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:
Skycom Installs ‘The Social Tree’ DOOH Structure at Select CityWalk
Skycom has installed a 50‑foot‑tall, 46‑foot‑wide digital out‑of‑home (DOOH) structure called “The Social Tree” at Nexus Select CityWalk. The cuboid LED screen offers 1,950 sq ft of 12K resolution display, 360‑degree visibility, 3D anamorphic capability, and synchronized lighting and sound. It also embeds audience analytics to capture attention and engagement metrics. The placement targets the mall’s high footfall and long dwell times, aiming to shift advertisers from pure impressions to immersive brand experiences.
A Prominent French Publisher Is Dismissed, Alarming Authors and Media Watchers
Olivier Nora, who led Éditions Grasset for 26 years, was abruptly dismissed by parent company Hachette on April 14. Hachette, now owned by Vivendi and controlled by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, installed longtime Bolloré associate Jean‑Christophe Thiery as his replacement. More than 130 Grasset authors...
Hachette Turns In a Solid First Quarter 2026
Hachette parent Lagardère Publishing reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of €615 million (about $670 million), a 1.1% year‑on‑year decline, primarily due to a 4% drop in the United Kingdom after a record‑setting 2025. In the United States revenue rose 2% on new James...
CONTEC Buenos Aires Highlights Audio, PoD, Metadata, and AI
Frankfurter Buchmesse hosted its third CONTEC summit in Buenos Aires on April 21, 2026, focusing on audio, print‑on‑demand, metadata and AI. The event featured an Audio Forum that examined the booming Spanish‑language audiobook market and offered strategies for rights exploitation...
Weekend Thread: Book Therapy
Kathleen Schmidt announced the launch of "Book Therapy," a paid Substack community aimed at authors and publishing professionals. The forum offers a safe space to discuss publishing processes, book publicity, and marketing strategies. Subscribers can post questions, share concerns, and...
ENCO Upgrades SPECai With Multi-Voice and Video Capability
ENCO, Benztown, and Compass Media Networks announced a major upgrade to the AI‑driven spec‑ad platform SPECai at the NAB Show. The new features add multi‑voice generation with emotion control, integrated sound‑effects editing, and a plug‑in that transforms radio spots into...
FixEd Podcast: Making Local Media Work, with Mill Media's Joshi Herrmann
Mill Media, a UK reader‑funded local news network, has scaled from a single Manchester newsletter to a six‑city operation employing 25 full‑time journalists. The company relies on a “publish less” strategy, sending only four curated emails per week per city...
Christopher Meloni’s ‘Organized Crime’ Axed, and He Hints at Chances of 'SVU' Return
NBC announced the cancellation of Law & Order: Organized Crime after five seasons, ending Christopher Meloni’s return as Detective Elliot Stabler. The procedural had been a flagship revival for the franchise, launching in 2021 and running three seasons on the...
Meeting the Audience Where They Are: How Local News International Is Rewriting the Rules of News Delivery
Local News International (LNI), founded by former Washington Post TikTok star Dave Jorgenson and video director Lauren Saks, is championing a creator‑led, humor‑centric news model. Within a year of its mid‑2025 launch, LNI amassed over 250,000 YouTube subscribers and a...
NAB Show 2026: Facilis Technology Announces Partnership with Ortana Media Group for Secure Web Administration of HUB Servers
Facilis Technology announced a partnership with Ortana Media Group to embed Ortana’s Cubix Connect Widget into its HUB shared‑storage servers. The integration gives administrators remote, web‑based control over user accounts, workstation authorization, and server health across LAN and WAN environments....
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Back Button Hijacking Penalty, Spam Reporting Change, Google Ads AI Max Replacing DSAs &...
Google announced a new spam penalty targeting back‑button hijacking, expanding its enforcement toolkit. The company also said spam‑report submissions may be used for manual actions, tightening the feedback loop for abusive sites. In the ads arena, Dynamic Search Ads are...
