Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions hit 2.24 billion in 2025, overtaking pay‑TV revenue
Omdia reports global online video subscriptions reached 2.24 billion at the end of 2025, a 17.6% year‑on‑year rise. Revenue grew 13.5% to $176 billion, surpassing pay‑TV's $170 billion for the first time. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit levels in 2026 as operators focus on monetising existing users.
Also developing:
Russia's Internet Crackdown Fuels Resistance, Raising Global Digital Repression Alerts
Russia's effort to force users onto the state‑backed MAX messenger and block services like WhatsApp has triggered widespread circumvention, hurting commerce and highlighting a decline in President Putin's popularity. The backlash underscores growing worries about digital repression beyond Russia's borders.
‘Backrooms’ Creator Kane Parsons On Becoming A24’s Youngest Director Ever, Adapting His YouTube Series: “A Weird Dream Come True”
Kane Parsons, a 20‑year‑old YouTube creator, has become A24’s youngest ever director with the horror feature *Backrooms*. The film adapts his 2022 web series *The Backrooms: Found Footage*, which turned a 2019 creepypasta meme into a cult‑favorite online saga. Starring...
Neuroscientific Evaluation of Fear Appeal in Television Advertising: An Eye-Tracking and Biometric Study of Viewer Attention
A neuroscientific study of 28 participants used eye‑tracking and galvanic skin response to compare fear‑based versus neutral TV ads. Fear‑based spots produced faster initial fixations, longer dwell times, and significantly higher skin conductance, indicating stronger visual engagement and physiological arousal....
Google Search AI Overhaul Leaves Publishers Bracing For ‘Google Zero’
Google unveiled an AI‑driven overhaul of Search at I/O, turning the classic link‑based engine into an answer‑first assistant that delivers conversational replies directly in the results page. The shift, dubbed “Google Zero” by publishers, is already cutting traffic dramatically –...
Alone: Season 13 Premiere Date and Trailer Released for History Channel Survival Series
The History Channel’s survival series "Alone" returns for its 13th season on June 17, 2026, at 9/8c, rebranded as "Alone: World Championship." Ten contestants from seven nations will be dropped into Canada’s Arctic Circle with only ten tools and camera...
DemandBird Launches New B2B Social Media Management Platform
DemandBird, a Portland‑based startup founded in 2025, announced the public launch of its B2B‑focused social media management platform. The solution emphasizes human‑crafted content, limiting AI to back‑office tasks such as image reformatting and trend spotting. Core features include multi‑brand workspaces,...
TikTok’s AI ‘Text to Song’ Trend May Be a Sign of Music to Come
TikTok users are turning text message screenshots into AI‑generated songs using Suno’s music‑creation app, sparking a viral #texttosong trend. One creator, Justice Washam, saw her video jump from a million to nearly 10 million views and added 200,000 followers, earning about...
I’m A Virgo: Season Two; Creator Has No Plans for More of Prime Video Series
I’m A Virgo, a surreal comedy that debuted on Prime Video in June 2023, will not return for a second season. Creator Boots Riley announced he has no plans to produce more episodes, citing extensive script cuts that left the...
Goalhanger Is Treating Digital Creators Like Tech Founders – Here’s Why
Goalhanger, the London‑based podcast and media group behind shows like "The Rest Is History," launched "The Accelerator" in March 2026, a three‑month incubator for digital creators across entertainment, sport, politics, science, technology and finance. The program provides up to £10,000...
Universal Music Group and TikTok Ink Multi‑Year Licensing Deal to Boost Artist Reach
Universal Music Group and TikTok have sealed a multi‑year licensing agreement that keeps UMG’s catalog on the platform while adding new advertising, e‑commerce, and AI‑protection features. The deal aims to deepen fan engagement, improve artist promotion, and safeguard human‑created music.
Netflix Launches 'The Four Seasons' Season 2 as HBO Max Airs 'Hacks' Finale
Netflix is expanding its comedy slate with the May 28 debut of 'The Four Seasons' season 2, featuring Tina Fey and a new storyline. At the same time, HBO Max concludes the acclaimed series 'Hacks' with its final episode on...
