Emulation Arrived on the App Store Two Years Ago – 60m Downloads Later, What’s Changed?
Two years after Apple opened the App Store to emulators, the niche has exploded, generating roughly 60 million downloads across iPhone and iPad. Delta leads with over 26 million installs, while PPSSPP, Manic Emu, RetroArch and Gamma each sit in the low‑single‑digit‑million range. Developers like Riley Testut and Joe Mattiello report strong user demand but minimal direct support from Apple. The upcoming leadership change to John Ternus could reshape Apple’s developer policies and tooling for emulation apps.
A New Standard For Transparency In CTV: What Advertisers Should Expect
The 2026 CTV/OTT advertiser survey shows a decisive shift toward transparency as a non‑negotiable entry requirement. Ninety‑two percent of advertisers say inventory quality and transparency are critical, while 90% demand clear reporting and 88% expect upfront pricing. Advertisers now link transparency directly...
TV Becomes a Growth Channel for Commerce
The Circana report shows TV is shifting from a passive reach channel to an interactive commerce platform as 75% of U.S. households subscribe to ad‑supported streaming services. Connected TV now delivers a 15% higher return on ad spend than linear...
Hong Kong Disneyland Records 36% Drop in Profit Despite Higher Hotel Occupancy, Guest Spending
Hong Kong Disneyland reported a 36% drop in net profit for the 2024‑25 fiscal year, earning HK$536 million (≈$69 million) versus HK$838 million (≈$107 million) a year earlier. Attendance slipped slightly to 7.5 million visitors, but hotel occupancy improved to 80% and per‑guest spending rose...
Tet Launches Latvian-Only TV Channel
Latvian tech and entertainment firm Tet has launched Tet+ Classic, the first TV channel in Latvia to air a schedule composed entirely of domestic programming. The lineup blends Tet’s original series such as "Kīlnieki" and "Nelūgtie viesi" with classic Latvian...
Chad Doerge, New President and Deputy CEO of Round Hill, Is a Dealmaker to Watch
Chad Doerge, a veteran of three decades on Wall Street, has been appointed president and deputy CEO of Round Hill Music. The firm, a leading music‑rights investor, controls iconic catalogs featuring George Harrison, Elvis Presley, Black Sabbath and Madonna. Doerge’s...
GUEST COLUMN: Why Film Libraries & IPs Are the New Engines of Growth
The Indian media landscape is moving from a box‑office‑centric model to a lifecycle‑driven approach where film libraries and intellectual properties (IPs) generate long‑term revenue. Legacy titles are being repackaged for YouTube, OTT services, FAST channels and international syndication, extending their...
Animmoov Partners with PubMatic for APAC Digital Advertising Push
Animmoov has teamed up with PubMatic to expand its AI‑driven creative suite across the Asia‑Pacific digital advertising ecosystem. The partnership integrates Animmoov’s interactive rich‑media, dynamic creative optimisation and measurement tools with PubMatic’s premium inventory on CTV, OTT, mobile and desktop....
Tele Columbus Opens Smart Infoscreen Platform to Third-Party Operators
German cable operator Tele Columbus is extending its PŸUR Smart Infoscreen, a fire‑rated, vandal‑resistant digital notice board, to third‑party network operators through a white‑label partnership. The platform, already installed in more than 6,000 residential buildings, enables landlords to push real‑time...
Advertisers Set to Double Down on Audio Spend
A new Campaign research survey of 1,000 European agencies and advertisers reveals that audio advertising spend is set to rise sharply in the coming year. Respondents indicated plans to increase budgets for podcasts, streaming platforms, and digital radio, with many...
The Gulf Is at the Forefront of a Media Revolution
The Gulf region is emerging as the epicenter of a media revolution driven by AI, livestreaming, and a youthful, hyper‑connected audience. Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros., financed by Emirati, Qatari and Saudi sovereign wealth, underscores Gulf investors’ intent to shape global...
EAA Rebrands to Arenas Europe
The European Arenas Association has rebranded as Arenas Europe, unveiling a new logo and a broader strategic focus. Three prominent venues—Inapli Arena in Turin, MVM Dome in Budapest, and Velomax in Berlin—have joined, bringing the network to 46 arenas across...
