A coalition of entertainment unions, joined by the Motion Picture Association, urged President Trump on Monday to support tax deductions that benefit the entertainment industry. The unions organized a joint letter to Trump, which was also signed by two of Trump’s three “special ambassadors” to the industry, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone.
Source: Unions and MPA Urge Trump to Back Hollywood Tax Deductions
President Trump’s initial proposal to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films was met with bafflement and horror in Hollywood. But for lawmakers who represent film industry workers, it looked like an opportunity. “I would like to refocus the conversation around a national film tax credit,” said Rep. Laura Friedman, a Democrat from Burbank. “We know this works.”
Source: Could Trump’s Movie Tariff Add Momentum for Federal Filming Incentive?
The executives argued on the call that many films are still shot in the U.S, including in such production hotspots as Georgia, New Jersey, and New York that offer generous production incentives, according to three people with knowledge of the discussion. They hope that they can convince the president that the problem of runaway production mostly impacts the state of California, which does not offer the same level of subsidies as other states.
Source: Hollywood Studios Strategize on How to Handle Trump Tariff Threats at MPA Special Meeting
Despite all the glamour that makes Cannes such a singular experience, there’s palpable anxiety as the festival gets ready to kick off its 78th edition. Many executives fear that Trump’s tariffs will jeopardize their businesses. There’s widespread confusion about how the tariffs on foreign-made films would be administered. If they do go into effect, they threaten to unravel a network of foreign subsidies that studios and indies rely on to finance their movies.
Source: How Trump’s Tariffs Could Derail the Cannes Film Festival
With Hollywood reeling from the potential cataclysmic effects of Donald Trump‘s calls for 100 percent tariffs on non-U.S. produced movies, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sprung into action on Monday evening, proposing a team up with the White House on a $7.5 billion federal film tax credit scheme to provide relief to the entertainment industry.
A new report from Ernst & Young suggests that artificial intelligence could bring measurable financial benefits to the media and entertainment industry, predicting a 10% increase in revenue and a 15% decrease in operational costs for companies that adopt the technology strategically. With content demands growing across streaming, digital platforms, and global markets, the findings come at a moment when studios are seeking ways to scale output without scaling overhead.
Source: AI Adoption Projected to Boost Media Industry Revenue by 10% — AI In Hollywood
Artificial intelligence was a major factor in the actors strike of 2023 and the burgeoning technology will remain a key element in next year’s negotiations. Speaking on a Deadline-moderated panel at SeriesFest in Denver, Crabtree-Ireland, who is National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator at SAG-AFTRA, revealed that the guild would be “starting our preparations for negotiations this fall.” He said that he believes that AI will be an important factor in these talks.
Source: SAG-AFTRA Chief Lays Out What AI Protections It Will Be Looking For In Next Studio Contract
As publications fight for increasingly thin slices of advertising budgets and the subscription model for news sites slowly stagnating, it’s more important than ever to maximize your publication’s content to bring in every bit of revenue possible. Many content creators and publications in Europe are overlooking the potential of content licensing to support their brands. The truth is, your existing content can – and should – generate income long after you publish it.
Source: Content licensing for publishers: Five key questions answered
Universal Music Group posted robust revenue of €2.901 billion — around $3.309 billion, an increase of 11.8% year-over-year, or 9.5% in constant currency — in its earnings report for the quarter ended on March 31, 2025, although streaming growth continues to level off and impact the company’s bottom line. While Universal’s recorded music’s subscription revenue grew 11.5% year-over-year, or 9.3% in constant currency, streaming revenue grew just 2.9% year-over-year, or 0.3% in constant currency.
A couple of comments in its earnings call suggested the details are still being worked out with rightsholders. “Of course we need alignment and support from our industry partners to offer these kinds of new experiences to our users,” said co-president and chief business officer Alex Norstrom. “We do need the partners to come to the table and be part of this journey,” added CEO Daniel Ek.
Source: Spotify on superfan plans: ‘We do need the partners to come to the table’