Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has praised The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay for ignoring his notes – and revealed how his son spoke for fans of author JRR Tolkien when he warned: “Dad, please don’t eff this up.”

Public broadcasting group France Télévisions is looking for eye-catching event series through an increasingly flexible deal-making approach to international partnerships.

Disney’s Star+ platform is on the lookout for local stories and limited series able to connect with a global audience beyond Latin America.

Disney+ France’s local originals strategy favours innovation and quality over quantity, but offers opportunities to pitch scripted and unscripted projects.

Australia’s SBS On Demand, AMC Networks International’s SundanceTV in Spain and Walter Presents in Ireland and the UK have all picked up contemporary Finnish detective drama Helsinki Crimes.

Two leading screenwriters have criticised the “vicious” plan to privatise UK pubcaster Channel 4, just as the government’s sale was left in disarray following the resignation of prime minister Boris Johnson.

Last week’s Série Series festival in France concluded a busy month for TV executives and, alongside the premieres and screenings, asked some deep questions of its delegates.

SÉRIE SERIES: Disney+ in France has outlined its original production strategy and called for pitches with the potential to surprise execs and viewers alike.

SERIE SERIES: The new head of drama at Norwegian pubcaster NRK has vowed to “dare to take chances” and continue creating conversation-starting series.

SÉRIE SERIES: Public broadcaster France Télévisions (FTV)’s international drama team has outlined its need for event series that make a noise among viewers and revealed how its Alliance coproduction partnership is evolving.