Drone Strikes Hit DRC Community Radio, Raising New Threats to Journalists
Two military drones struck Radio Tuungane in the rebel‑held Minembwe commune of South Kivu on March 3 and March 26, damaging equipment and prompting death threats against staff. The attacks underscore a widening pattern of drone‑mediated violence against journalists in the eastern...
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & Cable TV Networks Saw Viewership Drop in March, But Streaming Saw a Big Jump
In March 2026 Nielsen’s Gauge Report showed that the four major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) collectively slipped just 0.2% year‑over‑year, while cable television viewership fell 2.6%. By contrast, streaming platforms recorded a robust 3.8% increase in audience minutes....
Alex, Leila Hormozi Sign With CAA to Expand Speaking, Podcasting, and Brand Partnerships
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed Alex and Leila Hormozi, co‑founders of Acquisition.com, along with CEO Sharran Srivatsaa and CMO Gabriel Blanco. The agency will manage speaking engagements, podcasts, brand partnerships and live tours for the duo and their executive...
French Open 2026 Broadcast: Free Streams, TV Deals and VPN Workarounds
The 2026 French Open will be aired on a mix of free national channels, pay‑TV networks and online platforms. Australia’s 9Now offers free live coverage, the U.S. relies on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, while Canada, the UK and other...
HBO Max Previews Upcoming Original Slate For 2026
Warner Brothers Discovery unveiled HBO Max's 2026 original lineup, featuring a Harry Potter series slated for a Christmas debut, a July launch of the Big Bang Theory spinoff "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," and new DC Comics title "Lanterns." The slate also adds...
Binge Labs Bags Digital Mandate for Mumbai Tech Week 2026
Binge Labs has secured the end‑to‑end social media mandate for Mumbai Tech Week 2026, slated for May 29‑30 at the Jio World Convention Centre. The firm will drive pre‑event campaigns, on‑ground content creation, and post‑event amplification, delivering real‑time storytelling across...
X Looks to Improve Its Incentives for Original Creators
X is tightening its creator revenue‑share program by targeting large aggregator accounts that repost content to game impressions. Head of product Nikita Bier said the platform will now identify such posts and reallocate the impressions to the original creators. The change...
LinkedIn Shares Video Creation Tips Based on Platform Trends
LinkedIn’s Creator Video newsletter outlines new best‑practice guidance for video creators, emphasizing authentic, experience‑driven content. The platform recommends posting two to five times a week, with at least two videos, to build a sustainable rhythm. LinkedIn is rolling out its...
The NBA’s Contract with YouTuber Kenny Beecham Could Be a New Blueprint for Sports Leagues
The NBA has elevated YouTube creator Kenny Beecham, who boasts over 4.16 million followers, to a central role in its fan‑facing media strategy. Beecham now hosts an original basketball trivia series, appears on NBA TV, and produces content with league access...
Glossy+ Research: The Marketers’ 2026 Guide to a Shifting CTV Landscape, Including YouTube, Peacock and Roku
Glossy+ Research released a 2026 guide outlining how ad‑supported streaming platforms—YouTube, Peacock and Roku—are reshaping the connected‑TV (CTV) marketing mix. The report highlights consolidation among streaming services, divergent KPI frameworks across platforms, and persistent measurement and cost challenges. It also...
AI Summaries Threaten Newsroom Revenue and Jobs, Experts Warn
Experts say AI-powered search tools that deliver instant news summaries risk diverting readers from original sites, jeopardizing digital ad revenue and newsroom employment. Legal scholars argue the practice may infringe copyright, prompting a wave of litigation.
UK Prime Minister Urges TNT Sports to Free Champions League Final
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent an open letter to pay‑TV broadcaster TNT Sports, asking the company to make the May 30 Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint‑Germain available free‑to‑air in the UK. The plea comes...
India World Cup 2026 Broadcast Rights Near Finalisation, Announcement Expected Next Week
Former AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran says negotiations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcast rights in India are finished and an official announcement is due next week. The pending decision will determine how the tournament’s 104 matches reach a...