The Ankler Ditches Substack to Fly Solo
The Ankler, a Hollywood‑focused B2B publisher with about 150,000 paid subscribers, has left Substack and launched its own website powered by Automattic’s Passport paywall. The move lets the company keep roughly $10 million in annual revenue without the platform’s 10% cut...
Libsyn Drops the Velvet Rope on Video Podcasting
Libsyn has lifted its video‑podcasting restrictions, allowing every creator on its platform to publish, distribute, and monetize video episodes without a waitlist or tier limits. Users can now push video content to major outlets such as Spotify and YouTube from...
Spotify’s Ad Slump Raises a Bigger Question Than You Think
Spotify’s shares tumbled about 13% after the company issued cautious Q1 2026 guidance, highlighting a second‑quarter decline in ad revenue. While premium subscriber numbers rose 9% year‑over‑year to 293 million, growth is decelerating, raising concerns about future revenue mix. The stock now...
New Disney Boss Is Tested by Trump and His Administration
Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s chief executive since February, is confronting a cascade of crises. A $1 billion OpenAI partnership fell apart, a major video‑game collaboration stalled, and ABC’s "The Bachelorette" collapsed amid scandal. The new CEO also announced marketing layoffs and now...
CaratLane Rolls Out Mother’s Day Campaign with Yami Gautam Dhar
CaratLane has launched a Mother’s Day campaign featuring Bollywood actress Yami Gautam Dhar, introducing a dual‑gifting concept that encourages customers to buy a diamond for their mother and one for themselves. The brand’s video ads debuted during the Indian Premier League,...
Havells India and WPP Media Launch ‘Havells mYOUsic’ to Discover and Nurture Grassroots Musical Talent in India
Havells India has teamed with WPP Media to launch Havells mYOUsic, a talent‑development platform targeting grassroots musicians across the country. The initiative will run bootcamps covering songwriting, composition, copyright and publishing, with a goal of releasing 25 original tracks within the...
Bauer Unveils Study on Attitudes to Audio Advertising
Bauer Media Audio’s Sound Check Europe 2026 study, based on over 1,000 senior decision‑makers across nine markets, finds audio now sits at the core of most advertisers’ strategies. Eighty‑six percent say audio is central, and 96 % expect their audio budgets...
BackLite Media Reveals Study on Emotional Impact of Premium Out-of-Home
BackLite Media, in partnership with Publicis Media Luxe and Nielsen, released a study measuring emotional impact and brand‑lift of premium out‑of‑home (OOH) advertising on its Dubai Gateway digital landmark. The research, focused on a luxury jewellery campaign, found 80% recall...
Beyond the Screen: How AI, VR and Gamification Are Defining the Next Generation of Play
The gaming sector is moving from single‑purchase AAA titles to persistent live‑service ecosystems, driven by rising development costs and AI‑powered production tools. Generative AI enables smaller studios to create larger worlds faster, while also raising IP and labor concerns that...
Dhar Mann Bets on Speed Dating to Fix Creator-Brand Matchmaking
Dhar Mann Studios launched a creator‑brand speed‑dating event in Los Angeles, pairing more than 50 influencers with marketers during its Creator Economy Summit. The participating creators collectively command over 650 million followers, spanning emerging talent and established names like Jordan Matter and Jena Frumes. The...
Bestads Best of the Week Reviewed by Lisa Fedyszyn, CCO, Special, New Zealand
Campaign Brief’s Bestads weekly roundup, judged by New Zealand CCO Lisa Fedyszyn, highlighted standout work across TV, print, outdoor and interactive media. The TV category crowned Consejo Profesional de Agrimensores’ humorous "Study Surveying" spot, while Volkswagen’s visceral print piece "Eyes Where You...
WPP CFO Says The Trade Desk Operates in a Smaller Slice of the Ad Market
WPP’s chief financial officer, Joanne Wilson, told analysts that The Trade Desk operates in a relatively small, long‑tail portion of the advertising market, the open internet. WPP’s 2023 spend with The Trade Desk was about $1.1 billion, compared with $1.4 billion on...
‘That Is an Objective’: Omnicom Tests AI Agents to Cut Out the Ad Tech Middlemen
Omnicom Group has begun using autonomous AI agents to purchase media inventory directly from publishers, bypassing traditional demand‑side and supply‑side platforms. The company reported live client buys through its agent‑to‑agent framework during its Q1 2026 earnings call, citing the Ad...
