Film and TV Briefing: Friday 22 August 2025
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
Nexstar Media Group and Tegna to merge in $6.2bn deal (The Hollywood Reporter)
Nielsen data shows streamers take record-high share of viewing figures in July (The Hollywood Reporter)
YouTube considers bidding for rights to the Oscars, says Bloomberg report (Deadline)
Disney to count on ESPN to drive subscriptions for its streaming bundle (The Hollywood Reporter)
Fox Corp. launches direct-to-consumer service, Fox One (Deadline)
Alyson Stoner calls for more on-set mental health coordinators for child actors (Deadline)
Piers Brosnan would consider a return to James Bond if asked by Villeneuve (Variety)
‘Weapons’ stays at number one at UK box office (Variety)
Ofcom rejects over 14,000 complaints over latest series of Love Island (BBC)
Features and commentary
Can TikTok creators drive audiences back into cinemas? (Variety)
How AI is helping Hollywood with talent deals (Variety)
Industry announcements
Paramount UK Chief says Channel 5 will be backed after Skydance merger (Deadline)
Shortlists for National Television Awards announced with Lineker nominated (BBC)
Resources
WGGB launches guide for writers when working with factual material (WGGB)
Legal updates
Paramount Pictures countersues cousin of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ writer, who’s claiming to have co-written the screenplay (The Hollywood Reporter)
Netflix and Adam McKay win dismissal of ‘Don’t Look Up’ copyright claim (Variety)
