Today's Media Pulse
BBC greenlights legal drama “Reputation” on celebrity libel battle
BBC has commissioned a six‑episode series titled “Reputation” that dramatizes a high‑stakes celebrity libel fight. Created by Anya Reiss, the show follows a free‑speech lawyer defending pop star Davina Knight against defamation claims. The drama taps into recent public feuds and aims to blend courtroom tension with pop‑culture intrigue.
Also developing:
Peacock Launches Ad‑Free Premium Plus on Roku Channel at $17/Month
NBCUniversal’s Peacock service now offers its ad‑free Premium Plus plan directly through the Roku Channel, priced at $17 per month or $170 annually. The move lets Roku users consolidate subscriptions and adds cloud DVR features, tightening the competition among streaming platforms.
FCC Accelerates ABC License Review, Demanding Early Renewal by May 28
The Federal Communications Commission announced on April 28 that it will fast‑track the renewal review of Disney’s eight ABC local TV stations, citing concerns over the network’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices. ABC must file for renewal by May 28,...
Jack Dorsey-Backed Vine Reboot Divine Launches Publicly with 500,000 Archived Vines and New Posting Tools
Divine, a Vine revival funded by Jack Dorsey’s nonprofit “and Other Stuff,” has gone public on iOS and Android, offering users a fresh six‑second looping video platform. The launch includes an archive of roughly 500,000 historic Vines from about 100,000...
Margo’s Got Money Troubles Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date
Apple TV+ is banking on the novel‑based comedy‑drama *Margo’s Got Money Troubles* to expand its original content slate. The series stars Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and Nick Offerman, earning positive critic reviews and a growing fanbase. While Apple has not...
Study: Roku's Low-Cost, Ad-Free Howdy Streamer Hits 1 Million Subs
Roku’s ad‑free streaming service Howdy, priced at $2.99 per month, has surpassed 1 million subscribers since its August 2025 launch. The Antenna study shows the service added roughly 300 K users in its first month and continues to attract over 100 K new subscribers...
Substack Promotion Boosts First‑Week Book Sales
lena dunham reportedly sold 60k copies of her book in the first week. she did a ton of press on substack—guest essays, q&as, etc. thought this was an interesting insight that likely also applies to products other than books.
Building a Defensible Data Business: The Publisher’s Playbook
The article outlines how B2B publishers can monetize latent data assets by building defensible data businesses, citing 67 Bricks' work with the Economist Intelligence Unit, IWSR and others. It presents a taxonomy of five data‑business categories—risk management, regulatory compliance, operational decisions,...
Spanish AI Video Startup Magnific Hits $230 Million ARR While Staying Bootstrapped
Magnific, the Spanish AI video platform that evolved from the stock‑image site Freepik, announced $230 million in annual recurring revenue, with half of that coming from video services. The company has remained entirely bootstrapped and profitable, challenging the prevailing belief that...
"American Idol" Scores 5.3 Million Total Viewers with Biggest Audience in Over 2 Months During Taylor Swift Night
American Idol aired a Taylor Swift‑themed episode on April 27, 2026, drawing 5.34 million total viewers and a 0.42 rating in the coveted Adults 18‑49 demo. The broadcast topped all entertainment programs that night and posted a 5% week‑over‑week gain, its strongest audience since...
Not So FAST
In this episode, host John Gingek chats with industry veteran Gavin Bridge—formerly a researcher, Variety analyst, and head of fast channels at Amazon MGM—about the structural flaws in today’s streaming model. Bridge argues that the industry’s focus on binge‑worthy tentpole...
Bay Broadcasting Goes National with Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio, and Sunshine 106.8
Bay Broadcasting, Ireland’s second‑largest radio group, announced that its three stations—Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8—will launch on national DAB via the Failte DAB Mux2 trial. The rollout will cover roughly 85% of the population, adding an estimated 2.5 million...
ENCO Adds Real-Time Voice Translation for Broadcast and AV
ENCO unveiled enSpeak, a real‑time voice translation layer that sits on its enCaption live‑captioning platform. The solution delivers natural‑sounding, low‑latency audio translations and extends multilingual text to smartphones and browsers via enTranslate Mobile. It can be deployed in cloud, on‑premises...
The Boys Season 5s Supernatural Reunion Is a Bloody Good Time
Season 5 of The Boys delivers a surprise crossover in episode five, “One‑Shots,” where Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins reunite on screen as Soldier Boy, Mister Marathon and Malchemical. The trio briefly incapacitates Homelander, providing a rare moment of...
Account Director, Podcast
SiriusXM subsidiary AdsWizz is hiring an Account Director to lead revenue growth for its podcast advertising platform. The role will manage high‑value publisher relationships, develop strategic account plans, and coordinate with product, engineering, and business development teams. Candidates need at...
A Quick Follow-Up — How to Switch to Annual
Elena, author of the Substack newsletter Motherhood Until Yesterday, announced a deadline for subscribers to switch from a monthly to an annual plan. The annual subscription is $50 per year if changed before May 14, after which the price will increase...
