Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 6 May 2025
Hollywood faces tariffs; Marvel retreats; UK TV in flux; BBC seeks new content chief; SAG-AFTRA targets AI; bold sequels, star-led films, and new writer deals reshape the global screen landscape.
Today’s Highlights:
Trump Targets Film Industry in New Trade War Escalation – The President vows to include the film industry in new tariffs, endangering a major U.S. export sector and escalating trade tensions.
Marvel Scales Back TV & Refocuses Film Strategy Amid Fan Fatigue – Marvel Studios is cutting back on TV output and reshaping its film approach to combat franchise fatigue and improve storytelling quality.
UK Broadcasters Face Turmoil Amid Channel 4 Exit and ITV Merger Talks – With Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon stepping down and ITV exploring a merger, the UK broadcasting sector faces a summer of major upheaval.
Why the BBC’s Next Chief Content Officer Matters More Than You Think – The BBC’s incoming Chief Content Officer will play a vital role in navigating budget cuts, ad market shifts, and the streaming competition.
SAG-AFTRA Eyes AI Limits in 2026 Contract Talks – SAG-AFTRA is preparing to strengthen protections against AI misuse in its 2026 contract negotiations following its first win on commercial AI training restrictions.
Indie Filmmaker Lifts the Lid on Creative Industry Pay – A Netflix-featured filmmaker exposes the low earnings behind global success, sparking urgent discussion on pay transparency in the arts.
Universal TV Tests New Deal Structure for Writers – Universal Television unveils a new talent deal model aimed at attracting top writers amid changing industry dynamics and evolving pitch strategies.
Another Simple Favor Returns with Deadly Twists and a Queer Edge – Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick reunite in a murder-filled sequel set in Capri that embraces dark humour, queer themes, and mob drama.
Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky Star in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest – Spike Lee reimagines High and Low with Washington as a music mogul and Rocky as a kidnapper in a crime thriller about fame and extortion.
Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega Star in David O. Russell’s Shutout – David O. Russell directs a drama about a veteran pool hustler mentoring a prodigy, exploring ambition, legacy, and personal sacrifice.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with Crunchyroll, WBD & CANAL+ in LA & Paris.
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INSIGHTS
Another Simple Favor Returns with Deadly Twists and a Queer Edge
Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, and Henry Golding reunite in Another Simple Favor, the wild sequel set in Capri. After Emily is released from prison, a lavish wedding turns murderous when her long-lost triplet, Charity, goes on a killing spree. Embracing its queer fanbase, the film leans into even bolder storytelling with new twists, mob intrigue, and dark obsession. Read More
Indie Filmmaker Lifts the Lid on Creative Industry Pay
A documentary filmmaker opens up about the financial realities behind their Netflix-featured film, calling for transparency in the creative industries. Despite global distribution and critical acclaim, the piece reveals how little artists may actually earn. Inspired by voices urging honest money talk, the filmmaker shares real figures to challenge the silence around pay and spark vital conversations about the business side of art. Read More
UK Broadcasters Face Turmoil Amid Channel 4 Exit and ITV Merger Talks
Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon stepping down this summer will be leaving the broadcaster in interim leadership as ITV explores a potential merger with an Abu Dhabi-backed rival. Mahon, praised and criticised in equal measure, oversaw major job cuts during an ad slump. Channel 4’s budget reductions have deeply impacted the UK’s independent production sector, adding uncertainty to an already volatile summer for commercial broadcasters. Read More
Trump Targets Film Industry in New Trade War Escalation
For the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term, Hollywood seemed spared from his aggressive trade overhaul. Films, categorised as services, initially escaped the “Liberation Day” tariffs. But in a fiery Truth Social post, Trump announced plans to include the film industry in his next wave of trade penalties, threatening one of the U.S.’s most profitable export sectors. Read More
Why the BBC’s Next Chief Content Officer Matters More Than You Think
While speculation swirls around Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon’s exit, a far more pivotal hire is flying under the radar: the BBC’s search for a new Chief Content Officer. Reporting to Tim Davie, this role isn’t just about great programming—it’s about rebuilding a fractured creative economy as broadcasters face shrinking budgets, shifting ad models, and fierce competition from digital platforms. Read More
