Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 15 April 2025
K-content dominates Netflix; LA shoots plunge; Minecraft smashes box office; Harry Potter cast revealed; Cannes, creators, and inclusion reshape global film and TV.
Today’s Highlights:
South Korean Content Surpasses UK as Netflix’s Most-Viewed Non-US Programming – Korean titles like Squid Game drove 7.7 billion hours of viewing in H2 2024, prompting Netflix to invest $2.5B in local content.
Los Angeles Film and TV Production Levels Plunge – FilmLA reported a 22% drop in shoot days and record-low pilot production, leading to legislative efforts to expand tax credit eligibility.
Hollywood’s Box Office Surprise: A Minecraft Movie Shatters Expectations – A Minecraft Movie opened to $160M in North America, far exceeding forecasts and reshaping 2025 box office predictions.
HBO Announces Cast for Upcoming Harry Potter TV Series – John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer, and Nick Frost headline the 2026 series, with filming starting in mid-2025.
Europe’s Together Fund Raises €58M to Support Indie Film & TV Producers – Alexandra Lebret’s new fund, backed by €25M from MediaInvest, will take minority stakes in 12–15 production companies.
Wheelhouse Expands Digital Talent Deals Amid Creator Economy Boom – Wheelhouse is ramping up creator-led projects with new partnerships, following trends set by figures like Mr Beast.
Navigating the Shrinking Creative Executive Role in Hollywood – As roles decline, success now depends on industry relationships, trend awareness, and navigating studios' tighter budgets.
Cannes Critics’ Week Reveals 2025 Lineup, Celebrating Bold New Voices – Eleven films, many by women and emerging directors, were selected for the prestigious sidebar led by Rodrigo Sorogoyen.
Ari Aster’s Eddington Trailer Released Ahead of Cannes Debut – Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal star in Aster’s COVID-era drama Eddington, set to premiere at Cannes and release in July.
New BBC Thriller Reunion Spotlights Deaf Representation – Created by deaf writer William Mager, Reunion stars Matthew Gurney in a bilingual thriller using English and British Sign Language.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals & Jobs with ABC, MGM, BBC, ITV, Tubi, AMC & Netflix in Sydney, London, Salford, NYC & Amsterdam.
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INSIGHTS
BBC Thriller Reunion Explores Revenge, Redemption & Deaf Representation
BBC drama Reunion is a gripping thriller blending revenge, redemption, and bilingual storytelling in spoken English and British Sign Language. Created by deaf writer William Mager, the series stars Matthew Gurney as Daniel Brennan, a deaf man navigating isolation and past mistakes while reconnecting with his estranged daughter. Inspired by classic thrillers, Reunion is a groundbreaking series authentically representing deaf characters in a way rarely seen on screen. Read More
Lithuania’s Oscar Entry Drowning Dry Delivers Darkly Comic Family Drama
Laurynas Bareiša’s Drowning Dry follows two nuclear families, led by sisters, whose vacation spirals into tragedy. Lithuania’s 2025 Oscar entry, the film won awards at Locarno and New Directors/New Films before its U.S. release on July 18 via Dekanalog. Starring Gelminė Glemžaitė and Agnė Kaktaitė, Drowning Dry plays with perspective and subtle performances, marking Bareiša’s second collaboration with Dekanalog after his acclaimed debut Pilgrims. Read More
Navigating the Shrinking Creative Executive Role in Hollywood
With fewer creative executive positions available, standing out is more crucial than ever. The Apple TV+ series The Studio humorously highlights the pressure and prestige of the role, which blends business and creativity. While studios continue budget cuts, some hiring persists, with recruiters noting a small uptick. Success requires strong industry connections, market awareness, and relationships with writers. Despite challenges, creative executives remain key tastemakers shaping film and TV. Read More
Surviving Lean Production in a Cash-Strapped TV Industry
