Hollywood's challenge: Create 'corona-proof' programming that will outlast the pandemic

The Zoom-from-home shows that have become commonplace won’t look so quaint post-quarantine. April 15, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak has put Hollywood on the hunt for so-called “corona-proof” programming. For Digiday+ Members, TV networks and streaming services are in the market for clip shows to plug any potential programming holes if the production shutdown continues for too long. Meanwhile, media companies are adapting their digital video series, shooting shows with iPhones and filming interview series over FaceTime. Read more below. - Like a “Saturday Night Live” sketch shot over Zoom, the [shows being made remotely]( during Hollywood’s physical production hiatus risk a short half-life. - For Digiday+ Members, the coronavirus crisis hit fast and hard. Here is [how The Daily Beast adapted its businesses]( and how publishers can prepare their companies for the new reality. - With reader engagement on the up, there are some signs that [publishers' email newsletters]( are bringing in more revenue. - [BuzzFeed is quitting the German market]( after six years, signaling a retreat from its global expansion. Other things to know about - On this week’s The New Normal, Digiday editor-in-chief Brian Morrissey will be joined by Politico chief product officer Aaron Kissel to discuss how Politico is adapting its slate of live events into virtual briefings in an all-remote world. [Register here]( to join us on Friday at 12 p.m. ET. - COVID-19 has dramatically disrupted media companies’ strategies for engaging with customers and driving ad sales. In a new webinar, learn [how companies can use A.I. and consumer research stabilize business and then strategize for growth in a time of crisis](. Sponsored by Resonate. Top Stories Coronavirus Fallout [Hollywood's challenge: Create 'corona-proof' programming that will outlast the pandemic]( The Zoom-from-home shows that have become commonplace won’t look so quaint post-quarantine. howdy! DIGIDAY+ MEMBER EXCLUSIVE [How the Daily Beast is accelerating revenue diversification]( The coronavirus crisis hit fast and hard. Here is how The Daily Beast adapted its businesses and how publishers can prepare their companies for the new reality. Sponsored by Duration Media [In the face of the pandemic, audiences are increasingly turning to more credible news sources]( In a time of pandemic, emerging numbers tell us that, when it comes to sourcing credible news, audiences are increasingly turning to legitimate local, regional and national publishers and channels. Advertisement howdy! Coronavirus Fallout [A bright spot in a gloomy ad market: newsletter ad revenue is up (for some)]( With entire advertising categories like travel and retail shuddering to a halt on spend and other marketers opting to avoid appearing next to coronavirus-related news stories, publishers are eager for any sign of growth. A small green shoot: With reader engagement on the up — captive audiences stuck inside clamor for updates and entertainment — […] Sponsored by Celtra [Marketers’ webinar: Strategies for going digital during a time of crisis]( Brands are rapidly transitioning to digital marketing strategies during the pandemic. In a new webinar, on May 7 at 12:00 p.m. EST, join experts at Celtra as they discuss tips for creating new workflow strategies and working within newly remote teams. howdy! Coronavirus Fallout [BuzzFeed puts its Germany business up for sale, signaling curtailed international ambitions]( BuzzFeed has put its German bureau up for sale just three months after offering local commercial solutions. Advertisement Sponsored by Marfeel [Publishers are looking at UX optimization to reduce latency and drive more competitive ads]( Disruptive and flashy ads have the power to boost CPMs, but they can decimate engagement. In a new UX guide for publishers, learn best practices for delivering quality inventory without alienating users. howdy! Coronavirus Fallout [Hearst pivots to Instagram Live while audiences are cooped up at home]( Delish’s “#CookingTogether” live series has been particularly successful, not only in achieving monetization, but also in building a new video franchise for the brand. howdy! Audio Anywhere [No commuting, no problem: Podcasting ad revenue continues to grow]( With commuting on hold and everybody Zooming all the time, podcast consumption has taken a bit of a hit as listeners look for new ways to fit shows into their daily routines. Last month, the analytics firm Chartable released research suggesting that podcast downloads were 10% lower on March 25 than they were on February […] [All Latest Stories]( [How MIT Technology Review shifted its largest event to streaming]( About a third of the MIT Technology Review's revenue comes from events, according to its CEO's Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau. That piece of the pie is obviously under threat as activity in the United States remains frozen by the coronavirus pandemic. "We had to make a call on our largest event, called EmTech Digital, entirely on AI -- our highest-yielding event," Bramson-Boudreau said. You received this email because you’re a member of the Digiday community. 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