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.
BTS Netflix Comeback Concert Pulls 18.4 Million Viewers Globally
BTS streamed a one‑hour comeback concert on Netflix that reached 18.4 million viewers across 190 countries. The event marked the first time all seven members performed together since their 2022 military hiatus and kicked off an 82‑date world tour.
Netflix Wins Bidding War for Bestseller 'Strangers' And Casts Gwyneth Paltrow
Netflix has acquired the film rights to Belle Burden’s No. 1 New York Times bestseller *Strangers* after a heated bidding war involving six offers. The streaming giant attached Oscar‑nominated actress Gwyneth Paltrow to star and executive‑produce, with Stacey Sher producing and...
Netflix’s MLB Opening Day Stream Sparks Fan Backlash, Highlights Shift to Streaming‑Only Sports
Netflix aired the 2026 MLB season opener between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants as a pay‑walled event, prompting a wave of fan criticism over cost and tradition. The backlash illustrates growing tension as major leagues experiment with...
The Chilling True Story Behind Netflix Hit ‘Nuremberg’: Author Jack El-Hai on the Minds of History’s Worst War Criminals
Netflix’s new drama *Nuremberg* dramatizes the first of the post‑World War II trials, focusing on U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas M. Kelley, who was the first military doctor to interview Nazi war criminals such as Hermann Göring. Author Jack El‑Hai, whose book *22 Cells in...
European Audiovisual Market Hits €142 B in 2024, Led by Streaming and Box‑Office Growth
The European Audiovisual Observatory reported that the continent’s audiovisual industry produced €142 billion ($164.7 billion) in 2024. Consumer spending on streaming, pay‑TV, cinema tickets and home video accounted for over half of that total, underscoring the sector’s reliance on subscription‑based models.
When a Handbag Brand Makes Better Podcasts than Podcasters
Chinese luxury brands are abandoning the short‑video‑first playbook, targeting affluent urban women who are growing weary of Douyin and Xiaohongshu. Brands like GIADA and Songmont have launched long‑form podcasts on Xiaoyuzhou FM, amassing over a million and 140,000 subscribers respectively....
Meet RoseMarie Terenzio, Close Friend of John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette
Ryan Murphy’s FX series *Love Story* has reignited public fascination with John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, prompting viewers to seek a more factual account of the couple’s brief but high‑profile romance. RoseMarie Terenzio, a former executive assistant to Kennedy and chief...
K-LOVE Embraces Efficiency With GatesAir
K-LOVE is swapping legacy tube transmitters for GatesAir solid‑state Flexiva GX5K and Flexiva FAX10 units at stations in Billings, Montana and Tremonton, Utah. The new transmitters occupy roughly one‑third the rack space, cut power consumption and simplify maintenance. Audio monitoring...
Savor FM Launches Global Syndication Network for Foodservice Podcasters
Savor FM has launched Federated Savor, a global syndication network that aggregates foodservice podcasts and digital media creators onto a single platform. The network instantly taps a combined audience of more than 500,000 subscribers across YouTube and podcast services, offering...
One of Metal’s Biggest Bands Soundtrack a Fist-Fight Featuring Bruce Campbell as Satan in the New Episode of Invincible, and...
Amazon Prime’s animated series *Invincible* featured Slayer’s iconic 1986 track “Raining Blood” during a climactic Hell‑level fight, with Bruce Campbell portraying Satan. The episode, titled “Hurm,” introduces an original storyline not found in the comic source material, expanding the show’s...
ZDF Studios Launches Biene Maja & Friends and Dibidoo & Friends Channels on Prime Video
ZDF Studios is launching two new preschool add‑on channels on Amazon Prime Video. Biene Maja & Friends will be available in Germany and Austria, while Dibidoo & Friends will debut in the United Kingdom. The services bundle more than 200...
