Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions top 2.2 bn, revenue eclipses pay‑TV
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, overtaking pay‑TV's $170 billion for the first time. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit in 2026 as operators shift focus from acquiring new users to monetising existing ones.
Turning Engagement Data Into Content that Gets Results
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School’s communications team uses weekly engagement data to shape its editorial calendar, focusing on student‑centered stories that resonate with families. By tracking open rates, click‑throughs and social interactions, the team pivots content themes toward high‑performing topics such as student achievement and extracurricular experiences. The data‑driven approach has produced steady, earned social‑media growth without additional ad spend. Catenya McHenry will share these tactics at Ragan’s Employee Communication Conference, highlighting how analytics can translate into tangible storytelling results.
How Meta’s AI Push Is Changing Ad Creation
Meta is pushing to automate ad creation, targeting a fully AI‑driven process by the end of 2026. The rollout includes the Andromeda ad retrieval system and expanded Advantage+ tools that handle creative, targeting, and budget decisions. Marketers report mixed results:...
GridBank Raises $6-Million Seed Round to Monetize the Videos in Your Camera Roll
GridBank, a Montreal‑based startup, closed a $6 million seed round led by StandUp Ventures to build a marketplace for user‑generated video clips. The app lets smartphone owners upload authentic short videos, which brands and ad agencies purchase for organic‑looking marketing campaigns....
Tuesday: Three Morning Takes
Nate Silver argues Twitter is drifting right as liberal users abandon the platform, and the most followed accounts—whether left or right—tend to be low‑quality. Research from the American Enterprise Institute shows the core middle‑class share fell since 1979 while the...
AI Video Editing: Save Time and Create Better Videos
In this episode, host Michael Stelzner talks with AI educator Greg Priest about using artificial intelligence to streamline video editing rather than generate videos from scratch. Greg shares his journey from a marketing role to solo content creator, highlighting how...
Peeling Back Sports' Hidden Layer of Streaming Ops and Tech
The article reveals that modern sports broadcasting relies on a hidden, highly complex layer of technology that produces multiple simultaneous feeds—main broadcast, alternate angles, highlights, social clips, and personalized streams. This invisible infrastructure must capture, transport, process, and orchestrate massive...
Easy Growth Ends: Relying on Mom Accounts Signals Trouble
For years, we were told growth would come from better products, bigger bets, and bold strategy. Turns out sometimes it just comes from telling Mom to get her own account. Funny line. Real signal. Because when companies start celebrating gains like this, you...
High Power Transmitter Switching, Simplified
Broadcast Devices Inc. (BDI) has launched the PCC‑300 3 Switch Combiner Controller, a 1 RU SNMP‑enabled platform that centralizes control of up to three motorized RF switches in high‑power dual‑cabinet transmitter systems. The device supports four common operating modes, provides built‑in...
Stream of Consciousness: How CTV and Household Targeting Keeps Brands Top of Mind
Streaming television overtook broadcast and cable in May 2025, capturing 44.8% of U.S. TV viewing and climbing to a 47.5% peak in December 2025. The surge has accelerated ad‑supported models, with Netflix’s ad tier rising from 26% to 40% of...
TCS | Donovan Marsh on AI and the Future of Filmmaking
Award‑winning South African director Donovan Marsh is transitioning to AI‑driven filmmaking, using a suite of generative tools to create complex scenes from a desk. He argues that AI collapses traditional production overhead—crew, equipment, locations—into digital workflows while he still directs...
Leveraging SGAI for Longtail Live Sports
FloSports is piloting Server‑Generated Ad Insertion (SGAI) to tackle quality and revenue challenges in long‑tail sports streaming. The platform gains end‑to‑end observability of its video pipeline, allowing it to monitor performance without blind spots. SGAI also enables side‑by‑side programmatic ads...
