Monday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Shortland Street to return

Long-running New Zealand drama Shortland Street is to return for another season following a deal with broadcaster TVNZ, All3Media’s South Pacific Pictures and funding support from NZ On Air.

The show, which airs on TVNZ 2 and via sibling streamer TVNZ+, will return in 2026 after the show’s financing was secured with assistance from NZ On Air and the country’s screen production rebate.

Shortland Street has been on air since 1992 and had operated without funding body support until 2023. TVNZ and South Pacific said they are now “focusing on transitioning Shortland Street to a commercially funded, digitally delivered show”, adding that NZ On Air’s support provides “a crucial pathway to making that ambition a reality.”

TelevisaUnivision hires YouTube alum

Spanish-language giant TelevisaUnivision has hired venture capital exec John Farrell to the newly created role of head of partnerships.

Farrell will lead the company’s streamer and channel distribution strategy across linear, digital and OTT. He will also explore relationships with emerging platforms and is tasked with expanding the company’s global footprint.

Farrell joins TelevisaUnivision following nearly a decade in venture capital, where he helped launch and lead multiple funds. Prior to that, he worked in various roles at Google in Asia and Latin America, including heading up its YouTube business in the latter region.

The Holiday gets Apple TV+ adaptation

Apple TV+ UK is planning a series adaptation of Christmas move The Holiday, with a new cast of characters.

The tech giant confirmed the proposed re-versioning of the 2006 Nancy Meyers movie, which starred Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, is to be produced by Dept. Q indie Left Bank Pictures with writer and executive producer Krissie Ducker, who wrote Sky original Sweetpea.

The limited series, the news of which was first reported by Deadline, will copy the premise of the film, which follows a British woman and an American woman who agree to swap houses for the festive season in a bid to escape their disastrous love lives. Set between LA and London, the two women find romance and new friendships in each other’s very different worlds.

Brazil buys Kanal D drama

Kanal D International has sold drama Ruthless City into Brazil, marking the latest sale for the Turkish series.

Ruthless City tells the story of the wealthy Karaçay family, who hide dark secrets, and the more modest Yılmaz family, with their respective values leading to an intense rivalry.

The 136-episode series was produced by Avşar Film for Kanal D and debuted in 2019, before going on to sell around the world, with recent deals concluded in Vietnam late last year. Details of the Brazilian have not been revealed.

BBC investigates alleged drug use on Strictly

The BBC has launched an investigation into alleged cocaine use by two stars of Strictly Come Dancing.

The stars in question on the BBC Studios-produced show have not been named, but the BBC has brought in additional external resource to support a BBC-led investigation.

The Sun on Sunday, which first reported the story, said claims of alleged drug use were made in a legal submission to the broadcaster in March by law firm Russells on behalf of former Strictly contestant Wynne Evans. It said other people had also reported allegations of drug use on the show to the BBC.

The BBC has said it has “clear protocols and policies in place” for dealing with any serious complaints and a spokesperson added: “We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.” Read more