Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 22-23 February 2025
4Mat Factory sues RTL, DPG & Talpa for IP theft; RTL Nederland sells for €1.1B; Sandokan uses virtual production; AI reshapes film & post-production; Warner Bros & distributors adapt to market shifts.
Today’s Highlights:
4Mat Factory Accuses RTL Nederland, DPG Media, and Talpa Studios of Talent Show IP Infringement - Dutch production company 4Mat Factory has filed a legal claim against RTL Nederland, DPG Media, and Talpa Studios, alleging that their shows "The Headliner" and "Lift You Up" copied the unique lift-to-stage mechanics of 4Mat Factory's original format, "The Stage."
Lux Vide's "Sandokan" Utilises Cutting-Edge Technology for Epic Pirate Adventure—The upcoming series Sandokan, starring Can Yaman, combines virtual production techniques with traditional storytelling to reimagine Emilio Salgari's classic pirate tale. It features expansive LED virtual ocean scenes filmed in Italy.
Reezy Miller Discusses AI's Impact on Post-Production Scripting - Australian post-production script editor Reezy Miller emphasises the critical role of precise scripting for global subtitling, arguing that while AI offers automation possibilities, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding of language and intent that human editors provide.
Escalation of AI Copyright Disputes as Licensing Agreements Approach—Following legal victories like Thomson Reuters' case against Ross Intelligence and The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI, analysts anticipate that AI companies may soon need to enter licensing agreements for content usage, similar to previous developments in the music and video streaming industries.
Legal Battle Over $1 Billion Television City Redevelopment in Los Angeles—Developer Rick Caruso's The Grove is challenging the proposed $1 billion overhaul of Television City. Citing California's Environmental Quality Act violations, opponents question the project's legitimacy.
Stability AI's CTO Hanno Basse on AI's Role in Filmmaking at HPA Tech Retreat - Hanno Basse, CTO of Stability AI, discussed the company's development of generative AI models across various media forms, including their flagship model, Stable Diffusion, highlighting the goal of leveraging AI to enhance film production capabilities.
Frédéric Hambalek's "What Marielle Knows" Explores Telepathic Family Dynamics - The dark German comedy "What Marielle Knows" premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, centring on a teenage girl with telepathic abilities that force her parents to confront their private hypocrisies, blending dramatic elements with absurdist humour.
Industry Leaders Discuss Distribution Challenges and Opportunities—BBC Studios, Banijay, ITV Studios, and Fremantle executives shared insights on adapting to financial constraints and evolving buyer demands. They emphasised the importance of agility, innovative partnerships, and a focus on proven formats to navigate the current content landscape.
Warner Bros International TV Production Emphasises Smart Growth and Local Excellence—Post-merger, the Warner Bros International TV Production Group, led by Ronald Goes, maintains a global presence with operations in 14 territories. It focuses on organic growth, unscripted content, and adapting to local market needs while balancing creativity with financial prudence.
Behind the Scenes of "A Thousand Blows"—Steven Knight's series "A Thousand Blows," set in the illegal boxing world of 1880s Victorian London, premiered on Disney+. It features a strong ensemble cast and delves into a historical narrative inspired by the life of Hezekiah Moscow.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations & Jobs with Screen Australia, BBC & MacFarlane Chard.
