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:
A Turn-of-the-Century Superpower Adventure of Goofy Misfits: "The WONDERfools" Premieres May 15
Netflix announced that its new adventure‑comedy series *The WONDERfools* will debut worldwide on May 15, 2026. Set in 1999, the show follows a quartet of neighborhood misfits who suddenly acquire super‑powers and must confront world‑threatening villains. The series reunites director Yoo In‑sik, known for *Extraordinary Attorney Woo*, with its lead actress Park Eun‑bin. A teaser poster and trailer reveal chaotic powers, off‑beat humor, and a city‑hall volunteer subplot, positioning the show as a fresh blend of nostalgia and superhero satire.
Dig Launches Ask-Dig, a Video-Centric AI Social Search Platform
dig introduced ask-dig, a video‑first AI platform that turns social media into a real‑time answer engine. Users type natural‑language questions and the system scans thousands of social posts, extracting narratives, sentiment and emerging signals. Each response is linked back to...
Moloco Launches AI-Powered Performance CTV for App Marketers
Moloco has introduced Moloco Ads for Performance CTV, extending its AI‑driven advertising technology to connected‑TV inventory. The platform optimizes each impression in real time, targeting specific marketing outcomes while leveraging advertisers' chosen mobile measurement partners for attribution. It promises premium,...
Netflix Expands Video Podcast Slate With Shows From ‘Rotten Mango’ Creator Stephanie Soo, Evan Ross Katz, NBC News’ Ellison Barber...
Netflix is bolstering its original video‑podcast portfolio with five new series, adding to the slate it began building in 2025 through distribution deals with Spotify, iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports. The lineup includes a pop‑culture interview show with former NBC anchor...
HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Premiere Episode Generates 8.5 Million Views in 72 Hours, Up 44% From Season 2 Debut
The season‑three premiere of HBO’s teen drama "Euphoria" attracted 8.5 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max within the first 72 hours, a 44% jump over the Season 2 debut. The episode also propelled the series to the No. 1 spot on Max worldwide,...
How that Scrubs Finale Cameo Sets Things up for JD in the Show's Return
The Scrubs revival’s season‑10 finale featured a brief cameo by Rachel Bilson as Charlie, a new character positioned as a potential love interest for JD (Zach Braff). Showrunner Aseem Batra confirmed that the next season would flesh out this romance...
Trust Builds Audience; Attention only Rents It
Attention moves fast and dies fast. Trust moves slow and compounds. Most distribution strategies are built for attention. Different channels. Different content. Different cadence. Completely different game. Ran campaigns that hit 500k impressions and closed nothing. Ran campaigns that reached 400 people and closed 6 figures. The difference was...
NPR Receives $113M Tech Boost, Future Secured, Layoffs Possible
NPR given $113M for tech to deliver NPR content to audiences everywhere & to aid stations' audience research, fundraising and marketing Follows loss of fed $ for public media CEO Maher says gifts set NPR up for next 50 years but doesn't...
Rihanna Hits 200 Million RIAA Singles Certifications, First Woman to Do So
Rihanna has become the first female artist in RIAA history to exceed 200 million certified singles, reaching 200.5 million units despite not releasing a full album since 2016. The milestone highlights the streaming era’s ability to keep legacy catalogs commercially vibrant.
Albertsons Media Collective Offers New Measurement for Advertisers
Albertsons Media Collective launched an onsite incrementality measurement tool that isolates the causal impact of display ads on sales using test‑and‑control frameworks. The solution, dubbed iROAS, quantifies revenue generated solely by advertising, revealing up to a 6.5‑fold variance across campaigns....
Oh Look, The MAGA FTC Built The Censorship Industrial Complex It Was Screaming About
The Federal Trade Commission, backed by eight red‑state attorneys general, forced all five major U.S. advertising agency holding companies to cease using NewsGuard’s journalism‑rating service. The move extends a prior condition on the Omnicom‑IPG merger and is framed as an...
