Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 18 June 2025
Streaming overtakes TV; Netflix goes live; AI animation debate heats up; Mubi backs Lawrence; CineEurope unveils Boyle; Canal+ grows; Powell, Potter stars, SAG-AFTRA, and Erivo drive headlines.
Today’s Highlights:
Streaming Surpasses Cable and Broadcast in Nielsen’s May Rankings – For the first time, streaming platforms accounted for a greater share of US TV usage than cable and broadcast combined, signalling a major industry shift.
Netflix Expands Into Experiential Entertainment with Netflix House – Netflix is launching immersive venues in the US to deepen audience engagement and expand its brand beyond streaming.
AI-Generated Animation Sparks Industry Debate – Emerging AI-native studios face legal and creative scepticism from Hollywood, raising key questions about the future of animation production.
Mubi Sets Oscar Push for Jennifer Lawrence’s Die, My Love – Mubi will release Lynne Ramsay’s Cannes Competition film in North America on 7 November with a 45-day theatrical run ahead of a major awards campaign.
Sony Debuts 28 Years Later Footage at CineEurope – Anticipation builds for Danny Boyle’s sequel as the studio screens the first 28 minutes ahead of the London premiere.
Canal+ Expands Global Strategy Following Paris Has Fallen – The French broadcaster is developing major action series for international markets, reinforcing its global ambitions.
Glen Powell to Star in Ron Howard’s Firefighter Drama for Amazon MGM – A-list talent and top-tier filmmakers unite for a film set against deadly Texas wildfires, positioning it as a high-profile production.
Rising British Talent Emerges in 2025 with Adolescence and Harry Potter – A new generation of actors gains global attention through breakout roles in major series.
Charlotte Wells Appointed CEO of SAG-AFTRA Foundation – A leadership shift at the union’s philanthropic arm signals continuity and future strategic direction after Cyd Wilson’s tenure.
Cynthia Erivo Wants to Revisit Stephen King’s Holly Gibney – Erivo’s interest highlights enduring appeal of King’s characters and hints at potential new adaptations in the growing Kingverse.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals & Jobs with Banijay, ITV & BBC in Leeds & London.
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INSIGHTS
Benedikt Erlingsson Breaks Screenwriting Rules in The Danish Woman
In Danska Konan (The Danish Woman), Icelandic writer-director Benedikt Erlingsson challenges storytelling norms by introducing his protagonist, Ditte Jensen, with a shocking act, killing a cat that disrupts her garden. Erlingsson deliberately avoids the common ‘Save the Cat’ trope, casting acclaimed Danish actress Trine Dyrholm in the lead role to bring complexity and tension from the very first scene. Read More
Michelle Williams on Embracing Mystery and Emotion in Dying for Sex
Michelle Williams was unexpectedly moved by the podcast Dying for Sex, which follows a woman’s sexual awakening after a terminal cancer diagnosis. The emotional impact led her to star in FX’s limited series adaptation. Williams was drawn to the story’s exploration of female friendship, bodily autonomy, pleasure, and healthcare, elements that, together, “cracked [her] wide open” and made the project feel undeniably hers. Read More
Dan Fogelman Explores Loyalty and Power in Paradise
Inspired by a meeting with a powerful businessman, Dan Fogelman imagined what happens when loyalty is tested under extreme pressure. That idea evolved into Paradise, a postapocalyptic thriller where Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) questions the system after the death of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), leading a rebellion in search of truth and autonomy. Read More
Judith Light Finds Power in Silence in The Terror: Devil in Silver
In Season 3 of The Terror, subtitled Devil in Silver, Judith Light plays a woman institutionalised for 30 years by her husband to escape her "mood swings." Light says the character, like many people, lives with inner terror and has sacrificed parts of herself to cope with survival. "She's been desperate to find her voice," Light explains of the haunting, layered role. Read More
Streaming Surpasses Cable and Broadcast Combined in Nielsen’s May Rankings
For the first time, streaming has overtaken the combined total of cable and broadcast TV in Nielsen's Gauge. In May, streaming accounted for 44.8% of US TV usage, edging past the 44.2% combined share of cable (24.1%) and broadcast (20.1%). Other forms of TV use, including gaming and physical media, accounted for the remainder of the viewing time. Read More
Netflix Expands Into Experiential Entertainment with Netflix House
Netflix has unveiled plans for its first Netflix House locations, immersive entertainment venues based on its shows and films. The first two sites are scheduled to open in late 2025 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and Dallas, Texas, offering themed experiences, food, and retail. A third, high-profile location is planned for the Las Vegas Strip at the BLVD, set to open in 2027. Read More
