All the latest news from the global content industry on Wednesday, 11 November

 

PBS, SBS land on Blink Films docuseries

PBS in the US and Australia's SBS are preparing to air a four-part series in 2027 that will investigate historic sites from Blink Films.

Secrets of the Ancient Wonders uses cutting-edge LiDAR scanning and computer-generated imaging to take viewers to four locations: the Great Pyramid of Giza, Petra, Machu Picchu and the Colosseum.

The series sheds light on the mysteries, innovations and engineering achievements behind these ancient wonders.

Archaeologist Dr. Alice Roberts hosts and PBS Distribution will handle sales. SBS's version will be titled Cracking the Ancient Wonders.

 

UKs ITV eyes further savings 

ITV is targeting a further £30m of cost savings within its Media and Entertainment (M&E) division as it aims to navigate the hurdles caused by a “weaker demand for advertising”.

The “additional, temporary” cost cutting from M&E, which is in the process of being sold to Sky for £1.6bn, comprise £25m of content savings and £5m of discretionary non-content savings, with overall 2026 content budget expected to be around £1.2bn.

The broadcaster said it is on track to deliver continued profitable digital revenue growth, but total advertising revenue (TAR) is forecast to be down around 5-10% in Q4, and down around 2-3% for the full year 2026 compared to 2025. Similarly, last year ITV was forced to make cost savings of over £30m ahead of a tricky fourth quarter.

Overall, revenues declined 1% year-on-year to reach £276m for the first nine months of 2026, according to its latest trading update. ITV’s total external revenue is down by 2% (£236m) compared with £240m the previous year. Read more

 

It's Florida, Man slates HBO return

HBO will debut S3 of comedy series It's Florida, Man on 4 December.

The show will debut on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes of the six-episode season landing weekly on Fridays.

The show is from Rough House Pictures (Eastbound & Down) and tells the unbelievable but true tales of the Sunshine State, featuring candid accounts from everyday Floridians recreated by a rotating cast of actors and comedians.

 

Topics