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| Hello Inside Streamers! Audiences appear to be embracing Netflix's "One Piece" series, which is a bit of a surprise, considering how negative the reactions have been to almost all American attempts to replicate manga or anime properties in live action to date. (Well, except for that "Speed Racer" movie, which has developed a cult following.) Perhaps it really was as simple as being extremely faithful to the source material, and bringing the original creator on board as an executive producer? Or maybe it's a lot more complex than that, about getting all sorts of little things right along the way? mpossible to say, but still a fascinating case study that will be examined by many other productions hoping to replicate its success, I'm certain. Enjoy today's issue! Lon
p/lon-harris | |
| 1 | | Roku announced a new round of layoffs impacting more than 300 employees, or roughly 10% of its total workforce. The company also plans to remove some content -- both licensed and owned -- as part of a cost-saving "strategic review" of its portfolio. More: - This is Roku's third round of job cuts in less than a single year; the company also plans to cut back on new hires.
- The company will take an impairment charge of around $65 million in the current quarter, according to an SEC filing from this week.
- Roku will also consolidate office space and reduce the use of outside vendors as a way to cut operating expenses.
- Roku's stock price jumped around 9% in early trading Wednesday, following the announcement.
- In a letter to shareholders sent along with its Q2 earnings report, Roku executives blamed an uncertain "macro environment" for its financial woes, specifically a flat US digital ad market; the company anticipates that this situation will continue due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
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| 2 | | Comcast and Disney moved up their scheduled negotiations around a potential sale of Hulu. The discussions will now begin on September 30, according to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. More: - Currently, Comcast owns 1/3rd of Hulu, to Disney's 2/3rd share; the companies had previously agreed to begin negotiating a potential sale of the full service to Disney in January 2024.
- Speaking at a Goldman Sachs investor conference this week, Roberts said he feels the service is currently worth far more than the $27.5 billion minimum price laid out in the initial agreement.
- Roberts suggested that proceeds from the Hulu sale would be returned to shareholders.
- The Comcast CEO provided no clear timeline for the sale, but did disclose that Goldman Sachs has been included in the ongoing appraisal process.
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| 3 | | DAILY CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 THE LITTLE MERMAID: 2023 live-action musical fantasy film, based on the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and its 1989 Disney animated adaptation. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, a mermaid who trades her voice for a pair of legs after she falls in love with a human prince (Jonah Hauer-King). Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs, and Awkwafina co-star; Rob Marshall ("Chicago") directs. [Disney+] I AM GROOT: Collection of animated shorts from Marvel Studios, following the adventures of Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) in between the first two "Guardians of the Galaxy" films. The show returns this week for a second season. [Disney+] INSIDE THE NFL: The weekly studio chat series from NFL Films breaks down highlights and "mic'd up clips" from all of the week's big football match-ups. Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark hosts; Channing Crowder, Jay Cutler, Chad Johnson, Chris Long, and Walter Payton provide analysis. New episodes air Tuesday nights on TV and hit the CW app and website the following day. [CW] SCOUT'S HONOR: THE SECRET FILES OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA: Docuseries exposé about child sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, and the youth organization's various attempts to cover up the allegations and silence victims over the years. Much of the series centers around the group's "Ineligible Volunteer Files," covert documents demonstrating that Boy Scouts leadership has known about the problem since its inception. Brian Knappenberger ("The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz") directs. [Netflix] PREDATORS: Five-part nature docuseries tracking members of five predator species -- including cheetahs, polar bears, and wild dogs -- as they struggle to maintain their dominance in hostile environments. Tom Hardy narrates. [Netflix] 6IXTYNIN9 THE SERIES: Debut crime comedy-drama series from Thailand, about a desperate woman (Davika Hoorne) who loses her job, and then finds a large pile of cash mysteriously left at her front door with no clear explanation. The series is based on a popular 1999 Thai film from writer/director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, who returned for the spinoff. [Netflix] INFAMY (INFAMIA): Debut coming-of-age musical drama series from Poland. Zofia Jastrzębska stars as a Roma teen who returns to Poland after years of living in the UK, and struggles to find a balance between her own passions and her parents' strict, traditional rules. Kamil Piotrowski and Sebastian Łach co-star; Anna Maliszewska ("Tata") created. [Netflix] REPORTING FOR DUTY (B.O.): Debut crime comedy series from Brazil, starring Leandro Hassum as a rural cop who's immediately in way over his head when he's promoted to a leadership role in Rio de Janeiro's 8th Precinct. Luciana Paes, Jefferson Schroeder, and Babu Carreira co-star. [Netflix] TAHIR'S HOUSE: Arabic-language comedy series from Saudi Arabia about a family of wannabe entrepreneurs who work together to save their failing fish shop. Alhashmi Alfaisal, Naeema Alhumaidi, and Mohammed Bakhsh co-star. [Netflix] CRIME SCENE CONFIDENTIAL: On the Investigation Discovery true-crime docuseries, veteran investigator Alina Burroughs uses the latest forensic techniques to take a fresh look at shocking or controversial murder cases. It's back this week for a second season. [Max] NEVER LET HIM GO: Four-part true-crime docuseries from ABC News Studios, examining the 1988 death of American mathematician Scott Johnson, whose body was found at the base of an Australian cliff. Though authorities declared it a suicide, Johnson's family has long believed there's more to the story, and that he may have been the victim of a hate crime. [Hulu] | | | |
| 4 | | Under a newly-announced Disney+ promotion, new US users pay just $1.99 per month for an ad-supported subscription for the first three months. The offer runs through September 20. More: - Disney+'s ad-supported tier typically costs $7.99 per month.