Kedoo Signs New Co-Production Partnerships for Love Drama
Kedoo has inked co‑production deals with France’s Studio Quinze and the UK’s Media Brighton to enrich its Love Drama micro‑drama app. The Studio Quinze partnership will deliver ten premium short‑form series across romance, thriller and hybrid genres, with the first...
Wedotv Expands FAST Footprint in Middle East on Samsung TV Plus
wedotv has expanded its free ad-supported streaming (FAST) footprint in the Middle East by launching three region‑specific channels on Samsung TV Plus, including wedotv Big Stories, wedotv Sports MENA, and the soon‑to‑launch wedotv Cars. The channels deliver factual documentaries, live...
Indian Government Cracks Down on Video Reels Lampooning PM Modi
On March 18, a parody Instagram reel mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had amassed 16 million views, was blocked in India after a legal demand from the government. Simultaneously, dozens of satire accounts on X and other platforms were taken...
Yallo TV Adds AI‑generated Video Previews with Media Distillery
Swiss telco yallo has upgraded its yallo TV streaming platform with AI‑generated video previews using Media Distillery’s Preview Distillery technology. The new auto‑generated 15‑20 second clips increase highlight availability by roughly 20%, adding about 200 multilingual previews each month without...
Indian Music Stars King and Zaeden to Make Acting Debuts
Amazon Prime Video India’s 2026 slate introduces music stars King and Zaeden as acting newcomers. King will headline the rap‑infused drama *Lukkhe*, while Zaeden leads the youthful romance *Dono Mile Iss Tarah*. Both series are tailored for Gen‑Z streaming audiences...
A Film Studio Moved to Montana for Tax Breaks. Will It Benefit the Locals?
Story House, a production company founded by James Brown III and Sean Patrick Higgins, moved its planned studio from Wyoming to Missoula, Montana, to capitalize on the state’s MEDIA Act film‑tax credits. The venture aims to build a multi‑soundstage campus...
![[Industry News] DIVA Agency Launches New Community and Creator Division Dedicated to Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships and Community Building](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/div.png)
[Industry News] DIVA Agency Launches New Community and Creator Division Dedicated to Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships and Community Building
Diva Agency is launching a dedicated Creator and Community division in March 2026, led by Charlotte Willis, who grew the firm’s influencer business by 300% in 2025. The new team will serve the agency’s global games and entertainment clients, acting as...
Famed L.A. Morning Duo Get A Syndicated Path
The Heidi & Frank Show, a long‑running morning program on Los Angeles’s KLOS‑FM 95.5, has secured a national syndication deal through Superadio and Toad Hop Network. Superadio will distribute the show to affiliates across the United States and manage national...
RRC Goes With Nielsen Vet For Dual Client Services Role
Radio Research Consortium (RRC), the nonprofit that supplies Nielsen Audio audience estimates to non‑commercial radio, announced the hiring of Brian Stauffer as Dual Client Services Manager effective April 1. Stauffer arrives with sixteen years at Nielsen, split between audience insights, policy...
TCWD Podcast: Taste Will Save Us From AI
The Culture We Deserve marks its 100th episode by tackling the fallout from the novel *Shy Girl*, which was pulled after author Mia Ballard was accused of using AI in its creation. The discussion highlights how major publisher Hachette struggles to...
HAVAS Red Middle East Launches CRed to Bridge Brands and the Creator Economy
HAVAS Red Middle East has launched CRed, a new creator‑marketing practice that integrates the agency’s PR, influencer and experiential capabilities. CRed aims to shift brand‑creator collaborations from short‑term transactions to long‑term, credibility‑driven partnerships rooted in regional culture. The service will...
WWE & Tony Hinchcliffe Partner with Netflix on "Kill Tony: WrestleMania"
WWE and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe have teamed with Netflix to produce "Kill Tony: WrestleMania," a comedy special filmed at Dolby Live in Las Vegas on April 18 and premiering on Netflix on April 20. The event coincides with WrestleMania 42 and will air alongside...
What Qualities Matter Most in Radio’s Next Generation of Leaders?
