Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 17-18 May 2025
Global sales face turmoil; Banijay eyes big deals; Netflix, YouTube, and Spain surge; Village Roadshow hit with $125M blow; Bluey, Gears of War, and female thrillers drive content innovation.
Today’s Highlights:
Global Film Sales Industry Faces Uncertainty Amid Tariffs and Market Instability – Tariff fears, uneven recovery from the pandemic, and reduced studio output destabilise the international sales market as Cannes begins.
Banijay Shifts Strategy to Large-Scale M&A with Eyes on ITV – In a major strategic pivot, Banijay is now targeting billion-euro acquisitions, with CEO François Riahi positioning the group as a global heavyweight.
Village Roadshow Owes $125M to Warner Bros Over Matrix Dispute – Arbitration found Village Roadshow breached a co-financing agreement following the dual HBO Max/theatrical release of Matrix Resurrections, leaving the company financially exposed.
Spain’s Carla Simón and Oliver Laxe Compete at Cannes with Romería and Sirat – Spanish cinema returns to the Cannes spotlight after a 16-year absence from competition, signalling a generational shift with acclaimed new voices like Carla Simón and Oliver Laxe.
Netflix’s Adolescence Pushes Boundaries with One-Take Filmmaking – The hit show’s 120 M+ viewers reflect Netflix’s commitment to innovation with continuous-shot episodes filmed using advanced stabilising tech.
YouTube’s First Podcast Rankings Disrupt Industry Norms – YouTube’s entry into podcast rankings based on watch time shakes up the sector, with Kill Tony and CBS’s 48 Hours outperforming established audio-only hits.
Spain Wins Both Top Prizes at Series Mania 2025 – A historic double win by Querer and Celeste, both Movistar Plus+ productions, marks Spain’s ascent as a global TV powerhouse.
David Leitch in Talks to Direct Netflix’s Gears of War Adaptation – Leitch may direct the high-profile adaptation of the Xbox franchise, joining Netflix’s growing slate of blockbuster gaming IP projects.
Netflix Acquires Female-Led Thriller Devil’s Rope by Melanie Toast – Continuing its investment in female-led thrillers, Netflix secures the Texas-set Devil’s Rope, furthering its collaboration with writer Melanie Toast.
BBC Studios Launches Bluey Dancealongs with Dianne Buswell – A new five-part digital series expands Bluey’s global brand, filmed in Brisbane and featuring Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Renewals, Cancellations, Events, Opportunities & Jobs with Netflix, Paramount, NBCUniversal & Sky in London, LA & Dublin.
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INSIGHTS
Spanish Cinema Returns to Cannes Spotlight with New Voices
Sixteen years after Almodóvar and Coixet competed at Cannes, Carla Simón’s Romería and Oliver Laxe’s Sirat are now in the Palme d’Or race, marking a new wave of acclaimed Spanish filmmakers. Romería concludes a thematic trilogy for Simón, offering a more daring shift from her earlier naturalistic style. “It’s a Carla Simón we haven’t seen before,” says producer María Zamora. Read More
ITV Chairman Grilled Over Stagnant Share Price
At ITV’s AGM on Tuesday, chairman Andrew Cosslett faced intense questioning from a frustrated shareholder demanding answers about the broadcaster’s long-stagnant 78p share price. The tense exchange, held in a basement room at 11 Cavendish Square, echoed the spirit of ITV’s The Assembly, where stars like Danny Dyer and David Tennant field tough questions—though this time, the revelations were less entertaining. Read More
Endemol Shine Boomdog Eyes Interactive and Sports Unscripted Boom
Alejandro Rincón, CEO of Endemol Shine Boomdog, predicts interactive and sports-related unscripted shows will dominate next. The Mexico City-based studio is developing several projects, including Copa Combate, a six-episode MMA series created with La Jaula Studios. In a Variety interview, Rincón also reflected on his start in Venezuela in 1997, where he launched Cinema Concept, creating branded content for networks like Sony, Warner, and HBO. Read More
BBC Studios Launches Bluey Dancealongs with Dianne Buswell
