Small Screen: Niecy Nash Stars In Ryan Murphy’s Legal Drama ‘All’s Fair,’ while Netflix Saves ‘Sesame Street’

Shemar Moore - CBS/CBS Photo Archive

Broadcast: Talisa Garcia and Karan Gill have joined the cast of the ITV drama series Frauds. This six-part thriller, produced by Monumental Television (Ghosts), follows a pair of swindlers in southern Spain who come out of retirement to execute a multi-million-dollar art heist. However, their complicated history and toxic friendship could jeopardize their plans before they can complete the heist. Garcia (Baptiste) plays Miss Take, a smart, funny transgender woman who hosts drag bingo. Despite her talent, she feels unfulfilled with drag and, despite a complicated history with her past friends, believes they might offer her a chance at redemption. Gill (The Decameron) portrays Bilal, an unusual loner who harbors a strange secret. 

The series will air on ITV, STV, ITVX, and the STV Player in Scotland. Frauds is co-created by Surrane Jones and Anne-Marie O’Connor, with Giulia Gandini and Brian O’Malley as directors. The executive producers include Alison Owen, Katie Kelly, Debra Hayward, Alison Carpenter, Jill Forbes, and Pat Tookey-Dickson.

Inspector Ellis is returning for a second season, with Acorn TV and UK network 5 ordering new episodes. The series stars Sharon D. Clarke as Detective Chief Inspector Ellis, alongside DS Harper (Andrew Gower). The upcoming season will consist of three two-hour episodes, with filming starting in May 2025 and to be released in 2026. A spokesperson for Acorn TV noted that Inspector Ellis has quickly become a fan favorite, having received “rave reviews from top critics for its elevated and smart storytelling”. 

Clarke has won the Olivier Award and has been nominated for the British Academy of Film and Television Award (BAFTA) for Best Actress. Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, Oliver Frampton, and Maria Ward will write the episodes, while Catherine Mackin from Acorn Media Enterprises, Bea Tammer, Sebastian Cardwell, Paul Testar, Michele Buck, and Lucy Raffety serve as executive producers. Martin Mahon and Anda Ture are co-producers. The series has also been licensed internationally, airing in various countries, including Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Australia.

Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) is the director and executive producer of the first episode of CBS’s Blue Bloods (2010) spinoff, Boston Blue.

In Boston Blue, Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) is partnered with Detective Lena Peters (Sonequa Martin-Green) with the Boston Police Department.  Wahlberg and Martin-Green appeared together last week to promote the series at the CBS Fest in Los Angeles. Hemingway has worked on The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Power, Power Book II: Ghost, The Wire, and the war film Red Tails (2012). Hemingway will next produce Sugar Daddy, a documentary focusing on the consequences of the overconsumption of sugar and Black Americans.

Hemingway is represented by UTA, M88, and attorney Tom Hoberman.

Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) has joined the cast of Boston Blue as a recurring character named Reverend Peters. Reverend Peters serves as the pastor of the city's most historic church and is also the father of Boston’s Detective Lena Silver. Boston Blue is produced by CBS Studios in association with JBTV. The showrunners, Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis, also serve as executive producers alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed.

Shemar Moore will reprise his role as Daniel Harrelson in the 10-episode sequel of S.W.A.T (2017). This news comes just two days after the show completed its eighth season on CBS, with a two-hour finale that aired on Friday, May 16, 2025.

In March, CBS revealed that it would be canceling S.W.A.T. after its eighth season. This was the third time the series had faced cancellation. The first being when CBS indicated that season seven would be its final. Prior to that, the network had also canceled the show after season six, but later decided to bring it back. The back-and-forth regarding the show's fate was primarily due to CBS and Sony Pictures Television not reaching a conclusive deal. However, with its renewal, Moore couldn't be happier.

“My eight seasons on ‘S.W.A.T.’ have been epic and memorable. We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice, and continued to woo fans and families worldwide. I am excited for this next generation and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I will keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!”

J.R. Ramirez -Michael Tullberg

Streaming: Ryan Murphy, known for his American Horror Story series, is releasing a new legal drama, All’s Fair, set to stream on Hulu. The cast includes Niecy Nash-Betts, who played Glenda Cleveland in Murphy's other series, Monster (2022), Teyana Taylor, and recurring actress Sarah Paulson, as well as Glenn Close. At the moment, there is no premiere date, but the series is set to launch in the fall on Hulu and Disney+.

