Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 27 May 2025
Streaming tensions, AI disruption, and game adaptations lead global shifts; Netflix reopens cold cases, while Latin content, Aussie housing, and anime dominate screens worldwide.
Today’s Highlights:
Streaming, Tax Breaks, and the Battle Over Aussie Content – Australia’s film tax incentives and local content regulations spark international tension with U.S. streamers and the Trump administration.
The Fight for AI Market Dominance – China’s DeepSeek AI disrupts Silicon Valley with a low-cost model as U.S. tech giants escalate spending on humanoid robotics and talent poaching.
Video Games Take Hollywood – With The Last of Us renewed and more titles in development, Hollywood turns to both blockbuster and indie video games for screen adaptation.
Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders Docuseries Reopens Chilling Mystery – Netflix’s new docuseries investigates the still-unsolved 1982 poisonings that revolutionised U.S. product safety.
Paramount’s Maria Sánchez on Latin America’s Content Boom – Sánchez drives Paramount’s regional strategy with a mix of original dramas and franchise spin-offs tailored to Latin American audiences.
Danny & Michael Philippou’s Bring Her Back Blends Horror and Grief – The Talk to Me duo returns with a haunting suburban thriller about maternal loss and sinister foster care.
Mark Humphries to Tackle Australia’s Housing Crisis in New Documentary – SOLD! uses satire to investigate the broken housing market, airing on Binge and Fox 8 with a top creative team.
Alex Morris on SB Media’s Growth and Digital Strategy – SB Media expands from influencer roots into a global content brand with digital-first video, web growth, and IP development.
Solo Leveling Dominates 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Star-Studded Tokyo Ceremony – The anime swept major categories with fan-favourite action and star power at the global awards.
Keshet International Sells Hit Israeli Romcom Save the Date for Global Adaptations – The Israeli series lands adaptation deals across Europe following a successful local run.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with BBC, MUBI, Netflix, NBCUniversal & Amazon MGM in London, LA & NYC.
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INSIGHTS
Exploring the Myth of the Fountain of Youth
Guy Ritchie’s Fountain of Youth follows John Krasinski and Natalie Portman on a global quest for eternal life, drawing inspiration from legends spanning Gilgamesh to Ponce de León. Ancient myths tell of life-restoring waters, golden apples, and mystical springs, fuelling centuries of fascination. The most enduring version stems from Spanish conquistadors, with Ponce de León allegedly searching Florida for immortality. Though largely myth, the allure of everlasting youth remains deeply woven into cultural imagination. Read More
Streaming, Tax Breaks, and the Battle Over Aussie Content
Tax incentives from countries like Australia are attracting big-budget U.S. productions overseas, prompting backlash from the Trump administration, which sees it as an unfair trade practice. Meanwhile, U.S. streaming giants have long resisted Australian government efforts to impose local content quotas, adding fuel to an already tense standoff over where and how global entertainment gets made. Read More
Video Games Take Hollywood
As The Last of Us Season 2 nears its end, HBO has greenlit more episodes, signalling that Hollywood’s video game boom is far from over. Hits like Minecraft and Until Dawn prove profitable, even with mixed reviews. Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog notes studios are adapting big titles like Fallout and Halo, but sees untapped potential in smaller, artful games ripe for screen storytelling. Read More
Paramount’s Maria Sánchez on Latin America’s Content Boom
As Latin America’s media landscape evolves, Maria Sánchez, SVP of Content Licensing at Paramount Global, leads efforts to balance premium originals with legacy hits. Her current slate includes franchise expansions like NCIS: Tony & Ziva and FBI: CIA, plus standout originals like M.I.A., a gritty Miami-set drama premiering on Peacock. With flexible, market-specific strategies, Sánchez is steering Paramount through the region’s fragmented, multiplatform ecosystem. Read More
Tom Cruise’s Les Grossman Could Get His Own Movie
Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie are seriously discussing a standalone film centred on Les Grossman, Cruise’s outrageous Tropic Thunder character. On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, McQuarrie said the talks have been both hilarious and in-depth, noting, “It ultimately comes down to what that character is.” While no project is confirmed yet, the duo is exploring how to bring the fan favourite back to the big screen. Read More
