Q&A: Cyber Group Studios’ Raphaëlle Mathieu

Keeping in step with industry shifts and technological advancements has long been at the core of Cyber Group Studios’ business. And it has perhaps never been more important to do so on both fronts. The company is optimizing its research and development, harnessing the power of real-time animation and exploring the prospects for AI. Raphaëlle Mathieu, COO, tells TV Kids about how Cyber Group Studios is positioned to navigate the changes in the marketplace.

TV KIDS: What are some of the most significant shifts you’ve seen in the kids’ entertainment market recently?
MATHIEU: There have been many different shifts in a relatively short amount of time. The offer has changed with the streamers and their need to increase subscriber numbers. Bigger and newer were key elements, and lately, there’s a preference for originals, limiting possibilities for exposure on second windows and, therefore, exposure on free-to-air.

Kids have gotten used to higher-quality shows globally and have greater expectations. Covid developed binge-watching. Post-Covid has seen linear broadcasters needing to adjust, often with less income generated by advertising and niche pay-TV going through crises (such as Disney closing more and more channels and Warner Bros. Discovery shutting down Boomerang). Wall Street wants to have cash-positive companies, which has led to massive layoffs at many majors such as Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. Kids are increasingly demanding in terms of quality, and it has become crucial work in R&D to maximize quality and keep costs as constrained as possible.

TV KIDS: How is Cyber Group Studios navigating the current market?
MATHIEU: We are actively working to optimize our R&D and are now very well-advanced on the real-time animation front. This technology is used in our most recent productions, such as Alex Player (France Télévisions and Rai), The McFire Family (M6 Group and Super RTL) and Digital Girl (BBC and Super RTL). It enables us to raise the quality and maintain cost stability as much as possible. In addition, we use this technology to create additional content to help support our shows. We have started to do this with Gigantosaurus with the creation of companion content such as Giganto Club. Last but not least, we are investigating how AI can optimize a number of production tasks that are time-consuming and have very low added value.

TV KIDS: How is Cyber Group Studios positioned to stay competitive amid a changing and challenging market?
MATHIEU: We have a very strong development department run by the super-experienced Pierre Belaïsch in coordination with our L.A. office and the talented Ira Singerman. The aim is to work together to create, option and develop high-quality shows with global potential. We have, at any point in time, around 16 programs in our development pipeline, addressing different targets, genres and styles. Our aim is to optimize the chances to come to the market with quality shows, with the right timing, and always work with the most passionate artists.

TV KIDS: Tell us about some of the properties Cyber Group Studios has for the market.
MATHIEU: In times of crisis, known brands and IP are always important. In that spirit, we are counting on Gigantosaurus, as we are happy to launch the production of season four. We are also in the process of moving forward with our adaptation of Final Fantasy IX, which we have co-developed with Square Enix as a big event serialized series.

Post-Covid, things have gone more multilocal. Luckily, it matches our strategy to structure strategic local partnerships. From this perspective, we now have partnerships in Italy (Graphilm), the U.K. (A Productions) and Singapore (Scrawl Animation). These companies have one big point in common: they all have a long-running presence and reputation in their own territories. It is a privilege to work with them daily and to learn from each other.

TV KIDS: As you look ahead, what are the greatest challenges and opportunities?
MATHIEU: I deeply believe that times of crisis truly lead to innovation. We are putting all our energy into creating new ways to work. We are putting all our energy into innovating in terms of content. We did so at Cartoon Forum, where we presented our first spooky comedy. We are working on this with Pierre Belaïsch and his team, who are developing a daring new concept, including for older targets. Last but not least, we are very lucky to have Dominique Bourse as our CEO. Not only is he co-founder of the company with Pierre Sissmann, but he also supports the teams, gives us energy and is profoundly convinced that it is in challenging times that we can make a difference.     ­­