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.
CBS To Fill 'Colbert' Time Slot With 'Comics Unleashed'
CBS announced that the 11:35 p.m. "Late Show" slot will be taken over by Byron Allen's improv comedy series "Comics Unleashed" beginning May 22, a day after Stephen Colbert's final episode. The move follows CBS executives' admission that Colbert's program had become unprofitable, despite still leading Nielsen ratings for nine seasons. Allen's shows operate under a time‑buy arrangement, with the producer purchasing the hour and sharing advertising inventory with local stations. The shift also coincides with Colbert’s on‑air criticism of Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with former President Trump.
Stax Burger Co’s ‘Customer From Hell’ Skits Deemed Too Sweary for Ad Standards
Australian fast‑food chain Stax Burger Co’s social media skits featuring a profanity‑laden “customer from hell” have been found in breach of the Advertising Standards Board’s anti‑profanity guidelines. Four Instagram and Facebook videos, starring the founder’s father, repeatedly used slurs such...
Mike Mignola Reveals New Graphic Novel 'Uri Tupka and the Devils'
Mike Mignola’s new graphic novel "Uri Tupka and the Devils" arrives on November 16, 2026, published by Dark Horse Comics. The 104‑page hardcover continues the "Lands Unknown" anthology, following Uri Tupka’s quest for pre‑creation secrets after the events of "Uri...
Meta’s Attribution Loss Hovers at 10% Despite New Multipliers
Generally seeing the “attribution loss” from click to engaged view be about 10% across most clients within Meta. Developing new multipliers for each client still operating on 7DC, however a lot already shifted to IA attribution so those were not impacted. I...
Carlson’s Two‑Hour Show Evolves From Dawn to Dusk
Carlson’s show is a moment today. It starts early, builds through to the end (runs 2+ hrs). https://t.co/ZXXLGsXyXG https://t.co/ffbfPNHYCl
Wheatstone Highlights Hitless Failover
Wheatstone will showcase a new hitless switching option at the NAB Show, extending its failover technology to Blade 4 I/O access units and mix engines for LXE and Strata consoles. The solution uses dual, real‑time synchronized units and a high‑frequency “heartbeat”...
Katherine LaNasa Poised to Become Second Back‑to‑back Emmy Winner
If Katherine LaNasa wins the Emmy for #ThePitt, she would be only the second woman to win consecutively for the first and second seasons in the supporting drama actress category, after Allison Janney for “The West Wing” https://t.co/FoExVw4ORY via @variety...
Fox Renews “Memory of a Killer” For Season 2
#Fox has renewed #MemoryOfAKiller for a second season. From #WarnerBros TV & #Fox Ent. $FOXA $FOX $WBD
TikTok's 'FAFO' Parenting Trend Draws Fatherhood Backlash
TikTok users have sparked a wave of criticism after the platform’s #FAFO parenting challenge, which encourages extreme discipline tactics, drew sharp rebuke from child‑development experts and father‑focused advocacy groups. The debate pits viral “tough love” videos against calls for gentler,...
Noah Wyle’s ‘The Pitt’ Aims for Emmy Dynasty
Is ‘The Pitt’ Building an Emmy Dynasty? Why Noah Wyle’s Medical Drama Is Poised to Make History Again https://t.co/FoExVw4ORY via @variety https://t.co/VdrvA1AZbb
OpenAI’s TBPN Deal Mirrors Standard Sponsorship Practices
It’s easy / tempting to overthink OpenAI’s acquisition of TBPN. But as a brand marketing campaign, it’s not egregious. Oracle has a five-year, $500MM sponsorship deal with F1 racing. Adidas pays Real Madrid $158MM annually for sponsorship placement on its...
TPB Wins WeThinkMedia to Streamline Trans-Tasman Programmatic Buying
The Programmatic Bureau (TPB) has named WeThinkMedia as its exclusive Australian sales representative, giving Australian advertisers a single gateway to New Zealand programmatic inventory across DOOH, CTV, audio and display. The partnership aims to cut the fragmentation that has traditionally complicated...
Ensure Fair Pay for Creators Before Capital Recalibration
Well said. Janet, they also skipped much of the part where news and entertainment companies content is being used as a vital resource? maybe make sure copyright holders are paid fair value for their work before your “recalibration of capital..”...
Newsom's Wife Pushes Bill to Ban Conservative Content
Gavin Newsom‘s wife wants to create legislation that forces tech companies to ban conservative content and creators https://t.co/zVOltcd44I
Aussie Indie Crashes US Podcast Charts, Takes on NYT and NPR
Mashed Pumpkin Productions, a Queensland indie, has entered the U.S. podcast arena with its series “What I Survived,” reaching #31 on the overall Apple Podcasts chart. The show also topped the Documentary chart and placed fourth in Society & Culture...
Netflix Defaults to Captions, Signaling Accessibility Defeat
Netflix having closed caption as the default option is wild. Did we lose a war?
