Hollywood Deal Tracker

AI Developments in Film

• 🔥 Cannes Showcases AI Works: Cannes Film Festival is showcasing AI-assisted works in a new immersive film category,...

Hollywood's AI trend accelerates:

• Wonder Studios launches with $50M aiming to be the A24 of AI, founded by Xavier Collins and Justin Hackney.
  -...

Netflix's ad-supported tier now reaches over 250 million monthly active viewers globally.

Key expansions:

• AI-powered advertising tools unveiled to...

Key lawsuit highlights exposing backend deal risks:

• Producer alleges Amazon MGM breached contracts and underpaid profits via backend participation...

Union Contracts

• 🔥 SAG-AFTRA's four-year deal with studios includes new generative artificial intelligence protections.

NFL Streaming...

Amazon MGM Studios is aggressively expanding Prime Video post-acquisition, bypassing theaters for big franchises.

• Voltron live-action with Henry...

SAG-AFTRA lands four-year studio deal with standout labor protections:

• Generative AI safeguards to protect actors
• Merger of two pension plans, long-awaited relief
  Shapes Hollywood's future amid streaming and tech shifts.

Key industry pulse from the milestone podcast:

• Film Tax Credit officially here – use the new calculator
• AI unofficially in film, plus updates on...

Amavizion, the emerging UK pay-per-view service, launches at Cannes with a streaming platform, international sales arm, and AI lab – signaling fresh indie streamer innovation via merged sales and tech ops.

Netflix secures three additional NFL games through the league's four-year licensing deal, expanding its live sports play amid streamer battles.

Streaming Financing Tools

• 🔥 MONET Lending Service: MONET enables producers to monetise Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, and Disney+ contracts before...

Key insights for aspiring filmmakers from expert chats:

• Data-driven realities: No typical directing route; explore gender equality, Netflix...

Sony Pictures forgoes a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, opting for licensing agreements with Netflix and Disney instead. This move signals a key shift in studio strategies amid streaming evolution.

Dan Scharf, who joined Amazon Studios in 2014 and led negotiations for hits like Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, is now global business operations head at Amazon MGM Studios. Key hire for post-MGM deal-making.

New cash flow tool for Hollywood:

• Targeted lending: Against confirmed Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, Disney+ contracts
• Pre-delivery access: Monetise...

Labor Contract Progress

• 🔥 DGA Negotiations Begin: Directors Guild of America begins final stage of 2026 Hollywood labor contract talks with...

Key shifts at Cannes 2026 reveal adaptation amid industry changes:

• Market expansion: Guillaume Esmiol remakes Marché du Film with 250 panels on...

• Major collab: Paramount partners with Warner Music on films about music stars like Sinatra.
• Merger momentum: Paramount's $110B acquisition of...

Hollywood's embracing AI but facing stricter oversight:

• California regs mandate AI disclosure in films, IP protection for creators, and ethical...

Media mogul Byron Allen consolidates digital assets with a $120M BuzzFeed buyout—$20M cash plus $100M note—for 52% stake and CEO role.

• BuzzFeed's...