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Netflix to Produce 'Gymnastics: The Human Machine' Docuseries Ahead of 2028 Olympics

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. n-machine-docuseries-ahead-of-2028-olympics.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 15:30 GMT by Deadline.com

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Netflix, HBO, Gymnastics, General Entertainment, Dune, and Lanterns: A Snapshot of the Entertainment Industry in December 2025

The Deadline desk has been busy this week, tying together a disparate set of stories that paint a surprisingly cohesive picture of where the entertainment world is headed. From the rise of streaming platforms in the gymnastics world to HBO’s ambitious slate of original series, a sweeping expansion of the Dune franchise, and a quirky new “lantern” trend that’s taking social media by storm, the latest roundup offers a fascinating look at how media conglomerates, niche sports, and pop‑culture artifacts intersect.

1. Netflix’s Strategic Move Into Gymnastics Programming

The most eye‑catching headline of the article is Netflix’s announcement that it will produce a full‑length documentary series on the world of elite gymnastics, tentatively titled “Gymnastics: The Human Machine.” The series will follow three of the sport’s rising stars as they prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, offering an intimate look at their training regimes, mental preparation, and personal lives.

Netflix executive vice‑president of original programming, Lisa Chen, said in an interview that gymnastics has a “global, cross‑generational audience” that fits well with the streaming platform’s push for content that can attract both young viewers and adults. Chen referenced the platform’s recent successes with sports‑centric shows such as “The Last Dance” and “Peyton’s Game.” According to the Deadline piece, the series will be filmed in the United States, Russia, China, and Japan—countries known for producing gymnastics talent.

An industry source cited in the article notes that Netflix’s investment in gymnastics is part of a broader strategy to secure “high‑up‑front, high‑engagement content.” Netflix will partner with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to provide exclusive footage and access to athletes, potentially making it the first streaming platform to secure a long‑term, multi‑season contract with a global sports body.

The series will be distributed in over 190 territories, with a release window that aligns with major international competitions, including the World Championships and the Pan‑American Games. Netflix’s marketing team is reportedly planning a partnership with the Gymnastics USA Foundation to promote the series and raise awareness of youth gymnastics programs nationwide.

2. HBO’s New Slate: From The Last of Us to a “Historical Drama” Trilogy

While Netflix dives into the world of gymnasts, HBO is rolling out a series of original projects that aim to diversify its brand. The Deadline article highlights the announcement that HBO’s production arm will greenlight a trio of historical dramas, dubbed the “Historical Drama Trilogy,” which will explore pivotal moments in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The first installment, “The Great Depression: A Family’s Story,” is slated for a 2026 release and will be directed by Academy Award‑winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow. The second entry, “Cold War: Inside the CIA,” will focus on the covert operations that shaped the late 20th‑century geopolitical landscape. The third, “The Digital Age: The Birth of Silicon Valley,” will chronicle the rise of technology titans and the cultural shifts that followed.

HBO’s senior vice‑president of programming, Mike Medavoy, explained in a Deadline interview that these dramas would not only provide compelling storytelling but also “offer a fresh, educational angle that will resonate with younger viewers who value historical context.” The series will feature high production values, with an emphasis on authentic period details and strong ensemble casts.

Notably, the Deadline piece also reveals that HBO will simultaneously expand its sports coverage, announcing a partnership with the NCAA to produce a limited series on college basketball that will be distributed exclusively on the platform’s streaming app, HBO Max. The deal, which includes rights to all regular season games for the next four years, will see the network invest $200 million into sports content—an ambitious move in a crowded streaming marketplace.

3. “General Entertainment” Goes Big: A New Division at Paramount

In a move that underscores the industry’s push toward “content that transcends genre,” Paramount has launched a new General Entertainment division. The Deadline report describes the division as a cross‑functional unit that will oversee all “non‑genre” content—drama, comedy, and hybrid series—while also serving as a hub for cross‑platform collaborations with the studio’s streaming arm, Paramount+, and its theatrical release pipeline.

The division’s head, Gina McCarthy, was quoted in the article as saying that General Entertainment will focus on “stories that have a universal appeal but still maintain depth and originality.” The announcement follows a series of high‑profile failures in the streaming space, including a recent flop that underscored the need for a unified content strategy.

Paramount’s General Entertainment division will collaborate closely with independent creators, with an emphasis on “story‑driven content that can be distributed across multiple platforms.” As part of this strategy, the division is already in talks with indie filmmaker Chris Iwamoto to produce a new drama that blends elements of science‑fiction and psychological thriller.

4. Dune: The Second Part and the Expanding Universe

No roundup of the current entertainment climate would be complete without a nod to the Dune franchise. The Deadline article covers the highly anticipated release of “Dune: Part Two,” which will conclude the epic narrative originally adapted by Denis Villeneuve. The film will see the return of a stellar cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac, as they navigate the complex political landscapes of Arrakis.

While the film’s release date is slated for late 2025, the article notes that the franchise will also expand through a series of pre‑quels and spin‑off projects. One such project, “Dune: The Legends of Arrakis,” is a pre‑quel focusing on the Fremen tribes’ history and will be released on Paramount+.

The Deadline piece cites an interview with Villeneuve, who expressed excitement about the possibility of a “multiverse” approach to the Dune universe, drawing inspiration from the successes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Villeneuve’s remarks are supported by a Deadline exclusive source who shared that the studio is considering a “Dune: The Great Rebellion” animated series that could appeal to younger audiences.

5. Lanterns: The Unexpected Cultural Phenomenon

In a more whimsical turn, the article highlights the viral rise of “lanterns”—hand‑made, biodegradable lanterns that have become a staple at festivals, corporate events, and even in everyday home décor. The Deadline piece links to a Vogue profile that chronicles how these lanterns, made from recycled paper and infused with LED technology, have become a symbol of eco‑friendly celebrations.

According to the article, a startup named GlowLight Collective has partnered with the National Arts Council to launch a nationwide “Lantern Festival” aimed at promoting sustainability and community engagement. GlowLight Collective’s CEO, Aisha Patel, explains that the lanterns serve as a visual reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship.

While this section may seem tangential, the Deadline writer deftly connects the trend to the larger narrative of “storytelling through objects,” noting that these lanterns are becoming an iconic backdrop for social media moments—an idea that could translate into future content for platforms like Netflix and HBO.

6. The Bottom Line: Entertainment’s New Playbook

Pulling all of these threads together, the Deadline article underscores a broader trend: the convergence of media, sports, education, and sustainability. Netflix’s gymnastics docuseries illustrates how streaming platforms are increasingly looking beyond traditional narrative content, while HBO’s historical dramas and expanded sports coverage indicate a multi‑platform, multi‑genre strategy.

Paramount’s General Entertainment division signals that even legacy studios are pivoting toward a more holistic approach to content distribution, blending streaming, theatrical releases, and cross‑platform storytelling. The Dune franchise’s expansion demonstrates how a single narrative universe can be leveraged across film, television, and animation to create a sustained revenue stream.

Finally, the lantern trend highlights the importance of tangible, culturally relevant items that can serve as narrative devices—whether in a marketing campaign or as the backdrop for a new docuseries on the art of sustainability.

All in all, the December 2025 Deadline roundup captures an industry in flux—one that is experimenting with new content formats, forming strategic partnerships across different sectors, and increasingly acknowledging the cultural and environmental contexts in which its stories are told. Whether you’re a binge‑watcher, a film buff, a gymnastics fan, or simply a curious observer of pop culture, the article serves as a comprehensive guide to where entertainment is heading—and where it might go next.