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:
Help Radio Ink Name The Most Influential Women In Radio
Radio Ink has opened nominations for its 2026 Most Influential Women in Radio list, a prestigious award that has highlighted female talent since 1999. The deadline is Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific). The list celebrates women across all radio roles who drive change, innovation, and diversity. Participation invites industry peers to recognize leaders shaping the future of broadcast media.
Can You TikTok Your Way Out Of A Comms Crisis?
Brands are moving from scripted press releases to rapid, real‑time engagement on platforms like TikTok when a crisis erupts. The recent lawsuit against US protein‑bar maker David, amplified by meme‑style TikTok videos, illustrates how humor can generate buzz but also...
YouTube Is Testing a New AI Powered Auto Speed Feature That Changes the Speed of Your Videos Based on What...
Google’s YouTube is piloting an AI‑driven Auto speed feature that dynamically changes video playback speed in real time. Available to Premium members on Android and iOS until April 27, the tool speeds up low‑information segments and slows down dense parts, aiming...
Business Insider Subscriber Base Is Shrinking, Not Expanding
Scoop: I obtained Business Insider's internal subscription figures for the last several years—and the data shows that not only is the digital outlet struggling to grow its subscriber base, but that it is actually sliding backwards.
Can D.C. Save Hollywood? Senator Adam Schiff on Bringing Production Home.
In this episode, Senator Adam Schiff discusses a proposed federal tax credit aimed at halting the exodus of film and TV production from Los Angeles. He explains that a 15% baseline credit, stacked on top of state incentives, would make...
An AI Upheaval Is Coming for Media. This Journalist Is Already All In.
Fortune journalist Nick Lichtenberg has leveraged AI to produce over 600 stories in six months, outpacing his peers' annual output. He feeds press releases and analyst notes into tools like NotebookLM, generating drafts he quickly edits and publishes. The approach...
Tuesday TV Ratings: Doc, Will Trent, NCIS, NBA Basketball, WWE NXT
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 saw a full slate of new episodes across major network dramas, including Will Trent, Doc, and multiple NCIS spinoffs. Sports programming featured WWE NXT and an NBA matchup between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ratings were reported using Fast...
Carr Defends Nexstar/Tegna Merger, Provides Details on Disney-Owned Station Enforcement Action
FCC Chair Brendan Carr defended the FCC’s approval of the $6.2 billion Nexstar‑Tegna merger, arguing it supports a healthy, thriving local broadcast TV market. He also detailed an ongoing enforcement action against Disney’s ABC station for not filing the required equal‑time...
ServusTV Pulls Formula 1 and Other Premium Sports From Joyn
Austrian broadcaster ServusTV will cease streaming Formula 1, MotoGP and other premium sports on the joint platform Joyn, moving all live rights to its own service ServusTV On from 1 January 2026. Joyn will retain only the on‑demand library without live sports. The shift...
Netflix Is Removing Tom Hardy's "Brilliant" Must-See Drama Very Soon
Netflix announced that the Tom Hardy‑led sports drama *Warrior* will leave its catalog on Tuesday, April 14, 2024. The 2011 film, praised for its 84% Rotten Tomatoes score and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Nick Nolte, has been re‑added...
NASA How-To Guide For Artemis Interviews
NASA’s Public Affairs Office released a how‑to guide for media interviewing the Artemis II crew, outlining vetted questions, a dedicated interview‑request portal, and a ban on political topics. The document standardizes the interview process to ensure consistent, technically accurate messaging as...
Fans Exhausted by Endless Sports Streaming Paywalls
Pays for SportsnetLA Pays for https://t.co/3qPp5gm1gj And yet, it’s not enough that I can’t watch my @Dodgers on opening day unless I also pay for Peacock. I’m just so tired of how difficult it is to be a fan of any sports...
AI Agents Can Produce Content that Actually Gets Views
Proof that AI agents can generate content that generates real views (X articles, IG Reels, etc.). Steal this: https://t.co/bj10nq5REz
Podcast Network Insights: Understanding the Business of Podcast "Networks"
In this episode Greg Wasserman dives into the world of podcast networks, exploring how they form, operate, and differ—from creator‑driven collectives to media‑backed enterprises. He shares insider perspectives on the pros and cons of joining a network, offering practical blueprints...
Variety Predicts Emmy Contenders for Limited Series
#Emmys Predictions: Limited or Anthology Series "Beef” (Netflix) “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max) “Half Man” (HBO Max) “Lord of the Flies” (Netflix) *** “Love Story” (FX) https://t.co/rScZoRA0l8 via @variety https://t.co/KcB3hxQEXB
Celebrating 100k Subscribers and the New Silver Play Button
So that’s pretty cool. Silver play button just showed up. 100k subscribers is indeed a milestone I won’t forget. https://t.co/IJImiNQgxd
Fubo to Live-Stream All 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Games
Fubo, majority‑owned by Disney, has secured a deal with Spectrum SportsNet LA to live‑stream every Los Angeles Dodgers game in the 2026 season. The agreement covers more than 140 regular‑season contests, pre‑ and post‑game shows, and the network’s “Backstage: Dodgers” series....
