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.
‘Heartbreak High’ Final Season Debuts at No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand on Netflix
The third and final season of Netflix’s Australian reboot *Heartbreak High* launched at No. 1 on the platform’s Top 10 English‑language lists in both Australia and New Zealand, and entered the global Top 10 at position 10 with 2.4 million views in its first week. The series has already logged 50 million viewing hours across its first two seasons, reaching top‑10 status in more than 40 countries. Star Ayesha Madon used the platform’s success to call for broader on‑screen representation of dark‑skinned Australians. The show’s performance underscores the commercial viability of diverse, locally produced drama on global streaming services.
I Tried Replacing Steam with Google Play Games on My PC — It's Not Even Close
Google Play Games is positioning itself as a PC gaming alternative to Steam, touting a catalog of over 200,000 titles and a "buy once, play anywhere" promise. In practice, most of those titles are mobile‑first, and the PC‑compatible subset is...
Doctor Who's Recently Unearthed Missing Episodes Confirm Release Date on BBC iPlayer - and It's Very Soon
BBC confirmed that two long‑missing Doctor Who episodes will be streamed on iPlayer at 6 a.m. on 3 April. The restored installments, “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” originate from the 1965 serial ‘The Daleks’ Master Plan’ and feature William Hartnell’s first Doctor...
Acast Signs Abbie Chatfield Podcast in Multi-Year Deal
Acast has inked a multi‑year exclusive partnership with Australian media personality Abbie Chatfield, bringing her podcast “It’s A Lot” back to the platform. The show already attracts over 500,000 monthly listens and has amassed nearly 40 million downloads since its 2020...
Snapchat Users Travel More than Non-Users
Snapchat’s partnership with research firm Suzy reveals that its users travel more frequently than non‑users, with 87% taking at least one leisure trip annually – 1.2 times the rate of the broader population. Snapchatters are also 1.5 × more likely to...
‘It’s About Showing up Better’: Herd MSL and Publicis Groupe Unveil Elevate AI Search Offering
Australian agency Herd MSL, together with Publicis Groupe ANZ, has launched Elevate, an AI‑driven search visibility and authority service. Elevate combines category‑level search intelligence, AI‑optimized content structuring, and earned‑owned authority building to help brands shape how they appear in AI‑generated...
Are Media Taps Rachel Fountain as Head of Vodcasts
Are Media has created a new Head of Vodcasts position and appointed Rachel Fountain to lead it, signaling the publisher’s accelerated push into video‑led storytelling. Fountain, a former ABC, News Corp, Deadset Studios and Nine executive and founder of Fountain...
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘If It’s Tuesday It’s Murder’ On Hulu, A Comedic Mystery About Members Of A Tour...
Hulu’s new Spanish series *If It’s Tuesday It’s Murder* follows a mismatched tour group that discovers a fellow traveler dead in a Lisbon hotel and decides to solve the case before returning to Madrid. The show mixes dark humor with...
Tuesday Discussion Post
The post highlights a growing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in journalism, asking where the line between useful assistance and over‑automation lies. It references a broader online conversation and cites Jerusalem Demsas’s commentary on the topic. While AI...
Meet Shabana Azeez, Who Plays Dr Victoria Javadi in The Pitt
HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt has become the platform’s most‑watched series, bolstered by five Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes and four Critics Choice Awards. The show’s second season features Shabana Azeez as Dr. Victoria Javadi, a medical student who...
Kate Nishimura, Angela Velasquez to Lead Sourcing Journal Editorial
Fairchild Media Group announced that Kate Nishimura, deputy editor, and Angela Velasquez, executive editor of SJ Denim, will co‑lead Sourcing Journal’s editorial content. The duo will steer the publication’s strategy across trade, labor, sustainability, material innovation, logistics and AI topics....
