Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 8 July 2025
Amazon shifts to IP hits, Netflix triples anime views, UK tax shake-up stirs debate, WA boosts screen sector, Viu grows in MENA, new funding models & docos fight to stay relevant.
Today’s Highlights:
Amazon Prime Video’s Content Shift Under Vernon Sanders – Amazon prioritises scalable, IP-driven genre series and comedies, stepping back from niche prestige titles and embracing new formats like video game adaptations.
Netflix Highlights Anime Strategy at Anime Expo – Netflix showcases its growing global anime audience and previews new titles, revealing that over 150 million households now engage with anime on the platform.
UK Producers Respond to AVEC Tax Credit Changes – Industry leaders including Nicky Bentham share confusion and concern about the new AVEC system's rollout, replacing previous UK film and TV tax incentives.
Western Australia Injects $5M Ahead of Perth Film Studios Launch – The WA government commits $5 million to grow screen sector capabilities, aiming to increase its national share of production from 1% to 10%.
TV Documentaries Lose Ground with Younger Viewers – Traditional TV documentaries face declining relevance as younger audiences favour messy, authentic digital formats over polished, templated factual storytelling.
Viu’s MENA Success Driven by Localised Strategy – Viu’s bold Arabic-first content and hybrid monetisation approach fuel subscriber growth across MENA, attracting $300M in investment from CANAL+.
OverSubscribe Offers New Funding Model for Creators – OverSubscribe introduces an SEC-compliant platform enabling fans to invest in creators’ future earnings, providing legal infrastructure and mentorship.
Munich Film Festival Wraps with Major Awards and Record Attendance – The 2024 festival ends with 91,000 attendees and accolades for Un Poeta, Kika, and Al oeste, en zapata, highlighting emerging global talents.
Jonathan Skogmo Launches Travel Media Platform LOST iN – Jukin Media founder Jonathan Skogmo pivots to travel content with LOST iN, blending city guides and social storytelling to target Gen Z and millennial travellers.
Lisa Holdsworth on Channel 4's Dreamers – Lisa Holdsworth discusses writing Dreamers, a youth dance drama challenging stereotypical portrayals of British teens through raw storytelling and choreography.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with Screenwest, Netflix, BBC, Prime & Groupe M6 in Perth, Sydney, Salford, Amsterdam, Madrid & Paris.
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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, BAFTA, IMAX.
INSIGHTS
Finding Truth in Motion: Lisa Holdsworth on Writing Dreamers
Lisa Holdsworth, creator of Dreamers, reveals how she balanced drama and authenticity in this Channel 4 series about the Chapeltown Collective, a diverse group of young dancers chasing a life-changing opportunity. Through a vibrant mix of raw storytelling and powerful choreography, the show captures the emotional depth of youth, friendship, family, and identity, while challenging common portrayals of teens in UK television. Read More
Netflix Showcases Anime Growth and New Titles at Anime Expo
At Anime Expo in Los Angeles, Netflix unveiled new anime titles and exclusive footage, highlighting its expanding global anime strategy. The streamer shared that over 50% of its members, approximately 150 million households, now watch anime, with viewership having tripled in five years. In 2024 alone, 33 anime titles landed in Netflix's Global Top 10 (Non-English), more than double the number from 2021. Read More
Filmmaker Gareth Carr Reflects on Casting the Late Uncle Jack Charles
While developing Life After Man, filmmaker Gareth Carr included an Aboriginal character named Banjo without knowing who would play him. During his search, he discovered the late Uncle Jack Charles and was deeply moved by his performance in Pan. Carr’s experience making Life After Man and Saving Grace taught him that bold choices, and simply asking, can shape a project in powerful, unexpected ways. Read More
UK Producers Weigh in on New AVEC Tax Credit System
The UK's shift in 2024 from traditional film and TV tax reliefs to the new Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) system was meant to simplify incentives but has left many confused, says Neon Films founder Nicky Bentham. While high-end TV saw a slight gain, netting 25.5% after tax versus the previous 25%, the overall rollout has raised questions, as outlined at SXSW London by Bentham and the British Film Commission. Read More
Bence Fliegauf Summons a New Revenge Demon in Jimmy Jaguar
Hungarian director Bence Fliegauf explores the collapse of moral order in his latest film, Jimmy Jaguar, invoking a new kind of revenge demon. Challenging the just-world fallacy, Fliegauf asks: "What if the world doesn't work the way we believe it should?" His film explores the unsettling realm between justice and chaos. Read More
Bachelor in Paradise Returns with New Showrunner and Fresh Energy
After a year-long break, Bachelor in Paradise returns to ABC Monday night for its 10th season, now under the leadership of Scott Teti. Also tapped as showrunner for The Bachelor's 30th season, Teti aims to revitalise the long-running franchise while honouring its roots. "It's about bringing new energy while keeping the core intact," he says of joining during this pivotal moment for Bachelor Nation. Read More
