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Netflix: DreamWorks’ Cobb to lead kids, family content team, deal with Orange renewed
MUMBAI: Two significant developments have taken place at Netflix, a leading internet entertainment service with 104 million members in over 190 countries, including India, enjoying over 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including originals.
Orange and Netflix have inked a major agreement and Melissa Cobb will lead Netflix kids and family content team.
Orange, one of the leading telcos with sales of 40,9 billion euros in 2016, and Netflix have renewed the agreement signed in 2014 for the distribution of Netflix for Orange TV customers in France, and have expanded their partnership to all countries in which the Orange Group is present.
This strategic partnership will enable the Group’s subsidiaries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East to distribute Netflix in the future, bringing their customers exclusive content of this service to all their screens.
Netflix will be offered to Orange Poland customers in the coming months as part of its TV offers. Other launches will follow in 2018.
“We want to offer the best content,” notes Orange CEO Stéphane Richard.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said, “This partnership offers the possibility for millions of our customers to enjoy the leading entertainment service seamlessly, in one place.”
Cobb has joined Netflix as vice-president, kids and family, overseeing the creation and acquisition of series and films for children and families. Based in the Los Angeles office, Cobb reports to the chief content officer Ted Sarandos.
In her role, Cobb leads the content team responsible for bringing kids and family titles to Netflix members with an expanded focus on high quality series and event programming across the spectrum of kids and family entertainment, including both animation and live action.
Cobb joins Netflix from DreamWorks, where most recently she was the chief creative officer and head of studio for Oriental DreamWorks. Based in Shanghai, China, she oversaw all aspects of running the studio and U.S./China collaboration including creative oversight of all projects in development and production, business strategy, production strategy and more for a slate of high quality animated feature films targeted to a global audience.
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Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