Fair Compensation for Creators Must Precede Redistribution
you seem to skip the part where news and entertainment companies content is being used as a vital resource? Is that admission issue is tbd? I get the general point on redistribution but let’s do that after copyright holders are...
Media Must Not Ignore Suffering
Taiwanese media consistently downplay civilian casualties in Iran, Lebanon and the West Bank, treating humanitarian loss as background noise on political talk shows. Commentators frame global conflicts primarily through the lens of Taiwan’s security and its relationship with the United...
Who Decides What News Means?
Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, has been appointed BBC director‑general, bringing platform and digital‑audience expertise rather than a journalism background. The article argues his tech savvy is crucial as AI and algorithmic news delivery reshape how Britons consume information,...
Netflix Show Highlights Taiwanese Religious Traditions with a Modern Flair
Netflix’s new eight‑part series “Agent from Above” spotlights Taiwan’s temple culture by following Han Chieh, a mortal vessel for the deity Nezha. The production team filmed at active and abandoned shrines, creating sets that blend traditional Taiwanese religious architecture with modern...
AWARD Lab GenAI Sprint Launches with Leonardo.ai and OMA
AWARD has teamed with Leonardo.ai and the Outdoor Media Association to launch the first AWARD Lab GenAI Sprint, a competition for AWARD Crash and Uni alumni that runs May 7‑9. Teams use Leonardo.ai to generate creative concepts for a non‑profit brief...
Seven News Anchor Mark Ferguson Drops Thursdays After ‘Shake-Up’
Seven News veteran anchor Mark Ferguson will no longer present the Thursday 6 p.m. bulletin, reducing his on‑air schedule from five nights to four. Co‑host Angela Cox is making the same cut, while Michael Usher and Angie Asimus will front the...
Don't Buy a TV in 2026 without These Features — You'll Regret It Within a Year
The 2026 TV market now emphasizes advanced display and usability features beyond 4K resolution, including pixel‑shift technology, Mini‑LED/RGB‑LED backlighting, glare‑free coatings, HDMI eARC, and robust smart‑TV operating systems. OLED manufacturers add pixel refresh and screen‑shift safeguards to combat burn‑in, while...
THE FACE Launches First International Edition in China
THE FACE, the iconic fashion and culture magazine, is launching its first international edition in China in April 2026. The new title, operated by XINFENGMAO Cultural Development, will be led by editor‑in‑chief Taiyu Zhang. It aims to blend print, digital and...
The League of Legends KeSPA Cup Will Air Globally on Disney+
Disney+ has secured a global streaming partnership with the Korea Esports Association, making the 2026 League of Legends KeSPA Cup and other major Asian esports tournaments available on its platform. The deal also includes live coverage of Esports Champions Asia...
Join Premium to Fund Independent Pro‑Democracy Media
Premium members enable Democracy Docket to do its critical work. They also receive exclusive content and events. If you value independent pro-democracy media and can afford it, consider joining today. https://bit.ly/3PP4FHP
Canadians Lead: Nutella Canada Shares Space Stories
In a surprise to no one, the Canadians are on top of it Nutella Canada is resharing space Stories on Instagram
Questions Linger About the Long-Term Viability of X
X’s ad revenue has slumped to $2.26 billion in 2025, down from $4.14 billion in 2022, while active users in Europe fell 15% in the second half of 2025. The platform survives thanks to a March 2025 merger with Musk’s AI venture xAI,...
Meta Looks to Grow Threads in Japan
Meta has launched an official Japan‑specific Threads profile to share localized updates on Threads, Instagram, Meta AI and Meta Quest, signaling a direct challenge to X’s dominance in the country. X currently enjoys the highest daily active users and time‑spent metrics globally,...
Instagram Chief Debunks Popular Engagement Hack
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri clarified that reposting feed content to Stories does not meaningfully increase a post's reach, debunking a widely circulated engagement hack. He emphasized that the Feed algorithm offers broader exposure through the Explore page and permanent visibility,...
$1,000 Stipend For Data Journalists To Attend Workshop in Washington D.C. (Deadline: April 19, 2026)
A $1,000 stipend is being offered to data journalists to attend an in‑person workshop in Washington, D.C. The program aims to improve reporters' ability to conduct data research and uncover trends. Applications close on April 19, 2026, and the funding...
Focus Mode App Lets Pros Jump Back to Posts Instantly
Product request for all the social platforms: An app version just for social media professionals that takes you back to the post or DM you wanted to check — versus letting you get distracted by 17 things before you close...
Watch the Nats Game with Live Radio Commentary
Washington Nationals fans: If you have https://t.co/8BTREsgEDG, you can click on Broadcast Options and listen to the radio team while watching the game. @CharlieSlowes @DaveJageler
3 TV Advertising Myths DTC Brands Should Ignore
Direct‑to‑consumer brands are confronting rising acquisition costs and saturated digital channels, prompting a shift toward streaming TV. Connected‑TV now accounts for nearly 18% of U.S. adult viewing time, yet only 7.4% of media budgets target it, creating a sizable growth...
