Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 29-30 March 2025
France enforces local content quotas; Salke exits Amazon; Warner Bros. faces turmoil; AI reshapes TV; MrBeast enters publishing; Disney+, EU pubs, and Landmark pivot; DC's Lanterns expands.
Today’s Highlights:
France Sets Precedent with Advanced Streaming Investment Quotas – France mandates global streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ to invest 20–25% of their local revenue into French and European content, integrating streamers into the national production ecosystem with quotas for language, independent works, and genres.
Jennifer Salke Departs Amazon MGM Studios Amid Strategic Shift – Jennifer Salke exits her leadership role at Amazon MGM Studios after key successes like The Boys and overseeing the MGM integration, signalling a major reshuffle in Amazon’s content direction.
Warner Bros. Faces Internal Pressure After Box Office Failures – Studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are under scrutiny following major film flops like Mickey 17, prompting speculation that Peter Safran may replace them as CEO David Zaslav’s confidence wanes.
California's Entertainment Employment Lags Despite Tax Incentives – California's entertainment industry remains 20% below 2022 employment levels post-strikes, with lawmakers boosting tax credits to $750M to combat reduced production budgets, out-of-state filming, and industry consolidation.
AI Tools Reshape TV and Film Production Debates at Series Mania – At Series Mania 2025, executives, including Erik Barmack, championed ethical AI adoption in TV and film to streamline production and cut costs without undermining creative standards.
MrBeast and James Patterson Spark Bidding War with Thriller Novel – YouTube star MrBeast and author James Patterson co-authored a thriller, sparking an eight-figure bidding war for book, film, and TV rights, marking MrBeast’s literary debut and a crossover milestone for digital creators.
Disney+ France Emphasises Quality and Broadcaster Partnerships – Disney+ France’s Hélène Etzi promoted a “quality over quantity” strategy and deeper collaboration with French broadcasters to enhance original programming in a saturated market.
European Public Broadcasters Launch Eight New Copros via New8 – New8 alliance of public broadcasters announced a slate of eight international dramas, including WWII thriller Breendonk and Icelandic mystery Death of a Horse, enhancing global storytelling with local authenticity.
Landmark Theatres Appoints Kevin Holloway as CEO Amid Revamp – Landmark Theatres promotes Kevin Holloway to CEO as it embarks on major renovations to attract younger audiences, aiming to revitalise its post-pandemic indie cinema brand.
Jasmine Cephas Jones Joins DC’s Lanterns Series on HBO – Jasmine Cephas Jones joins HBO’s Lanterns series as the mother of Green Lantern John Stewart, in a star-studded cast including Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, expanding the DC TV universe.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Nine, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Starz, BBC, Viaplay, SISTER, A+E & SVT in Sydney, London, NYC, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid, Singapore & LA.
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INSIGHTS
France’s streaming regulations: all you need to know
France has implemented some of Europe's most advanced streaming regulations, requiring global platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, AppleTV+, and others to invest a minimum of 20–25% of their French revenues in local and European content. This includes theatrical and TV productions, quotas for French-language shows, independent productions, and genre diversity. While broadcasters still dominate overall spend, streamers’ investments are growing—albeit across fewer, higher-budget titles—highlighting France’s successful integration of streamers into its creative ecosystem. Read More
California Entertainment Industry Faces Employment Challenges Amid Shifting Production Trends
The Otis College Report on the Creative Economy reveals that California's entertainment sector added 15,000 jobs in 2024 but remains below pre-2023 strike levels, with a 20% decline in employment since 2022. Production levels also hit a record low in Los Angeles, attributed to reduced budgets, subsidy-driven out-of-state shoots, and industry consolidation. Lawmakers aim to counteract this with expanded tax incentives, raising annual credits to $750M and offering 35% subsidies, but whether this revitalises the state's production ecosystem remains uncertain. Read More
UK Broadcasters Advocate for Ethical True Crime Production
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and other major UK broadcasters have joined the Association of True Crime Producers' (ATCP) Broadcaster Advisory Council (BAC). This initiative emphasises victim-centered storytelling and industry best practices in true crime content creation. Chaired by ITN’s Ian Rumsey, the BAC will meet regularly to address duty of care, producer welfare, and compliance. Established in 2023, the ATCP aims to uphold ethical standards across TV, film, and digital productions. Read More
The Rise of AI-Generated Fake Movie Trailers on YouTube
Like a recent Superman teaser, AI-generated fake movie trailers are flooding YouTube, blending real and AI-created footage. While some viewers find them indistinguishable from official content, studios like Warner Bros. Discovery monetise these videos instead of enforcing copyright claims. This trend raises ethical concerns about IP use and its impact on official marketing, as creators profit from billions of views while blurring the line between fan-made content and studio productions. Read More
Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels on Revitalising Black-Owned Media
Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, is steering the Black-owned media platform through challenges like pay TV disruption and racial tensions. Following Sean Combs's 2024 departure, Revolt transitioned to an employee-owned structure, a rarity in media. Samuels emphasises expanding Revolt's presence across social platforms like YouTube and TikTok to engage diverse young audiences, ensuring the brand remains a dynamic force in digital and cable media. Read More
Severance, Squid Game, The Boys: What Today’s TV Says About Modern Anxiety
Current hit series like Severance, The Boys, and Squid Game reflect growing societal unease—tackling surveillance, economic disparity, and corporate control themes. These shows resonate by embodying viewers' fears in exaggerated, dystopian scenarios, pointing to television’s role as a mirror and a coping mechanism in times of instability. Read More
Writers Once Fought Mini-Rooms — Now Some Want Them Back
How Hollywood writers, who long opposed mini-rooms for undercutting pay and job security, are now reconsidering them post-strike. With fewer shows and longer gaps between greenlights, some writers see mini-rooms as a practical way to stay employed and keep projects moving in a risk-averse market. Read More
Banijay’s Johannes Jensen on Embracing Drama’s Shifting Landscape
Johannes Jensen, head of scripted at Banijay, shares insight into the challenges and opportunities facing TV drama during consolidation and cost-cutting. His thought leadership piece stresses the importance of flexible financing, international collaboration, and staying open to non-traditional partnerships as market demand for compelling storytelling continues. Read More
C21 Podcast: Seyfried, Nortley, Frot-Coutaz, Lyvers & Hartmann Talk Series Mania
Long Bright River’s Amanda Seyfried, Supacell creator Sheila Nortley, Sky's Cécile Frot-Coutaz, Meghan Lyvers (Return Day Pictures), and Nils Hartmann (Sky Studios Italy) discuss their new projects and reflect on creative and business shifts in international drama. Read More
Warner Bros. Leadership Faces Challenges Amid Box Office Struggles
Warner Bros. co-heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are under scrutiny following a series of box office disappointments in 2024 and 2025. Despite the success of Barbie in 2023, recent films like Mickey 17 and The Alto Knights have incurred significant losses. Reports suggest tensions within the studio, with CEO David Zaslav losing confidence in their leadership. Speculation surrounds Peter Safran as a potential successor if the situation worsens. Release date shifts for major projects, including Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, reflect ongoing challenges in managing the studio's slate. Read More
Catherine O’Hara on Pay Cuts, Pedro Pascal, Oscar Parties, & ‘The Studio’
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