Transnationalism and coproduction in television’s multiplatform era: the case of ‘My Brilliant Friend’

Description

Rai/HBO co-production My Brilliant Friend provides an illuminating example of changing strategies for transnational drama co-production in television’s burgeoning ‘multiplatform’ era—a time in which broadcast, cable/satellite, and internet-only networks co-exist.

Foregrounding institutional over textual analysis, this paper places My Brilliant Friend within the industrial, creative, and cultural contexts that have facilitated it. Of particular significance is that transnational co-productions between non-US broadcasters and US-based premium networks are increasing in number, encouraged by the ability of newly released productions to obtain an unprecedented ‘reach’ and immediacy of international exposure through internet distribution. The presentation examines MBF’s origination as a literary adaptation, its genesis as a ‘cross-platform’ co-production, and its exemplification of changing drama commissioning strategies for Rai and HBO.