🎯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:
News•Feb 20, 2026
UKCRN Urges Response to Ofcom Consultation and Government Radio Review
The UK Community Radio Network (UKCRN) is urging community stations, volunteers and listeners to complete a sector survey by 28 March, feeding into a joint response to Ofcom’s licensing consultation and the DCMS radio review. The data will shape Ofcom’s strategic approach to broadcast radio licensing, affecting FM renewals, SSDAB digital carriage and future spectrum allocation. DCMS is also examining a possible managed transition away from FM in the 2030s, which could reshape the radio landscape. UKCRN plans to submit its consolidated response to Ofcom by 8 April, emphasizing the sector’s social value in policy decisions.
By Radio Today (UK)
News•Feb 20, 2026
What We Need to Know
In this episode, host Susie Banikarim examines three urgent media‑driven crises: the catastrophic humanitarian emergency in Sudan and the under‑reporting that persists despite on‑the‑ground reporting by Ann Curry; the backlash and confusion sparked by Elizabeth Bruenig’s fictional second‑person measles narrative...
By Columbia Journalism Review (CJR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Build the Moment: 2026 Is All About Brand Aura
In 2026 the advertising landscape has moved beyond the battle for eyeballs to a fight for relevance. Brands are being urged to build a lasting "brand aura" by crafting moments that matter rather than merely capturing attention. The article argues...
By Campaign UK
News•Feb 20, 2026
Center Parcs Brings Forest to Life at Tube Station
Center Parcs has launched an eye‑catching out‑of‑home campaign that transforms a London Underground station into a lush forest environment. Creative agency Neverland installed realistic trees, foliage and ambient wildlife sounds to immerse commuters in the brand’s nature‑focused ethos. The installation...
By Campaign UK
News•Feb 20, 2026
From Niche to Nation: How Radio Strengthens Communities
Radio continues to evolve as a vital connector for underrepresented communities, offering platforms in native languages and culturally resonant programming. Ethnic and community stations invite local voices, turning broadcasts into interactive roundtables that foster empathy and shared identity. By spotlighting...
By Radio Ink
News•Feb 20, 2026
Former Rep Cites Privacy, Public Safety in Push for AM Radio Bill
Former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter is urging Congress to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan bill that would require new vehicles to retain functional AM receivers. He argues that AM radio offers a privacy‑friendly, data‑free listening option...
By Radio Ink
News•Feb 20, 2026
Elevate Your Show’s Emotion
Personality radio shows are reframed as emotional‑experience businesses rather than pure content producers. The article cites Guy Raz’s advice that products sell feelings, urging hosts to own a specific emotional payoff such as joy, nostalgia, or validation. It introduces tools...
By Radio Ink
News•Feb 20, 2026
Compass Points Sperling To Affiliate Sales Director Role
Compass Media Networks has promoted Sydney Sperling to Director of Affiliate Sales, expanding her responsibilities for affiliate strategy and network growth. Sperling, a Trinity College graduate, joined the company in July 2023 and has helped broaden affiliate relationships for syndicated...
By Radio Ink
News•Feb 20, 2026
Chris Boffey: Star Reporter, News Editor, Mentor and ‘Great Human Being’
Chris Boffey, a 74‑year‑old veteran journalist, died after a four‑decade career that spanned the Sunday Mirror, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Observer and Guardian. He was celebrated for frontline reporting from Northern Ireland, the Omagh bombing, the Lockerbie crash and the...
By Press Gazette
Podcast•Feb 20, 2026•32 min
Why the Former Sony Head Blames Himself for the Infamous Hack
In this episode, host Matt Belloni sits down with Michael Lynton, former Sony Pictures CEO and current Snap Inc. chairman, to dissect his decision to greenlight the controversial comedy "The Interview" and the subsequent 2014 Sony hack. Lynton reflects on...
By The Town with Matthew Belloni
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Open‑source, Audited, Decentralized Tools Succeed without Government Control
“The tools that actually work in this space work because they’re open source, independently audited, decentralized, and not run by any government.” 🎯
By Taylor Lorenz
News•Feb 20, 2026
SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA to Rebrand as NEWS24
Sky News Australia will rebrand as News24 later in 2026, coinciding with its 30th anniversary and a shift toward a digital‑first, globally‑focused news operation. The new name drops the geographic tag to broaden appeal and mirrors News Corp’s worldwide branding....
