Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 31 March 2025
YouTubers join streamers; Netflix reshapes Aussie TV; producers fight for pay; Sarandos slams YouTube; Gen X sidelined; fake trailers banned; Citadel stalls.
Today’s Highlights:
Rise of YouTube Creators in Mainstream Streaming – Streamers like Netflix and Amazon partner with YouTubers to attract younger audiences and harness built-in fan bases.
Netflix’s Influence on Australia’s Screen Sector – Netflix has transformed Australia’s production landscape, boosting output but pressuring traditional models and prompting calls for reform.
Hollywood Producers Form Alliance to Address Financial Instability – Producers United, led by top industry names, is campaigning for development fees and healthcare amid worsening economic conditions.
Ted Sarandos Draws Line Between Netflix and YouTube – Ted Sarandos criticised YouTube’s creator model and highlighted Netflix’s focus on high-quality, professional content.
Gen X Creatives Confront Career Obsolescence – Gen X professionals in media and design face shrinking job prospects and outdated skills in a rapidly changing industry.
YouTube Takes Action Against AI-Fake Trailers – YouTube has demonetised two major channels for misleading viewers with AI-generated fake trailers.
Citadel Season 2 Delayed, Franchise Spinoffs Paused – Amazon’s ambitious Citadel series faces delays and uncertainty as creative issues stall Season 2 and spinoffs.
Gaumont Germany Adapts to Changing Drama Market – Gaumont Germany is expanding international co-productions and diverse content to navigate streaming and cost pressures.
A Different World Sequel in Development at Netflix – Netflix is developing a pilot centred on Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter, continuing the legacy of A Different World.
Bruna Papandrea Adapts Liane Moriarty’s The Last Anniversary – Bruna Papandrea reunites with Liane Moriarty for a six-part Foxtel and BINGE mystery series co-produced with Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with Sony, CBC, Netflix, Tubi, Paramount & Pluto in London, Toronto, Seattle, San Francisco & LA.
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INSIGHTS
Bruna Papandrea Adapts Liane Moriarty’s ‘The Last Anniversary’
Australian producer Bruna Papandrea continues collaborating with Liane Moriarty in The Last Anniversary, a six-part mystery series co-produced with Nicole Kidman and Per Saari’s Blossom Films. The Foxtel and BINGE production, directed by John Polson, focuses on family secrets spanning generations. Known for balancing mystery and emotion, Papandrea emphasises unified creative voices to deliver internationally resonant stories, treating TV shows with cinematic ambition. Read More
Dude Perfect CEO Discusses YouTube Stars and Hollywood Partnerships
Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect, highlights the evolving creator economy, explaining how YouTube channels generate revenue, the platform's limitations, and the advantages of collaborating with Hollywood studios. He notes the growing trend of YouTube stars partnering with streamers, driven by larger budgets, wider audiences, and increased prestige. Hollywood’s interest in YouTube creators reflects their massive fan bases and potential to reshape entertainment consumption. Read More
Ted Sarandos on Netflix vs. YouTube: Spending Time vs. Killing Time
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos contrasted Netflix’s “spending time” focus with YouTube’s “killing time” approach during a Paley Media Council event. He criticised YouTube’s monetisation model, highlighting creators’ financial risks, and emphasised Netflix’s commitment to professional content. Sarandos noted that Netflix’s strategy targets 80% of TV viewing, not dominated by either platform, while competing with YouTube’s audience, which seeks high-quality programming. Read More
‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ Celebrates Black Hollywood Icons
AppleTV+’s two-part documentary Number One on the Call Sheet explores the history and impact of Black actors in Hollywood. Directed by Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch, the films focus on leading men and women, featuring Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, and more. Celebrating progress and resilience, the series offers candid insights into their challenges and successes, aiming to inspire future generations while highlighting a vibrant legacy. Read More
Hollywood Producers Launch Campaign to Address Industry Struggles
The alliance Producers United, led by Stephen Love, Cathy Schulman, Jennifer Todd, and Jonathan Wang, aims to secure development fees and health insurance for Hollywood producers. Facing misconceptions, economic setbacks, and diminishing back-end deals, producers struggle despite project successes. The pandemic, strikes, and industry changes have compounded challenges. Producers United advocates for better recognition and support as the profession grapples with financial instability and the evolving demands of the film and TV landscape. Read More
