Hollywood may be struggling with the amount of TV content being created for both emerging and established streaming platforms these days, but Universal Studio Group boss Perlena Igbokwe sees this increase in programming as good news for TV lovers. .
“Can there be too many TVs?” I don’t think so. Obviously, not everyone can see everything. But the fact is, there are so many options for everyone, you can find whatever you love, whatever you’re looking for, on TV these days,” USG President Igbokve told the Banff World Media Festival on Monday. .
Of course, people have so much time to watch TV that it competes with other digital media passions, like audio podcasts and games, and the necessities of life itself, he warned. “So if you’re doing TV shows, you want to create shows that people are excited about, so that when people make decisions about what I’m going to do in my time, I hope they’re watching the subject that I love.” Igbokve told Banff attendees.
He acknowledged that studios, especially on the streaming side, are under pressure to cut content costs as streaming wars force talent costs and subscribers to weigh how many services they pay. “We look at everything and try to be as smart and economical as possible,” Igbokve said.
He added that television is a creative business and to have a competitive advantage it is necessary to maintain a balance of costs and risks. “I don’t think we’re going to stop spending money on TV shows,” Igbokve said.
The USG is home to Universal Television, Universal Content Productions, Universal Television Alternative and International Studios and currently has approximately 123 works created worldwide. Igbokve said the trend in the TV industry, which is running a rerun of the classic series to disrupt the TV landscape, will continue, but creators need to bring fresh vision if they want to revive the show in the 70s and 80s.
And yet, what he wants most are women who follow his lead and enter the industry to create television. “I can’t do this for long. And the amazing thing is seeing the next generation of women and, for me, specifically black women in business. So I hope other women will come and come to me to take my job please,” he added with hopeful enthusiasm.
Igbokve later told his own story when he arrived in the US as a child from his native Nigeria and instantly watched American television nonstop. But before ending his career at NBC and Showtime, the head of Universal Studio Group wasn’t sure the door would open.
“When I was little and looking at business, did I think I could do this? Are there examples of people doing this? Igbokve remembered. Her first inspiration was Debra Martin Chase, producer courage under fire And creator of Martin Chase Productions, which is now associated with Universal Television.
“When I walked into the studio, he (Martin Chase) was one of the first people I dealt with because he was a role model for me. “He may not know it, but now I’m going to work with him,” Igbokve said.
The USG boss also said that he will continue to bring in new and diverse voices as storytellers. “Obviously for me, it’s my personal goal to bring storytellers to Universal Studios Group who haven’t had the opportunity to tell stories about people in the past that haven’t been told,” said Igbokve.
He Aimed at Nita Manzur Peacock’s Comedy We are the lady parts! Co-creator of Sierra Ornelas Rutherford Falls Or Jason Katims showman how we see him Like US stages fighting for greater diversity and inclusion.
“TV is entertainment. “But I think sometimes we also have the power to identify people who weren’t normally in the spotlight and also to tell stories like this,” Igbokve told the Banff audience.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
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