Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions top 2.2 bn, revenue eclipses pay‑TV
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, overtaking pay‑TV's $170 billion for the first time. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit in 2026 as operators shift focus from acquiring new users to monetising existing ones.
Innovid Announces General Availability of Hypermode, Cutting Social Campaign Setup Time by Up to 80%
Innovid has launched the general availability of Hypermode, a high‑precision execution layer for social advertising that now supports Meta, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat and TikTok. The platform claims to cut campaign‑setup time by up to 80%, delivering up to six‑fold faster speed to market and a ten‑fold reduction in manual workload. Hypermode integrates directly with Innovid’s Social Ads Manager and Creative Manager, providing real‑time validation, bulk previewing and cross‑account cloning. Early users report QA processes that once took hours now finish in minutes, enabling enterprise‑scale creative‑heavy campaigns.
The 2026 Facebook Reach Checklist for Affiliates
Facebook’s 2026 algorithm overhaul turns the platform into an AI‑driven discovery engine that heavily favors short‑form video, private shares and native affiliate tags while penalising link‑heavy posts. Meta Verified subscribers can retain link reach, but non‑paying creators see their distribution...
Ocean Outdoor UK Redefines the DOOH Attention Model with Ocean® Portal
Ocean Outdoor UK has launched Ocean® Portal, a freestanding half‑cube digital out‑of‑home (DOOH) format at London’s Battersea Power Station. The 4.5 m × 3 m structure houses five high‑definition LED screens, LiDAR‑based motion tracking, mixed‑reality rendering and Unreal/Unity engines to create walk‑in, interactive experiences....
Jeff Probst Making Himself the Center of Attention Has Hurt Survivor 50 / Secret Lives of Mormon Lives to Resume...
The latest season of Survivor, now in its 50th iteration, is drawing criticism for host Jeff Probst’s increasingly self‑centered on‑camera presence, which many viewers say detracts from the contestants’ stories. Ratings have slipped modestly as fans compare the show to...
EDO Strikes Back Against iSpot By Offering TV Intelligence Data For Free
EDO, recently ordered to pay $18.3 million to rival iSpot, is fighting back by offering its basic TV‑ad intelligence for free through an AI chatbot called ChatEDO. The free data spans 375 million linear‑TV airings from 120 national networks and 2.6 million ads...
How EntertainLens Is Covering the New Wave of Chinese IP Going Global
Over the past eighteen months Chinese intellectual property—web‑novel adaptations, micro‑drama formats, and animated franchises—has moved from a niche trade topic to headline‑making acquisitions by Amazon, Netflix and others. EntertainLens, a Los‑Angeles‑based media platform, was created to fill the reporting gap,...
CommsCon Catchup: What Journalists Think of Themselves, AI and Public Relations
At CommsCon, Medianet’s Amrita Sidhu revealed that 73% of Australian journalists detect AI‑generated pitches and label them lazy, eroding trust. Meanwhile, AI tools are now used by 54% of newsrooms, up from 37% a year earlier, yet journalists remain wary...
Trusted Media Brands Gets An AI Assist To Sell Cross-Platform Audiences
Trusted Media Brands (TMB) is deploying generative AI from Jasper.ai to stitch together disparate audience data across print, web, social, streaming and newsletters. The AI parses massive performance datasets, turning them into concise narratives that help sales teams answer RFPs...
Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’ Passes One Billion Streams on Spotify
Olivia Dean’s single “Man I Need” has entered Spotify’s Billions Club after surpassing one billion streams, joining an elite list of tracks. The British pop star, fresh off Grammy, BRIT and MOBO wins, also logged 20 weeks at No. 1 on...
Think You’re Not A Data Broker? California’s Delete Act Might Say Otherwise
California’s Delete Act now forces any business that collects and sells consumer data without a direct relationship to register as a data broker with the CPPA. Starting August 1, 2026, registered brokers must process deletion requests through the new Delete Request and...
Kill Boring Dead Takes Three Webby Nods Home, Proving “Weird” Wins at the Webby Awards
Australian agency Kill Boring Dead (KBD) secured a Webby Award in the Social & Games – Weird category for its Loctite “Museum of Second Chances” campaign, while also earning a nomination in Arts, Culture & Lifestyle against heavyweights like Taylor Swift...