Susie Jones Honoured as SPA’s Commissioner of the Year 2026
Susie Jones, head of Documentary and Specialist at the ABC, has been named Screen Producers Australia’s Commissioner of the Year 2026. The peer‑voted award recognises her leadership, creativity and close collaboration with independent producers across a slate of factual series...
Inside Clix Gaming’s Creator-Powered Business Strategy
Cody “Clix” Conrod, a veteran Fortnite star, has launched Clix Gaming, a brand‑centric business built around his creator persona. The new venture aims to transform his massive follower base into a diversified media empire, extending beyond gameplay to original content,...
Meta Hires Former Instagram Design Chief to Lead Edits
Exclusive: @westervelt, who most recently was head of design at Instagram, has been named head of Edits, the company's video editing app. Read the full story here: https://scalablepod.com/p/exclusive-meta-taps-instagram-exec-to-lead-edits
Dateline's 1992 Debut Became NBC's Most Successful Newsmagazine
📺 March 31, 1992: “Dateline,” initially hosted by Jane Pauley and Stone Phillips, debuted on NBC. This was the network’s 18th attempt — its most successful — at a primetime newsmagazine. https://t.co/AE4hSVodJ2 https://t.co/nseNEy8JDV
Kevin Kiermaier Aims to Bring a Defensive Perspective to MLB Media
Kevin Kiermaier, a four‑time Gold Glove outfielder, has joined MLB Network as an analyst, dedicating his on‑air role to breaking down defensive play. He signed a one‑year contract and will appear three to four days each month, translating his field...
Disappointed CNBC Skipped “Markets In Celebration” Tonight
After a day like today, I am disappointed CNBC didn't run a "Markets In Celebration" special tonight.
Curated Feeds May Be Even More Addictive than Algorithms
Bsky user raises a good point: per "social media addiction" proponents' claims, wouldn’t a platform like BS, where there is no content-recommendation algo & users can tailor their feeds to contain precisely the ppl and types of posts they want...
Noel Fisher & Devin Sampson-Craig Join ‘Dark Winds’ Season 5
AMC’s Dark Winds has added Noel Fisher and Devin Sampson‑Craig to its recurring cast for Season 5, currently filming in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fisher will play Michael Jorie, a violent gang‑affiliated killer, while Sampson‑Craig portrays Daniel Ironwater, Jr., a Vietnam‑scarred...
Video Spending Stalls; Bundling Needed but Unlikely
NEW: Consumer spending on video has plateaued since the pandemic, and advertising isn't enough to save the industry from stalling out — The market could start to grow again if streamers teamed up and started to bundle services — Analysts don't...
Fox's Red Seat Launches Ultra‑wealthy Live‑event Membership
Scoop: Fox Corp's Red Seat Ventures is building a premium membership for the ultra-wealthy centered around live events — Eyeing concierge services, VIP access, the works — Could be synergies with Fox Sports More in @axios https://t.co/0GyAdBFPsM
SVG GFX Forum 2026: Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY
The SVG GFX Forum 2026 convened in New York City and its sessions are now available for free on the SVG PLAY platform. The event showcased cutting‑edge sports graphics topics such as AR overlays, data‑centric storytelling, cloud‑based workflows, and AI‑enhanced...
Meta Unaccountable; Article Misrepresents
Meta was not remotely "held accountable" for harming teens this framing is deranged and this piece also completely misrepresents how big tobacco was actually regulated. I'm gonna lose my mind
Twistartups Ads Sell Out 15 Years, Proven Value
There's a reason why the advertising on @twistartups has been sold out for 15 years straight and 2,200+ episodes -- it works (and we price it slightly under market to create long-term partnerships) Thanks @trustvanta for the long-term support 🥰...
Premiere Date Revealed for MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA 2026
MasterChef Australia Season 18 will premiere on Sunday, 19 April 2026 at 7 pm, streaming free on Network 10. All four original judges return, joined by high‑profile guests such as Jimmy Barnes, Robert Irwin, Maggie Beer and Curtis Stone. The competition will feature 24 amateur...
