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Tag: Disney Media And Entertainment Distribution

  • Kristen Finney becomes Disney International’s EVP content curation

    Kristen Finney becomes Disney International’s EVP content curation

    Mumbai: Media conglomerate Walt Disney has announced the appointment of Kristen Finney as Disney International executive VP content curation. Prior to this, she was executive VP distribution, content distribution strategy and development at Disney Media and Entertainment which operates Disney+.  

    Finney will manage the international content strategy across India, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and will be responsible for overseeing the creation of original programming for Disney+ and Star+, along with linear channels. She will report directly to International Content and Operations chairman Rebecca Campbell.  

    The division is a centralised hub for international content acquisition information, cross-regional licensing opportunities, content slates and pipelines.

    Speaking on the elevation, Finney said, “I am excited to join the new international content and operations organisation and to have the opportunity to work closely with Rebecca and this team of internationally respected content creators.  The regional teams in IC&O are building a truly impressive slate of engaging and entertaining content, and I look forward to driving strategic opportunities as we aggressively expand these local offerings around the globe.”

    Campbell said, “Kristen has a proven track record of delivering successful content strategies. This expertise, combined with her skillful ability to build and lead innovative teams, makes her the perfect candidate for this important new role. Her extensive and diverse experience will make her a vital part of our IC&O leadership team.”

  • Amazon Freevee unveils new slate of originals

    Amazon Freevee unveils new slate of originals

    Mumbai: During the Amazon presentation at NewFronts in New York City, streaming service platform Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) announced an increased slate of originals, with multiple pickups of scripted and unscripted content. 

    The free streaming service greenlit a new cooking competition series called “America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation,” the coming-of-age drama “Beyond Black Beauty,” the family competition series “Play-Doh Squished” and the music documentary “Post Malone: Runaway.” Freevee also picked up a second season of “Bosch: Legacy” and a third and fourth season of Uninterrupted’s “Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.”

    Additionally, Amazon Freevee has secured a short-term film licensing agreement with Disney Media And Entertainment Distribution for a limited selection of titles such as “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2,” “Logan,” “Hidden Figures,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “The Post” which will be available to customers on the free streaming service. This news follows the previously announced Freevee deal with NBCU for an exclusive network window for films from Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s 2020-21 theatrical slate, including titles such as “Dolittle,” “The Invisible Man,” “Promising Young Woman,” “F9,” and “Sing 2.”

    Amazon Freevee also announced that it has increased its free ad-supported TV (Fast) offering to more than 75 channels, including exclusive linear channels for the Canadian sitcom “Kim’s Convenience,” as well as the original “The Kids in the Hall” comedy series. In addition to these exclusive channels, Fast programming on Freevee includes curated, thematically programmed channels, such as popular movies and TV shows, comedy shows, and animated shows; Freevee and Prime Video Originals channels, such as Judy Justice and Bosch; and syndicated channels with several distribution partners, including A&E, BBC, and Scripps, featuring an array of genres and with content selection based on customers’ wide variety of interests.

    “By developing and programming inspired, fan-favorite Original series and movies – produced and delivered by Amazon Studios in partnership with some of the industry’s best creators and studio partners – and by securing exclusive, highly sought licensed content, we have built a destination where viewers know they can discover and enjoy something new, or indulge in something they already love,” said Amazon Freevee co-heads of content and programming Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi. “We’ve also built a home for talent where their ideas will be nurtured and brought to life, and are building a brand where advertisers know they will find popular, compelling programming. Today’s announcements about our upcoming slate showcase our continued commitment to delivering customers the premium content they crave – always free of charge.”