WBD Extends Giro D’Italia Rights
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has extended its exclusive rights to broadcast the Giro d’Italia, Giro d’Italia Women and a suite of premier Italian road races through at least 2029. The agreement with RCS Sport preserves coverage on Eurosport across 50...
Shared Screens: Co-Viewers in APAC Are More Likely to Act on Ads Than Solo Viewers
PubMatic’s new report reveals that shared‑screen viewing on connected TV (CTV) drives markedly higher ad performance across APAC. Co‑viewers pay 42 % more attention, recall brands 53 % better, and are 70 % more likely to act than solo viewers. The study of...
How The Financial Times Is Betting on Personality-Led Vodcasts as Its Next Subscription Lever
The Financial Times has launched “The Story of Money,” a history‑of‑finance vodcast on YouTube that also streams as a podcast, marking its first stand‑alone, multi‑platform video brand. Sponsored by Nuveen, the series pairs star journalists with a narrow editorial franchise...
How Intentional Is the Social Media Divide?
The article argues that social‑media algorithms have deepened a partisan split, creating parallel digital worlds where users rarely encounter opposing viewpoints. Pew data show only 20% of Americans use X, while platforms like Threads, Blue Sky, Truth Social, Instagram and...
Vibes over Metrics: Why More Creators Are Holding IRL Events to Own Their Audience
Creators are increasingly hosting in‑person (IRL) events to cement audience loyalty and diversify beyond platform algorithms. Programs like Snap School and FiveTwoNine's Creator Fund are funding workshops and travel, helping creators build offline communities. High‑profile examples such as Dude Perfect’s...
Criminal Record Season Two Review – Peter Capaldi Is Just Devastating in This Intense Crime Thriller
Apple TV+’s "Criminal Record" returns for a second season, anchored by Peter Capaldi’s unsettling turn as DCI Daniel Hegarty. The series deepens its exploration of systemic police corruption and the rise of far‑right extremism, set against a perpetually dim London...
Scrolling for Answers: How Reliable Is Mental Health and Neurodivergence-Related Information on Social Media?
A systematic review of 27 studies examined the accuracy of mental‑health and neurodivergence content across major social‑media platforms. The analysis of over 5,000 posts found misinformation rates ranging from 0% on YouTube Kids to 35% on TikTok, with YouTube generally...
Why Do People Fall for Propaganda? New Directions in Disinformation Research
Lucid’s latest post spotlights new interdisciplinary approaches to disinformation, featuring a documentary, "How To Build a Truth Engine," and an upcoming Q&A with UC San Diego professor Barbara Walter. The piece argues that propaganda succeeds not through single falsehoods but...
TV Is TV Again
VIDAA CEO Guy Edri argued that television should be treated as a single screen environment, not as separate linear, streaming, FAST or CTV markets. His V Index proposes real‑time, device‑level measurement to replace legacy panel metrics, positioning VIDAA’s operating system...
What Agencies Notice After 50 Guest Posts (And Why They Don’t Go Back)
Agencies that run guest‑post campaigns notice a turning point around the 50th placement. Early posts are treated as experiments focused on cost, turnaround and raw metrics, but after enough volume the conversation shifts toward stability and editorial fit. Publishers that...
TVNZ+ Rolls Out Major Overhaul With New Ad Formats
TVNZ+ is rolling out a major platform upgrade built with Quickplay, Amazon Web Services and Evergent, aiming to boost viewer experience and ad capabilities. The redesign adds a refreshed content carousel, a Top 10 belt, simpler login and audio‑description features, while...
The New Tactics of TikTok Journalism
New research by Kaia Tran, a journalism graduate, outlines how newsrooms can succeed on TikTok, a platform now used by over half of its users for news. While 14% of those users follow journalists or news outlets, the white paper...
Tips for Creating Effective Online Ad Campaigns
The article outlines a step‑by‑step framework for small businesses to launch effective online ad campaigns, emphasizing planning, goal setting, platform selection, creative design, budgeting, and ongoing monitoring. It stresses that every dollar should have a specific purpose and that measurable...
