The M&E Industry News Bulletin is a concise, regular summary of the latest and most significant developments shaping the media and entertainment landscape.
Sky and ITV have extended their multi-year content and platform partnership, ensuring all of ITV’s content and services remain available across all Sky TV platforms, including Sky Stream, Glass, and Q in the UK.
NextTrip has partnered with KC Global Media to launch a new JOURNY-branded regional TV and digital channel in Southeast Asia, expanding NextTrip’s content-driven media presence in the region.
SEGG Media has signed a five-year global partnership with Super League Kerala for exclusive commercial and broadcast rights, marking the launch of Sports.com App’s first live football content in Asia.
Raj Nayak has launched House of IP, an Event and Entertainment IP Venture Studio, in partnership with YAAP Digital. The new venture aims to create, curate, and scale high-impact intellectual properties across various sectors in the APAC and MENA regions.
Dnable has partnered with Fellaz to launch a Web3-native virtual K-pop boy group and enhance its Peeksup app. The collaboration focuses on community governance, verifiable fandom, and shared ownership through tokenization.
Netflix has partnered with MBC Group to integrate its content into MBC’s Shahid streaming platform. The new offering creates a single bundle of Arabic, linear TV, and Netflix original content for viewers in the MENA region.
Samsung TV Plus is partnering with Dhar Mann Studios to produce 13 original episodes for the Dhar Mann TV channel, marking the popular storyteller’s debut on a FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) platform.
Banijay Asia has partnered with Collective Artists Network to launch a creator-led content and IP engine. The collaboration will develop and produce creator-first properties across various formats in India.
IN10 Media’s MovieVerse Studios has partnered with Beacon Media for a global content alliance. The collaboration aims to create a borderless ecosystem for stories from the Global South, including films and series for digital platforms worldwide.
SS Media, a Dubai-based digital marketing agency, is expanding its luxury marketing services across the GCC region. The expansion diversifies its offerings to include automotive, fashion, and lifestyle brands.
Swedish streaming group Viaplay has acquired the remaining 50% stake in Allente Group from Telenor for US$113 million. The acquisition gives Viaplay full control of the broadband and satellite TV provider.
Perplexity AI is expanding its presence in India through a partnership with Bharti Airtel. The deal will offer free Perplexity Pro subscriptions to 360 million customers, aiming to compete with OpenAI.
Black Bear has launched a new U.S. theatrical distribution arm, led by Benjamin Kramer. The new division will expand the company’s distribution capabilities, with a goal of releasing up to 12 films annually.
Brainlabs has acquired Los Angeles-based Exverus Media to expand its U.S. full-funnel media capabilities. The acquisition establishes a West Coast presence for Brainlabs, with the goal of becoming a single agency of record for all media.
Warner Bros. Discovery has expanded its measurement deal with VideoAmp, allowing the company to use VideoAmp’s data and measurement solutions for linear, digital, and cross-platform campaigns.
BBC Studios Asia has partnered with Mediascope to expand its advertising reach in India. Mediascope will serve as the commercial representative for BBC’s ad sales business in the region.
YouTube TV has expanded its local channel lineup by adding new CW affiliates across the U.S. The new channels, from Gray Television and Heartland Media, are a result of a 2023 deal with Nexstar.
Launchd has acquired Hoozu, an Australian influencer agency, to expand its global creator strategy. The acquisition enhances Launchd’s capabilities in the rapidly growing creator economy.
CosmoBlue Media has launched the Da Vinci Channel on Yettel in Serbia, offering family-friendly educational content. The launch is part of CosmoBlue Media’s global access strategy for its brands.
AlphaPolis has fully acquired anime studio WHITE FOX to expand its anime business. The acquisition strengthens AlphaPolis’ in-house animation production by leveraging WHITE FOX’s expertise to animate its own intellectual properties.
Wunderkind has launched programmatic Connected TV (CTV) pause ads, enabling targeted advertising during streaming content breaks. Initial campaigns have shown a 79% cost reduction.
LG Ad Solutions has integrated with Viant to advance addressable advertising in CTV. The partnership enhances targeting across 45 million LG devices in the U.S. through Viant’s DSP and identity infrastructure.
Freestar has partnered with Fortune Media to power the digital monetization of Fortune.com. Freestar will provide ad tech solutions and consulting to enhance performance and increase revenue.
Deezer and Azerion have partnered for an exclusive ad sales deal in Brazil. The agreement makes Azerion the sole audio and video monetization partner for Deezer and aims to enhance the user ad experience.
Stellantis has partnered with 4screen to integrate its driver interaction platform into millions of vehicles in North America and Europe. The new system will turn car screens into location-based marketing channels.
Comcast has launched StreamStore, a digital hub allowing users to manage over 450 streaming subscriptions. The platform consolidates charges into a single Xfinity bill and offers bundled deals like StreamSaver.
