Weekend Ratings (8–10/05/2026): Aussies Game-Obsessed As Nine’s The Floor & Seven’s The 1% Club Drive Big Boom
Australian TV audiences gravitated toward game‑show entertainment over the weekend, with Nine’s “The Floor” posting a 1.93 million reach and a 965 000 average audience, while Seven’s “The 1% Club” logged a 1.69 million reach and 901 000 average viewers. Both shows also attracted sizable BVOD audiences, underscoring strong digital catch‑up. In contrast, sport and news programs, though still drawing multi‑million reaches, lagged in primetime viewership. The Floor’s $200 k (≈$132 k USD) prize added a competitive edge that resonated with viewers.
Zenith Reveals Australians Still See Cathy Freeman As A National Treasure
Zenith Australia’s nationally representative study finds 68.7% of adults consider Olympic champion Cathy Freeman a national treasure, the highest recognition among all figures surveyed. Support for Freeman is remarkably uniform across generations, with 61% of Gen Z and over 70% of...
The Trade Desk Study Reveals Flaw In How The Industry Defines Advertising Efficiency
The Trade Desk and PA Consulting released the "Premium Media Payoff" study, showing that ads in premium environments outperform lower‑cost placements on core brand metrics. Premium media delivered 4.3% higher purchase consideration, a 37% lift in purchase intent, a 22%...
Fox Corp (FOXA) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Fox Corp posted $5.18 billion in total revenue for Q3 2026, a modest 2% increase driven by gains in both advertising and distribution. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $692 million as higher digital and sports expenses offset lower entertainment costs, while net income dropped...
United Parks & Resorts Inc (PRKS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
United Parks & Resorts reported Q1 2026 revenue of $278.3 million, down $8.7 million year‑over‑year, driven primarily by a 171,000‑guest attendance decline caused by adverse weather and weaker international travel. Despite lower foot traffic, in‑park per‑capita spending rose 5.3% to a record...
Instagram Eyes Long-Form Content on CTV
Instagram is planning to add long‑form video to its connected‑TV (CTV) app, according to Vice President of Product Tessa Lyons at the Scalable Summit. The move is intended to complement the platform’s short‑form focus and give creators tools for podcasts, live...
Pinterest Updates Ad Relevance
Pinterest has upgraded its ad relevance engine by incorporating users' offline conversion data and real‑time search behavior. The new architecture uses a hybrid serving flow and novel training approach, boosting median relevance by roughly 275‑300% in tests. It also doubled...
Disney Abruptly Cancels Cruise Sailing, Offers Refunds
Disney Cruise Line abruptly canceled a four‑day Singapore Strait sailing of its newest vessel, Disney Adventure, after a mechanical engine failure forced passengers to disembark after one night. The line provided full fare refunds, a complimentary hotel night, $500 in...
Hyundai Motor Sponsors CNN Series
Hyundai Motor is the exclusive sponsor of CNN International’s four‑part series “K‑Everything,” which premiered on May 9 on CNN International, HBO Max and the network’s streaming platform. Hosted by Oscar‑nominated actor Daniel Dae Kim, the series examines the global rise of Korean...
Mario, Michael & Mary Catapult Global Box Office to $2.63bn in April
April’s global box office reached $2.48 billion, the second‑highest April since 2019, driven largely by three titles – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," and the hold‑over Project Hail Mary. International markets (excluding China) supplied $1.6 billion, 62%...
Nintendo Reveals that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Has Sold Another 320,000 Units Since the Beginning of This Year
Nintendo announced that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sold an additional 320,000 copies in Q1 2026, pushing total lifetime sales to 37.76 million units. The title continues to command the full retail price of $59.99 despite the launch of the Switch 2 in June 2025,...
Michael Johnson Jr. Takes Talk PD Helm at iHeart Hartford
iHeartMedia has appointed Michael Johnson Jr. as Program Director for its sports and talk stations in the Hartford and New Haven cluster. He will oversee programming for Fox Sports 97.9, NewsRadio 1410, 960 WELI‑AM and Fox Sports 1300. Johnson comes from Townsquare Media Albany, most...
Devil Wears Prada 2 Propelled to Top of US Box Office for Second Weekend with Help of Mother’s Day
The Devil Wears Prada 2 reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the U.S. box office for its second weekend, pulling in $14.9 million on Saturday and on track for a $41 million weekend. The sequel’s domestic total is nearing $141 million after two weeks, outpacing...
