TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 8-9 February 2025
BBC's Virdee debuts, UK TV budgets drop, YouTube expands NFL ties, Sweden's streaming booms, Sorrentino shifts focus, Depp & Pacino team up, Lucasfilm hires VP, AI in film, Prince doc halted.
Today’s Highlights:
BBC’s Virdee Introduces a South Asian Lead in a Western Crime Drama—Staz Nair stars as Detective Harry Virdee in a BBC crime thriller adapted from AA Dhand’s novels. The thriller explores crime, family estrangement, and cultural tensions. With a theme by Hans Zimmer, it’s a rare Western drama with a South Asian lead.
UK Broadcasters Cut High-End TV Budgets as US Streamers Dominate - Spending on UK high-end TV dropped 25% in 2024, hitting its lowest since 2015, while Netflix, Disney, and Amazon increased their investment to £2.82bn. British broadcasters struggle with rising talent costs and competition for co-productions.
YouTube Expands NFL Partnership and Challenges Spotify in Video Podcasts—YouTube replaced TikTok as the Super Bowl LIX Tailgate Concert sponsor, streaming Post Malone’s performance. It is also pressuring Spotify by attracting top YouTubers for exclusive video podcast deals.
Sweden’s Streaming Market Sees Record Growth Despite Increased Competition—In 2024, Sweden gained nearly one million new paid streaming subscribers, reaching almost eight million—households now average 2.7 paid services, driven by newer platforms like Prime Video and SkyShowtime.
Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope Marks a Shift to a Female Protagonist - Premiering at Cannes 2024, Sorrentino’s Parthenope follows a woman navigating Naples over decades. Celeste Dalla Porta plays the lead in this coming-of-age drama, marking a departure from Sorrentino’s traditionally male-driven narratives.
Johnny Depp and Al Pacino Collaborate with The World We Want Studios - Natasha Mudhar's studio backs Depp’s Modi and Pacino-Chastain’s Lear Rex. The San Sebastian-premiered Modi explores three pivotal days in Amedeo Modigliani’s life, showcasing purpose-driven storytelling.
Derek Hoffman Named Lucasfilm’s VP of Development, who previously worked with The Donners’ Company and FX’s Legion, succeeds Rayne Roberts in overseeing Lucasfilm’s live-action projects.
Filmmakers Discuss AI’s Role in Storytelling at Sundance - Directors like Elegance Bratton and Flora Lau highlight AI’s use for script refinement and thematic analysis. While concerns about AI replacing human creativity persist, they see it as an enhancement tool.
Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson to Star in Sky’s Tinsel Town—Sky’s upcoming film Tinsel Town will satirise Holywood insiders and star Sutherland and Wilson. Production is set to begin this year.
Netflix and Prince’s Estate Halt Six-Part Documentary Release - Disputes over content and length led to Netflix scrapping Ezra Edelman’s Prince documentary. The estate plans its own project with exclusive archival footage.
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INSIGHTS
Virdee Brings South Asian Detective to BBC Crime Drama
BBC’s Virdee, created by AA Dhand and starring Staz Nair, introduces Detective Harry Virdee, a dedicated cop navigating crime and cultural tensions in Bradford. Adapted from Dhand’s novels, the six-part thriller explores family estrangement, crime syndicates, and justice. Featuring a theme by Hans Zimmer, Virdee marks a rare Western drama with a South Asian lead in a complex, high-stakes role. Read More
UK Broadcasters Cut Big-Budget TV Spend as US Streamers Invest More
Domestic broadcasters ' spending on UK high-end TV shows fell 25% in 2024 to £598m, the lowest since 2015, as Netflix, Disney, and Amazon increased British content investment to £2.82bn. Despite fewer productions, total UK high-end TV spending rose 11% to £3.44bn. Industry figures warn UK broadcasters are struggling to compete, with talent costs surging and US-led investment dominating. Read More
UK Broadcasters Struggle as High-End TV Costs Rise Amid Streaming Competition
UK broadcasters are cutting back on big-budget dramas as production costs surge, with spending on premium shows dropping 25% to its lowest since 2015. While US streamers like Netflix and Amazon continue investing, British producers warn of being “priced out.” Industry figures call for tax incentives to support mid-budget productions as co-production deals with streamers become more challenging to secure. Read More
YouTube Expands NFL Ties for Super Bowl LIX, Challenges Spotify in Video Podcasts
With CEO Neal Mohan attending, YouTube is strengthening its NFL partnership, replacing TikTok as the official Tailgate Concert sponsor for Super Bowl LIX. Post Malone’s pre-game performance will stream on YouTube alongside creator-led content. Meanwhile, Netflix is eyeing top YouTubers for exclusive deals, and YouTube’s video podcasting dominance is pressuring Spotify, which faces criticism over monetisation metrics. Read More
