TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 7 January 2025
Golden Globes, Nickel Boys win big; Netflix debuts Missing You; Tubi grows; Riot’s Arcane struggles; Wallace & Gromit return; Disney merges Hulu with Fubo; Anaconda reboot films in Queensland.
Today’s Highlights:
2025 Golden Globes Recognises Emilia Pérez and Shōgun with Top Honours - Emilia Pérez won Best Musical or Comedy, and FX/Hulu’s Shōgun took Best TV Drama at the 2025 Golden Globes, each securing multiple wins.
Nickel Boys Wins National Society of Film Critics Best Film - RaMell Ross’s adaptation of Nickel Boys was named Best Film, with Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Colman Domingo winning top acting awards.
Netflix and Harlan Coben Launch Missing You Series - A five-part mystery-romance series, Missing You, stars Rosalind Eleazar and Ashley Walters, unravelling family secrets and murder.
Better Man Features Complex Regent Street Dance Sequence - Michael Gracey’s Better Man overcame production challenges, filming a 4½-minute pivotal dance scene delayed by Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
Riot’s $250M Arcane Garners Emmys but Falls Short Financially - Despite critical acclaim and Emmy wins, Riot Games’ Arcane failed to recover costs or boost League of Legends engagement.
Tubi Surpasses 97M Monthly Users and 10B Streaming Hours in 2024 - Tubi’s growth, driven by expanded content, solidifies its position as a leader in the ad-supported streaming space.
Disney to Merge Hulu with Fubo for Major Streaming Expansion - Disney’s merger with Fubo aims to create a dominant player in the vMVPD market, challenging YouTube TV’s lead.
Wallace & Gromit Return with Vengeance Most Fowl - The stop-motion duo returns after nearly 20 years in a new Netflix feature directed by Nick Park, featuring fan-favourite villain Feathers McGraw.
Palm Springs Film Awards Gala Spotlights Oscar Contenders - Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two) received top honours at this influential pre-Oscar event.
Paul Rudd and Jack Black Lead Anaconda Reboot in Queensland - Filming under Tom Gormican, the Anaconda reboot showcases Queensland’s production capabilities and injects $40M into the local economy.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations & Jobs with Paramount, UKTV, ITV, Lionsgate, Amazon & SkyShowtime.
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.
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.
NEWS
2025 Golden Globes: Emilia Pérez and Shōgun Dominate with Top Wins
The 2025 Golden Globes celebrated Emilia Pérez as Best Musical or Comedy, leading with four wins, and The Brutalist as Best Drama, earning three awards. On TV, FX and Hulu’s Shōgun claimed four prizes, including Best TV Drama, while Netflix’s Baby Reindeer and HBO’s Hacks secured double wins. Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) were among notable acting winners. Read More
Nickel Boys Wins National Society of Film Critics Best Film; Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Colman Domingo Take Top Acting Honours
RaMell Ross’s adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Nickel Boys won Best Film at the National Society of Film Critics, with Jomo Fray honoured for cinematography. Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) claimed Best Actress and Actor, respectively. Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine as Light) won Best Director and Best Film Not in the English Language, while Michele Austin (Hard Truths) earned Best Supporting Actress. Read More
INSIGHTS
Netflix and Harlan Coben Unveil Romantic Thriller Missing You
Netflix's Missing You marks the latest adaptation of Harlan Coben’s work, blending mystery with romance. Written by Victoria Asare-Archer, the five-part series stars Rosalind Eleazar as detective Kat Donovan, who discovers her fiancé Josh (Ashley Walters) on a dating app 11 years after his disappearance. Set in England’s Northwest, the show explores Kat’s unravelling love, family secrets, and a murder mystery. Read More
2025 TV Industry Outlook: Optimism Amid Challenges
As the TV industry strides into 2025, cautious optimism prevails despite last year's disruptions from strikes and labour contract negotiations. Producer Mike Royce describes 2024 as a year of introspection for studios and streamers, paving the way for a clearer, albeit unsettled, model for the future. Industry insiders anticipate growth in international co-productions, brand-funded TV, and YouTube ventures. "Take charge of your own destiny" resonates as the year’s guiding theme. Read More
Robbie Williams Biopic Better Man: The Challenge Behind Regent Street's Show-Stopping Scene
Michael Gracey’s Better Man features a pivotal 4½-minute sequence set to "Rock DJ," filmed over four nights on London’s Regent Street. The intricate scene involved 500 dancers, hundreds of crew members, and meticulous planning. Initially halted due to Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, the costly delay forced Gracey to raise additional funds. The sequence, a rare moment of pure joy in the film, highlights the early success of Take That, offsetting the darker narrative to come. Read More
Amazon Announces Upfront Event, Expanding Ad-Supported Ambitions
Amazon will host its upfront on May 12 at The Beacon Theater, showcasing its ad-supported platforms, including Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, and Twitch. With a U.S. audience of over 275 million, Amazon aims to attract advertisers through its integrated ad solutions and growing inventory, now featuring NBA, NFL, and NASCAR content. The move reflects Amazon's ambition to rival traditional TV companies in the ad market. Read More