Embeth Davidtz Makes Directorial Debut with Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
Actress Embeth Davidtz, known for Schindler’s List, Matilda, and The Morning Show, steps into the spotlight as an auteur with her debut feature Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. After eight years of development, Davidtz successfully adapted Alexandra Fuller's 2001 bestselling memoir, succeeding where others, including the author herself, had previously struggled. Read More
Lena Dunham Trades NYC for London in Netflix Rom-Com Too Much
Lena Dunham, long associated with New York through her hit series Girls, shifts gears with Too Much, a Netflix rom-com inspired by her own move to London in 2021. Starring Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe, the series follows Jessica as she starts over across the Atlantic, navigating British quirks, from Paddington obsession to Jaffa Cake debates, with humour and heart. Read More
Jonathan Skogmo’s Next Act: From Viral Clips to Travel Media Reinvention
After pioneering the viral video licensing model with Jukin Media, Jonathan Skogmo is now turning his sights to travel. His new venture, LOST iN, co-founded with Mike Skogmo and Anton Reut, blends curated city guides with social-first storytelling to engage Gen Z and millennial travellers. By acquiring platforms like Travelgram and BuzzFeed’s Bring Me!, Skogmo aims to modernise travel media with authentic, creator-driven content. Read More
Why TV Documentaries Are Losing Their Edge and Their Audience
Traditional TV documentaries have become too polished, predictable, and templated, drifting away from raw, observational storytelling that once defined the genre. As younger audiences gravitate toward chaotic, authentic digital formats, the industry risks losing both viewers and the next generation of filmmakers. There should be more risk, messiness, and emotional unpredictability to revive the power of factual storytelling. Read More
Viu’s Local-First Strategy Is Winning Over MENA Viewers
Viu’s success in MENA stems from a bold localisation strategy: Arabic originals, dubbed Korean dramas, and creator-led reality shows like The Big Bang Birthday. With over 15.5M subscribers, partnerships with 20+ telecoms, and a hybrid monetisation model, Viu blends global reach with regional relevance. Its Ramadan viewership doubled in 2024, and CANAL+ invested $300M to fuel further growth. Read More
Format Lifespan: Why ‘Rising Star’ Crashed and ‘The Traitors’ Endures
The early years of a format are critical to its survival. Rising Star flamed out after receiving poor ratings in the U.S. and Germany, while The Traitors thrives thanks to strong launches in the UK and U.S. and a strategic global expansion. Destination X, despite high production costs and initial buzz, has struggled to maintain momentum across Europe and may face an early-life crisis. Slow, steady growth and market relevance, not flashy debuts, are key to long-term success. Read More
Amazon Prime Video Refines Its Buying Strategy Under Vernon Sanders
Amazon’s Prime Video is shifting toward globally scalable, IP-driven content, moving away from niche prestige fare like Fleabag. Under Vernon Sanders’ leadership, the platform is now favouring action-adventure, genre series, and comedy with built-in audiences, such as Reacher and The Boys. Sellers report improved clarity and responsiveness from Amazon’s team, with new interest in microdramas, video game adaptations like Tomb Raider and Mass Effect, and comedies like Overcompensating. Read More
OverSubscribe: A New Toolkit for Legacy Talent and Fan-Funded Packaging
OverSubscribe enables legacy producers to tap fan investment to fund creator-led projects. Unlike crowdfunding, OverSubscribe offers SEC-compliant revenue sharing, giving fans a real stake in creators’ future earnings. With built-in mentorship, legal infrastructure, and two funding tracks, Accelerate and Amplify, it’s designed to help creators and producers build scalable, community-backed content. Read More
When Hit TV Shows Quietly Vanish from the Spotlight
Some once-hyped TV series like Squid Game and Yellowjackets are still airing but have oddly dropped out of the cultural conversation. These “ghost shows” haven’t failed; many still draw millions, but viewer buzz fades fast in today’s fragmented streaming landscape. With hype cycles growing shorter and discourse splintered across platforms, communal TV experiences are becoming fleeting, and attention is more fragile than ever. Read More
Macfarlane Bros Share How Short-Form VFX Content Built Their Filmmaking Career
Filmmakers Lachlan & Austin Macfarlane reveal how posting 15-second VFX-driven clips across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram helped them build a sustainable creative business. In this episode, they unpack strategies for crafting resonant short-form content, growing audiences through authenticity and consistency, and using online traction to unlock traditional media opportunities.
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