The Cultural Algorithm

Ask the average consumer if there's any difference between film and TV ratings, and they'll probably say "No." However, there are significant differences, as the above image from the MPA and TV Parental Guideline Monitoring Board indicates. From a content creator and distribution standpoint, preparing a title for television can require as much, if not more, content analysis and work to ensure it complies with local regulations.

Where and when ads are placed is a big deal.That Was ThenNot long ago, ad placement was simple. If it were a household product, the ad would air during programs catering to women, such as game shows or soap operas. Sporting events hawked alcohol. And Saturday morning cartoons were packed with promotions for toys and sugary cereals. There was rarely drama about ads and where they appeared.

Insights from IBC2023It's hard to believe nearly a year has passed since Generative AI's coming out party. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes had AI at the center of their negotiations. Industry conferences, including the recently concluded IBC 2023, spent many hours discussing, publicizing, and revealing Generative and Predictive AI products. The investor community is intensely focused on it, investing a reported $91.9B in the industry last year. Academics and regulators try to understand and predict AI's impact and influence on society, and critics wonder if Gen AI might be this year's NFT. AI certainly has people's attention.

25-35% of consumers watch international content.When the summer box office hinted the movie business was returning to pre-pandemic normal, the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes halted productions , and studios once again needed a source of new content. Although some titles were completed, the strikes meant that until the parties reached an agreement, no union members were available to promote films or series. As has been reported at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), deals aren't happening because all sales must conform to the final negotiated settlements, and studios are reluctant to spend money on deals until the terms are known.

In early 2020, the COVID pandemic forced studios to rethink how and when to release major motion pictures. The pandemic cut available theaters and release times by more than half, and the industry and revenues worldwide suffered significantly. With the public no longer able to watch films in person, a new strategy for releasing theatrical films was necessary, and the "Cross-Platform Release" strategy was born.

Some of their reasons may surprise you!If you're older than a Millennial, there's a good chance you've rarely watched TV with subtitles onscreen. When you did, it was probably sitting with someone hearing impaired or watching a foreign language film.

Experience Spherex AI September 15-18Over the last two years, Spherex AI has been recognized by some of the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry's top organizations and publications for AI leadership and technical excellence. This ground-breaking product automates reviewing titles for content compliance at a territory level. It identifies objectionable content based on local regulations and cultural sensitivities, from inappropriate language to nudity, violence, and more.

Consumers prefer to watch content that reflects their lives and culture.In a world with thousands of cultures and languages, research shows audiences want diverse stories. Companies that provide those stories make more money. Do titles released in 2023 reflect audience preferences and expectations? Let’s see.

One of the most anticipated releases this summer is director Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Billed as a movie to see whether you love or hate Barbie, it brings to life the doll first introduced in 1959. Censors in Vietnam and possibly the Philippines have decided to ban its release not because of the action, characters, or dialogue but for including a map both countries say violates their sovereignty.