Television City Opens Doors to Influencers Amid LA Production Slump
As film and TV production in Los Angeles hits record lows, Television City is partnering with Interwoven Studios to offer soundstages and amenities to social media creators. With major talents like Logan Paul and FaZe Clan already on board, the move aims to counter declining studio occupancy, which has dropped to 63% in 2024, amid industry cutbacks and a shift in filming to other regions. Read More
Cynthia Erivo Wants to Revisit Stephen King’s Holly Gibney
At Sundance, Cynthia Erivo named Holly Gibney, her character in HBO’s The Outsider, as the role she most wants to revisit. Gibney, a quirky private detective from Stephen King’s novels, is part of the author’s vast screen legacy. With new adaptations like The Life of Chuck, Carrie, and The Running Man on the way, King’s influence remains as strong as ever. Read More
Rising British Stars Take Centre Stage in 2025
2025 has marked a breakout year for young British talent. Owen Cooper, 15, became a sensation with his debut in Netflix’s Adolescence, sparking Emmy buzz. Meanwhile, HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series introduced newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout, around age 11, as the next generation of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, launching careers that may span decades. Read More
R Media’s Gabriela Rodríguez on Expanding Global Content Strategy
Gabriela Rodríguez, EVP of Content at R Media (Honduras), discusses the company’s ambitions to expand its international catalogue. Emphasising the need to stay ahead of industry trends, Rodríguez highlights R Media's focus on acquiring and developing content that aligns with global market demands in today’s rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. Read More
Scrubs Revival to Center on JD in Return to Series Roots
ABC’s planned Scrubs revival will bring back familiar and new characters, but unlike the divisive Season 9, it will focus entirely on JD, also known as "Vanilla Bear," and his dynamic with his best friend, Turk. Creator Bill Lawrence confirmed the shift during a recent Zoom interview, emphasising a return to the original heart of the series after passing the torch proved unpopular. Read More
Nielsen’s 35-Day Ratings Reveal Streaming’s Long-Tail Power
For the first time in the 2024–25 season, Nielsen began regularly releasing 35-day TV ratings, offering deeper insight into long-tail viewership. Once considered too long for ad relevance, the five-week window is now proving essential in the streaming era, where shows continue to attract significant audiences well beyond their initial release, far outpacing traditional DVR-based delayed viewing. Read More
Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer Reignite First Love in Mix Tape
In Mix Tape, Jim Sturgess plays Daniel, a music-obsessed journalist reconnecting with his first love, Alison (Teresa Palmer), through shared playlists. The Australian-Irish drama, directed by Lucy Gaffy, explores nostalgia, lost love, and the power of music. Featuring a Madchester-era soundtrack, the series jumps between 1989 Sheffield and present-day Sydney. Read More
AI-Generated Animated Films: Disruptive or Doomed?
AI-native studios, such as Promise and GRAiL, are developing full-stack production pipelines that aim to create high-quality animated films at a fraction of the traditional costs. While venture capitalists see potential, Hollywood remains hesitant, wary of copyright issues and IP risks. Studios are experimenting with AI internally, but full adoption is far from certain. Read More
Inside Chef’s Table: Cinematic Storytelling Meets Culinary Art
David Gelb’s Chef’s Table takes two weeks per episode, transforming chefs’ kitchens into cinematic landscapes. Inspired by Gelb’s Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the series evolved into a highly stylised, immersive documentary, with cinematographer Adam Bricker refining its one-shot storytelling. The latest season, Chef’s Table: Legends, spotlights four culinary icons, blending visual artistry with deep storytelling.
Slow Horses Season 4 Finale: A Poignant, High-Stakes Conclusion: Read the Script
Apple TV+’s Slow Horses wrapped its fourth season with Hello Goodbye, a tense, emotional finale penned by Will Smith. The episode reveals that the mercenary team terrorising London is led by River Cartwright’s estranged father, Frank Harkness (Sam Neill), setting off a high-stakes chase and the tragic death of Marcus (Kadiff Kirwan). Read More
Canal+ Expands Global Strategy with Paris Has Fallen and More Action Series
Canal+ is leveraging its growing international footprint to develop high-budget action series, aiming to compete with US streamers. Following the success of "Paris Has Fallen," which was sold to Hulu (US) and Prime Video (UK), the network is filming Season 2 and developing similar large-scale projects. Canal+ is also expanding investments in Poland, Asia, and Africa, reinforcing its global presence. Read More
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