SURVEY
PRODUCTION 100 THE BROADCASTERS
Disney is still deciding what it wants in the factual space.” Discovery+ and HBO shared the next spot, cited by 7% of indies apiece.
They support true innovation with their most premium budgets, rather than only using premium budgets for formats and subjects that are tried and tested
Discovery+ Discovery+ offers really good, detailed briefs, says one indie, while others cite its “intelligent commissioning”. “They take pitches, come back with quick answers and are up front about their deal structures.” “Their different territories seem well joined up, allowing one of our shows to quickly expand and be made in multiple locations,” reports another indie.
argues one. “Netflix has become less responsive and its commercial terms less attractive.”
Prime Video Amazon is voted the second best streamer to deal with, taking 19% of the vote. The streamer “knows what it
wants,” offers “clear good deals” and is “prepared to take a risk.” Says one indie: “Clear steers and
quick feedback when pitching; and healthy budgets, with supportive and attentive commissioners when in production.”
Another reports: “Only made
one show with Amazon. Good to deal with because they placed no constraints on Covid-budgets and didn’t expect producers to defer their fees to finance amid Covid shutdown.” Says one indie: “Creatively thoughtful and responsive – yet very respectful. They’ve been a terrific creative partner to us and very supportive operationally too.” Not all agree through. 27% of indies reckon Amazon is the hardest streamer to work with. Many criticise slow response times from Amazon. “You often send things into them and then simply never hear back despite repeated chasing,” says one producer. There’s also doubt about exactly the kind of content Amazon is looking for or how they want to
define themselves. “Very hard to divine what they actually want to commission in the unscripted space,” reports one indie. “A big US corporate giant not necessarily structured to make documentary process easy,” says another.
Disney+
Disney+ is next and is voted best streamer to work with by 17% of indies, who say it is well resourced and offers clear commissioning messages. There’s plenty of talk about its scale and ambition. “They are on a roll and still
backing ambitious projects – they are in it to win it,” reports one producer. It’s a point echoed by others: “They support true innovation with their most premium budgets, rather than only using premium budgets for formats and subjects that are tried and tested.” “Disney Plus are communicative, helpful, and back up their creative ambition with good budgets and strong commercial support.” On the flip side, there is criticism of slow decision making. “Deal-making was slow and seemed to betray a lack of understanding of the production process,” says one producer. “Mired in business affairs and production management which seem to be anti-programme making, production via committee and very very slow,” reports another indie. Others say that “it feels like
Criticism of Discovery is focused around the corporate changes following the merger with Warner Bros. Some say there is currently a halt in commissioning due to the Warner merger. “There is a lack of clarity around the takeover,” says one. Another comments: “Their financing is cumbersome although editorial is very supportive.”
HBO HBO, meanwhile, offers “good deals, good money and good people,” says one producer. “They are a brilliant partner that we feel we very much align with in terms of values and ethics,” reports one indie. “Pitching to them is always easy and we have a fabulous relationship with all of their staff from operations, to legal, to finance and buyers.”
Paramount+ Paramount+ offers “quick decisions” and is “decisive and collaborative” according to indies.
Apple TV+
Apple is described as “ambitious and supportive” but also comes under fire. “Almost impossible to get any idea of what they want,” says one producer. One indie says Apple is very tough on legal negotiations and extremely hands- on with all aspects of production. “High level of notes at every stage.”
Autumn 2022
P35
televisual.com
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