Grok Powers Code‑list Integration for a DIY X News Site
Grok might be behind the Anthropics and OpenAIs but when it hooks code up to lists then we can create things like my news site inside of X: https://t.co/kiuZ7QXLzb That's when things great really fun here on X.
HBO Max Launches in India on JioHotstar, Priced at $0.53 per Month
Warner Bros. Discovery has rolled out HBO Max in India through an exclusive partnership with JioHotstar, offering the service as a ₹49 (≈$0.53) per‑month add‑on. The launch bundles flagship series like Euphoria Season 3 with a full slate of HBO, Max...
YouTube Reportedly Nears Deal for 5 NFL Games as League Expands Streaming Push
The NFL is in advanced negotiations with YouTube to secure a five‑game regular‑season package, now at the contract‑review stage. The proposed slate would likely feature international matchups and early‑kickoff games previously aired on NFL Network. YouTube, which streamed a 2025...
The Team Behind Zohran Mamdani’s Viral Campaign Wants More Political Candidates to Get Candid on Social Media
At AD Week, Melted Solids—co‑founders Anthony DiMieri and Debbie Saslaw—and video director Donald Borenstein broke down the social‑video playbook that helped Zohran Mamdani win New York City’s mayoral race. Their strategy centered on authentic, on‑the‑fly footage that let Mamdani riff in...
Target Puts Creators at Forefront of Pokémon Anniversary Campaign
Target is launching a 100‑item Pokémon × Target collection to mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary, rolling out May 2‑June 6 in select stores and online. The campaign puts social creators such as Sydeon and SuperDuperDani front‑and‑center as “trainers,” extending the promotion across social, digital,...
Stealth Satellite Signals Restore Connectivity for Millions in Iran Blackout
NetFreedom Pioneers deployed its Toosheh stealth‑signal platform to broadcast files over ordinary satellite TV, giving limited but vital connectivity to an estimated 90 million people cut off by Iran’s Jan 8, 2026 internet blackout. The workaround bypassed deep‑packet inspection and state‑controlled gateways, illustrating...
Standard Website Transfers to Independent with More than 30 Staff Leaving
The Independent has signed a long‑term agreement to run the digital, advertising and data operations of the Evening Standard’s website, while the print weekly remains under the original company. At the start of the year the Standard employed 75 people;...
China's Shandong Radio and Television Opens 'Oriental Screening Room' In Egypt
China's state‑backed Shandong Radio and Television Station inaugurated the 'Oriental Screening Room' in Cairo on April 14, creating a new overseas cultural exchange hub. The launch, part of the Global Civilization Initiative, adds Egypt to a growing list of countries...
IAB: Ad Revenue Reached $294.6B In 2025
The Interactive Advertising Bureau reported that total internet advertising revenue hit a record $294.6 billion in 2025, a 13.9% year‑over‑year increase. Social‑media ads led the surge, generating $117.7 billion and accounting for 40% of the market, driven by the creator economy and...
New Nielsen Report Makes It Clear: Underestimating Anime Is Bad Business
New Nielsen research released in April 2026 quantifies anime’s shift from niche subculture to a mainstream, high‑spending audience. The study finds 60% of anime fans are primary household earners, rising to 68% among millennials, with a quarter of that cohort...
QVC and HSN Owner Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
QVC Group, the parent of QVC and HSN, announced a Chapter 11 filing and aims to emerge within roughly 90 days. The company says it has ample liquidity to pay all unsecured creditors in full and does not plan any layoffs...
Bullet Points for a Smoother Operation
Small‑market radio stations often falter not because of outdated gear but due to workflow gaps such as undocumented processes and temporary fixes that become permanent. Steve Cannon proposes four operational systems—quarterly automation audits, a single‑path production workflow, monthly engineering walk‑throughs,...
