Friday, May 6, 2016

Talking telly

I'm no finance wizard, but the latest results from the BBC's US partner, AMC Networks, would have been up, if they hadn't spend some of the profits buying back their own shares. Which I'm sure is fine.

On BBC America in particular, CEO Josh Sapan told investors "We continue to be very pleased with the performance of BBC America. The network recorded gains in the quarter among key audiences and continues to attract a very desirable audience that is highly social and upscale. Last month, BBC America debuted the fan favorite, Orphan Black. Now in its fourth season, the series is as strong creatively as ever."

What he didn't say is that the Canadian-made Orphan Black is down from Season 3. The first three episodes of Season 4 played to an average audience of 250,000 in the 18-49 demographic.

Tonight BBC America remains on brand with back-to-back Star Trek: Next Generation and two Mad Max movies.

Meanwhile Mr Sapan was quizzed about his joint investment with the BBC in The Night Manager, with each of six episodes costing an estimated £3m. "Just on price I would say that we're very comfortable and pleased with the relationship that we made with the BBC financially and otherwise. And I'll leave it at pleased and just to say that we cooperated very nicely. We're very pleased with the outcome. I think the proportion of it was sensible for us. We hope the BBC was happy."

Average audience for the first three episodes showing on AMC: 850,000 18-to-49 year olds. "When something is insanely good, it doesn't necessarily read insanely good day one. Sometimes day 33, it reads insanely good. And I am an enthusiast for it, you'll hear that. But it's not just me, I think the world dispassionately or passionately has declared that as well. So that's the view of it."

No comments:

Post a Comment

Other people who read this.......