A Digital Radio Network Opportunity Arising At NAB Show
At this year’s NAB Show, industry leaders highlighted a burgeoning opportunity for digital radio networks built on IP‑based infrastructure. Broadcasters and technology vendors demonstrated new platforms that promise higher audio quality, lower latency, and scalable distribution. The showcase emphasized data‑driven...
How Literary Awards Work: A Conversation with PEN/Faulkner Executive Director Gwydion Suilebhan
In this episode Brad Listie talks with Gwydion Sullivan, executive director of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, about how the organization’s four literary awards are conceived, judged, and awarded. Sullivan explains the foundation’s mission to champion American fiction, the all‑writer judging panels,...
AI Agents Are Becoming the Fourth Place of Commerce and OOH Is Shaping Their Choices
AI agents are emerging as a fourth place of commerce, moving beyond stores, e‑commerce, and mobile. These assistants now not only answer queries but automatically select brands based on data signals such as search demand, reviews, and online conversation. Out‑of‑home...
Kybio Cloud Monitoring for 25 Devices Now Available
WorldCast Systems has launched a cloud‑based Kybio monitoring solution, now sold exclusively through Broadcast Supply Worldwide. The platform lets radio stations oversee up to 25 devices—including transmitters, STL links, codecs and environmental sensors—via a secure dashboard. Real‑time alerts and performance...
The Long Game in FAST: Market by Market
Wedotv, originally launched as Watch4 in 2018, has pursued a patient, ad‑supported streaming strategy that contrasts with the subscription‑driven hype of the era. By first consolidating operations in the DACH region and then expanding deliberately to the UK, Italy, the...
Training Journalists for a World that Keeps Changing
CNN Academy, a training arm of the network since the 1980s, is overhauling its curriculum to address a journalism landscape reshaped by digital-first storytelling, AI disruption, and plummeting public trust. Veteran trainers like Glen Mulcahy and Luke Henderson emphasize that...
Stephen Colbert Mocks Trump’s Expletive-Filled Post Threatening Iran
President Donald Trump posted an expletive‑filled social‑media threat to Iran on Easter Sunday, ending with a religious invocation. The message, which warned of attacks on Iranian targets, sparked immediate backlash from the media and political commentators. Late‑night host Stephen Colbert...
Where to Watch: The Masters 2026
Nine Radio has secured Australia’s exclusive audio rights to stream The Masters 2026, delivering live coverage from Augusta National Golf Club via pop‑up channels on its 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR apps. The service will run each round from midnight...
Invite Your Friends to Read Front Page Detectives
Front Page Detectives, a Substack newsletter, has introduced a referral program that asks current readers to invite friends using a unique link or the platform’s Share button. Participants earn free subscription time—three months after three referrals, six months after ten,...
Sluts, Simps and Body Shaming: The Rise of Africa’s Manosphere
Misogynistic influencers are proliferating across Africa’s digital landscape, forming a continent‑wide manosphere that mirrors Western counterparts. Figures such as Kenya’s Amerix, Andrew Kibe, Nigeria’s Àgbà John Doe, Ethiopia’s Naty Mon, and Zimbabwe’s Shadaya Knight command millions of followers on X, TikTok,...
The Opportunities in Print Magazine Publishing
The print magazine market is experiencing a revival, driven by consumers seeking distraction‑free, luxury media. Publishers can achieve profitability by keeping production costs low and charging premium cover prices—£5 (≈ $6) to make a title and selling it for £10 (≈ $13)...
Geofencing Turns Real-World Visits Into Targeted Digital Ads with Chris Seminatore
In this episode, Chris Seminatore, founder of Get Geofencing, explains how location‑based advertising—geofencing—captures a phone’s GPS signal to serve programmatic ads to users who physically visit specific places, turning real‑world foot traffic into highly targeted digital campaigns. He shares how...
Europe Gets Serious About Age Verification Online
The European Commission is tightening age‑verification rules under the Digital Services Act after finding major porn sites and Snapchat inadequate in protecting minors. It proposes a privacy‑preserving "mini‑wallet" that issues single‑use tokens to confirm users are over 18 without sharing...