5 TV Myths It's Time To Stop Believing Once And For All
The article debunks five persistent TV‑buying myths, showing that 4K adds little value on screens under 44 inches, premium HDMI cables don’t improve picture quality, extended warranties are often overpriced, contrast‑ratio specifications are inconsistent, and OLED burn‑in is rarely a...
National Legacy Media Benefited From Fund Meant for "Local Journalism"
The Liberal government’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI), launched in 2019 with a $50 M CAD (≈$37 M USD) budget to aid news deserts, has largely funded legacy media. Records disclosed that major outlets such as the Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, Winnipeg Free Press...
The Scoop: Disney Says It’s ‘Prepared to Fight’ FCC License Review
The Federal Communications Commission announced an accelerated review of broadcast licenses for Disney’s ABC stations, citing an investigation into the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The action follows President Donald Trump’s public criticism of ABC after a Jimmy Kimmel...
‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Trailer Reveals August Premiere Date
Apple TV+ announced that the fourth season of the hit series "Ted Lasso" will premiere on August 5, 2026, with new episodes airing weekly through October 7. The season follows Ted Lasso as he takes on the challenge of coaching...
‘ATSC 1.0 Must Go’
At the 2026 NAB Show, Sinclair/ONE Media displayed a bold "ATSC 1.0 Must Go" message, underscoring industry pressure to retire the legacy digital‑TV standard. Proponents argue that only by sunsetting ATSC 1.0 can broadcasters fully exploit ATSC 3.0’s spectrum efficiency and new data services. Meanwhile,...
Enjoy New Ways to Create, Search and Stream on Google TV
Google TV announced a suite of AI‑powered features that let users create images and videos, search and remix Google Photos by voice, and enjoy dynamic slideshows. The tools, branded Nano Banana and Veo, are available today on Gemini‑enabled TCL Google...
Why On-Screen Tension Works Best when Audiences Don’t Know What’s Next
Television writers deliberately withhold information to create suspense, using pauses, cliffhangers, and misdirection to keep audiences engaged. By timing delayed reveals and balancing character knowledge, they amplify curiosity and drive viewers to stay tuned. The same principles apply to games...
Expedia Bets on Creator-Led Marketing with IShowSpeed Partnership
Expedia has signed a global partnership with livestream star IShowSpeed to capture Gen Z travelers, launching a Caribbean‑focused, 12‑hour livestream and a dedicated Exspeedia.com hub. The campaign blends real‑time travel discovery with fan‑driven interactivity, allowing users to watch behind‑the‑scenes footage, book...
‘CW Sports’ Gets Streaming Boost With ESPN App Deal
The CW Network’s sports division, CW Sports, will begin streaming its live events on the ESPN app through the ESPN Unlimited subscription, with a launch targeted for summer 2026. The partnership adds more than 800 hours of college football, basketball, NASCAR,...
Luke Grimes on Stepping Back Into the Shoes (and Cowboy Hat) of Kayce in Yellowstone Spin-Off Marshals
Luke Grimes returns as Kayce Dutton in the new Paramount+ series "Marshals," a spin‑off of the hit drama Yellowstone. The show follows Kayce, now a U.S. Marshal, merging his cowboy roots with his Navy SEAL training to enforce law across...
How to Turn Text to Video News Without a Production Team
AI-driven text‑to‑video platforms now let companies turn press releases, blogs, or internal memos into broadcast‑style news clips without a film crew. Pollo AI’s solution combines a digital avatar, news‑grade graphics and automatic voice‑over, delivering a finished video in minutes. The...
Retail Media Silos, Measurement, and Misconceptions Continue to Stymie Growth
Retail media spend is projected to near $70 billion in 2024, yet growth remains uneven. Amazon and Walmart dominate the market, using scale and first‑party data that smaller retailers can’t easily replicate. Executives at an ADWEEK House forum highlighted persistent challenges...
Ted Lasso: Season Four — Has the Apple TV+ Series Been Renewed or Cancelled Yet?
Apple TV+ has not confirmed whether Ted Lasso will return for a fourth season. The critically acclaimed sports comedy‑drama, starring Jason Sudeikis, wrapped its third season amid hints it could be the series’ end. The platform’s habit of keeping viewership...
How (and Why) Not to Write to Market
The article argues that "write to market" is misguided advice for authors. While understanding market trends is essential, chasing fleeting fads leads to books that miss the publishing window and feel derivative. Instead, writers should align their genuine passions with...
Why Publishing Still Confuses Artists (and What to Do About It)
Stephen Sawyerr, head of publishing at Giant Artist, argues that today’s artists often mistake publishing for full ownership and overlook its strategic value. He explains that modern co‑publishing deals typically grant the artist a 50% share of the underlying IP...
The YouTuber to Movie Director Pipeline
A growing subset of YouTubers treats the platform as a creative laboratory rather than a profit engine, using their channels to hone filmmaking skills and build ready‑made audiences. These creators, often focused on horror, action, gaming or anime, have leveraged...
