MusicBird Acquires Catalog of Supertramp Bassist Dougie Thomson
MusicBird, a digital platform for music royalty investments, announced the acquisition of the master royalty income from Dougie Thomson’s recordings with Supertramp. The deal covers iconic tracks such as “Goodbye Stranger” and “Give a Little Bit,” granting MusicBird rights to future streaming and licensing revenues. This purchase expands MusicBird’s catalog of classic‑rock assets, positioning it for broader investor appeal. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed publicly.
EXCLUSIVE: Sameer Anjaan Says He Founded Aumora Music Due to “Deterioration” Of Film Music Currently: “In a Lot of Films,...
Samarya Creations, India’s first multi‑IP content house, has launched Aumora Music, an independent, artist‑first label co‑founded by Guinness World Record‑holding lyricist Sameer Anjaan. Anjaan says the quality of Bollywood film music is deteriorating, with most songs reduced to background filler,...
Gistvox Declares War on Synthetic Noise With New Web Audio Studio
Gistvox launched a web audio studio, letting users record, edit, and publish two‑minute human‑only audio posts called Gists from any browser. The tool syncs with its iOS and Android apps, offering folder organization and cross‑platform parity. The platform enforces a...
Displayce Powers Ubisoft’s Multi-Country DOOH Campaign for Just Dance 2026
Ubisoft teamed with Displayce, Artefact and VIOOH to launch a programmatic digital‑out‑of‑home (DOOH) campaign for Just Dance 2026 across the UK, France, Germany and Australia. The effort ran on 179 premium screens—86% in shopping malls—targeting families within 0.5‑1 km of key retailers such...
Beta Film Partners with Enteractive for Global Content Management
Enteractive, a Splendid Group company, has entered a strategic partnership with German distributor Beta Film to provide end‑to‑end content management for the latter’s extensive international library. All ingest, archiving, packaging, metadata, editing, subtitling and reporting services will be delivered through...
UKIE: UK Games Market Reaches £8.7bn in 2025
The Entertainment Software Association unveiled iicon, a three‑day conference in Las Vegas from April 27‑29, marking its first major event since the E3 shutdown. EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson and Take Two’s Strauss Zelnick will open the agenda, followed by leaders from Ubisoft,...
The Music Industry Has Long Prioritized Creative Output over Operational Foundations. AI Does Not Alter that Imbalance; It Exposes It.
The music industry’s long‑standing emphasis on creative output is being upended by AI’s operational impact. Companies are deploying machine‑learning to improve forecasting, inventory management, royalty anomaly detection, and media‑mix modeling, mirroring advances in banking, retail, and travel. Over the past...
Bundesliga Production Onside for Scalable IP Transport with VIDI and Media Links
VIDI has upgraded broadcast infrastructure across 36 Bundesliga stadiums, delivering a unified IP media network that supports higher volumes of live baseband and IP services. The Media Links Xscend Platform was integrated with VIDI’s Network Managing System, providing centralized control...
Warner Music’s Spinnin’ Records Launches New Label in Germany
Warner Music has launched Spinnin’ Records Germany, extending its flagship dance label into the German, Swiss and Austrian markets. The new imprint debuts with the high‑profile single “Awake Tonight” by Afrojack, David Guetta and Sia, signaling a strong start. The move...
![[Event News] Games Growth Summit Adds to Speaker Line-Up with Two More Veterans](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/GGS-NEW-2026-A-PLUG-1-1.png)
[Event News] Games Growth Summit Adds to Speaker Line-Up with Two More Veterans
The Games Growth Summit has added two veteran industry leaders to its speaker roster: Ann Hurley, founder of Edge & Ethos, and Gina Jackson OBE, co‑founder of Pitchify. Hurley will speak on strategic growth, emphasizing predictability and resilience over sheer...
Toilet Rolls Star in Recycling Wrap TV Ad Funded by Sky
Wrap, a global environmental action group, launched the "Rescue Me, Recycle" TV campaign on Sky channels, funded by a £200,000 ($255,000) grant from Sky’s Zero Footprint Fund. The ad personifies everyday items like toilet‑roll tubes to tackle the confidence gap...
