Industry Final Update

Get ready for a festive update as we approach the holiday season. Jesse Whittock here to guide you through the latest industry insights as the year draws to a close. This will be our final insider report of 2025, but don’t worry — we’ll return on Friday, January 9, 2026, to kick off the new year. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates.

In industry news, CAA is expanding its strategic presence in the UK market, assessing new opportunities and potential partnerships to strengthen its footprint. Stay tuned for more developments on how this entertainment powerhouse is positioning itself for future growth.

The strategic expansion of CAA in the UK market is evolving.

While a major acquisition was previously contemplated, the focus has shifted.

CAA Sports Media is actively recruiting high-profile British athletes.

Simultaneously, the agency is amplifying the global presence of UK creators like Amelia Dimoldenberg.

Brent Weinstein's recent London trip underscores a renewed push into the digital creator space.

The plan may involve either hiring a select group of agents locally or acquiring a boutique firm.

Expanding the team under Glenn Miller's leadership is a stated priority for the coming fiscal year.

This growth signals a more crowded and competitive landscape for talent representation in London.

Prime Video is deepening its investment in the young adult genre.

This phase represents a significant commitment to capturing a key demographic.

The strategy involves a continued pipeline of original content tailored for young audiences.

The announcement of Prime Video's new YA title, 'Follow My Voice,' arriving on January 2, 2026, was made this Tuesday.

María Contreras of Amazon MGM Studios Spain commented on the platform's strong relationship with the young adult genre.

She noted the significant audience demand, evidenced by the success of series like 'Culpables' and 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.'

The film centers on a character played by Berta Castañé, who questions her feelings for a radio voice she hears constantly.

Executives from Webtoon Productions detailed the adaptation process of the story, which originated as a webnovel by writer Ariana Godoy.

They highlighted platforms like Wattpad as major sources of material for streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon.

Jason Goldberg, Webtoon Productions' Global President of Film, emphasized the unique, global voices of creators who operate outside traditional Hollywood systems.

For further insight into the webnovel landscape, an interview with Wattpad's competitor, Manta, from the previous week is also available.

Ted’s French Connection

This week in Paris, the spotlight was on France Televisions, which hosted a glamorous event showcasing its latest entertainment offerings. The event featured a diverse lineup of new theatrical releases, including anticipated titles like Les Misérables and various Asterix adaptations, alongside a slate of fresh TV series such as Apollo Has Fallen and Shaka Ilembe. The atmosphere was vibrant, with prominent stars like Tewfik Jallab, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Tahar Rahim gracing the stage, adding star power to the festivities.

A key highlight of the event was a notable exchange between Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada. The two executives appeared together for a candid interview that underscored the strong relationship between their companies. Saada made a striking comment, asserting that Netflix played a significant role in convincing the French audience to pay for television content—an idea that resonated given France’s historically high regard for cinema and modest pay-TV penetration, which stood at only 30% before Netflix’s arrival in 2014.

Saada credited Netflix’s high-quality original series and U.S. studio films as catalysts for changing consumer habits in France. Sarandos acknowledged this influence and emphasized Netflix’s commitment to producing compelling content that viewers are willing to pay for. He also reaffirmed Netflix’s respect for theatrical windows, mentioning that the platform plans to honor Warner Bros. movies and release them in accordance with traditional theatrical timing, especially as Netflix moves forward with its ambitious $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Later in the week, Sarandos and Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters visited Warner Bros.’ Burbank lot for a behind-the-scenes tour, guided by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. This visit was part of the ongoing efforts to familiarize themselves with potential new studio assets and explore future collaborations in the evolving entertainment landscape.

Entertainment Industry Highlights

Global Entertainment Roundup: Major Industry Developments and Future Projections

Broadway stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are reportedly in discussions to collaborate again for a revival of the Sondheim-Lapine musical masterpiece "Sunday in the Park with George" - an exciting potential reunion following their previous work together.

In broadcasting news, Sky has secured exclusive distribution rights for the popular hockey series "Heated Rivalry" across UK and Ireland markets, with the show already confirmed for a second season.

The BBC faces mounting challenges as preliminary charter renewal negotiations approach, compounded by a massive $10 billion lawsuit filed by former US President Donald Trump at the start of the week.

Industry concerns about AI continue to surface, with a recent analysis examining animators' reactions to Disney's controversial partnership with OpenAI. Related developments include UK performers' union Equity's members voting decisively against digital scanning practices.

In an exclusive conversation, CME's Chief Executive Sam Barnett shared insights on European broadcasting trends, streaming strategies, and his experiences with Czech entertainment figures.

France's prestigious Cinémathèque Française will resume operations on January 2 following a five-week closure necessitated by bed bug remediation efforts.

In talent management shifts, the Indian agency Dharma Cornerstone has dissolved after five years, with Karan Johar launching a new venture called Dharma Collabs Artists Agency.

Leadership changes include Rowan Woods stepping down from his position as Creative Director of the Edinburgh Television Festival after a two-year tenure.

The 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam has announced its program lineup, featuring Charlotte Glynn's "The Gymnast" among its competition selections.

Financial forecasts predict global box office revenues reaching approximately $35 billion by 2026, according to projections from Gower Street.

The industry mourns the loss of renowned casting director Susie Figgis, who passed away at 77. Her impressive portfolio included work on acclaimed films such as "Gandhi," "The Killing Fields," "The Full Monty," and the "Harry Potter" series.

The International Insider team will return with further updates on January 9, 2026.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

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