Legal Verdict and AI Study Reveal Dual Threat to Human Attention
A U.S. jury held Meta and YouTube accountable for deliberately addicting young users, and a new study by Vivienne Ming shows 90‑95% of participants rely on AI to think for them. The twin developments underscore a growing battle over human...
You Can Now Watch Every Episode of Baywatch For Free on Plex Ahead of The Reboot
Plex is now streaming every episode of the original *Baywatch* for free, including a dedicated live channel that runs the series around the clock. Fox has greenlit a 12‑episode reboot slated for the 2026‑27 season, with Stephen Amell starring as...
My Week With the TikTok-Famous Rolling LG TV
LG’s StanByMe 2 rolling TV lets users wheel a 22‑inch 1080p screen from room to room, doubling as a tablet with a four‑hour battery. The tension‑based stand offers swivel, height, and rotation adjustments, while a matte panel improves visibility in bright...
PQ: Global Consumer Media Usage Poised To Surge
PQ Media’s 13th Global Consumer Media Usage Forecast projects average daily media consumption rising to 8.24 hours in 2025, up from 7.62 hours in 2020. Ad‑supported content’s share of total time drops to 52.7% from 55.5% five years earlier. The...
Ulta Beauty Launches on TikTok Shop, Pioneering U.S. Social Commerce for Specialty Beauty
Ulta Beauty debuted on TikTok Shop on March 17, becoming the first U.S. specialty beauty retailer to sell directly within the app. The move follows TikTok’s $10 billion U.S. deal and aims to capture the platform’s 71.4 million active social shoppers.
From Text-to-Vote to Scan-to-Invest: Future Interactive Shows
Text-to-vote was a revolution in entertainment in the early 2000s. Scan-to-invest will define the next generation of interactive shows.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s $1.1 B Defunding of NPR and PBS, Citing First Amendment
A U.S. District Court judge has struck down President Trump’s executive order to strip $1.1 billion in federal subsidies from NPR and PBS, finding it a direct violation of the First Amendment. The ruling restores the legal footing for public‑media funding...
Flash Sale: Curiosity Stream’s Annual Plan Just Dropped 25% — A Must-Have for Documentary Fans
Curiosity Stream is running a flash sale that slashes its annual plans by 25%, dropping the Standard tier to $37.49 and the Smart Bundle to $59.99. Both options grant unlimited on‑demand access to thousands of documentaries and, for the Bundle,...
How Brands and Agencies Are Operationalizing AI as the Tech Matures
Three years after ChatGPT’s debut, advertisers are moving from questioning AI to deploying it at scale. WPP’s "WPP Open" initiative has centralized AI governance at the holding‑company level, streamlining creative, media and production workflows. Yum Brands has built an "AI...
Family Life Expanded To Two Keystone State Counties
Family Life Radio announced the acquisition of an FM station in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, extending its broadcast footprint into two Keystone State counties. The deal transfers ownership from longtime local broadcaster Lynn Deppen, with broker Michael J. Bergner facilitating the...
Amazon Live FAST Channel Joins Samsung TV Plus Lineup With Suite Of Shopping Features And Content
Amazon Live, a shopping‑focused FAST channel, is now part of Samsung TV Plus, the free streaming service that reaches more than 100 million monthly active users. The integration brings Amazon’s live‑shopping formats, celebrity hosts and original series to Samsung’s smart‑TV ecosystem. Viewers...
TuneIn Adds Distribution Deal with NBC Sports Radio
Stingray‑owned TuneIn has signed a distribution agreement with Comcast’s NBC Sports Radio, adding the network’s 24/7 audio feed to its platform. Beginning this week, TuneIn will stream daily studio shows such as “Pro Football Talk Live,” “The Dan Patrick Show,”...