Switzerland’s MusicBird Acquires Catalog of Supertramp Bassist Dougie Thomson
Switzerland‑based MusicBird announced the acquisition of master royalty income from Dougie Thomson’s recordings with Supertramp, covering hits such as “Goodbye Stranger” and “Breakfast in America.” Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal adds a classic 1970s‑80s rock catalog to...
São Paulo Court Shuts Streaming Fraud Site in Latest Ruling Under Brazil’s Operation Authêntica Initiative
A São Paulo civil court ordered the permanent and dynamic blocking of www.boomdeseguidores.com.br, a site that sold artificial plays on Spotify, SoundCloud and YouTube Music along with fake social‑media engagement. The decision marks the third ruling under Brazil’s Operation Authêntica,...
Sport1 Extends DTT Distribution in Germany Until 2030
German broadcaster Sport1 has renewed its distribution agreement with Media Broadcast, keeping its HD channel on the Freenet TV DVB‑T2 platform through December 31 2030. The extension guarantees Sport1 HD remains available via digital terrestrial television to subscription‑based viewers across Germany. It...
What People Watch: Reach
Barb’s latest data shows YouTube’s monthly reach can appear larger than the BBC depending on the definition used. Using the industry‑standard 3‑minute threshold, YouTube topped the BBC on TV sets in Q4 2025, but the BBC reclaimed the lead when the...
DPP: AI Is the Dominant Driver of Transformation in the European Media Industry
The DPP’s European Media Trends 2026 report finds artificial intelligence now the primary catalyst reshaping Europe’s media sector. Survey data from 11 markets shows global streaming platforms leading the shift, while AI‑assisted development is prompting broadcasters to build more in‑house...
Analysis: Movies Carry Fewer Ads than Series on Streamers
Ampere Analysis’s new Streaming Advertising Analytics shows movies carry significantly fewer ads than TV series on U.S. streaming platforms. Movies average about three minutes of ads per hour, while series exceed five minutes, with ad breaks roughly every 36 minutes...
The Ultimate Do-Nothing Side Hustle: Selling Courses
The online course market is booming, with the global digital education sector projected to reach $134 billion by 2030. Low barriers to entry let anyone—from seasoned creators to novices—package and sell instructional content on platforms such as Kajabi, Squarespace, and Beehiiv....
Data: PSB Funding Decrease Greater in France than EU Average
A consulting study using EBU data finds public‑service broadcasting (PSB) funding across 45 European nations fell from 0.18 % to 0.14 % of GDP between 2014 and 2024, an 8.6 % revenue drop. France experienced a sharper decline of 9.9 %, with its per‑capita...
BBC R&D, Rai, Jünger Audio Help EBU Drive Adoption of Object-Based Audio
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched the Audio Definition Model Implementers Group (ADM‑IG) to accelerate the deployment of Audio Definition Model (ADM) and Serial ADM across broadcast workflows. The consortium brings together broadcasters BBC R&D, Rai, BR/ARD and technology...
The Newest Character on Netflix’s Running Point? Jake From State Farm
State Farm’s long‑running mascot Jake made a high‑profile appearance at the 2025 NBA Draft, stepping onto the red carpet, joining the anchors’ desk and appearing on the Jumbotron. The cameo underscores a growing trend of advertising characters moving into live‑event...
Freely Opens New Revenue Stream for CTV OS Partners with Spotlight Channels
Freely, the free‑to‑air TV guide owned by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5, will roll out "Spotlight Channels" later this year, allocating channel 31 and channels 90‑99 to CTV operating‑system partners. V, the company behind the VIDAA OS used on Hisense smart TVs, is...
NAB 2026, Via LA, and the Future of NDI|HX
NAB 2026 highlighted the growing tension between NDI|HX’s low‑bandwidth 4K delivery and new licensing costs introduced by the Via Licensing Alliance (Via LA). Via LA replaced its flat $100,000 annual cap with a tiered structure that can reach $4.5 million for the biggest...
Set Designers Weigh the Real Cost of News Networks Looking Like Podcasts
CNN has revamped the sets of Anderson Cooper 360 and The Lead, moving them from polished studios to a newsroom backdrop that mimics a podcast vibe. The redesign features exposed microphones, a large Middle‑East image backdrop, and a more casual dress code for...