All’s Fair will follow a team of female divorce attorneys who leave their firm to open their practice. Together they must face scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances—both in and out of the courtroom. Murphy is both writer, executive producer, and director. In addition to starring, Nash-Betts is also an executive producer for the series, as well as Anthony Hemingway, executive producer and director.

Season 4 of Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021) is coming to an end with its upcoming fifth season to be its last. With that, many viewers are still coming to terms with the transformation of Kanan Stark, who has gone from a troubled teenager to a full-blown villain within three seasons. 

In the upcoming finale, showrunner and creator Sacha Penn revealed the premise of the episode, stating that what we will see is how Kanan became who he is: 

“This is how Kanan became Kanan, and this is how we all become ourselves. The people around us shape us, mold us, and our experiences do the same. There’s this notion that it takes a village to raise a child. In this case, the village is South Side, Jamaica, Queens, and Raq is his mother. This is what it’s always been about. When I first pitched the show, I said, ‘Look, Kanan wasn’t born the way he exists in “Power.” He had to get there.’ And what we’re going to do is see what that journey looked like.”

Often mentioned but not seen, Shameik Moore’s character, “Breeze” Frady, is staying on for the fifth and final season. “Breeze,” the nephew of Snaps (Wendell Pierce) and Pop (Erika Woods), had been a part of the series for a long time as a known kingpin who had employed Ghost (Omari Hardwick), Kanan (Mekai Curtis), and Tommy (Joseph Sikora). 

“I jumped into a story that is already alive with such strong characters, but it was a fun challenge to find Breeze’s unique identity, and I can’t wait for fans to see how Breeze will shift dynamics in the story.”

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is a crime drama that prequels Power (2014). It follows the teen years of Kanan Stark, played by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Sascha Penn is the executive producer, writer, and showrunner for “Raising Kanan.” “Power” creator Courtney A. Kemp, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, along with Mark Canton, Chris Selak, and Kevin Fox serve as executive producers. 

Netflix is adding two new series to its lineup: All the Sinners Bleed, based on the novel by S.A. Cosby, as well as The Body. 

All the Sinners Bleed is a nine-episode thriller about a former FBI agent, the first Black officer within his Bible Belt County, as he leads an investigation for a serial killer that has preyed on its Black residents for generations. Joe Robert Cole, who co-produced the anthology series American Crime Story (2016) and co-wrote Black Panther (2018), will serve as showrunner and will direct the premiere and a few other episodes. Cosby, Amblin Television, and Higher Ground are the executive producers. 

The Body is a teen psychodrama, about a group of catholic school girls, who set off a frenzy within their town after having a series of prophetic visions. Quinn Shephard is the creator and showrunner of the series and will direct the premiere. Amy Israel, Peter Chernin, Josh Stern, Gina Gammell, and Sacha Ben Harroche are the Executive Producers.

Derek Rivera (All American: Homecoming) is joining the cast of Paramount+’s drama Mayor of Kingstown for its fourth season. He will play Cortez, a young and calculated hitman working for the Colombian cartel. Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family, who are influential power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan. The series aims to explore themes of systemic racism, inequality, and corruption while striving to bring order and justice to the community. The fourth season will also feature Tobi Bamtefa, Nishi Munshi, Clayton Cardenas, Derek Webster, and Lennie James.

Rivera has spent three seasons playing Santiago Reyes on the CW’s All American: Homecoming (2022). His other television credits include roles on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy (2022) and Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why (2017). He is represented by Momentum Talent and Literary Agency, as well as Rikki Dale Management. Mayor of Kingstown is co-created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, who also serve as executive producers, along with Antoine Fuqua, Jeremy Renner, David C. Glasser, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Michael Friedman, Dave Erickson, and Wendy Riss Gatsiounis. Erickson is also the showrunner for the series.

Creed, the popular sports film released in 2015, is set to receive its own TV series! During Amazon's upfront presentation to advertisers, the company announced plans to launch Delphi. While the specific plot details are still underway, it has been confirmed that the series will follow boxers training at the gym. The Delphi Gym has appeared in both Creed and its predecessor, Rocky. It was originally run by Tony “Little Duke” Evers Jr., the son of Apollo Creed’s longtime trainer, Tony “Duke” Evers. Wood Harris, known for his role in Remember The Titans (2000), played Little Duke in all three Creed films. 