Riot’s $250M ‘Arcane’: Critical Hit, Financial Miss
Riot Games’ $250 million "Arcane" Netflix series, inspired by League of Legends, earned critical acclaim and four Emmy wins but fell short financially, failing to recoup costs or significantly boost game engagement. While Season 1 lacked in-game monetisation tie-ins, Riot aims to bridge this gap in Season 2 with themed digital items. Internal tensions and Tencent's scrutiny highlight challenges in merging gaming and Hollywood ambitions. Read More
Dick Wolf’s On Call Brings Prime Viewers Real-Time Police Drama
"On Call," a new police drama from Dick Wolf, premieres on Prime Video on January 9, 2025. Starring Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente, the series follows two Long Beach officers navigating intense, real-time cases using bodycam and dash-camera footage. Lori Loughlin and Eriq La Salle co-star. The eight-episode series, blending Wolf’s signature storytelling with innovative filming techniques, will stream globally in over 240 countries on Prime Video. Read More
The Legacy of "Money Tigers": How a Japanese TV Show Sparked Global Entrepreneurship Trends
Launched in 2001 by Nippon TV and Sony Pictures, Money Tigers revolutionized television by showcasing entrepreneurs pitching business ideas to angel investors. Created during Japan's economic reform efforts, the show humanized startups, introduced investment concepts, and reduced stigma around failure. Its global adaptations, Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank, popularized the format worldwide, demonstrating the enduring impact of this Japanese innovation on fostering entrepreneurial culture. Read More
Netflix’s Strategy to Satisfy the ‘Hungry Beast’ of Global Viewers
Netflix’s Black Doves, a slick crime drama starring Keira Knightley, epitomises the streamer’s formulaic approach: fast-paced, visually appealing, and heavily plotted with cliffhangers, yet lacking depth or memorable characters. While once delivering ambitious shows like The Crown and House of Cards, Netflix now favours easily consumable content that quickly fades. Critics argue this shift sacrifices substance for short-lived buzz, leaving audiences craving meaningful, lasting TV experiences. Read More
Wallace & Gromit Return in Feature Film Vengeance Most Fowl
After nearly two decades, Wallace & Gromit are back in Vengeance Most Fowl, debuting January 5 on Netflix (worldwide, excluding the UK). Directed by Nick Park, the stop-motion film features the return of fan-favourite villain Feathers McGraw. Mixing British humour, handcrafted animation, and cutting-edge effects, the movie celebrates Wallace’s quirky inventions while tackling themes of technology gone awry in true Wallace & Gromit fashion. Read More
Oscar-Shortlisted Porcelain War Captures Ukraine’s Resilience Amid War
Porcelain War, an Oscar-shortlisted documentary, reveals the artistry and bravery of Ukrainian civilians turned soldiers. Filmmakers Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev navigated war zones to document life on the frontlines, blending combat footage with poignant moments of cultural resistance. The project’s striking visuals and soundscape highlight the war’s toll and the enduring spirit of creativity. The film won Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize and is a 2025 duPont-Columbia Awards finalist. Read More
TV Industry Executives Predict 2025 Trends and Challenges
Top TV executives share insights on 2025's challenges, including tighter budgets, evolving viewer habits, and AI integration. Key themes include the rise of co-productions, global partnerships, and adapting content for platforms like YouTube to engage younger audiences. Predictions include a continued focus on reality TV, consolidation of major players, and creative funding solutions. While AI offers opportunities, concerns over creativity and regulation persist. Flexibility and innovation remain vital for success. Read More
‘The Brutalist’ Sweeps Awards as a Powerful Immigrant Story: Read the Screenplay
Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, an A24 epic, continues to dominate awards season after winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Adrien Brody) at the Golden Globes. Co-written with Mona Fastvold, the post-WWII drama explores the immigrant journey of Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth (Brody) as he rebuilds his life in America while grappling with personal and societal challenges. Spanning three decades, the film intertwines art, identity, and resilience. Read More
Tubi Reaches 97M Monthly Users and Surpasses 10B Streaming Hours in 2024
Fox-owned free, ad-supported streaming platform Tubi hit 97 million monthly active users, up from 78 million mid-2024, and streamed over 10 billion hours of content last year. Competing with Pluto TV and Roku Channel, Tubi expanded to 275,000 library titles and 300+ Originals, including The Thicket and The Z-Suite. CEO Anjali Sud credits audience-driven strategies and premium free content for its continued growth in the FAST space. Read More
Share Further&Better with your network, and if one of your contacts subscribes, you’ll receive a 30-day upgrade to your subscription.
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.