TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 12 February 2025
Murdoch hits 300; Studiocanal grows; YouTube TV shift; AI in streaming; Gender parity in film; UK indie boost; Stiller, Weaver land roles; Evelyn Hugo film moves forward; New procedurals tested.
Today’s Highlights:
'Murdoch Mysteries' Reaches 300 Episodes and 18 Seasons—The long-running Canadian period drama celebrates its 300th episode, and Yannick Bisson and executive producer Christina Jennings reflect on the show's success. The 19th season begins filming in May.
Studiocanal Expands Amid Canal+ IPO and Strong Box Office - Studiocanal continues its growth after Canal+’s IPO, with a record $300M in global revenue. The company invests €200M annually in productions, expands in Africa, and reboots The Wicker Man and The Avengers.
YouTube Viewership on TV Surpasses Mobile for the First Time—More U.S. viewers now watch YouTube on TV than on mobile, marking a shift in digital consumption. CEO Neal Mohan notes that over 1 billion hours are watched across both platforms.
Streaming Platforms Test Demand for Procedurals with The Pitt and On Call - New medical and police procedurals debut on Max and Prime Video, testing whether the genre—long dominant on broadcast—can succeed with original streaming content.
Generative AI is Reshaping Streaming Content. Amazon’s Prime Video enhances X-Ray with AI recaps, TCLtv+ produces AI-generated films, and Fable Studio introduces Showrunner, which allows users to create their own episodes.
Gender Parity Achieved in Lead Roles for the First Time - The annual “It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World” study finds that 42% of the top 100 films in 2024 featured female leads—matching male-led films for the first time—though age disparity persists.
Channel 4 Invests £35 Million in UK Indie Productions—Channel 4 will commit £35M to support independent production companies outside London, boosting regional ey Weaver Joins The Gorge and Discusses Sci-Fi Career - Weaver stars in The Gdiversity in British television content.
Sigourney Weaver Joins The Gorge and Discusses Sci-Fi Career - Weaver stars in The Gorge, an action sci-fi thriller by Scott Derrickson, alongside Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. She also reflects on her approach to choosing roles.
Ben Stiller to Star in HBO Music Industry Dramedy The Band - HBO is developing The Band, starring Ben Stiller as a pop mogul trying to revive his career. Created by Search Party’s Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers.
Netflix’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Gains Momentum—Maggie Betts will direct the adaptation of the bestselling novel, which Liz Tigelaar will co-write. The film explores the life and secrets of an aging Hollywood icon.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Stan, ITV, WBD & Prime.
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INSIGHTS
'Murdoch Mysteries' Celebrates 300 Episodes and 18 Seasons
Canadian period drama 'Murdoch Mysteries' has reached its 300th episode after 18 seasons. Star Yannick Bisson and executive producer Christina Jennings reflect on the show's success and discuss plans for the upcoming 19th season to begin filming in May. The series follows Detective William Murdoch as he employs innovative forensic techniques to solve crimes in early 20th-century Toronto. Read More
Indie Rom-Com You, Me & Her Uses Creative Marketing for Theatrical Release
The indie film You, Me & Her, about a couple exploring a threesome to save their marriage, uses unique promotions, including a Fandango deal offering a free third ticket. Creators Selina Ringel and Dan Levy Dagerman secured brand partnerships with Lindt, Lalo Tequila, and The Pleasure Chest to fund distribution. The film will also be the first test for NATO ex-chief John Fithian’s new platform, Attend. Read More
Streaming Platforms Test Demand for Procedurals with The Pitt and On Call
Two new procedurals debuted on streaming: The Pitt on Max, a medical drama starring Noah Wyle from the creators of ER, and On Call on Prime Video, a police procedural from Law & Order’s Dick Wolf. While procedurals dominate broadcast and acquired streaming titles, original streaming procedurals have been rare. These launches may test whether the format can succeed in an original streaming landscape. Read More
Studiocanal Expands Amidst IPO and Strong Box Office Growth
Studiocanal is entering a new phase following Canal+’s IPO on the London Stock Exchange and a record-breaking year with nearly $300M in global box office revenue. The company invests €200M annually in productions, including Pressure with Andrew Scott, Huntington starring Glen Powell, and Control with James McAvoy. It also expands in Africa and reboots The Wicker Man and The Avengers for TV. Read More
