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:
Three Football Stories, Zero Odds Respected - "Untold UK" Lands on Netflix Next Month
Netflix UK & Ireland announced the four‑part documentary series Untold UK, debuting next month with weekly episodes. The three installments spotlight Jamie Vardy (May 12), Liverpool’s 2005 Miracle of Istanbul (May 19), and former footballer‑turned‑actor Vinnie Jones (May 26). Each episode promises behind‑the‑scenes footage and fresh interviews with key figures. The series adds to Netflix’s growing slate of sports‑focused original content.
Streaming Viewers Are OK with Double the Commercials as ‘Subscription Fatigue’ Sets In
A new MarketWatch survey finds that as streaming subscription fees climb, more viewers are willing to watch twice as many commercials in exchange for lower prices. The trend, labeled “subscription fatigue,” shows consumers prioritizing cost savings over ad‑free experiences. Respondents...
OPPO Rolls Out New F33 Series Campaign Featuring Indian Cricket Star KL Rahul
OPPO India unveiled its new F33 Series with the "Zindagi Ka Frame Wide Karo" campaign, starring cricket star KL Rahul and creator Satish Ray. The film shows a mountain trek that turns into spontaneous selfies, highlighting the phone’s wide‑angle front camera...
TikTok Revives Early‑2000s ‘Tuscan Mom’ Glam for Gen Z Wardrobes
A TikTok‑driven “Tuscan Mom” aesthetic, rooted in early‑2000s glamour, is spreading across Gen Z and millennial feeds. The look mixes cozy neutrals, low‑rise jeans, oversized sunglasses and chunky gold jewelry, offering a nostalgic yet fresh style option.
AMC's Dark Satire 'The Audacity' Debuts Globally, Targeting Tech‑Weary Viewers
AMC premiered two episodes of the dark satirical series The Audacity on April 12, rolling out weekly on AMC and AMC+. Created by Jonathan Glatzer, the show lampoons Silicon Valley’s ego‑driven culture and is already available for free in Australia via SBS...
NAB Blasts CTA in FCC Sports Probe Comments
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed comments with the FCC urging policies that keep major sports on free‑to‑air broadcast TV, arguing that streaming services raise costs and fragment access. NAB criticized the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for defending the...
DIY Servers and Mesh Networks Power a New Wave of Independent Media Distribution
A growing number of creators are building homelabs—personal server rigs with 32 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe storage and mesh networking—to host media services like Jellyfin and Radarr. The shift toward decentralized, self‑hosted infrastructure promises greater control and resilience for independent publishers.
Australian Retirement Trust’s ‘Awaken Your Super’ Tops Cubery Hot List for Q1 2026
Australian Retirement Trust’s ‘Awaken Your Super’ campaign, created by M + C Saatchi, topped Cubell’s Q1 2026 Hot List, which ranks ads based on consumer recall. The ad outperformed Telstra’s ‘Wherever We Go’ (second) and Allianz’s ‘Flight of the Finch’ (third). Cubell also launched...
A New Study Shows Cord Cutters Are Cutting Back on How Much They Pay For TV
Americans are tightening entertainment budgets, with more than 40% of surveyed households cutting back on streaming subscriptions due to financial pressure. At the same time, three‑quarters of respondents express irritation over frequent price hikes from major platforms. Cord‑cutters now average...
Spotify Q3 2025 Earnings Show 12% Premium Subscriber Growth, 700M MAUs
Spotify announced third‑quarter 2025 results, revealing a 12% increase in premium subscribers and a milestone of 700 million monthly active users. The company attributes the surge to a slate of product upgrades and AI integration, underscoring a healthier business outlook.
Don’t Leave Your Prime Featured Section Empty
The Featured section sits right under your headline. It loads before anything else on desktop. It is prime real estate and I see people leaving it completely blank every single day.