World Cup Changes Lift Fox, Telemundo Cash Projections
Stella Artois’ World Cup ad starring David Beckham underscores a shift toward bar‑based viewing, prompting Fox Sports and Telemundo to lean heavily into out‑of‑home (OOH) audiences. Nielsen data shows OOH accounted for more than 30% of Gold Cup impressions and is expected to...
The Most Overlooked Asset in Your Influencer Program Is the Content Itself
A retail client swapped brand‑produced creative for influencer‑generated assets across paid ads, email, and its website, delivering a 57% lift in ROAS, a three‑fold increase in email click‑through rates, and a 3.5× boost in on‑site conversions with a zero‑bounce rate....
Google Ads Safety Improves Year‑Over‑Year, Report Shows
Google Ads Safety report - here are the numbers year over year for the past several years https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ads-safety-report-41173.html
A Weekend Binge-Watch: Dystopian Belgian Drama with "Captivating Story" Is Streaming in the UK Now
Arcadia’s second season has launched on Channel 4’s streaming platform, appearing in the “new and trending” carousel for UK viewers. The Belgian‑Dutch sci‑fi drama continues its depiction of a hyper‑surveilled society where a social‑score system dictates citizens’ freedoms, and this season...
Pete Hegseth Uses the Bible to Demonize the Press
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a biblical analogy at a Pentagon briefing to denounce the press as modern‑day Pharisees, accusing journalists of unpatriotic bias. His remarks came as the Pentagon enforces a new policy restricting media access to unclassified defense...
Black Representation Drives Brand Opportunities: Here’s What the Numbers Say
A Nielsen study reveals Black consumers are far more responsive to ads that reflect their culture, with 66.6‑76% saying they pay extra attention versus 45.8% of the general population. Seventy percent will abandon brands that devalue their community, and expectations...
Spotify Roll Out Its Own AI-Transparency Feature in Beta
Spotify has begun beta testing an AI‑transparency feature that lets artists disclose how artificial intelligence contributed to their tracks, adding specific credits for vocals, lyrics, or production in the Song Credits view. The rollout depends on artists voluntarily sharing this...
Nordic Murders Season 6 on Walter Presents
Season 6 of the German‑Polish crime series Nordic Murders is now streaming on Channel 4’s Walter Presents, adding five new 90‑minute episodes that continue the saga of ex‑prosecutor Karin Lossow. The season deepens the personal storyline, with Karin confronting the mystery surrounding her daughter...
EBU Raises Concerns over Czech Public Media Funding Plans
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has warned that the Czech government’s plan to overhaul public‑service media funding could jeopardise editorial independence. The union cites Article 5 of the European Media Freedom Act, which obliges EU states to provide stable, predictable financing...
Success Lies Beyond the Click, Not the Creative
Most distribution systems don't die at the top. They die at the handoff. Ad performs. Page doesn't convert. Email opens. Link doesn't get clicked. Content lands. No next step exists. Everyone optimizes the first moment. Nobody designs what happens right after it. Ran paid campaigns with 4%...
Google’s Gemini Powers Massive Ad Purge and Local Dominance
And beyond 8.3B ads removed by Google (with the help of Gemini), here is another important area where Google has a massive advantage -- Local. I'm sure OpenAI is like, "Whoa... do we have to do that as well? Can...
From Lagos to London, Communiqué IRL Is on the Move
Communiqué IRL announced its first overseas gathering, a live networking event in London on June 19, 2026. The series, previously Africa‑focused, aims to connect African diaspora creators, innovators, and cultural leaders with the U.K. creative economy. Attendees will engage in...
Exploring Economic Forces in Planet Money’s New Book
NEW ODD LOTS - THE PLANET MONEY/ODD LOTS CROSSOVER EPISODE @TheStalwart & I speak with @planetmoney's @mdc and contributor Alex Mayassi about their new book "Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life" https://t.co/no4aqQgefa
OpenAI Stunned by Its Own Ad Platform Launch
I'm sure OpenAI is like, wait, what? ... as they roll out their new ad platform. LOL
An AI Model Most Dangerous, Europe’s Child Safety Muddle and Altman Fights Back
The European Commission rolled out an age‑verification app that lets users prove their age with passports, national IDs or trusted institutions, a step toward the EU’s broader child‑safety agenda. A security researcher quickly exposed vulnerabilities that could leak sensitive personal...