Ending the Open Internet, Not Achieving Accountability.
"What you won’t get out of this is anything approaching 'accountability.' You’ll get the end of the open internet, cheered on by people who think they’re punishing a bully but are actually handing the bully’s biggest competitors a death sentence."...
On the Air: A Jumbled MLB Debut for Netflix
Netflix’s first regular‑season MLB broadcast turned into a spectacle rather than a game recap, blending baseball commentary with celebrity cameos, WWE promos and comedy bits. Established voices like Matt Vasgersian, Hunter Pence and CC Sabathia anchored the telecast, but production...
Brendan Carr Says His Broadcast License Threat Wasn’t Really About Iran War Coverage
FCC Chair Brendan Carr told reporters his earlier warning about broadcasters losing licenses was not a direct threat over Iran war coverage, but a broader admonition against "fake news" and public‑interest violations. He cited a Trump tweet, emphasized he has...
Meta and YouTube’s Addiction Tactics Hurt Youth
'The 'engineering of addiction' explained — 3 ways Meta and YouTube have harmed young users, according to the landmark case https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/the-engineering-of-addiction-explained-3-ways-meta-and-youtube-have-harmed-young-users-according-to-the-landmark-case
Amaze Holdings Announces Creator Commerce Media Platform, Designed To Unlock Data-Driven Revenue Streams
Amaze Holdings launched a Creator Commerce Media Platform to monetize its first‑party commerce and audience data. Built on its new demand‑side platform, the service offers four high‑margin products—DSP audience segments, subscription data SaaS, data‑driven brand activation, and enterprise creator‑intelligence tools....
Meta Shares Slide After Landmark Ruling on Social Media Addiction
The episode examines two landmark U.S. court rulings that held Meta and Alphabet liable for harms caused to young users, triggering an 8% drop in Meta’s shares and a decline for Google. Economist Kerry Leahy warns investors of a potential...
Houston Vs. Illinois: How to Watch the March Madness Sweet 16 Game on Sling TV
The 2026 NCAA March Madness Sweet 16 pits No. 2 seed Houston against No. 3 seed Illinois on March 26 at 10:05 p.m. ET. Houston entered the game after an 88‑57 rout of Texas A&M, while Illinois advanced with a 76‑55 win over VCU. Both...
Eric Kripke Says ‘The Boys’ Final Season Has No “Full Battle Scenes” As Show Doesn’t Have “‘Game of Thrones’ Budget”
Creator Eric Kripke confirmed that the fifth and final season of Amazon Prime’s The Boys will forgo large‑scale battle sequences, citing a budget far smaller than the $1 billion‑plus spent on Game of Thrones. Instead, the season will deliver “direct confrontations” and an...
How ‘What’s Poppin?’ Creator Davis Burleson Went From TikTok to Hosting SiriusXM Radio Shows: ‘You Have Your Platform, What Are...
Davis Burleson, a TikTok creator with over two million followers, launched two SiriusXM radio shows—"Verified With Davis Burleson" and "Pop Culture Picks With Davis Burleson"—on March 10, 2026. The programs shift his street‑interview style into hour‑long, music‑focused formats, moving beyond the 40‑second TikTok Radio...
Mardi Gras Drives Audience Surge Across QMS Sydney Network
QMS reported a 9% rise in audience across its City of Sydney digital street‑furniture network during the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, with interstate viewership up 16%. The Oxford Street precinct saw a 23% overall increase and a...
Ex-ESPN Reporter Michele Steele Joins Big Ten Network
Veteran sports journalist Michele Steele has left ESPN after a 14‑year stint to become a contributor for the Big Ten Network. She will serve as a sideline reporter for Nebraska’s Red‑White spring game and anchor studio shows alongside BTN’s veteran...
TV Still Pays Best but PR Now Runs the Newsroom
Television journalists remain the highest‑paid segment in Australia, with 51% earning over AUD 100,000 (≈ USD 66,000) in 2025, up from 44% a year earlier. Podcast reporters are close behind, at 48% crossing the same threshold. Salary gaps persist, favoring metropolitan and government‑funded...
Roku Adds a New Live Channel From Warner Bros. Discovery to Roku TVs & Roku Players
Roku announced a dedicated live channel (5270) featuring the Property Brothers, delivering 24/7 home‑renovation content on Roku TVs and streaming players. The launch follows the addition of 16 other new channels, expanding Roku’s free, ad‑supported live TV portfolio. By bundling...
Automate Content, Multiply Reach, Stop the Hustle
Systems that eliminate unnecessary hustle: - automated content calendar to limit decisions - multi-platform promotion that happens without you - CTAs that turn viewers into customers - repurposing one idea into 10+ pieces of content.