Cruz and Cantwell Unwell With Carr Over Nexstar Deal
Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have written to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr demanding clarification on the commission’s inconsistent handling of major media transactions. Their letter targets the staff‑level approval process that cleared Nexstar Media Group’s $4.5 billion merger with TEGNA....
White House Slams Judge Ruling, Calls NPR/PBS Funding Illegal
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson: “This is a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law. NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress already voted to defund them.” https://t.co/aI95V26uAh
News: MLB on ESPN, NFL, TMRW Sports and More
Joe Buck will call the Mets‑Dodgers season opener on ESPN alongside former players Ron Darling and Orel Hershiser, marking his second MLB assignment in as many seasons. NFL owners have voted to exempt Friday games from the league’s short‑week limit,...
Good Morning
Two federal judges issued landmark rulings this week: one struck down former President Trump’s executive order to defund NPR and PBS, deeming it a First Amendment violation, while another halted construction of a planned White House ballroom, emphasizing the president’s...
Jamie Cutburth Moves From NBC to iHeart as EVP of Marketing
iHeartMedia has hired former NBCUniversal executive Jamie Cutburth as its Executive Vice President of Marketing. Cutburth leaves NBC after more than 11 years, where he oversaw B2B marketing and brand partnerships for flagship shows like Saturday Night Live and The...
Teletubbies: 1997 Debut, Beloved yet Oddly Unsettling
The kids-themed show “Teletubbies” made its U.S. debut on PBS in 1997. Known for its colorful characters and playful antics, it aimed to entertain and educate toddlers, but many viewers found its unusual visuals and surreal style a bit creepy....
Publishing Industry Secrets Every Aspiring Author Should Know
The publishing landscape is split between traditional houses that still dominate bestseller lists and a rapidly expanding self‑publishing sector empowered by digital platforms. Aspiring authors must understand how agents, query letters, and royalty structures differ across these channels. Key industry...
Instagram Premium Program Aims To Boost Users' Story Performance
Instagram is piloting a new subscription called Instagram Plus in Mexico, Japan and the Philippines, priced up to $2.20 per month. The service adds Story‑centric tools such as unlimited audience lists, re‑watch metrics, weekly spotlight, 24‑hour extensions and anonymous story...
Bobbi Althoff & Sukihana YouTube Series ‘That’s BS With Bobbi & Suki’ Sets Launch Date Next Week
Bobbi Althoff and rapper‑reality star Sukihana are debuting their YouTube series *That’s BS With Bobbi & Suki* on Monday, April 6. The unscripted show grew out of a viral TikTok moment that amassed 16 million views, and will drop a new episode each Monday. Both creators serve...
Get Your Tickets for The Metropolitan Review's First Ever Print Launch
The Metropolitan Review (TMR) is hosting a launch party in Manhattan for its inaugural print issue, scheduled for Thursday at Hurley’s Saloon, 232 W. 48th Street. The event offers two ticket tiers—$20 for entry and $45 for entry plus a reserved copy of...
Indie Distribution Fails as Multiplexes Crush Small Films
Indie distribution’s not a business anyone should be jumping into nowadays Small films are getting bulldozed at the multiplex right & left
Lawrence O’Donnell Mocks Trump for Admitting ‘Smart People’ Don’t Like Him: ‘When He’s Right He’s Right’ | Video
Lawrence O'Donnell mocked Donald Trump on Monday’s “The Last Word” after a protest sign quoted the former president saying, “smart people don’t like me.” O'Donnell played the original clip, highlighting the paradox of Trump’s self‑deprecating remark becoming a rallying point...
Rachel Maddow Ridicules Trump for ‘Inexplicably’ Cutting Favors for Russia as They Help Iran | Video
Rachel Maddow criticized President Donald Trump for easing sanctions on Russia while Russia assists Iran in the ongoing conflict. She highlighted Trump’s decision to let a Russian oil tanker bypass a U.S. blockade of Cuba, calling the move inexplicable. Trump...