Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions top 2.2 bn, revenue hits $176B
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 for the first time as pay‑TV revenue fell to $170 billion. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit rates in 2026, prompting operators to focus on monetising existing users.
Rebuilding Signal, Proving Privacy, and Preparing for Agentic Advertising at Signal Shift NYC 2026
At Signal Shift NYC 2026, IAB Tech Lab highlighted a privacy‑first, agentic‑driven future for digital advertising. The company unveiled its Privacy Standards Portfolio—GPP, TCF, Privacy Taxonomy, DDRF and Accountability Platform—to let firms prove compliance, and introduced the free Privacy Lab for hands‑on testing of PETs. A major focus was the Trusted Server project, which moved ad execution to the server side, delivering up to 70% faster page loads and reduced data leakage. Sessions on vector embeddings showed how agentic audiences can target users without persistent identifiers, reshaping signal creation.
Twitchcon Enforces Strict Streaming Rules, Suspensions for Violations
Twitchcon is introducing stricter rules for streaming at the convention, including: - Keeping Paths Clear - No Streaming Areas - Film Permission-Based Lanyards Violations will result in temporary streaming suspensions during Twitchcon.
Trovo to End Livestreaming, Shift Focus to Gaming
Trovo is shutting down its livestreaming service on June 30, 2026. It will instead focus on its gaming business.
Taskmaster's New Series Confirms Return Date – and It's Really Soon
Taskmaster confirmed that Season 21 will launch on Thursday, 9 April at 9 pm on Channel 4, with a global YouTube stream at 5 pm EST. The celebrity lineup features Kumail Nanjiani, Armando Iannucci, Joanna Page, Amy Gledhill and Joel Dommett. Creator Alex Horne teased a never‑before‑seen moment involving Nanjiani and surprising antics...
The AI Myth of Solomon Fairfax, the 'Grim Reaper' Of Charleston
The article debunks the viral tale of Solomon Fairfax, a fabricated "Grim Reaper" who supposedly avenged enslaved people in 1850s Charleston. The story first appeared in September 2025 on the YouTube channel Liturgy of Fear, which uses AI to generate...
Paul Walter Hauser Cast in Netflix’s Live-Action ‘Scooby-Doo’ Series
Netflix announced that Paul Walter Hauser will appear as a series regular in its upcoming live‑action Scooby‑Doo series. The untitled show reimagines the classic franchise with a darker, serialized tone focused on the gang’s formative summer at camp. Hauser joins...
Will There Be a Season Two of Ryan Murphy's Love Story?
Ryan Murphy’s anthology series *Love Story* dramatizes the 1990s romance of Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr., with its finale slated for March 26. The show continues Murphy’s successful *American Story* franchise, which blends fact and fiction around iconic American moments. As of...
Where to Stream Every Oscar Best Picture Winner Since Wings
Streaming services now host nearly every Oscar Best Picture winner, from the 1927 silent classic *Wings* to the 2025 champion *One Battle After Another*. Platforms such as Max, Tubi, Hoopla, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime provide VOD access, while niche...
Google Launches Lyria 3 Pro Music Generation Model
Google unveiled Lyria 3 Pro, an upgraded music‑generation model that produces tracks up to three minutes, far longer than the 30‑second limit of its predecessor. The Pro version adds granular control, letting users specify intros, verses, choruses and bridges, and it understands...
From Impression to Install: CTV Attribution and the Leadout That Doesn’t Get the Glory
The YouAppi‑Kochava 2026 CTV Growth Guide reveals that connected‑TV (CTV) ads precede search in 96% of install paths and social in 94%, positioning CTV as the true origin of user intent. Despite capturing 17.9% of U.S. media consumption, brands allocate...
Comcast: ‘Redefining Performance TV’ At IAB NewFronts
Comcast Advertising used its IAB NewFronts slot to unveil a new "performance TV" product that unifies targeting and attribution across its premium linear and streaming inventory. The solution promises advertisers more precise audience reach and clearer measurement of campaign outcomes....
