Fox Entertainment to Produce 200-Plus Vertical Video Series Including Microdramas Under Deal Acquiring Stake in Ukrainian App Start-Up Holywater

Fox Entertainment Global has appointed Valerie Meraz as Senior Vice President for Content and Acquisitions, a move that highlights the company's commitment to enhancing its content strategy. Meraz will lead the sourcing and negotiation of various content formats for global distribution, reporting directly to President Prentiss Fraser. This appointment is significant as it reflects Fox's ambition to strengthen its position in the competitive entertainment landscape.

Fox Entertainment is making a strategic move into the vertical video market by investing in Holywater, a company that runs popular platforms like My Drama, My Passion, and My Muse, which collectively boast over 55 million users. This investment highlights Fox's commitment to adapting to changing media consumption trends and tapping into the growing demand for vertical video content, making it a significant step in their digital strategy.

Bozoma Saint John recently shared her thoughts on her engagement and the upcoming Season 15 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in an exclusive interview with Wonderwall. She candidly expressed her concerns about whether her relationship would withstand the pressures of reality television. This insight not only highlights the personal challenges faced by reality stars but also adds depth to the show's narrative, making it relatable to viewers who may experience similar relationship dynamics.

The Mipcom conference in Cannes is set to be a hotbed of discussion around media consolidation and foreign investment, with major players like Paramount Skydance eyeing Warner Bros. Discovery. The potential for Netflix, Apple, and Amazon to acquire HBO and Warner Bros. adds to the excitement, as does the possibility of European media giants entering the fray. This matters because these moves could reshape the landscape of the global content industry, influencing what we watch and how it's produced.

ROYO, a British theater producer, is making waves in Asia by bringing the popular stage adaptation of 'Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby' to China next year. This move not only showcases the global appeal of the beloved series but also highlights ROYO's commitment to expanding its footprint in the Asian market. The story, which follows the Shelby family from the battlefields of World War I to post-war Birmingham, promises to resonate with Chinese audiences, making it a significant cultural exchange.

Democrats are ramping up their efforts to pressure GOP lawmakers amid the ongoing government shutdown, launching a significant ad campaign to highlight their demands. This six-figure investment includes digital ads on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, as well as billboards in Republican districts. This strategy is crucial as it aims to sway public opinion and hold GOP members accountable, making it a pivotal moment in the shutdown messaging war.

The Palestinian producer Baher Agbariya, associated with the film 'The Sea,' which is Israel's entry for the Oscars, has expressed concerns over Hollywood's boycott of Israeli filmmakers. While he understands the political motivations behind the boycott, he believes it unfairly punishes artists and stifles creativity. This discussion is crucial as it highlights the complexities of cultural expression amidst political tensions, raising questions about the impact of such boycotts on artistic collaboration and freedom.

Studiocanal's new show 'This Is Not a Murder Mystery' is set to debut at Mipcom, marking the first project from the New8 alliance formed by eight European public broadcasters. This collaboration is significant as it showcases the power of co-production in the television industry, allowing these broadcasters to pool resources and share creative talent, ultimately enriching the viewing experience for audiences across multiple countries.