ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The Paramount-Warner merger is settled, and David Ellison got his way. In this episode of The Sideletters, Joanna Szymanska and Fabian Massah look at what the deal means for Europe's film and TV industry.
The EU regulated distribution, but not commissioning. With fewer buyers and SkyShowtime possibly winding down, European producers lose another financing partner. Fabian and Joanna discuss Europe's dependence on US money, rising pressure on public funds, how that moment is an opportunity to incentivise other financing sources such as private equity. They cover what Europe could do about it, from tax incentives and investment obligations to transnational co-development funds.
In this episode:
The Paramount-Warner settlement and why the definition of a "blockbuster" matters
SkyShowtime's possible exit and what one less player means for Central and Eastern Europe
Public funds, public broadcasters and how to attract private investment
Why culture is missing from von der Leyen's State of the Union
Could Chinese streamers and distributors step into the gap?
The MEDIA Mini Slate deadline crash and shrinking access to soft money
Joanna's premiere of "Time That Never Came" at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia
Links:
🔗 Paramount-Warner Merger (IndieWire)
🔗 SkyShowtime Closing Down (Reuters)
🔗 EU State of the Union (PDF)
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The Sideletters is a weekly European B2B conversation on film, tech & future business. New episodes every Wednesday.
Hosted by Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine (Paris), Joanna Szymanska (Warsaw) and Fabian Massah (Berlin/Hamburg).