‘The Bridge Between Intuition and ROI’: The M&A Race to Own Advertising’s Last Unmeasured Lever
The advertising sector is witnessing an M&A wave focused on creative intelligence – the data and AI layer that pre‑tests and predicts creative performance. Recent deals include Havas acquiring Ctrl Digital, Publicis Groupe paying roughly $100 million for AdgeAI, and Brave...
Nexus and Valofe Launch Mobile MMORPG 'Chaos W'
Nexus and Valofe have launched "Chaos W," a mobile MMORPG available in a domestic version and a blockchain‑enabled global version. The global edition runs on the CROSS platform, using the Red Diamond token with a capped supply of 1 billion to create...
Bhoot Bangla Box Office Collection Day 12 Live Updates: Akshay Kumar Film Sees 19.2% Growth, Rolls Out Buy 1 Get...
Akshay Kumar’s horror‑comedy *Bhoot Bangla* posted a net collection of ₹4.35 crore (~$524 k) on Day 12, marking a 19.2% rise from the previous day. The film’s worldwide gross now stands at ₹195.25 crore (~$23.5 million), with overseas earnings of ₹51 crore (~$6.1 million). A Buy‑One‑Get‑One ticket...
Is 'Diable' Nam Dae-Geun Leaving BFX? Trade to Another Team Likely
BNK FearX demoted AD carry ‘Diable’ Nam Dae‑geun to its second‑team roster after he missed a fan meeting, sparking controversy. Insider reports indicate a mid‑tier LCK club is negotiating a trade, with the LCK’s transfer window closing on April 30. If...
Disney’s New CEO Decides to Keep ESPN After Looking At Spinning It Off Into Its Own Company
Disney announced that it will retain full ownership of ESPN, shelving earlier speculation about a spin‑off. The decision, made by new CEO Josh D’Amaro, aligns the sports network with Disney’s broader streaming push, integrating ESPN into Disney+, Hulu and its...
Verimatrix Q1: “Anti-Piracy Business Held up Well”
Verimatrix reported Q1 2026 anti‑piracy revenue of $10.3 million, a modest 1% increase year‑over‑year. Subscription revenue grew 4% to $3.8 million, while overall recurring revenue slipped 4% to $7.1 million as the company transitions away from licensing. The quarter saw new contracts with an...
Report: UK the World’s Third-Largest D2D Market in March
Virgin Media O2’s February launch of O2 Satellite propelled the United Kingdom into the global spotlight, making it the world’s third‑largest direct‑to‑device (D2D) market by unique‑user count as of March 2026. The UK trails only the United States and Australia in...
Jimi Hendrix Bandmates’ Heirs Lose U.K. Royalties Fight Against Sony Music, Hendrix Estate
A London High Court judge ruled that the 1966 recording agreement signed by Jimi Hendrix, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell gave producers worldwide copyright ownership, denying the heirs’ claim to royalties. The court affirmed that the Hendrix estate,...
Huace and Utopai Studios Partner on Long-Form AI-Driven Content Creation
Huace Film & TV Co., one of China’s largest content producers, has signed a partnership with U.S.-based Utopai Studios to embed its PAI cinematic storytelling AI across the company’s long‑form production pipeline. The agreement features a sizable annual usage commitment...
Nine Leads Q1 Ratings as Cross-Platform Audiences Grow
Nine Entertainment posted strong Q1 2026 audience growth across its broadcast, BVOD and streaming assets, securing the No. 1 metro rating for total people and key demographics. The 9Network captured a 55% share of prime‑time minutes among 16‑39‑year‑olds, while 9Now matched...
‘News to Me’: SRN CEO Shuts Down Chris Smith Claims They’re Returning to Ratings
Super Radio Network CEO Graham Mott denied on‑air host Chris Smith's claim that Sydney station 2SM will re‑enter the GfK radio ratings in 2027, saying no decisions have been made and the comment was "news to me." 2SM has operated...
Coca-Cola Inks Multi-Year NRL Deal
Coca‑Cola Australia has signed a three‑year partnership with the National Rugby League and its women’s competition, becoming the official non‑alcoholic ready‑to‑drink partner. The deal places the brand across broadcast, retail and live‑event touchpoints, including State of Origin, the Finals Series...
