‘Clarkson’s Farm’ First-Look & S3 Release Date Unveiled; Rope Ladder Short Film Push; Viaplay Baltics; ITV Studios Iberia Hire – Global Briefs

‘Clarkson’s Farm’ First-Look & S3 Release Date Unveiled

Amazon Prime Video has unveiled images and a May release date for the upcoming Clarkson’s Farm. Pics show the ever-controversial host return to his Diddly Squat farm with compatriots facing daunting challenges. The crops are failing in the severe hot weather, inflation has driven prices of supplies sky high, dreams for the beloved restaurant are dashed and the farm shop also faces closure. Clarkson needs to come up with creative new ways of making ends meet, while someone new arrives to Diddly Squat, which puts Kaleb’s nose out of joint. The series will launch on May 3 and an image can be seen above. Controversy has surrounded the show since Grand Tour host Clarkson’s vitriolic Meghan Markle rant in The Sun, but a fourth season was confirmed several weeks ago despite reports that it had been canceled over the Markle tirade. Earlier this week, French farmers who were blockading Paris with tractors to protest the economic crisis showed their support for what Clarkson is doing with the show.

‘Waterloo Road’ Producer Moves Into Short Films

Waterloo Road producer Rope Ladder Fiction has moved into the short film space. The indie run by former Sky drama boss Cameron Roach recently completed an outreach program and trainee scheme in Manchester with Glow Up producer Wall to Wall and Screen Manchester and the upshot is Osoro and Surprise Baby!. The former is a magical realist project set against the backdrop of Black Britain in the early noughties and the latter tells the story of parent-to-be Taye contemplating confiding in their pregnant partner Serena about their gender identity on the day of their baby shower. Both projects are being entered into international film festivals, whilst Rope Ladder focuses on feature and series development. Rope Ladder, which makes BBC drama Waterloo Road with Wall to Wall, said it is keen to back at least two short films per year to stimulate the development pipeline. “At this time, we are in need of more spaces for creative talent to find their voice and explore themes and ideas in an experimental, safe and brave space, away from the immediate pressures of the commercial environment,” said Roach. “We aim to be innovative with our development, creating original projects and a unique environment for writers and directors to truly harness their voice and authorship.”

Viaplay Gets Ball Rolling On Baltics Exit

Viaplay Group has struck an agreement in the Baltics to sublicense its live sports portfolio to TV3 Group’s streaming service Go3, getting the ball rolling on its move away from the region. Viaplay subs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will be transferred to Go3 next month. The Scandi outfit, which is undergoing major structural changes and recently let go of around 30% of its staff, has previously announced its intention to exit the Baltic markets by summer 2025, and is also leaving the UK and U.S. “This is the right step for Viaplay Group’s business and for our sports viewers across the Baltic region,” said CEO Jørgen Madsen Lindemann. “It enables us to sharpen our operational focus even further on the Nordics, Netherlands and Viaplay Select.” Viaplay is currently pushing through a recapitalization program that has seen Canal+ and PPF take 29% stakes each.

ITV Studios Iberia Signs Creative Director

ITV Studios Iberia has signed a creative director to oversee local versions of The Voice and The Chase in Spain. Miguel Vila joins newly-launched ITV Studios Iberia, which is led by former Fremantle Spain boss Nathalie Garcia, as Creative Director, Non-Scripted. His focus will be on the long-running versions of the hit formats while also leading the creation and development of format ideas and concepts. Vila joins from Mediaset España where he was Deputy of Format Development until 2015 and then Head of Formats and New Developments. ITV Studios Iberia opened late last year. Garcia said she has “always admired [Vila’s] creativity, infectious drive and passion for new ways of entertaining viewers.”