Italian
Ed Sheeran’s festive tune for ‘That Christmas’
Ed Sheeran has crafted a heartwarming original song titled “Under The Tree” for the upcoming animated feature That Christmas. This CG animated film, set to premiere on Netflix on December 6, is directed by Simon Otto and penned by Richard Curtis and Peter Souter.
A star-studded voice cast
The film boasts an impressive voice cast, including Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy. The narrative unfolds in a quaint seaside town where Christmas takes an unexpected twist. Based on Curtis’ children’s book trilogy, That Christmas marks his debut in the animation genre. The production team includes Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy, with Curtis, Mary Coleman, Natalie Fischer, and Julie Lockhart serving as executive producers.
Sheeran’s personal touch
Reflecting on his involvement, Sheeran shared, “Since becoming a parent, I’ve noticed a shortage of quality animated Christmas movies for children. This project felt like a wonderful opportunity to create something meaningful. The scene for which we wrote this song is deeply emotional, resonating with many who spend Christmas without their loved ones. Collaborating with my older brother on this was a rare and cherished experience. It feels incredible to create something my children will enjoy, alongside their uncle, in the country we call home. I believe this film will become a holiday staple, at least in our household.”
‘Red Eye’ takes flight globally
Sony Pictures Television has secured distribution deals for the action-packed thriller Red Eye across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions. This gripping series, produced by Bad Wolf and starring Jing Lusi and Richard Armitage, will be available in over 120 territories worldwide.
A high-stakes narrative
Set against the backdrop of an overnight London-Beijing flight and various international locales, the six-episode series weaves together the stories of a detective, a journalist, and an MI5 agent entangled in a murder conspiracy. New licensees include Paramount+ (Canada), France Televisions, Netflix (Germany), and Max/HBO Max (Central and Eastern Europe). The series will also air on AXN Asia, TVING (Korea), Stan (Australia), and Warner Bros. Discovery (New Zealand).
A record-breaking debut
Originally commissioned by ITV, Red Eye quickly became ITVX’s top series in April and ITV’s second-highest-rated new drama of the year, drawing over eight million viewers. Created by Peter A. Dowling and directed by Kieron Hawkes, the series is produced by Bad Wolf, with Julie Gardner, Lachlan MacKinnon, and Dowling as executive producers.
‘Old Enough!’ brings childhood adventures to Canada
TVO’s Old Enough!, an eight-episode series following Canadian children aged 3-6 as they embark on their first independent errands, is set to stream starting September 8. Narrated by comedy veteran Colin Mochrie, this Blue Ant Studios production is the first North American adaptation of Nippon TV’s Japanese format.
A glimpse into childhood independence
The series captures the charming and often humorous adventures of children as they navigate everyday tasks, offering valuable insights into parenting styles and child development. Executive producers Matt Hornburg, Mark Bishop, and Donna Luke lead the project for Blue Ant Studios, with Mitch Burman as series producer. Natasha Negrea heads programming for TVO, while Kirsten Hurd and Alexandra Roberts serve as commissioning editors. The show, produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and in association with Rogers Sports & Media, will be available on TVO Docs, TVOkids YouTube channels, and Smart TV apps.
‘Song Stealer’ hits a high note
Korea’s MBC music competition show Song Stealer has resonated with audiences, concluding its first season to critical acclaim. The format pits cover artists against original performers, with studio audiences voting on their preferred rendition.
A unique musical format
Created by Jang Harin, the show won MBC’s ‘Best Format Idea’ award and debuted with two pilot episodes during the Lunar New Year in February. Following a strong viewer response, including over 10 million online views, it secured a 12-episode run from May to July. Jang emphasized the show’s focus on musical appreciation rather than competition, noting increased streams for original versions following each episode. The format has already been optioned across Australia, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy.
For cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts, these updates offer a rich tapestry of new content to explore. Whether it’s the emotional depth of That Christmas, the thrilling narrative of Red Eye, the charming adventures in Old Enough!, or the musical battles in Song Stealer, there’s something for everyone to look forward to.
