Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 8 May 2025
AI reshapes Hollywood; Disney and Netflix push global growth; Starz goes solo; Mendes tackles The Beatles; Johansson joins socials; UK drama and LatAm content surge.
Today’s Highlights:
Cursor AI Poised to Reshape Hollywood’s Production Process – A $9B AI-powered platform, Cursor is revolutionising screenwriting, VFX, localisation, and distribution, signalling a significant shift in Hollywood production workflows.
Chris DeFaria Launches Chronicle Studios to Rethink Content Development with AI and Audience Data – Veteran producer DeFaria introduces a new model for story development using AI and social media trends, challenging traditional IP pipelines.
Disney to Boost Local Content Production for Global Streaming Growth – CEO Bob Iger outlines aggressive expansion of Disney+ through international originals, prioritising localised strategies for global audience engagement.
Starz and Lionsgate Complete Split, Becoming Separate Companies Again – With 99% shareholder approval, Starz emerges as an independent company, aiming for expansive subscriber growth and content bundling strategies.
Netflix Unveils Major TV Homepage Redesign – Netflix's new homepage emphasises games and live content, reflecting a broader shift in streaming UX under Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim.
Sam Mendes' The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event Taps Top Writers for Biopics – Oscar and Tony-winning writers join Mendes to craft a four-film Beatles project, marking the first time Apple Corps has granted full life-story and music rights.
AI in Postproduction: A Creative Ally, Not a Replacement – As studios explore assistive AI, sound designers and editors weigh the benefits of efficiency against the risks to craftsmanship and transparency.
Box to Box Films Expands into Latin America with New Mexico City Division – Drive to Survive producer Box to Box launches a LatAm division with former Netflix and Fox execs, highlighting its growing global ambitions.
Scarlett Johansson Weighs Joining Instagram for Jurassic World Rebirth – In a rare move, Johansson may join Instagram to support Universal's Jurassic World Rebirth, highlighting the importance of star-driven social campaigns.
The Trial Explores Parental Accountability in a Dystopian Future – Channel 5’s provocative one-off drama, The Trial, explores the consequences of holding parents legally responsible for their children’s crimes.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations & Jobs with Prime, WBD, Channel 4, BBC, Banijay, NBCUniversal & Netflix in Amsterdam, London, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, LA & Stockholm.
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INSIGHTS
Parents on Trial: A Dystopian Drama Unfolds
Adorable Media’s Richelle Wilder unpacks The Trial, Channel 5’s gripping single drama set in a near-future world where parents are held legally accountable for their children's crimes. Starring Claire Skinner and Ben Miles, the film follows a couple facing a life sentence after their daughter commits a serious offense—all filmed in just four days. Read More
Netflix Unveils Major TV Homepage Redesign
Netflix is rolling out a revamped home page for TV users over the coming weeks, aiming to better showcase its growing lineup of games and live events. Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim says the update reflects a “giant leap forward” enabled by new technology and expanded content, marking the latest in over a decade of behind-the-scenes improvements. Read More
AI in Postproduction: A Creative Ally, Not a Replacement
The rise of AI in post-production sparks both excitement and concern, especially for sound designers and editors. AI—when used transparently—can streamline tedious tasks and elevate creativity. While generative AI isn’t yet studio-ready, assistive AI holds real promise, freeing artists to focus less on workflow and more on storytelling and emotional nuance. Read More
Disney to Boost Local Content Production for Global Streaming Growth
Disney CEO Bob Iger says the studio will ramp up original local and regional content overseas to expand its streaming reach. Speaking after the Q2 earnings report, Iger emphasized targeted international investments as a key growth strategy for Disney+, which has steadily expanded globally since its 2019 launch. Read More
Blue Ant Media Expands Global Footprint Through Collaboration and Coproduction
Since launching in 2011, Blue Ant Media has grown into a global content leader across production, distribution, and channels, excelling in factual, unscripted, and FAST content. With a focus on collaboration and strategic content investment, the company prioritizes talent support and coproduction. Execs Diane Rankin and Lilla Hurst highlight its cooperative culture, citing projects like the Canada/New Zealand kids' series Tralala as examples of its international reach. Read More
Scarlett Johansson Weighs Joining Instagram for Jurassic World Rebirth
