Freely Live TV Platform Launches In UK; RTL Deutschland Content Chief; BAFTA $156,000 Grants; MGM+ India — Global Briefs

Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock

April 30, 2024 at 4:33 a.m.·3 min read

Freely Launches In UK

The UK’s first free TV service that delivers live television over broadband has launched today. Freely, bringing together the four public broadcasters along with Scotland’s STV and Wales’ S4C and described as “futureproofing free TV for the streaming age”, kicks off with additional distribution from TiVo, along with the previously announced Hisense. Freely combines live TV channels alongside on demand content for free via smart TVs, removing the need for a dish or aerial. It is overseen by broadcasting group Everyone TV, which also runs Freeview, the free TV service that launched more than two decades ago. Freely was first announced last year and more details were revealed at Everyone TV’s Outside the Box event. “The launch of Freely is a historic moment for UK television,” said Kieran Clifton, Director, BBC Distribution & Business Development. “Collaboration between the UK PSBs is critical to connecting and protecting all audiences as we transition towards the streaming era – and delivering live TV over broadband for free is a ground-breaking innovation that will futureproof public service broadcasting.”

More from Deadline

Inga Leschek Named RTL Deutschland Content Chief

Inga Leschek is the new Chief Content Officer at RTL Deutschland. On June 1, she will add management of all brands within the German broadcast giant to her current duties as Program Director of RTL and streamer RTL+. This means she will add oversight of content for RTL, Vox, NTV, RTL Super and Multichannel, RTL+ and all journalistic content for RTL News (except Stern+) — duties that were under the previous CCO Stephan Schmitter, who was recently upped to CEO. Leschek returned to RTL last year after a spell at Netflix. Prior to that, she had spent seven years running RTL Studios.

BAFTA Unveils $156,000 Grants & Refugee Journalism Project

BAFTA has unveiled £125,000 ($156,000) in grants to creatives from under-represented backgrounds along with a collaboration with the Refugee Journalism Project. The Prince William Bursary Scheme in honor of BAFTA President Prince William is making up to £2,000 each available to 58 emerging creatives including production assistants, costumer designers, writers, game designers, and camera and sound trainees to help them progress in their respective crafts. Meanwhile, for the first time, BAFTA is also awarding grants to individuals who have been forcibly displaced in collaboration with the Refugee Journalism Project. Around £30,000 in funding has been awarded to 11 recipients including journalists, editors, directors and videographers. “Supporting the next generation of talent is an essential part of our mission,” said BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip. “The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund is a fantastically effective way to kick-start careers, particularly for those who face socio and economic inequality.”

MGM+ Joining Prime Video Channels In India

More collaboration between Amazon’s content operations here: Prime Video and MGM International have teamed to launch the MGM+ streaming service in India. MGM+ will be made available through Prime Video Channels for ₹599 ($7.17) a year for Prime members. The move will be seen as Amazon’s latest attempt to push into the lucrative Indian retail market. Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, recently said India is driving more Amazon subscriptions than anywhere else, bar the U.S. A recent Prime Video slate comprises nearly 70 films and TV shows.

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