Marco Ramirez is set to be the showrunner and executive producer of the upcoming series. Michael B. Jordan will also serve as an executive producer, alongside Liz Raposo. Irwin Winkler, David Winkler, and Charles Winkler of Winkler Films will contribute as executive producers as well.

During Amazon's upfront presentation, the company announced a new series based on the Barbershop (2002) franchise. Jermaine Fowler will star in Amazon Prime Video’s series, where he plays Travis Porter, a character determined to follow in his grandfather Calvin's footsteps as a legendary barber in Chicago. Although the shop sports a new lineup of barbers, it maintains the same lively atmosphere and comedic array of customers. Fowler, a stand-up comedian who gained recognition from his role on CBS's Superior Donuts (2017), has also appeared in Hulu’s A Murder at the End of the World (2023). Additionally, he is set to feature in Tracy Morgan’s comedy series Crutch on Paramount+ and in season 5 of Only Murders in the Building (2021). 

He is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Yorn Levine. 

The series will be written and executive produced by Marshall Todd, who co-wrote the original Barbershop film. Max Searle will serve as executive producer and co-showrunner. Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, and Mike Stein will also executive produce through Hartbeat Productions. Cameron Burnett and Autumn Bailey-Ford will executive produce on behalf of Prominent Productions, while George L. Tillman, Robert Teitel, and Bradley Gardner of Busy B Entertainment will join as executive producers.

Netflix has renewed two of its romance series: Forever, which is gaining a second season, and My Life With The Walter Boys. 

Forever, which debuted last Thursday, May 8, 2025, quickly rose to popularity, landing the third spot on Netflix’s Top 10, with roughly 3.7 million views in only four days. The series follows Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.) and Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone), who rediscovers one another after being childhood friends. Through their newfound friendship, a relationship forms and identities are discovered, and together they explore an awkward journey of being each other’s firsts. Mara Brock Akil is the executive producer alongside Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, sister duo Regina and Reina King, Shana C. Waterman, and Anthony Hemingway.

After the first season of the Western drama, My Life With the Walter Boys (2023) concluded, Netflix quickly renewed the series for a second season, adding five recurring cast members: Riele Downs (Bel-Air) Natalie Sharp (Wilderness), Janet Kidder (Star Trek: Discover), and Jake Manley (The Order). The series is based on the book by Ali Novak and follows fifteen-year-old Jackie Howard, who, after losing her family in a tragic accident, moves in with her mother’s best friend, Katherine, who has nine sons and one daughter. The second season is currently wrapping up production in Canada. 

The series is executive produced by showrunner Melanie Halsall, alongside Ed Glauser and Becky Hartman Edwards are the executive producers, while International Production, Sony Pictures Television, and iGeneration Studios are the producers.

J.R. Ramirez (Manifest) is set to be a lead in Prime Video's upcoming drama, It's Not Like That. The series follows Lori, a mother of two teenagers who has recently gone through a divorce. Malcolm, a minister, is also dealing with loss after becoming a widowed father of three. Both Lori and Malcolm are newly single and must navigate the challenges of parenthood, romance, and the complexities that come with Malcolm's role as a minister. 

The executive producers for the series include Deitchman and Robinson, Garret Lerner, Jon Erwin, Justin Rosenblatt, and Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten. Ramirez's previous work includes a guest role in Netflix's new medical drama, Pulse. He is represented by his manager, Marie Mathews, along with Gersh and Kopeikin Law.

Netflix's A Different World is adding six new cast members to its pilot lineup. The cast includes Chibuikem Uche (One of Us Is Lying) as Kojo, Cornell Young (Beyond the Gates) as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall (The Equalizer) as Amir, Alijah Kai Haggins (The Sound of Christmas) as Rashida, Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah, and Kennedi McClure as Hazel.

Back in August 2024, it was reported that the beloved 80s sitcom would receive a follow-up, with the pilot announcement made in March. A Different World (1987), which originally began as a spinoff of The Cosby Show (1984), is returning to Hillman College, a fictional historically Black university. The new series will follow the daughter of original characters Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) as she attends Hillman University.

Felicia Pride is the writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the series. Other executive producers include Debbie Allen, who played Dr. Langhorne in the original series, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Bythewood. 

