New York City’s newly appointed entertainment chief has taken stock of a creative industry still struggling to rebound from years of decline, despite broader signs of economic recovery. With film and television production lagging behind other sectors, officials are now assessing how to revitalize the city’s role as a major hub for media and entertainment. The challenge comes as competition from other production centers intensifies, raising questions about how to attract and retain projects. Policymakers and industry leaders will be watching closely to see what steps are taken to reverse the trend.


When Rafael Espinal took office in February as New York City's entertainment chief, he looked around and saw a city that was thriving but had yet to recover from a yearslong slump in film and TV ...