- The offer is open to both new and returning Disney+ subscribers.
- The deal comes ahead of a busy month for the Disney+ service; the live-action "Little Mermaid" adaptation drops today, while Pixar's surprise summer hit "Elemental" debuts on September 13.
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| 5 | | Speaking at the Goldman Sachs conference in New York this week, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters told investors the process of converting password-sharers into paying subscribers will continue "for some time." Peters said the company built an "elegant solution" to the complex problem of moving free users over to paid plans by taking "a deliberate approach." More: - According to Peters, the most crucial part of the process is avoiding confusion, and providing clarity about specific use cases, such as accessing a Netflix account while traveling.
- Peters also identified two categories of users who were sharing passwords; those doing so casually, out of convenience, and those who had financial motivations.
- For obvious reasons, it's much easier to convert people in the first category; many switched to paid accounts the moment it became a clearly available option.
- Netflix gained 5.9 million new net subscribers in Q2, significantly exceeding Wall Street's expectations; Peters said the company expects to see similar success in Q3.
- As of June, Netflix had 238.39 million subscribers around the globe.
- Peters also touted the early success of the live-action manga and anime adaptation "One Piece," which received 18.5 million views on its first four days on the platform.
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| 6 | | According to Tubi CEO Anjali Sud, the free ad-supported streaming service now has 74 million monthly active users. Viewers apparently watched about 4 billion hours of streaming content on Tubi during the first half of 2023. More: - Sud compared Tubi viewership to "a top 5 cable network."
- According to Tubi owner Fox's most recent earnings call last month, the platform saw 47% growth in year-over-year ad revenue during Q4, and 65% growth in viewing time.
- According to Nielsen, Tubi accounted for about 1.4% of all TV viewing in the US in June.
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| 7 | | According to executive producer Peyton Manning, Netflix's behind-the-scenes docuseries "Quarterback" is having trouble rounding up subjects for its second season. The deadline to begin filming Season 2 is fast approaching, as the 2023 NFL regular season begins on September 7. More: - Manning spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in late August, comparing the urgency of the situation to a "two-minute drill" and noting that he'd been personally rejected by three different starting quarterbacks the day before.
- Season 1 of "Quarterback" was a moderate hit for Netflix, with 3.3 million views and 21.4 million hours viewed in its opening week.
- Season 1 centered on Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (who ultimately won the Super Bowl last season); Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings; and Marcus Mariota of the Atlanta Falcons.
- Manning produces the series through his company, Omaha Productions, in collaboration with NFL Films.
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| 8 | | Paramount+ renewed the crime drama series "Mayor of Kingstown" for a third season. Jeremy Renner stars in the series, which was created by actor Hugh Dillon and "Yellowstone" vet Taylor Sheridan. More: - A potential Season 3 renewal has been rumored for months; in May, Renner tweeted a brief clip, suggesting that it "might be time to start mental preparation" for new episodes.
- Season 2 of "Kingstown" debuted just weeks after Renner's January 1 snowplow accident, in which he broke more than 30 bones; production on Season 3 will begin following an extensive physical recovery process.
- Renner stars in the series as Mike McClusky, a "fixer" in a fictional Michigan city where private prisons are the primary industry.
- Though no specifics are available, it's believed that "Mayor of Kingstown" ranks among Paramount+'s most popular originals, likely behind only Sheridan's "Tulsa King" and "1923."
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| 9 | | Amazon dropped a redband trailer for "The Boys" spinoff series, "Gen V." The first three episodes of the new series -- set at a college for young superheroes -- arrive on September 29. More: - "Law & Order: SVU" and "Agent Carter" vets Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters serve as showrunners and producers on the new series; "The Boys" showrunner Eric Kripke executive produces.
- The series is set at Godolkin University, a prestigious and extremely cutthroat superhero-only college.
- Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Lizze Broadway, Sean Patrick Thomas, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Shelley Conn co-star; "The Boys" vets Jessie T. Usher, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit, and PJ Byrne make Season 1 guest appearances.
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- Netflix announced the cast of "Love is Blind" Season 5; the first four new episodes drop on September 22.
- YouTuber Pat McAfee, noted for his aggressive style and frequent use of salty language, brings his edgy brand of sports commentary to ESPN this week with the debut of "The Pat McAfee Show."
- Comedian and late-night host Amber Ruffin is reportedly working on a Peacock series adaptation of her book "You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey," which she co-wrote with sister Lacey Lamar; no word yet on the fate of her Peacock variety series, "The Amber Ruffin Show."
- Netflix dropped a trailer for "Pain Hustlers," starring Emily Blunt as a desperate single mom who lands a job as a pharmaceutical rep during the height of the opioid epidemic; the film, from "Fantastic Beasts" vet David Yates, opens in select theaters on October 20 and hits Netflix on the 27th.
- CBS added the Paramount+ Australia original "NCIS: Sydney" to its fall programming line-up; the procedural drama, the franchise's first international spinoff, will air Monday nights at 10 pm starting November 13.
- Mike Flanagan's Edgar Allan Poe-inspired Netflix series "The Fall of the House of Usher" got a new official poster ahead of its October 12 premiere.
- "Supernatural" creator Eric Kripke spoke with Deadline from the WGA picket line this week, confirming that he's received zero residuals from Netflix, despite the show's continued popularity on the streamer.
- Netflix's "Wednesday" was named Best New Drama series at the UK's 28th National Television Awards; the streamer's "Bridgerton" prequel "Queen Charlotte" was nominated in the same category.
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INSIDE STREAMING LEADERBOARD (ALL-TIME) |
 | Writer | | Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." | | This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia | |
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