With Netflix New Ad-Free Standard Plan at $20, Streaming's Tipping Point Into Old TV Is Getting Closer
Netflix raised its standard ad‑free plan to $19.99, underscoring a shift toward hybrid subscription‑and‑advertising revenue. The company’s data shows that an ad‑supported subscriber who watches 41 hours a month can generate roughly $25, surpassing the premium price. Ad‑supported tiers now...
Why Meryl Streep Demanded Double Pay of $5M for The Devil Wears Prada, but Settled for $12.5M for Part 2
Meryl Streep revealed she asked for double her $5 million fee on the 2006 hit *The Devil Wears Prada*, underscoring her bargaining power at a career crossroads. For the long‑awaited sequel, she accepted a fixed $12.5 million salary, matching co‑stars Anne Hathaway...
Meet the YouTube Whisperers, a Booming Class of Advisors Behind MrBeast and Other Million-Dollar Channels
YouTube’s creator economy is maturing into a high‑value industry, with the platform now delivering 12.7% of U.S. streaming traffic and having paid out over $100 billion to creators since 2021. A growing class of consultants, exemplified by Paddy Galloway, charge $15,000‑$12,000 per...
Two More Major Streaming Services Are Raising Their Prices Next Month
Starz and AMC+ announced a $1 monthly price increase effective June 8, 2026, raising their standard plans to $11.99 and $10.99 respectively. The hikes join a broader 2026 trend of streaming price adjustments, including Netflix, YouTube Premium, Amazon Prime Video and Paramount Plus....
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The Devil Wears Prada 2 Helps Stabilize Theater Traffic – Placer.ai Blog
The release of *The Devil Wears Prada 2* on May 1, 2026 helped halt a slide in theater foot traffic that had been driven by tough year‑over‑year comparisons to April 2025’s blockbuster slate. April 2026 visits were down YoY after a strong March 2026 that benefited...
KeSPA Reconciles with Esports Foundation to Lead 'ENC 2026' National Team Selection
South Korea’s Korea e‑Sports Association (KeSPA) and the Esports Foundation have reconciled after an April fallout, restoring their partnership for the 2026 Esports Nations Cup (ENC 2026). KeSPA will again lead the national‑team selection and operate under the official title “Team...
Sony Group Bets on AI to Fuel Gaming Evolution, CEO Says
Sony Group President Hiroki Totoki announced that artificial intelligence will be a core driver of the next wave of gaming content, aiming to revitalize the PlayStation ecosystem. The company is deepening its partnership with TSMC to develop next‑generation image sensors...
Television Academy Endorses Post-Production Tax Credit Bill as Assemblyman Nick Schultz Rallies Support in Burbank: ‘We Should Have Done This...
The Television Academy has officially endorsed Assemblyman Nick Schultz’s AB 2319, a bill that would create a 35%‑50% tax credit for post‑production work done in California, even when the principal shoot occurs elsewhere. The legislation aims to reverse a loss of...
How Maury Povich Outlasted the Daytime TV Wars Using This 1 Business Framework
Maury Povich’s daytime talk show survived three decades by building a verification‑first production model that never aired a fabricated guest story. While Jerry Springer leaned on spectacle, Povich treated his set like a newsroom, vetting every participant before they went...
Japanese Retailer Limiting Switch 2 Purchases After Price Increase Announcement
Nintendo announced a price increase for the Switch 2, raising the U.S. price from $449.99 to $499.99 and the Japanese price from ¥49,980 (≈$352) to ¥59,980 (≈$422) effective May 25, 2026. In response, Japan’s Bic Camera now only sells the Switch 2—and even...
Trump Media’s Q1 Loss Widens to $406 Million on Bitcoin, CRO Markdowns
Trump Media & Technology Group posted a $405.9 million net loss for Q1 2026, driven by $244 million in unrealized cryptocurrency losses and a $108.2 million equity write‑down. Revenue barely rose to $871,200, up 6 percent from a year earlier. The company still holds...
‘Mortal Kombat II’ and ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Duel for No. 1 at Summer Box Office
For the first time since February, the summer box office faces a head‑to‑head battle between Warner Bros.’ "Mortal Kombat II" and 20th Century’s "The Devil Wears Prada 2." The fighting‑game sequel led Friday with a $17 million opening, while the...
