Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 19 June 2025
AI lawsuits, global streamer deals, Netflix’s Danish return, BBC’s unscripted revamp, Dune prequel, Witherspoon’s Gen Z push, and major IP shifts reshape film and TV.
Today’s Highlights:
Disney and Universal Join Lawsuit Against AI Tool Midjourney – Disney’s legal action signals a turning point in Hollywood’s stance on generative AI, earning praise from the WGA and spotlighting a defining intellectual property battle.
Alcon Media Acquires Village Roadshow Film Library in $417.5M Deal – Alcon Media secures Village Roadshow's 108-title catalogue, including The Matrix and Mad Max, following bankruptcy proceedings, significantly strengthening its IP portfolio.
Netflix and Create Denmark Sign New Four-Year Deal – Netflix ends a production freeze by signing a new agreement with Create Denmark, reinforcing its investment in Danish scripted content and labour relations.
Netflix and TF1 Ink Landmark Content Deal for France – Netflix partners with French broadcaster TF1 to offer live and on-demand local content, reflecting deepening integration between global streamers and domestic broadcasters.
BBC Studios Reshapes Unscripted to Build Global Format Powerhouse – BBC Studios reorganises its unscripted division with a focus on global format scalability, IP creation, and influencer-driven content across markets.
Legendary Expands Dune Universe with Epic HBO Series – Dune: Prophecy, a six-part HBO prequel series, builds on the success of the Dune films, with a second season already in production and a high-profile creative team in place.
Reese Witherspoon Launches Gen Z Label Sunnie at Cannes Lions – Witherspoon debuts Sunnie, a youth-focused label under Hello Sunshine, aimed at capturing Gen Z audiences with digitally native storytelling.
Joe Barton’s Slow-Burn Journey to Netflix Thriller Success – After years of UK television work, Barton achieves global success with Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley, now one of Netflix’s fastest-growing thrillers.
My Brilliant Career Series Begins Production in South Australia – Netflix and Jungle Entertainment adapt Miles Franklin’s classic novel in the state’s biggest-ever series production, driving local investment and visibility.
Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson Launch New Series Amid Industry Shifts – Known for defining teen broadcast dramas, Plec and Williamson launch new shows on separate streamers, reflecting shifts in platform strategy and content trends.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with A24, BBC, Prime, DreamWorks & Netflix in London, Salford, LA, Berlin, Amsterdam & Madrid.
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Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET, Cineverse.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL, TVNZ, SRF, Kanal D, UKTV, Ceská Televize, FOX.
Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO, ShinAwiL, WildBrain, Nine Daughters, Amazon/MGM Studios, October Films, Legendary Entertainment, Bad Wolf, Mediapro, Bron.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media, Artists First, Grey Seal Media, Screenforce Finland.
INSIGHTS
From Bankers to Showrunners: How Industry Was Born
Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, creators of HBO’s Industry, call their hit drama a "10-year overnight success." The Oxford friends left finance behind to pursue storytelling, with Down gaining industry insight at a talent agency while making short films and Kay quitting his City job. Now seasoned showrunners, they share lessons from their journey and encourage aspiring creatives to take risks and follow their passion. Read More
What Took So Long? Hollywood Finally Joins the AI Fight
Disney’s June 11 lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney was celebrated by creatives as a long-awaited step. The Writers Guild of America praised Disney and Universal for finally “coming off the sidelines,” echoing widespread relief. Attorney Matthew Butterick, who sued Midjourney in 2023, called it “wonderful news,” saying he’s glad to see Hollywood engaging in what he sees as this generation’s defining IP battle. Read More
Serbian TV Shifts Focus from Volume to Quality
After a decade-long surge in production that sparked concerns of oversaturation, Serbia's TV industry is pivoting toward quality over quantity. Local producers and commissioners, including United Media's programming director, George Makris, acknowledge the recent boom in series output but suggest that the market is now correcting course to prioritise stronger storytelling and sustainable growth. Read More
Netflix and Create Denmark Sign New Four-Year Deal
Netflix has signed a new four-year agreement with Create Denmark, ending tensions that paused local production in 2022. While terms remain undisclosed, both parties expressed satisfaction. Create Denmark’s Kasper Halkier praised Netflix’s commitment to Danish scripted content, and Netflix’s Rachel C Schumacher called the deal a sign of mutual trust that reinforces the streamer’s ties with local talent and unions. Read More
Max Introduces AI-Assisted Video Previews Ahead of HBO Max Rebrand
Max is rolling out video previews that autoplay when users hover over content, with an AI tool set to curate "standout" scenes for better engagement. Users will have the option to disable autoplay audio or video. The interface has also shifted to a left-side menu, contrasting Netflix’s upcoming redesign. The platform will officially revert to HBO Max this summer, marking another major shift in its branding and user experience. Read More
Contagion Writer Explores AI as the Next Outbreak in New Podcast
Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, known for Contagion, resists making a sequel he fears could exploit the pandemic. Instead, in his new Audible podcast What Could Go Wrong?, he asks: Could AI be the next contagion? The series features a fictional writers' room made up of AI bots, with input from real experts and voices like Steven Soderbergh. It’s produced by Plan B Entertainment and Best Case Studios. Read More
Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson Launch New Series Amid Industry Shifts
Longtime collaborators Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, who met on the set of Scream in 1996, attribute their creative partnership and friendship to their lasting success in television. Known for shaping youth-driven broadcast hits, the duo now debuts separate series on different streamers, adapting to an evolving industry as the CW moves away from its signature teen dramas. Read More
Legendary Expands Dune Universe with Epic HBO Series
After the success of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films—two blockbusters and a third, Dune: Messiah, set for 2026—Legendary and Warner Bros. have joined forces with HBO for Dune: Prophecy. Executive produced by Diane Ademu-John and led by showrunner Alison Schapker, the series stars Emily Watson and spans six episodes, with Season 2 in production. Set in the same expansive universe, it adds new depth to the iconic sci-fi saga. Read More
Alfonso Cuarón Reunites With Editor Adam Gough for Disclaimer
When Alfonso Cuarón took on the AppleTV+ series Disclaimer, he turned to longtime collaborator Adam Gough to handle the editing. The pair first collaborated on Children of Men, with Gough serving as an apprentice, and later co-edited Roma in 2018. Over the years, they’ve developed a seamless creative shorthand, relying on minimal communication to shape their storytelling. Read More
California Senator Urges Hollywood to Be Mindful Amid State Crisis
As protests erupted over immigration policies and lawmakers grappled with a $12 billion budget shortfall, State Sen. Ben Allen reminded Hollywood creatives on June 11 that broader crises were unfolding beyond the entertainment industry. Speaking amid audible protests, Allen urged compassion, noting deep cuts to healthcare and public services were being considered. “You’re under a lot of pressures; we’re under a lot of pressures,” he told the group. Read More
The Sound Design of 'American Pimeval's Wild West
American Primeval Sound Designer Wylie Stateman and Co-Supervising Sound Editor and Music Editor Anne Jimkes-Root take us through a western battle scene from the Netflix show.
Wildlife Storytelling Goes Wild: How Digital Creators Are Reinventing Natural History
From plush-toy-selling aquariums to comedy science explainers, content creators are giving wildlife storytelling a modern makeover. Jen Topping’s latest roundup spotlights digital innovators like Aquarium Info, Brave Wilderness, and Ze Frank, who blend education, humour, and niche appeal to reach audiences far beyond traditional TV. With platforms like YouTube and Instagram, they’re crafting nature content that’s personal, profitable, and often wildly entertaining. Read More
Joe Barton’s slow-burn journey to Netflix thriller success
Joe Barton’s breakthrough to Netflix hit Black Doves follows a gradual climb from his 2008 debut as a driver on crime drama Cass to writing roles on series like E4’s Beaver Falls, BBC’s Luther and The Lazarus Project. After years honing his craft across UK television, the showrunner achieved global recognition when Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, became one of Netflix’s fastest-rising thrillers. Read More
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist – Episode 102 Brings the Blow-by-Blow: Read the Script
In Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist Episode 102, titled “Round Two: Fight Night,” creator Shaye Ogbonna delivers a gripping, multi-perspective view of the 1970 Muhammad Ali vs. Jerry Quarry fight—and the heist that shook Atlanta. With Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dexter Darden, the episode blends star power, period detail, and emotional stakes, while Ogbonna’s personal connection to the story adds unexpected depth. Read More
Underdogs’ Ryan Reynolds, Mark Linfield & Vanessa Berlowitz
National Geographic’s Underdogs flips the script on wildlife docs, spotlighting quirky, overlooked creatures like pistol shrimp and glass frogs. Narrated by Ryan Reynolds in his first nature doc role, the five-part series blends comedy, science, and stunning visuals. Produced by Wildstar Films and Maximum Effort, it features a score by Harry Gregson-Williams and a theme song by Green Day.
BBC Studios Reshapes Unscripted to Build Global Format Powerhouse
BBC Studios’ Karl Warner and Suzy Lamb are revamping entertainment production with a three-label strategy targeting reality, fact ent, and scalable global formats. With hits like Strictly Come Dancing and The Answer Run, the duo is investing heavily in IP creation, influencer-driven content, and international partnerships, positioning BBCS as a competitive unscripted player across platforms and markets. Read More
'Only Murders in the Building' & 'Dying for Sex' Bosses Talk Finding Humour in Tragedy | Visionaries
"Only Murders in the Building" showrunner John Hoffman and "Dying for Sex" creator Liz Meriwether discuss finding comedic moments amidst murder mysteries and cancer diagnoses, and bond over keeping long-running shows fresh.
Channel 4 docs to spark national headlines, says Pomeroy
Channel 4’s head of documentaries, Alisa Pomeroy, urged producers to pitch ideas with real-world impact that reflect the diversity and complexity of modern British society. She emphasised commissioning documentaries that tackle pressing cultural, social and political themes capable of setting headlines and sparking national conversation, reinforcing Channel 4’s commitment to bold factual storytelling that resonates across communities. Read More
Full Producers Roundtable: Brett Goldstein, Mindy Kaling, Paul W. Downs, Stephen Graham & More
SNL’s 50th Season: Behind the Scenes of Live TV Chaos and Craft
Saturday Night Live insiders Chloe Fineman, Liz Patrick, Jodi Mancuso, and Louie Zakarian unpack the frantic artistry behind the show’s 50th season—from viral sketches like “Maybelline” to overnight wig builds and rapid-fire makeup changes. Their candid stories reveal the expert choreography and last-minute pivots that keep the iconic live show on air.
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