Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 1 April 2025
Zaslav eyes WB shake-up; CoStar targets Domain; BBC, cinemas face pressure; Russos stumble; Cousins flags AI issue; Zig Zag, Optomen revive; Flanagan joins Dragon; indie series breaks ground.
Today’s Highlights:
David Zaslav Begins Talks to Replace Warner Bros. Studio Heads – Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is informally considering new candidates to replace Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy after a series of box office disappointments.
CoStar in Talks to Acquire Domain from Nine Entertainment – US-based CoStar is negotiating an acquisition of Domain worth A$2.8 billion, potentially reshaping Australia’s online real estate market.
BBC Annual Plan Details Funding Cuts and Democratic Mission – The BBC plans to cut $200 million from content spend while reinforcing its commitment to public service and digital outreach amid rising misinformation.
CinemaCon 2025 Warns of Declining Theatrical Viability – Industry leaders at CinemaCon urge a strategic reset as theatrical attendance remains well below pre-pandemic levels despite major releases.
Russo Brothers’ Streaming Projects Struggle Despite Big Budgets – Despite massive investments in projects like The Electric State, the Russo Brothers' streaming ventures have failed to meet expectations in viewership and critical response.
Mark Cousins Raises AI Copyright Concerns at CPH:DOX – Filmmaker Mark Cousins claims the AI tool ChatGPT plagiarised his co-authored book, sparking fresh debate on intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence.
Zig Zag Productions Rebounds from Insolvency with New Projects – After entering insolvency in 2024, Zig Zag Productions has relaunched with a restructured team and two new commissions for TNT Sports and CBBC.
Optomen Wins Two Discovery+ Docs Including Rubiales vs Hermoso – Optomen will produce a two-part series on the Women’s World Cup kiss scandal and a family docuseries on Jacob Rees-Mogg for Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2025 slate.
Tommy Flanagan Joins House of the Dragon Season 3 – Flanagan will play Roddy the Ruin in the HBO series, joining the cast as filming continues on the next chapter of the Targaryen civil war.
Annisa Belonogoff’s Instagram Series Highlights Indie Innovation – Not Russian Anywhere, an 8-part comedy created by Annisa Belonogoff and inspired by her health journey, showcases social media as a platform for indie storytelling.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with Amazon, BBC, Prime & Netflix in London, LA, Seattle, NYC & Amsterdam.
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NEWS
David Zaslav Holds Talks to Potentially Replace Warner Bros. Studio Heads
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has begun informal conversations with potential candidates to replace studio heads Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy. While no formal decisions have been made, the talks follow a series of underperforming releases, including Alto Knights, Mickey 17, and Joker: Folie à Deux, which earned significantly less than its predecessor. De Luca and Abdy are still scheduled to present the studio’s upcoming slate at CinemaCon. Read More
INSIGHTS
Christina Hendricks Shines in ‘Small Town, Big Story’
Mad Men star Christina Hendricks headlines Sky comedy Small Town, Big Story, playing Wendy Patterson, a Hollywood producer returning to her Irish hometown after two decades. Created by Chris O’Dowd, the six-part series delves into comedy, drama, and science fiction, uncovering secrets tied to Wendy’s past. Featuring Paddy Considine and an ensemble cast, Hendricks serves as executive producer alongside O’Dowd. The show promises quirky humor and heartfelt moments, continuing Hendricks's streak of versatile roles in dramas and comedies. Read More
Annisa Belonogoff Elevates Independent Filmmaking Through Instagram
Filmmaker Annisa Belonogoff leverages Instagram to launch her comedy web series Not Russian Anywhere, crafted for her online audience of over 1,500 followers. Supported by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, the 8 x 3 minute series follows Natalya Ivanov as she returns to her rural hometown, navigating life with her eccentric Russian family and chronic illness. Inspired by Belonogoff's journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, the series incorporates authentic themes and highlights the growing influence of social media as a platform for independent filmmakers. Directed by Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien, Not Russian Anywhere exemplifies innovation and cultural storytelling in the digital age. Read More
Carolco Pictures: A Hollywood Legacy of Blockbusters and Excess
Carolco Pictures, a groundbreaking indie studio, redefined Hollywood in the '80s and '90s with grandiose action films like Rambo, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Cliffhanger. Its bold approach delivered box-office successes and financial turmoil, as excessive spending led to its bankruptcy. Despite its fall, Carolco's legacy paved the way for current studios like Skydance and Blumhouse, offering both inspiration and cautionary lessons for ambitious independent filmmakers. Read More
Mastering the Art of the Pitch
Securing a commission is less about having a great idea and more about how it's presented to decision-makers. Commissioners are influenced by how they perceive the idea, the person pitching, and their level of trust and safety in saying yes. Drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, there are actionable strategies to optimise pitches, ensuring they resonate on a human level. This approach isn't about manipulation but about aligning with how decisions are naturally made to increase the likelihood of success. Read More