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 20, 2026
One Chatbot’s Journey To Introducing Ads That Don’t Suck
Luzia, a Latin‑American AI assistant, moved from generic Google Display ads to Koah’s generative‑AI ad network to deliver native, context‑aware ads within its chat interface. Koah’s flexible formats—color, size, interactive polls—and hybrid CPC/CPM/CPE pricing let Luzia experiment with placement before...
By AdExchanger
News•Feb 20, 2026
WTF Is a Creator Capital Market?
Creator capital markets (CCMs) are emerging as a way for influencers to monetize future earnings through equity, revenue‑sharing tokens, or meme‑coins. Early platforms like GigaStar have raised millions by offering fans a stake in YouTube ad revenue, while crypto launchpads...
By Digiday
News•Feb 20, 2026
Viaplay Scores EFL Championship Rights in Nordics
Viaplay Group has signed a multi‑year agreement to broadcast every English Football League Championship match in the Nordic region through 2028. The deal adds the second‑tier league to Viaplay’s existing portfolio of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and selected...
By Advanced Television
News•Feb 20, 2026
DANIKA MASON’S ‘Drunk’ Cross – What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Channel Nine sports reporter Danika Mason appeared flustered during a live cross on the Today show, prompting viral speculation that she was drunk on‑air. The brief stumble was captured and widely shared across social media within hours. Mason returned the...
By TV Blackbox
Social•Feb 20, 2026
US Media to Flood UK Royal Coverage Online
I am highly confident the US press will have wall to wall coverage available int he UK over the internet. Ironically, it may be more than Trump indictments 1, 2 or 3 since it's less political and involves royal. So...
By Jason Kint
News•Feb 20, 2026
The Traitors Hits 40 International Commissions
All3Media International announced that The Traitors format has now been commissioned in 40 territories, with Indonesia becoming the 40th market for a 10‑episode celebrity adaptation in 2026. Recent roll‑outs include new versions in Slovakia, Estonia, Serbia, and Malta, while earlier...
By Advanced Television
News•Feb 20, 2026
Burnley FC Launches Docuseries on X
Burnley FC and X have expanded their partnership with the launch of "Limitless", an eight‑part behind‑the‑scenes docuseries following Burnley FC Women. The series, produced by VSP Studios and Ad Hoc Films, premieres on X on February 20 and will release new...
By Advanced Television
News•Feb 19, 2026
"What an Anti-Climax": Love Island Fans Slam "Boring" Firepit Questions for All Stars
Love Island: All Stars aired a fire‑pit Q&A segment where host Maya Jama read viewer‑submitted questions to the cast. Only one query sparked a brief argument between Samie and Lucinda, while the remaining questions were described as bland and uneventful....
By Digital Spy – TV
News•Feb 19, 2026
A Familiar Face Returns To Host ‘New Faces’ Show at CRS 2026
Syndicated country radio personality Elaina Smith will host the New Faces of Country Music Show at the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2026. The showcase features emerging artists Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick, and Josh Ross....
By Radio Ink
News•Feb 19, 2026
Triton Digital Releases 2025 U.S. Podcast Report
Triton Digital’s 2025 U.S. Podcast Report shows podcast reach climbing to 53 % of the U.S. population each month, crossing the half‑population threshold for the first time. Audio remains the dominant consumption mode, while video usage varies sharply by genre. New...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 19, 2026
Advertisers’ Trust in Public Media, with Thomas De Napoli
Thomas De Napoli, VP of Sales & Underwriting at American Public Media, explains how the organization’s business side rallies around editorial teams during high‑profile moments, keeping revenue pressure secondary to mission. He highlights public media’s non‑biased stance, rapid ad placement—often within 12 hours—and...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 19, 2026
Writers Guild Honours Invisible Boys, Colin From Accounts at 58th AWGIEs
The 58th Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) AWGIE Awards celebrated top screenwriting across film, TV and digital platforms in Sydney. Stan’s drama "Invisible Boys" captured Television Series, while Netflix‑backed "Apple Cider Vinegar" won Limited Series, underscoring the rise of Australian streaming...