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NEWS
4Mat Factory Accuses RTL Nederland, DPG Media, and Talpa Studios of Talent Show IP Infringement
Dutch production company 4Mat Factory has filed a legal claim against RTL Nederland, DPG Media, and Talpa Studios, alleging intellectual property infringement over a talent show format. The dispute centres on claims that the defendants copied 4Mat Factory's format, "The Stage," without permission. According to 4Mat Factory, both RTL Nederland's "The Headliner," produced by Talpa Studios, and DPG Media-owned VTM's "Lift You Up" incorporate "nearly identical" lift-to-stage mechanics central to "The Stage." 4Mat Factory asserts that it pitched "The Stage" to RTL Nederland, Talpa Studios, and VTM between 2014 and 2024. Having "exhausted all avenues for a private resolution," the company has gone public with the dispute. It has filed complaints with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), and the Dutch Media Authority (CVDM). Read More
INSIGHTS
Sandokan Uses Cutting-Edge Tech for Epic Pirate Adventure
Lux Vide’s Sandokan, starring Can Yaman, blends virtual production with classic storytelling for a fresh take on Emilio Salgari’s pirate saga. Filmed in Italy with a vast LED virtual ocean, the series follows Sandokan’s transformation from rogue adventurer to leader of the Dayak resistance. Fremantle is launching the show at London TV Screenings ahead of its 2025 debut on Rai and Mediaset España. Read More
Reezy Miller on AI’s Impact in Post-Production Scripting
Post-production script editor Reezy Miller, known for her meticulous work on Australian films and TV, highlights the importance of frame-accurate scripting for global subtitling. While AI threatens automation in the industry, she insists it cannot replace human understanding of language and intent. Miller remains committed to maintaining the authenticity of storytelling in an evolving landscape. Read More
AI Copyright Battle Heats Up as Licensing Deals Loom
Thomson Reuters' legal win against Ross Intelligence marks a key precedent in AI copyright disputes, while The New York Times sues OpenAI for unauthorised article use. Analysts predict AI firms may soon be required to license content, mirroring past music and video streaming shifts. As AI reshapes industries, content owners stand to gain from lucrative licensing agreements. Read More
Rick Caruso vs. Hollywood: The Lawsuit That Could Halt a Billion-Dollar Studio Project
Rick Caruso’s The Grove is blocking a $1 billion redevelopment of Television City in Los Angeles, arguing it violates California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project, supported by unions and entertainment leaders, aims to expand the historic 25-acre lot into a state-of-the-art production hub. Despite modifications by the Los Angeles City Council, the legal battle continues, with Caruso and local groups claiming it’s a speculative real estate venture rather than a serious investment. Read More
Stability AI CTO Hanno Basse Discusses AI’s Role in Hollywood at HPA Tech Retreat
Hanno Basse, CTO of Stability AI, discussed the company’s work and the evolution of generative AI in filmmaking during the HPA Tech Retreat, saying, “The ultimate goal is to make more movies.” Stability AI develops generative AI models for image, video, 3D, audio, and language, including its flagship model, Stable Diffusion. Board members include James Cameron, who is “actively involved,” and Napster co-founder Sean Parker, the board chairman. Read More
Frederic Hambalek’s ‘What Marielle Knows’ and the Paranormal Parent Trap
Frédéric Hambalek’s dark German comedy, "What Marielle Knows," follows young parents whose lives are upended when their daughter gains telepathic powers and can see and hear everything they do privately. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and centres on Marielle, a teenage girl who can see and hear her parents’ actions, forcing them to confront their hypocrisy and contradictions, blending drama with absurd comedy. Read More
Distribution Chiefs Discuss Industry Challenges and Opportunities
In a recent discussion, distribution leaders from BBC Studios, Banijay, ITV Studios, and Fremantle shared insights on the evolving content industry. They highlighted the need for agility and innovative partnerships to navigate financial constraints and shifting buyer demands. Cathy Payne of Banijay noted a focus on proven formats and reboots, while Janet Brown of BBC Studios emphasised the importance of creative deal-making to manage elevated production costs. Ruth Berry of ITV Studios observed strong demand across genres, notably in true crime, and Jens Richter of Fremantle pointed out a market correction post-peak TV, with buyers seeking content that appeals to advertisers and supports domestic VOD platforms. Read More
Smart Growth and Local Excellence Key for Warner Bros International TV Production
Since Warner Bros Discovery’s merger, Ronald Goes, president of Warner Bros International TV Production Group (WBITVP), has maintained its global presence. WBITVP operates across 22 production businesses in 14 territories, including the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Goes emphasises organic growth and local excellence, recently expanding into Italy. With a strategic, measured approach, WBITVP focuses on unscripted production and adapting to local market needs, balancing creative excellence with fiscal prudence. Read More
Behind the Scenes of "A Thousand Blows"
Steven Knight’s 6×60 series, "A Thousand Blows," set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London, premiered on Disney+ on 21 February. Starring Stephen Graham, Malachi Kirby, and Erin Doherty, the series is produced by The Story Collective in co-production with Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions. Tom Miller, Series Producer and Executive Producer, shares the unique production journey, the strong camaraderie among the cast and crew, and the remarkable historical inspiration behind the story, particularly the life of Hezekiah Moscow. Read More
Shows TV Programmers Wish They Had
TV Tonight asked network programmers which rival show they wished was on their schedules. Here’s what they said:
Jennifer Collins, ABC Director of Content: "Boy Swallows Universe" for its ambition and quality storytelling.
Hamish Turner, Director of 9Now and Programming: "Squid Game: The Challenge" for its fresh, authentic reality TV format.
Dan Monaghan, Paramount Australia, SVP Content & Programming: "Boy Swallows Universe" for streaming and "The Assembly" for linear.
Natalie Edgar, Channel Manager, SBS and SBS VICELAND: "The Piano" for its feel-good format.
Brook Hall, Seven Chief Content Officer: "Married at First Sight" for ease and "Australian Survivor" as a personal favourite. Read More
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