Film and TV Briefing: Friday 17 April 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
Major Hollywood names oppose merger of Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery (BBC)
'Paddington 4' movie confirmed (Digital Spy)
Jobs expected to go at BBC following drive to cut costs (Deadline)
'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' remains top of UK box office (Variety)
1,000 Disney jobs to be cut as CEO announces layoffs (Guardian)
BBC Director General confirms new leadership values (Broadcast)
'Taskmaster' comedy series to go to Poland (Deadline)
200,000 subscribers leave MUBI after 2025 Sequoia controversy (Indiewire)
United Agents announce new unscripted division with high profile UK talent (Deadline)
£1 million YouTube documentaries channel launch by BBC (BBC)
UTA signs adventurer Bear Grylls (Deadline)
New format 'TFI Friday' with Chris Evans returns to Channel 4 (The Independent)
Return of 'Malcolm In the Middle' pulls in 8.1 million views (Deadline)
'Twenty Twenty Six' starring Hugh Bonneville sold ahead of 2026 World Cup (Deadline)
Global ad revenues could fall $50 billion thanks to Iran War (Hollywood Reporter)
Features and commentary
AI chatbots power TV recommendations for Gen Alpha viewers (Broadcast Now)
Joan Crawford’s most controversial film can finally be seen, but what was the fuss about? (Guardian)
Could 'Digger' see Tom Cruise finally scoop Oscar Award for Best Actor? (Deadline)
Industry announcements
ASA and CAP publish Annual Report 2025 (ASA)
UK directors write open letter to global VOD streamers urging payment of residuals (Directors UK)
£9.25 million investment by BFI for national film and immersive projects (BFI)
Legal updates
UK competition watchdog investigates Paramount and Warner Bros merger (Deadline)
Channel5's Dan Walker to appear at employment tribunal in co-host's bullying claim (BBC)
Actor Pedro Pascal battles Chilean spirit brand Pedro Piscal (Guardian)
HMRC rebukes film investor Lip Synch for unpaid tax (Deadline)
Freeform Productions passes ownership to employee trust (Televisual)
