television industry

Filmmaker and producer Shawn Levy has signed an overall deal with Disney's 20th Television, moving his production company's TV business after a long run at Netflix. Levy, whose credits include directing Deadpool & Wolverine and producing Stranger Things through 21 Laps, will now develop television projects under the Disney banner. The move marks a notable shift for one of Netflix's most prolific creative partners.

YouTube is rolling out Shorts Series, a new format that arranges short-form videos into episodic, TV-style seasons. The feature lets creators package individual Shorts into ordered episodes, encouraging binge-style viewing on mobile. The move positions YouTube's short video product closer to traditional television, competing with TikTok and streaming services for audiences and serialized creator content.

Filmmaker and producer Shawn Levy has signed an overall deal with Disney's 20th Television, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The agreement will see Levy's production company develop television projects for the studio. Levy is known for directing and producing major film and TV hits, and the deal strengthens Disney's roster of high-profile creative talent for its television slate.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are underway, with the red carpet livestream drawing early attention from fans and entertainment outlets ahead of the main ceremony. Coverage focuses on arrivals, fashion and expected performances as one of music television's flagship annual events returns.

David Barron, the British producer behind much of the Harry Potter film franchise, is backing an AI-assisted adaptation of Jack London's classic novel 'The Call Of The Wild'. The project puts a veteran Hollywood producer behind a production using artificial intelligence, a move likely to fuel ongoing debate in the industry about AI's growing role in film and television making.

CBS has cancelled three television series while renewing several others, but with fewer episodes per season and premiere dates pushed to 2027. The network's slate decisions signal tighter budgets and a slower rollout across its schedule, a pattern increasingly common among US broadcasters as production costs rise. Details of which shows were cut have fans reacting and speculating about the network's programming strategy.

Banijay Entertainment has announced what it calls a landmark line-up for Mipcom, the international television and content market. The slate is expected to showcase new formats and scripted titles from the production group ahead of the industry event, drawing attention from distributors and buyers tracking its catalogue strategy.

Television presenter and historian Tony Robinson is launching Radar Studios with a new project titled 'Rewrites History'. The venture marks the formation of the new production company, fronted by the 'Blackadder' and 'Time Team' star, according to Deadline.

Chinese technology developers are being credited with a new display innovation that could render traditional televisions obsolete. The claim, circulating widely online, suggests the technology offers a fundamentally different way of watching content at home. Details about the specific product, its manufacturer, and its availability remain limited, and the scale of its real-world impact on the TV industry is not yet clear.

Sam Esmail, the creator of the acclaimed series 'Mr. Robot', has left the talent agency CAA, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The exclusive did not specify where the writer-director is headed next or the reason for the move. Esmail has remained a prominent television producer through his overall deals and recent projects since 'Mr. Robot' ended.

Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, together with fellow lawmakers, is urging Congress to support a federal film tax credit aimed at bolstering the American film and television production industry. The appeal comes as US production work faces competition from other countries and states offering generous incentives, prompting renewed debate in Washington over federal support for domestic film jobs.

MediaPost reports that microdramas — the short-form, vertically shot episodic content booming on mobile streaming apps — are unlikely to make the leap onto traditional network television. The piece suggests, however, that the format's rapid growth is already influencing the broader TV industry, with ripple effects on programming and viewing habits expected to continue.

Princess Cruises has launched a new culinary television show filmed aboard its Diamond and Sun Princess ships. The program will showcase food and dining experiences across the line's fleet, adding to the cruise operator's entertainment offerings. Travel watchers note the move reflects the industry's growing emphasis on onboard dining as a headline attraction for passengers.

Representative Nathaniel Moran has introduced H.R. 10582, the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, in the US House of Representatives. The bill aims to support and revitalize the American film, television, and entertainment industries, though details of its provisions have not yet been widely reported. Coverage so far is limited, with the legislative tracker Quiver Quantitative noting the introduction.

Streaming platforms that built their businesses on music and television are increasingly adding video games to their offerings, raising the question of whether gaming is becoming a core part of their strategy rather than an experiment. Industry commentary suggests entertainment companies see interactive content as a way to keep subscribers engaged and attract new audiences as competition for screen time intensifies.

A new reading list points past the usual industry figures like Ari Emanuel and Bob Chapek, recommending twenty books that writers say reveal how Hollywood actually operates. The list highlights histories, memoirs and reporting on studios, talent agencies and dealmaking, offering readers a deeper picture of the film and television business beyond the executives who dominate headlines.

A new explainer breaks down linear TV — television watched on a fixed channel schedule rather than on demand — and how the category is defined by regulators, ratings firms and media buyers in contrast to streaming. The piece also covers the terminology used across the TV and advertising industries as viewing habits shift.

A live-action Spider-Man television series based on the comic book Clone Saga storyline is reportedly nearing a green light at Prime Video. The project would adapt one of Marvel's most polarising 1990s arcs, centring on Peter Parker and Ben Reilly. Details on casting, showrunner and premiere date have not been confirmed.

Los Angeles Magazine has published a feature examining Burbank's dark history of murder and unsolved mysteries, profiling notorious crimes connected to the city best known as home to major film and television studios. The piece delves into the contrast between Burbank's polished media-industry image and its lesser-known history of violent crime, drawing reader interest in the ever-popular true crime genre.

The head of production company Sister predicts that premium television talent and drama will ultimately 'end up on YouTube or TikTok', arguing that top creators and scripted content are increasingly likely to move to digital platforms rather than traditional broadcasters. The warning adds to ongoing industry debate about streaming economics, shrinking TV budgets, and where high-end audiences are heading.

Emirates has announced its new season of inflight entertainment, revealing the films, television shows and other content that will be available to passengers on its ice system. The airline regularly refreshes its lineup with new releases, and aviation industry publications have picked up the announcement. Details on specific titles and expanded features are being circulated among travellers and industry watchers.

A JioStar executive has called on India to restore television ratings ahead of the festive season, according to the Northeast Times. India's TV audience measurement system has faced disruption, leaving broadcasters without reliable viewership data at a time when advertising demand peaks around festivals. The appeal underscores industry concern that the absence of ratings hurts ad sales and programming decisions during the busiest weeks of the broadcast calendar.

The co-creator of the BBC comedy 'Dreaming Whilst Black' says there is a huge disparity between American and British comedy budgets. The comments come as UK producers and writers continue to debate underfunding in British television, with many arguing that smaller budgets limit the ambition and reach of homegrown comedy compared with US productions.

The head of the BBC has revealed he watched an AI-generated episode of Doctor Who, describing it as 'pretty good'. The admission highlights how quickly generative AI tools are now capable of producing television-style content, and raises questions about how broadcasters like the BBC plan to respond as the technology improves.

Prime Video's Nordic division says it plans to give its original programming a 'more feminine point of view'. The announcement signals a programming shift for the streaming service's output in Scandinavia, with future originals expected to reflect more women-centred stories and perspectives. The news was reported by Deadline and is drawing attention among television industry watchers in the region.