The Connection Between the 'Baywatch' and 'Dance Moms' Reboots and the Resurgence of Windowing

Executives from major media companies including Fox Entertainment Global, Fremantle, Banijay, A&E, and ITV Studios gathered at Content London on Wednesday to explore the current trends in content investment. The discussion, titled Fundamentals: Show me the money what content the majors are investing in and why, featured top industry leaders sharing insights into what audiences are seeking today.

Fremantle is concentrating on procedural dramas, game shows, and revivals of classic franchises such as Baywatch. CEO Jens Richter noted that windowing is back big time, signaling a shift away from the early streaming strategy of exclusive platforms. He emphasized that most major players now sell advertising, creating demand for mainstream shows capable of attracting large audiences for limited viewing periods.

Prentiss Fraser, president of Fox Entertainment Global, highlighted the networks focus on one-hour procedurals, returnable dramas across multiple genres, and engaging formats in food, music, and dating. Fraser stressed that strong central characters remain key to successful programming, asserting that Fox is very ambitious and eager to expand its offerings.

Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, revealed plans for a new Fear Factor reboot for Fox, featuring unexpected and entertaining challenges. Payne explained that her team carefully reviews Banijays catalogue to identify fresh opportunities for revitalizing existing properties.

Patrick Vien of A+E Global Media noted that recent reboots, including Dance Moms and Duck Dynasty, have achieved viewership comparable to, or even surpassing, the networks original brands. Vien also highlighted an upcoming 20-episode History Channel World War II documentary series narrated by Tom Hanks, describing it as an immersive storytelling experience.

Ruth Berry from ITV Studios emphasized the importance of starting projects with top talent, citing collaborations with producers like Nicola Shindler of Harlan Coben adaptations. She also pointed out a significant shift in the industry: exclusivity is less critical, as content creators are increasingly open to partnerships across platforms.

The session underlined a broader trend: commercial, mainstream programmingparticularly revivals and procedural dramasis gaining renewed importance, reflecting both audience demand and evolving distribution strategies in the era of advertising-supported streaming.

Author: Logan Reeves