TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 1-2 February 2025
Superman lawsuit, ER case ruling, The Traitors’ success, AI copyright issues, Higher Ground’s struggles, studio branding push, indie film woes, Netflix’s The Survivors, Apex, ITV-All3Media talks.
Today’s Highlights:
Superman Co-Creator’s Estate Sues Warner Bros. Discovery - The estate of Joseph Shuster has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics, alleging unauthorised use of Superman in international markets after rights expired. The lawsuit could impact the July 2025 Superman film release.
Judge Denies Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion in ‘ER’ Lawsuit - A Los Angeles judge issued a tentative ruling against Warner Bros. Discovery’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit over The Pitt, an alleged ER derivative. The case involves Sherri Crichton, WBD, and key producers.
The Traitors Becomes a Global Phenomenon—Studio Lambert’s The Traitors has surpassed expectations in the UK and the U.S., winning an Emmy and drawing millions of viewers. In the UK, the format has proven more successful than Survivor.
AI and Copyright: Legal Uncertainty in Hollywood - The U.S. Copyright Office states that AI-generated content must have substantial human input to qualify for protection, leaving studios in a legal grey area. Hollywood is reacting by restricting AI use in writers’ rooms.
Higher Ground President Vinnie Malhotra on Hollywood’s Challenges - Vinnie Malhotra discussed the industry’s tightening conditions at Sundance, noting that even companies backed by Barack and Michelle Obama face funding and market hurdles.
TV Studios Push for More Brand Recognition in Streaming - Major TV studios, including Sony, Warner Bros., and Universal, assert their branding in the streaming era, ensuring their logos and production credits are more visible to audiences.
Sundance 2025 Highlights Indie Film Struggles—Industry leaders at Sundance acknowledged a declining business model for indie films. Despite strong creative output, filmmakers are affected by distribution struggles.
Netflix Unveils First Look at ‘The Survivors’ has revealed the first images of the crime mystery starring Charlie Vickers. The series explores past trauma and unresolved secrets. It was filmed in Victoria.
Eric Bana and Charlize Theron to Star in ‘Apex’ - Eric Bana and Charlize Theron will lead Netflix’s Apex, a thriller about an elite climber facing a high-stakes survival challenge, directed by Baltasar Kormákur.
ITV in Talks for ITV Studios-All3Media Merger - ITV is in discussions with RedBird IMI about merging ITV Studios with All3Media, which could create one of Europe’s largest production groups with nearly $4 billion in annual revenue.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Netflix, Prime, Sony, Paramount, BBC & NBCUniversal.
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NEWS
Superman co-creators Estate Sues Warner Bros. Discovery Ahead of New Film Release
The estate of Joseph Shuster, co-creator of Superman, has filed a federal lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics, alleging that the companies continued to profit from the Superman character in international markets after their rights expired in 2017 and 2021 in countries including the U.K., Australia, and Canada. The lawsuit seeks to halt the use of Superman in these territories and demands damages, potentially impacting the planned July 11, 2025, release of a new Superman film starring David Corenswet. Warner Bros. disputes the lawsuit's merits and intends to defend its rights vigorously. Read More
Judge Denies Warner Bros Discovery's Motion to Dismiss 'ER' Lawsuit Over 'The Pitt'
A Los Angeles judge issued a “soft tentative” ruling denying Warner Bros Discovery’s anti-SLAPP motion in a lawsuit claiming The Pitt is an unauthorised ER derivative. The suit, filed by Michael Crichton’s widow, Sherri Crichton, alleges breach of contract, naming WBD, producer John Wells, star Noah Wyle, and showrunner R. Scott Gemmill. The final ruling is pending, with both sides maintaining confidence in their positions. Read More
INSIGHTS
Miss Austen Brings a Fresh Perspective to Jane Austen’s Legacy
PBS Masterpiece and BBC’s Miss Austen reimagines Jane Austen’s life, exploring why her sister Cassandra burned her letters. Starring Keeley Hawes, Rose Leslie, and Patsy Ferran, the four-part drama blends historical mystery with Austen’s literary inspirations. Backed by Masterpiece and BBC, the series was developed by Bonnie Productions despite budget challenges. Filmed near Pinewood Studios, it highlights Cassandra’s role in shaping Jane Austen’s legacy. Read More
From The Late Show to The Cheap Seats: The Inside Story of Working Dog
Comedy collective Working Dog, led by Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner, and Michael Hirsh, will receive the Longford Lyell Award at the AACTAs, celebrating their impact on Australian screen culture. From The Late Show to Frontline, Have You Been Paying Attention?, and The Cheap Seats, their decades-long collaboration has defined local comedy, blending radio, TV, film, and live entertainment with enduring success. Read More
How The Traitors Became a Global Phenomenon
Despite Survivor failing twice in the UK, Studio Lambert’s The Traitors has become a ratings juggernaut, with the BBC’s third-season finale drawing 7.4 million viewers. Adapted from a Dutch format, the Mafia-style game show has also thrived in the U.S., winning an Emmy and launching Peacock’s biggest-ever unscripted debut. Studio Lambert’s “fewer, bigger, better” strategy has cemented its success, reshaping premium unscripted TV worldwide. Read More
AI and Copyright: How Much Human Input Is Needed?
