinian territory.
Big Brother fans are convinced producers have been telling housemates what to do in Diary Room, after three contestants shared their life experiences in candid chats ahead of Friday night's eviction. Hallie, Trish and Dylan were all up for eviction after being nominated by their fellow housemates, and during Friday's episode, 27 October, they each took it in turns to chat to Big Brother in the Diary Room, but fans quickly noticed a bizarre pattern between the trio.They each spoke about their life experiences in the Diary Room, going into detail about what they've been through and why they entered the Big Brother house.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson has announced he is joining broadcaster GB News.
Tyson Fury is set to take on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a crossover boxing bout this weekend.
EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has refused to release the findings of an independent review into whether it is an anti-racist organization, saying that putting the document in the public domain would have a “chilling effect” on internal diversity discussions.
Fox‘s Animal Control is headed to Channel 4 in the UK.
EXCLUSIVE: David Walliams‘ lawsuit against the producer of Britain’s Got Talent has detailed work, including a Channel 4 show, he claims to have lost after his derogatory remarks about contestants were leaked to the press.
He's known as the chatty and charming bartender serving drinks to singletons on Channel 4's hit show First Dates.
K.J. Yossman When producer Judy Craymer persuaded ABBA to allow her to make a musical out of their back catalogue, she never imagined the show would still be running twenty-five years later – not to mention spawn two hit movies starring Meryl Streep. To celebrate the stage production’s quarter century anniversary, Craymer is now bringing “Mamma Mia” to British TV screens with a new talent competition show, titled “Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.” Produced by Fremantle-owned Thames and set to air on ITV1 in the U.K.
It’s been a big week for British broadcasting cancelations.