Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 2 May 2025
Creator-led media surges as NBCU restructures, WGA tensions rise, streamers embrace ads, UK indies face fraud, soaps cut back, and Marvel eyes rebound with Thunderbolts.
Today’s Highlights:
Creator Economy Surges Past Traditional Hollywood in Revenue Growth – Creator media grows five times faster than traditional entertainment, as digital influencers diversify income and scale into global media entrepreneurs.
NBCUniversal Layoffs Begin as SpinCo Prepares to Launch – NBCUniversal cuts dozens of jobs across key divisions as it prepares to spin off cable assets into a new entity serving 70 million U.S. homes.
Writers Face Renewed Uncertainty Ahead of 2026 Contract Talks – Writers remain divided over the outcomes of the 2023 strike as leadership changes and unresolved issues like AI and residuals loom ahead of new WGA negotiations.
Streaming Platforms Embrace Ad-Supported Models as Default – With over 70% of U.S. TV viewing now ad-supported, platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon see major revenue growth and shift away from ad-free offerings.
HMRC Tightens VAT Controls Following UK Indie Fraud Scandal – After a spate of fraudulent VAT claims targeting UK indie producers, HMRC introduces stricter measures to secure accounts and prevent further exploitation.
Family Vlogging Documentaries Expose Exploitation and Online Risks – New documentaries reveal how children in monetised family vlogs face unregulated labour, online predators, and long-term psychological harm.
Soap Opera Cuts Signal Broader UK TV Crisis – The cancellation and downsizing of long-running UK soaps underscore industry-wide funding shortfalls and a decline in stable creative jobs.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts Wins Over Critics, Reinvigorating MCU Hopes – Marvel’s Thunderbolts receives a warmer reception than recent titles, with critics praising its ensemble cast and emotional depth.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners Spurs Interest in Non-IP Projects – The breakout success of Sinners and other indie hits drives studios to reconsider greenlighting original, non-franchise-based films.
Peacock Bets on Creator-Led Originals with New Scripted Series – Peacock launches four shows developed by social media creators, highlighting a push to invest in emerging digital storytelling talent.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with BBC, Netflix, NBCUniversal, Prime, UKTV, Banijay, Disney & WBD in Sydney, London, LA, NYC. Germany & Madrid.
Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest TV, Film & Media updates in one bulletin.
Our subscribers include executives from:
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.
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.
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
The Silent Struggle Behind Soap Opera Cuts
Since Holby City’s cancellation in 2021, soap writers have faced mounting challenges. BBC has axed Doctors and River City, while other shows like Casualty, Pobol y Cwm, and Hollyoaks cut episodes, slashing jobs. ITV plans similar cuts to Coronation Street and Emmerdale by 2026. The WGGB continues to support affected writers, who mourn lost livelihoods—and the trusted, intimate bonds formed in the writers’ room. Read More
NBCUniversal Layoffs Begin Ahead of SpinCo Launch
NBCUniversal has begun targeted layoffs affecting dozens across its TV, streaming, marketing, and communications divisions, as it prepares to spin off cable assets into a new company, SpinCo. The cuts, described as “surgical,” impact teams at NBC, Peacock, and various cable networks. SpinCo, expected to serve 70 million U.S. households, will include channels like USA Network and MSNBC, while Bravo stays with NBCUniversal. Read More
Documentaries Expose Dangers of Family Vlogging and Monetized Child Content
Recent documentaries Devil in the Family and Bad Influence reveal serious concerns about child exploitation in family vlogging. Behind curated social media lives lie issues of unregulated labour, online predators, and potential psychological harm. Activists warn that platforms like Instagram, where users can pay for access to content, pose unique risks. Though Meta restricts monetization of child-centric accounts, experts argue more safeguards are urgently needed. Read More
HMRC Tightens VAT Controls After Fraud Hits UK Indie Producers
Following multiple reports of suspected VAT fraud, HMRC is introducing tighter security measures to prevent fraudulent repayment claims. At least nine UK indie producers revealed they were affected, mostly on low-budget projects between October and December last year. In several cases, fraudsters accessed VAT numbers, locked producers out of their accounts, and submitted claims—highlighting urgent vulnerabilities in the current system. Read More
Submarine’s Femke Wolting on 25 Years of Bold, Boundary-Pushing Storytelling
Since founding Submarine in 2000, Femke Wolting and Bruno Felix have built a dynamic company known for innovation across scripted, unscripted, and hybrid animation. With titles like Safe Harbor, The Kollective, Undone, and Apollo 10 1/2, Submarine blends genres and techniques to expand narrative boundaries. Wolting discusses the company’s evolution, storytelling ambitions, and creative methods with World Screen Weekly. Read More