HBO's Casey Bloys Discusses The Pitt and Max's Future
In a recent interview, HBO and Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys addresses the challenges surrounding the release of The Pitt, including controversies and strategic decisions. Bloys also shares insights into Max's future direction, emphasising a commitment to diverse storytelling and audience engagement. Read More
BBC Annual Plan Highlights Funding Challenges and Democratic Commitment
The BBC's 2025/2026 annual plan addresses significant financial hurdles, with content spending set to drop by $200 million. Amid a $1.3 billion budget reduction over 15 years, the broadcaster emphasises supporting democracy during global challenges like misinformation and conflicts. Efforts include enhancing BBC iPlayer, expanding news on TikTok and Instagram, and maintaining trust as the U.K.'s top news source. Despite reduced commissions, the BBC remains committed to delivering impactful British content. Read More
Russo Brothers' Streaming Gamble
The Russo Brothers' ambitious streaming projects, including The Electric State, have faced challenges despite their high budgets and star-studded casts. The Electric State, a $320 million sci-fi film for Netflix, struggled with poor reviews and limited viewership compared to other Netflix originals. While the Russos aimed to revolutionise streaming with interconnected franchises like Citadel and The Gray Man, these ventures fell short of expectations, prompting a return to their Marvel roots. Their creative approach continues to spark debate about their success outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Read More
Zig Zag Productions Returns with New Commissions After Insolvency
Zig Zag Productions, which entered insolvency in April 2024 following commission delays and cancellations, has relaunched with two new projects. CEO Danny Fenton and managing director Matt Graff confirmed the company has emerged stronger, with current commissions including the TNT Sports/discovery+ climate doc Playing for Our Future and the third season of The Football Academy for CBBC. Six staff were made redundant during the restructuring. The duo say the rebooted Zig Zag now has a more sustainable structure. Read More
ITV unveils new entertainment slate, including The Assembly, Time Is Money, and Celebrity Sabotage
Kevin Lygo and Katie Rawcliffe have revealed ITV's refreshed entertainment strategy featuring The Assembly, a series where neurodivergent individuals interview public figures like David Tennant and Gary Lineker; Time Is Money, a new daytime game show hosted by Sara Davies; and Celebrity Sabotage, a prank-based Saturday night show. ITV also launched Amplify: The Regions to nurture regional indies and diversify commissioning. Read More
UK Drama Ecosystem: Beyond Blame and Alarmism
COBA's latest report reveals a stable co-commission landscape between UK public service broadcasters (PSBs) and overseas partners. While US streamers boosted partnerships with PSBs, European co-commissions halved, potentially reflecting broader challenges like Brexit's impact. Industry leaders call for measures to support grassroots TV drama, highlighting the importance of investment from third parties like non-PSB streamers, who contributed £143m to PSB drama funding in 2023. Collaborative efforts across sectors remain essential for the UK's complex and interconnected drama ecosystem. Read More
Toby Jones Reflects on His Career and Industry Challenges
Veteran actor Toby Jones, known for roles in Harry Potter, the MCU, Hunger Games, and Detectorists, shares insights on his decades-long career and concerns about storytelling trends. Jones highlights the industry's reliance on IP over originality, questioning whether new voices can break through. Reflecting on his diverse work, Jones expresses gratitude for his career's variety and advocates for a rich cultural landscape supported by diverse scripts and creators. He candidly admits that actors are often limited by how others perceive them, humorously pondering his hypothetical suitability for James Bond. Read More
Yorgos Lanthimos Explores Photography as an Emerging Artform
Celebrated filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos expands his creative horizons with two photography books—i shall sing these songs beautifully and Dear God, the Parthenon is Still Broken—featuring imagery from his films Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness. Now showcasing his work at MACK + Webber gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, Lanthimos reveals his artistic evolution, starting with experiments on the Poor Things set. His foray into photography reflects his fascination with technique and its connection to filmmaking, demonstrating his dedication to exploring new creative mediums. Read More
The Ending of Talk to Me Sets Up a Franchise Future
Michael and Danny Philippou’s film Talk to Me blends teen horror and psychological trauma, drawing influence from Bong Joon-ho and Ari Aster. The film follows Mia (Sophie Wilde), who becomes entangled with a supernatural hand that lets the living communicate with the dead. Reality blurs as she descends into darkness, leading to an ambiguous, unsettling conclusion. The directors intentionally left clues throughout the film, hinting at a larger mythology and setting the stage for future installments in the franchise. Read More
Adolescence's Philip Barantini and Jack Thorne talk audacious one-shots and painful research
Director Philip Barantini and writer Jack Thorne dive into the making of Adolescence, revealing the camera and writing techniques behind its one-take episodes and explorations of male rage.
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