Media Buying Briefing: What Will Meta’s and YouTube’s Legal Losses Mean for the Marketplace?
In late March courts in New Mexico and California held Meta and YouTube liable for using addictive tactics that harm young users, issuing $375 million and $6 million verdicts respectively. While the monetary penalties are modest for the platforms, the rulings provide a legal template that could inspire a cascade of state‑by‑state lawsuits. Executives interviewed say advertisers have not yet cut spend on either platform and expect only minimal medium‑term market impact. However, lawyers warn that repeated victories may force design overhauls and stricter compliance measures.
Pinterest Bets Measurement and SMBs Will Boost Performance Revenue
Pinterest has reorganized its monetization team, appointing Vik Gupta as VP and GM of Monetization and Sumanth Jagannath as VP of Measurement. The duo will fuse product, engineering and data‑science functions to tighten ad measurement and attribution, targeting greater spend...
Monster & Bear Unveils New Leadership Team as Co-Founder Sarah Hickey Goes Full-Time Directing
Melbourne‑based production studio Monster & Bear announced that co‑founder Sarah Hickey will exit day‑to‑day leadership to pursue full‑time directing, beginning with Gristmill Productions’ *Little Lunch* Season 2 in May 2026. The company introduced a refreshed leadership team, appointing Samantha Haines as Head...
Magic Light Pictures Launches Stirling Animation Studio
Magic Light Pictures has created Stirling Animation Studio (SAS) by acquiring the assets of the insolvent Wild Child Animation, ensuring continuity for its preschool series Zog. The wholly‑owned studio will complete all 52 episodes for the BBC, ZDF and Creative...
2026 Young Lions Australia Winners Announced
Advertising Council Australia announced the five winners of the 2026 Young Lions Competition, who will represent the nation at Cannes Lions in June. The teams earned top spots in film, digital, PR, media and marketing by pitching creative solutions for...
FCC OKs Cox Media-WJAX Deal
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Cox Media Group’s purchase of Hoffman Communications’ CBS affiliate WJAX in Jacksonville. Cox will assume the station’s debt and pay approximately $175,000 to Hoffman, creating a duopoly with its existing Fox/MyNetwork/Telemundo outlet WFOX. DirecTV...
Judge Pauses T-Mobile’s ‘Save Over $1,000’ Campaign
A U.S. District Court judge granted Verizon's request for a preliminary injunction, halting T‑Mobile's "Save Over $1,000" advertising campaign. Verizon alleges the ads falsely claim customers can save more than $1,000 annually by switching from its Unlimited Ultimate Plan to...
FCC Cable Rate Report
The FCC issued an order to begin its mandatory cable‑rate report, requiring randomly selected operators to submit detailed pricing data by May 29. The questionnaire covers subscription fees, retransmission‑consent charges and related costs, with historical retrans fees averaging $30‑$350 per subscriber....
We Analysed More than 2 Million Tracks on Spotify to Find Out if Its AI Is ‘Killing’ Australian Music
A new study analyzing 2.27 million Spotify tracks found that AI‑generated playlists heavily favor U.S. artists and rely on far fewer unique songs than editorial lists. While the research does not confirm that Spotify’s AI is "killing" Australian music, it shows...
'Project Hail Mary': Real Space Science, Real Astrophotography
Project Hail Mary has earned $300.8 million worldwide after just nine days, adding $54.1 million in its latest weekend across 86 markets. The film now ranks as Amazon MGM’s highest‑grossing release ever and posted the strongest opening for a non‑franchise movie in...
LinkedIn Will No Longer Allow Real-Time Livestreams
LinkedIn announced that, starting June 22, 2026, all LinkedIn Live broadcasts must be scheduled in advance, ending the ability to stream spontaneously. The platform allows short‑notice scheduling, letting users set a start time minutes before going live. The change follows...
LinkedIn Will No Longer Allow Real-Time Live Streams
LinkedIn announced that, effective June 22, 2026, members can no longer start live streams spontaneously; all broadcasts must be scheduled in advance, though events can be set up minutes before airing. The change follows a 24 % quarter‑over‑quarter rise in LinkedIn events and...