Ad-Supported Streaming Surges as Commercial-Free Viewing Declines
Streaming’s commercial-free promise is fading fast, with 72.4% of U.S. TV viewing in Q1 happening on ad-supported platforms, per Nielsen’s new Ad Supported Gauge. As upfronts approach, media giants are touting ad revenue growth: Disney+ is projected to hit $197M in Q1 2025, Netflix $502M, and Amazon Prime Video $476M — each showing year-over-year increases of over 80%. Read More
As 2026 Talks Loom, Writers Grapple with Post-Strike Realities and Lingering Divides
One year out from the expiration of the WGA’s current contract, Hollywood faces fresh uncertainty. With new leadership at the studios' negotiating table and key WGA figures stepping back, tensions remain high. Writers, still recovering from the 2023 strike, express mixed feelings about the gains won, citing ongoing struggles with AI, residuals, and staffing. As 2026 negotiations approach, the industry remains fractured over whether the last strike was truly worth it. Read More
Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” Earns Positive Reviews, Offering Hope After Recent Misfires
Following the lukewarm reception of Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel’s Thunderbolts hits theaters with a warmer critical response. While not universally praised, early reviews commend the ensemble cast — including Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour — and a more emotionally grounded story. As Marvel eyes Avengers: Doomsday, Thunderbolts may be the first step toward restoring fan confidence in the MCU. Read More
Amazon Expands “Shop the Show” to 1,300+ Titles on Prime Video
Amazon has broadened its “Shop the Show” feature on Prime Video, letting U.S. viewers shop products tied to over 1,300 shows, movies, and live sports events. Designed as a mobile second-screen experience, users can browse items while watching titles like Barbie, The Boys, and Fallout. Amazon says the feature enhances shopping without disrupting viewing, tapping into the 94% of adults influenced by on-screen content. Read More
Peacock Launches Original Series from Social Media Creators Under Emerging Artist Banner
Peacock will debut four original scripted series on May 19, all developed by creators from NBCUniversal’s Creator Accelerator Program. The shows — The Warehouse Phase, The Kouncil, Older Hotter Wiser, and People Like Me — mark a push into creator-driven content under the new Peacock Emerging Artist Series. All episodes will be available at launch, spotlighting fresh voices from the social media space. Read More
The Hidden Star of Alone Australia: How Producers Select Remote Survival Locations
The success of Alone Australia relies on its breathtaking, isolated landscapes, carefully chosen to ensure contestants experience true solitude. Executive producer Riima Daher reveals that scouting begins mid-season, with thorough reconnaissance to ensure that naturally occurring boundaries prevent accidental encounters. Bushcraft consultant Gordon Dedman emphasises the importance of selecting rugged terrain that tests survival skills while remaining visually stunning. From Tasmania’s wilderness to New Zealand’s South Island, Daher travels extensively to secure the perfect setting for the next season. Read More
Creator Economy Growth Outpaces Hollywood, Opening Lucrative Opportunities
A new study reveals that creator media revenue is expanding five times faster than traditional media, with full-time creators in the U.S. reaching 1.5 million. Driven by shifts in digital ads and direct audience engagement, creators are diversifying their income streams beyond advertising to include licensing, affiliate fees, subscriptions, live events, and business ventures. Experts highlight key monetisation trends, from brand deals to international growth, offering insights into how creators can scale into media entrepreneurs. With platforms like Webtoon, Patreon, and TikTok fueling industry shifts, the future of content creation is more lucrative than ever. Read More
Sinners Sparks Market Shift & Indie Momentum
The success of Ryan Coogler’s $90 million hit, 'Sinners,' and the viral short 'The Crossing Over Express’ signals a promising future for non-IP projects, driving new greenlighting strategies from studios. Self-released films can unlock industry opportunities, talent should embrace “proof of concept” strategies, and indie creatives can leverage breakout hits to build sustainable careers beyond the traditional studio system. Read More
Tina Fey Talks Casting 'The Four Seasons,' Co-Stars Reveal What Made Them Say "Yes"
WAGING THE CTV OS WARS: The Great Battle for the Living Room
TVREV Co-Founder Alan Wolk joins Marion Ranchet for an in-depth discussion on the evolving Connected TV sector. They analyse stalled CTV innovation, missteps by new players like The Trade Desk, and heightened competition among legacy OS manufacturers, big tech firms, and emerging platforms like Titan and TiVo. Key topics include the rise of fast channels, contextual advertising, and shoppable TV, as well as challenges in measurement and monetisation. With Roku’s revenue strategies and those of Amazon and Google shaping the industry, the conversation highlights the ongoing TV OS wars.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Further&Better to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.