Disney Seeks FCC Exemption for ‘The View’ From News Broadcast Rules
Disney-owned ABC has filed a petition with the FCC asking that the daytime talk show The View be officially recognized as a “bona fide news interview program,” which would exempt it from the equal‑opportunity candidate rule. The request, dated May 7, 2026,...
Nexstar Finalizes $6.2 B Purchase of Tegna, Creating Nation’s Largest Local‑TV Group
Nexstar Media Group closed its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna after FCC and DOJ clearance, giving it more than 260 local broadcast stations. The merger boosts Nexstar’s negotiating power with distributors while sparking criticism over media concentration.
Iconoclast Piers Morgan in Talks to Return to Australian TV
British broadcaster Piers Morgan says he is negotiating to bring a version of his Uncensored show back to Australian television, possibly via Sky News Australia or another free‑to‑air outlet. He left News Corp’s Talk TV in 2024 after a three‑year,...
Tom's Guide Highlights Five New Weekend Releases Across Netflix, HBO Max and Prime Video
Tom's Guide published a curated list of five new movies arriving this weekend (May 23‑24) on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video and other platforms. The guide spotlights titles such as 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody...
2026 Sets Record with 23 Major TV Series Cancellations, Underscoring Industry Volatility
A Tom's Guide tally reveals 23 prominent TV series canceled so far in 2026, the highest count in recent memory. Netflix, Prime Video and Paramount are among the platforms pulling the plug, reflecting tighter budgets and shifting viewer habits.
News Bargaining Incentive Risks Further Concentrating Big Four’s Grip On Publishing: Man Of Many
The Australian government’s News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) will levy a 2.25% tax on Google and Meta unless they negotiate deals worth at least 1.5% of turnover, directing the revenue to Australian publishers. Man of Many warns the current formula will...
Meta Launches Forum App to Turn Facebook Groups Into Reddit Rival
Meta has quietly released Forum, a standalone iOS app that surfaces Facebook Groups in a Reddit‑style feed. The launch adds AI‑driven search and moderation tools, positioning the company to compete directly with Reddit and other niche discussion platforms.
The Media Club with Matt Deegan
In this introductory episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan outlines the show's purpose: to explore the rapidly evolving worlds of television, radio, journalism, and digital media. He promises weekly conversations with leading journalists and media practitioners that will...
Automate Perfect Ad Campaign Architecture Across All Platforms
I built a skill that designs paid ad campaigns — platform selection, campaign architecture, targeting, bidding strategy, conversion tracking, and optimization loops across Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok. You describe your goals and budget, and it recommends the right platforms, structures...
Week 21 in TV Ratings
In week 21, Seven News reclaimed the top‑spot on Australian television, pulling in up to 1.56 million viewers on Monday. Entertainment shifted as the finale of The Floor eclipsed long‑running Home & Away, reaching 1.06 million. Eurovision’s live broadcast drew 464 k, but an overrun boosted the...
‘Baywatch’ Teaser: New Faces Hit The Beach In Fox’s First Promo For Rebooted Series
Fox released its first teaser for the rebooted Baywatch, starring Stephen Amell as Hobie Buchannon, now a lifeguard captain. The promo introduces new cast members Jessica Belkin, Brooks Nader and Livvy Dunne, with Belkin playing Hobie's previously unknown daughter, Charlie....
The Rainmaker: Season Two; Libby Kay & Liam O’Halloran to Recur on USA Network Drama Series
USA Network’s legal drama *The Rainmaker* is gearing up for a second season, adding Libby Kay and Liam O’Halloran in recurring roles. Kay will portray Megan Grenier, the sharp‑handed lieutenant to new antagonist Amanda Vonn, played by Merle Dandridge. O’Halloran...
MobLand: Season Three? Tom Hardy Departing Series Following Season Two Conflicts
Tom Hardy has left Paramount+’s crime drama MobLand after season two, citing behind‑the‑scenes friction with producers and a desire to keep the series Harry‑centric. The actor’s contract included an option to exit before a third season, which he exercised. While...
