Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 4 July 2025
Netflix shifts to live events; Ireland's screen boom grows; France TV joins Prime Video; ABC adapts mushroom case; UK format crisis deepens; Italy rocked by tax scandal.
Today’s Highlights:
Netflix Eyes Live Music and Celebrity Content – Marks a major strategic shift for the world’s leading streamer, influencing global content trends and platform competition.
Ireland’s Screen Boom – Demonstrates a dramatic shift in global production geography, with major economic and cultural implications for Europe and international co-productions.
France Télévisions Strikes Prime Video Deal – A landmark public-private streaming partnership that sets a precedent for other national broadcasters in the digital space.
ABC Australia Developing Mushroom Poisoning Drama Toxic – A high-profile adaptation of a real-life case that made global headlines, showcasing the strength of Australian drama.
UK’s Format Crisis and Industry Concerns – A critical warning about the decline of domestic innovation in the UK unscripted sector, with broader implications for content sovereignty.
Italy’s Film Chief Resigns Amid Tax Credit Scandal – A major government-level scandal that could affect trust in Italy’s film funding systems and international co-production credibility.
Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail Premieres – A politically resonant and award-winning film that reinforces Latin American cinema’s place on the global stage.
Orchid Pictures Expands With Senior Netflix-Focused Hires – A strategic talent move with implications for Netflix’s UK creative pipeline and premium content output.
Materialists’ $41M Global Box Office Debut – Confirms the commercial viability of smart romantic comedies, potentially influencing future development slates.
David S. Goyer on Humanity in Sci-Fi – Offers creative insight into genre storytelling, though less immediate in terms of industry disruption or economic impact.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with EIFF, BBC, ITV, Amazon, NBCUniversal, Disney, Netflix & W&B Film in Edinburgh, London, LA, Madrid, Warsaw & Berlin.
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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.
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
From Downton to Detective: Phyllis Logan Tackles Murder & Mystery
Phyllis Logan, best known as Mrs. Hughes in Downton Abbey, now plays an eccentric puzzle expert in the murder-mystery series The Puzzle Lady (Murder Most Puzzling). With Downton’s final film due this September, Logan is busier than ever, having also appeared this year in the BBC's Miss Austen and The Bombing of Pan Am 103. She describes her quirky new role as one that ticks every box. Read More
Ireland’s Screen Boom: From Quiet Sets to Global Spotlight
Once home to just a few small shoots, Ireland now hosts up to 25 productions at a time, fuelled by streaming demand and local talent. The audiovisual industry contributes €1 billion to the economy and supports over 15,000 jobs from 2021 to 2023. In 2024 alone, screen production spending hit €430 million. Beyond economics, global acclaim has boosted Irish storytelling and language on screen. Read More
The Gilded Age: What’s Real and What’s Just Really Good Drama?
The Gilded Age, created by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, offers a stylised glimpse into America's opulent post-Civil War era. While inspired by actual events and figures, the HBO series blends fact with fiction, crafting a "vaguely historical" take on a time when ambition and wealth reigned. So, how much is true? As with most period dramas, the answer is it's complicated. Read More
Materialists Taps Into Rom-Com Revival with $41M Global Debut
Celine Song’s Materialists has earned $31 million in North America through A24 and $10 million internationally through Sony, fuelled by targeted campaigns that resonated with a long-underserved romantic comedy audience. Reuniting with producers from her Oscar-nominated debut Past Lives, Song's latest love triangle drama finds success by appealing not only to rom-com fans but to viewers craving smart, emotionally complex storytelling. Read More
UK’s Format Crisis: Veteran Slams Rise in Imported Unscripted Shows
Unscripted TV veteran Steven D Wright calls it "a scandal" that the UK now ranks among the world's top 10 format importers, warning that reliance on international IP is "killing the industry." New data from The WIT reveals the UK accounts for 3.8% of global format imports for 2024/25, marking a shift from being a leading exporter and raising concerns over future homegrown innovation. Read More
Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail Explores a Dystopian Amazon
