BBC Studios vs Sony Pictures Entertainment

Mattel Partners with BBC's Bluey Across Multiple Brands

Mattel announced a multi-year global licensing partnership with BBC Studios to bring the animated series Bluey to five of its major brands: Fisher-Price's Little People, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and UNO. This move is part of Mattel's strategic shift from a traditional toy maker to a 'brand management company' focused on building lifelong fandom through an ecosystem of toys, entertainment, and live experiences. The partnership was announced by Mattel's chief marketing and brand officer, Roberto Stanichi, at ADWEEK's Brandweek. The collaboration aims to leverage Bluey's emotional resonance to deepen consumer engagement and expand Mattel's franchise ecosystem, aligning with its brand pillars of centering fans and creating immersive experiences.

• Mattel and BBC Studios signed a multi-year global licensing partnership for Bluey.
• Bluey characters will appear in Fisher-Price Little People, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and UNO products.
• The deal was announced by Mattel's CMO Roberto Stanichi at ADWEEK's Brandweek.

BBC Studios unveils next generation of reality formats at MIPCOM 2026

The Yacht, The Big Date, Silent Attraction and Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro launching to international buyers in session Reality Check: A New Era of Unscripted Formats, on Monday 12 October.

BBC Studios ANZ appoints new Senior Vice President, Head of Streaming & Channels

Liz Baldwin will lead the streaming and channel strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

Sony Launches FAST Service Live TV on PS5

Sony has launched "Live TV on PS5," a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service available in the U.S. on the PlayStation 5 console. The service features over 100 live channels and on-demand content, accessible directly through the PS5 media area without needing additional apps. Programming includes Sony’s own content, third-party channels from Lionsgate, Fox, NBCU, Bloomberg, Spotify, and A+E, as well as shows like The Walking Dead and Hell's Kitchen, Crunchyroll anime, and sports from Fox Sports, NBC Sports, NASCAR, and UFC. Sony Pictures Television positions it as a premium advertising environment, with Publica and PubMatic as adtech partners. The move bolsters Sony’s advertising business by leveraging the engaged PS5 user base, while maintaining its content-licensing strategy. A launch in Germany or other European markets hasn't been announced due to licensing constraints.

• Sony launched "Live TV on PS5" on September 1, 2026, as a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service in the U.S.
• The service offers over 100 live channels and on-demand content, accessible directly through the PS5 media area without additional app downloads.
• Programming includes Sony’s own content, third-party channels (Lionsgate, Fox, NBCU, Bloomberg, Spotify, A+E), and specific shows/sports like The Walking Dead, Crunchyroll anime, Fox Sports, NASCAR, and UFC.

Sony Sees 13% Drop in Motion Pictures Revenue

Sony Pictures Entertainment reported a 13% decline in motion pictures revenue for its fiscal first quarter (three months ended June 30, 2026), with the unit generating $645 million versus $742 million a year earlier. The decline was driven by a much lighter theatrical slate (one North American release vs. four in the prior-year quarter), which reduced box-office and ancillary income while lowering marketing and distribution costs. Overall SPE sales fell 13% to $1.98 billion, but operating income rose 21% to $154 million. Other divisions showed mixed results: television production revenue fell 32% to $571 million, media networks revenue rose 10% to $744 million, Crunchyroll surpassed 21 million paid subscribers, music revenue increased 22% to 557.9 billion yen, and PlayStation hardware and services were broadly flat with 1.6 million PS5 units sold in the quarter.

• Sony Pictures Entertainment motion pictures revenue fell 13% to $645 million in the quarter ending June 30, 2026 (down from $742 million).
• SPE sales declined 13% to $1.98 billion; SPE operating income rose 21% to $154 million due to lower marketing and distribution expenses.
• Television production revenue fell 32% to $571 million from $841 million year-over-year, driven by fewer series deliveries.

Rakuten TV launches 20 new FAST channels

Rakuten TV has agreed with Sony Pictures Entertainment to roll out 20 new FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels across Europe. The channels include genre-based series channels and single‑IP channels and will run in multiple markets including Germany, Austria, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. In Germany three channels—Comedy TV, Thriller TV and Faves—will feature series such as Seinfeld, Die Nanny, Breaking Bad and The Good Doctor. Rakuten TV says its FAST catalogue now complements an existing offering of roughly 500 channels, available in 43 European countries with reach above 150 million households. Channels are localized per market except in the Nordic countries where they are available in English only.

• Rakuten TV signed an agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment to launch 20 new FAST channels in Europe.
• The new channels will run in Germany, Austria, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the Netherlands.
• Three channels launching in Germany are 'Comedy TV', 'Thriller TV' and 'Faves', featuring series such as Seinfeld, Die Nanny, Breaking Bad and The Good Doctor.