Radio Ink surveyed the Top 20 leaders in radio to uncover the traits they deem essential for the next generation of executives. The consensus emphasizes a deep love for radio, strong character, and a blend of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration....
Report: CTV Accounts for 50% of Ad Views Across Europe
The FreeWheel Video Marketplace Report for H2 2025 shows Connected TV (CTV) now drives 86% of premium video ad views in the US and 50% in Europe, with ad view volume up 11% year‑over‑year across both regions. European CTV ad views...
NuVoodoo: Country Gold Preferred By Audio Streamers
NuVoodoo’s latest research presented at the 2026 Country Radio Seminar reveals a clear split between traditional Country radio listeners (P1s) and heavy music streamers. While 65% of radio P1s are enthusiastic about new releases, only 47% of heavy streamers share...
Report: Streaming Rebounded in 2025
Digital i’s Streaming in Flux: 2025 in Review shows streaming hours rebounding after a 2024 slump, driven by a resurgence in Netflix usage and a 47.6% jump in Disney+ daily minutes. Prime Video logged 6.9 billion viewing hours, while the total number...
NCAA Men’s Tournament Numbers Start Hot; Elle Duncan on Her Move to Netflix; and How Sportradar Is Giving Your Telecasts...
The episode opens with a look at record‑setting March Madness viewership, noting a 7% rise for the men’s Sweet 16 and a 3% increase for the women’s tournament, driven in part by advanced data analytics that help track out‑of‑home audiences....
Women To Watch: Brittany Butryn
Radio personality Brittany Butryn anchors the noon‑to‑3 pm slot on WKXD “106.9 Kicks Country” in Cookeville, Tennessee, while also hosting weekend mornings on Christian station WCTL‑FM 106.3 in Erie, Pennsylvania via remote voice‑tracking. Her career spans markets in Oklahoma City, Pensacola and...
X Down for Thousands of Users, Global Outage Disrupts Timeline and Mobile App
Elon Musk’s X platform suffered a global outage, with Downdetector logging over 30,000 complaints worldwide. The disruption peaked at 2:15 am EST, hitting the feed/timeline for half of reporters and the mobile app for 41%. Users in the United States, India, the...
Netflix Looked Desperate Promoting Itself in MLB Debut / The Forsytes Should Be Ugly / How One Piece Fixed Live-Action...
Netflix used its Major League Baseball opening‑day broadcast as a massive promotional vehicle, inserting constant references to its upcoming series, movies and original titles. The pre‑game show resembled an infomercial, prompting criticism that the network prioritized self‑promotion over the sporting...
Turn Invisible Producer Into Sync Licensing Success
If you feel invisible as a music producer, but you’re serious about making sync licensing work This resource is for you ↴
Site Would Thrive by Ending Creator Payments
Imagine how much better this site would be if they simply stopped paying "creators." By the way, I hate using that word. 🙄
Friends Is Finally Available to Watch in the UK Again - as HBO Max Launches for Streaming
Friends returns to UK streaming via HBO Max after disappearing from Netflix at the end of 2025. The launch, partnered with NOW, offers an ad‑supported tier for existing customers and four subscription options for new users. HBO Max’s catalogue now includes The Pitt,...
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AI Agents Now Capable of Writing and Publishing Posts
https://t.co/PXqIXcnG5P now lets #AIAgents write and publish posts, and more by Sarah Perez @TechCrunch Learn more: https://t.co/As0zvO2kmq #LLM #GenerativeAI #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning https://t.co/U2i0CCKlEO
Crunchyroll Drops New Brand Film Featuring Rashmika Mandanna and Shubman Gill
Crunchyroll has launched the second installment of its “Ready to Anime?” brand film in India, starring actress Rashmika Mandanna and cricketer Shubman Gill. The spot dramatizes Gill’s disappointment at an anime’s ending and Mandanna’s reassurance that more content awaits, underscoring the platform’s...