Spotify Rolls Out Artist‑verified Release System to Curb AI Deepfake Tracks
Spotify has begun a limited‑beta rollout of an Artist Profile Protection feature that requires artists to vet new releases before they appear on their profiles. The move targets a surge in AI‑generated deepfake songs that have been misattributed to high‑profile...
CERN to Host Flagship European Open Access Publishing Platform
CERN will host the Open Research Europe (ORE) platform beginning autumn 2026, providing the technical backbone for a five‑year pilot. Initiated by the European Commission and backed by research funders from eleven CERN member states, ORE expands beyond Horizon 2020/Europe to any...
2026 Carnegie Medal Shortlists Unveiled, Setting Stage for UK Children’s Book Winners
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) announced the shortlists for the 2026 Carnegie Medal and the Shadowers’ Choice Medals. Winners will be revealed on June 23 at a livestreamed ceremony in London, with a £5,000 (≈ $6,350) cash...
Prime Video's 'Invincible' Delivers Hellish Showdown in Season 4 Episode 'Hurm'
Prime Video released the fourth episode of 'Invincible' Season 4, titled 'Hurm', showcasing a demonic battle in the Underrealm with star‑studded voice talent including Bruce Campbell and Kate Mulgrew. The episode’s over‑the‑top action and new characters have ignited strong fan and...
Press Release: ZIPAIR Selects Axinom Stream for Next-Gen Streaming
ZIPAIR Tokyo Inc. has chosen Axinom Stream to power its next‑generation onboard streaming platform, delivering DRM‑protected Hollywood movies directly to passengers' personal devices. The API‑driven solution integrates with ZIPAIR’s passenger experience portal while keeping full control of the user interface....
Ex-Bally Sports Executive Cancels Plan to Acquire TV Stations
A former Bally Sports executive has withdrawn his bid to acquire seven local TV stations, ending a brief return to broadcast ownership. The stations, spanning Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Tennessee, were to be sold for $116.5 million to Community News Media...
New Children’s Imprint at Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks has announced a new children’s imprint, Joyful Pen Books, in partnership with author‑educator Lavaille Lavette. The imprint will publish inclusive stories that emphasize empowerment and diverse perspectives. Lavette will serve as editorial lead, guiding the acquisition of titles for...
Silent Hill F Manga Will Run in Young Ace Up
Konami announced that Kadokawa’s Young Ace Up will serialize a manga adaptation of *Silent Hill f*. The series will be illustrated by Gokin Ame and written by Ryukishi07, who will create a new ending distinct from the game’s five conclusions....
The Best Show About Surveillance Capitalism Is 15 Years Old and No One's Talking About It
Person of Interest, a CBS drama that ran from 2011 to 2016, is highlighted as the premier television exploration of surveillance capitalism—years before the term was coined. The series follows former CIA operative Reese and reclusive billionaire Finch as they...
Invincible Season 4 Episode 4 Does Something the Prime Video Show Has Never Done Before — but Fans Are Saying...
Invincible season 4’s fourth episode, “Hurm,” breaks new ground by presenting the series’ first storyline not lifted from the comic books, sending Mark Grayson and demon detective Damien Darkblood on a Hell‑based mission against the unkillable Volcanikka. The episode also marks...
Canto Content Innovation Summit 2026
Canto’s Content Innovation Summit 2026 is a free, one‑day virtual event on April 28, 2026, aimed at marketing, creative, and technology professionals. The summit will explore scaling content operations, human‑centered storytelling, AI‑driven workflow automation, and ecosystem management for multichannel distribution....
What a Beautiful Digital World
The article argues that digital radio remains vital in a world increasingly dominated by the internet and AI, offering low‑cost, resilient audio services where connectivity is weak. Car listening of over‑the‑air radio rose from 42% in 2015 to 53% recently,...
How AI Is Creeping Into ‘The New York Times’
A New York Times Modern Love essay was flagged by AI‑detection tools as up to 60% AI‑generated, prompting debate over the author’s admission of using ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini and Perplexity as collaborative editors. The Times’ freelance contracts require disclosure...