YouTube Mobile App Now Supports Timestamped Video Sharing
Small, but great addition -> You can now share a timestamped video via the YouTube *mobile* app - finally https://t.co/Oh7r8BfN1b https://t.co/47TfWrfyHM
News Organizations Reconsider Ties to AI Company Nota After Plagiarism Findings
AI startup Nota AI faced a plagiarism scandal after Poynter uncovered that its experimental Nota News sites published dozens of articles copied from 53 journalists across 29 outlets. The company shut down the sites, fired the two contractors responsible, and...
Disney/Marvel Unveils Brand New Theater Experience for 'Avengers: Doomsday'
Disney and Marvel unveiled Infinity Vision, a new certification for premium large‑format theaters, ahead of the December 18, 2026 release of Avengers: Doomsday. The move counters Warner Bros.’ three‑week exclusive IMAX window for Dune: Part Three, which will be the only IMAX title...
What’s Wrong with Media Planning?
Media planning is increasingly being treated as a low‑budget, fast‑track function, according to industry veteran Pippa Glucklich. She warns that the role is underfunded, rushed, and reduced to rigid frameworks, stripping away the human insight that drives effective campaigns. The...
15 Years Ago Today, HBO Debuted Its Greatest Show Ever
On April 17, 2001 HBO launched Game of Thrones, a fantasy epic that quickly became the network’s most iconic series. Over eight seasons it amassed more than 200 Primetime Emmy wins, cementing HBO’s reputation for premium content. The show generated...
MobLand Star's "Completely Gripping" British Thriller Is Now Streaming for Free
British thriller *Dead Man’s Shoes*, starring and co‑written by Paddy Considine, is now available for free on Channel 4’s streaming platform for a limited 13‑day window. The 2004 film follows a soldier’s brutal revenge against drug dealers who harmed his disabled brother, earning...
Google Blocks 8.3B Policy-Violating Ads in 2025, Launches Android 17 Privacy Overhaul
Google announced that in 2025 it blocked or removed 8.3 billion policy‑violating ads and suspended 24.9 million accounts worldwide. At the same time it rolled out Android 17, which replaces the broad READ_CONTACTS permission with a granular Contact Picker and adds a one‑time...
Attention Data Hoarders: Alexa Loses Its Plex Appeal as Voice Feature Gets Canned
Plex announced that its Alexa skill will be discontinued on June 15, 2026, citing low usage. The voice‑controlled playback feature for Plex media servers will stop working on Amazon Echo devices, though the core Plex apps and web interface remain...
For You Feeds Prioritize Dopamine over Real Information
Even though my For You tab has gotten better at being tailored to my interests (markets/AI, politics, sports), it’s more brain rottish/bad dopamine than the Following tab, just trying to push my buttons more than inform me.
Netflix's Beef Season 2 Debuts to Strong Viewership, Celebrity Cameos and Market Buzz
Netflix launched the second season of its Emmy‑winning anthology Beef on April 16, drawing millions of viewers and high‑profile cameos, including a brief appearance by Finneas O'Connell. The debut arrives as Netflix’s shares slipped 0.6% ahead of its Q1 earnings, underscoring...
Mega Influencers Explained: Definition, Follower Count, Cost, and When to Use Them
Mega influencers are creators with over 1 million followers on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, positioning them closer to celebrities than typical influencers. While they deliver massive reach and rapid brand awareness, their engagement rates hover around 1.97%, far...
Poppi Lands $400K Shark Tank Deal While Founder Was Pregnant, Valuation Climbs to $2 B
Poppi’s co‑founder, Kayla Ellsworth, clinched a $400,000, 25% equity deal on Shark Tank while nine months pregnant, a deal that helped launch the brand to a $2 billion valuation after PepsiCo’s $1.95 billion acquisition. The story underscores how TV exposure, viral TikTok...
