Film and TV Briefing: Friday 13 February 2026
Welcome to this week’s round-up of news, commentary and industry announcements that you may have missed from the past week.
If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
In the news
Timothee Chalamet's box office worth as a leading man (IndieWire)
Why filmmakers should think like a band and capitalise on overlooked merch opportunity (IndieWire)
Former BBC Executive Nisha Lilia Diu appointed as Creation Studios' Digital Creative Director (Broadcast)
Inside the landmark multi-year Disney+ bundle distribution deal secured by Sky (Variety)
Louis Theroux explores toxic masculinity in Netflix documentary 'Inside the Manosphere' (Broadcast)
WBD to review Paramount's upgraded hostile takeover offer (Variety)
'Dawson's Creek' star James Van Der Beek passes away aged 48 (BBC)
'Benito Bowl' breaks NFL social media records (Variety)
How first-time actors took over Oscar season (The Guardian)
Details on Hollywood studios' DC lobbying (The Hollywood Reporter)
European cinema outings down 5.3% in 2025 (Screendaily)
Melania UK box office plummets by 88% (The Guardian)
Features and commentary
'Wuthering Heights' - this year's most divisive movie (BBC)
Kate Winslet on her emotional directorial debut (Directors UK)
Why 'Skyscraper Live' star was paid so little (Variety)
'Sinners' director Ryan Coogler on silencing sceptics and imposter syndrome (The Hollywood Reporter)
Is daytime TV dying? (The Hollywood Reporter)
Industry announcements
Best practice for onboarding and offboarding directors (PACT)
TV industry and media execs join Peabody Awards board of directors (The Hollywood Reporter)
New tech start-up LightBar is coming for big AI and in defence of Hollywood IP (Deadline)
Legal updates
Alleged breach of agreement related to score being reused in Melania documentary (The Guardian)