Netflix Revisits Unsolved Tylenol Murders in Chilling Docuseries
Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders explores the 1982 cyanide-laced Tylenol deaths that triggered national panic and revolutionized product safety. Directed by Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines, the three-part Netflix series investigates how the poison got into the capsules and why the case remains unsolved. Featuring interviews with FBI agents and police, the docuseries reopens one of America’s most haunting cold cases. Read More
Why We Need Smart, Feel-Good Comedy Now More Than Ever
With the world growing darker by the day, families torn apart, democracy under threat, and compassion in retreat, it’s no wonder many of us feel overwhelmed. In times like these, intense dramas can feel like too much. That’s why today’s wave of heartfelt, funny comedies is so essential. They offer relief, connection, and hope, just what we need to stay grounded when everything else feels like it’s spinning out of control. Read More
Bryan Cranston on Returning for Malcolm in the Middle Reboot
Bryan Cranston says stepping back into the role of Hal for the upcoming Malcolm in the Middle reboot was deeply rewarding. “I missed him,” he told People. “He’s a sweet, lovable man… and it was fun to see my whole family back together.” Nearly 20 years since the original series ended, Cranston expressed how great it felt to reunite with the cast and revisit the beloved character. Read More
Carell and Krasinski Endorse Domhnall Gleeson for The Office Spinoff
Domhnall Gleeson says Steve Carell and John Krasinski encouraged him to join The Paper, the upcoming spinoff of The Office. In an interview with People, Gleeson shared that both actors gave the same advice: “If it’s Greg Daniels, you should do it.” Having worked with both stars before, Gleeson said their support helped solidify his decision to join the next chapter in the beloved franchise. Read More
‘Code of Silence’ Explores Lip Reading Through Deaf Protagonist in New ITV Crime Drama
Premiering on ITV and ITVX in the U.K. and coming to BritBox in the U.S. and Canada this July, Code of Silence centres on Alison, a deaf police canteen worker whose lip-reading skills land her in a sting operation. Created by partially deaf writer Catherine Moulton and starring Rose Ayling-Ellis, the series highlights the challenges of lip reading while offering a fresh perspective on crime dramas. Read More
Danny & Michael Philippou’s Bring Her Back Blends Horror and Grief
Following their breakout hit Talk to Me, Danny and Michael Philippou return with Bring Her Back, a psychological horror starring Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, and Sora Wong. The film explores maternal grief and possession, as a bereaved mother takes in foster children with sinister intentions. With raw energy and unsettling suburban horror, the Philippou brothers continue their genre-defining storytelling. Read More
Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Etoile Expands Her Signature Comfort TV Style
Amy Sherman-Palladino, creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, returns with Etoile, a culture-clash ballet comedy starring Luke Kirby, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Lou de Laâge. The series follows elite ballet companies in New York and Paris swapping stars to revive interest in their art. Known for sharp dialogue and vibrant storytelling, Sherman-Palladino continues her tradition of celebrating eccentric communities. Read More
Alex Morris on SB Media’s Growth and Digital Strategy
Alex Morris, Chief Content Officer at SB Media, shares insights on how the company evolved from Supercar Blondie’s influencer brand into a global digital-first media powerhouse. SB Media has expanded beyond video, built Google authority through web content, and launched SBX Cars, a luxury vehicle auction platform. Morris also discussed breaking into traditional TV and developing IP for broadcast.
The Fight for AI Market Dominance
China’s DeepSeek AI has shaken Silicon Valley, developing a high-performing open-source model for under $6 million in just two months, raising concerns about U.S. AI dominance. Meanwhile, Big Tech is investing billions into AI-driven humanoid robots, with Tesla’s Optimus projected to propel its market cap. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon continue poaching AI talent through unconventional deals, strategically avoiding regulatory scrutiny while accelerating their AI capabilities.
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