Trump Media Posts $405 Million Loss Driven by Crypto Holdings
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp reported a first‑quarter 2026 net loss of $405.9 million, primarily due to unrealized cryptocurrency write‑downs. Despite the loss, the company generated positive operating cash flow of $17.9 million. Its balance sheet now lists $2.1 billion in financial...
Reggie Fils-Aimé's Amazon Story Says a Lot About Nintendo
Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils‑Aimé recounted a 2010s incident where Amazon asked Nintendo for deep discounts on Wii and DS consoles. Nintendo refused, citing legality and principle, and stopped selling to Amazon altogether. The anecdote underscores Nintendo’s historic...
Nacon’s Precarious Future Hinges on These New Titles
Nacon, the French publisher owned by Bigben, held its delayed Nacon Connect 2026 showcase while navigating rehabilitation proceedings. The event introduced a slate of ten new games slated for 2026‑2027, including several World of Darkness‑based RPGs and new sports and simulation...
The Legal Fallout From Warner Bros. Shoving Its Pandemic Movies Onto Streaming Is Still Shaking Out
Warner Bros. adopted a pandemic‑era strategy of releasing its 2021 blockbusters, including *Tenet* and *The Matrix Resurrections*, simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. The move sparked a lawsuit from longtime financier Village Roadshow, which argued the streaming window cannibalized...
Maruti Suzuki Extends WPP Media’s Rs 1,200 Crore Media Mandate
Maruti Suzuki India has extended its partnership with WPP Media for another year, retaining a media mandate valued at roughly ₹1,200 crore (about $145 million). The automaker’s FY2025 advertising spend climbed to ₹1,127.5 crore ($136 million) as it leaned on marketing to counter slowing...
JioHotstar, Swiggy Turn Live Cricket Into an In-App Food Court
JioHotstar and Swiggy have rolled out an in‑app food‑ordering feature that lets cricket fans order meals without leaving the live stream, already used by more than 37 million users across 690 cities. The mobile‑only experience lets viewers browse restaurants, unlock match‑triggered offers,...
Target Launches 2-Tier Creator Program: One For Superfans, One For Pros
Target unveiled a two‑tier creator initiative aimed at boosting social commerce. Club Target rewards everyday creators and superfans with weekly challenges and gift‑card incentives, while Target Ambassadors, built on the LTK platform, courts professional creators with higher commissions and deeper...
Roku Adds 15 New Live Free Channels on Roku TVs & Players,- A New Roku Lawsuit – A Popular Sports...
Roku announced the addition of 15 new free live channels to The Roku Channel, expanding its ad‑supported library for TV and player owners. A federal class‑action lawsuit accuses Roku and TCL of releasing software updates that brick smart TVs, seeking...
LALIGA Signs Duracell as Official Partner of Added Time in New Global Deal
Spain’s top football league LALIGA has signed a three‑year global partnership with battery maker Duracell, naming the brand the official partner of added time. The deal will see Duracell’s logo on fourth‑official boards and other touchpoints from the 2026‑27 season...
Adidas Just Dropped Its Best World Cup Ad in 20 Years
Adidas unveiled its new World Cup commercial, “Backyard Legends,” on May 7 via Timothée Chalamet’s Instagram. The five‑minute spot assembles a street‑soccer dream team that includes Trinity Rodman, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Bad Bunny, while Chalamet narrates the quest to dethrone an unbeaten crew...
‘Stars Buy Their Own Tickets Worth Rs 18 Cr on Opening Weekend’: ‘Block Booking’ Hits Tamil Film Industry
The Tamil film industry is now using large‑scale block bookings, with stars and producers purchasing tickets worth roughly ₹18 crore (about $2.2 million) during an opening weekend to fabricate a ₹100 crore ($12 million) box‑office image. Producer Dhananjayan says actors spend up to ₹10 crore...
Amazon MGM Studios Plans Major Berkshire Site Revamp
Amazon MGM Studios announced a major revamp of Bray Studios in Berkshire, adding a multi‑storey car park, six new sound stages, a café, visitor hub, farm shop, and a new roundabout. The company says the redevelopment will support roughly 3,200...
