PARAMOUNT TO GET THE KICK OUT OF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Paramount Australia And Football Australia have signed a multi-year, cross-platform agreement to broadcast an expanded package of football matches of the men’s national team (Socceroos) and the women’s national team (Matildas). The contract, which will see the terrestrial broadcaster Network 10 and streamers Outstanding+ in Australia until 2028 was mediated by IMG.
Network 10 and Paramount+ will be the exclusive home of all Australian women’s national team matches for the next four years, including FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027until the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The contract also covers the games of the men’s national team, including all AFC Asian Qualifiers (2026 FIFA World Cup, Asian Qualifiers, Final Tournament), excluding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Reacquiring the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) national team rights and securing the broadcast rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 are strategic steps aimed at maximising control over our content, improving access for fans and unlocking new revenue streams,” said James JohnsonCEO of Football Australia.
“These rights are a key part of our strategy to secure a groundbreaking broadcast deal that we expect will set a new benchmark in how football media rights are valued in Australia. From a fan perspective, a key objective was to provide as much national team content as possible to a multi-platform partner.”
KOREAN MOU
The Korean creative content agency (KOCCA) has signed a letter of intent with BBC Studios and Southeast Asian video streaming platform Viu to expand the production, investment and distribution of global broadcast and video content.
The ceremonial signing took place in Worldwide broadcast (BCWW) 2024 Congress in Seoul, which will take place from August 27 to 29.
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The companies said the agreement will help address limitations and challenges in the South Korean broadcast and video content production environment, such as rising production costs for dramas and a decline in the program for documentaries (documentaries on the humanities, science, nature, society and trends).
KOCCA President Hyun Rae Jo said: “The collaboration (..) will be a significant turning point in expanding K-content’s global reach. We hope that by combining the expertise and resources of both organizations, K-content will cement its status not only in Korea, but worldwide.”
Apprentice release
“The Apprentice”, The Director: Ali Abbasi Drama film about the former US President Donald Trumpwill be released in South Korea in October. The licensing rights for the film are held by the British Rocket sciencewas recorded by Noori PicturesThe company has set a release date of October 23, after the Chuseok and Busan festivals. The date is also about two weeks before the US presidential election, in which Trump is running again.
DIGITAL APPOINTMENT
Australian film distributor Rialto Distribution has appointed Steve Granger – an experienced home entertainment professional – will oversee the company’s transactional digital sales as Digital Director.
Granger has over 23 years of industry experience and was previously General Sales Manager at RoadshowHe orchestrated digital distribution and strategic initiatives for Roadshow Films, Warner Bros. and HBO in Australia and New Zealand. His career also includes sales leadership positions at Paramount Pictures And Icon Film Distribution.
Rialto reports “unprecedented growth” over the past 12 months and that its partnership with UK-based Relieve dizzinesswhich led to the creation of Galaxy Pictures, and the strategic alliance with Kismet Movies, which enabled both to jointly acquire a curated selection of films, were the keys to success.
PROFIT DECREASE
MaoyanHong Kong-listed Chinese movie ticketing company, reported a 30% drop in net profit to RMB 284 million (US$39.7 million) in the first six months of the year. Revenue fell just 1% to RMB 2.17 billion (US$303 million). The company is diversifying its business out of the movie ticketing business, co-distributing 32 Chinese films and investor-producing another 20 in the January-June period. It is also expanding its business into ticketing for live events.
