Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 7 May 2025
Google enters production; A24 goes big; Africa, Nollywood and Aussie TV markets shift; Spike Lee and Mailman lead key titles; new crime, funding and cold case thrillers emerge.
Today’s Highlights:
Google Expands Influence in Entertainment with 100 Zeros Initiative – Google’s new venture with Range Media will fund scripted and unscripted content using AI and immersive tech, bypassing YouTube to pitch directly to major streamers.
A24's Commercial Pivot Sparks Debate on Brand Identity – Indie studio A24 is expanding into bigger-budget projects, raising questions about maintaining its cult status while scaling up operations.
Africa’s Streaming Future Hinges on Price, Mobile, and Smart Promotions – African streamers must combine mobile-first pricing, intuitive design, and strong content to curb high churn and grow audiences.
MBO Capital Backs Global Expansion of Nollywood – With ₦4.6 billion invested, MBO Capital aims to scale Nigerian cinema globally through international distribution and partnerships.
Seven Network Acquires Southern Cross Media's Regional Assets – Seven West Media wins control of key regional Australian TV licenses after Southern Cross ends its deal with ADH.
Spike Lee Premieres Kurosawa-Inspired Film ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ at Cannes – Lee debuts a New York-set reinterpretation of High and Low with Denzel Washington, continuing his exploration of Black identity and power.
Deborah Mailman Stars in ‘Wolfram’, Sequel to Sweet Country – Mailman leads Thornton’s Australian outback drama exploring themes of family and survival four years after Sweet Country.
The Annecy Murders Series Reopens Infamous Cold Case – A six-part psychological thriller revisits the unsolved 2012 French Alps killings with global political and espionage overtones.
Screen NSW Launches Fund for Diverse Creators – The $200K IP in Motion fund supports NSW producers optioning work from underrepresented creatives across film, TV, and digital.
Jane Seymour Leads New Season of Harry Wild and True-Crime Series – Seymour stars in season four of Harry Wild and hosts Relative Secrets, reflecting a trend toward lighter and genealogical crime content.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with Google, Sky, WildBrain, Channel 4, NBCUniversal, Tubi & Netflix in NYC, LA, London, Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester & Amsterdam.
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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.
INSIGHTS
Ed Bazalgette on Directing Across Genres: “I’m a Storytelling Director”
From The Witcher to Poldark, BAFTA-nominated director Ed Bazalgette has tackled a wide range of genres. Now leading Lynley for BritBox and BBC, Bazalgette says his creative process always begins with the script. “The answers are all in there,” he explains, calling himself a “storytelling director” focused on tone, world-building, and narrative above genre or label. Read More
Can A24 Stay Cool While Going Commercial?
Though A24 commands just a sliver of the U.S. box office, its $3.5B valuation reflects its massive cultural clout. Known for artistic, low-budget hits, the indie studio is now reportedly eyeing broader, bigger-budget projects—raising questions about whether its cult appeal can survive a more commercial pivot, and what the risks and rewards of scaling up might be. Read More
Africa’s Streaming Future Hinges on Price, Mobile, and Smart Promotions
As streaming expands across Africa, success depends on hyper-local pricing, mobile-first strategies, and relevant promos. With 75% of content viewed on smartphones in markets like South Africa, platforms like Netflix and Showmax offer tailored mobile plans. Yet, even with discounts, churn remains high—Apple TV+ reports 8%. To thrive, services must pair affordability with strong content, flexible payments, and intuitive design. Read More
ORF-Enterprise Expands Market Presence and Targets Younger Audiences
ORF-Enterprise kicked off 2025 with strong visibility at Berlinale/EFM, MIP London, and Series Mania, showcasing new and catalogue titles. As public broadcaster ORF shifts content to appeal to younger viewers, the sales team is focused on placing fresh series like School of Champions and Glambitious. Looking ahead, ORF-Enterprise will attend events like Seriencamp and NATPE Budapest to broaden market reach and industry ties. Read More
Global Buyers Reveal Top Content Demands
In a rapidly evolving entertainment industry, staying ahead of trends and understanding global content demand is crucial. Rodriguez Montero, Content Director at TVUP Streaming Media, explains that while viewing habits are changing, mass audiences still rely on over-the-air channels, focusing their attention on specific types of programming. Read More
Jane Seymour Returns in Harry Wild and Hosts New True-Crime Series
Blue-sky crime dramas are trending as audiences favour lighter whodunits over dark, intense thrillers. This week, Acorn TV launched season four of Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour as a retired professor-turned-detective. Seymour also expands into non-scripted TV with Relative Secrets, a true-crime and genealogy series premiering in June on Acorn TV and BBC America. She teases what’s ahead for Harry and the returning cast in TV Drama Weekly. Read More
When Your TV Home Screen Becomes an Ad Space
TV home screens are evolving into ad-driven platforms as companies like Samsung, LG, Hisense, and Philips push for ongoing revenue beyond hardware sales. Licensing proprietary operating systems and integrating ads allow for continuous monetization, but this raises concerns about viewer tolerance and usability. As streaming ecosystems transform, balancing effective advertising with user experience will be crucial to sustaining engagement while maximizing financial returns for TV OS providers.at comes next. Read More
Spike Lee Premieres Highest 2 Lowest at Cannes, Reclaims Kurosawa with a New York Spin
Fresh off Spielberg’s jet and headed to Coppola’s AFI tribute before courtside at a Knicks game, Spike Lee’s weekend is anything but ordinary. In May, the iconic director brings Highest 2 Lowest—a New York reinterpretation of Kurosawa’s High and Low—to Cannes alongside Denzel Washington. The Apple-A24 film explores power, loss, and legacy, underscoring Lee’s enduring role as a vital voice in American cinema and Black cultural preservation. Read More
Apple TV’s Adventure Redefines Immersive Storytelling on Vision Pro
Charlotte Mikkelborg’s Apple TV+ series Adventure pushes immersive storytelling to new heights with 8K resolution per eye on the Apple Vision Pro. The series follows extreme sports athletes, placing viewers directly in the action. Filmed using Apple’s proprietary stereoscopic 3d camera, it employs custom grip solutions to ensure smooth cinematic movement. As immersive content gains traction, Adventure showcases the future of entertainment. Read More
MBO Capital Strengthens Nollywood’s Global Expansion Strategy
MBO Capital has become a key player in Nollywood financing, investing ₦4.6 billion to boost the industry’s global reach. Since 2017, the firm has funded hits like The Wedding Party 2, Moms at War, and New Money, now prioritising international distribution and strategic partnerships. As streaming platforms refine their Nigerian content strategy, MBO aims to maximise Nollywood’s global appeal and profitability. Read More
Google Expands Influence in Entertainment with 100 Zeros Initiative
Google has entered film and television through 100 Zeros, a partnership with Range Media Partners to fund scripted and unscripted content. Instead of distributing via YouTube, it will sell projects to studios and streamers like Netflix, integrating AI and Immersive View into storytelling. The initiative supports indie films like Cuckoo and commissions AI-themed shorts to engage younger audiences and reshape Google's cultural relevance. Read More
Deep Dive with Amanda Lotz: Our Changing Media Landscape
Amanda Lotz, a professor at Queensland University of Technology, is a leading scholar in media industries, internet distribution, and the future of television. She explores how the shift from content scarcity to abundance has transformed audience behaviour and media business models. Her work examines how streaming platforms and digital distribution have reshaped traditional television structures, challenging legacy content access and monetisation models.
‘The Better Sister’ Stars Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks Reveal Their Real-Life Sisterly Bond
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