The White Lotus: Season Four; Laura Dern Joins HBO Series in Recasting
HBO’s hit anthology _The White Lotus_ has recast a key role for its fourth season, bringing Oscar‑winner Laura Dern in to replace Helena Bonham Carter. Creator Mike White is writing a new character specifically for Dern, though plot details remain under wraps....
Press Pool Could Streamline AI Trials, but Risks Missing Nuance
Shakeel is right and makes an important point. There are so many AI stories happening right now and far too many get missed. I wonder if Musk v. Altman trial could be covered more like a political press pool, with one...
Peak Games’ ‘Mafia’ Fuels Turkey’s Booming Gaming Sector
In 2012, Peak Games cofounder Sidar Sahin told the WSJ: “I want a Peak Games mafia.” Peak was acquired by Zynga for $1.85 billion in 2020. Today, more than 65 companies in Turkey trace their lineage back to Peak. Turkey now represents ~4%...
Why Agents Reject Requested Manuscripts
Agents request full manuscripts only after a query letter and opening pages spark genuine interest. Many writers submit before the manuscript is fully polished, leading agents to see potential but also glaring flaws. Common rejection points include a middlegame that...
NBC Passed on JAG, Missed NCIS Franchise
CBS military drama "JAG," which spun-off "NCIS," concluded its 10-season run in 2005. After its original home, NBC, opted against a second season, it moved to CBS for another nine seasons. In other words, NBC could have been the home...
Live Interview with Maya Hawke on Apple Music
Talking to Maya Hawke live on the radio show in 20 minutes, see ya there @AppleMusic
Will Social Media Bans Reshape the Future of Marketing?
A wave of social‑media bans targeting users under 16 is reshaping how marketers reach younger audiences. Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia have already enacted strict age‑verification rules with fines up to roughly $33 million USD, while U.S. states impose varied limits and...
Top Broadcaster @WorldWideWob Still Missing From Major Networks
How is @WorldWideWob not on Prime, Peacock or ESPN?! One the great broadcasters of our time — a pure talent. You could build a network around him. https://t.co/CcZtF6AUFs
Legal Tech Media Prioritizes Sponsors Over Unbiased Reporting
there’s literally no real unbiased news in legal technology media. it’s all sponsorship based coverage and takes. that’s why they seem to “miss” on the actual newsworthy things because reporting on it honestly would upset their sponsors
The Testaments Recap: A Woman’s Touch
The Hulu adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s *The Testaments* pivots to Aunt Lydia’s perspective in the episode “Stadium,” where she narrates her own descent into complicity within Gilead’s brutal regime. Ann Dowd’s performance deepens Lydia’s conflicted blend of fear, survival instinct, and...
WSJ Repeats Our Client Insights After Seven Weeks
The Wall Street Journal is now telling its readers what we shared with our clients and readers more than seven weeks ago. Subscribe here: https://t.co/uge5K5nfvA
Questions on Anchor Return, PBS Misdirection, and Ad Break Rules
TV Talk: When will a missing @kdka anchor return to the air? Why is a local PBS viewer receiving a PBS station that is not @wqed ? Are there rules around commercial break timing for TV networks? Via @TribLIVE https://t.co/4sJRuzFDRS...
FCC Affirms Two LPFM Application Dismissals
On April 29, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission affirmed the dismissal of two low-power FM (LPFM) construction permit applications filed during the 2023 filing window. The rejected proposals would have established stations in Athens and Selma, Alabama. The FCC’s ruling...
YouTube Premium: My Best‑Value, Favorite Subscription Ever
LRT: my YouTube premium subscription is by far the best value and my most favorite subscription that has ever existed in the universe.
Apple TV Unveils Ted Lasso Season 4 Trailer, Showcases Richmond Women
Via @justwsports: Apple TV Drops ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Trailer, Spotlights Richmond Women’s Team https://t.co/4TSUPmDzHq
CBS Ratings Plunge Below Four‑million Viewers
FAFO, fascist media. Weeks below 4 million. Schadenfreude, thine abbreviation is Bari. CBS’ Ratings Calamity https://t.co/mAhYeV8hrm
Cruz Slams FCC for ABC License Review, Defends Free Speech
Ted Cruz Rips FCC Over ABC Broadcast License Review Following Kimmel Joke: ‘It Is Not Government’s Job to Censor Speech’ https://t.co/H6WjbWbbdi via @variety
Nature's $13k Pay‑to‑Publish Model Enriches Journals, Not Scientists
Also, the pay-to-publish model, as high as $13,000 in Nature Journals get rich, everyone else (scientists, public), poor
Google Monopolizes Ad Stack, Siphoning Data and Revenue
Incredible data on revenue shift from services you choose to interact to surveillance capitalists. Google, as an adjudicated illegal monopolist over the ad stack, captures an extraordinary amount of this value - revenue and data - to fuel its interests...