Comcast Eyes Mixed Q1 Outlook as Broadband Losses Meet Sports‑Driven Ad Surge
Comcast is set to report first‑quarter 2026 results with consensus estimates of $30.84 billion in revenue and 73 cents per share earnings, down 33% YoY for EPS but up 3% YoY for revenue. Analysts flag broadband subscriber losses and ARPU pressure, while...
‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ To Resume Production Following Taylor Frankie Paul Drama
Disney’s streaming platform Hulu announced that production will resume on Season 5 of the reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The show was halted earlier this year after domestic assault allegations against star Taylor Frankie Paul, which were later...
Brands and Agencies Map 2026 CTV Investment Strategy
A fresh industry report reveals that brands and agencies are treating Connected TV as a core pillar of 2026 advertising, emphasizing measurable outcomes, first‑party data and AI‑driven personalization. The shift signals a broader integration of CTV into unified MarTech stacks...
Meta’s AI‑Powered Instagram Affiliate Feature Sparks Creator Outcry Over Content Theft
Meta expanded Instagram’s affiliate program with an AI‑powered Shop the Look feature that auto‑suggests products on creator posts. Influencer Julia Berolzheimer and others allege the beta tool inserts unauthorized product overlays, prompting concerns over content ownership and revenue loss.
Times Radio Campaign Aims to Offer Clarity Amidst the Chaos
Times Radio, the news outlet of The Times, launched the “Understanding the News Starts with Listening” campaign this month. Developed by Mosaic, the embedded agency at News UK, the campaign uses striking close‑up images of world leaders’ mouths on billboards in...
Jessica Jones Has Finally Returned in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, but I Wish She Weren't Burdened with a Tired...
Jessica Jones reappears in Disney+ *Daredevil: Born Again* season 2, marking her first MCU appearance since the Netflix series ended seven years ago. The episode shows her confronting a task force, but her iconic super‑strength falters, leaving her with a cracked rib...
Rachel Bloom Optimistic About ‘Do You Want Kids?’ As ABC Mulls Pilot’s Fate: “We Feel Wonderful About It”
Rachel Bloom and husband Dan Gregor have completed the single‑camera comedy pilot “Do You Want Kids?” for ABC’s 20th Television. The show, starring Bloom and Rory Scovel, follows a couple in parallel universes—one with a baby, one without—and has been...
Bestads Best TV/Film of the Week: Fuck Cancer’s ‘Beat Cancer Off’ via VML Health
The nonprofit Fuck Cancer, in partnership with VML Health, launched the "Beat Cancer Off" campaign to raise prostate‑cancer awareness using a cheeky animated film, original song, and a new tracking app. The creative hinges on a Health Professionals Follow‑up Study...
Is Splitting NRL Rights In The Long-Term Interest Of The Code?
The NRL is negotiating a record‑breaking 2028 TV deal that could split broadcast rights in an NFL‑style model, aiming to maximise short‑term revenue. While the approach may generate a larger cheque, it risks diluting audience reach and complicating fan access....
The Kind of Mom I Want To Be
Hannah Bronfman reflects on the backlash faced by Emma Grede for openly sharing how she balances weekend time with her children, using the episode to explore broader criticism of working mothers. She underscores the enduring relevance of the "village" concept...
Distribution & Devotion: Learn Why Great Content Finds Its Audience At Cairns Crocodiles
The Cairns Crocodiles Film & Screen Track hosted a "Distribution and Devotion" panel on May 13, featuring HBO Max Australia senior director John Beohm, writer‑director Caden Pearson, RUSH Films producer Cody Greenwood, and tourism expert Julie King. The discussion centered...
Netflix Aggressively Pushes Into Paramount‑Warner Merger Review
I hear that Netflix has been meddling in the regulatory review of Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery. “Frankly, I am surprised at how aggressive they’ve been with me,” a senior government official tells me. https://puck.news/is-netflix-meddling-in-the-warnermount-deal/
Listen to Aman R. Sanger's First Pre
LS was the first podcast cursor ever did listen back to baby @amanrsanger when they were 5 people and pre-PMF https://t.co/0tIvpIwjC4
SCOTUSblog’s New Look
SCOTUSblog, acquired by The Dispatch in April 2024, has launched a comprehensive redesign and a slate of new offerings. The site now covers every Supreme Court case, live‑blogs arguments, and features nearly 20 new columnists. It added a daily newsletter...