Subscription Fatigue Threatens Netflix, Adobe Growth
Consumers Battle Subscription Fatigue. What It Means For Netflix, Adobe. https://t.co/jtH3xsuAM9 $NFLX $ADBE $AMZN $AAPL $MSFT
Keke Palmer Poised for First Acting Emmy, Ortega Returns
Emmys: Lead Actress (Comedy) — Keke Palmer Eyes Potential First Acting Nom as Jenna Ortega Seeks Return https://t.co/kr14DYSLb0 via @variety
Pano Investigation: No Evidence of Russian Drones in Belgium Despite €50m Emergency Spend
The Belgian TV program Pano found no verifiable evidence of Russian drones over Belgium, contradicting Defence Minister Theo Francken’s public warnings. An emergency procurement of counter‑drone systems cost about €50 million ($55 m) and was executed without a standard tender, leading to...
Emmys Lead Actress Category Crowded; ‘Industry’ Eyes Breakthrough
Emmys: Lead Actress (Drama) — Zendaya, Rhea Seehorn and Keri Russell Lead Crowded Field; Will ‘Industry’ Finally Break Through? https://t.co/HMzBoiPGfz via @variety
Issa Rae Says Hollywood’s Identity Crisis Is Driving Creators to Own Their Platforms
Issa Rae told TheWrap that Hollywood’s “identity crisis” and recent DEI rollbacks are forcing creators to bypass studios and launch content on creator‑owned platforms, exemplified by her new TikTok micro‑drama “Screen Time.” She warned that representation has slipped from 29.2%...
This Week’s MPN Video Podcast: Why Live Sports Streaming Still Breaks — And How to Fix It
The Media Play News podcast hosted by David Bloom and Daniel Frankel featured NetSkrt CEO Sig Luft discussing why live‑sports streaming continues to falter. Luft highlighted persistent CDN bottlenecks, edge‑delivery constraints, and latency issues that jeopardize viewer experience and real‑time...
PayPal Adds Native Payment Links to Canva, Turning Designs Into Instant Checkout Pages
PayPal launched a native Payment Links integration inside Canva, allowing users to attach PayPal checkout URLs or QR codes to any design. The move taps Canva’s 265 million monthly users and PayPal’s 439 million accounts, aiming to capture a slice of the...
Conecta Magaluf–Mallorca Announces First Speakers and Unveils New Meeting Model
Conecta Magaluf–Mallorca announced its first international speakers and introduced a new "Focus On" format that replaces traditional Country Spotlights with curated 1‑to‑1 meetings for audiovisual decision‑makers. The lineup features executives from major European broadcasters, production houses, and a U.S. producer...
From Newsletter to Six Figures: Nathan Barry’s Side Hustle
Did you know Kit isn't my only business? I started a local newsletter and found the perfect person run it. Marissa Lovell grew From Boise to 24,000 subscribers and crossed six figures. We talk about it the latest...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Is Forced to Pause Filming as Severe Flooding Leaves Set Underwater
HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms halted production after Storm Therese flooded its Gran Canaria set, submerging medieval structures near the Presa de Las Niñas reservoir. The island’s worst storm in a decade forced a state of emergency and will require environmental cleanup before filming can...
Maine Enacts First AI Disclosure Law for Political Ads
Maine lawmakers approved LD 517, mandating that political campaigns and PACs label ads generated with artificial intelligence. The law, signed by Gov. Janet Mills, marks the nation’s first AI‑disclosure requirement for political advertising, aiming to curb misinformation and restore voter...
Silicon Valley Press Shift Redefines Founder Strategies
The press landscape in Silicon Valley has fundamentally shifted over the past decade, and it's creating some fascinating dynamics that every founder should understand. More >>
5W PR Launches Digital Growth Program Tailored to B2B Clients
5W PR unveiled a new digital growth program aimed at B2B companies in technology, enterprise solutions, and professional services. The offering fuses public relations, search‑engine optimization, generative engine optimization (GEO) and content creation into a single growth engine. It promises...
Save over 40% Off Fire TV Devices in April
Amazon is offering deep April discounts on its entire Fire TV lineup, with savings of up to 43% off regular prices. The Fire TV Stick HD is now $20 (down from $35), the 4K Select model $25 (from $40), and...
