Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 13 May 2025
Cannes dazzles amid protests; UK faces screen crisis; Propagate expands; Fox, Netflix, and Apple score wins; Lupin returns; global hits grow; finance shifts; alien drama rises; Doctor Who in Lagos.
Today’s Highlights:
Cannes 2025: Stars, Protests, and Prestige Signal a Tense but Glorious Return – Cannes 2025 hosts major premieres, political protests, and record-breaking contenders, asserting its dominance amid global uncertainty.
UK Screen Industry Faces Crisis of Underemployment and Stalled Progress – A ScreenSkills and Ampere report finds that only 60% of UK screen professionals are employed, with diversity gains under threat and career pathways stalling.
Propagate Content Avoids Hype and Makes Targeted Acquisitions – Co-founded by Ben Silverman, Propagate has built a strong content portfolio by acquiring strategic firms like Artists First and Parker Management without chasing private equity trends.
Fox Breaks Ratings Records with Tubi and Fox News Amid Industry Decline – Fox achieved historic viewership highs in Q1 2025 across both Fox News and its free streaming service Tubi, defying broader industry decline.
The Traitors Becomes a Global Phenomenon with 35 Local Versions – The reality competition format created by All3Media has been adapted in 35 countries in less than five years, demonstrating its global scalability and strategic depth.
Netflix Confirms Lupin Season 4 with Omar Sy – Netflix has begun production on the fourth season of its hit French series Lupin, continuing the global success of the Assane Diop storyline.
Apple TV+ Greenlights Gordon Ramsay Docuseries “Knife Edge” – Apple TV+ commissions a high-end culinary docuseries that follows chefs chasing Michelin stars, with exclusive access to inspectors and restaurants.
TPC Acquires Australian Lender Mind The Gap, Expands Production Finance Footprint – US financier TPC has entered the Australian market by acquiring production lender Mind The Gap, boosting its international film financing capacity.
See-Saw Films Sets Demi Moore and Colman Domingo for “Strange Arrivals” – Roger Ross Williams directs a star-studded adaptation of the first recorded alien abduction case, backed by See-Saw Films and Jane Anderson.
Doctor Who Episode in Lagos Explores the Power of Storytelling – Playwright Inua Ellams brings cultural depth to Doctor Who in a Lagos-set episode where narrative itself holds magical power.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Renewals, Events & Jobs with NBCUniversal, UKTV, Channel 4, MPA, TV4 & Paramount in London, Wales, NYC, Brussels, Stockholm & Budapest.
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INSIGHTS
Doctor Who Explores Storytelling Power in Lagos
In the latest Doctor Who episode, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) land in Lagos, where stories hold power and the sinister Spider weaves a web of revenge. Written by playwright Inua Ellams and directed by Makalla McPherson, the episode debuted Saturday on BBC One and Disney+. Ellams shares how his play inspired the story and discusses the mystery behind its twist ending. Read More
Ben Silverman Builds Propagate Outside Hollywood’s Deal Frenzy
Ben Silverman, known for adapting The Office and a stint leading NBC, co-founded Propagate Content with Howard T. Owens a decade ago. Unlike many in Hollywood, Propagate has avoided private equity hype, last taking outside investment in 2018 from Raine Group. Instead, it’s expanded through strategic acquisitions, including Artists First, Authentic Talent, Electus (Jane the Virgin), and Notional (Chopped). Read More
Kaan Mirac Sezen on the Emotional Weight Behind Six of Us
Kaan Mirac Sezen, star of Six of Us (Sahipsizler), shared how he immersed himself emotionally to portray Cemo, the show's heart and moral centre. The hit OGM Pictures drama, airing Wednesdays on Star TV, follows six orphaned siblings surviving Istanbul’s streets. Sezen’s intense prep—watching documentaries and embracing silence—helped ground the raw, acclaimed series, which blends harsh realism with a poignant love story and rising global attention. Read More
Liquid Rock Entertainment Builds Trustworthy, Global Kids’ Content
In today’s crowded entertainment landscape, Liquid Rock Entertainment stands out by delivering kids’ content that’s visually bold, emotionally rich, and trusted by parents. With a cross-platform catalogue designed to engage and inspire, the company focuses on long-term value and storytelling that resonates globally. Co-founders Roberto Mitrani and Xavi Mas discuss industry trends, their creative philosophy, and a major new deal with BabyTV. Read More
UK Screen Industry Faces Crisis of Underemployment and Stalled Progress
