The Cultural Algorithm

The latest Media and Entertainment Outlook 2020 report by PwC states India is currently the world's fastest growing OTT market, and is positioned to become the world's sixth-largest by 2024. This means India is likely to overtake South Korea, Germany, and Australia in OTT revenue. Sizable investments by Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar and other players in both originals and licensed content is expected to make up 93% of total OTT revenue.

In the oversaturated Superhero content market, it is rare for heroes to go against the epitomized image of squeaky-clean role models with godlike powers who save us from menacing villains justin the nick of time. Enter "The Boys." Amazon's hit show takes this notion and turns it on its head. In the series, Vought International presents to the world, "The Seven." These corporate Supes(short for superheroes), polished tip to toe are not dissimilar from carefully designed happy meals that conformists consume on a nice platter. Unlike Marvel Studio's "The Avengers," these Supes are radically damaged characters created in secret labs, pumped with illicit Vought chemicals to achieve unbelievable abilities.

Turkey enacted a new social media rule Oct. 1, 2020, and several social media platforms are not happy about it. The law “requires [companies] to establish a formal presence within the country” which will increase the companies’ “liability for harmful content.” Originally passed through parliament in July, the law also requires companies to appoint a Turkish representative to respond to content complaints and implement court orders.

An erotic comedy series on ALTBalaji, an OTT platform in India, recently invited the ire of the Indian Defence Ministry. The ministry objects to certain scenes in "XXX" and expressed its concern in letters to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

On Sept. 9, the coming-of-age drama "Cuties," was released on Netflix in the U.S. The company bought worldwide rights (excluding France) to the film and in January 2020 it premiered at Sundance, winning the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film is translated in to more than 40 languages and is available in 190 territories. In France, it was released Aug. 19 by Bac Films, who handled French rights.

Ratings are a tricky business, with each country having its own set of rules. Throw in the fact that movies, television shows, and video games each have their own set of rating guidelines and you could be reading the specs for ages. In North America, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is responsible for rating video games for mass consumption. Parents want to know exactly what kind of game they are buying for their children, and on the other end of the spectrum, critics want to know how to review games for their fans. Or, you know, people want to just know what to expect when buying a game off a shelf.

In the oceanic depths of online content, there was a tiny litigious rodent named Mickey Mouse that consumed corporate giants to monopolize its stronghold on streaming platforms. When Mickey isn't floating around on his corporate steamboat Willieenjoying the excesses of his luxurious frugal billionaire lifestyle, this chauvinistic rat is pedaling G-rated content to millions of children all across the world with his new streaming service Disney+. Children's parents religiously subscribe to monthly subscription fees to keep their children glued to the TV for as long as possible. It's hard to ignore the amount of content available on Disney+, which signed up 10 million subscribers on its November 2019 launch, and the promise of more original content still on the way . While the children melt their brains with reruns of "Ducktales" or "Kim Possible" downstairs, what adult content (if any) do the parents get to watch on Disney+?

Disney’s new film “Mulan” has become a worldwide sensation, but not for the reasons one might think. The live-action film has generated an unusual amount of political debate. “Mulan,” directed by Niki Caro, is Disney’s remake of its 1998 animated film, based on the classic Chinese ballad. Due to the pandemic, the studio released the film on its streaming service Disney+, with plans to screen the film theatrically in countries where cinemas are open.

Nigeria is located on the western coast of Africa. The country has been home to a number of ancient pre-colonial states and kingdoms over the millennia. Modern Nigeria originated from British colonial rule beginning in the 19th century. Nigeria’s most diverse feature is its people; there are more than 250 ethnic groups with over 500 distinct languages all identifying with a wide variety of cultures.