Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 28 April 2025
Netflix’s Bad Influence hits hard; Indian films redefine heroines; Canneseries showcases bold dramas; reality TV slows; Disney pivots; Luxe Listings feud; Adelaide shines at Cannes.
Today’s Highlights:
Netflix’s Bad Influence Exposes Kidfluencer Abuse – The docuseries Bad Influence continues strong on Netflix, highlighting the dangers child influencers face, focusing on Piper Rockelle and allegations of parental abuse.
New Wave of Indian Films Redefines Bollywood Heroines – A new generation of Indian films like Sister Midnight and Girls Will Be Girls is challenging traditional portrayals of women in Bollywood with bold, nuanced female leads.
“A Better Man” Confronts Cancel Culture at Canneseries – Norway’s A Better Man, produced by Maipo, premieres at Canneseries, addressing themes of trolling, masculinity, and cancel culture in a sharp four-episode series.
Reality TV Faces Unexpected Slowdown Post-Hollywood Strikes – Julie Pizzi of Bunim/Murray reveals that, despite expectations, reality TV growth has stalled after the Hollywood strikes, with only standout hits moving forward.
Disney Juggles Billions of Ads as Media Becomes More Fragmented – Disney’s Josh Mattison discusses the company's massive ad volume across Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN, stressing AI's growing role in managing digital content marketing.
Rhett & Link Push for Hollywood Recognition Beyond YouTube Fame – The Good Mythical Morning creators expand their YouTube empire into a full media company and aim to gain Hollywood prestige as YouTube turns 20.
Luxe Listings Creators' Legal Battle Hits Federal Court – Luxe Listings co-creators Benjamin Scott and James Kennedy are embroiled in a Federal Court case over alleged breaches related to rights sales and product placements.
Adelaide Film Festival Partners with Cannes to Promote South Australian Filmmakers – Five South Australian projects will be showcased at the Cannes Marché du Film through a partnership between the Adelaide Film Festival and Cannes.
Hannah Beachler Brings Cultural Depth to Sinners Film Set – Oscar-winner Hannah Beachler meticulously recreates Mississippi Delta history for Ryan Coogler’s vampire film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan.
Wild Bunch TV Acquires New Spanish and Christmas Comedies Ahead of Canneseries – Wild Bunch TV secures The Clan Olimpia and Single Bells, expanding its slate with new Spanish and Belgian productions for international markets.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with Netflix, Audible, BBC, NBCUniversal, Prime & UTA in Tokyo, Sydney, London, LA & Rome.
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INSIGHTS
New Wave of Indian Films Redefines the Bollywood Heroine
A new wave of Indian films, such as Sister Midnight, Santosh, Girls Will Be Girls, and All We Imagine as Light, are presenting bold, unpredictable female leads who defy traditional Bollywood norms. In Sister Midnight, premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Radhika Apte plays Uma, a rebellious bride who navigates an unwanted marriage with humour and grit. Actress Apte calls Uma “unapologetic” and “free,” embodying a new kind of Indian heroine. Read More
“A Better Man” Tackles Cancel Culture and Masculinity at Canneseries
Norway’s NRK-backed A Better Man, produced by Maipo, premieres at Canneseries with a teaser revealing a sharp social survival thriller about trolling, cancel culture, and masculinity. Spanning just four episodes, the series strikes a balance between relevance and emotional depth. Opening with a provocative stand-up bit by feminist Live Steensvaag, A Better Man promises to be one of the festival’s standout titles, with Beta Film handling international distribution. Read More
Good Mythical Morning’s Rhett & Link Aim for YouTube Glory—and Hollywood Prestige
Filming from a 17,000-square-foot Burbank studio, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have built Good Mythical Morning into a YouTube empire with 30 million subscribers and massive 18–34 viewership. Friends since childhood, the duo now run a full media company, but they’re eyeing Hollywood awards to cement their cultural impact. As YouTube turns 20, Rhett and Link believe their success shows how entertainment has evolved—and that they deserve a seat at the table. Read More
Courtney White on How TV’s New Normal Is Six-Episode Seasons
Courtney White, now the president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, says the era of big TV episode orders is over, with six to eight episodes now being the standard. On Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast, she explains how Wheelhouse, part of Brent Montgomery’s group, maximises each series across formats like podcasts, documentaries, and e-commerce. Recent projects include Netflix’s Million Dollar Secret and Hulu’s Got to Get Out. Read More
Luxe Listings Creators Take Their Bitter Feud to Federal Court
Luxe Listings co-creators Benjamin Scott and James Kennedy, once childhood friends, are now locked in a Federal Court battle. Scott alleges that Kennedy breached his duties by selling the show’s rights at a reduced price and giving up ownership, while also using the series to secretly promote luxury watches from his jewellery store, featuring brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe. Read More
Netflix’s Bad Influence Exposes the Dark Side of Kidfluencing
Netflix’s Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing has stayed in the Top 10 since its April 9 release, diving into the troubling world of child influencer Piper Rockelle and abuse allegations against her mother. Directed by Kief Davidson and Jenna Rosher, the docuseries builds on the success of “Quiet on Set” and contributes to the growing conversation about the risks that kids face in entertainment and social media. Read More
Reality TV Faces New Challenges Despite Hollywood Strikes, Says Julie Pizzi
Julie Pizzi, CEO of Bunim/Murray and 51 Minds, says reality TV didn’t boom as expected after the strikes, as networks now chase only landmark hits like The Traitors or Squid Game. Despite Bunim/Murray’s success with shows like The Challenge and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Pizzi notes even fully developed projects are being shelved, reflecting Hollywood’s tighter budgets and higher stakes. Read More
Disney Handles Billions of Ads Monthly as Media Landscape Grows More Chaotic
Disney’s Josh Mattison revealed that the company sees 4–5 billion weekly ad impressions across Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN, with 50,000 ad creatives arriving each month. Speaking at Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit, Mattison highlighted how AI is helping manage this volume. Across the event, one theme stood out: as digital content explodes and younger audiences resist overt selling, authenticity has become the key to capturing consumer attention. Read More
Hannah Beachler’s Attention to Detail Brings History and Culture to "Sinners" Set
Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler immersed herself in Mississippi Delta history while working on Sinners, collaborating closely with Ryan Coogler. Researching the blues, she observed local vernacular, architecture, and nature, which influenced the film’s set, including a farmhouse-style chapel inspired by cotton fields and a small church. Sinners blends vampire drama with cultural depth, featuring Michael B. Jordan as a man drawn into supernatural forces in his hometown. Read More
Thomas Kinkade’s Journey from Ambitious Artist to “Painter of Light”
In the 1990s, Thomas Kinkade’s sentimental landscapes filled American homes, making him the most successful artist of his time. Despite his massive popularity, the art world scorned him. The new documentary Art For Everybody reveals that Kinkade once aspired to be like Van Gogh, wanting to capture the world's pain, but eventually became known for his glowing, idealised scenes, earning the title "Painter of Light" before his 2012 death. Read More
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