Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 7-8 June 2025
Studios restructure for streaming, AI regulation urged, cable TV declines, Lopez dazzles, Mass Effect series advances, and BBC revisits Kardashian heist.
Today’s Highlights:
Hollywood Studios Face Layoffs Amid Streaming Shift – Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount are downsizing and restructuring as they transition from traditional models to focus on streaming profitability.
Cable TV’s Decline: Subscription Costs, Ad Overload, and Streaming Disruption – U.S. cable TV is rapidly losing subscribers due to high costs and ad saturation, driving viewers to cheaper, ad-supported streaming platforms.
Hollywood Production Moves Away from Los Angeles Amid Shifts in Costs and Incentives – High costs, better overseas incentives, and environmental challenges are prompting productions to relocate out of L.A., reducing its industry share to just 20%.
Australian Screen Guilds Call for Action on AI Misuse – Australian guilds have jointly urged stronger regulation against AI companies using artists’ work without permission, warning of risks to creators’ rights.
Doug Jung Named Showrunner for Amazon’s Mass Effect Series – Amazon has appointed Doug Jung as showrunner for its high-profile Mass Effect adaptation, advancing one of gaming’s most coveted franchises to screen.
Samuel L. Jackson to Star in Taylor Sheridan’s New Paramount+ Series ‘NOLA King’ – Jackson will lead a Tulsa King spinoff on Paramount+, reinforcing the platform’s IP-driven strategy with star power and continuity.
Netflix’s 'Monsters' Features Emmy-Worthy One-Take Episode – Episode 5 of 'Monsters' uses a single-take format to portray Erik Menendez’s trauma, positioning it as a standout contender this awards season.
Jennifer Lopez Shines in First Look at Kiss of the Spider Woman – Lopez headlines Bill Condon’s adaptation of the iconic musical, generating early buzz with a strong visual and musical showcase.
BBC Unveils New Documentary on Kim Kardashian’s 2016 Paris Robbery – BBC Three’s new true crime doc explores Kardashian’s infamous Paris heist with exclusive access and recent court updates.
Liz Sargent Wins $1 Million AT&T Untold Stories Grant for Feature Film – Tribeca’s grant will fund Sargent’s feature debut, Take Me Home, focused on sisterhood and disability, following her acclaimed short film.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations & Jobs with NBCUniversal, Sky, Disney & Netflix in London, LA & Berlin.
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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.
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
Finding Hope on the Edge: A Night to Live
In Nos vies en l’air (A Night to Live), two teens from different worlds meet on a rooftop with the same intent—to end their lives. Over one fateful night, told across eight half-hour episodes, they form an unexpected bond. Writer Margaux Bonhomme adapts Manon Fargetton’s novel into a poignant coming-of-age drama about despair, connection, and the fragile choice between death and a second chance at life. Read More
Cable TV’s Decline: Subscription Costs, Ad Overload, and Streaming Disruption
Cable TV in the U.S. faces mounting challenges, as high subscription fees ($88 per month) and excessive ad loads (16–18 minutes per hour) drive consumers toward cheaper, ad-supported streaming alternatives like Netflix and Tubi. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney are bundling Max, Disney+, and Hulu to retain subscribers. Read More
Hollywood Studios Face Layoffs Amid Streaming Shift
Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global are downsizing staff and restructuring operations as the industry pivots toward streaming profitability. Disney is cutting jobs while merging Hulu Live TV with FuboTV. WBD faces financial struggles and shareholder pushback. Meanwhile, Paramount is shuttering Paramount Television Studios and reducing its U.S. workforce by 15%. These moves reflect Hollywood’s ongoing adaptation to a changing media landscape. Read More
Hollywood Production Moves Away from Los Angeles Amid Cost and Incentive Shifts
Los Angeles now accounts for only 20% of U.S. film and TV production, as studios relocate due to better tax incentives in Georgia, Canada, and the U.K., as well as high local costs and environmental challenges such as wildfires. Industry disruptions, including COVID-19 and labour strikes, have further accelerated the shift. Even L.A.-set films are being shot elsewhere, raising concerns about on-screen authenticity and local job losses. Read More
Australian Screen Guilds Call for Action on AI Misuse
A coalition of Australian screen industry guilds has jointly urged the Productivity Commission to take action against AI developers using stolen or uncompensated creative work. In response to the Commission’s inquiry into digital reform, the groups warned that unregulated AI poses a threat to artists’ rights. While AI holds promise for productivity, the guilds stress that its “malicious or reckless” use demands stronger oversight and updated regulatory safeguards. Read More
“The Life of Chuck” Bridges Generations of Stardom
In The Life of Chuck, Mark Hamill and Tom Hiddleston play grandfather and grandson, but never share a scene. Mike Flanagan’s reverse-chronology adaptation of the Stephen King novella follows Chuck’s life through separate chapters. Though best known for blockbuster roles, both actors shine in this intimate, genre-bending drama, which won the Audience Award at TIFF. The film opens June 6, blending surreal spectacle with a poignant look at legacy and mortality. Read More
“The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire” Opens in 35mm at BAM