The U.S. Copyright Office's new guidelines affirm that AI-generated material can only be copyrighted if a human sufficiently arranges or modifies it. This leaves Hollywood in a legal grey area, as AI tools are widely used in production. Studios fear copyright carveouts for AI-assisted elements could undermine intellectual property protection, prompting some to ban AI in writers’ rooms and require authenticity certifications from screenwriters. Read More
The Power of Niche Audiences, AI Copyright Battles, and Content as a Revenue Stream
The current media landscape highlights the growing influence of niche global audiences and how targeting specific interests is key to success. The UK’s AI copyright debate intensifies, with Baroness Kidron’s amendment gaining traction. Meanwhile, insights into the "interest graph" reveal how TV producers can engage dedicated communities. Elsewhere, Stripe Press turns content marketing into a profit stream, and Spotify’s internal music strategy raises fresh questions about digital rights and AI-generated content. Read More
Higher Ground President Vinnie Malhotra on Hollywood’s Challenges
Vinnie Malhotra, president of Higher Ground, revealed that even with Barack and Michelle Obama backing projects, their company faces the same hurdles as others in a tightening industry. At Sundance’s “State of the Union” panel, he highlighted widespread industry fear and the need for flexibility in storytelling formats. The discussion also addressed challenges in the documentary space, with calls for resilience amid political and financial uncertainty. Read More
TV Studios Push for More Brand Recognition in the Streaming Era
TV studios like Sony, Warner Bros., and Universal increasingly assert their brand presence, ensuring their production credits are more visible amid the streaming boom. From vanity cards at the start of episodes to standalone marketing campaigns, studios reclaim credit once overshadowed by networks. Brand recognition is vital for long-term revenue and platform longevity, with syndication fading. Read More
'Go Back to Where You Came From': Disagreement, Danger, and Understanding
The production team at Minnow Films prioritised the safety of all involved while maintaining the authenticity of the experience. Comprehensive risk assessments were conducted, and safety protocols were established to protect participants during their travels through high-risk areas. Despite these measures, the series has faced criticism from organisations such as Amnesty International UK and Care4Calais, which argue that the show may sensationalise the refugee experience and fail to convey the genuine hardships asylum seekers face. In response, the producers have emphasised their commitment to responsible storytelling, highlighting that the series includes firsthand accounts from real refugees and asylum seekers to provide a nuanced perspective on the complexities of migration. They hope that by immersing participants in these experiences, the series will foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugees. Read More
Building Contributor Trust: Telling Boyzone’s Difficult Story
How the production team built trust with contributors to tell the difficult story of the boy band Boyzone. It highlights the methods used to ensure accurate and respectful storytelling, the ethical dilemmas encountered, and the importance of maintaining integrity while handling sensitive subject matter. Read More
Getting the Best from Television’s Most Creative People
Psychologist Janet Evans emphasises the importance of understanding creative minds to foster a happier and more productive work environment. She suggests that organisations can better support their teams by recognising the unique ways in which creative individuals think and operate, leading to enhanced creativity and overall workplace satisfaction. Read More
From ‘Quiet on Set’ to ‘Fall of Diddy,’ Meet the Doc Team Holding Pop Culture to Account
Maxine Productions, founded by Mary Robertson in 2022, has quickly made an impact by blending investigative journalism with pop culture exposés. The company has delivered major documentaries, including Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, The Fall of Diddy, and Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Story, gaining exclusive access to key sources. Combining deep reporting with cultural scrutiny, their approach has helped drive industry conversations. With projects in development with Buzzfeed, The Guardian, and The Hollywood Reporter, Maxine continues to push boundaries in investigative storytelling, Read More
How Channel 4 is Winning on YouTube – Matt Risley, 4Studio | TellyCast Podcast
Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio at Channel 4, reveals how the broadcaster is reshaping content strategies for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Gen Z Trends, Truth and Trust
Channel 4 will present a major study on how young people in the UK navigate news, trust sources, and define truth in today's fragmented media landscape. CEO Alex Mahon will deliver a keynote speech on the findings and their implications for the media industry. The insights will be discussed by a panel featuring BBC’s Ros Atkins, Channel 4’s Mahnoor Akhlaq, and Reuters’ Nic Newman.
NEM ZG 2024 | Content Showcase | 'When Will You Marry'
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