Audio Ads Are Coming to 6,000 More Dollar General Stores
Dollar General is expanding its in‑store audio advertising network, partnering with retail ad‑tech firm Qsic to equip an additional 6,000 locations. The rollout will bring audio ads to 12,000 stores—about half of the retailer’s 21,000‑store footprint—by the end of Q2....
ADWEEK Agencies Advantage: Publicis Groupe Takes a Major Shot to Grab Sports Spend
Live sports remains the only mass‑media format where audiences gather in real time, giving brands a rare chance at cultural relevance at scale. Ad buyers now expect sports to account for roughly 60% of their upfront media spend, up from...
Possible Wants to Be Davos for Adland
Possible, the Miami‑based media and marketing conference that debuted with an Elon Musk keynote in 2023, is entering its fourth year with a larger footprint and a fresh YouTube partnership. Attendance is expected to reach about 6,800, a 25% increase...
Stereo Creative Appointed as BOUNCE’s Agency of Record to Launch New Campaign
Stereo Creative has been named the agency‑of‑record for BOUNCE, the global trampoline and freestyle playground brand, to spearhead a new campaign tied to the launch of a Riyadh venue. The Dubai office will drive the experience‑led effort, blending physical and...
Rethinking European Music Exports: It’s Not Just About Copying South Korea
K‑Pop became the world’s fourth‑largest music exporter in 2025, trailing only the US, UK and Canada. South Korea’s rise stems from a coordinated blend of long‑term public policy, industry‑led training pipelines and export‑focused infrastructure, rather than heavy‑handed state direction. European...
Why CTV Is Becoming The First Real Test Of Agentic Advertising
Connected TV (CTV) ad inventory is expanding rapidly, but its highly customized deals clash with traditional real‑time bidding (RTB) workflows. Publishers must juggle premium placements, audience targeting, and guaranteed delivery across disparate systems, creating friction, slower cycles, and missed revenue....
Creator Scandals Have Turned Morality Clauses Into Brands’ Go-To Exit Strategy
Morality clauses embedded in influencer contracts are increasingly the go‑to exit strategy for brands when creators become controversial. Recent incidents—Edie Parker dropping Amanda Batula and ABC canceling a Bachelorette season—show brands invoking vague morality language to terminate partnerships without court...
‘Fear of Believing You’re Irrelevant’: Economic Headwinds, Global Tensions Won’t Keep Marketers From Cannes Lions
Marketers are still committing to Cannes Lions despite soaring travel costs, with round‑trip flights from U.S. hubs now ranging from $2,000 to over $20,000. The ongoing Iran conflict has pushed oil and gasoline prices higher, raising concerns that a prolonged...
‘I’m Playing the Long Game’: Journalists Are Striking Out Alone and Discovering the Business Is Toughest Beat of All
Independent journalists are finally finding a viable business model as platforms, audiences, and distribution infrastructure mature, but many still lack business fluency. CNTI research shows only three of 26 indie info providers fully fund their lifestyle, while half cannot cover...
With the World Cup Around the Corner, Media Buyers Expect Streaming Prices to Soar
Marketers are rolling out World Cup campaigns, highlighted by Unilever’s Rexona ad starring top soccer stars, while media agencies brace for a steep rise in streaming ad prices. In the U.S., Fox and Telemundo have set minimum spends of $5 million...
Sol De Janeiro’s Director of Global Influence on the Rise of ‘Non-Followers’ and the New Rules of Social Engagement
Sol de Janeiro’s new director of global influence, Avrielle Cortes, says the brand is shifting from a TikTok‑centric strategy to a fragmented, multi‑platform approach. She highlights the rise of “non‑followers” – viewers reached through algorithmic feeds – as a key...
Creator Content Has Become Critical for Retail Media Networks
Retail media networks are weaving creator‑led content into brand campaigns, leveraging sales data to pinpoint influencers with the highest conversion potential. Walmart Connect has expanded its Omnicom partnership to include Meta insights, while Best Buy will run seasonal YouTube spots with...