By TV Blackbox
Social•Feb 19, 2026
JKB Journalist: Decade‑Defining Epstein Investigation
Practically the only journalist who just kept going…in the same way the Boston Globe and Marty Baron are recognised for a decade of work on abuse in the Catholic Church , @jkbjournalist is the journalism story of the decade for...
By Emily Bell
Social•Feb 19, 2026
New Study Debunks Tracking as Win‑Win for All
Big. A major new law & tech paper takes on the economics of behavioral advertising - the kind that tracks users across multiple businesses and contexts, not just on sites they choose to visit. It challenges industry’s favorite claim: that tracking...
By Jason Kint
News•Feb 19, 2026
The Creator Autonomy Paradox
The article argues that influencer campaigns deliver higher ROI when brands give creators genuine autonomy rather than rigid scripts. Data shows Gen Z audiences distrust brands that micromanage creators, and only 10 % of creators feel they have creative control despite 53 %...
By Later Blog
Social•Feb 19, 2026
History Repeats: Same Censorship Debates Across All Media
No, bc speech and content is nothing like alcohol. We have literal exact 1-1 parallels of what’s happening w the internet now and what happened before w comic books, TV, video games, novels, even the telephone. The EXACT groups and...
By Taylor Lorenz
Social•Feb 19, 2026
New Axios Editor Nails Concise, Impactful Kicker
hat tip to the new editor at axios. the kicker on the end gets to the point quickly. https://t.co/81n58qvrda
By Jason Kint
News•Feb 19, 2026
G FLIP Delivers Reimagined Tournament Anthem Ahead of ASIAN CUP Kick-Off
Australian ARIA‑winner G Flip has reimagined the classic rock anthem “All Fired Up” as the official soundtrack for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The revamped track will play throughout the tournament, which will be streamed live and exclusively on Paramount+,...
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 19, 2026
IMPERFECT WOMEN Trailer Drops with A-List Cast
Apple TV released the first trailer for "Imperfect Women," an eight‑episode psychological thriller. The series stars and is executive produced by Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss, alongside Kate Mara and a large ensemble cast. Based on Araminta Hall’s novel, the...
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 19, 2026
Dana White Opens up in THIS IS UFC Special
Paramount+ is debuting a new documentary series titled "This Is UFC" on Saturday, 21 February. The three‑part special offers unprecedented access to UFC president Dana White as he recounts the promotion’s evolution from a fringe spectacle to a global sports...
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 19, 2026
Tom Hawkins Replaces Nathan Buckley as FOX FOOTY Reveals 2026 Lineup
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports unveiled their 2026 AFL broadcast lineup, keeping most shows unchanged but swapping Tom Hawkins for Nathan Buckley on Friday Night Footy. Buckley steps aside due to his coaching duties at Geelong, while Hawkins joins Garry...
By TV Blackbox
News•Feb 19, 2026
RAIN Notes: February 19
The episode covers three main topics: Audible’s new sync feature that highlights ebook text in real time with audiobook narration, insights from audio‑industry executives on how advertisers can leverage the evolving AI‑driven audio advertising ecosystem, and the International Federation of...
By RAIN News
Social•Feb 19, 2026
White House Counsel Leaked Probe Details to Epstein
"'Doing fine,' she responded. 'Was talking to reporters until late in the morning last=night. Trying to isolate/contain wapo.'"
By Jason Kint
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Fox and News Corp Pledge $1,000 Match for Trump Accounts
Inbox: Fox Corp and News Corp (owner of WSJ et al) says it will match the U.S. government’s so-called Trump accounts with $1,000 contributions. https://t.co/jvxXALmJI6
By Ben Mullin
News•Feb 19, 2026
Sir Damon Buffini to Step Down From BBC Board Role
Sir Damon Buffini will step down as Deputy Chair of the BBC Board and Chair of the Commercial Board on 30 June, ending his term that began in January 2022. Under his tenure, BBC Commercial posted record profits, returning £400 million to the...
