Film and TV Briefing: Thursday 14 April 2022

In the news

‍WarnerMedia and Discovery complete merger (Variety) 

FIFA to launch new free streaming service (Deadline)

Olivier Awards 2022: full list of winners (BBC)

‘The Simpsons’: John Autry II becomes the first deaf voice actor cast on the show (IndieWire)

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard: US defamation trial begins (The Guardian)

Channel 4 partners with Aldi for new food format (Broadcast)

References to gay relationship removed from ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ for Chinese release (BBC)

Defamation case regarding Netflix docuseries ‘Afflicted’ permitted to proceed (Hollywood Reporter)

Russian subscribers launch a class-action lawsuit against Netflix for loss of service (Variety)

Will Smith banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years, but he could still be nominated (IndieWire)

Film and TV Charity to trial new “confidence booster” programme (ScreenDaily)

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ leads the international box office (Deadline)

Tim Richards, the BFI chair, discusses his priorities for the next 10 years (ScreenDaily)

 

Features and commentary

Why the AT&T and Time Warner merger did not work (Variety)

Are Hollywood actors getting the right projects sent their way? (IndieWire)

Media mergers: who might be next? (IndieWire)

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Industry announcements 

ITV and Amazon Prime back ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund (ScreenSkills)

ScreenCraft Works announces mentoring scheme for under-represented production talent (Variety)

 

Resources

First Option launches online tool to help with COVID testing solutions (Pact)

PACT’s tips for monetising IP (Pact)

 

Legal updates

PACT publishes new health and safety / covid wording for inclusion in crew and staff agreements (Pact)

New government guidance for employers on “reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace” (Gov.uk)

 

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