Global Agency’s Izzet Pinto: “Ready-Made Is King” in Turkish Drama Export Boom
At Paris Unscripted 2025, Global Agency CEO Izzet Pinto highlighted the dominance of ready-made Turkish dramas, which make up 98% of sales due to their long episode counts. While scripted formats have had success—especially “Forbidden Love” and “1001 Nights”—Pinto sees the Middle East as the next major market for Turkish IP. Read More
Dori Media’s Nadav Palti on Global Success: “We Work Hard—It’s in Our DNA”
At Paris Unscripted 2025, Dori Media CEO Nadav Palti reflected on Israel’s hustle-driven creative culture and the global reach of hits like BeTipul (In Treatment), now in its sixth Brazilian season. From early telenovela triumphs in Argentina to co-owning international scripts, Palti credits relentless effort and adaptability for Dori’s continued global impact. Read More
Young Mazino Prepped for The Last of Us Role by Playing the Video Game — Against Creators’ Wishes
When cast in The Last of Us Season 2, Beef star Young Mazino rushed to play the video game—only to learn creators Mazin and Druckmann prefer actors not to. Despite his enthusiasm, Druckmann said they asked actors to avoid the game so as not to copy its original performances, which he calls “brilliant.” Read More
SAG-AFTRA Eyes AI Limits in 2026 Contract Talks
AI will remain central in SAG-AFTRA’s next negotiations, says chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. Speaking at SeriesFest, he confirmed the guild begins preparations this fall for the 2026 talks. While past agreements left room for improvement, a recent commercial contract now restricts the use of members’ work to train AI — a first-time win the guild aims to build on. Read More
Taskmaster Marks Season 19 with New Cast and Global Momentum
Fresh off a six-season renewal and a junior spin-off greenlight, Taskmaster returned to Channel 4 for its 19th season. Greg Davies reprises his role, joined by comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey, and Stevie Martin. The hit format, created by Alex Horne, continues its global expansion and YouTube success, with over 1.7 million subscribers. Read More
Reykjavik Fusion: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson Stars in Food-Themed Crime Thriller Premiering at CANNESERIES
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson stars in Reykjavik Fusion, a high-octane crime series blending the intensity of Breaking Bad with the culinary flair of The Bear. Set in Iceland, the show follows Jónas, a talented chef caught between a crime lord's world and his passion for haute cuisine. As he faces murder and debt, Reykjavik Fusion delivers thrilling action and fast-paced drama. Read More
Lily McInerny on Finding Her Path in Acting and Her Love for Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Lily McInerny, an Indie Spirit nominee, admits she wasn’t always outgoing, but her love for storytelling pushed her towards acting. Fascinated by fantasy tales and with a family that introduced her to The Simpsons and sci-fi classics like Creature from the Black Lagoon, McInerny found her passion in both the theatre and beyond, blending magical escapism with a sense of humour shaped by her upbringing. Read More
Marvel Scales Back TV & Refocuses Film Strategy Amid Fan Fatigue
Marvel Studios is cutting back TV production and reworking its film slate after concerns that its content began feeling like "homework" rather than entertainment. Marvel chief Kevin Feige admitted that the studio's push to satisfy Disney led to an overwhelming output, diluting audience engagement. As a result, Marvel is recalibrating its approach to deliver more focused storytelling, aiming to restore excitement and viewer investment in its cinematic universe. Read More
Universal TV Tests New Deal Structure for Writers
At SeriesFest, Universal Television President Erin Underhill revealed a beta-tested talent deal structure designed to attract top-tier writers while adapting to shifting development trends. Underhill, who oversees hits like Hacks and The Gilded Age, discussed evolving pitch strategies, prestige dramas, and the listening tour execs conducted with writers’ reps. With NBCU restructuring its TV divisions, Underhill also shared insights into building the next generation of showrunners in today’s competitive landscape. Read More
What No One Tells You: Why Honesty in Hollywood Can Cost You Jobs | Justin Simien Tells All
Filmmaker Justin Simien gets brutally honest about the price of truth in Hollywood. From navigating fragile egos to decoding vague feedback, Simien shares what it takes to survive—and thrive—behind the scenes. Filmed at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards, this candid conversation pulls back the curtain on the unspoken rules of the industry.
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