🎯Today's Media Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: Paramount plans to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ after $110B Warner Bros. Discovery deal
Paramount Chairman David Ellison outlined a plan to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ following Warner Bros. Discovery’s $110 billion acquisition, creating a streaming service with over 200 million subscribers. The merged entity will retain blockbuster franchises such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Mission: Impossible and Top Gun while keeping HBO’s operational independence.
Also developing:
Podcast•Feb 21, 2026•0 min
Prediction Markets Are Invading Everything
In this episode, Alex Heath talks with Substack CEO Chris Best about Substack’s new integration with prediction market platform Polymarket, which lets writers embed live market data in their posts. Best explains his personal fascination with prediction markets, citing how they accurately forecasted election results and informed Substack’s response to a potential TikTok ban. The conversation highlights the rapid expansion of prediction markets into mainstream media, while also raising concerns about market integrity, token concentration, and dispute resolution. Heath frames the current landscape as a competitive “land grab” between Polymarket and Kalshi, driven by tech leaders eager to harness the perceived long‑term value of crowd‑sourced forecasting.
By Sources
Social•Feb 21, 2026
AdX Publishers Warned: No Action Needed Amid Google Probe
As we await Judge Brinkema's decision in US v Google whether to break up Google's adtech business, evidence continues to be unsealed in SDNY tonight. "NEVER USE THE WORD BERNANKE EXTERNALLY, EVER." "All AdX publisher will be impacted." "Publishers do not need to...
By Jason Kint
News•Feb 21, 2026
Friday VOZ Ratings | WINTER OLYMPICS Draws Us All in over Lifestyle Content
Friday 20 February 2026 TV ratings show the Winter Olympics commanding the top‑30 slots across both overnight and consolidated measurements. Lifestyle‑focused programmes fell behind sports content in both broadcast and BVOD audiences. OzTAM introduced new metrics that count a minute of broadcast...
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 20, 2026
‘Wolfram’ Review: Warwick Thornton’s ‘Sweet Country’ Follow-Up Is Just as Ravishingly Bleak
Warwick Thornton’s new film “Wolfram,” a sequel to his acclaimed 2017 western “Sweet Country,” returns to early‑1930s Central Australia to dramatize the brutal tungsten mining imposed on Aboriginal communities. The story follows a half‑breed protagonist, child miners, and two outlaw...
By IndieWire
News•Feb 20, 2026
Cassandra Kulukundis on How a Lifetime of Casting for Paul Thomas Anderson Led to ‘One Battle After Another’
Casting veteran Cassandra Kulukundis, who began with Paul Thomas Anderson on 1996’s Hard Eight, is now the inaugural nominee for the Academy Award for Best Casting for Anderson’s latest epic, One Battle After Another. The film showcases her signature blend...
By IndieWire
News•Feb 20, 2026
Why Creators Are Ditching Ad Revenue for Chocolate Bars and Fintech Acquisitions
Creators are moving beyond ad revenue, launching product lines, acquiring startups, and building tangible businesses. MrBeast’s chocolate brand now out‑earns his media arm, and his purchase of fintech startup Step illustrates the shift toward diversified revenue. The TechCrunch Equity podcast...
By TechCrunch – Creator Economy
News•Feb 20, 2026
One Of The Internet's First Memes Was Immortalized On A Quirky Hit TV Show
The low‑polygon Dancing Baby, created by animator Robert Lurye in 1995, became one of the internet’s first viral memes after circulating on CompuServe and email. Showrunner David E. Kelley saw the clip and inserted it into the Ally McBeal episode “Cro‑Magnon,”...
By TVLine
News•Feb 20, 2026
BRIT Awards Confirm Major UK Streaming Change for 2026
The 2026 BRIT Awards will be streamed on ITV’s YouTube channel for the first time, alongside ITV1 and ITVX. The ceremony airs Saturday 28 February from 8.15 pm live on TV, with a global digital simulcast beginning at 8.45 pm on YouTube....
By Digital Spy – TV
News•Feb 20, 2026
‘Journal with Witch’ Is the Best Anime of the Winter
Winter 2026’s anime slate is dominated by high‑octane sequels, yet “Journal With Witch” quietly steals the spotlight. Adapted from Tomoko Yamashita’s manga, the series follows grieving teen Asa and her aloof aunt‑novelist Makio as they navigate loss, identity, and an...
By IndieWire
News•Feb 20, 2026
Taco Bell Taps Myke Towers In a Multi-Million Dollar Ad Push Across the US, Latin America, and Spain
Taco Bell announced a multi‑million‑dollar partnership with Latin music star Myke Towers, integrating his track “Sunblock” into a new Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas commercial. The campaign rolls out across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Latin America/Caribbean region and...