By Radio Today (UK)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Natasha Valerie On Why Creator Management’s Next Phase Demands Cultural Fluency And Infrastructure
The Viralist Group, founded in September 2022, now represents over 200 creators—more than 90% of whom identify as AAPI or BIPOC—and commands a combined audience of 500 million across platforms. The agency has partnered with over 1,300 global brands, positioning itself...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 19, 2026
Manychat Earns WhatsApp Technical Certification From Meta
ManyChat has regained Meta’s WhatsApp Technical Certification, confirming its compliance with the messaging giant’s security and API standards. The renewed status elevates ManyChat to Meta’s “Tech Partner” tier, reflecting high conversation volumes and robust client onboarding. The certification allows the...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 19, 2026
Influencer Darla Bundus On Why She Decided To Slow Down, Sell Less, And Protect Audience Trust
Influencer Darla Bundus, who commands over nine million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat, has shifted her strategy from rapid growth to deliberate restraint. She now accepts fewer brand deals, posts less frequently, and emphasizes transparency around personal health...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 19, 2026
AI Startup Hightouch Launches AI Tool To Repurpose Existing Marketing Creative
Hightouch unveiled Content Assembly, an AI‑driven tool that repurposes existing brand‑approved assets into new campaign materials. Marketers describe desired outputs in plain language and AI agents scour DAMs, Figma, Adobe, Google Drive and other repositories to assemble on‑brand emails, ads,...
By Net Influencer
News•Feb 19, 2026
Seattle Sports Brings Back “The John Schneider Show”
Bonneville’s KIRO‑AM “Seattle Sports” is reviving “The John Schneider Show,” a weekly program hosted by Seahawks EVP and GM John Schneider alongside Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton. The show launches on February 19 and will air every Thursday through the NFL...
By Talkers
News•Feb 19, 2026
FCC’s Carr Appoints Two to World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appointed George John as chair and Kimberly Baum as vice‑chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee, re‑chartered on Jan. 21. The committee will guide the FCC’s positions for the International Telecommunication Union’s 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. The...
By Talkers
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Atlantic's Measles Story Lacked Disclosure, Misled Readers
To +1 @laurahazardowen I've also seen PDF of Atlantic piece on measles as first posted. a/ Originally it had no editor's note b/ PR rep initially told reporter (in note I've seen) "this is based on a mother's real account." If Atlantic was...
By David Folkenflik
Podcast•Feb 19, 2026•0 min
Profit or Nonprofit? A Debate over Journalism’s Future
In this episode of Journalism 2050, host Emily Bell and Heather Chaplin discuss the survival of journalism with two innovators: Vanan Murugesan of the nonprofit Sahan Journal and Joshi Herrmann of the subscription‑based Mill Media. The conversation contrasts nonprofit grant funding...
By Columbia Journalism Review (CJR)
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
The Psychology Behind Likes, Shares, And Comments: How To Tap Into Human Behavior
The article explains that social‑media engagement—likes, comments, shares, and saves—is rooted in human psychology, especially dopamine‑driven reward loops. It breaks down what each interaction type signals and why algorithms prioritize content with higher engagement. Practical tactics are offered, such as...
By BloggingWizard
News•Feb 19, 2026
UK Broadcasters Attract “Sizeable Audiences on YouTube” Says Barb
Barb’s 2025 report shows YouTube viewing on UK TV sets climbing sharply, with half of children aged 4‑15 and 20% of over‑55s tuning in weekly. YouTube now accounts for 54% of its UK viewership via television, surpassing any single channel’s...
By VideoWeek (UK/Europe)
Social•Feb 18, 2026
CBS Censors Colbert Using Outdated FCC Rule
CBS lawyers told Colbert he couldn't interview a Senate candidate. Couldn't show a photo. Couldn't show a drawing. Couldn't tell the audience it was happening. Based on an FCC rule that hasn't actually been changed. New piece on what CBS...
By Parker Molloy
News•Feb 18, 2026
Audion Launches Cross-Platform AI, Podcasting’s Top Sports Networks, & More
Audion unveiled Audion AI, an artificial‑intelligence agent that aggregates podcast performance data across Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Amazon Music, then fuses it with the company’s own campaign and brand‑lift metrics to automate ad activation. The launch coincides with a...
By Sounds Profitable
News•Feb 18, 2026
CDN Netskrt Discloses Network Capacity, Revenue, and How It Adds Capacity Profitably
Netskrt Systems disclosed its network capacity, revenue metrics, and profit‑driven scaling strategy. The company operates a software‑defined CDN with about 65 Tbps steady‑state capacity, aiming for 150 Tbps by 2026 while keeping invested capital near $30 million. Its capital‑to‑revenue ratio is projected to...
By Streaming Media Blog (Dan Rayburn)