India Love Sparks Controversy For Cussing Out Store Workers After Being Asked To Stop Filming
Social media star India Love was confronted by store employees after she began livestreaming inside a gas‑station‑style shop that prohibits recording. When the clerks politely asked her to turn off the camera, she initially denied filming, then later complied but...
Anitta to Make Her ‘SNL’ Debut With Colman Domingo as Host
Saturday Night Live announced its April 11 episode, featuring Brazilian pop star Anitta as the musical guest and acclaimed actor Colman Domingo as host. Both are making their SNL debuts during the show’s 51st season, which follows recent appearances by Jack...
AI Automates Podcasts, but Loses the Human Spark
"At first I thought you were sick. Not yourself. Low mood. Then I was convinced you were reading a script. By the end I'd already twigged before you even said it was AI." "Your personality is the best thing about your...
X Pro Now £36/Month, Likely Unpopular with Users
Great - so X Pro now no longer available unless you pay £36 a month... That's not going to be very popular @elonmusk
Miami Marlins Return to Home Plate with WQAM Reunion
The Miami Marlins have signed a multi‑year broadcast and streaming agreement with Audacy, designating Sports Talker WQAM‑AM/FM as the team’s new flagship across South Florida. The partnership replaces WINZ‑AM 940, whose nighttime power is being reduced, and restores the Marlins...
1989 TV Ratings Snapshot: Network Vs. Syndication
Nielsen ratings for network TV for the week ending March 26, 1989 and for syndication for the week ending March 19, 1989 https://t.co/KQhMHH897o https://t.co/RTaN3qwMop
How 80s Labels Manipulated Radio to Push Records
Me explaining to my students what 1980s record label radio promotion staff did to get records played. https://t.co/g5x6wSsjEC
Self-Taught Chef Wins MasterChef: The Professionals
Gareth Baty, a self‑taught chef from Cumbria, was crowned champion of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, defeating finalists Luke Emmess and Mark O’Brien. His three‑course menu—langoustine tartare starter, truffle‑mousse chicken roulade main, and a Brandy Alexander‑inspired dessert—was praised as faultless by...
Tales From the Beat Episode 130: Competitive Paranoia
In episode 130 of *Tales from the Beat*, veteran journalist Ed Garsten revisits a 1986 CNN assignment where a senior editor forced him to replicate a New York Times story about the Tennessee‑Tombigbee Waterway. Garsten’s crew filmed in freezing December...
Mastodon Revamps to Simplify Decentralized Social Networking
Mastodon is making its decentralized social network easier to use with its latest revamp https://t.co/6Ok9jcxOgC
America250 Prepares For ‘Celebration’ As iHeartMedia Partners Up
America250 has appointed iHeartMedia as the official audio partner for the United States’ semiquincentennial, streaming July 3‑4 festivities via the iHeartRadio app and over‑the‑air broadcasts. With more than 800 radio stations, iHeartMedia can reach roughly 90% of Americans each month, promising...
Matt Jarbo's Subscribers Outpace His YouTube Views
I think Matt Jarbo needs to focus more on getting his YT views to remotely matchup with his subs An abysmal subs-to-view ratio How is this even possible https://t.co/rDcCyleDML
A Trio-Led Program Coming To Atlanta’s Morning Drive
Cumulus Media is debuting a new morning drive program, "The Q Morning Crew," on Atlanta’s CHR station WWWQ (Q99.7) this Monday, filling the void left by The Bert Show’s 25‑year run. The show is hosted by Joe Breezy, returning from...
ChatGPT Advertising Launches in Australia
OpenAI will introduce advertising within ChatGPT for Australian users in the coming weeks, following positive early signals from its U.S. pilot. Ads will appear only for logged‑in adult users on the free and go tiers, while Plus, Pro, Business and...
X Moves the Ashes of TweetDeck Behind Its $40 Premium+ Subscription
X has moved its X Pro feature—formerly TweetDeck—out of the standard Premium plan and into the newly created Premium+ tier that costs $40 per month. The change was announced without prior notice, leaving existing Premium subscribers suddenly without access to...
RAIN Notes: March 26
Paul Riismandel highlighted a "new phase of maturity" for podcasting after the Podcast Evolutions and SXSW events, emphasizing authenticity as a measurable performance lever that builds trust and drives campaign results. Video is emerging as a complementary format, not a...
UFL 2026: Games, Schedule, Streaming Info, How to Watch & More
The United Football League (UFL) returns for its third season, adding three new franchises—Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm—while the defending champion DC Defenders remain a headline draw. The league’s 43‑game schedule runs from March 27 to June 13, with opening...
Apple Music Launches Dedicated Concerts Page for Live Fans
Apple Music Concerts page is here, and the feature is almost perfect for live music lovers. https://t.co/3l1pUcywkB
Bluesky Activity Spikes Post-Musk, Then Wanes
Bluesky saw a surge in activity following Elon Musk’s political involvement in late 2024, but engagement has since declined. @soberlook The Update https://t.co/EGLX7QmA3x https://t.co/SdRLZVcZMc