Netflix and DreamWorks Animation have expanded their film and TV rights agreement. Under the deal, Netflix will launch multiple new DWA-produced series, including a reboot of the Voltron franchise, and Trollhunters, to be executive produced by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The pact extends the rights of current original series airing on the streaming giant and expands the deal to include second-window rights for the series around the world, except for China. Other new series will be produced by DWA based on films from the studio, along with others from its archives.
In other Netflix news, the streaming giant launched in 130 new countries including Russia, India and Saudi Arabia as announced by CEO Reed Hastings during his keynote at CES 2016. After the keynote address, Netflix shares went up six percent. While most of the countries will receive programming in English, Arabic, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese will be added to the 17 languages it already offers. Also, in late 2016 Netflix will introduce high dynamic range to its 4K videos.
Chinese mega corporation, Dalian Wanda Group, has acquired a majority stake in Legendary Entertainment, whose past credits include Godzilla and Pacific Rim. Wanda has valued Legendary between three and four billion dollars, according to reports. Legendary’s other investors, Japan’s SoftBank and investment firm Waddell & Reed Inc. will sell their stakes in the company. Legendary just produced The Great Wall, the first tentpole-sized English-language film produced in China. It will be directed by local helmer Yimou Zhang and star Matt Damon with a November release date set.
The National Cable Television Cooperative has agreed to a new multiyear carriage deal with AMC Networks after extending negotiations beyond the year-end expiration of the previous contract signed back in 2010. The agreement will reportedly offer distributors streaming and VOD rights to AMC Networks shows. The deal will also hold for five years, two years longer than typical agreements. No details on AMC’s asks for price increases during negotiations.
21st Century Fox has bought a minority stake in Osterhout Design Group, a company that specializes in augmented and virtual reality and designs and manufactures smartglasses. Once confirmed, the deal will make Fox the principal outside investor in ODG. The companies also propose to form a strategic partnership that brings together ODG’s technologies with Fox’s content. Both will be showcasing during CES 2016. “Our agreement with ODG underscores the innovation we are bringing to market through our Fox Innovation Lab, most recently with VR experiences for The Martian and Wild,” said Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox Film.
Jennifer Gabler has launched Omni Artists Limited, a management company. Gabler began as a trainee at CAA in 1991 and later became partner in 2003. She then left for Endeavor and was a partner before the formation of WME. After 16 years as an agent, Rawlings switched to management and signed on with Principato Young in 2012. Her clients include John Malkovich, Viggo Mortensen and Samantha Morton among many others.
Academy award winner Robert Redford has inked a two-year, first-look television deal with HBO. His first project under the deal will be The Burgess Boys, a miniseries based on the novel by Elizabeth Strout. Redford optioned the bestselling book in 2015 and will executive produce it under his Wildwood Enterprises banner. Previously through Wildwood, he executive produced the 1996 HBO film Grand Avenue. Redford has also produced documentary series including Chicagoland, Death Row Stories and AMC’s upcoming The West, which features scripted reenactments.
Reality TV producer Jonathan Karsh has inked a multiyear overall deal with Lionsgate TV. Under the deal, Karsh will develop and produce alternative programming via his new Shiny Objects Entertainment company. Previously Karsh was SVP of Creative Affairs at Relativity Television where he executive produced the pilot for Catfish: The TV Show, Policewomen and My Five Wives for TLC, My Extreme Animal Phobia for Animal Planet and Coming Home for Lifetime.