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A 'Final Fantasy XIV' live-action TV show is in the works
Final Fantasy might be making its way to a screen near you, albeit without the need for you to have a controller in hand. Square Enix and Sony Pictures Television are developing a live-action Final Fantasy TV series with Hivemind, the production company behind The Expanse. It's also working on Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher.
Apple hires another Sony TV exec to boost its streaming efforts
Apple sure likes to use Sony's TV wing as a talent pool for its streaming video team — it just lured away another executive. Angelica Guerra, Sony Pictures Television's production leader for Latin American and US Hispanic content, has joined Apple as its head of Latin American programming. It's not certain how this will affect Apple's online video strategy, but she's reporting to Apple's international creative development lead Morgan Wandell.
Apple bolsters its TV unit with more top Sony talent
Seasoned execs from the world of network television are dotted all around video services. Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon have all made big hires from TV land to help boost original programming. And, it seems Apple has been taking notes. Keen to launch its own competitive line-up of exclusive shows, the tech giant is adding yet more execs to its TV unit. The same unit that has $1 billion to play around with for new content. And, that may one day shoot its productions on its very own Hollywood studio lot. You can't accuse Apple of being shy about its ambitions.
With Funimation deal, Sony's PS4 will be a must-have for anime fans
Japanese animation has exploded in popularity over the past few years, thanks to increased availability on streaming services like Crunchyroll, Hulu and Amazon. It was popular enough for Funimation, which specializes in translating anime for American audiences, to launch its own service in 2016. It's no surprise that larger media companies came looking for a piece of the pie, with Sony grabbing a 95 percent majority stake in Funimation this week.
Sky's deal with Sony paves the way for 4K movies
Sky has sewn up its first pan-European deal with Sony today, ensuring the studio's movies arrive promptly, and in 4K resolution, in every country where it operates. In the UK, the new agreement means that Sky will continue to get first dibs on Sony's latest flicks before any other subscription service. Sky says each movie will be available "only a few months" after it's been released in cinemas, and "over a year" ahead of other subscription services. (Think Netflix, Prime Video, or even BT TV.)
The trailer for PlayStation's 'Powers' series doesn't hold anything back
If you were worried that Sony's transformation of Powers into a PlayStation Network show would lose the comics' grittiness, you can (probably) relax. The first trailer for the original series is now available, and it's pretty clear that the production maintains a dark, twisted world of superhero crime. Detective Christian Walker is foul-mouthed and not exactly sympathy-inducing, while the suspects he's chasing are more warped than your typical comic book villains. You'll probably have to wait until the series launch in December to see much more, but it's already apparent that Sony is taking advantage of Powers' console-only release to push a few boundaries.
Netflix recruits creators of 'Damages' to premiere a psychological thriller original series
No one can deny Netflix is betting big on its original content -- and for very good reasons, mind you. In light of this, the video streaming giant is already preparing to premiere yet another series of its own: a psychological thriller from the brains behind the television show Damages. Netflix announced today it has signed up Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman to create a 13-episode original, with the plot focusing around "a family of adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home." The new series, which will be produced by Sony Pictures Television, is expected to start production in early 2014 -- Netflix hasn't revealed the official name yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we find that out. [Image credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]
Sky signs exclusive UK deal with Sony, keeps Netflix's dirty hands off MiB 3
Having already ploughed through Warner Bros.' catalog, execs at Sky have just added the latest wares from Sony Pictures Television to their UK and Ireland playlist. Forthcoming titles like After Earth will arrive on Sky Movies six months after they've finished in cinemas, and will join other Sony pictures -- like Men in Black 3, The Amazing Spider-Man and Django Unchained -- in being Sky-only for another twelve months after that.
Sony's PIX brings full-length films to AT&T Mobile TV
Sony just revealed a bit more about AT&T's Mobile TV service launching in May. We now know that one of the two exclusive AT&T channels will be called PIX, Sony's new feature film channel for cellphones. The service is a first of its kind in the US... for good reason. Oh, it's not that we have anything against the roster of films including "Ghostbusters," "Philadelphia" and "Karate Kid." It's more the prospect of sitting in front of that tiny mobile screen to watch a full-length film without the ability to pause, fast forward or rewind. This is live broadcast folks. Nevertheless, Sony Pictures claims to understand the risk. According to Eric Berger, VP Mobile Entertainment at Sony Pictures Television, "We recognize that people are on the go with their mobile phone and coming and going. This isn't for people looking to view a movie for the first time. It's OK to miss the beginning." Films will run on PIX for a month with new additions added weakly weekly.
Sony Pictures Television's serving up content to DivX Certified players
DivX announced Sony Pictures Television will be offering "high quality, secure" content for download-to-own to DivX Certified hardware (like the PlayStation 3 or DSM-330, but probably definitely not the Xbox 360). Little details like who will actually sell this content, what shows will be available (our fingers are crossed for syndicated Jeopardy HD episodes) and when aren't mentioned, but this is another step as it promotes itself as a platform for legitimate content distribution.Update: We contacted DivX and confirmed the Xbox 360 is not a Divx Certified device and will not play this content, while DivX Connected devices like the DSM-330 will..
