Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 11 March 2025
Langleybury transforms for Belgravia; LFS expands; KBS embraces AI; Warner Bros. bets big; Disney boosts ads; SDCC goes global; Oran Park Studios rises; Bridgerton writers win.
Today’s Highlights:
Langleybury Mansion Transforms for Belgravia: The Next Chapter - The UK filming location becomes 1871 for the lavish period drama following Frederick Trenchard and his wife Clara navigating identity and societal expectations in bohemian London.
London Film School Unveils Upgraded Campus - The London Film School opens a modernised Parker Street campus with new shooting stages, screening rooms, and MA programs, including film marketing and AI workshops.
KBS Declares 2025 the "First Year of AI Broadcasting" - South Korea's KBS integrates AI across broadcasting, introducing AI-driven animation, emergency detection systems, and AI anchors to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
Warner Bros. Invests in Big-Name Directors - Warner Bros. film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy back filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler, despite concerns over the risks of auteur-driven projects.
Disney Expands Multi-Platform Advertising Strategy - Disney leverages tentpole events such as the Oscars and NCAA basketball to boost ad revenue, emphasising live content as a key part of its long-term media strategy.
San Diego Comic-Con Expands Internationally to Málaga, Spain - San Diego Comic-Con will host its first international edition in Málaga from September 25 to 28, featuring panels, premieres, exhibitions, and cosplay competitions.
AU$127 Million Oran Park Studios Announced Near Sydney - A new Australian film and broadcast production hub near Sydney will feature sound stages, office spaces, and a helipad to attract major productions.
Bridgerton Writers Receive Streaming Bonuses Post-WGA Strike - New WGA agreements secured performance-based bonuses for streaming hits, with Bridgerton among five series earning payouts after meeting subscriber viewing thresholds.
Netflix Begins Production on Korean YA Horror Wish Your Death - Netflix expands into Korean young adult horror with Wish Your Death, a series about high school students receiving deadly warnings from a mysterious app.
BBC Acquires Thomas Vinterberg’s First TV Series Families Like Ours - The BBC secures Families Like Ours, a Danish drama by Another Round director Thomas Vinterberg, exploring mass evacuations in a near-future environmental crisis.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with SBS, Netflix, NBCUniversal & Amazon.
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INSIGHTS
Transported Through Time Explores Period Drama’s Enduring Appeal
Langleybury Mansion, a renowned filming location near London, transforms into 1871 for Belgravia: The Next Chapter. This lavish period drama follows Frederick Trenchard, haunted by past trauma, and his spirited wife Clara, who faces identity challenges in bohemian London. With intricate costumes, grand settings, and a focus on Victorian heroines, the series immerses its cast and audience in an opulent, emotional story of romance and reconciliation. Read More
New Era for the London Film School
The London Film School (LFS) has unveiled its upgraded campus at Parker Street, featuring modern facilities and a connection to the Garden Cinema. With additional shooting stages, screening rooms, and new MA programs in film marketing and producing, LFS aims to reconnect with the UK industry and students. Director Chris Auty emphasizes accessibility and innovation, including AI workshops, while maintaining its unique conservatoire-style teaching approach across two London locations. Read More
KBS Ushers in AI Era with Bold Innovations
Marking its 52nd anniversary, KBS announced 2025 as the “first year of AI broadcasting.” From AI-driven animation like Korean Ghost Stories – Gumiho to emergency detection systems and AI anchors, this initiative aims to enhance creativity, efficiency, and accessibility. Innovations include AI character design, automated forest fire detection, and free services for the visually impaired, solidifying KBS’s leadership in integrating cutting-edge technology across broadcasting. Read More
Mark Duplass Fights Back Against 'Mandates' with Independent Release
Mark Duplass independently distributes his show The Long Long Night, which explores self-awareness and privilege after it failed to secure a streaming deal. Partnering with Seed&Spark and Kinema, he’s crowdfunding for marketing and hosting community screenings. Beginning April 14, this initiative also tests “The Independence Partnership,” aiming to build a hybrid self-distribution model that empowers creators beyond this project. Public release is set for April 28. Read More