Just after debuting this May, Netflix’s new comedy series, The Four Seasons, starring Coleman Domingo, is being renewed for a second season! 

The series eight episode series is based on the 80s film of the same name and chronicles six old friends: Kate (Tina Fey), Jack (Will Forte), Danny (Colman Domingo), Claude (Marco Calvani), Nick (Steve Carrel), Ginny (Erika Henningsen) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver). Together, the group goes on a couples weekend getaway only to discover that Nick (Carrell) wants to leave his wife Anne (Kenney-Silver). We follow the friends over a year through four seasonal vacations, exposing us to their new and shaky dynamic. The couple that has remained together must divide their time between Nick and Anne, while struggling with the issues that arise after being together for so long. The series is described as “a love letter to long marriages and old friendships”, and according to Netflix, after just two weeks of being released, The Four Seasons has already reached 24.4 million views.

Domingo directed the sixth episode, “Ultimate Frisbee.”

Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield are the executive producers and co-showrunners.

Netflix announced on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during its upfront presentation, that it will be renewing Survival of the Thickest (2023) for a third and final season. Inspired by Michelle Buteau’s book, Survival of the Thickest stars Buteau as Mavis Beaumont, a woman who suddenly finds herself struggling to rebuild her life after placing all her hopes in one man. Undeterred and supported by her chosen family, along with her positive attitude and trusty lip gloss, she picks herself up, dusts herself off, and starts all over again. 

The comedy also features Tone Bell (Disjointed) and Tasha Smith (Why Did I Get Married). Guest stars include Marouane Zotti (I May Destroy You), Peppermint (RuPaul's Drag Race), Garcelle Beauvais (The Other Black Girl), and many more. In addition to starring, Buteau serves as the creator, executive producer, and writer for the series. Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and Amy Aniobi are also credited as creators, showrunners, and executive producers, while Grace Edwards acts as writer and executive producer.

During Netflix’s upfront presentation, the streaming platform announced a new crime comedy series co-created and starring Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek). The 8-episode series is set to begin production this year and will feature Taylor Ortega from The Four Seasons and Laurie Metcalf from The Conners. While the series title has not yet been revealed, it’ll follow a pair of siblings played by Ortega and Levy, who get blackmailed into a life of crime. 

“Taylor Ortega is going to become a household name, and it’s been my life’s mission to call Laurie Metcalf ‘mother,’” Levy shared. He and his team spent considerable time searching for the perfect actress to portray his sister. After an extensive search and numerous auditions, Levy felt that Ortega was the ideal fit for both the series and his team. Ortega has appeared in numerous productions such as Disneys live action of Kim Possible (2019), Another Simple Favor (2025), Bite Size Halloween (2020), and After Yang (2021). She is represented by Tovah Silbermann and Allison Stroot.

Last week, I mentioned that Judy Blume's Forever was concluding its season and that Lovie Simone, the star of the series, said it was not the end but rather a new chapter for the young lovers. Well, I'm excited to share that the series has been renewed for another season! 

The first season followed the reunion of the childhood friends and highlighted the many first experiences of the young lovebirds as they navigated the challenges of attending different high schools, the pressures of competing in sports, and preparing for college. The cast includes Xosha Roquemore as Keisha’s mother, Shelly Clark; Karen Pittman as Justin’s mother, Dawn Edwards; Wood Harris as Justin’s father, Eric Edwards; along with Lovie Simone as Keisha Clark and Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards. The executive producers include authors Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Regina King, Reina King, Shana C. Waterman, and Anthony Hemingway.

FX has released the dates for season 4 of The Bear (2022) starring Ayo Edebiri, Alien: Earth, and the drama series, The Lowdown.

Season 3 of The Bear followed Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), who, after much calamity, finally reopens his restaurant as a fine dining establishment under a new name: The Bear. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is exhausted by Carmy's dysfunctional antics, and though she loves her crew and the restaurant, debates leaving to join a new restaurant. Season 4 releases on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Hulu with 10 new episodes. The cast includes  Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Colón-Zayas, Jermey Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach,  Tina Marrero, Abby Elliott as Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto, and Matty Matheson. Christopher Storer, Josh Senior, Joanna Calo, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Hiro Murai, and Rene Gube serve as executive producers. The Bear is produced by FX Productions.