Airdate: Bad Company
ABC will debut the six‑part comedy series Bad Company on April 26, 2026, at 8:15 pm. The show stars Anne Edmonds as the flamboyant artistic director of the Argyle Theatre and Kitty Flanagan as a corporate fixer tasked with saving the venue....
Same “Harm” Claims Repeat for Every Internet Generation
Reminder that the same people claiming social media is "harming" teenagers today have been making the exact same arguments about every single iteration of the internet for the past 30 years. https://t.co/M3JiOZfY1Y https://t.co/BZxv6k93Zy
HBO Max’s ‘The Pitt’ Tops Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Originals Chart Through March 22
HBO Max’s medical drama “The Pitt” claimed the No. 1 spot on Whip Media’s U.S. streaming originals chart for the week ending March 22. The series, starring Noah Wyle, follows a 15‑hour ER shift with each episode covering one hour, and its...
28 Years Later, Paramount+’s Most Divisive Series Is Still the Most Controversial Show on TV
South Park, now in its 28th season on Paramount+, continues to dominate cultural conversation by blending crude humor with sharp social commentary. Its unique six‑day production cycle lets creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone respond to news events faster than most...
Media Briefing: Overheard at the Digiday Publishing Summit, March 2026 Edition
Publishing executives at the Digiday Publishing Summit warned that falling search‑referral traffic is eroding their primary revenue source, prompting an accelerated push toward subscription and membership models. They described the transition as a multi‑year cultural overhaul, requiring new content strategies...
DAZN Seeks Inflight and Onboard Partners
DAZN announced DAZN Inflight, a service to stream live sports on airplanes and cruise ships, led by partnership chief Aviv Giladi. The offering is slated for a 2027 launch, extending the platform beyond its current footprint in more than 200...
With April Fools Day Almost Upon Us, Broadcasters Beware of the FCC Hoax Rule
Broadcasters face heightened scrutiny this April as the FCC re‑emphasizes its hoax rule, which bars knowingly false emergency reports that could cause public harm. The rule, codified in Section 73.1217, was created after on‑air stunts diverted first responders and can trigger...
‘Amazing World of Gumball’ Complete Series Coming to DVD May 5
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will launch a 15‑disc DVD box set of The Amazing World of Gumball on May 5, 2026. The collection compiles every episode from the show’s six Cartoon Network seasons along with the special "Darwin’s Yearbook"...
X Finally Fixes AI Bot, Averts Eternal September
🏆 March 25, 2026 The day @X finally fixed its AI reply bot problem And avoided Eternal September and permanent decline Nevar forget this day https://t.co/5TT8gQwqRu
BTS’s ‘Arirang’ Concert Pulls 18.4 Million Netflix Viewers, All 14 Tracks Top Spotify Global Chart
BTS’s live comeback concert streamed on Netflix attracted 18.4 million global viewers, while all 14 songs from their new album ‘Arirang’ simultaneously topped Spotify’s daily global chart. The dual achievement marks the group’s most powerful return since their military hiatus and...
Spider‑Man: Brand New Day Trailer Smashes 1 Billion Views, First in History
Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Spider‑Man: Brand New Day, which amassed over 1 billion views in four days, the first trailer ever to do so. The record‑breaking launch underscores the franchise’s enduring pull and sets a new benchmark for...
Fact‑check: Trump’s $2.31 Gas Price Claim Is Inaccurate
President Donald Trump asserted that the average U.S. gasoline price had fallen to $2.31 per gallon, but a Pulse fact‑check shows the actual average was $2.91 at the time of his State of the Union address. The discrepancy underscores how...
Netflix Sets Bridgerton Season 5 on Francesca and Michaela, Signaling New Narrative Direction
Netflix announced that Bridgerton Season 5 will revolve around characters Francesca and Michaela, underscoring the streaming giant's continued commitment to the franchise. The move signals a strategic pivot toward fresh storylines while retaining the series' core appeal.