Free Pack: 100 Eye‑Catching Thumbnails That Spark Curiosity
Thumbnails that instantly make you question things 🤔 What’s wrong with that paddle? Domino’s isn’t just pizza? And why is that car so tiny? Get our free YT Thumbnails Hack Pack with 100 more top thumbnails: https://t.co/H5zQZBQ0qM https://t.co/MUwf2mZF1I
Imagine Dragons' “Demons” Hits 3 Billion Spotify Streams
Imagine Dragons’s "Demons" has reached 3 billion streams on Spotify. The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 12 weeks in the top 10. It has been certified 12x Platinum in the U.S. https://t.co/u8U2DecRsP
Mamamia Out Loud Breaks Podcast Ranker Record with 1.2m Listeners
Mamamia Out Loud attracted 1.22 million individual listeners in March 2026, setting a new all‑time high for any Australian podcast on the Australian Podcast Ranker. It marked the show’s third straight month at the top of the ranker and the first...
Introducing a News Options Market to Fund Stories
ok media people hear me out NEWS OPTIONS MARKET -- writers sell story pitches at a fixed price -- funders get a share of story revenue (subs, ads) within a time frame (ie 60 days) -- platform takes a fee ... -- we fix news...
Seeking Tips for Brand‑Consistent AI‑Generated Infographics
Does anyone from @OpenAI want to share some tips on how to get image 2 to generate good infographics or have it match your brand style? I haven't had any luck either.
‘Do We Half Accept It As Normal?’: MOBI’s Liz Cherry Warns Marketers Of AI Language Creeping Into Campaigns
MOBI’s marketing lead Liz Cherry warned that the rapid adoption of AI tools is making campaign language increasingly uniform, even as it accelerates production and improves metrics. While AI can automate repetitive tasks and free marketers to focus on strategy,...
VaynerMedia Australia Expands Leadership to Meet Demand for Social-First Marketing
VaynerMedia Australia announced the addition of four senior specialists to its leadership team, reflecting the agency’s response to the accelerating shift of consumer attention and ad spend toward social platforms. The hires—Elle Batchelor, Sophie Tschuchnigg, Belle Brown and Nathan Bramley—bring...
WarnerMount Vs. The Gathering Storm
Suspicions are mounting that Netflix is covertly financing the Hollywood “Block the Merger” campaign aimed at derailing the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery (WarnerMount) consolidation. Recent actions by state attorneys general—most notably a federal jury’s finding against Live Nation/Ticketmaster and a California judge’s injunction...
Spotify Launches Three New Features to Deepen Listener Engagement
Spotify rolled out three beta features—About the Song, an upgraded Ask DJ, and SongDNA—to Premium listeners in ten countries. The tools deliver story cards, conversational context, and interactive sample maps, aiming to turn passive listening into a deeper, more informed...
Rohan Kailasam’s ‘The Mercenary’s Shadow’ Debuts via Penguin Random House India
Author Rohan Kailasam’s new novel, The Mercenary’s Shadow, launched today under Nu Voice Press, an imprint of Hubhawks, with exclusive distribution by Penguin Random House India. The gritty crime‑espionage thriller, set across Mumbai, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East,...
Philo Launches $33 Bundle+ with HBO Max, Discovery+ and AMC+
Philo introduced a $33 monthly Bundle+ plan that adds ad‑supported HBO Max, Discovery+ and AMC+ to its live‑TV lineup. The move targets price‑sensitive cord‑cutters and pits the San‑Francisco streamer against higher‑priced competitors like Hulu + Live TV.
WWE’s Celebrity Push Costs Fans While TKO Defends Strategy
WWE, now owned by TKO, amplified celebrity appearances at WrestleMania 42, prompting criticism that the approach inflates costs and alienates core fans. TKO President Mark Shapiro defended the tactic as essential for growth in a shifting media landscape.