Though nearly 200,000 professionals are ready to work, only 60% of the UK’s screen workforce is finding jobs—often below their skill level. A new Ampere Analysis report, commissioned by ScreenSkills and 4Skills, reveals a fragile pipeline strained by economic slowdown, regional inequality, and halted career growth. The most alarming finding: recent gains in diversity risk unravelling, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the industry’s foundation. Read More
How the Video Store Shaped a Generation of Film Fans
For many film lovers, especially horror buffs, the local video store was a gateway to cinematic discovery. Unlike theatres or TV schedules, rental shops offered affordable, repeat access to obscure and cult films like Critters 2. In the '80s and '90s, they transformed film culture—until Blockbuster dominance, mail-order DVDs, and streaming gradually erased them, leaving behind nostalgia for a lost era of hands-on movie exploration. Read More
NBC Cancels Suits LA and Others to Make Room for NBA’s Return
Despite the surprise resurgence of Suits in 2023, its spinoff Suits LA has been cancelled midseason, joining Lopez vs. Lopez, Night Court, The Irrational, and Found on NBC’s chopping block. The network is clearing space for the NBA’s return, but as insiders note—if any had been genuine hits, NBC would’ve made room. Read More
YouTube Cracks Down Further on Fake Movie Trailer Channels
YouTube has suspended ad revenue for Screen Trailers and Royal Trailer, alternative accounts linked to Screen Culture and KH Studio—two major creators of AI-driven fake movie trailers. This follows a Deadline investigation and the March suspension of the original channels. The move highlights YouTube’s push to curb deceptive content that misleads viewers and exploits the platform’s monetization system. Read More
Tom Cruise Reflects on Producing Mission: Impossible at BFI Southbank
At a BFI Southbank talk ahead of receiving the BFI Fellowship, Tom Cruise shared why Mission: Impossible was his first producing project. He approached Paramount’s Stanley Jack and Sherry Lansing—whom he’d known since age 18—driven by a desire to take creative control. The iconic spy series, he said, felt like the right fit for his producing debut and marked the start of his filmmaking journey in the UK. Read More
The Traitors Becomes a Global Phenomenon with 35 Local Versions
The Traitors, created by All3Media’s IDTV, has quickly become a global hit, with 35 local adaptations in under five years. Launched in the Netherlands in 2021, the series blends psychological gameplay, physical challenges, and themes of betrayal. Rachel Job, senior VP at All3Media International, calls it "intelligent reality" due to its strategic depth. The format’s scalability has allowed diverse adaptations, with local producers collaborating to maintain the brand’s essence while tailoring it to different audiences. Read More
Fox Revives Fan Favourites with American Dad! and Celebrity Weakest Link
Fox is bringing back beloved shows, starting with American Dad!, which returns to its original network after years on TBS. But the big surprise is the return of The Weakest Link—this time with a celebrity edition. Celebrity Weakest Link will air on Monday nights at 9 p.m. this fall, following Name That Tune, adding to Fox’s refreshed lineup of nostalgic programming. Read More
Fox Defies TV Industry Trends with Record-Breaking Viewership
In 2025, Fox stands out by bucking industry trends. Fox News achieved its highest-rated quarter ever, averaging 2.2 million viewers daily, while Tubi, Fox’s free ad-supported streaming platform, set a new record with 13.6 million viewers during Super Bowl LIX. Tubi’s audience is heavily Gen Z and millennials, with a large portion of cord-cutters. Fox’s combination of mass reach in live media and digital streaming creates a complementary, not cannibalistic, offering. Read More
Greg Gutfeld's New Game Show: A Comedy Gimmick with a Low-Paying Punchline
Though Greg Gutfeld is not a standup comic, he brings a comedic touch to his late-night-adjacent show Gutfeld! and a new game show on Fox Nation. The game’s gimmick is intriguing, but the prize money? Not so much. As a former comic might advise, contestants would probably be better off keeping their day jobs, as the rewards seem far less than what their efforts deserve. Read More
Tarik Saleh’s Eagles of the Republic to Premiere at Cannes 2025
Acclaimed Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh wraps up his Cairo trilogy with Eagles of the Republic, a satirical political thriller set in 1960s Egypt. Swedish actor Fares Fares stars as a reluctant actor pressed into making a government-commissioned film, leading him into a dangerous affair with a general’s wife. Co-starring Lyna Khoudri, Cherien Dabis, Zineb Triki, and Sherwan Haji, the film will debut in competition at Cannes 2025. Read More
Wolfe Video Celebrates 40 Years with New Leadership and Streaming-Focused Strategy