By Digital Music News
News•Feb 20, 2026
Scrubs Revival Brings Back Neil Flynn And Christa Miller — Showrunner Teases The Janitor And Jordan's Returns
ABC’s nine‑episode “Scrubs” revival will feature original cast members Neil Flynn and Christa Miller returning for single‑episode guest spots as the Janitor and Jordan, respectively. Core stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Donald Faison are back, while Judy Reyes and...
By TVLine
News•Feb 20, 2026
Marvel's Original Thanos Actor Played A Classic Green Lantern Villain In The Arrowverse
Damion Poitier was the first actor to portray Thanos, appearing in the post‑credits cameo of 2012’s The Avengers before the role was recast with Josh Brolin. After a brief background appearance in Captain America: Civil War, Poitier transitioned to DC...
By TVLine
News•Feb 20, 2026
AEQ Notes ESPN Brazil’s Use of Olympia 3
ESPN Brazil equipped its NBA Finals coverage with AEQ’s Olympia 3 commentary system, integrating eight units through LineUP. The deployment replaced legacy commentator panels at the São Paulo headquarters and an on‑site booth in Oklahoma, enabling native IP audio workflows. AEQ highlighted...
By Radio World
Blog•Feb 20, 2026
Tube Trends: ‘Primetime’ For Social Video? It Depends
Tubular Labs’ analysis of U.S. YouTube activity shows a clear “primetime” window from 7 a.m. to noon ET, with the highest average daily views (6.1%) occurring at 8 a.m. ET. Early‑morning uploads also generate the most views per video, suggesting untapped potential...
By TVREV
News•Feb 20, 2026
Downtown Music Completes Merger with Virgin Music
The episode announces that Downtown Music Holdings has finalized its $775 million acquisition and merger with Virgin Music Group, a deal first revealed in December. Founder Justin Kalifowitz is exiting Downtown, marking a leadership transition as the combined entity positions itself...
By RAIN News
Blog•Feb 20, 2026
Politico’s Mass. Playbook Is Ending, and Kelly Garrity Is Taking Her Talents to The Boston Globe
Politico announced the termination of its Massachusetts Playbook, a daily newsletter covering state politics, after more than eight years. The newsletter’s editor, Kelly Garrity, will launch a new political newsletter at The Boston Globe later this year. The Playbook, launched...
By Media Nation
News•Feb 20, 2026
NAB Rolls Out Hyper-Local AM Advocacy Spots
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has introduced hyper‑local public‑service announcements that thank individual legislators for backing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The spots are customized for each of the 49 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S....
By Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Sinclair Given FCC OK To Buy Three SSA Partner Stations
Sinclair Broadcast Group has received Federal Communications Commission approval to acquire three stations it already operates under shared services agreements. The transactions include the Howard Stirk Holdings NBC affiliate in Flint, Michigan, a Cunningham Broadcasting station in Traverse City, Michigan,...
By Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Why Denzel Washington Agreed To Star In St. Elsewhere
Academy‑winning actor Denzel Washington anchored NBC’s medical drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988, a role he accepted after his agent advised against a sitcom. He selected the ensemble series because its rotating cast let him “sneak out” for film work,...
By TVLine
News•Feb 20, 2026
Subscription Exodus: Consumers Are Fleeing 'Digital Overload'
Consumers are increasingly abandoning digital subscriptions, with email leading the exodus, according to Profit Engine’s analysis of the most Googled “how to unsubscribe” queries. The top ten services—ranging from Amazon Prime and Disney Plus to ChatGPT and HelloFresh—are cited for fee...
By MediaPost
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Fake ICE Tip Line Reveals Widespread Fear and Paranoia
This @drewharwell_ story about a man who set up a fake ICE tip line, and the sheer range of people who called in, is gutting https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/20/fake-ice-tip-line-viral/
By Taylor Lorenz
Social•Feb 20, 2026
American Media Must Highlight Unresisted Dictatorship Collapse
I asked @derspiegel to share this important interview with Robert Kagan in English. Rafaela von Bredow made it happen. This is how American media should be talking: "We Are Watching a Country Fall Under Dictatorship Almost Without Resistance" https://t.co/Ctij7ummvc
By Jeff Jarvis
News•Feb 20, 2026
How to Manage the Devices Using Your Apple TV Subscription
Apple TV does not provide a native list of devices streaming under a subscription, relying instead on the broader Apple ID device management. Users can sign out all browsers via the Account Access settings and must change passwords promptly if...