Can someone go tell Elmo that he won't be homeless after all? Netflix has saved Sesame Street!

The streaming platform has signed a deal with Sesame Workshop to produce new episodes, just months after Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to renew its agreement for the series. Unlike the previous HBO deal, where new episodes premiered on PBS months after airing, the agreement ensures that new episodes will be available on PBS and the PBS Kids app, guaranteeing consistent accessibility.

“This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop to deliver our research-based curriculum to young children worldwide while ensuring that children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access to the Sesame Street they love on public television,” said Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin in a statement. Viewers can expect a reimagined Season 56 of Sesame Street, which will feature a new magazine-style format instead of the original longer segments. According to Netflix, the new season will be released in "batches."

Paramount Global Content Distribution has acquired the international rights to Peacock's drama series, M.I.A. Initially ordered straight to series last year, M.I.A. will be presented to potential buyers over the next few days as numerous acquisition executives visit the Paramount lot. The series follows Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela), who becomes entangled in her family's ongoing business, forcing her to use her skills to navigate Miami's criminal underground. 

M.I.A. is co-created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams (Ozark), who also serve as executive producers. Additional executive producers are Karen Campbell and Alethea Jones, who will direct the first two episodes. The cast features Alberto Guerra, Brittany Adebumola, Maurice Compte, Gerardo Celasco, Danay Garcia, Cary Elwes, Marta Milans, and Dylan Jackson.

Alien: Earth, based on the sci-fi film franchise Alien (1979), follows a group of tactical soldiers in the year 2120 during the world's Corporate Era, where cyborgs and synthetics live side by side with humans. After the group discovers the crash landing of a research vessel, the USCSS Maginot, they come face to face with their greatest threat to date. Placing not only the crew, but also Earth at risk. T. The eight-episode series will be available on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with two new episodes on Hulu, FX, and Disney+ internationally. The cast includes Babou Ceesay (Wolfe), Erana James (We Were Dangerous), Jonathan Ajayi (Noughts and Crosses), Kit Young (Out Of Darkness), Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger), Diêm Camille (The Great Silence), Sandra Yi (Seking Hwa Sun), Moe Bar-El (Honour), and Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet). Executive producers include Hawley, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Joseph Iberti, Dana Gonzales, and Clayton Krueger. “Alien: Earth” is produced by FX Productions.

The Lowdown will premiere as a double-feature on FX! The 8-episode noir follows Lee  Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa ‘truthstorian“ who, on his quest for the truth, often finds himself in more trouble than anticipated. A few of the cast members include Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kaniehtiio Horn, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Kyle MacLachlan. Sterlin Harjo, Ethan Hawke, and Ryan Hawke are the executive producers.  FX Productions is the producer. 

When considering the cost of streaming subscriptions and the various tiers they offer, it’s understandable why many consumers are choosing ad-based subscriptions. 82% of viewers interact with ads through a mix of free streaming services, ad-supported streaming platforms, or Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (vMVPD) services.

According to Parks Associates, 59% of consumers subscribe to an ad-supported tier of a streaming service, such as Netflix, Disney+, or Peacock. 47% of viewers utilize free ad-supported streaming services like Tubi, Pluto, and The Roku Channel, while 22% subscribe to streaming pay-TV services or vMVPDs such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Philo. It’s predicted that ad-based streaming tiers will become the most popular option over the next four years, potentially reaching around 278 million viewers.

Consider Netflix, for instance. Currently, their advertising tier has attracted over 94 million users a month. Amy Reinhard, the company's ads chief, stated that Netflix has more ad-supported users aged between 18 and 34 than any broadcast or cable network. Additionally, according to Netflix, their users are more engaged, spending on average 41 hours a month on the platform. While on the topic of Netflix, they're still moving forward with their integration of AI technology and entertainment. Netflix's goal is to combine generative AI with advertising to deliver accurate and tailored content. They believe that what sets them apart from other streaming services is their combination of great technology and great entertainment.

Rob Guillermo and Nihaar Sinha - Greg Ji/Markee Ruffin Jr.

Industry: We all know the saying, “One step forward and two steps back”, right? Well, that's what Hollywood is currently facing in terms of diversity.