Meta’s Next Subscription Package Could Boost Instagram Performance
Meta is poised to launch a new Instagram Plus subscription package, adding premium features to its app. Potential add‑ons include Story Extend, Story rewatches, Story spotlight, linkable captions, and Reels download. The move builds on Meta Verified, which helped generate...
Ad-Tier for Disney+ “Coming Soon” To Australia, NZ.
Disney+ will launch an ad‑supported tier in Australia and New Zealand in the coming months, adding a “Standard with Ads” plan that streams in Full HD, offers two concurrent streams and 5.1 Stereo audio, but does not allow downloads. Pricing has not been...
From Clicks to Communities: Transforming Users Into Loyal Players
Online casinos are shifting focus from mere traffic to sustained player loyalty, as 74% of gamers now expect robust digital platforms and 79% say superior service can make a small casino more trustworthy than a larger brand. Retention metrics are...
MeTV Is Expanding Its MeTV Music Radio Station
MeTV is preparing to roll its MeTV Music radio format out of its current handful of markets to a national audience. The service currently airs on 87.7 FM in Chicago and 95.7 FM in Lafayette, Indiana, with additional low‑power signals in the...
Is Your Signal Secure?
At the NAB Show, a panel titled “Securing the Signal” examined how broadcasters can shift from reactive security to proactive risk management across distributed field operations. Experts from Fox, Dataminr, Smith Entertainment Group and Verkdata discussed integrating real‑time threat‑intelligence platforms...
AIFF Brings Clubs Into Evaluation Process for Long-Term Commercial Partner, KPMG to Scrutinise Feasibility of Bids
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will let clubs directly engage with three bidders for the long‑term commercial rights of Indian club football, while audit firm KPMG prepares detailed feasibility tables. Genius Sports submitted the highest offer – INR 2,129 crore (≈ $255 million)...
‘SNL UK’ Loses 9% Of Audience But Still Beats Rival Networks
Saturday Night Live UK’s second episode attracted 205,000 live viewers, a 9% dip from the premiere’s 226,000. The show captured a 3.2% share of the audience and still outperformed Channel 4’s Moonfall, which drew 136,000 viewers. Sky emphasized that overnight numbers are...
DirecTV Launches a New Cheaper Sports Only Package to Compete With YouTube TV
DirecTV has relaunched its MySports package with a streamlined, sports‑only lineup priced at $65 per month, offering a two‑month introductory rate of $44.99. The new bundle removes several news channels, focusing on live sports and major broadcast networks to compete...
Who Wants the NFL? YouTube Could Make a Compelling Case
YouTube streamed its first NFL game in Brazil in 2025 and is now eyeing a bundle of international matchups for the 2026 season. The platform could bid for games in Brazil, Germany, Spain, London and other markets, leveraging its global...
Youtube Rolls Out Major Creator and Monetisation Upgrades
YouTube announced a sweeping set of creator‑focused upgrades, boosting visual tools, monetisation options, and safety features. Thumbnail file limits jump from 2 MB to 50 MB and localized thumbnails become widely available. The platform expands its Shopping Affiliate programme, launches a unified...
OnPoint, Byte Media Sign Partnership to Expand TikTok Shop Services
OnPoint and Byte Media have signed an MoU to jointly expand TikTok Shop services, focusing on livestream, affiliate networks, and AI‑driven content production. The partnership will deliver automated media‑buying solutions for small‑ and medium‑sized businesses, aiming to boost cost efficiency...
James Blake Requests for Name to Be Taken Off Credits for Kanye West’s ‘Bully’: “It’s Not What I Created”
James Blake has asked to be removed from the producer credits on Kanye West’s newly released album “Bully,” saying the final version no longer reflects his original work. Blake explained that his vocal pitch and track construction were heavily altered,...
What Is YouTube’s Dominance Doing to Us? We Asked Its C.E.O.
YouTube is now the dominant video platform in the United States, reaching 90% of American teens and two billion daily users, with YouTube TV overtaking many cable operators. CEO Neal Mohan highlighted the platform’s growth, its role as a podcast hub,...