Are Toxic Internet Influencers Ruining the Supercar?
The article examines how manosphere influencers—often misogynistic, far‑right personalities—use supercars as status symbols to amplify their online personas. Their flashy displays generate lucrative revenue streams, but also risk tarnishing the image of luxury‑car brands associated with those vehicles. The piece...
Humann Adds Eden Collective As Media AOR To Promote Cardio Nutrition
Humann, the beet‑based health brand, has hired Eden Collective as its media agency of record to drive a brand transformation focused on cardiovascular nutrition. Eden will oversee full‑funnel planning, budget allocation and channel‑specific strategy, shifting from an initial TV‑only approach...
Decentralized Crowdfunding Can Boost Artists During Market Downturn
Joshua Kim argues that decentralized crowdfunding can sustain NFT artists when market liquidity dries up. A weekly pledge of 1 Ether (≈$1,800) by collector Batsoupyum and curator Lanett Bennett Grant is being matched by major collectors, adding $20,000 and $100,000 in...
Our New Executive Editor for Enterprise: Jennifer Maloney
Business Insider announced Jennifer Maloney as its new executive editor for Enterprise. Maloney brings 14 years of experience from The Wall Street Journal, where she served as retail editor and deputy corporate bureau chief, and a Pulitzer‑finalist investigation at Newsday....
WVOM Removes George Hale From the Morning Show
Blueberry Broadcasting terminated veteran broadcaster George Hale after a 22‑year run as co‑host of WVOM’s morning show, announcing the decision while he was on vacation in Florida. Vice‑president Bruce Biette framed the move as a need to "evolve the station,"...
Civic Media Closes on Milwaukee Signals
Milwaukee broadcaster Civic Media has finalized its purchase of AM station WZTI and two FM translators previously held by Milwaukee Radio Alliance. The company will maintain the classic hits music format while integrating local news coverage on the newly acquired...
Hubbard Launches New Cubs Podcast
Hubbard Radio’s 312 Sports network is launching “Off the Ivy: A Chicago Cubs Podcast,” hosted by Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola, and Cody Delmendo. The show joins an expanding Chicago‑focused lineup that already includes “Dan Bernstein Unfiltered,” a Bears podcast, and...
Crimes of Omission: From COVID to George Floyd
Rob Rosen’s guest essay argues that mainstream media’s biggest flaw is not lying, but omitting inconvenient facts that shape public perception. He cites examples ranging from the muted coverage of New York mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife’s extremist posts to the selective...
Audacy Pittsburgh Produces Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon
Audacy’s Pittsburgh stations KDKA-AM and KDKA-FM "93.7 The Fan" hosted the seventh annual Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon on March 24, raising funds for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The event, sponsored by grocery chain Giant Eagle, leveraged...
Deepfakes Vulnerable to AI Fingerprint Hacks, Study Finds
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh demonstrated that AI fingerprints used to identify deepfake images can be easily removed or forged. Their evaluation of 12 generators and 14 fingerprinting methods showed removal success rates above 80% for attackers with full...
Cord-Cutters Are $5 Away From Canceling Streaming Services
A Deloitte survey finds 61% of streaming subscribers would cancel if monthly fees rise by $5, highlighting strong price sensitivity. The study shows 68% of SVOD users now carry an ad‑supported plan, up 46% since 2024, and 73% express frustration...
Comcast Advertising Launches Outcomes+, a Next Gen Targeting and Attribution Solution Across Traditional and Streaming TV
Comcast Advertising unveiled Outcomes+, an AI‑driven targeting and attribution platform that spans its linear TV, streaming and addressable inventory. The solution leverages deterministic data from over 30 million households—more than 100 million authenticated viewers—and integrates new partnerships with Mastercard, Clarivoy, DISQO, Fandango,...
