A new project from Hearst Networks and Particle6 shows how fast AI is moving into TV. Hearst has ordered a ten-episode history show that uses AI to place Dutch historian Corjan Mol into scenes from past events. The show will air in early 2026 on The History Channel in the Netherlands. Particle6 will use AI to build scenes from art and old photos. Each short episode will begin in a modern setting, then shift to a view of the same place in a past time. The idea is to mix live footage with AI in a way that is clear to the viewer.
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This move follows a year of tension in the field. Particle6 drew wide pushback in 2025 when it built an AI actor called Tilly Norwood. Actor unions in the U.S., Canada, and the UK said the tool used work from real actors without their consent. They also claimed the tool may harm paid work for humans. Yet the firm said the tool is an art form and not a stand-in for real talent. While the debate keeps going, major media firms still test AI to cut time and cost in set work, props, and scenes.
Impact on Chip and AI Firms
This shift in TV work is closely linked to chip and AI firms. AI video tools need strong chips and loads of computing time. As a result, more use of AI in film and TV points to more demand for the top chip makers. Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) both sell chips that run these AI tasks at scale. In the same way, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) makes the high-end parts these tasks need. The trend also helps Super Micro Computer (SMCI), which builds server gear used in AI labs. Since each AI scene can take a large amount of power to create, more projects can mean more sales for these firms.
At the same time, cloud firms will also see gains. Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Amazon (AMZN) rent out cloud tools that run large AI video models. As more studios test AI, more work moves to these cloud sites. This trend helps lock in long-term clients who want to test new tools in a low-risk way. It also helps keep growth steady in a year when many firms look to trim costs in other parts of the tech stack.
Impact on Media Firms
Let’s not forget that all the entertainment firms also see change from the rise of AI scenes. Large firms like Comcast (CMCSA), Walt Disney (DIS), Paramount-Skydance (PSKY), and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) may utilize AI to reduce expenditures on sets and props. Yet they must also deal with strict rules from actor unions. As a result, many firms take a slow path with AI in the U.S. and a faster path in global markets. This split may shape how fast AI can move from small tests into full shows.
All in all, the new Hearst project provides a clear glimpse into how AI may integrate into TV over the next year. Chip and cloud firms may see more demand. Media firms may see new ways to cut costs. Yet the field still must solve rules around how these tools use past work by real people.
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