Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 14 July 2025
Studio shake-ups, tech-backed storytelling, Superman reboot, South Park dispute, RTÉ funding row, festival wins & exec moves reshape global film, TV & streaming.
Today’s Highlights:
Legendary in talks to acquire Lionsgate Studios – A potential studio acquisition that could significantly reshape the media landscape, affecting global production, distribution, and consolidation trends.
Google launches 100 Zeros initiative – A major tech player entering scripted content with a pro-technology agenda signals a strategic effort to influence Hollywood narratives and public perception.
South Park pulled from Paramount+ internationally – A high-profile licensing dispute over a globally recognised IP, highlighting ongoing battles over streaming rights and exclusivity.
James Gunn’s Superman ending sets tone for new DC Universe – Marks the official creative reset of the DC cinematic universe, impacting Warner Bros.’ long-term franchise planning.
RTÉ urged to meet €56M indie sector spend – A public broadcaster under scrutiny for failing to meet spending commitments vital to Ireland’s independent production sector.
Gersh agency restructure and exits – Shifts in representation and talent management within a leading agency may influence casting and packaging deals industry-wide.
TV Collective names 2025 Breakthrough Leaders – A prominent diversity and inclusion initiative supporting mid-career talent and promoting systemic change in UK television.
NOLA King loses showrunner Dave Erickson – Loss of a key creative figure in an anticipated spinoff signals challenges in franchise expansion for Paramount+.
Bucheon Film Festival honours The Ugly Stepsister – A genre-bending film gaining festival acclaim and international distribution, affirming market appetite for darker reimaginings.
Better Go Mad in the Wild wins Karlovy Vary Grand Prix – Festival recognition for a hybrid documentary boosts visibility for Eastern European creators and non-traditional formats.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with Seven, Talkback Thames, Banijay, Sky, Canal+, Prime & BBC in Sydney, London, Abidjan, LA, Köln & Glasgow.
Our subscribers receive one clear, concise daily bulletin that distils the latest global TV, film, and media headlines, deals, exec moves, and job listings.
Our subscribers include executives from:
Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET, Cineverse.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL, TVNZ, SRF, Kanal D, UKTV, Ceská Televize, FOX, Hearst Networks.
Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO, ShinAwiL, WildBrain, Nine Daughters, Amazon/MGM Studios, October Films, Legendary Entertainment, Bad Wolf, Mediapro, Bron, Red Arrow.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media, Artists First, Grey Seal Media, Screenforce Finland, BAFTA, IMAX.
INSIGHTS
Superman’s Ending Explained: Metropolis Faces a Dimensional Split
In the climax of Superman, Lex Luthor unleashes a trans-dimensional rift to trap and destroy Superman. As Metropolis splits in two, director James Gunn emphasises a calm evacuation, ensuring the audience knows the collapsing skyscrapers are empty. It’s a high-stakes, visually epic finale that marks a dramatic start to the new DC Universe. Read More
Why Creators Win: Pitching for Gatekeepers and Algorithms
Studios today want more than fresh ideas; they’re looking for proof of audience traction, much like VCs look for growth. At the same time, platforms like TikTok and YouTube have trained viewers to reject anything that feels inauthentic. To succeed, your pitch must resonate with both industry decision-makers and online audiences. In short: pitch like a creator, not like a brand. Read More
Google Launches 100 Zeros to Promote Tech-Positive Films
Google has launched 100 Zeros, a film and TV initiative with Range Media Partners, to create tech-positive content. This venture aims to reshape Big Tech’s image and promote AI and spatial computing through Hollywood storytelling. Unlike YouTube Originals, 100 Zeros will sell content to major studios and streaming platforms, focusing on thoughtful narratives about technology. Read More
RTÉ Must Honour €56M Spend Commitment, Says Industry Leader
Former RTÉ board member Stuart Switzer urges RTÉ to meet its €56m spend target with the independent sector in 2025, calling any shortfall unacceptable. Citing the 2024 spend of €48.77m, Switzer, now chair of Screen Producers Ireland’s Unscripted Working Group, emphasised that this commitment was part of RTÉ’s bailout deal and warned against backsliding or a lack of transparency. Read More
Hannah Waddingham: From Stage Struggles to Screen Stardom
Bullied for her height and told her face would block screen success, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham found fame at 45 after decades in theatre. Now 50, she’s thriving in Hollywood, balancing motherhood and blockbuster roles while challenging gendered industry norms. Her late-career rise, Emmy win, and outspoken advocacy reflect a journey built on resilience, talent, and unapologetic self-worth. Read More
TV Collective Unveils 2025 Breakthrough Leaders Cohort
The TV Collective has announced its 2025 Breakthrough Leaders, spotlighting 50 mid-to-senior professionals from Black, Asian, and Global Majority backgrounds working behind the scenes in UK television. Now in its fifth year, the programme offers executive coaching, masterclasses, and direct access to senior commissioners across major broadcasters. Standouts include Race Across the World producer Joshua Kintu, format innovator Abby Kumar, and documentary director Janey Ayoade. Read More
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