Future Today Expands Original Programming on Fawesome
Future Today has introduced two new original formats on Fawesome: Fawesome Family Game Show and Southern Food Truck Wars. The former reinvents classic games like Pictionary and Word Feud, while the latter showcases food truck chefs in Baton Rouge competing for Southern Food Truck Champion, judged by experts like Jay Ducote. This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to diversifying its AVOD platforms with engaging content. Read More
Creators at a Crossroads: Breaking Free from Algorithms
The struggle between creative freedom and algorithmic demands drives many creators to rethink their platforms. A Patreon study shows creators face declining revenue despite growing audiences due to unpredictable algorithms. Direct-to-fan models like Patreon offer stability, empowering creators to bypass trends and connect directly with fans. With legacy and digital creators seeking control over their work, the media landscape might shift toward models prioritising fair compensation and independence. Read More
Channel 4 Seeks Regional Producers for ‘In Too Deep’ Documentary Strand
Laura Marks, Channel 4’s Digital Commissioning Editor, is calling for pitches from regional producers for the ‘In Too Deep’ strand, which focuses on immersive and hard-hitting documentaries. The strand aims to showcase investigative journalism through young and emerging reporters tackling difficult subjects. Recent films include Selling My Virginity and Plastic, Printed & Deadly, with the broadcaster seeking more bold, unflinching stories for its YouTube platform. Read More
How Curve Reimagined Chess for the Small Screen
Curve Media CEO Camilla Lewis developed the BBC2 series Chess Masters: The Endgame after witnessing how online chess helped her daughter, Jasmine Paton, through depression during the pandemic. The show features 12 amateur players competing in chess challenges, aiming to make the game more entertaining and accessible. Hosted by Sue Perkins and coach Anthony Mathurin, the series reflects the rising popularity of chess and its universal appeal. Chess Masters: The Endgame is part of the BBC’s effort to bring chess back to mainstream television. Read More
Warner Bros. Bets Big on Star Filmmakers
Warner Bros. film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are banking on big-name directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, and Emerald Fennell to drive original and bold projects. While balancing auteur-driven films with familiar IP, their high-budget strategy has drawn scrutiny following Joker: Folie à Deux’s failure. With risk-heavy titles like Anderson's untitled DiCaprio film and Coogler’s Sinners, their approach marks a decisive, high-stakes era for the studio. Read More
Bridgerton and Other Streaming Hits Score Writers Post-Strike Bonuses
The WGA's 2023 strike secured performance-based streaming bonuses for writers, with eligible shows earning payouts when viewed by 20% of domestic subscribers in 90 days. As of mid-2024, five series qualified, including Bridgerton. These bonuses, part of the broader victory for fair compensation, offer a financial boost to writers, actors, and directors, reflecting the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry. Smaller streamers also yielded some surprising beneficiaries. Read More
Disney Leverages Tentpole Events for Multi-Platform Ad Dominance
Disney is transforming live events like the Oscars into advertising powerhouses, expanding campaigns across TV, streaming, and digital platforms. With shows like "Anora" and record-breaking NCAA women's basketball ad sales, Disney's strategy emphasizes exclusive, live content. Executives tout their “content everywhere” approach, with 2027 set to feature major events like the Super Bowl and Grammys, ensuring advertisers remain deeply engaged in cultural conversations. Read More
HBO’s Comedy Revamp: Amy Gravitt on Challenges and New Beginnings
Despite a contracting comedy market, HBO's Amy Gravitt leads a resurgence, rebuilding its comedy slate with new series from creators like Tim Robinson and Sharon Horgan. The Righteous Gemstones enters its final season as HBO boasts a comedy lineup rivalling Netflix. Gravitt emphasizes the network’s commitment to comedy, crediting support from CEO Casey Bloys, ensuring the genre remains a key part of HBO's identity. Read More
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