Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 20 February 2025
Hollywood tightens budgets, Dune: Messiah gears up, Peaky Blinders expands, CBS launches Boston Blue, A24 unveils Bring Her Back, and global content spend hits $248B as industry shifts.
Today’s Highlights:
Australian Free-to-Air Broadcasters Get Spectrum Tax Reprieve - The Australian government has suspended the Commercial Broadcasting Tax (CBT) for a year from June 2025, giving free-to-air broadcasters $50 million in relief, though industry leaders push for permanent abolition.
Czech Republic Enhances Tax Breaks to Attract International TV Productions - The Czech Republic is increasing its film and TV production incentives from January 2025, raising the cash rebate from 20% to 25% and up to 35% for animated and digital projects to boost competitiveness.
Hollywood Studios Cut Risks as Budgets Tighten in 2025 - Major studios and streamers prioritise profitability over risk, with fewer original productions and a shift towards franchise and IP-based releases as greenlight decisions become more scrutinised.
Mary Parent on Dune: Messiah and the Future of the Franchise—Dune: Messiah begins filming in June 2025 in Budapest and Iceland, continuing Denis Villeneuve’s vision. It will be released in December 2026, marking the conclusion of his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga.
Hollywood Tightens Budgets, Changing Showrunner Greenlight Process - Showrunners now face stricter cost controls, requiring production-ready drafts before securing greenlights, with an increasing reliance on if-come deals where writers work unpaid until a sale is secured.
Berlin’s European Film Market Wraps Up With Key Deals and Optimism—The 2025 European Film Market saw bidding wars, including for Lena Dunham’s Good Sex, starring Natalie Portman. Sony Pictures Classics secured Vie Privée, and Mubi acquired The History of Sound.
Steven Knight Confirms Peaky Blinders Will Continue Beyond Netflix Film—Creator Steven Knight confirms Peaky Blinders will continue beyond the upcoming Netflix film starring Cillian Murphy. The film is in post-production and set for a late 2025 or early 2026 release.
CBS Orders Boston Blue, a Blue Bloods Spin-off Starring Donnie Wahlberg - CBS has greenlit Boston Blue for the 2025-2026 season, starring Donnie Wahlberg as NYPD Detective Danny Reagan, now working in Boston, with the series produced by CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.
A24 Releases First Trailer for Bring Her Back from Talk to Me Directors—A24 unveiled the trailer for Bring Her Back, the latest horror film from Talk to Me directors Danny and Michael Philippou. The film centres on a terrifying ritual at a foster mother’s home and will be released in the U.S. on May 30.
Hollywood Studios' Content Spending in 2025 Revealed - Global content spending is projected to reach $248 billion in 2025, with Disney leading at $35.8 billion, followed by NBCUniversal, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global investing between $15B–$17B each.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with SBS, BBC, SISTER, Kudos, South Shore, Netflix, Channel 4 & A+E.
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NEWS
Australian Free-to-Air Broadcasters Get Spectrum Tax Reprieve
The Australian government has announced a one-year suspension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax (CBT) from June 2025, providing free-to-air broadcasters approximately $50 million in relief. This move aims to alleviate financial pressures on the industry. Industry representatives, however, advocate for permanently abolishing the tax, describing it as an outdated burden that hampers competitiveness against global digital platforms. Read More
Czech Republic Enhances Tax Breaks to Attract International TV Productions
The Czech Republic is enhancing its film and television production incentives to attract international projects. Effective January 1, 2025, the cash rebate for eligible expenses will increase from 20% to 25%, with animated and digitally produced projects receiving up to 35%. The per-project grant cap will rise from CZK 150 million to CZK 450 million. These changes aim to boost the country's competitiveness in the global audiovisual industry. Read More
INSIGHTS
UKTV’s Bergerac Reboot Set for February 27 Premiere
UKTV’s reboot of the classic 1980s detective series Bergerac stars Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac, a detective battling grief and alcoholism while solving a high-profile murder in Jersey. The six-part series, written by Toby Whithouse and directed by Colm McCarthy, debuts on February 27 on UKTV’s U&Drama and streaming service U. Read More
AACTA Festival Explores Ways to Improve Screen Development
Inspired by discussions at the AACTA Festival, industry professionals have proposed ideas to refine the screen development process. Suggestions include early read-throughs, structured feedback methods, and increased investment in development roles. The initiatives aim to strengthen storytelling and production efficiency by emphasising collaboration, sustainability, and mentorship. The session highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with financial constraints in an evolving media landscape. Read More
Hollywood Tightens Budgets, Changing Showrunner Greenlight Process
Hollywood’s new financial climate prioritises budgeting alongside creativity, requiring writers to produce production-ready drafts before securing a greenlight. Showrunners now face stricter cost controls, impacting pitching and development timelines. The rise of if-come deals, where writers work without pay unless a sale is made, further highlights industry contraction and increased demands on creatives. Read More
Mary Parent on Dune: Messiah and the Future of the Franchise
Legendary’s Mary Parent confirmed that Dune: Messiah begins production in June 2025, filming in Budapest and Iceland. The sequel, set 12 years after Dune: Part Two, sees Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya reprise their roles. Villeneuve aims for a December 18, 2026 release, concluding his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga. The production continues Villeneuve’s vision of practical effects and expansive desert landscapes. Read More
Hollywood Studios Cut Risks as Budgets Tighten in 2025
Hollywood studios and streamers are adopting stricter financial models, prioritising profitability over risk. With a 20% decline in original content production, most releases are franchise-driven or IP-based. The domestic box office is projected to hit $9.7 billion, reflecting a cautious recovery. Studios are scrutinising greenlight decisions, balancing tentpoles with lower-budget projects, while some filmmakers turn to direct-to-consumer platforms for sustainability. Read More
British Humour Key to Attracting Young European Audiences
A King's College London study found that UK television and films appeal to young Europeans due to their 'unique' and 'ironic' humour. Comedies like Derry Girls and Cunk on Earth gain traction through social media, with British humour seen as more intelligent than American humour. Shows like Sherlock and Sex Education drive interest in UK culture and tourism. Read More
Steven Knight Confirms Peaky Blinders Will Continue Beyond Netflix Film
Steven Knight has confirmed that Peaky Blinders is “not over,” hinting at more projects beyond the upcoming Netflix film starring Cillian Murphy. The movie, directed by Tom Harper, is in post-production and expected to release in late 2025 or early 2026. Knight suggested exploring new stories set in the 1950s, keeping the Peaky Blinders universe alive. Read More
Hollywood Studios' Content Spending in 2025 Revealed
Media giants are adjusting their budgets, with global content spending projected to reach $248 billion in 2025. Streaming services will invest $95 billion, surpassing traditional broadcasters. Disney leads with a $35.8 billion budget, followed by NBCUniversal at $24.5 billion. Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global allocate between $15 and $ 17 billion each. The shift reflects the industry's focus on digital and on-demand content. Read More
Zoe Saldaña On A Dream Awards Season & Making Blockbusters From The MCU To ‘Star Trek’ And ‘Avatar’
How de-aging in movies got so good
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