Colossus Seeks Creators to Expand Tech Media
Colossus covers the frontier We are about to expand into new formats, and we need: -Writers writers writers -Multimedia producers -Art and design We want to see how great we can be making media about tech, business, and markets. We need help. Reach out...
Patients’ Pops
In May 1961 a Hull community club sought permission to launch a half‑hour radio program on alternate Sunday nights, targeting hospital patients. The club secured free use of recordings from major record labels and copyright clearance, then pursued landline access...
Deborah's Comeback Hype Meets Hacks S5E2 Wait
Deborah started planning her comeback, selling out Madison Square Garden. But when does Hacks season 5 episode 2 drop on HBO Max? https://t.co/HpxDCAqaWF
Peacock Renews The ‘Burbs for Season 2
Peacock announced that its Keke Palmer‑led series The ‘Burbs has been renewed for a second season. The comedy‑horror reboot, based on the 1989 film, premiered on Feb. 8, 2026, timed with the Super Bowl broadcast. Strong debut numbers and positive critical...
David Ellison’s Nightmare: A-List Coalition Unites to Kill the AU$156B Warner Merger
Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, is pursuing a US$111 billion (AU$156 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the largest media merger in Hollywood history. More than 1,000 actors, directors and writers have signed an open letter on BlocktheMerger.com demanding the deal...
Carriage
Allen Media Group’s free streaming service Local Now has expanded its channel lineup by adding seven Scripps networks, including Ion, Ion Mystery, Ion Plus, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More, and the newly launched Scripps Sports Network. The service, which...
Foundering
In this episode, host Sean Nguyen examines the murder of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App, who was stabbed on a San Francisco sidewalk in April 2023. He outlines the initial shock and industry tributes, then delves into how...
BFI Invests £9.25 Million to Support UK-Wide Screen Culture for Audiences
The British Film Institute (BFI) is allocating £9.25 million (≈$11.8 M) from its National Lottery Audience Projects Fund for 2026‑2029 to back 23 film and immersive projects across the UK. The awards cover 10 venues, nine festivals and several sector‑facing initiatives, aiming...
Netflix Adds More Soccer
Netflix has signed a four‑year agreement to become the exclusive broadcaster of the CONCACAF Nations League Finals and Gold Cup in Mexico, covering the 2027 and 2029 editions of both tournaments. The deal expands Netflix’s live‑sports footprint beyond its U.S....
People
Josh Oshinsky has been hired by ESPN as Senior Director of Original Content Development. In his new role, he will guide multiplatform storytelling across flagship properties such as the "30 for 30" documentary series, ESPN Films, podcasts, and scripted projects....
ACAM Warns Marketers as AI Drives Surge in Zero-Click Search
Australian Centre for AI in Marketing (ACAM) warns that AI‑generated answers are causing a surge in zero‑click searches, with more than 70% of Google queries in Australia yielding no click‑through by early 2026. When AI summaries appear, click‑through falls to...
This Forgotten '90s Sci-Fi Show With A Spooky Premise Has Major Stranger Things Vibes
"Eerie, Indiana" premiered on NBC in September 1991 as a half‑hour sci‑fi/horror series about newcomer Marshall Teller uncovering bizarre phenomena in a quirky town. Created by José Rivera and Karl Schaefer, the show featured a rotating roster of directors including...
Media Editor Natasha Lee Moonlights on ‘Media Tarts’ Podcast
Mediaweek editor Natasha Lee has joined creative entrepreneur Wade Kingsley as co‑host of the new "Media Tarts" podcast, a Friday‑afternoon show that blends casual conversation with industry analysis. The format features the hosts sipping drinks, dissecting the week’s media news,...
Deltatre Delivers Digital Platform for Serie A
Deltatre has completed a four‑season direct‑to‑fan website and app for Italy’s Serie A, delivering a bilingual hub for the league’s championships, cups and youth competitions. The platform runs on Deltatre FORGE and integrates a video player plus an AI‑driven search that surfaces...