Ahead of the July 2 release of Jurassic World Rebirth, Universal Pictures asked Scarlett Johansson to consider joining Instagram to support the film. Known for her absence from social media, Johansson said that the studio reached out, hoping her presence online as Zora Bennett, a covert operative in the sequel, could boost the movie’s visibility. Read More
Catholic Cardinals Turn to Hollywood Film Conclave Ahead of Real-Life Vote
Ahead of this week’s papal conclave, some of the 133 Catholic cardinals have reportedly watched Conclave, the Ralph Fiennes-led drama, to prepare for the secretive process. Directed by Edward Berger, the film portrays Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, navigating intrigue, scandal, and power struggles—offering an unexpectedly cinematic lens on one of the Vatican’s most solemn rituals. Read More
Chris DeFaria Launches Chronicle Studios to Rethink Content Development with AI and Audience Data
Veteran producer Chris DeFaria has co-founded Chronicle Studios, a new entertainment venture focused on harnessing the creator economy, fast capital, and AI-driven analytics to reshape how stories are developed. Speaking at FMX in Germany, DeFaria cited Hollywood’s risk aversion and lack of original content as key challenges. Chronicle aims to invert traditional IP development by starting where audiences engage—like on social media—and using AI to guide early creative steps. Read More
Phil Edgar-Jones Talks Risk and Opportunity for Saturday Night Live UK
Phil Edgar-Jones, commissioner for Saturday Night Live UK, discussed the upcoming launch of the British version at the Creative Cities Convention, highlighting the challenge of adapting the iconic NBC show for the UK market. Acknowledging the lack of live comedy history, he called it a “risky proposition” but emphasized the opportunity to cultivate new talent and grow a fresh cohort of comedians if successful. Read More
Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch Reflects on Post-Split Growth Ambitions
After 18 months of separation from Lionsgate, Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch discusses the company’s new phase as a standalone entity. With 20 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, Hirsch aims to expand Starz's reach to 80 million households, leveraging bundles with other streaming services as a key growth strategy. He emphasizes the benefit of focusing solely on Starz’s goals following its split from Lionsgate. Read More
SABC Shifts Focus to Streaming Amid Losses on TV Channels
South Africa's financially struggling SABC has outlined a strategic shift in its latest five-year plan, with a focus on positioning its streaming service, SABC+, as the "flagship platform." Despite ongoing losses at SABC2 and SABC3, the broadcaster plans significant increases in spending for consultants, market research, and production. SABC1, which subsidizes the other channels, will maintain its programming more conservatively, while changes are more likely for the loss-making SABC2 and SABC3. Read More
Cursor AI Poised to Reshape Hollywood’s Production Process
Cursor, a $9 billion AI-powered development system, is set to disrupt Hollywood’s workflows, enabling screenwriting, VFX, localisation, and distribution automation. With backing from a major investor shared with A24, the platform offers studios a new way to streamline processes. As AI integration accelerates across entertainment, Cursor’s capabilities could redefine how films and television projects are conceived and executed. Read More
Exploring the Business of History Content Creation
Jen Topping examines the direct-to-consumer history market, highlighting successful brands like The Rest is History and History Hit. While they may seem like competitors, their distinct approaches showcase the diversity of storytelling and revenue models in the creator economy. The piece also features five history-focused channels, illustrating how independent creators can build sustainable businesses in a highly competitive niche. Read More
ITV’s The Masked Singer and Britain’s Got Talent Face Viewership Declines
ITV1’s flagship entertainment shows, The Masked Singer and Britain’s Got Talent, have dropped year-on-year ratings, suggesting audience fatigue with long-running formats. Meanwhile, BBC1’s new dramas, Miss Austen and Virdee, have debuted with comparable ratings, indicating a shift toward fresh scripted content. This trend highlights the need for broadcasters to innovate and introduce new formats to maintain viewer engagement. Read More
Mara Brock Akil’s Forever Brings Judy Blume’s Classic to a New Generation
Netflix’s Forever is Mara Brock Akil’s modern reimagining of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, exploring Black teen love and identity in Los Angeles. Starring Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Wood Harris, and Karen Pittman, the series tackles themes of first love, sexuality, and social struggles. Akil hopes the show will resonate with underserved audiences and evolve into a multi-season franchise. Read More
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