Why Are In-House Teams Taking Top Talent From Agencies?
In‑house creative teams are expanding as brands pull work from external agencies, a shift highlighted by ITV Creative director Niki Garner on The Campaign Podcast. Recent moves, such as ITV moving its retained account from Uncommon to ITV Creative and...
Why Scaling Ads Often Breaks Marketing
Scaling ad spend often backfires because it magnifies hidden flaws in a brand’s marketing engine. As budgets rise from roughly $122 per day to $1,220 per day, cost‑per‑acquisition spikes, conversion rates tumble, and creative fatigue accelerates. Audience saturation pushes marketers...
Competitive Advantage
A recent Acast report shows that while listeners value female podcast hosts—63% appreciate their perspectives and 77% think more women would improve the industry—the market still features far fewer female‑led shows. The gap is not demand‑driven but stems from three...
Zendaya Thinks ‘Euphoria’ Will End After Season 3: ‘That Closure Is Coming’
Zendaya told The Drew Barrymore Show that she believes Season 3 of HBO’s hit drama Euphoria will likely be its last, hinting at an upcoming closure for the series. HBO has not officially confirmed the series will end, leaving the network’s...
Indie Agency Wpromote Dishes On How It’s Testing New Agentic SSP Tools
Wpromote is piloting Kargo’s Project Kera, a chat‑based, agentic SSP that translates campaign briefs into automated, cross‑channel media plans. The closed‑beta tool lets buyers upload assets, set goals, and receive a budget‑split recommendation across Meta, TikTok, CTV and the open...
Is the Family-Friendly Box Office Revival for Real?
Family‑friendly releases are driving a noticeable box‑office resurgence this spring. Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy” opened with $191 million domestic, slightly ahead of forecasts and close to the original’s $205 million Easter debut. The sequel’s success sits alongside strong performances from Pixar’s “Hoppers”...
Apple Campaign in Japan Transforms App Store ‘A’ Into Multi-Universe Portal
Apple has unveiled a new App Store campaign in Japan that turns the iconic "A" logo into a portal to 16 distinct app‑category universes. Thirteen artists and animation studios from around the world rendered each universe in a unique visual...
Turn 25k Posts Into Auto‑Generated Podcast Instantly
You can't read 25,000 posts a day, synthesize them into a web site. Then make a podcast automatically. Mine can: https://t.co/8L5xphk0qQ There is a Notebook LM button at the bottom. It will put a script into your memory. Go over to...
Jean Smart's Deborah Reflects on Legacy in Hacks Finale
TV Talk: @hbomax comedy #Hacks returns this week as Deborah (Jean Smart) considers her legacy in the show's final season, via @TribLIVE - https://t.co/piyZ6XWyZz https://t.co/1BG7BzJDvI
Ozone’s Platform Tries to Simulate How Publisher Content Appears in AI Answers
Ozone has launched a free experimentation platform that lets publishers simulate how their articles appear in AI answer engines such as ChatGPT. The tool, part of Ozone’s new R&D Labs sandbox, shows content structuring, retrieval and citation to help publishers...
Filming Air Hunger at Sussex’s Seven Sisters for Amazon
Was nice to be back at Seven Sisters in Sussex yesterday where we shot for Air Hunger (doc coming out next month on @amazon in the Netherlands). https://t.co/sy9RwqAgNX
Silicon Valley Debuted on HBO on April 6, 2014
#ThisDayInTechHistory. April 6, 2014. HBO's Silicon Valley comedy series created by Mike Judge first airs. (HBO) https://t.co/fPOgHPyzNh
What Advertisers Actually Need From Commerce Media Measurement | Behind the Numbers Special Edition Podcast
In this special edition of the eMarketer "Behind the Numbers" podcast, senior analyst Arielle Fager leads a panel with Jack Newper of Purdue Farms and Matt Barresi of Kimberly‑Clark to dissect the growing gap between retail media spend and measurement...
