Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 25 March 2025
Bluey tops kids TV; Banijay invests €1B; Lizzo, Seyfried, Hoult lead dramas; Paramount+ expands; BBC, Hulu, Amazon unveil thrillers; Series Mania, Blue Ant make global moves.
Today’s Highlights:
Bluey Becomes the World’s Most-Watched Kids Show – Bluey surpassed Sesame Street with over 11 billion views in 2023, becoming a global licensing powerhouse and redefining Australia's role in children's television.
Banijay Announces €1 Billion Scripted Expansion Strategy – CEO Marco Bassetti outlined a €1 billion plan to boost local-language scripted output, IP acquisition, and talent partnerships over five years.
Paramount+ Launches Ad-Supported Tier in Europe – Paramount+ introduced a lower-cost ad-supported premium tier in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to drive subscriber growth and advertiser engagement.
Nicholas Hoult to Star in David Leitch’s Amazon MGM Thriller – Nicholas Hoult will headline an untitled, high-concept action thriller directed by David Leitch for Amazon MGM Studios.
Hulu Orders Liz Meriwether’s Black Widow-Inspired Series – Hulu greenlit a female-led drama from Liz Meriwether with Emmy Rossum in talks to star, based on the 1987 film Black Widow.
BBC Commissions The Cage from Responder Creator Tony Schumacher – The BBC has ordered The Cage, a Liverpool-set prison thriller exploring power and guilt, from The Responder creator Tony Schumacher.
Blue Ant Media Acquires Boat Rocker Assets, Goes Public – Blue Ant Media acquired Boat Rocker’s Canadian production assets and is going public via reverse IPO to expand its global content strategy.
Series Mania Solidifies as Major TV Market and Co-Pro Hub – Series Mania 2025 saw record attendance and spotlighted high-profile projects while strengthening its role as a global co-production platform.
Amanda Seyfried Reinvents Herself in ‘Long Bright River’ – Amanda Seyfried received acclaim for her bold transformation as a tough Philadelphia cop in Peacock’s thriller Long Bright River.
Lizzo to Star as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Amazon MGM Biopic – Lizzo will portray gospel icon Sister Rosetta Tharpe in a musical biopic directed by Dawn Porter for Amazon MGM.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Netflix, Banijay & NBCUniversal in London, Amsterdam & LA.
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INSIGHTS
Daragh Carville Reflects on Balancing Family and Crime in ‘The Bay’
The Bay’s fifth season delves into DS Jenn Townsend’s challenges balancing her role as a Family Liaison Officer and personal struggles. Creator Daragh Carville highlights a climactic scene in the finale where Jenn confronts her judgmental mother, revealing long-hidden family tensions. Combining gripping crime drama with emotional family dynamics, the series, led by Marsha Thomason, has captivated audiences globally, showcasing Carville’s talent for layered storytelling. Read More
How Bluey Beat Sesame Street in the Global Kids TV Game
Bluey has outpaced Sesame Street in global reach and popularity, becoming the world’s most-watched children’s show with over 11 billion views in 2023. The Ludo Studio production, backed by ABC and BBC, has become a licensing powerhouse with significant merchandising revenue. Its success, driven by short episodes, family themes, and digital-first distribution, has transformed Australia’s position in the kids TV landscape. Read More
Exploring Art on TV: Formats That Captivate Audiences
From BBC’s Vision On for Children to Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, TV art shows have evolved to engage viewers by adding narratives, movement, or competition. Unique formats like Denmark's Kunst til Tiden and Australia’s Anh’s Brush With Fame highlight collaboration and storytelling. Such shows mirror craft-based hits like Bake Off, captivating audiences by showcasing the creative process and the unpredictable journey of bringing visions to life. Read More
Documentary Australia Welcomes New Talent for Impact Producer Program
Jessica Hamilton and Matisse Walkden-Brown join Documentary Australia’s third Impact Producer Program, gaining mentorship and hands-on training to design strategies for social change through documentaries. With experience in behaviour change campaigns, Hamilton and Walkden-Brown, a Pacific climate justice advocate, are eager to harness storytelling for societal impact. Supported by partners like Screen Australia, the initiative reflects growing interest in cultivating future leaders in documentary-driven social change. Read More
Five Years On: Covid’s Lasting Effects on the Broadcast Industry
How COVID-19 permanently altered the broadcast sector, accelerating remote production, cloud workflows, and hybrid work models. Though recovery is ongoing, the pandemic catalysed investment in IP-based technologies and global talent decentralisation. Challenges persist, especially in live events and recruitment, but flexibility and resilience have become standard in post-COVID operations. Read More
Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti Outlines €1B Scripted Expansion Strategy
Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay, revealed the company’s plan to invest €1 billion in scripted content over the next five years. The strategy, announced at Series Mania, aims to strengthen local-language drama output, acquire more IP, and expand talent partnerships. Banijay’s recent scripted successes include Marie Antoinette and The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and the group will prioritise Europe and Latin America. Read More
BBC Studios Targets Growth in U.S. Unscripted Market
BBC Studios is expanding its unscripted production presence in the U.S., aiming to grow original formats and adapt BBC hits for American audiences. New deals for game shows, factual series, and premium docuseries are in progress. BBC Studios Los Angeles has doubled its team size and is building on formats like Top Gear America. Read More
Eli Craig's "Clown in a Cornfield" Brings Slasher Horror Back Early
Director Eli Craig, known for Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, returns with Clown in a Cornfield, premiering May 9 in theatres. Adapted from Adam Cesare's novel, the film stars Katie Douglas and Aaron Abrams, following a father and daughter navigating tensions in Kettle Springs, a town haunted by Frendo, a sinister clown mascot. A mix of horror and dark humour, the movie debuted at SXSW 2025 to critical acclaim. Read More
Amanda Seyfried Embraces a Bold New Role in ‘Long Bright River’
Amanda Seyfried breaks typecasting as Mickey Fitzpatrick, a Philadelphia police officer in Long Bright River, Peacock's latest thriller. Inspired by a transformative note from Broadway’s Leigh Silverman, Seyfried overcame self-imposed limits to portray this complex character investigating murders and her sister’s disappearance. Adapted from Liz Moore’s novel by Nikki Toscano, the series also stars Nicholas Pinnock and Ashleigh Cummings, earning praise for its layered storytelling and Seyfried’s commanding performance. Read More
'Happy Face' Creators Dish on the True Story of the Serial Killer & His Daughter
Melissa G. Moore discusses her story and her father, the Happy Face Killer, and the new TV series based on it from creator Jennifer Cacicio.
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