Awarded the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize in Berlin, The Blue Trail by Gabriel Mascaro (Neon Bull) is a magical yet politically charged dystopian tale set in a future Amazon. Screening in the Horizons program at Karlovy Vary's 59th festival, the film follows 77-year-old Tereza as she defies a government that sidelines the elderly in favour of youth-driven progress, choosing escape over submission. Read More
Daisy Stall on How Film & TV Financing Has Evolved
Film and TV production financing has shifted significantly over the decades, and few understand that better than Daisy Stall, EVP and Group Head of Entertainment Finance at California Bank & Trust. With 30 years of experience, including a key role in managing Sony Pictures' global treasury, Stall brings deep insight into how funding models have transformed across studios and financial institutions alike. Read More
FX’s Alien: Earth Revives Classic Horror With a New Twist
Fargo creator Noah Hawley’s upcoming FX series Alien: Earth returns to the chilling roots of Ridley Scott’s original Alien, while expanding the universe with new monsters and unexpected non-human protagonists. Hawley promises a haunting, character-driven story that blends sci-fi terror with fresh mythology, offering both homage and innovation in the iconic franchise. Read More
Victoria Mahoney on Breaking Barriers in the Star Wars Universe
Before directing episodes of Queen Sugar, You, and more, Victoria Mahoney made waves as the first woman to direct on a Star Wars film, serving as second unit director on The Rise of Skywalker in 2018. Known for her acclaimed debut, Yelling to the Sky, Mahoney brought years of TV experience to the role, marking a historic milestone in the iconic franchise. Read More
UK Rules Out Creative Europe Return and Streamer Levy
In its response to the Culture Committee's film and high-end TV inquiry, the UK government confirmed that it will not rejoin Creative Europe or introduce a streamer levy. Published July 3, the statement emphasised a focus on building a long-term UK-EU strategic partnership instead. Despite calls for stronger support, the government maintains that its redefined European ties aim to boost prosperity across sectors, including arts and media. Read More
David S. Goyer on the Humanity Behind Robots, Clones, and Cosmic Beings
Filmmaker David S. Goyer reflects on the unifying theme across his genre work, Foundation, Murderbot, and The Sandman: the search for identity and emotional truth. Whether exploring a cyborg’s autonomy, a clone’s agency, or a dream god’s vulnerability, Goyer emphasizes flawed, complex characters and inclusive storytelling. For him, sci-fi and fantasy resonate most when they illuminate what it means to be human. Read More
Sam and Colby Bet Big on IRL Horror with ‘Asylum: Room 1952’
YouTube ghost hunters Sam and Colby have launched Asylum: Room 1952, a terrifying escape room at Escape Hotel Hollywood, blending their paranormal brand with the booming $52B experience economy. Inspired by their viral asylum investigations, the 60-minute game features intense scares, deep lore, and YouTube-style “moments.” With full creative control and a 30% success rate, it’s a bold leap into immersive, offline fan engagement. Read More
Podcasts Are the New Pilot: Why Scripted Drama Is Tuning In
Scripted hits like Dirty John, Dr. Death, and The Shrink Next Door began as podcasts, lean, emotionally charged narratives that doubled as proof of concept. Studios like Wondery have turned this model into a pipeline, with Dirty John alone amassing over 10 million downloads in six weeks before becoming a Bravo series. For creators stuck in development limbo, podcasting offers a low-cost, high-impact way to establish tone, build an audience, and generate momentum. Read More
Netflix Eyes Live Music and Celebrity Content in Push Beyond Scripted TV
Netflix is in talks with Spotify to co-create live events, such as music awards shows and concert series, as part of its broader strategy to expand live programming. The streamer is also developing unscripted formats that blend music competitions and dating shows, following its recent forays into live sports and celebrity-driven content. These moves aim to diversify Netflix’s offerings and boost engagement through real-time, shareable entertainment. Read More
Legacy Meets Creator: BBC Studios and Digital Stars Decode the Future of Media
In a Media Odyssey podcast episode recorded at Cannes Lions, Jasmine Dawson (BBC Studios), Kiell Smith-Bynoe, and Amelia Dimoldenberg unpack the evolving relationship between traditional media and the creator economy. As digital viewership surges but ad dollars lag, they explore how brands are rethinking monetisation, measurement, and storytelling, from IP ownership to platform-native formats.
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