Bizaar Studios Expands FAST Channel to Prime Video
Bizaar Studios announced that its ad‑supported FAST Channel for adult animation is now available on Prime Video in the United States and Canada. The channel, previously carried on Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, Plex and Hisense, launched in early 2025 with hundreds of...
The 'Burbs Renewed For Season 2 At Peacock
Peacock has ordered a second season of “The ’Burbs,” the Keke Palmer‑led comedy‑mystery that reimagines the 1989 Tom Hanks film. Season 1, consisting of eight episodes, premiered in February and was released all at once, receiving strong audience reception. The show...
Sydney Sweeney’s Naked Baby Euphoria Scene Called ‘Disgusting’ & ‘Gross’ as the Show’s Creator Defends Her OnlyFans Storyline
Season 3 of HBO’s "Euphoria" sparked a fresh controversy when Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney, appears in an OnlyFans‑style scene dressed as a baby and a puppy. Viewers slammed the sequence as "gross" and "disgusting," arguing it normalizes pedophilic‑leaning kinks. Creator Sam...
AI Generates Weekly Social Calendar for Consistent Growth
I built a skill for Claude Code that plans and writes your social media content — LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok, and more. You tell it your product and audience, and it builds a weekly content calendar with specific post types, topics,...
Ramp's Daily April Posts Can Transform Your Business
Why is this month suddenly Ramp releases a BANGER x post per day April? You could rebuild your entire company just reading their stuff. I'm dead serious.
MLB TV Now Allows DIRECTV Subs to Stream Ex-FanDuel Teams For Free
MLB TV announced that DIRECTV subscribers can now stream nine former FanDuel regional team channels at no extra charge. The eligible teams are the Reds, Tigers, Royals, Marlins, Brewers, Rays, Cardinals, Nationals and Mariners, expanding the free‑access roster that already...
DIRECTV Users Stream Former
MLB TV Now Allows DIRECTV Subs to Stream Ex-FanDuel Teams For Free https://t.co/pfaMsfSOYz via @TVAnswerMan
News: NFL on Netflix, Doc Rivers, Dianna Russini and More
Netflix has expressed interest in acquiring the NFL Kickoff Game, a marquee slot traditionally held by NBC under its long‑standing contract. Comcast, NBCUniversal’s parent, posted a $122 million media‑segment loss, heightening pressure on its NFL rights negotiations and prompting speculation about...
The FAA’s “Temporary” Flight Restriction For Drones Is A Blatant Attempt To Criminalize Filming ICE
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a 21‑month nationwide temporary flight restriction that bars any drone from flying within 3,000 feet of ICE or Customs and Border Protection vehicles. The rule, effective Jan. 16, 2026, carries criminal penalties and allows drones to be...
Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Doc Rivers ESPN Return
Doc Rivers left the Milwaukee Bucks after a rocky fifth stint, ending his brief return to coaching. ESPN, already reeling from Michael Malone's departure and a series of analyst exits, faces a talent gap in its NBA broadcast lineup. The...
Sinclair’s WTOV Taps Brightline for Lighting Upgrade
Sinclair Broadcasting’s WTOV in Bridgeville, Pa., has overhauled its studio with a digitally enhanced set featuring three distinct LED‑driven environments, including a green‑screen area and interactive LED walls positioned at a 90‑degree angle. Assistant director Eric Castagne led the design,...
Angel, StudioCanal and Sony Pictures Classics Urge Theaters to Broaden Their Horizons at CinemaCon
Cinema United invited three non‑mainstream distributors—Angel, StudioCanal and Sony Pictures Classics—to CinemaCon to pitch their upcoming titles to independent exhibitors. The presenters highlighted a mix of faith‑based expansions, European genre reboots and recent Sundance acquisitions, signaling a push beyond Hollywood’s...