BBC Studios has debuted Bluey Dancealongs, a five-part digital dance series starring Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell. Filmed at the Bluey’s World attraction in Brisbane and produced with Whistling Wolf and Ludo Studio, the videos feature Buswell dancing to Bluey songs in various themed locations. Available on Bluey’s YouTube and social channels, the series invites young fans to dance along with their favourite animated show. Read More
Global Film Sales Face Uncertainty Amid Tariffs and Market Shifts
As the Cannes market kicks off, the international film sales industry remains on edge, grappling with post-pandemic recovery, Hollywood strikes, and looming U.S. tariffs under President Trump. Asia is also feeling the strain, despite hits like Nezha 2 and How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, overall box office recovery is uneven. Contributing factors include fewer studio tentpoles, rising streaming dominance, and inflation dampening consumer spending. Read More
TV’s Prime Slots: From Self-Starters to Drama Powerhouses
For years, networks relied on strong “self-starter” shows to kick off primetime at 8 PM—hits like Friends, NCIS, and Survivor set the tone for the night. Meanwhile, 10 PM became known as the prestige drama slot, hosting classics such as ER, Law & Order, and Blue Bloods, which defined high-stakes storytelling in late-night TV. Read More
Spanish Buyers Move Fast as Cannes Heats Up
Acquiring films for Spain at Cannes is fiercely competitive, with many top titles snapped up early by buyers tracking projects since the script stage. Co-distribution is on the rise, as seen with Elastica Films and Wanda Vision’s successful release of Emilia Pérez. With The Substance also performing well, Spanish acquisitions execs are now racing to secure standout films from sidebars and market offerings. Read More
Carla Simón Closes Personal Film Trilogy with Romería
With Romería, screening in Competition at Cannes, Carla Simón concludes her trilogy of deeply personal films exploring family and identity. Following Summer 1993 and Alcarràs, her latest work reconstructs the memory of her father, who died of AIDS when she was three. Starring newcomer Llucia Garcia, Romería is produced by Elastica Films and co-produced with Dos Soles Media and Ventall Cinema, with international sales by mk2 Films. Read More
Spain Makes History at Series Mania with Double Win
At April’s Series Mania, Europe’s leading TV festival, Spain achieved a historic first: winning both top awards with Querer (Competition’s Grand Prize) and Celeste (International Panorama). Both series were produced by Movistar Plus+, with Celeste co-produced by The Mediapro Studio. Since the International Panorama's launch in 2018, no country—or single company—had ever claimed both major prizes in the same year. Read More
George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck to Air Live on CNN
George Clooney’s Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck will be broadcast live by CNN on June 7, marking the first-ever live telecast of a Broadway performance. Clooney stars as journalist Edward R. Murrow, who takes a stand against McCarthyism. The performance will air at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a special on the production and the current state of global journalism. Read More
Calls Grow for Greater Support of Scripted Comedy in Australia
At Screen Forever, ABC Comedy’s Todd Abbott noted that Australia produces too little scripted comedy for writers to make a living. Darren Ashton of Northern Pictures echoed the concern, questioning why sketch comedy isn’t eligible for Screen Australia funding. “Sketch comedy is where narrative creators come from in most countries,” he said, urging stronger support for the genre’s inclusion. Read More
Basque Country Draws Major Shoots with Europe’s Top Film Tax Incentive
Since January 2023, the Basque Country has offered up to a 60% film tax rebate, attracting major international productions like Kill Jackie, The Map That Leads To You, and Vince Gilligan’s upcoming Apple TV+ series. Producers like Peter Lawson praise the region as a cost-effective, high-quality filming hub with strong local infrastructure, stunning locations, and expert crews. Read More
Warner Bros Discovery Pitches Salary-Revealing Format Amid Strikes