MATRIXX Software has extended its five-year monetization partnership with StarHub, a Singapore-based telecom. The deal allows StarHub to enhance consumer and enterprise offerings and accelerate new digital services.
Spectrum has enhanced its Seamless Entertainment platform with new digital self-service features. This allows customers to easily manage and upgrade ad-supported streaming services to ad-free versions.
Freely, backed by UK broadcasters, will launch a “plug-in puck” streaming device later in 2025. In partnership with Netgem, the device will allow more households to access its free streaming service via Wi-Fi.
MTN Nigeria is investing $377 million to monetize its network by leasing 4G sites, fiber, and passive infrastructure to competitors. The deal will include MVNOs like Lebara and other MNOs.
Kids’ channels Pop, Tiny Pop, and Pop Up from Narrative Entertainment are launching on Paramount’s Pluto TV in the UK. The launch expands the availability of family-friendly FAST content in the region.
TCLtv+ has added 11 new FAST channels from AMC Networks, including “The Walking Dead Universe.” The expansion brings TCLtv+’s offerings to over 400 channels across various genres.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced the launch of two new hybrid channels in India, Zee Power and Zee BanglaSonar. Both channels are set to go on-air in August 2025.
Mirage Digital has partnered with Team Liquid to launch a 24/7 esports FAST channel. The channel will debut on The Roku Channel, marking Team Liquid’s first content programmed for a FAST channel.
Atrangii has expanded its OTT reach by launching FAST channels on LG and Xiaomi smart TVs. The brand is the first Indian OTT service to offer a Hindi General Entertainment Channel on LG’s FAST platform.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has launched its 24/7 FAST channel on The Roku Channel. The channel offers over 50 hours of live, near-live, and VOD MMA content to fans in the U.S.
Swerve TV has launched “Swerve Sports,” a new FAST channel exclusively for women’s sports. The channel is available on The Roku Channel and will soon be coming to Pluto TV.
KultKrimi and Telenovela ZDF, two FAST channels from Mainstream Media, have launched on LG Channels in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The channels offer classic crime and emotional series.
PBS has launched PBS Travel, a new FAST channel featuring travel series like “Rick Steves’ Europe.” The channel is available on Prime Video and Plex, and will soon be coming to Samsung TV Plus.
dotstudioPro has launched Chillfree TV, an AI-built FAST channel featuring nostalgic TV shows and movies. The channel was developed using AI tools for efficiency and is now available on multiple platforms.
OUTtv, an LGBTQI+ television channel, has launched on Joyn in Germany. The channel offers 24/7 live and on-demand queer-themed content, expanding its market presence in Germany.
Sabio Holdings has launched the Creator Television (Creator TV) FAST channel on Amazon Fire TV Channels. The new channel aims to bring social media storytelling and content creators to television.
Dorsey Pictures has partnered with 2500 Media to launch “Outdoor World,” a new VOD and FAST channel dedicated to outdoor adventure programming. The channel is expected to debut in Q4.
LADbible Group is launching its first 24/7 FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus in the UK. The channel will feature original programming like “Minutes With” and “Snack Wars,” along with a new show called “Jury Room.”
Former Banijay Kids & Family executive Gary Milne has launched Go Imagine Media, a London-based content development company. It will focus on developing and consulting on kids and family animated content, supporting projects from concept to production.
Bright Outdoor Media has appointed Mukesh Sharma as CEO to lead its expansion and transformation. Nex News Network extended congratulations for his new leadership role in Mumbai.
BBC Studios has appointed Amanda Jones as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Lorraine Burgess. Jones will be responsible for the overall financial strategy and will report to CEO Tom Fussell.
Warner Bros. has hired Sarah Jane Wright as UK Head of Physical Production. She will oversee the planning and execution for all UK-based theatrical film productions.
HBO Max has hired ITV’s Sasha Breslau as VP of Content Acquisitions for the UK and Ireland. She will lead content sourcing and negotiations for the streamer’s upcoming launch.
Omnicom has formed Omnicom Oceania, a new entity that unifies its practice areas across Australia and New Zealand. The new structure, led by CEO Nick Garrett, aims to offer integrated solutions to clients.
Sony Pictures Television has hired Matt Ford as VP, Commercial, Digital for International Production. His role will focus on creating digital-first content and building creator partnerships in the UK.
Josh Greenstein is joining Paramount after its sale to Skydance. Previously co-president of Sony Motion Picture Group, his new role will extend beyond film and is currently undefined.
SRMG has appointed Nedaa Al-Mubarak as CEO of SRMG Media Solutions. She will lead strategic offerings with premium content and advanced adtech for partners across the Middle East.
Newly launched Radial Entertainment has appointed David Buoymaster as CIO, Johnny Holden as CRO & Strategy Officer, Dave McIntosh as EVP of Content & Business Affairs, and Max Pinigin as CFO.