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, California will begin to enforce its rule of requiring film and television production companies that receive state tax incentives to hire a diverse workforce, though there aren't any specific hiring targets. Instead, production companies will have to demonstrate “good-faith efforts” through various actions, such as providing gender-neutral bathrooms and honoring Native tribes. If the company decides not to do so, it could lose a percentage of its tax credit. However, because of Proposition 209, there is no defined number said to reach such goals. The effectiveness of these new regulations remains uncertain, as evaluations will not include specific hiring statistics. 

According to research, approximately 22% of top executives in the UK’s TV industry attended private school, which is significantly higher than the national average of about 7.5%. The report Let’s Talk About Class: Appealing to the UK’s Largest TV Audience, commissioned after James Graham’s MacTaggart lecture, highlights that only 8% of TV professionals come from working-class backgrounds, with a more recent finding of 29% in the industry compared to 39% across the UK.

The report addresses the underrepresentation of working-class audiences, noting that they make up TV's largest viewership but feel the most underserved. Considering the current state of the industry, there are concerns that diversity initiatives may falter, limiting access to a privileged few.

Gemma Bradshaw from the Edinburgh Festival TV Foundation emphasized the need to address the barriers faced by individuals due to their class backgrounds.

Just when I was finally getting used to it, Max has decided to revert to its former name: HBO Max. The rebranding of the company’s name was revealed during Warner Bros.’ upfront presentation.

Like me, you might be wondering why they are going back to the old name. Well, according to the executives, the decision came after the platform increased in traction, with an increase of 22 million subscribers over the past year. Their goal is to “amplify the uniqueness” of their brand. JB Perrette, the President and CEO of streaming, noted that most viewers don't necessarily want more content but rather better content. While the company hasn't outright said it was a mistake to rebrand as Max in 2023, they did refer to the change as “a testament to WBD’s willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach, leaning heavily on consumer data and insights.”

Disney's streaming services, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, have in total reached 164 million monthly users, which is a drastic increase from last year’s 157 million. This is just one of many statistics revealed during this week's upfront presentations. Additionally, Prime Video has gained 130 million ad-supported subscribers in the U.S., with a monthly ad-supported reach of 300 million viewers across both their owned and operated supply and beyond.

As part of its streaming strategy, Disney has introduced Disney Compass. Rita Ferro, President of Advertising, stated that this platform will provide advertisers with “direct access to first-party data for smarter planning, deeper insights, and more precise measurement.” She also emphasized that Disney Compass enables the company to “act faster, understand more, and continuously evolve with our brand partners.”

According to research, consumers have begun to prefer streaming services over traditional cable TV, causing several challenges for the cable industry.

Altice USA, which operates as the Optimum brand, is the primary provider in the suburbs of New York City, and while it may not be the largest cable company, Altice USA maintains over 4.5 million customer relationships, including 1.8 million video subscribers. Since 2022, Altice USA has been led by Dennis Mathew, a former Comcast executive who was given the task of turning the company around. Mathew emphasized the importance of putting the customer at the center of the business. He stated, “This has been all about understanding customers' needs and having difficult conversations across every part of our business, including video.”

Altice reported its Q1 earnings, highlighting a new deal with Google to incorporate AI into its customer service operations. Additionally, the company plans to offer Disney+ and Hulu as add-ons to its packages, allowing customers to manage all of their subscriptions on a single bill.

Rob Guillermo, the former Vice President of Business Affairs and Legal for Netflix Nonfiction, along with Nihaar Sinha, a former Associate in Content Strategy and Analysis, has launched Indus Valley Media (IVM), an independent studio that focuses on developing, producing, and financing films and series. IVM's initial projects include a documentary about Mitch Hedberg and Marc Maron. Guillermo expressed his excitement for the opportunity to promote stories that’ll impact and resonate on a cultural level. The studio's mission is to support film projects that may struggle to receive approval elsewhere.

Currently, IVM is also producing a documentary on Jean-Michel Basquiat and a film featuring Alec Baldwin.

As uncertainty looms over the film industry, which has already undergone many changes, Governor Gavin Newsom aims to establish film and TV tax incentives worth approximately $750 million annually. Currently, this proposition is moving through the Sacramento Legislature. In support of the industry, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (CA Senate, District 28) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor attended the event. Co-host Jodi Long, who is the SAG-AFTRA LA Local President and National Vice President, addressed the inaugural HLAY L.A. event, stating, “We’re all in this together.” Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democrat, CA District 37) emphasized the need for even more funding for tax incentive programs.