Press & News

The production of TV series Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin contributed over EUR 31 million to Germany’s GDP (“Bruttoinlandsprodukt”) according to an economic impact study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by the MPA in cooperation with NBCUniversal and Studio Babelsberg. The production also created 700 local jobs (full-time and part-time) and supported more than 650 local businesses across all of Germany, especially in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

According to Oxford Economics, the economic benefits of Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin include:

• Almost EUR 27 million direct production expenditure in Germany.
• 700 local workers employed by the production earned wages of EUR 6.7 million.
• Approximately EUR 20 million was spent with 650 local businesses across Germany that were engaged by the production in particular the Berlin-Brandenburg region.
• Vendors from 14 of Germany’s 16 Länder provided goods or services.
• In total, the production stimulated over EUR 31 million in contribution to Germany’s GDP.

„The production of Season 1 of Pitch Perfect is a great illustration of the significant positive economic impact that the film, television, and streaming industry can have on local economies,” said Stan McCoy, President of the Motion Picture Association in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. „This report is a timely example of the benefits a country can reap through production incentive programs as this money goes directly into the German economy and supports local jobs and businesses. With a revamped production incentive, uncapped and internationally competitive, we anticipate significantly larger benefits for the German economy.“

Andy Weltman, CEO Studio Babelsberg, adds: „Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin is one of many examples from recent years of how important TV series and streaming productions are for Germany as a production location alongside cinema films. The study impressively shows the positive effects that go far beyond the film production industry. Studio Babelsberg has the infrastructure to facilitate multiple productions at the same time and create thousands of jobs for talented and experienced filmmakers from the region. If the reform of film funding comes into force on January 1, 2025 as planned, we are confident that it will create sustainability and long term growth for the German production industry on a level that has been unachievable in the past. It will be a game-changer.“

„The MPA and Studio Babelsberg study provides tangible results of the impact a production such as ours can have on the local community,” said Jerry DiCanio, EVP, Production Operations, Universal Television. „Working with over 700 locals and 650 vendors in Germany resulted in an authentically Berlin experience and entertaining series. We sincerely hope that we can find pathways for additional productions in Germany in the future.“

You can download the full study at: https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/economic-impacts-of-pitch-perfect-bumper-in-berlin-in-germany/

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin is a TV series spin-off of the Pitch Perfect movie series featuring one of the characters, Bumper, who moves to Germany to revive his music career after one of his songs becomes big in Berlin. The show is set in Berlin, where it was filmed in 2022 in co-production with Studio Babelsberg. The Universal Television series premiered on Peacock in the US on November 23, 2022. In Germany, the original version of the show is available on Apple TV, Prime Video, freenet Video, maxdome and Google Play.

###

About The Motion Picture Association:
The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are: Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.

About Studio Babelsberg, part of Cinespace Studios:
Founded in 1912, Studio Babelsberg is the oldest large-scale studio complex in the world and the cradle of German film. Today, Studio Babelsberg is one of Europe’s leading locations for the production of films and television productions in Europe. With 21 state-of-the-art sound stages, various backlots and exterior sets on a 42-acre lot, Europe's largest prop shop, first-class set construction department, unique production service and internationally experienced crews, the studio offers ideal conditions for any production need. Since 2022 Studio Babelsberg has been part of Cinespace Studios, a best-in-class global platform of production facilities, headquartered in Chicago, that supports content providers and their creatives. The platform is one of the largest sound stage operators globally with 109 active stages across Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Wilmington, and Studio Babelsberg in Germany. For more information, visit www.cinespace.com.

About NBCUniversal:
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.