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.

Sam Esmail, the creator of the acclaimed series 'Mr. Robot', has left the talent agency CAA, according to an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter. The move is notable because Esmail is one of television's most prominent writer-directors, and agency changes by high-profile creatives are closely watched in Hollywood as a signal of shifting career strategies or industry dynamics.

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.

Analysts argue microdramas are unlikely to reach network television, as the short-form vertical format remains rooted in mobile apps and streaming platforms rather than traditional broadcast schedules. The bigger question is how the booming microdrama business will reshape the wider TV industry, from episode lengths and pacing to ad formats and viewer habits, as networks watch audiences drift toward bite-sized storytelling.

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.

Thomas Causey, an Emmy and Oscar-nominated film professional who worked on iconic movies, has died at the age of 76, according to his family. The announcement has prompted tributes reflecting on his contributions to cinema and television over a career that spanned decades and touched some of the industry's most memorable films.

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.

The All Japan TV Program Production Companies Association, known as ATP, is partnering with Mynavi to stage the fourth and fifth instalments of its 'TV Creators Talk!' event series in October. The sessions bring together Japanese television producers and creators for public discussions about programme making, continuing an industry talk series aimed at connecting TV production talent with wider audiences.

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.

A new report examines how 5G networks and fibre broadband are reshaping internet-delivered television, enabling higher-quality streaming, lower latency and new viewing experiences. Industry observers say the combination of faster fixed and mobile connectivity is accelerating the shift away from traditional broadcast toward IP-based TV services worldwide.

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.

Distribution company Siesta Entertainment has acquired the international sales rights to a preschool television series produced in Puerto Rico. The deal will allow the children's show to be marketed to broadcasters and streaming platforms outside its home market, giving the production a route to global audiences. Details about the show itself and the terms of the agreement have not yet been widely reported.

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.

Industry analysts say SpaceX remains a long way from its stated ambition of launching its Starship rocket as often as once an hour. The assessment, reported by Advanced Television, casts doubt on the aggressive cadence target for the company's next-generation launch system, which is still in its testing phase and has yet to demonstrate rapid reusability at that scale.

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.