At Screen Forever, Caroline Swift, Head of Entertainment at Warner Bros Discovery TV Australia, shared how their European format, The Big Salary Ranking, gained new relevance during Sydney’s train strike. Initially met with scepticism, the show, which reveals people’s salaries, became intriguing as public debate about wages intensified, showing the power of timely content in winning local pitches. Read More
UK Independent Producers Face Growing Unsustainability Crisis
A new survey by Producers Roundtable reveals that 89% of UK independent producers find their work unsustainable, up from 83% in 2020. Mental health impacts have worsened, with 89% reporting negative effects. Half believe it’s ethically wrong to encourage newcomers into the industry. Financial insecurity remains high: 58% lack financial support, and 18% depend on spousal help, highlighting severe sector challenges. Read More
NRK’s New Head of Commissions Seeks Broader, Mainstream Entertainment
Jostein Olseng, NRK’s recently appointed external head of commissions, urges more diverse entertainment formats that engage mainstream audiences. Since joining in November 2024 from Mastiff, Olseng aims to foster collaborations with producers who create content that entertains widely while reflecting society, shaping the future of Norwegian TV. Read More
Village Roadshow Owes $125M After Losing Matrix Legal Battle to Warner Bros
Village Roadshow’s financial troubles following its bankruptcy filing stemmed from a legal dispute with Warner Bros over Matrix Resurrections’ simultaneous HBO Max and theatrical release. Arbitration ruled in favour of Warner Bros in 2023, awarding them about $125 million. Village Roadshow was found to have breached cofinancing deals by not paying its $107 million share, an unpaid debt. Read More
YouTube’s New Podcast Rankings Shake Up the Industry
YouTube has released its first-ever podcast rankings, revealing Tony Hinchcliffe’s Kill Tony at No. 2, just behind Joe Rogan. Unlike Spotify and Apple, YouTube ranks podcasts based on watch time, leading to surprises like CBS’s 48 Hours at No. 4, while popular audio-only shows like Crime Junkie and SmartLess are absent. The rankings highlight YouTube’s dominance in podcasting, now reaching 1 billion users monthly. Read More
Banijay Group Shifts Strategy Toward Large-Scale M&A
At its Capital Markets Day, Banijay Group announced a strategic shift toward large-scale mergers and acquisitions, moving beyond smaller independent label acquisitions. CEO François Riahi emphasised the need for scale to compete with U.S. streaming platforms, with ITV as a potential acquisition target. Banijay projects €7 billion in revenue by 2028 and is developing a live Black Mirror experience in London. Read More
Netflix’s Adolescence Pushes Boundaries with One-Take Filmmaking
Netflix’s hit series Adolescence, watched by over 120 million viewers, was filmed entirely in one continuous take per episode, using the DJI Ronin 4D for seamless transitions between handheld, vehicle-mounted, and drone shots. Cinematographer Matthew Lewis credits advancements in stabilising technology to enable the show’s immersive style. Read More
Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix Deal and the Debate Over Fin-Syn Rules
Shonda Rhimes’ landmark Netflix deal, extended through 2026, shifted industry dynamics by prioritising streamer-owned content. Meanwhile, Jon Voight has proposed reinstating the Financial Interest and Syndication Rules (fin-syn), originally imposed by the FCC in 1970 to prevent networks from monopolising programming. The repeal of fin-syn in 1993 allowed vertical integration, shaping today’s landscape where streamers and networks own most of their content. Read More
‘The Rings of Power’ Director on Sauron and Galadriel’s Finale Fight | How She Did It
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" director Charlotte Brändström discusses the Season 2 finale's pivotal fight between Sauron and Galadriel.
Netflix’s ‘American Primeval’: Series Business Showcase With Director Peter Berg
Director Peter Berg and writer Mark L. Smith developed American Primeval after a steel ice axe, symbolising adventure, inspired Berg. The six-episode Western, set in 1857 during the Utah War, follows the battle for control of the American West. Filming occurred in New Mexico’s rugged terrain, where the crew faced snowstorms, rattlesnakes, and wolves.
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