Kidnapped US Journalist Shelly Kittleson Likely Alive in Iraq
NEW: Kidnapped U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson is believed to be alive and held in an Iran-linked militia’s Iraqi stronghold. w/ @Mustafa_salimb GIFT LINK: https://t.co/VsHjeF2ViX
NASA Live Stream Attracts Over 2.5 Million Viewers
2 Million people are tuned in to the NASA live feed/webcast on X (530K on YouTube fwiw).
Hearst’s WDSU to Air Million Dollar Rodeo Competition
Hearst-owned NBC affiliate WDSU in New Orleans has secured exclusive rights to air the Hondo Rodeo Fest’s three‑night, million‑dollar competition from April 10‑12 at the Caesars Superdome. The event blends high‑stakes rodeo, a multi‑day concert lineup featuring Jason Aldean, Creed and other...
Artemis II Coverage Fulfills Sagan’s Call for Science Media
In 1987, Carl Sagan questioned why mainstream media does not have sufficient coverage of science related news Mr. Sagan would have be proud of the most recent @NASA Artemis II coverage https://t.co/00QJIknRuM
U.S. Media Trust Plummets to 28%, 95% Irrelevant
A recent Gallup Institute survey found that TRUST IN THE MEDIA in the US has reached a STUNNING NEW LOW. Only 28% of Americans trust the press. Americans are catching on to HANKE'S 95% RULE: 95% OF WHAT YOU READ IN...
More Steel Ball Run JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Anime Episodes Air in Fall
Netflix released the first 48‑minute episode of the Steel Ball Run adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure on March 19, 2026 and announced that the second stage will follow a weekly release schedule beginning in Fall 2026. The debut covers the...
Spy Dramedy ‘Ponies’ Enters 20 Emmy Categories
EXCLUSIVE: The spy dramedy #Ponies will submit in the comedy races across 20 categories at the Emmys, including lead comedy actress for Emilia Clarke and supporting actress for Haley Lu Richardson. https://t.co/3lfAl5Dgb9 via @variety
Clarke, Richardson Lead ‘Ponies’ Emmy Push in 20 Comedy Slots
Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson Front ‘Ponies’ Emmy Campaign Across 20 Comedy Categories (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/3lfAl5Dgb9 via @variety
Panasonic Uses TikTok Videos to Fight Fakes in China, Southeast Asia
Panasonic Holdings has launched a TikTok‑based campaign to expose counterfeit products across China and Southeast Asia, complementing a broader effort that monitors roughly 1,000 e‑commerce sites for dangerous fakes. The videos highlight specific hazards, such as low‑quality air‑conditioners, and direct...
Only Three Shows Won Drama Emmys First Two Seasons
Will #ThePitt win drama Emmy again? Three series have won drama series for both their first and second seasons: “Hill Street Blues,” “The West Wing” and “Mad Men.” Notably, all three went on to win for additional seasons as well. https://t.co/FoExVw4ORY...
Meet WMAL Radio’s Newest OM
Cumulus Media’s WMAL, the conservative‑leaning FM talk station serving Washington, D.C., announced Luis Segura as its new Operations Manager. Segura is relocating from California and will assume the role on May 4, 2024. The appointment places a seasoned broadcast executive in charge...
Video to Sound Integration Comes To Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro will soon incorporate Krotos’s video‑to‑sound technology, letting editors generate and place first‑pass sound design without leaving the timeline. The integration analyzes footage and pulls from professionally recorded libraries to create ambience, Foley, impacts and transitions that are...
Why Amy Poehler’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ Hosting Gig Still Qualifies for Guest Actress Under New Emmy Rules
New Emmy eligibility rules introduced in 2025 prevent performers who have previously been nominated for lead or supporting acting awards from entering guest‑performer categories for the same role. Despite this restriction, Amy Poehler can still submit for a Guest Actress nomination...
Noah Wyle’s ‘The Pitt’ Poised for Emmy Dynasty
Is ‘The Pitt’ Building an Emmy Dynasty? Why Noah Wyle’s Medical Drama Is Poised to Make History Again https://t.co/FoExVw4ORY via @variety
‘Reveal’ Finds New Footing with Faster, Timely Reporting
Three years after a financial crisis threatened its existence, the investigative radio show Reveal survived thanks to a 2024 merger with Mother Jones, which bolstered reporting resources and enabled a new weekly podcast. The show has shifted to faster, “rapid‑turn”...
Marybeth Sprows Returns To Hallmark Media; Tatiana Erasme Promoted
Hallmark Media has bolstered its leadership team by rehiring Marybeth Sprows as senior vice president of Original Series and promoting Tatiana Erasme to vice president of Casting and Talent. Sprows, who previously led Sony Pictures Television’s faith‑and‑family division, returns to...