Theme Parks on Sand: Cruise Lines Expand Private Island Projects
Cruise lines are rapidly expanding private‑island amenities, with Norwegian Cruise Line adding a two‑ship pier and a new lagoon‑style pool at Great Stirrup Cay. MSC Cruises is upgrading Ocean Cay with wellness programs, an augmented‑reality treasure hunt and a second...
GLORIA CAVALERA, Manager Of SOULFLY & CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, Launches New Publishing Company
Gloria Cavalera, longtime manager behind heavy‑metal acts such as Sepultura and Cavalera Conspiracy, has launched Maximum Cavalera Music Publishing. The new entity will serve as the dedicated publishing home for the entire Cavalera family catalog. Gloria has hired veteran rights...
Indie Games Will only Save Us if Anyone Funds Them
Epic Games recently laid off more than 1,000 developers, sparking hopes that indie studios could revitalize a struggling industry. However, the shutdown of Ivy Road—founded by The Stanley Parable creator Davey Wreden—illustrates that indie developers still grapple with the same...
All 5 Seasons of Vampire Series & Every TV Show Leaving Netflix in April
Netflix will remove a slate of TV titles in April 2026, including both original series and licensed shows. Notable exits include the full five‑season run of the vampire drama Van Helsing, the four‑season historical adventure Black Sails, and later‑season episodes...
DJs Blame Private Equity for Music Firm’s Woes
Native Instruments, a leading music‑software and hardware maker with 25 million users, filed for insolvency after years under private‑equity ownership. DJs and producers blame the financial engineering of its investors for the firm’s collapse, despite a pandemic‑driven sales surge. The company...
Why Can’t TikTok Identify AI Generated Ads when I Can?
TikTok requires advertisers to label content that is significantly altered by AI, yet enforcement appears uneven. Samsung’s AI‑generated Galaxy S26 Ultra ads are disclosed on YouTube but lack any AI label on TikTok, suggesting a gap in the platform’s verification...
Actors Union Is Bargaining for ‘Tilly Tax’ On AI Film Characters
Hollywood’s SAG‑AFTRA union is negotiating a new levy, dubbed the “Tilly Tax,” on AI‑generated film characters. Executive Director Duncan Crabtree‑Ireland told an AFL‑CIO summit that collective bargaining is the quickest path to AI regulation, as federal rules lag. The union...
Rebecca Ferguson’s Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movie Surges on Streaming Ahead of Next Chapter
Rebecca Ferguson’s sci‑fi thriller *Mercy*—a box‑office flop with a 25% Rotten Tomatoes score—has surged to the top of Prime Video’s global charts, while her blockbuster *Dune: Part Two* continues to dominate both theaters and HBO Max, pulling $715 million worldwide and...
EXCLUSIVE: Taran Adarsh Says Dhurandhar The Revenge Defied Overseas Slowdown Fears; Ranveer Singh Starrer Crossed Animal’s Business in the UK...
Bollywood trade analyst Taran Adarsh says Dhurandhar The Revenge is defying overseas slowdown fears, delivering strong box‑office numbers in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. In the UK, the film has already surpassed the earnings of major releases such...
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come Worldwide Box Office – Inches Away From Beating The Low-Budget 2026 Horror Film...
Samara Weaving’s comedy‑horror sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come opened to $9.1 million domestically, a 14% lift over the 2019 original, and has amassed $15.1 million worldwide after two weeks. Critics rate it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences give...
Another Cable TV Network Is Shutting Down
FanDuel TV will be phased out over the next 20 months, ending its linear broadcast by December 2026 and eliminating more than 100 jobs. The company will shift focus to its digital betting platforms and the FanDuel TV+ streaming service,...
A Paramount-Warner Bros. Movie Slate Will Need More Animated Features to Compete with Disney and Universal
The pending Paramount‑Skydance and Warner Bros. merger faces a glaring shortfall in animated content, a segment that now drives the bulk of family box‑office revenue. Over the past decade each studio released only eight animated features, generating roughly $1.1 billion and...
Livguard Joins Punjab Kings as Exclusive Power Partner for IPL 2026
Livguard has signed an exclusive power partnership with Punjab Kings for IPL 2026, securing jersey placement and a suite of fan‑engagement activations. The deal positions Livguard’s portfolio—ranging from inverters and batteries to rooftop solar—before the league’s massive Indian audience. With...
