July
Bookish is a British crime drama, but not as you know it
Mark Gatiss’ finely crafted six-part period drama builds on the familiar British whodunit formula with unfamiliar layers. It’s well worth a look.
Facing a low bar for sequels, Happy Gilmore 2 is par for the course
Adam Sandler returns as the hotheaded golfer in a follow-up that, while diverting enough, neglects to carve out an identity of its own.
Of course The Late Show’s death was about Trump, but also money
Stephen Colbert’s late-night comedy show has been cancelled after he poked fun at Paramount’s legal deal with Trump. But the art form was already in decline.
Netflix’s Untamed is an edgy crime thriller
Eric Bana and Sam Neill shine in a story that contrasts the grandeur of Yosemite National Park with humanity’s baser instincts.
Streaming wars: It’s now a battle between YouTube and Netflix
The two dominant platforms are veering onto each other’s turf as they compete for the same audience.
Severance dominates Emmy nods as Apple challenges HBO and Netflix
The Netflix drama earned a swag of nominations but nothing came close to dystopian workplace series “Severance” from Apple, which achieved acclaim and audience buzz.
A $270 ‘granny’ nightie is the surprise star of Netflix’s new hit show
Styles reminiscent of your nan have been rebranded as on-trend daywear, and Lena Dunham’s rom-com Too Much can’t get enough of them.
Apple bids for Formula 1 rights in US after success of Brad Pitt film
The iPhone maker is challenging Disney’s ESPN when the broadcast contract becomes available next year, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
Matthew Goode’s surprising and subversive Dept. Q performance
The British actor is the engine that drives the popular Netflix series, and there’s texture even in his character’s surliness.
The Bear is back on track in tasty new season
After the slow tempo of last season drew criticism, showrunner Christopher Storer tweaked the recipe and found the right balance again.
June
Nine buys Optus Sport assets including English Premier League
The deal means UK soccer will stream on the Stan Sport platform from August.
Now we know how much Netflix Australians are watching
The first-ever breakdown of Australian TV viewing habits has been released, and the findings show which streaming platforms are winning.
You thought Squid Game couldn’t get more violent. You were wrong
The third and final season of the Korean drama is not for the squeamish, but it remains a thrilling and utterly original critique of capitalist excess.
The 16 best TV shows to watch in 2025
From the all-conquering Adolescence to Amandaland, here are the best programmes of the year so far.
OceanGate disaster doco lays bare company’s failures
Netflix’s documentary about the Titan catastrophe uses familiar techniques to spotlight the faulty judgment of billionaire owner Stockton Rush.
Warner Bros Discovery ‘fumbling through disruption’ as cable TV struggles
This week’s effective break-up of the US media group after just three years has left staff exasperated as the swashbuckling pay television era disintegrates.
Owen Wilson’s charm helps land ‘Stick’ on the green
Think “Ted Lasso” with clubs in this story of a former golf pro searching for redemption that manages to be a comedy with heart without being too warm and fuzzy.
A frank take on love and money (with wealth porn)
The new movie Materialists is a fresh look at an age-old conundrum: is it better to be with someone for love or money?
BBC-owned Britbox renews big bet on the British niche viewer
Britbox is relaunching after five years in Australia after the BBC took full ownership of the British content platform.
IMAX bets that bigger, louder will win people back from streaming
The NYSE-listed maker of large-screen cinema systems will more than double its presence in Australia by 2027, hoping that premium content can save the movies.