Streaming Platforms Embrace YouTube Creators for Original Content
Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock are partnering with YouTubers to create innovative content, following the success of Beast Games, a hit show by Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson on Amazon Prime. Collaborations with creators like Ms. Rachel, Dude Perfect, and Mark Rober help attract younger audiences and tap into loyal fan bases. While offering mutual benefits, these partnerships face challenges such as balancing creative control and integrating promotions seamlessly. Read More
The Gen X Career Meltdown: Facing Obsolescence
As media, design, and advertising industries transform, many Gen X professionals struggle with career displacement. Born into a tactile analog world, this generation faces shrinking opportunities and outdated skills. Amid financial insecurity and evolving technology, experienced creatives often find their expertise redundant. Defined by "lessness," a term coined in Douglas Coupland's Generation X, their professional lives highlight the impact of relentless industry shifts and societal progress. Read More
How Netflix Reshaped Australia’s Content Industry—and What Lies Ahead
IF explores the impact of Netflix on Australia’s screen landscape, highlighting its role in expanding local production and international exposure while simultaneously squeezing budgets and traditional business models. Industry leaders predict a future of hybrid distribution, new co-productions, and regulatory reform to ensure local content sustainability amid shifting global priorities. Read More
The Decline of Original Concepts in Hollywood
Hollywood increasingly prioritises intellectual property (IP) over original content, as pre-existing material consistently outperforms new concepts commercially. Between 2020 and 2024, only 12% of new releases were based on IP, yet they dominated viewership and box office returns. With declining theatrical releases and box office revenue post-COVID, the industry leans on familiar franchises to meet audience demand, while rare successes like John Wick and The White Lotus prove originality can still thrive. Read More
Netflix Expands Gaming Strategy
Netflix is enhancing its gaming offerings, aiming to integrate games into its entertainment ecosystem. Led by Alain Tascan, former Epic Games VP, the company focuses on leveraging new technology and trends. With over 300 million engaged members, Netflix plans to offer games on TV screens, including titles like Spirit Crossing by Spry Fox. Despite initial challenges, Netflix continues to refine its approach, emphasising seamless integration and diverse gaming experiences. Read More
YouTube Cracks Down on AI-Fueled Fake Movie Trailers
YouTube has demonetised Screen Culture and KH Studio for violating monetisation and misinformation policies. These channels created AI-enhanced fake trailers mimicking official marketing for franchises like The Fantastic Four and Superman. While some Hollywood studios reportedly benefited from ad revenue on these videos, YouTube has now suspended the channels from its partner program. The platform emphasises that content must be original, non-deceptive, and not solely aimed at generating views. Read More
Gaumont Germany Adapts to TV Drama's Changing Landscape
Under Sabine de Mardt's leadership since 2018, Gaumont Germany has navigated rising production costs and shifting streamer priorities by focusing on diverse, high-quality series. Notable projects include Barbarians for Netflix, The Interpreter of Silence for Disney+/Hulu, and In Her Car, a Ukrainian-set drama. Upcoming works include Bone Palace for Netflix, Parallel Me for Paramount+, and a reboot of Heidi. De Mardt emphasises European collaboration and storytelling to address evolving industry challenges. Read More
YouTube Wants You to Watch on Your TV – Here’s Why
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan revealed that TV viewership now exceeds smartphone usage in the U.S., marking a shift in content consumption. Kurt Wilms, senior director of product management, attributes this to advancements in TV technology and evolving viewer habits. Here, Wilms discussed optimising content for TVs, noting that creators increasingly produce high-quality, longer videos tailored for big screens.
FIXING TV'S UX: Solving the Streaming Search Crisis
Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet dive into the frustrating user experience of streaming platforms and the growing crisis in content discoverability. With insights on interface design, consumer behavior, and the rise of super apps, Marion and Evan explore how platforms like Roku and Amazon are the new gold standard in the entertainment landscape. In a special segment, guest Calle Sjönell introduces Swipefinder, a Tinder-style app that helps users find what to watch faster while unlocking new monetisation opportunities for streamers.
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