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 Video Gets Blocked After False Copyright Claim From Italian Broadcaster
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 reveal video was blocked on YouTube after Italian broadcaster La7 filed a false copyright claim, also affecting creators who reused the footage. The claim was withdrawn after several hours, restoring the video globally. Nvidia and YouTube offered no...
How Modern Influence Operations Work, Part 1: The New Influence Stack
The article explains how modern influence operations have shifted from traditional broadcast methods to a digital "influence stack" that combines micro‑targeting, algorithmic recommendation, real‑time measurement, and rapid iteration. It highlights the role of platform rankings as active interventions that shape...
Bleacher Report Once Eyed as Barstool’s Digital Heir
The Bleacher Report promo just reminded me that a decade ago we thought they’d be what Barstool became - the kings of sports digital
Easter Weekend Ratings (3-6/04/2026): Nine Takes The Ratings Chocolates
During the Easter long weekend, Nine’s reality series *Married At First Sight* emerged as the top‑rated program, attracting more than 2.8 million viewers for its final dinner‑party episode. The drama outpaced traditional news broadcasts and a slate of sporting events, while...
Gambling Ad Crackdown Opens The Door For Brands To Own The Sporting Arena
Australia's Albanese government will ban gambling ads during live sports, on team uniforms and in stadiums from Jan 1, and restrict TV gambling spots to three per hour. The crackdown also limits radio ads and requires adult verification for digital gambling...
John Green Announces Adult‑Fiction Debut with Penguin UK
John Green, the bestselling young‑adult author, is set to release his first adult‑fiction title through Penguin UK. The publisher confirmed the partnership, though details of the book remain undisclosed. The move marks a rare genre crossover for a writer whose...
Faber to Release Barbara Kingsolver’s New Novel “Partita” In October
Faber announced it will publish Barbara Kingsolver’s forthcoming novel “Partita” in October, marking a high‑profile addition to the UK house’s spring‑summer slate. The deal underscores Kingsolver’s continued commercial pull and positions the book as a contender for year‑end bestseller lists.
TBPN Stays Silent on Farrow‑Marantz Altman Exposé
I missed it. What did the “editorially independent” @tbpn say about the @ronanfarrow @andrewmarantz @newyorker exposé on Altman? Or did they remain silent?
'The American Prospect' Says It Will No Longer Run Programmatic Ads
The American Prospect announced it is removing all programmatic advertising from its website, citing concerns over reader privacy, site performance, and security vulnerabilities. The outlet said personal data deserves greater respect and that programmatic ads slow pages and disrupt the...
Self‑Administered Peptide Clinics Surge After Huberman Podcast, Raising Safety Concerns
After a 2024 appearance on Andrew Huberman’s podcast, Dr. Koniver’s peptide‑focused clinic added 800 new patients in a month, now serving about 1,000 and maintaining a 6,000‑person waitlist. Memberships cost $15,000 a year, generating tens of millions in revenue, while...
Kargo Launches Closed Beta For Agentic Media Buying & Creative Engine
Kargo has opened a closed beta for Project KERA, an AI‑driven media‑buying and creative engine that turns a single campaign brief into a fully executed, performance‑ready plan. The platform unifies planning, creative development, activation and real‑time optimisation across CTV, mobile,...
ESPN Reportedly Set for Another Round of Layoffs
ESPN is preparing a new round of layoffs, targeting roughly 30 off‑camera employees in the coming weeks. The cuts stem largely from a $100 million revenue shortfall tied to last year’s YouTube TV blackout of ESPN networks. Sources say the reductions...
Evening Update: Trump Threatens to Jail the Journalist Who Reported that a Second US Airman Was Missing After Being Shot...
President Donald Trump warned he would jail any journalist who refuses to reveal the source of a leak reporting that a second U.S. airman was missing after being shot down by Iran. The airman later survived, rescued from a mountain...