Who holds the power in entertainment now? It’s a question Hollywood seems to be asking itself daily as the answers keep changing — especially after a week that saw Netflix part ways with Bela Bajaria and David Ellison’s inner circle coalesce.
But the answers increasingly lie beyond the traditional studio system.
This week, The Ankler unveiled our inaugural Future of Entertainment 25, spotlighting the creators, entrepreneurs and executives challenging Hollywood’s old ways — and shaping the next chapter of the industry.
We toasted the list in Cannes, where Janice Min and Manori Ravindran hosted a starry gathering at the Fox Beach House during MIPCOM. Honorees included Fox Entertainment’s Rob Wade and Billy Parks, TikTok’s Dawn Yang, YouTube’s Justin Connolly and HOLYWATER founders Anatolii Kasianov and Bogdan Nesvit. Christie Brinkley, creator Josh Richards, Hulu’s Lauren Tempest, Bell Media’s Sean Cohan and Banijay’s Jane Turton, Ben Samek and Patrick Holland were among the industry power players who joined the celebration.
The party capped a busy few days on the Croisette. Janice presented Dhar Mann with The Ankler’s Future of Entertainment award in partnership with MIPCOM and sat down with him and Dhar Mann Studios CEO Sean Atkins to discuss their empire. She also got the scoop on Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot in a lively panel with stars Stephen Amell and Brooks Nader, Fox TV Network president Michael Thorn and Fremantle’s Jens Richter.
The Ankler’s next stop: the Montclair Film Festival, where Christopher Rosen leads a panel on Sunday on the new voices making movies now, then joins Katey Rich on Oct. 25 for a conversation with Sony Pictures Classics’ Tom Bernard.
Now, ICYMI, the rest of our best of the week, including Manori’s no-holds-barred interview with British TV legend Ben Frow on why he’s leaving Channel 5 — and won’t play David Ellison’s game, Richard Rushfield’s take on Hollywood’s relentless layoffs, and the industry’s love affair with Jon Ossoff and James Talarico ahead of the midterms (and check out that divide on Abdul El-Sayed):
Series Business
↑ Ellison’s New Inner Circle: The Org Chart That Reveals Who Has Power Elaine Low and Lesley Goldberg deliver new intel on Andy Gordon and Ynon Kreiz, 15 direct reports, who has his ear, and greenlight power taking shape.
The TV Boss Who Didn’t Want to Play David Ellison’s Game Tells All As he prepares to leave Skydance, Channel 5’s outspoken Ben Frow dishes to Manori on the industry, Cindy Holland, the YouTube “delusion” — and why he may never work again.
TV’s Comedy Crisis: A Tragedy in 3 Acts Unfolding Fewer shows, fewer chances: Lesley goes inside the risk aversion and streaming pressures pushing a genre toward the brink.
Bela Bajaria Was Fired Wednesday. Next Week Netflix Faces Wall Street Lesley and Elaine reveal the process by which Ted Sarandos told his content chief — and go inside the “channels” strategy likely coming.
Richard Rushfield
↑ How Many Layoffs Does Hollywood Need to Save Itself? The private equity model comes to town, writes Richard, as the other shoe drops in an avalanche burying people in the industry.
Transformers and the Art of Forgetting Who Did What A young exec begged his bosses to see the blockbuster potential in the ’80s toys. Richard reveals the very currently relevant name.
Hollywood’s Midterm $$
↑ Jon Ossoff Is Hollywood’s New Crush: ‘He’s Dreamy’ It’s midterms mania as power brokers write checks — and Casey Wasserman crosses party lines against Abdul El-Sayed.
Dealmakers
↑ Behind Closed Doors, Studios Want AI to Make Hits. There’s a Catch Ashley Cullins breaks down the ownership obstacle and a potential solve as execs use technology to mint new characters and franchises.
Prestige Junkie
↑ The Strange Celebrity Campaign to Save Tom Cruise’s Digger Ben Affleck and Anne Hathaway are talking about it. Katey asks why. Plus: Rachel Morrison on her heartbreaking romance, Love of Your Life.
Plus, Project Hail Mary directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller tell Katey why Hollywood’s most radical storytelling device, which they deployed to great effect, is optimism:
Netflix vs. Neon: An Oscar Showdown Starts Now With La Bola Negra, the crew at Prestige Junkie Pundits believes the streamer is in prime position — unless Neon’s Palme champ spoils the party.
The Wakeup
Sean McNulty breaks down why Skydance stock closed down 22 percent on Wednesday — and what’s to come for the company:
Friday → ☀️ Netflix’s Peter Rice Priorities
Thursday → ☀️ Skydance Stock Plummet; A24 + Zendaya Again
Wednesday → ☀️ Netflix Layoffs Hit; Hello Sunshine’s Bargain Bin Sale
Tuesday → ☀️ Biggest Streaming Movies Q3 Shock: Peacock Tops
Sunday → ☀️ SONY’s Sorkin Social Fail, UNI’s Mommy Win
Podcasts
Ankler Agenda
Elaine presses California GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton on his talks with Ellison, Sarandos and Voight and his sweeping film tax credit plan:
Shows
Monday Morning QBs
Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning “never got to the point where ‘why does this exist?’ was answered,” says Chris, as he and Sean reflect on what went wrong for the follow-up:
Like & Subscribe
New from Natalie Jarvey’s creator economy newsletter:
↑ Whalar Group’s Co-CEO On Creators’ ‘Next Frontier’ — and Where He’s Investing
The Optionist
Andy Lewis’ latest IP picks:
↑ An American Love Actually That’s the Next Holiday Classic
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