Netflix is doubling down on animation. The streamer has signed a multi-year creative partnership with Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath, the directors behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, as well as the creators and producers of Teen Titans Go! Under the agreement, the duo will develop animated series and films exclusively for Netflix, while the company will also have first-look rights to their live-action projects. The announcement follows strong performance from both Mario films and Teen Titans Go! on the platform, reinforcing Netflix’s investment in family and animated content.
Disney+ has ordered a new premium docuseries from Maximum Effort centered on SailGP’s Australian team, the BONDS Flying Roos. The series will follow the elite sailing team and its high-profile co-owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds as they compete in one of the fastest and most demanding sports leagues in the world. Olympic gold medalist and SailGP champion Tom Slingsby leads the team, with the series promising behind-the-scenes access both on and off the water.
Lifetime continues to expand its slate of true-crime inspired programming. The network announced that actress and producer Tia Mowry will star in and executive produce Single Black Tenant, a new film inspired by actual events. Premiering June 27, the thriller follows a woman who begins to suspect the home she believed would save her may ultimately destroy her. The project marks Mowry’s seventh collaboration with Lifetime and adds to the network’s growing Ripped from the Headlines franchise.
At Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Marian Lee outlined the company’s growing consumer products strategy. Building on the success of family-focused titles including Gabby’s Dollhouse, Ms. Rachel, In Your Dreams and Sesame Street, Netflix is expanding into new categories such as toys and confections. The company also highlighted recent creator partnerships with Salish and Jordan Matter, Danny Go! and Mark Rober as it looks to extend its most popular brands beyond the screen through products and experiences.
Hulu has renewed The Testaments for a second season. The follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale has generated more than 45 million hours streamed globally across Hulu and Disney+ and has continued to build momentum throughout its first season. Based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel, the series explores the next generation of life inside Gilead and has remained a strong performer for Hulu since its debut.
FOX Entertainment Studios is teaming up with Emmy-winning comedian, actor and producer JB Smoove. Through a new multi-year unscripted first-look deal, Smoove and his production company, Alternate Side Productions, will develop a slate of unscripted projects spanning multiple formats and genres. The agreement further strengthens FOX’s commitment to talent-driven programming while expanding Smoove’s footprint as a producer and creative partner.
Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to Queen at Sea, the latest feature from filmmaker Lance Hammer. The drama stars Juliette Binoche, Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall and arrives with significant awards momentum after winning the Silver Bear Jury Prize and Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival. Greenwich plans a North American festival rollout this fall followed by a nationwide theatrical release later in the year.
In the podcasting space, Spotify, Netflix and Jay Shetty have partnered to bring video episodes of the globally popular On Purpose podcast to both platforms beginning July 13. The agreement will make the series available to Netflix audiences worldwide while Spotify will continue offering both audio and video versions and serve as the show’s global sales representative. The move reflects the continued convergence of streaming, podcasting and creator-led content.
