Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 7 March 2025
ITV revisits Ruth Ellis’ case, The CW's scripted slate shrinks, Netflix modernises Forever, The Recruit is cancelled, Mediawan acquires See-Saw, and ABC tackles racism in sports.
Today’s Highlights:
ITV’s A Cruel Love Revisits Ruth Ellis’ Tragic Case - ITV's A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story explores the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, focusing on her abusive relationship, legal battle, and questions of justice.
Nexstar's Ownership Reduces The CW’s Scripted Slate - Following Nexstar’s acquisition of The CW, its scripted programming has dramatically declined, with only All American awaiting renewal as the network shifts away from original content.
ITV Studios’ Financial Strength Fuels Merger Speculation - ITV CEO Carolyn McCall reported record 2024 profits for ITV Studios while avoiding merger speculation, highlighting ITVX's digital ad revenue growth and the company’s resilience.
The Waking of a Nation Tackles Jallianwala Bagh and Racism - SonyLIV’s The Waking of a Nation, directed by Ram Madhvani, explores the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre through a commission’s investigation, influenced by Madhvani’s personal experiences with racism.
Mediawan Acquires The King’s Speech Producer See-Saw Films - French media conglomerate Mediawan has acquired See-Saw Films, the production company behind The King’s Speech and The Power of the Dog, strengthening its international film and TV presence.
Netflix to Modernise Judy Blume’s Forever - Netflix is adapting Judy Blume’s Forever into a contemporary teen romance series, updating the 1975 novel’s themes with modern characters and relationships.
The Recruit Cancelled at Netflix After Two Seasons - Netflix has cancelled The Recruit after two seasons, ending Noah Centineo’s CIA thriller due to declining viewership and competition from similar shows.
2025 Miami Film Festival to Honour Julie Delpy - The Miami Film Festival’s 2025 lineup will open with Meet the Barbarians, directed by Julie Delpy, who will also receive the Festival’s Impact Award.
Ready or Not 2 Casts Kathryn Newton - Kathryn Newton has joined Ready or Not 2, the sequel to the 2019 horror-comedy, with Samara Weaving expected to return as production begins later this year.
End Game to Examine Racism in Australian Sports - ABC’s End Game, a three-part documentary hosted by Tony Armstrong, will explore racism in Australian sports, featuring global perspectives on discrimination and solutions.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, Disney, WBD, MPA & Nordisk Panorama Film Festival.
Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest TV, Film & Media updates in one bulletin.
Our subscribers include executives from:
Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET.
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.
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.
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.
INSIGHTS
ITV’s A Cruel Love Reveals Hidden Truths About Ruth Ellis, Britain’s Last Woman to Face Execution
Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain, shot her abusive lover, David Blakely, in 1955. ITV's A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, written by Kelly Jones, explores her life, the abuse she endured, and the dramatic legal battle that led to her execution. Starring Lucy Boynton, the series unveils secrets about Ellis’s life, raising questions about justice and the societal forces shaping her tragic fate. Read More
The CW's Scripted Programming Decline
Greg Berlanti began his TV career in 1998, becoming Dawson’s Creek showrunner within two years. His journey influenced The CW, formed in 2006 by CBS Studios and Warner Bros., which targeted younger audiences with budget-friendly shows. Berlanti eventually became a dominant producer, with 18 series on air by 2019. However, after Nexstar acquired The CW in 2022, its scripted lineup dwindled, leaving only Berlanti’s All American awaiting renewal. Read More
ITV Studios Deal Speculation Grows Amid AI Integration
ITV CEO Carolyn McCall highlighted the company’s record 2024 profits for ITV Studios while declining to comment on merger speculation. She emphasised ITV’s growth, diversification, and focus on streaming profitability, with ITVX seeing digital ad revenue grow 15 percent. McCall praised the integration of production labels and networks, which boosts talent recruitment, and noted ITV’s resilience, with content and digital making up two-thirds of revenue. Read More
“We think about commerciality more than we have done,” says Film4’s Ollie Madden
Film4 and Channel 4 Drama Director Ollie Madden highlighted a stronger focus on commercial potential during his keynote at Film London’s UPstream IP event. Speaking with Film London CEO Adrian Wootton, Madden discussed Film4's strategy to balance creative ambition with market viability, ensuring independent films achieve both artistic success and financial sustainability. The shift reflects broader industry trends prioritising audience appeal and profitability. Read More
Prime Video Releases Trailer for England’s Lions: The New Generation
The first trailer for England’s Lions: The New Generation, a Prime Video documentary, has been released. The film provides an inside look at England’s rising football stars, chronicling their journeys from grassroots football to the national team. The documentary is set to premiere on March 15. Read More
Neil Young's Coastal Documentary Trailer Released
Neil Young is touring again with an all-outdoor, all-acoustic solo tour. His wife, actress Daryl Hannah, directs the documentary "Coastal" about their 15-show West Coast tour. Hannah, known for her roles in "Splash" and "Blade Runner," previously directed "PARADOX," "Mountaintop," and "Barn," all featuring Young. "Coastal" offers a behind-the-scenes look at Young’s return to the stage post-Covid, showcasing his unique artistry and candid moments. Read More
Deli Boys Brings Pakistani American Humour to Hulu
Deli Boys, a new comedy series created by Abdullah Saeed, has premiered on Hulu. The show follows two Pakistani American brothers, Raj and Mir Dar, who, after their father’s sudden death, discover his convenience store empire was a front for criminal activities. As they take over the business, they navigate unexpected challenges and cultural dynamics. The series stars Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh in the lead roles. Read More
Sadie Frost’s Twiggy Documentary Celebrates Iconic Model’s Career
UK director Sadie Frost discusses her documentary Twiggy, which explores the life of the iconic British model and actress. Frost emphasized her preference for experiencing films without preconceived notions, stating, "The less I know about a film, the better, so I can see things raw and untainted." She highlighted the influence of her producer, Simon Jones, and her son, Rudy, in shaping her cinematic perspective, noting their recommendations have introduced her to diverse film genres. Read More
Ram Madhvani Explores Racism in Waking of a Nation
SonyLIV’s series “The Waking of a Nation,” directed by Ram Madhvani, delves into the conspiracies around the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This series is influenced by Madhvani’s personal experiences with racism. It explores the historical event through a commission’s investigation rather than the massacre itself. The six-episode series was partly inspired by a racist encounter Madhvani had in London. Read More
Aimee Lou Wood Discusses Role in The White Lotus
Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in "Sex Education," is embracing a breakout role in the third season of "White Lotus," learning to act like an American. She was captivated by the show and decided to pursue a part in it. Wood was cast as Chelsea, a working-class girl on vacation in Thailand. Read More
YouTube Celebrates 20 Years with Sean Evans' Hollywood Insights
YouTube, now 20 years old, has evolved from a Hollywood foe into a key player in the entertainment industry. CEO Neal Mohan is dedicated to the creator community, often going the extra mile for YouTubers. Over the past two decades, YouTube has become the go-to platform for video content, making significant deals with major studios and networks. Today, it’s an indispensable part of the media landscape, encompassing short-form videos, live content, and traditional TV. Read More
Armando Iannucci Reacts to HBO’s Cancellation of The Franchise
Veep and Avenue 5 creator Armando Iannucci noted cultural changes at HBO under Warner Bros Discovery after his series The Franchise was cancelled. The show, produced with Sam Mendes, ended after its first season. Iannucci, with a long HBO history, mentioned that the new management's focus on ratings might have prevented a second season. He expressed concerns about global streaming reducing local show elements. Read More
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Further&Better to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.