Why You Need a Personal Brand in Today’s Hollywood
Long-term studio affiliations no longer define Hollywood careers, making personal branding essential. Industry professionals must establish a clear identity to stand out in a fast-changing landscape. The key is identifying a “superpower” — a standout skill that sets you apart. While versatility is valued, companies seek exceptional individuals in one area. Developing and promoting this unique strength is crucial for career longevity. Read More
Sweden’s Streaming Market Hits Record Growth Amid Rising Competition
Sweden’s streaming market saw record growth in 2024, with nearly one million new paid subscriptions, bringing the total to almost eight million—households now average 2.7 paid services, a 10% increase from 2023. Growth is driven by newer entrants like Prime Video and SkyShowtime, while Netflix remains stable. Social video consumption is also surging, further intensifying competition. Read More
Beast Games Falls Short of Expectations Despite Strong Viewership
Amazon’s Beast Games, led by YouTuber MrBeast, has drawn 50 million viewers in 25 days, ranking No. 1 on Prime Video in 80 countries. However, analysts say the show’s impact is “middling,” with limited audience engagement and a low conversion rate from MrBeast’s massive social following. Amazon’s investment may focus on growth in India, a key platform and creator market. Read More
House Productions Reflects on Conclave Success and Unveils Upcoming Projects
House Productions, led by Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell, celebrates Conclave's eight Oscar nominations while developing new projects with directors including Molly Manning Walker, Georgia Oakley, and Richard Ayoade. The company’s slate includes feature films and TV series, with Charlotte Regan set to direct the crime series Mint.. Read More
Noah Centineo Transforms from Rom-Com Lead to Action Star in The Recruit
Noah Centineo, best known for his rom-com roles, embraces action in Netflix’s The Recruit, now in its second season. The 28-year-old actor, who gained fame in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, reflects on his career shift, the series’ high-paced energy, and his growing role as a producer under Arkhum Productions. Read More
Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope Introduces a Rare Female Protagonist in His Filmography
Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope follows the titular character (Celeste Dalla Porta) as she navigates life in Naples across decades, defying societal norms. Premiering at Cannes 2024, the coming-of-age drama marks a shift for the Oscar-winning director, traditionally known for male-centric epics. Dalla Porta delivers a striking performance, embodying a woman who refuses to explain herself in a world dominated by men. Read More
How Porcelain War Co-Directors Made a Documentary 6,000 Miles Apart
Co-directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev overcame vast distance, language barriers, and wartime challenges to create Porcelain War, a Ukraine war documentary premiering at Sundance. With Leontyev in Kharkiv and Bellomo in Los Angeles, they conducted remote film training, smuggling equipment via volunteer networks. Their focus: capturing Ukraine’s beauty amidst destruction. Read More
Johnny Depp and Al Pacino Collaborate with Natasha Mudhar's World We Want Studios
Impact entrepreneur Natasha Mudhar's The World We Want Studios produces star-studded projects like Johnny Depp's "Modi" and Al Pacino-Jessica Chastain's "Lear Rex." Mudhar's collaboration with Pacino began in 2013 through producer Barry Navidi. She emphasizes that purpose-driven storytelling can be both engaging and commercially successful. "Modi" premiered at San Sebastian last year, offering an intimate glimpse into three pivotal days of artist Amedeo Modigliani's life. Read More
‘The Wild Robot’ Composer Breaks Down How He Created a Score That Made Us All Cry
How a Family’s Life Is Upended in ‘I’m Still Here’ | Anatomy of a Scene
Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here portrays the harrowing final moments before former congressman Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) is taken by military police, never to return. Set in 1970s Rio, the scene shifts from warmth to dread as his wife, Eunice (Fernanda Torres), hides fear from their children. Salles employs handheld camerawork to heighten instability, culminating in a rare close-up of Eunice’s farewell.
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