Survey: Brits Increasingly More Open to Ads for Cheaper Streaming
A Bango survey of 1,500 UK consumers shows 42% would tolerate twice as many ads on streaming services if it lowered their monthly bill, with the figure rising to 50% among Millennials and 44% among Gen Z. Britons now pay...
‘Doesn’t Have the Financial Resources’: Media Analyst Warns Nine About Keeping NRL Rights
Morningstar analyst Brian Han warned Nine Entertainment that its upcoming NRL rights renewal could strain finances as the current deal expires after the 2027 grand final. He highlighted Nine's shrinking market cap—down to roughly $1.6 billion from $4.96 billion in 2021—and a...
The Advertising Industry Has a Producer Problem. And AI Just Made It Worse.
The Australian advertising sector is confronting a producer shortage that AI has amplified. Mass redundancies, shrinking margins and a wave of AI‑generated content have exposed a skills gap, especially as agencies grapple with $50k AUD (≈$33k USD) triple‑bid jobs. In‑house...
Activist Group Urges Advertisers To Cut Support For Kyle Sandilands, Calls On Seven To End Australian Idol Contract
Activist group Mad F***ing Witches (MFW) has launched a fresh campaign urging advertisers to withdraw support from Kyle Sandilands and press Seven Network to end his contract on Australian Idol. Sandilands, returning as a judge for the 2026 season, remains under...
People
Vyve Broadband is set to merge with Cable One as the larger provider expands its footprint. President and CEO Andy Parrott announced his departure after seven years, timing his exit with the pending integration. Vyve named COO Melanie Hannasch and...
Hub Research Finds AI Poised to Help CTV, Aggregation
Hub Entertainment Research’s latest Connected Home study shows Roku dominates the CTV operating‑system market with a 55% share, outpacing Samsung, Amazon Fire TV and others. The survey also reveals strong consumer appetite for AI‑powered tools on televisions, with 61% expressing...
Hollywood Letter Opposes PSKY-WBD Deal
Hollywood’s top talent rallied behind an open letter of more than 1,000 signatures to block the proposed $110 billion merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. The signatories argue the deal would deepen media concentration, cut jobs, raise costs and shrink...
Sling TV’s New Essentials Plan
Sling TV introduced a new $19.99/month Essentials bundle that includes Disney’s ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel and Freeform plus several niche networks. The bundle can be combined with Sling Select for $34.99/month, adding Fox News, FS1, NFL Network and Nat Geo....
MS Now Expands Journalism Initiatives
MS Now announced new journalism partnerships with the Pulitzer Center, the Marshall Project, and an expanded collaboration with States Newsroom. The initiatives will fund local, nonprofit and independent reporters to produce accountability and investigative stories on national, immigration, and state‑level...
Seven Ramps up Glasgow 2026 Coverage with 800+ Hours Across Platforms
Seven Network is expanding its role as the official Australian media partner for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, committing more than 800 hours of content across broadcast, streaming and audio platforms. The plan includes 150 hours of linear TV, over...
X Boosts Incentives for Original Content Creators
X announced a revamp of its creator revenue‑share program to prioritize original content. The company will cut aggregator payouts to 60% for the current cycle and plans a further 20% reduction in the next cycle. New detection tools will allocate...
'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' And 'Project Hail Mary' Combine for Best Box Office in 7 Years
Super Mario Galaxy Movie has become the year’s top‑grossing film, pulling in $629 million worldwide and is projected to surpass $1 billion. Following closely, Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary earned over $510 million in its first four weeks, making it the second‑highest earner...
10 Brings New Chat Show THE CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN SHOW Down Under
Australian Network 10 has acquired the UK chat‑show The Claudia Winkleman Show for local broadcast. The series will debut Thursday 16 April at 8:30 pm, following Gogglebox Australia, and occupies the slot previously held by The Graham Norton Show. Produced by So...
Weekend Box Office: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Soars to $300 Million
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued its box‑office dominance this weekend, adding $69 million for a 12‑day domestic total of $308 million and pushing its worldwide gross past $628 million. The film’s second‑weekend drop of 47% still leaves it on track for a...