Mediaalpha Inc (MAX) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
MediaAlpha (MAX) posted record Q1 2026 results, delivering $310 million revenue and $31.4 million adjusted EBITDA, both above the high end of guidance. The growth was driven by a favorable mix shift toward higher‑margin open‑marketplace transactions and broader carrier participation, with core...
Paramount’s FCC Petition
Paramount Skydance has filed a petition with the FCC to approve foreign investment that will fund its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal would give Middle‑East sovereign wealth funds a 49.5% non‑voting equity stake while the Ellison family...
Scottish Game Development Studio 8BitSkull Partners with Defold
Scottish indie studio 8BitSkull has signed a corporate partnership with the Defold Foundation, committing to co‑develop new features for the Defold game engine. The collaboration will focus on performance upgrades and desktop‑specific functionality that 8BitSkull will use in upcoming titles...
Star Wars Artwork Coming to Samsung TVs
Samsung announced eight new Star Wars artworks will join its Samsung Art Store, timed for Star Wars Day on May 4. The collection, created with Disney, adds iconic scenes—from Yoda’s lightsaber duel to C‑3PO and R2‑D2 at Jabba’s palace—to the existing Disney lineup....
Sweden: Limited Impact From Spotify on Audiobook Market
In the first quarter of 2026, roughly 15 percent of Swedes aged 15‑74—about 1.2 million people—listened to audiobooks each day, according to Mediavision. Fewer than 70,000 of those listeners used Spotify as their sole audiobook source, showing the platform’s modest reach. Audiobooks...
Televisa-Univision Faces Pressure From Sports on Rival Networks
Televisa‑Univision posted Q1 revenue of $1.075 billion, a 5% increase year‑over‑year, helped by a 13% rise in Mexican advertising. U.S. ad sales slipped 12% to $310 million, pulling overall ad revenue down 3% to $546 million. Subscription and distribution fees offset some weakness,...
FCC Orders a Review of ABC’s Licenses Amid Feud Between Trump and Kimmel
The Federal Communications Commission ordered a comprehensive review of all broadcast licenses owned by ABC, marking an unprecedented regulatory move. The review is officially linked to an investigation of ABC's diversity and inclusion policies but coincides with President Trump’s public...
Canadian Media and Advertising Sector Contributed $22.6B to GDP in 2024: Report
The Canadian media and advertising sector generated roughly $16.5 billion USD in GDP in 2024, supporting 193,120 jobs. However, digital ad revenue is plummeting as 94% of spend now goes to foreign platforms, siphoning an estimated $8.2 billion USD from the domestic...
Meta Updates Transparency Rules for Third-Party Ad Platforms
Meta announced updated developer policies that tighten ad‑spending transparency for third‑party platforms. The new rules require ad‑buying tools to break out Meta’s fees from the platform’s service charge, and to provide full campaign configuration and post‑campaign reporting. Advertisers must keep...
FCC Orders Early Renewal of Bridge News Stations
The Federal Communications Commission ordered low‑power broadcaster Bridge News to renew its TV station licenses ahead of schedule, citing an investigation into alleged unauthorized transfers of control. Bridge News, which operates stations formerly affiliated with the defunct NewsNet, must comply...
Charlize Theron Hits Netflix’s ‘Apex’ With 38.2 Million Views
Netflix’s new mountaineering action film *Apex*, starring Charlize Theron, recorded 38.2 million global views for the week ending April 26, making it the platform’s top‑performing English‑language movie. The thriller pits Theron’s bereaved climber against a serial‑killer antagonist played by Taron Egerton. Theron’s...
Omnicom and iHeartMedia Put Numbers on Audio’s Ad Gap
Omnicom Media and iHeartMedia released a study of 3,500 U.S. adults that quantifies the advertising shortfall in audio, which commands roughly one‑third of daily media consumption. The research found audio ads generate a 22‑point lift in unaided recall and significant...
ESPN Locks In Wall-to-Wall Lacrosse Coverage for 2026 PLL & WLL Season
ESPN will stream every 2026 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) game on its app, while airing select marquee matchups on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. The five‑year rights deal, signed last year, also gives ESPN a minority...