As budgets shrink, producers must shift focus from funding to viability. Lean production isn’t just cheap—it’s strategic, prioritizing efficiency over excess. With broadcasters demanding volume at lower costs, repeatable formats are resurging. Smart partnerships, shared rights, and proactive funding strategies give producers greater control. To thrive, broadcasters must reward risk-taking, and commissioners should be empowered to innovate without interference. Adapting fast is the key to shaping TV’s new era. Read More
Los Angeles Film and TV Production Levels Plunge
FilmLA has reported a 22% year-on-year drop in shoot days across Los Angeles in Q1 2025, with TV production down 30%—the lowest level recorded since tracking began in 2017 (excluding 2020). Only 13 TV pilots were shot, a historic low, driven by reduced studio spending and limited access to California's tax credits, which exclude most half-hour series. Lawmakers are now proposing bill revisions to expand subsidy eligibility to more formats, including sitcoms, animation, and competition shows. Read More
Europe’s Together Fund Raises €58M to Support Indie Film & TV Producers
Alexandra Lebret, former European Producers Club director, has launched the Together Fund with Axio Capital to invest in independent European film and TV production companies. With €57.8M raised so far—€25M from the EU’s MediaInvest program—the fund aims for a €100M total. It plans to take minority stakes in 12-15 companies, supporting their growth. Lebret partners with Axio’s Antoine Bodet, targeting an average €4M investment per company. Read More
Fremantle’s Diverse Slate: Music, Comedy & Psychological Games
Fremantle’s latest format lineup spans heartfelt storytelling in The Piano, wild physical challenges in Ants, and intense mind games in House of Secrets. Executive VP Vasha Wallace highlights the global success of The Piano, originally pitched by Love Productions as a documentary before evolving into a formatted talent show. With multiple international adaptations, the series resonates by showcasing ordinary people’s passion for music while celebrating unique cultural narratives. Read More
Hollywood’s Box Office Surprise: A Minecraft Movie Shatters Expectations
Predicted to gross $65–100M on opening weekend, A Minecraft Movie stunned forecasters by debuting at $160M in the US and Canada—the year’s biggest opening. Its unexpected success reflects recent trends, as films like Moana 2, Barbie, and Inside Out 2 also far exceeded estimates. Experts at National Research Group acknowledge forecasting challenges, as audience enthusiasm for certain blockbusters continues to defy conventional projections. Read More
Wheelhouse Expands Digital Talent Deals Amid Creator Economy Boom
With Million Dollar Secret thriving, Wheelhouse is doubling down on creator-led projects. Chief Content Officer Glenn Hugill teases a high-profile show featuring major digital talent, signaling a shift in entertainment dynamics. Wheelhouse is securing multiple creator partnerships, emphasizing how influencers have evolved into media empires. The studio’s strategy follows trends set by Mr Beast’s Beast Games, as creator-led IP continues reshaping the industry with lucrative deals and innovative formats. Read More
How Creators Are Redefining Their Relationship with Hollywood and Legacy Media
Six creator trends that are reshaping media: from Escape Artists leaving digital roots, to Empire Builders like the Paul brothers creating multi-platform ecosystems. Others scale up with studios (MrBeast), retain original formats (Hot Ones), or evolve across mediums (Bo Burnham). Success now lies in designing platform-native content that maintains creator identity while adapting to each ecosystem. Read More
South Korean Content Surpasses UK as Netflix’s Most-Viewed Non-US Programming
South Korean films and series now dominate Netflix’s non-US content, surpassing UK output with hits like Squid Game and Kingdom. In H2 2024, K-content racked up 7.7 billion streaming hours, accounting for 8% of total viewing. Netflix has pledged $2.5B in Korean content investment, reinforcing its role in global entertainment. Analysts highlight Korea’s strategic edge in exporting popular titles, fueling the ongoing Hallyu wave. Read More
‘Severance’ Creative Team on Building the World of Lumon Industries: “There Are So Many Layers”
‘Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light’ Finale Reunites Cast 10 Years Later
Jessica Biel & Elizabeth Banks Say They Felt An Instant Sibling Bond As ‘The Better Sister’ Co-Stars
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