By The Streamable
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Predictive Rankings Aren’t Journalism, They Mislead Voters
Just fucking stop. Prediction is not journalism. It does nothing to inform the electorate. It is media self-indulgence. And it's usually wrong. The 2028 Democratic Presidential Contenders, Ranked by Nate Silver https://t.co/V3LGKnCvIs
By Jeff Jarvis
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Digital ID Tracking Has Been Power's Goal Since 2017
I've been reporting on this legal effort since 2017 in the U.S. (and it started far before that). Whitney Webb is 1000% correct that the goal of Digital ID and tracking everything every person says/consumes online has long been the...
By Taylor Lorenz
News•Feb 20, 2026
Wyoming Public Media Birthday Party Turns Into Funding Rally
Wyoming Public Media celebrated its 60th birthday with a rally that turned into a funding push. A Wyoming Senate amendment, championed by Sen. Ogden Driskill, would restore roughly $1.7 million that the Freedom‑Caucus‑aligned budget had cut. The amendment cleared the Senate,...
By Current
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Privacy Sacrificed Under the Pretext of Child Protection
When are people going to wake up and realize that they're trying to obliterate all privacy in the name of "protecting children"??
By Taylor Lorenz
News•Feb 20, 2026
Amanda Holden Urges "Think Outside the Box" When Choosing New Strictly Presenters
Former Strictly hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed, sparking a search for new presenters. Amanda Holden urged the BBC to think outside the box, recommending a bold, possibly all‑female duo and suggesting comedians Katherine Ryan, Daisy May Cooper, and Alex Jones, as...
By Digital Spy – TV
News•Feb 20, 2026
Trio of Lloyds Ads Highlights the Realisation of "Long-Held Dreams"
Lloyds Bank has rolled out a new series of advertisements under its "Bank on Lloyds" brand platform. The creative work was produced by Publicis Go, a bespoke agency team assembled for the project. The campaign highlights the realisation of long‑held...
By Campaign UK
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Kids' Chats Aren't Gambling: Regulation Misconstrues Communication
Comparing kids messaging other human kids (which is the primary way young ppl use social media) to online gambling and chatbots is dirty work. Speech/communication is fundamentally different than gambling, but you’re trying to conflate the two so you can...
By Taylor Lorenz
News•Feb 20, 2026
BBC Responds to Report that "Brilliant" Detective Drama Virdee Has Been 'Cancelled'
The BBC has effectively confirmed that the Bradford‑set detective drama *Virdee* will not return after its six‑episode debut in early 2025. Despite a solid 6.4/10 IMDb rating and praise for its fresh cultural perspective, the series was reportedly cancelled due...
By Digital Spy – TV
News•Feb 20, 2026
'Brilliant' Sitcom Branded "Underrated" Jumps Into Netflix's UK Trending Chart
US sitcom The Middle has surged to number five on Netflix UK’s trending chart after its recent addition to the platform. The nine‑season series, which follows the lower‑middle‑class Heck family, is now outperforming high‑profile titles like Bridgerton and Love Is...
By Digital Spy – TV
News•Feb 20, 2026
CRTC Clears A New Path For New First Nations FMs
First Peoples Radio’s CFPT‑FM (ELMNT FM) in Toronto signed off on September 1, 2024 after struggling with revenue and ratings. The Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) responded by announcing a new regulatory pathway to license additional First Nations‑focused FM stations. Toronto...
By Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Meta To Host Virtual Marketing Summit On March 11 To Address AI-Driven Advertising Strategies
Meta will host its Marketing Summit Online 2026 on March 11, a virtual event spanning three continents for marketers, brand executives, and creators. The agenda includes Meta’s 2026 product roadmap, AI‑driven advertising tactics, and performance measurement sessions led by senior...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 20, 2026
The Takin A Walk Podcast Celebrates The Release of The New Documentary “Ron Delsener Presents “
The Takin’ A Walk podcast released a special episode spotlighting the new documentary “Ron Delsener Presents.” Director Jake Sumner and veteran promoter Jules Belkin discuss Delsener’s five‑decade career shaping New York’s concert landscape. The film chronicles how Delsener booked legends...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 20, 2026
Programmatic Sales Executive
Acast, the leading podcast marketplace, is hiring a Programmatic Sales Executive for its U.S. team. The role will own a programmatic revenue book, driving sales across agencies, trading desks, DSPs and in‑house teams, with a compensation range of $110K‑$130K plus...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 20, 2026
Producer, Video Podcasts
The Atlantic announced a full‑time Video Podcast Producer role in Washington, DC, offering a salary between $85,000 and $100,000. The producer will lead end‑to‑end production of a weekly news video podcast for YouTube and audio feeds, and occasionally create video...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 20, 2026
Brand Marketers Can’t See Where Their Influencer Budgets Go. And They’re Running Out Of Patience
An ANA survey of 84 brand marketers reveals that only half have full visibility into influencer agency payments, with up to 61% potentially facing opaque compensation structures. More than half of respondents intend to revise their compensation models within the...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 20, 2026
Creator Monetization Platform Destream Enters GCC Market
Destream, a creator‑focused monetization platform, has launched services in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), giving regional influencers access to a global payment infrastructure. The rollout includes secure payment links, multi‑currency payouts and a Mastercard‑backed debit card, plus a built‑in eSIM...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 20, 2026
Microdrama Apps Stand Out on Mobile: Here’s What the Numbers Say
Short and micro‑drama apps emerged as a breakout mobile category in 2025, logging 5.78 billion hours of usage year‑over‑year. The segment recorded the second‑largest download surge, adding 1.66 billion installs, while revenue jumped 115% to $2.98 billion, placing it third in revenue growth...
By Marketing Dive
News•Feb 20, 2026
Spain: Streaming Revenues Overtake Traditional Broadcasters
Spain’s audiovisual market has reached a tipping point as streaming platforms generated €3.58 billion in revenue in 2025, overtaking traditional television’s €3.35 billion for the first time. The surge is driven by ad‑supported tiers, which lifted OTT advertising income 25% to €357 million...
By Advanced Television
News•Feb 20, 2026
KSPS PBS Appoints Skyler Reep GM
Skyler Reep has been appointed president and general manager of KSPS PBS in Spokane, Washington, effective immediately after serving as interim GM. Reep joined the station in 2017 as membership director and was promoted to director of development in 2023,...
By Current
News•Feb 20, 2026
Rob Wiseman Named CEO of Classical KING
Classical KING announced that Rob Wiseman will assume the chief executive officer position on March 10, succeeding long‑time leader Brenda Barnes. Wiseman, who joined the Seattle‑based public radio station in 2024 as chief advancement officer, brings a track record in development...
By Current
News•Feb 20, 2026
Hargreaves Lansdown Ad Focuses on the Value of Experience in Changing Times
UK investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown launched a new television advertisement created by Wonderhood Studios that emphasizes the value of experience in today’s rapidly changing financial landscape. The spot portrays seasoned advisors guiding clients through market turbulence, positioning experience as a competitive...
By Campaign UK
News•Feb 20, 2026
TALKERS Magazine Enthusiastically Supports the 2026 IBS Conference in New York as Its Presenting Sponsor
TALKERS magazine is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference in New York, marking its second consecutive year of support. The three‑day event, held Feb. 19‑21 at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel, brings roughly a thousand...
By Talkers
News•Feb 20, 2026
Rural Virginia FM Poised To Trade Hands After Failed Deal
A Class A FM station serving Virginia’s Appalachian border with Kentucky has been sold to the Somerset Educational Broadcasting Foundation, pending FCC approval. The deal replaces a 2024 transaction that fell through, marking the station’s first change of hands in...
By Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
SABO SEZ: Anarchy Wins in Radio
Walter Sabo announced he will speak at the IBS New York 2026 conference, urging college students to consider radio careers. He argues that radio uniquely lets newcomers launch ideas on air instantly, unlike the corporate‑controlled environments of TV and film....
By Talkers
News•Feb 20, 2026
PBS Kids Official Visits Arkansas as Campaign Aims to Keep Public Television Affiliation
PBS Kids senior vice president Sara DeWitt visited Little Rock to headline a public forum organized by the newly formed Friends of Arkansas PBS. The group, chaired by former first ladies Gay White and Barbara Pryor, is urging the Arkansas...
By Current
News•Feb 20, 2026
Dr. Asa Andrew Guests on TALKERS MEDIA YouTube Channel Podcast
Dr. Asa Andrew, known as “America’s Health Coach,” appeared as this week’s guest on Talkers Media’s YouTube podcast “Up Close Far Out.” Host Michael Harrison guided a conversation that covered health‑care trends, personal motivation, multi‑platform branding, and the niche world...
By Talkers
News•Feb 20, 2026
Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 16-20, 2026)
In the week of February 16‑20, 2026, talk‑radio audiences tuned in to a diverse slate of headlines that shaped the national conversation. Data from TALKERS shows that the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, including executive resignations and the arrest...
By Talkers