Starting tonight, The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire, artist Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich’s first feature, begins an extended theatrical run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with rare 35mm screenings. After premiering in competition at Rotterdam and gaining buzz at festivals in London, Toronto, and New York, the film has earned a reputation as a hidden gem among curators and cinephiles alike. Read More
Wyatt Russell on Fame, Family, and Being Unrecognisable
Wyatt Russell, son of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, has long lived in the spotlight, but often flies under the radar. The 38-year-old actor embraces his chameleon-like career, surprising fans who slowly piece together his roles: the laid-back surfer in Lodge 49, the chilling figure in Under the Banner of Heaven, the Black Mirror guest star, and Marvel’s John Walker. “People don’t realise it’s all me,” he says. Read More
Kenneth Cole Doc “A Man with Sole” Sets Theatrical Release
A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, a documentary directed by Dori Berinstein, examines how fashion mogul Kenneth Cole established a billion-dollar brand while advocating for social causes. Known for his sharp slogans and activism, Cole’s dual legacy as designer and changemaker takes centre stage. Submarine Deluxe opens the film June 13 at NYC’s IFC Center, expanding June 20 to L.A.'s Landmark Nuart and other cities. Read More
Richard Kind Finally Gets His Flowers
When John Mulaney brought Richard Kind onto his live L.A. talk show for the “Netflix Is a Joke” festival, it wasn’t just a great booking; it was long-overdue recognition. A staple of “Must-See TV” and countless films and series, Kind has quietly elevated every project he’s touched for decades. This edition of Awards Circuit is a heartfelt fan appreciation for an actor we’ve too often taken for granted. Read More
“The Survivors” Premieres on Netflix, Unravelling Small-Town Secrets
New Australian drama The Survivors, created by Tony Ayres and based on Jane Harper’s novel, premieres today on Netflix. The series follows Kieran Elliott, who returns to his coastal hometown years after a tragic accident. When a young woman’s body is found, buried guilt resurfaces and dark secrets emerge, tying past and present together. The ensemble cast includes Robyn Malcolm, Yerin Ha, Charlie Vickers, and Jessica De Gouw. Read More
UK Producers React to Netflix’s Hiring of Ollie Madden
UK indie film producers are responding with both excitement and caution to Netflix’s appointment of Ollie Madden, former Film4 and Channel 4 drama head, as director of UK film. Madden will join in October, reporting to VP of content Anne Mensah. “This is exciting news,” said Sigma Films’ Gillian Berrie, noting it signals a shift not just in government but also corporate policy toward more substantial support for the film sector. Read More
Prime Video Adds UK True Crime Slate with Firecrest Films
Amazon’s Prime Video is expanding its UK true crime lineup with six new documentaries from Firecrest Films. Leading the slate is 'The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles,' premiering on Sunday in the UK and Ireland. The 90-minute doc revisits the shocking 1994 murder of a waiter on the remote Orkney Islands. The Hunt for Shannon Matthews and Hunting the Tinder Predator will follow later this year, with three more titles yet to be announced. Read More
“Phineas and Ferb” Returns with Surprise New Seasons on Disney+
Nearly 10 years after Season 4 ended, Phineas and Ferb is back with a fifth season of 10 episodes on Disney+, plus 30 more planned. Creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh expected just a movie but were surprised when Disney decided to revive the show entirely, continuing the story directly from the original run. The unexpected return delights longtime fans eager for more summer adventures. Read More
“I Don’t Understand You” Explores Complex Queer Lives Onscreen
Filmmakers and married duo David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano bring their semi-autobiographical dark comedy horror I Don’t Understand You to theatres, spotlighting a gay couple’s tense vacation while preparing to adopt. They emphasise the need for queer characters who are fully realised, not just defined by their sexual orientation. “We want to show the many emotional layers of queer people and portray birth mothers with honesty and respect,” according to Craig. Read More
Netflix’s “Monsters” Features Emmy-Worthy One-Take Episode
Episode 5 of Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, titled “The Hurt Man”, was filmed in a single take, showcasing a gripping performance by Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez. Written by co-creator Ian Brennan, the episode centres on Erik’s interview with defence attorney Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor), where he reveals the abuse from his parents, portrayed by Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny. This one-take standout marks a highlight of the Emmy season. Read More
Javier Bardem on Portraying José Menendez and Exploring Multiple Perspectives in 'Monsters'
‘The Better Sister' | The Cover Story with Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks
David Kohan & Max Mutchnick on Aging, Creativity, and Breaking Boundaries in their Multicam Comedy
Parker Posey & Lisa Kudrow | Actors on Actors
‘1923’ Stars Julia Schlaepfer and Aminah Nieves Unpack Their Big Finale Moments | How I Did It
Limited/TV Movie Roundtable: Stephen Graham, Elizabeth Banks, Javier Bardem, Sacha Baron Cohen, More
Comedy Actress Roundtable Preview: Natasha Lyonne, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn & More
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