How could the commissioning of the Meatballs comedy series affect Bell Media?
Crave's new comedy may boost Bell Media's platform value The commissioning of the new comedy series Meatballs, starring Bill Murray and Maddie Phillips, is being distributed by Sphere Abacus, a company owned by Bell Media. This content is part of a strategy where Crave is commissioning risk-taking programs, following the mega-success of the drama Heated Rivalry. The reports indicate that this focus on new, high-quality content helps prove that Canada can deliver on all fronts, which strengthens the overall platform value of Crave and, by extension, its parent company, Bell Media.
- Effect
- Mild positive
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- Over the long term
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches Bell Media
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Crave commissioned *Meatballs*, a new comedy series that reimagines the 1979 classic featuring Bill Murray. Maddie Phillips, who plays the character Skipper, discussed the project, noting that she did not draw on Bill Murray’s established character. The series is billed as a raunchy, irreverent reimagining of the original.
The full event1independent outlet -
The success of Crave's content, including Meatballs and the prior success of Heated Rivalry, is seen as proof that Canada can deliver new flavors and content. This ability to attract and retain viewers through high-profile programming strengthens the platform value of Crave, which is owned by Bell Media.
No report states this step directly. Brind drew it from the reporting on each side of it, so treat it as an informed guess.
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Canadian media company
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Sphere Abacus, the distribution company owned by Crave parent Bell Media, is selling Meatballs in Cannes.deadline.com
- Meatballs stars Bill Murray and Maddie Phillips.deadline.com
- The show's launch follows the mega-success of Crave and HBO ice hockey drama Heated Rivalry.deadline.com
- Crave is praised for commissioning risk-taking programs.deadline.com
Why it matters
For Bell Media, the ability to consistently commission and distribute high-profile, successful content is crucial for maintaining market relevance against competitors like Amazon and Netflix. The success of Crave's content strategy directly impacts its subscriber base and the perceived value of its streaming platform, which is a core asset for the company.
This move is part of a broader trend noted in the reports, where the success of Canadian productions, such as Heated Rivalry, is creating a buzz. This suggests that Bell Media is positioning itself to capitalize on a growing international appetite for Canadian storytelling, which could diversify its content portfolio and appeal to a wider audience.
What we don't know yet
- What will the viewership numbers for Meatballs be?
- How will the international reception of Meatballs compare to Heated Rivalry?
What would change this answer
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Reporting
- deadline.comOct 12
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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.