Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 11 June 2025
WBD splits in 2026; Netflix invests $1.2B in Spain; CAA lawsuit escalates; Apple changes pay model; piracy hits Saudi streaming; Disney+ hires Jain; Ghibli at 40; John Wick expands.
Today’s Highlights:
Warner Bros. Discovery to Split into Two Companies by 2026 – The media giant’s structural overhaul will reshape the global content landscape and trigger leadership shifts.
Netflix Commits Over $1.2 Billion to Spanish Production Through 2028 – A significant European investment reinforcing Netflix’s long-term global content strategy.
CAA Accuses Range Media Partners Founders of Stealing Trade Secrets – A major legal clash with potential to disrupt Hollywood’s talent representation ecosystem.
Apple Studios Introduces Performance-Based Pay Model – A shift in how creatives are compensated, setting a potential precedent for the broader streaming industry.
Saudi Arabia’s Streaming Boom Threatened by Piracy and Account Sharing – Highlights both the region’s growth potential and its serious monetisation challenges.
Angela Jain Joins Disney+ as Head of Content for EMEA – A strategic hire signalling Disney’s intensifying focus on regional content leadership.
John Wick Universe Expands with Animated Prequel and Spinoffs – A key franchise expands post-lead character, reflecting broader IP franchising trends.
Ari Aster’s Eddington Trailer Drops Following Cannes Premiere – A major auteur-led project generating high anticipation with a politically charged narrative.
Studio Ghibli Turns 40 Amid Reflections on Art and Commerce – A cultural milestone for one of animation’s most iconic studios during its corporate transition.
Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm Premieres at Annecy After 14-Year Development – A long-awaited adaptation that marks a creative achievement and festival highlight.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Events & Jobs with Foxtel, Prime, WBD & Netflix in Sydney, London & LA.
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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
Inside the Spiral: Javier Giner's Raw Tale of Addiction
Spanish writer-director Javier Giner draws on his own experiences in "Yo, Adicto" (I, Addict). This six-part drama explores addiction, redemption, and self-discovery. Starring Oriol Pla as Javi, a film publicist battling alcohol and cocaine addiction, the story follows his voluntary stay at a rehab centre, where, surrounded by nature and fellow patients, he commits to rebuilding his life from the ground up. Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery Split Sparks Succession Speculation
Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two companies by late 2026, with one focusing on its studios and streaming operations and the other on its linear TV business. CEO David Zaslav will lead the studios and streaming unit, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will head the networks division. As the industry absorbs the shakeup, speculation intensifies over who will ultimately take the top leadership role once the split is complete. Read More
CAA Alleges Range Founders Plotted to Steal Trade Secrets
In a newly amended complaint, CAA accuses Range Media Partners' founders of orchestrating an extensive scheme to steal trade secrets and launch an illegal rival agency. CAA claims to have uncovered video footage, documents, photos, and encrypted Telegram chats revealing the plot. The lawsuit, originally filed in October 2024, now includes these alleged smoking-gun revelations, escalating the legal clash between the rival Hollywood firms. Read More
China’s Gen Z Parents Are Redefining Family Entertainment
China’s Gen Z, now entering parenthood, is reshaping kids and family content with digital-first habits and fresh expectations. Favouring fun, emotionally rich, and interactive stories, these parents are turning to online platforms—making animation the top choice for shared viewing. With 260 million Gen Zers driving nearly 40% of consumer spending, their influence is transforming how families engage with content and learn together. Read More
Piracy and Account Sharing Undercut Saudi Arabia’s Streaming Boom
Saudi Arabia's streaming market is thriving, with 84% of connected households consuming online content and access to over 530 platforms. Yet, piracy and account sharing are eroding monetisation. Despite a drop in piracy from 52% to 43% in late 2024, illegal access remains widespread, with 35% of users pirating daily. Account sharing is also surging—now at 35%, the region's highest—despite some of the lowest subscription prices in the EMEA region. Read More
Paramount Global Announces New Round of Layoffs Amid Industry Shifts
Paramount Global will cut another 3.5% of its US workforce starting Tuesday, following a 15% reduction in the workforce last year. In a memo, Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins cited ongoing declines in linear TV and a challenging economic landscape as reasons for the move, emphasising the need to streamline operations while prioritising growth in streaming. Read More
Squid Game S2: Crafting Bold Visuals with Colour
For Squid Game S2, working with Baselight, cinematographer Kim Ji-yong and colourist Park Jin Young collaborated to deliver a bold, cinematic look. Following the global impact of Season One, Park approached the project with care and ambition, emphasising the power of colour in storytelling. "It was a rare project where colour played a deeply considered role," Park said, calling it both a responsibility and an exciting opportunity. Read More
Netflix Commits Over $1.2 Billion to Spanish Production Through 2028
Netflix will invest more than €1 billion (US$1.2 billion) in Spain between 2025 and 2028, co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced during a press event at Netflix’s European Production Hub in Tres Cantos, Madrid. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Spain, Sarandos praised the country’s pro-creative regulation and collaboration under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s €1.6 billion Spain Audiovisual Plan. The investment underscores Netflix’s continued expansion at its largest European studio complex. Read More
Ari Aster’s Eddington Trailer Drops Ahead of July 18 Release
A24 has unveiled the trailer for Eddington, Ari Aster's divisive modern Western set in the pandemic-stricken America of 2020. Following its buzzed-about Cannes premiere, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as an anti-mask sheriff who clashes with Pedro Pascal's pro-guidelines mayor in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico. The ensemble cast—Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and others—brings a range of pandemic-era tensions to life in what promises to be a heated cinematic flashpoint. Read More