Amaal Mallik Claims He Earned Rs 1.5 Lakh From a Hit Ranbir Kapoor Song but Label Earned Rs 100 Cr:...
Composer Amaal Mallik disclosed that he earned only Rs 75,000‑Rs 1.5 lakh (approximately $900‑$1,800) for the 2015 hit “Sooraj Dooba Hai,” while the song’s label, T‑Series, has generated roughly Rs 100 crore (about $12 million) in royalties. He explained that Indian music royalties, instituted in 2020...
91 Members of Congress Urge FCC to Set a Firm ATSC 3.0 Transition Date
A bipartisan coalition of 91 members of Congress sent a March 27 letter urging the FCC to establish a firm transition deadline for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). The National Association of Broadcasters praised the move and reiterated its push for a 2028...
Sony and Nex Increase PS5, Playground Prices
Sony announced a global price increase for its PlayStation 5, the Digital Edition, the upcoming PS5 Pro, and the PlayStation Portal. The company cited continued pressures in the global economic landscape as the driver behind the new pricing structure. These...
UMG Blasts Drake Appeal in Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’: ‘That Is Not the Law’
Universal Music Group (UMG) has rejected Drake’s appeal to revive his defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy‑winning diss track “Not Like Us.” A federal judge dismissed the original case in October, ruling that rap battle lyrics are hyperbolic opinions, not...
FCC Moves Ahead With Revising 13 Broadcast Rules
The FCC adopted 13 rule revisions that loosen broadcast regulations, including dropping the 20% minimum power‑increase requirement for AM stations and extending special‑temporary authority periods to 180 days. It also eliminated the ten‑application cap for the 2021 non‑commercial educational FM...
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Set to Break Box Office Records
The upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie, a sequel from Nintendo and Illumination, is slated for release on April 1. BoxOffice Pro predicts a domestic opening of $150‑$165 million over three days and $185‑$200 million over five days, potentially eclipsing the 2026 record of...
New England Sports Network’s 360 Streaming Service Saw Record Boston Red Sox Opening Day Viewership
New England Sports Network’s direct‑to‑consumer platform NESN 360 logged its highest‑ever streaming audience for the Boston Red Sox’s March 26 opening‑day win, surpassing the previous record by 17.5% and beating the 2025 opening‑day benchmark by 38%. The service, priced at $239.99...
Tubi Mocks Netflix’s Latest Price Increase, With a Savage Take Down of Paid Streaming Services
Netflix announced a second price increase in 2026, pushing its ad‑supported tier to $8.99, the standard plan to $19.99, and the premium tier to $24.99 per month. Tubi responded with a tongue‑in‑cheek social post highlighting its zero‑dollar price, reinforcing its...
Bud Williamson Adds Another Hudson Valley FM Translator
Bud Williamson, owner of Classic Hits “WALL Radio,” is expanding Hudson Valley Public Radio’s footprint by acquiring an FM translator from K‑LOVE Inc. The new translator will serve listeners between Albany and Catskill, filling a coverage gap in the Mid‑Hudson...
Golden State Legislator Calls for $80 Million to Help Public Media
California Assemblymember Chris Ward introduced a proposal to inject a one‑time $80 million infusion into the state’s public‑media ecosystem, allocating $60 million to stations, $10 million to infrastructure and $10 million to ethnic outlets. The plan also includes tax credits for qualifying news organizations...
The Face Magazine To Close
The Face, the once‑iconic music and fashion magazine founded in 1980, announced its closure after a seven‑year revival. The title originally shuttered in 2004, relaunched in 2017 with Harry Styles on the cover, and most recently featured Robyn before ending....
Crunchyroll Sets Same-Day English Dub Launch for 'Witch Hat Atelier' Anime
Crunchyroll announced a same‑day English dub launch for the high‑fantasy anime Witch Hat Atelier, premiering April 6 with Episodes 1 and 2 simulcasting in both English and Japanese. The rollout includes dubbed tracks in eight languages—English, Latin American Spanish, Castilian Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese,...