Basketball: Amazon Seeks NBA Fan Expansion in Japan as Views Catch On
Amazon Prime Video has launched an 11‑year exclusive deal to stream NBA games in Japan, marking a shift from Rakuten’s long‑standing broadcast rights. The platform delivered 67 regular‑season games and full playoff coverage this season, with the Spurs‑Thunder matchup drawing...
Sony Is Telling PS4 Players to Upgrade to PS5 Before GTA 6 Launches
Sony has begun emailing and pushing console notifications to PS4 owners, urging them to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 before the launch of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto VI. The game is slated for a November 19 2026 release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with...
Nintendo Preparing "Robust Software Lineup" For Switch 2 to Combat Hardware Price Hike
Nintendo announced a price increase for the Switch 2 across several regions, citing shifting market conditions. President Shuntaro Furukawa emphasized that a "robust software lineup" will be rolled out to reinforce the console’s value proposition. He assured investors that demand for...
Red Hot Chili Peppers Sells Recorded Music Catalog to WMG for Over $300 Million
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold their recorded‑music catalog to Warner Music Group for more than $300 million. The purchase was made through WMG’s $1.2 billion joint venture with Bain Capital, which targets both recorded and publishing rights. The catalog, covering the...
Hollowed Oath Adds Concept Art & Adjusts Pricing on Cosmetic Rewards, as Kickstarter Hits $70k
God Mode Games launched a Kickstarter for the classic‑style MMORPG Hollowed Oath and has now raised $70,000, reaching 70% of its $100,000 target. In response to backer feedback, the team posted concept art for all cosmetic rewards and revised pricing...
Nintendo Announces a Slew of Price Hikes, Beyond Just the Switch 2
Nintendo disclosed 20 price adjustments, including a $50 hike for the Switch 2 in the U.S., Canada and Europe effective Sept. 1, raising the console to $499.99. The company cited ¥100 billion ($638 million) of added component costs, especially memory chips, as “market conditions”...
NewJeans Members and HYBE Sued Over ‘How Sweet’: Songwriters Claim ‘Blatant Copying’
South Korea’s HYBE and its K‑pop act NewJeans have been sued in a U.S. federal court over alleged copying of a demo titled “One of a Kind” in the group’s May 2024 single “How Sweet.” The complaint, filed May 7, claims...
Press Freedom Groups Demand Access to Ellisons’ Paramount Records Amid Reports of White House Favors
Press freedom groups Freedom of the Press Foundation and Reporters Without Borders have sent a formal letter to Paramount Global’s chief legal officer demanding access to the company’s books and records. The request follows reports that CEO David Ellison promised...
Why Brands Need to Treat Creators Like the True Entrepreneurs They Are
The article urges brands to treat influencers as independent entrepreneurs, granting them creative latitude rather than dictating scripts. Data shows creator‑led content delivers 70% higher click‑through rates and 159% more engagement, while 83% of consumers say they’d purchase a product...
‘Mortal Kombat II’ & ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ In Smackdown At Weekend Box Office With $40M-$42M Apiece
The weekend box office is a dead‑heat between New Line’s $40‑$42 million opening of Mortal Kombat II and 20th Century Studios’ Devil Wears Prada 2, which earned a similar $40‑$42 million total. Prada 2 posted a 45‑48% second‑day drop but already surpassed the original’s $326 million worldwide gross, reaching...
Merged Reality: HBO Max & Paramount+ Are Set To Be United, What Does That Mean For Unscripted?
Paramount’s CEO David Ellison announced plans to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service that would exceed 200 million subscribers. Parrot Analytics estimates the combined platform would capture 25.1% of unscripted‑content demand in Q1 2026, outpacing Hulu+Disney+, Netflix and...
Upfronts 2026 Offer An Anxious Industry A Chance To Tune In For A Repeat; Here’s The Lineup & Schedule
The 2026 media upfronts will run May 11‑13 in Manhattan, featuring eight major players such as NBCUniversal, Disney, Amazon, and Netflix. Over three days, advertisers will watch celebrity‑hosted presentations, including Seth Meyers at NBCUniversal and Jimmy Kimmel at Disney. Total upfront spending slipped...
Prime Video Follows Netflix and Disney by Adding a TikTok-Like ‘Clips’ Feed in Its App
Amazon announced a new short‑form video feed called “Clips” within the Prime Video app, debuting in the United States. The vertical, TikTok‑style carousel showcases brief snippets of Prime shows to entice viewers to add titles to their watchlist, share them,...