Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 5-6 April 2025
AI boom, BBC's iPlayer overhaul, Dubuc joins Togethxr, Salke exits Amazon, PVOD success at CinemaCon, plus new titles from Armstrong, Perry, Abrahamson, and France’s Clean.
Today’s Highlights:
Runway Raises $308M as Hollywood Embraces Generative AI – AI startup Runway secured $308M in funding to expand its role in Hollywood's film and TV production.
CinemaCon 2025 Reveals Ongoing Theatrical vs. Digital Battle – Studios and exhibitors debated theatrical windows as PVOD success stories like Wicked reshape release strategies.
BBC Overhauls iPlayer Team – BBC restructured iPlayer leadership as Charlotte Moore departed to become Left Bank Pictures's CEO.
The Hollywood Reporter Names 100 Power Lawyers of 2025 – The annual list honours top attorneys behind major entertainment deals and high-profile legal battles.
Nancy Dubuc Joins Togethxr as Executive Chair – Former Vice CEO Nancy Dubuc will lead brand strategy and investor relations at women’s media firm Togethxr.
Irish Animation Industry Confronts AI, YouTube, and Market Pressures – Industry leaders warn that Ireland’s animation sector must innovate to compete with AI and online platforms.
Sony Adapting ‘Love Everlasting’ with Lenny Abrahamson Directing – Sony will adapt the time-loop romance comic Love Everlasting into a film directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
Jesse Armstrong’s ‘Mountainhead’ Sets HBO Premiere for May 31 – HBO will debut Mountainhead, Jesse Armstrong’s directorial debut starring Steve Carell, on May 31.
Tyler Perry’s ‘Doing Life’ Brings Urban Drama to Netflix – Tyler Perry’s new Netflix film follows a single mother and ex-con facing gritty life challenges.
M6’s ‘Clean’ Reimagines British Drama as High-Stakes Thriller – The French series Clean reinvents the UK’s Cleaning Up as a fast-paced thriller about a cleaner exploiting insider trading.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with BritBox, NBCUniversal, Sony & Prime in London & LA.
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INSIGHTS
French Drama ‘Clean’ Reimagines ‘Cleaning Up’ with New Thrilling Direction
M6’s Clean, a French adaptation of the UK drama Cleaning Up, swaps gambling addiction for a high-stakes suspense thriller. Alix Poisson leads as Lola, a struggling mother who discovers insider trading at the bank where she cleans and decides to exploit it. The four-part series, written by Claire Lemaréchal and Franck Philippon, embraces a faster pace, heightened tension, and a lighter touch of comedy compared to its British counterpart. Read More
Medical Dramas Make Comeback as Networks Tap into ‘The Pitt’ Pulse
Medical dramas are resurging in popularity with shows like The Pitt, ABC’s upcoming series set in a Pittsburgh trauma centre, leading the charge. Networks and streamers are investing in high-emotion, character-driven hospital dramas, signalling renewed audience appetite. The trend mirrors past successes like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, blending medicine with societal and personal themes. Read More
CinemaCon 2025 Debates Theatrical Windows Amid Industry Shifts
At CinemaCon 2025, exhibitors pushed for a standard 45-day theatrical window, but studios continue embracing early digital releases to offset financial losses. While Snow White and Mickey 17 struggled, Wicked generated $100M via PVOD alongside strong theatrical earnings, highlighting the evolving strategy. With streaming platforms providing crucial revenue, rigid exclusivity appears unlikely, as studios prioritise flexibility in navigating fluctuating audience behavior and box office returns. Read More
Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys Named in Power Lawyers 2025
The Hollywood Reporter has unveiled its 20th annual Power Lawyers list, recognising the entertainment industry’s most influential attorneys. The 2025 edition highlights 100 top dealmakers and litigators who have shaped major courtroom battles, including Baldoni vs. Lively and Baldwin vs. New Mexico. Read More
Why Aren’t More TV Freelancers Turning to YouTube?
Despite their storytelling expertise, TV production freelancers have been slow to embrace YouTube, even as the creator economy thrives. While the platform offers easy entry and monetisation, many freelancers remain hesitant, possibly due to industry norms, financial risks, or a lack of familiarity with self-driven content creation. As traditional TV work declines, shifting toward digital platforms could provide new opportunities, but adapting to this model requires a different mindset and approach. Read More
Irish Animation Faces Challenges Amid Industry Shifts
Ireland’s animation sector remains globally competitive, but rising concerns over YouTube’s dominance, AI-generated content, and economic pressures pose challenges. Industry leaders, including Jam Media’s John Rice and Piranha Bar’s Nicky Gogan, discuss the future of Irish animation and how studios can adapt to maintain their creative edge. With government support and strategic innovation, the sector aims to sustain its success in an evolving media landscape. Read More
Veteran TV Director Bethany Rooney Reflects on Her Career and Challenges
Bethany Rooney, a 40-year veteran of episodic TV directing, shares insights on her journey from St. Elsewhere to Law & Order and beyond. Starting as an associate producer, she transitioned into directing by leveraging her editing experience. Rooney discusses the highs of her first directing job and the challenges of working with powerful actors. Her newly updated book, Directors Tell the Story, offers practical guidance for navigating the complexities of TV production. Read More
Amazon’s Film Strategy Gains Momentum While Prime Video Faces Uncertainty
Amazon’s film division is making bold moves with theatrical releases, as discussed at CinemaCon, signaling a shift in studio leadership. Meanwhile, Prime Video’s future remains uncertain following Jen Salke’s departure, with industry insiders speculating on Vernon Sanders’ next steps. The contrasting trajectories highlight Amazon’s evolving approach to entertainment. Read More
Netflix’s ‘Pulse’ Explores Power Dynamics in a High-Stakes Medical Drama
Created by Zoe Robyn and co-showrunner Carlton Cuse, Pulse follows emergency medicine resident Danny Simms (Willa Fitzgerald) and her chief Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell) as their secret relationship unravels amid a hurricane crisis. Inspired by Robyn’s personal experiences, the series blends workplace tension with emotional complexity, debuting on Netflix. Read More
Carrie Coon’s “White Lotus” Journey—And What You Didn’t See
Inside Disney's Casting Secrets: How They Discovered the Stars of Your Favourite Shows
Industry veterans Tiffany Little Canfield (‘Only Murders in the Building,’ ‘Paradise’), Josh Einsohn (‘Paradise,’ ‘Doctor Odyssey’), Wendy O’Brien (‘Abbott Elementary’), Danielle Aufiero (‘Good American Family’), Seth Yanklewitz (‘Deli Boys’), and Julie Ashton (‘Mid-Century Modern’) break down the art, strategy, and magic behind casting today’s biggest TV hits.
Ride a Mine Cart With Jack Black and Jason Momoa in ‘A Minecraft Movie’ | Anatomy of a Scene
The scene takes place in the redstone mines, where Steve (Black) has brought Garrett (Jason Momoa) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) to access his diamond stash. But trouble is afoot in the form of a piglin biological superweapon with an arm cannon ready to blast the protagonists. They plan an escape via mine cart, using redstone to power their way out. The film’s director, Jared Hess, said that he worked with his production designer Grant Major (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) to build many of the sets practically, including this mine set, and then extended those sets with visual effects.
'MobLand' Stars Dish on the Wildly Rapid Production & Are Down for Season 2
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