Sencore Unveils VB4400 Platform Capable of Monitoring up to 80Gps of Simultaneous Streaming
Sencore introduced the VB4400, a high‑density monitoring platform that can handle up to 80 Gbps of simultaneous SMPTE ST 2110 and IPMX streams. Fully NMOS‑certified, the 1RU system offers real‑time signal integrity checks, lip‑sync measurement and built‑in signal generation. At NAB 2026 the company...
Reed Hastings Steps Down From Netflix Board, Shifts Focus to Philanthropy
Reed Hastings announced he will not seek re‑election as Netflix’s board chair at the June shareholders’ meeting, opting to focus on philanthropy. The move coincided with a Q1 earnings beat, an 8%‑9% after‑hours share drop and a $2.8 billion termination fee...
Netflix Targets $3 B in Ad Revenue by 2026 as Advertising Tier Fuels Growth
Netflix said its ad‑supported tier will generate about $3 billion in advertising revenue by 2026, roughly double the current level. The streaming giant now works with more than 4,000 advertisers, a 70% year‑on‑year increase, and programmatic buying is set to exceed...
Paramount Appoints Jay Askinasi as CRO to Unite Pluto, Paramount+ and BET+ Ads
Paramount announced that Jay Askinasi will serve as its new chief revenue officer, tasked with consolidating Pluto TV, Paramount+ and BET+ onto a single tech stack and rolling out premium streaming ad products. The move aims to leverage the company’s...
Dove Awards Seven-Figure Influencer Brief
Unilever’s Dove has awarded a seven‑figure micro‑influencer marketing brief to a creative communications agency after a four‑way competitive pitch. The brief targets micro‑influencers to drive authentic engagement for Dove’s personal‑care products. The deal underscores Dove’s shift toward performance‑based, socially resonant...
The Standard's Dan Locke to Join The Independent in New Tie-Up
Independent Media has finalized a partnership that places The Standard’s digital operations under the control of The Independent. As part of the deal, Dan Locke, the former head of digital at The Standard, will join The Independent’s team to oversee...
College Influencer Nah Turns Side‑Hustle Into Six‑Figure Career, Redefining Campus Marketing
Amherst College sophomore Nah has leveraged TikTok and Instagram to earn a six‑figure income from brand partnerships, signaling a shift toward student‑generated content as a core marketing channel for universities. The rise of “StudyTok” creators is prompting institutions to formalize...
DAZN Takes NASCAR Euro Series Worldwide in New Free-to-View Deal
DAZN announced a global free‑to‑view partnership with the NASCAR Euro Series, streaming every race in English worldwide except the Netherlands and Romania. The 2026 season launches in Spain on April 16 and will travel across six European countries before ending in...
Netflix Q1 2026 Earnings Beat Profit but Stock Slides on Cautious Outlook
Netflix reported first‑quarter 2026 earnings with net income of $5.28 billion and revenue up 16% to $12.25 billion, beating analysts' estimates. The streaming giant’s stock fell after it kept full‑year guidance below market expectations, underscoring investor concern over future growth.
Why the Original Stranger Things Cast Aren't Back for New '85 Spin-Off on Netflix
Netflix is debuting "Stranger Things: Tales from ’85," an animated spin‑off set between the series' second and third seasons. The show arrives on April 23 and retains the original characters but replaces the familiar live‑action actors with a new child...
TNT Sports Announces Commentators for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico First Round Games on Sunday, April 19
TNT Sports unveiled its commentator roster for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, kicking off with up to 28 first‑round games on Sunday, April 19. The opening match features the Los Angeles Kings versus the Colorado Avalanche, followed by the Montreal Canadiens against...
Netflix Points to Partnerships, Pricing and Advertising Growth in Latest Results
Netflix highlighted that distribution partnerships, disciplined pricing, and a fast‑growing ad‑supported tier are fueling its global expansion. New bundling deals with Mercado Libre in Mexico and Brazil have deepened market penetration. Recent price hikes in Spain were well received overall,...