Picsart and Recraft Announce Exclusive Partnership, Granting First-Access for Exploration Mode to 130 Million+ Creators
Picsart, the AI‑powered design platform with more than 130 million creators, announced an exclusive partnership with Recraft, integrating the company’s V4 Exploration Mode into its ecosystem. The new feature shifts generative image creation from prompt engineering to visual discovery, delivering eight...
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Has Double Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again returned for a second season on March 24, 2026 and quickly earned near‑perfect reviews, posting a 95% critic score and 96% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. The jump from season 1’s 87% critic rating reflects a fully...
Great Pods Relaunches With User Accounts and Editorial-Driven Discovery
Great Pods, a podcast discovery platform built on professional editorial criticism, has relaunched with user accounts and new discovery tools. The upgrade adds smart search, weekly MVP rankings based on engagement, and the ability to follow critics from major publications...
New Research Suggests Truth Has a Natural Competitive Edge over Misinformation
A new study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that truthful messages are more persuasive and more likely to be shared than false ones. Four experiments with 4,607 participants found both human‑written and AI‑generated truthful content outperformed...
Creator Economy Booms While Mental Health Crises Double
1 in 10 content creators report serious mental health struggles tied to their work. That’s double the national average. At the same time, the creator economy is worth hundreds of billions and growing fast. So what’s broken? In this episode of TEQ, I...
New “Okay, Computer” Episode Covers AI Race, Tech Investments
We have a new edition of 'Okay, Computer' in your feed now with @jrichlive of @notablecap 🎙️ 🤖 State of the AI Race 🚧 Hardware & Infrastructure Buildout 💻 Software Sectors to Buy 💸 Private Credit Cracks YouTube: https://t.co/B2joLLvVlF Apple: https://t.co/tStqaQZbnk Spotify: https://t.co/OmbpjEAkD3
From Followers to Shelf Space: Bonkers Toys’ Lisa Berlin Wright on What Creator Licensing Actually Requires
Bonkers Toys, led by licensing chief Lisa Berlin Wright, is turning digital creators into toy franchise powerhouses. The company’s early wins with slither.io and Ryan’s World proved that viral online audiences can be translated into retail‑ready product lines. Wright stresses...
Mystery: 50k‑selling Book Abruptly Stalls in Jan 2025
As long as I live I don't think I'll ever know what the hell happened in January 2025 to cause a book that had sold 50,000 copies to suddenly flatline. https://t.co/tyGrHKvNVa
Crypto Card Firm Offers $15k to Suppress Story
A person claiming to represent CinCin, the Russia-focused "no KYC" crypto card service I published a story about on Sunday, offered me $15,000 to delete it. I declined the offer. https://t.co/V8HgNcX2iQ
Trainee Reporter
The Clydebank Post, part of Newsquest Media Group, is hiring a full‑time trainee reporter for its Glasgow newsroom. The role focuses on generating exclusive stories, covering council and court proceedings, and producing engaging local features. Candidates must hold an NCTJ...
AI + Adobe Tools Streamline Video Creation Workflow
I used to just brainstorm with @ChatGPTapp, then build everything myself. Now I hand it my video brief. @Adobe Express gives me title card templates. @Photoshop layers effects on my thumbnail I can dial in. #AdobePartner https://t.co/nzrHezwtty
Musk Halts X Creator Revenue Change Targeting Regional Impressions
Elon Musk paused X's creator revenue rule change that aimed to focus on regional impressions hours after the company announced it https://t.co/d2YT9fm7Jq
ESPN Tops 2026 Sports Emmy Nominations With 63 Nods
ESPN and ABC topped the 47th Sports Emmy nominations with 63 nods, outpacing FOX Sports' 38 and Warner Bros. Discovery's 37. The nominations span 47 categories, covering live events, studio shows, technical achievements and documentaries, reflecting the breadth of sports‑television...
Dominic McLaughlin Debuts as Harry Potter, Fans Thrilled
HBO just dropped the first photo of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and the Wizarding World looks exactly like it should. The 2027 premiere cannot come soon enough. https://t.co/vDP8I04omc