Bari Weiss’s MAGA Makeover at CBS Is Colliding With Reality
Bari Weiss, hired by CBS after Paramount acquired her Free Press outlet, is now at odds with news president Tom Cibrowski as the network’s ratings continue to slide. Weiss has pushed an aggressive digital‑first, hard‑news strategy while cutting roughly 6%...
CBA Honors Top Radio Stations in Colorado
The Colorado Broadcasters Association hosted its Awards of Excellence Gala in Denver, drawing roughly 400 industry leaders. A record 1,013 entries were submitted, with 546 from radio stations, and the event honored top performers across four market categories. Small‑market KBVC,...
Govt Brands TikTok Clout Chasing as Political Extremism
Attendees of the TikTok Shorts rizz party after the government declared “clout chasing” and “aura farming” signs of political extremism https://t.co/87bT1L4UsM
Hollywood Is Making yet Another Roblox Movie Adaptation
Disney‑owned 20th Century Studios announced plans to adapt the Roblox horror hit *99 Nights in the Forest* into a live‑action feature film, marking its first game adaptation and the fourth Roblox title pursued by Hollywood. The game, launched in June 2025, has amassed 26 billion lifetime visits and...
'The Wall Street Journal' Trumps Trump In Defamation Case-Pending Appeal
A federal judge dismissed former President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, finding no evidence of actual malice in the paper’s reporting on a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s media arm, Trump Media & Technology Group,...
NAB Makes Its Case to Gomez Advisors
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) met with Commissioner Anna Gomez’s staff on April 9 to argue for eliminating FCC market caps on radio ownership. NAB highlighted that AM/FM’s share of listening time has dropped to 32%—a 40% decline since 2014—and...
This Hit '80s Friday The 13th Series Had Nothing To Do With The Movies
Friday the 13th: The Series, a 1987 syndicated horror show, centered on cursed antiques rather than the Jason Voorhees slasher mythos. Created by Frank Mancuso Jr. and Larry B. Williams, the series followed a niece, her cousin and an uncle’s...
The Netflix 'Little House On The Prairie' Teaser Just Dropped & It's *So* Wholesome
Netflix announced a new adaptation of *Little House on the Prairie* that will launch on July 9, 2026. The series stars Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls and Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls, shifting focus from the 1980s TV remake to Laura...
YouTube Viewers Can Now Work Together to Stop Ads From Playing
YouTube announced that livestream ads will be held back when live‑chat engagement spikes, letting viewers collectively prevent interruptions. Donors using Super Chat, Super Stickers or gifts receive a personal ad‑free window, while the platform expands its Gifts feature to six new countries....
Joe Rogan Shuts Down Claims that Podcasts Are “Antiquated” Compared to Streamers Like Clavicular
On episode 2,481 of The Joe Rogan Experience, host Joe Rogan rebuffed claims that podcasts are outdated compared to video‑streaming stars like Clavicular. Guest Duncan Trussell suggested the younger audience prefers continuous live streams, citing Clavicular’s viral looks‑maxxing content. Rogan...
AT&T Spent a Month Inside March Madness. Was It Worth It?
AT&T devoted an entire month to the NCAA March Madness tournament, rolling out a multi‑channel campaign that included athlete‑led TV spots, ownership of the CBS Bracket Manager, a Vegas Sphere sponsorship, and on‑site activations in Indianapolis. The championship game attracted...
Reddit Expands Reminder Ads Globally
Reddit has rolled out its Reminder Ads feature to every advertiser on the platform, allowing brands worldwide to add a “Remind Me” button to their campaigns. When users tap the CTA, they receive two push notifications—one day before and one...
Thursday TV Ratings: Animal Control, Law & Order, Elsbeth, Scrabble, RJ Decker
Thursday, April 9, 2026 TV ratings were posted using Fast Affiliate Numbers. The day featured new episodes of a diverse slate—including "Animal Control," "Law & Order," "Elsbeth," "Scrabble," and several reality and game shows—while the syndicated drama "RJ Decker" aired as a...