New Strictly Come Dancing Host Reveals Why They Almost Turned Down Role
Comedian Josh Widdicombe revealed he almost turned down the chance to co‑host BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as the new presenting trio. He explained that the prospect of disrupting his personal life made him hesitant,...
Crystal Palace v Arsenal Live Stream, TV Channel – Where to Watch Football on Tv Today
Crystal Palace host Arsenal at Selhurst Park on 24 May 2026, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League at 16:00 BST. Both sides have already secured their domestic objectives—Arsenal clinched the Premier League title, while Palace sit mid‑table—but will use...
South African Musicians Earned R500 Million on Spotify in One Year
Spotify’s 2025 Loud And Clear report shows South African musicians earned roughly R504 million (about $30.6 million) on the platform, a 28% year‑on‑year increase and double the 2023 payout. Although South Africa contributed less than 5% of Spotify’s $11 billion global revenue, independent artists captured...
Mubi Secures North American Rights to Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Film ‘Coward’
Mubi announced it has acquired the North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s World War I drama ‘Coward’ at the Cannes Film Festival, adding the film to a growing slate of festival‑circuit titles. The deal follows earlier acquisitions for the U.K., Ireland, Germany,...
ShengShu Technology Launches Vidu Claw AI CMO, Promising Ads at 1% of Traditional Cost
ShengShu Technology introduced Vidu Claw, an AI‑driven chief marketing officer that can turn a brief into a finished ad in hours, cutting production costs to roughly 1% of conventional methods. The platform uses a subscription model that charges for completed...
Goodpods Unveils 2026 Top 15 Life‑Coaching Podcasts for Personal Growth
Goodpods, the podcast discovery platform, has published its 2026 ranking of the top 15 life‑coaching podcasts, using metrics such as listens, ratings, comments, subscriptions and shares. The list spotlights shows aimed at women entrepreneurs, wellness leaders and broader personal‑development audiences,...
Netflix Announces Emily in Paris Will End with Sixth Season Filmed in Greece
Netflix revealed that the hit romantic comedy Emily in Paris will conclude with its sixth season, currently in production in Greece. Lead actress Lily Collins and creator Darren Star shared statements about the series' final arc, underscoring its cultural impact...
Hybrid Viewing Models Solidify as Streaming Integrates Into Premium Sports Distribution
The sports broadcasting landscape has moved into a disciplined hybrid model where OTT, pay‑TV, and free‑to‑air channels coexist. Market research from Futuresource shows major platforms such as Amazon and Netflix locking in multi‑billion‑dollar, multi‑year rights deals, while premium rights still...
Streaming Giants Axe Top Titles as 'Gen V' Joins Wave of 2026 TV Cancellations
Amazon Prime Video confirmed the shutdown of 'Gen V', the superhero spin‑off of 'The Boys', after two seasons. Netflix, Amazon and other platforms also announced the end of several high‑profile series, signaling a shift in streaming strategies for 2026.
NYT Connections Reveals Pop‑culture Categories and Answers for May 22‑23, 2026
The New York Times released the full answers to its Connections puzzles on May 22 (No. 1076) and May 23 (No. 1077), 2026. The Saturday puzzle added pop‑culture categories—hairdos, Marvel characters and Star Wars subtitles—while the weekday puzzle focused on business‑style themes. Millions of daily players engage...
CRTC Forces US Streamers to Pay 15% of Canadian Revenue to Local Content, Tripling Costs
The Canadian Radio‑Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced Thursday that major U.S. streaming services must allocate 15% of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content, a three‑fold increase from the 5% interim levy. The decision, part of the Online Streaming Act...
X Launches Creator Connect, AI‑Powered Matchmaking Service for Brands and Creators
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, introduced Creator Connect, an AI‑powered service that matches brands with content creators. Built on xAI technology, the managed service handles discovery, outreach, production and distribution, marking a shift from a simple directory to...
Roland-Garros 2026 on 9GEM
9GEM begins live coverage of Roland‑Garros 2026 on May 24, featuring former doubles champion Todd Woodbridge and former world No. 4 Jelena Dokic as lead analysts. The network highlights a strong Australian presence, with eight men’s singles players—including top‑10 Alex de Minaur—and several women’s...