Wolfe Video, the world’s oldest and largest distributor of LGBTQ films, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a bold new direction. Under new leadership, Evan Schwartz, who joined in 2017 and was promoted to Head of Content, is steering the company into a streaming-centric future with a revamped digital fulfilment system and global distribution network. Schwartz, formerly of Cinetic and Outfest, is excited to continue Wolfe’s legacy while adapting to the evolving industry landscape. Read More
THR’s Most Powerful Women in International Film: A Rallying Cry for Progress
As we move further into 2025, gender-based lists like THR’s Most Powerful Women in International Film should ideally be a thing of the past. However, the fight for equity in the entertainment industry is far from over, with setbacks ranging from DEI pushback in the U.S. to systemic abuse reports in France. Spotlighting these 45 power players is more essential than ever. "We need to fight back with all the tools and resources we have," says Carole Scotta of Haut et Court, while Mo Abudu of EbonyLife emphasises the need for authentic voices from diverse cultures. Read More
Can Yaman Surprised by British Fans at Sandokan Premiere in London
"I found out today that I have British fans as well. I didn’t know that yet," says Can Yaman, as he takes in the view of London’s Leicester Square from the Odeon cinema. There, he unveiled a preview of Sandokan, the epic pirate adventure series based on Emilio Salgari's late 19th-century books, produced by Lux Vide in collaboration with RAI Fiction. Outside, a group of fans waved at him, and Yaman happily waved back, much to their delight. Read More
Shabana Azeez on The Pitt: From Australian Indie Films to Hollywood Breakout
Australian actor Shabana Azeez stars as Dr. Victoria Javadi, the youngest intern in Max’s hit medical drama The Pitt. The real-time emergency room series, praised for its intensity and realism, has averaged 10 million global viewers per episode. Azeez, who landed the role after her second U.S. audition, describes the experience as “wild” and career-defining. Read More
China’s TV Industry Thrives Amid Shifting Viewing Habits
China boasts over 3,300 TV channels, with CCTV leading the pack. While linear TV audiences have declined, streaming platforms like iQiyi, Youku, Tencent Video, and Mango TV dominate. Chunwan, the New Year variety show, remains a unifying event, claiming 16.8 billion cumulative views in 2025 despite fragmentation. Formats like The Next, Moving On, and CHUANG showcase China’s innovative content, though international format sales remain limited. Industry experts suggest China could learn from South Korea’s global success in exporting entertainment. Read More
Upfronts 2025: Streaming Giants and Linear Networks Battle for Ad Dollars
The 2025 Upfronts showcase a shifting media landscape, with Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video competing for advertising commitments. While linear TV faces challenges, streaming platforms continue to expand their presence, with Prime Video securing a prime Monday slot. NBCUniversal kicked off the event with a Broadway-style opener, featuring Seth MacFarlane, Tina Fey, and Jon M. Chu, while Michael Jordan was announced as a special contributor for NBA on NBC. Meanwhile, AI-driven ad buying, shoppable content, and influencer-led campaigns are emerging as key trends. Disney’s Rita Ferro emphasises the shift toward year-round partnerships, reflecting the evolving nature of media consumption. Read More
Creator Camp: A New Wave of Indie Filmmaking
Founded by Max Reisinger, Simon Kim, and Chris Duncan, Creator Camp is redefining indie filmmaking with a creator-first approach. The initiative began as a two-day film festival in Austin and has evolved into a global ecosystem, hosting retreats in Colorado, Utah, New York, France, and Switzerland. Their philosophy, #YouTubeNewWave, emphasises raw, honest storytelling, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. With Coca-Cola, Spotify, and Discord partnerships, Creator Camp is building a new economic model for indie film, prioritising craft, community, and connection. Read More
Future Leaders 2025: Rising Stars in Film Sales and Acquisitions
Screen International’s Future Leaders 2025 highlights emerging executives shaping independent distribution and international sales. This year’s cohort includes Zahra Benasri (Hors du Bocal), Abe Bengio (WME Independent), Sarah Colvin (Neon), and Julia Nelson (2AM), among others. These professionals are navigating complex deal structures and global financing, proving that success in sales often leads to top industry roles. Read More
In conversation with the team behind Adolescence
Co-creator and co-writer Jack Thorne, director Philip Barantini and producer Jo Johnson discuss bringing the series from script to screen and how they worked with the cast and director of photography Matthew Lewis to capture each episode in one continuous shot. During this masterclass, the audience will also have the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes clips of the series' making.
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