UK Broadcasters Weigh YouTube’s Impact on TV and Advertising
UK broadcasters, including Channel 4, are rethinking YouTube’s role in their content strategy. While YouTube offers unmatched reach and engagement, concerns persist over cannibalising owned platforms and accelerating the decline of linear TV. Channel 4 sees YouTube as an ecosystem extension rather than a threat. This raises questions about how other UK broadcasters adapt to the platform’s influence. Read More
Streamers Embrace Generative AI for Enhanced Viewing
Streaming platforms are leveraging generative AI to revolutionise content discovery and creation. Amazon’s Prime Video enhances its X-Ray feature with AI-generated recaps, while TCLtv+ launches AI-produced films to drive ad revenue. San Francisco’s Fable Studio introduces Showrunner, allowing users to generate their own episodes. As AI-driven content evolves, streamers explore new ways to engage audiences and redefine the viewing experience. Read More
Study Finds Gender Parity in Lead Roles for the First Time
For the first time in its 23-year history, the annual “It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World” study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film found gender parity in film protagonists. In 2024, 42% of the top 100 domestic films featured female leads, matching male-led films. However, age disparity persists, with fewer female characters over 40 than men. Read More
YouTube Viewership on TV Surpasses Mobile for the First Time
YouTube now sees more U.S. viewership on TV screens than on mobile devices, marking a major shift in how audiences engage with the platform. CEO Neal Mohan revealed that U.S. viewers watch over 1 billion hours across both platforms. As YouTube nears its 20th anniversary, its focus on the living room experience reshapes modern television consumption. Read More
Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Star in A24's Dark Comedy Friendship
Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd team up in Friendship, a dark comedy about an awkward suburbanite (Robinson) obsessively trying to befriend his new neighbour (Rudd). Directed by Andrew DeYoung, the film has been compared to a feature-length I Think You Should Leave sketch and will premiere at SXSW 2025 before its May theatrical release. Kate Mara also stars. Read More
Where’s Wanda? Stars Heike Makatsch, Axel Stein & Lea Drinda in Dark Family Drama
UFA Fiction’s Where’s Wanda? follows desperate parents Dedo and Carlotta Klatt (Axel Stein, Heike Makatsch) as they search for their missing 17-year-old daughter, Wanda (Lea Drinda). With no leads from the police, they turn to their tech-savvy son (Leo Simon) and secretly bug their neighbourhood—only to uncover shocking secrets about their seemingly normal community. Read More
RCN’s Eugenia Velez on Content Strategy and International Market Focus
RCN’s VP of Programming and Marketing, Eugenia Velez, discusses the network’s evolving content approach, highlighting telenovelas as a stronghold while embracing live programming as a key differentiator. She emphasises adapting to changing viewing habits and balancing traditional and digital distribution. Recent hits include Rojo Carmesí, La Sustituta, and Rigo, co-produced with Amazon, alongside reality juggernauts like MasterChef and La Casa de los Famosos. Read More
Sigourney Weaver on ‘The Gorge,’ Sci-Fi Thrillers, and Returning for ‘Avatar’
Sigourney Weaver stars in Scott Derrickson’s sci-fi thriller The Gorge, playing Bartholomew, a mysterious operative overseeing a classified chasm. She joins Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy in the action-packed romance. Weaver, who admired Derrickson’s The Black Phone, says she never picks roles by genre but by compelling storytelling. She also praised Taylor-Joy’s The Witch as one of the scariest films she’s seen. Read More
Channel 4 Allocates £35 Million for Nations-Based Indie Productions
Channel 4 has allocated a £35 million commissioning fund to support independent production companies outside London to boost diverse and regionally representative content. The Emerging Indie Fund provides slate development funding, mentorship, and training to help indies grow. In December 2024, 13 companies received additional support through the Emerging Indie Fund Extra, reinforcing Channel 4’s commitment to fostering creative talent across the UK. Read More
Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham On Directing Wallace & Gromit’s Latest Adventure
Oscar-winning animator Nick Park and co-director Merlin Crossingham discuss the making of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. They discuss the return of Feathers McGraw, the challenges of stop-motion animation, and how the film explores themes of technology and AI.
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