Election Ad Spending Drives up GMA Profit in 2025
GMA Network Inc. posted a 6% rise in net income to PHP2.2 billion (≈$40 million) in 2025, driven by a 3% jump in revenue to PHP18.12 billion (≈$326 million). Political advertising during the mid‑term elections lifted advertising sales to PHP16.57 billion, representing over 90% of...
Artnet Makes Significant Layoffs Following Consolidation with Artsy
Artnet and Artsy have been unified under Artsy CEO Jeffrey Yin, prompting a wave of layoffs that hit Artnet's editorial staff and its Berlin sales team. Senior reporters Sarah Cascone and Eileen Kinsella were among those let go, and the...
BBC's "High-Stakes" Crime Drama with Sheridan Smith Confirms Release Date with First Look Trailer
BBC has announced the premiere date for its new five‑episode crime drama "The Cage", starring Sheridan Smith as a casino cashier who turns to theft to protect her family. Created by Tony Schumacher and produced by the team behind "Poor Things"...
MINI COURSE: How to Monetize Your Content
An online creator offers a mini‑course titled “How to Monetize Your Content,” available exclusively to paid subscribers. For an $8 fee, the course promises tactics to generate income from writing, ideas, and social‑media presence across platforms like Substack, X, and...
Super Hi-Fi Introduces AI Music Scheduling
Super Hi‑Fi unveiled Neuron, an AI‑powered music‑scheduling engine that leverages neuroscience research to reshape how songs are sequenced for listeners. The platform replaces decades‑old static rule‑sets with dynamic optimization of attention, contrast, novelty and reward, aiming to boost Time Spent...
Christian FM Adds ‘Brant Hansen Show’ Across TCM Network
Christian FM Media Group is adding The Brant Hansen Show to its Today Christian Music network, extending the program to more than 200 markets across the United States and Canada. The show, acquired from Salem Media Group last year, has...
Simply Social Reels in Princes Group Digital Overhaul
Princes Group, the owner of brands such as Branston, Napolina and Crosse & Blackwell, has hired digital agency Simply Social to overhaul its UK organic social strategy, content creation and community engagement. The agency won a competitive pitch to become...
‘Brands Can’t Guide Culture’: Creators and Marketers on Ditching Skin-Deep Allyship
At Social Media Week 2026, experts warned that brands cannot own culture and must instead immerse themselves in the communities they wish to serve. Alejandra Salazar of Croing urged marketers to rely on cultural experts and listen deeply. Deaf creator...
Host Ron Slay and “104.5 The Zone” Renew Deal
Afternoon drive host Ron Slay has signed a new contract with Cumulus Media, keeping him on WGFX‑FM’s “3HL” show on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone alongside Brent Dougherty and Dawn Davenport. Slay, who joined the program in 2021, is credited with...
BBC Confirms Sci-Fi Thriller That's a "Show Like No Other" With "Unfathomably Good" Cast Announced
The BBC has green‑lit "Sutherland," a six‑part sci‑fi thriller set in the near‑future Scottish Highlands. Created by James Smythe and produced by World Productions, the series will stream on iPlayer and air on BBC One and BBC Scotland. It features...
AI Is a Gold Mine for Spammers and Scammers, but Google Is Using It as a Tool to Fight Back
Google’s latest ads safety report reveals that generative AI, specifically its Gemini system, intercepted over 99% of policy‑violating ads in 2024, blocking more than 8.3 billion ads—including 602 million scam‑related pieces. The AI‑driven approach also cut incorrect advertiser suspensions by 80% and...
What Dove, Netflix, and Nike Didn’t Do on Reddit Is Why They’re Winning
Brands are abandoning high‑frequency posting on Reddit in favor of authentic, low‑volume engagement. Research from Reddit’s insights team shows sentiment drops sharply after three weekly posts, prompting marketers to focus on community contribution rather than follower counts. Companies like Netflix,...
Shapiro Joins CNN as Contributor
Ari Shapiro, the longtime NPR journalist known for his sharp reporting and humor, has joined CNN as a contributor. CNN announced he will co‑host a new video podcast titled “Engagement Party” with anchor Audie Cornish. The show, which blends culture, ideas,...