ZDF Studios Unveils Detective von Fock, a Cross-Border Period Crime Drama
ZDF Studios is launching Detective von Fock, a period drama co-produced by Estonia, Latvia, and Italy. Spanning two seasons of four episodes each, the series follows detective Paul von Fock and femme fatale Maria von Nottbeck as they unravel crimes involving murder, theft, and deception. Backed by Creative Europe’s MEDIA strand and Eurimages, the show strikes a balance between historical accuracy and global appeal through its international production model. Read More
Studio Ghibli at 40: Art, Legacy, and Business Realities
As Studio Ghibli turns 40 this June, its legacy of visionary animation is both celebrated and scrutinised. Known for its artistic integrity and independence, the studio thrived for decades—until its 2023 sale to Nippon TV. Despite its altruistic image, Ghibli, like any major studio, balances art with commerce, revealing a more pragmatic side behind its beloved creative front. Read More
Meredith Hayden Builds a Cozy Brand by Keeping It Real
Meredith Hayden didn’t set out to create comforting content—but that’s what struck a chord. The New York-based influencer went viral with her “day in the life” as a Hamptons private chef and now shares cozy, unfiltered moments on her Wishbone Kitchen YouTube channel. From dinner parties to recipe mishaps, her relatable charm has built a loyal following and fuelled her recent cookbook tour. Read More
Nicholas Chavez on Portraying Lyle Menendez and Embracing Dark Roles
Nicholas Alexander Chavez, 25, delves deeply into portraying Lyle Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, describing the research process as "gruelling." From trial footage to personal accounts, he crafted a nuanced portrayal beyond the courtroom. The role sparked renewed interest in the real case, with Chavez expressing hope for the brothers' future. He also stars in Ryan Murphy's Grotesquerie as a priest with deadly impulses. Read More
Celine Song’s Materialists Explores Love, Status, and Modern Matchmaking
Inspired by her time as a matchmaker, Past Lives director Celine Song crafts Materialists, a romantic satire starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. The film follows Lucy, a high-end matchmaker, torn between her wealthy new suitor and her struggling ex. Song critiques the commodification of love, questioning whether relationships can be reduced to checklists. Read More
Fox Entertainment Global Seeks High-Quality Action Series
Fox Entertainment Global President Prentiss Fraser is calling for compelling action dramas to fill a market gap, emphasising strong character development and thrilling narratives. The company is actively seeking fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling to expand its portfolio. Read More
Tubi CEO Anjali Sud Positions Platform as the 'Free Netflix' for Gen Z
Tubi CEO Anjali Sud describes the platform as a premium, ad-supported streaming service that offers free content without requiring subscriptions. Under her leadership, Tubi has grown to 97 million monthly active users, driven by Gen Z’s preference for free streaming. The platform features over 275,000 titles, 300+ originals, and limited ad interruptions, while supporting independent creators and facilitating global expansion. Read More
Inflation Drives Surge in Soft Money and Co-Productions in Turkey & Israel
Rising production costs in Turkey and Israel—more than doubling in five years—have led producers to rely on tax rebates, subsidies, and international financing. In Turkey, inflation hit 64.8% in early 2024, while Israel’s GDP growth slowed to 1.2%, prompting a shift toward global sales and co-productions. Read More
Apple Studios Introduces Performance-Based Pay Model
Apple Studios is implementing a new backend compensation system that ties payouts to the success of its streaming services. The model considers new subscriber acquisitions, total viewing time, and cost-to-audience ratio, potentially yielding multi-million-dollar bonuses for top-performing content. Read More
Craig Mazin’s The Last of Us Episode 202 Script Highlights Joel’s Fate: Read the Script
Episode 202, Through The Valley, written by Craig Mazin and directed by Mark Mylod, delivers a shocking turning point in The Last of Us Season 2. As Joel (Pedro Pascal) faces brutal revenge, Ellie’s quest for vengeance is set in motion. Read More
Javier Bardem & Diego Luna | Actors on Actors
Diego Luna begins his Actors on Actors conversation with Javier Bardem by telling him how much of an inspiration Bardem was to him early in his career. The two then go on to talk about discovering hidden Star Wars details in 'Andor', how Bardem handled the challenging role of Jose Menendez in "Monsters" and tease their upcoming projects 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and 'Cape Fear.'
How 'Adolescence' Made that Harrowing Psychological Evaluation Episode
Stephen Graham & Sharon Horgan Interview Each Other About 'Adolescence' & 'Bad Sisters'
"Adolescence" and "Bad Sisters" creator-stars Stephen Graham and Sharon Horgan get candid about having agency over their own shows, proving doubters wrong and instituting a policy on their sets to reward kindness.
'The Four Seasons' Standout Kerri Kenney-Silver: Learn How to Do It Yourself | What No One Tells You
Starting her career as part of the comedy troupe The State, Kerri Kenney-Silver figured out all the various aspects that go into a production early on in her career.
How Crunchyroll Took Over The Anime World | Fast Company
How Crunchyroll transformed from a small streaming service to the global leader in anime distribution. Discover how it helped push anime into mainstream pop culture, influenced the global perception of Japanese media, and changed the entertainment landscape forever.
ABC’s High Potential: Prestige Junkie Live: Drew Goddard, Todd Harthan, Alethea Jones, Kaitlin Olson
Creator Drew Goddard describes High Potential as a procedural with Wile E. Coyote energy, following Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a cleaner-turned-crime solver. The series, adapted from a French original, blends humour, mystery, and emotional depth, with Olson and director Alethea Jones emphasising Morgan’s role as a mother. High Potential is streaming on Hulu.
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