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.
Vocento Unlocks Advertising Inventory Value with Opti Digital Demand Hub
Vocento, Spain's leading regional press group, partnered with ad‑tech firm Opti Digital to deploy its Demand Hub solution. The platform adds an AI‑driven, attention‑based demand layer that serves high‑impact social display ads only when they enter the user’s viewport. This integration boosted eCPMs and placed Demand Hub among the top three revenue‑generating bidders on Vocento’s inventory, all without adding new ad units or complicating the existing ad stack.
ClippaPay Launches Africa’s First Creator-Powered Content Creation, Clipping Distribution & UGC Affiliate Platform
ClippaPay has launched Africa’s first creator‑powered platform that links brands with influencers through three distinct earning models: UGC creation, video clipping, and performance‑based affiliate marketing. The service lets brands post campaigns, receive creator bids, and pay on approval, while clippers...
POSSE – Publish on Your Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere
POSSE (Publish on Your Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere) is a content strategy that prioritizes publishing first on a personal website before distributing copies or links to third‑party platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, and others. The model enhances ownership, canonical...
Blog Posts in the Stream, that Is What We Are
Doug Belshaw introduced Stream, an open‑source, browser‑based RSS reader that syncs with self‑hosted FreshRSS or hosted Feedbin backends. Unlike traditional inbox‑style readers, Stream presents a continuous scroll of posts, eliminating the pressure of “inbox zero.” Inspired by the paid app...
Creative Agencies Are Quietly Moving Everything Into Air — Here's Why You Should Too
Creative operations platform Air announced its biggest update yet, rolling out a context layer, AI agents, and a canvas to streamline asset management and on‑brand automation. The platform, already used by over 250,000 users at 3,000 firms including Google and...
Liqvd Asia Bags Four New Mandates
Indian agency Liqvd Asia announced four new client mandates—Origami, Kasturi Foods, Sama.live and Woodland—adding roughly ₹35 crore (about $4.2 million) to its future business pipeline. The engagements cover integrated marketing communications, creative and media services, brand narrative building, and digital storytelling across...
Don’t Call Video Podcasts “Cheap Telly”
Video podcasts are moving from niche experiments to mainstream strategy as Spotify, Apple, YouTube and traditional streamers like Netflix, Disney+ and the BBC invest heavily in visual podcast formats. Platform Media has demonstrated the model’s potential, turning its "The Traitors:...
Online Publishers Mount Fightback Against Social Giants
Ozone, a collaborative ad platform built by leading UK publishers, now reaches 42% of the UK population weekly and 66% of the US population monthly, rivaling Instagram and surpassing TikTok. The network claims 228 million global monthly users and delivers over...
KIIS Expected Me to Berate Henderson, Sandilands Tells Court
Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands has filed a Federal Court claim seeking to overturn ARN's termination of his $100 million (≈$66 million) KI & S contract. The filing reveals a $7.4 million (≈$4.9 million) base salary, $120,000 (≈$79,000) flight allowance, $500,000 (≈$330,000) advertising budget and $2 million...
Agentic AI Commerce May Spell the End of Internet Ads: A16z Crypto
a16z Crypto warns that autonomous AI agents could replace traditional online advertising, reshaping the internet’s economic model. The article notes the $291 billion ad market in 2025 may erode as agents shop without distraction. Platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini already offer...
5, Pluto TV Announce Snooker Simulcast Partnership
5 and Pluto TV have forged a simulcast partnership to air two senior snooker events – the John Virgo Trophy on April 11‑12 and the World Seniors Snooker Championship on May 6‑10. Both tournaments will be streamed live on Pluto TV, with...
News/Media Alliance Signs AI Licensing Deal to Unlock Recurring RAG Revenue for Small and Mid-Sized Publishers
News/Media Alliance (NMA) has signed a licensing agreement with AI startup Bria, allowing its 2,200 member publishers to monetize editorial content used in retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) applications for enterprise clients. Under the non‑exclusive deal, publishers receive a 50 % share of...
Why You're Still Using Social Media (Even If You Want to Stop) with Dr. Cass Sunstein
In this episode, behavioral scientist Cass Sunstein discusses his new concept of the "product trap"—a situation where people continue using products like social media because not using them incurs social costs, even though the products reduce their well‑being. He explains...
Joint Signings Highlight Growing Convergence Between Creator and Hollywood Agencies
Creator agency Reign Maker Group (RMG) and Hollywood talent agency Paradigm announced joint signings of three multi‑hyphenate talents—Reza Jackson, Max Goodrich, and Grayson Boucher—highlighting a deepening convergence between creator‑first and traditional entertainment representation. The partnership, launched in October, aims to...
Chat with Claude Using Your Threads Data
Crazy update ! You can now talk to Claude with your Threads data using @threadsight.xyz
Marvel Tōkon Trailer Unveils Peni Parker and Mysterious Promoter Ahead of August Release
Arc System Works released a fresh trailer for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls that confirms Peni Parker and a new character called the Promoter, an Elder of the Universe. The reveal comes with details on a new automatic team‑name generator and...
Let Them Have Fewer Choices
The article argues that today’s children face an unprecedented abundance of media and consumer choices, leading to stress and decision fatigue. It cites examples like streaming services, infinite scroll, and constant device access. The author suggests parents intentionally limit options—such...
The Faithful: Season One Ratings + Viewer Votes (Women of the Bible)
The Faithful: Women of the Bible premiered its first season on FOX on March 22, 2026, dramatizing the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. Nielsen’s live‑plus‑same‑day ratings, the primary metric for renewal decisions, have been posted but no definitive...
QMS Positions Itself As NZ’s Complete OOH Solution
QMS New Zealand has launched a national campaign branding itself as Aotearoa’s total out‑of‑home (OOH) audience solution. Backed by QMS Australia’s technology, the company now offers an integrated network of nearly 2,000 street‑furniture panels, 280 billboards, 4,000 transit displays and airport...
ACMA Mulls Booze Ads During Sport Crackdown
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched a review of commercial TV alcohol advertising rules, focusing on placements alongside sports broadcasts. The consultation, which runs until 30 April 2026, examines Code of Practice sections 6.2 and 8 that define permissible...
User Praises New Notification Sorting, Wants Android Sync
Hey @nikitabier - A compliment and two feature requests: 1. Compliment: The way per-post notifications are sorted on web is so much better than it was a year ago. I love that it's sorted by some sense of how much...
Subscriptions Generate 700× More Revenue than Ads
Adsense is incredibly low amounts of money Photo AI would make $150/month with 156,000 visitors ($1 CPM) Now it makes $110,000/month with subscriptions instead so about 700x more
AI Influencer Awards Season Is upon Us
The OpenArt and Fanvue joint venture has launched the inaugural AI Personality of the Year awards, backed by ElevenLabs. The month‑long competition offers a $20,000 prize pool split among an overall winner and categories such as fitness, comedy, music, and...
Gym Equipment Now Demands Unskippable Ads
Trying to run at the gym and the treadmill just asked me to 'Watch a 30-second ad' to unlock anything over a walking pace. The future is just one giant unskippable commercial. 🏃♂️📺 #GymFail #TechDystopia #AdBlockerNeeded https://t.co/9rgKCWdgQG
Vox Media Tried to Sell Its Podcasts, and Itself
Last year Vox Media's bankers floated options to sell its podcast network, New York Magazine, or the entire company. The most publicized plan was a spin‑off of the 30‑plus‑show podcast portfolio, but the company later withdrew the offer. Valuation has slipped...
Instagram Adds AI Transition Option for Still Image-Based Stories
Instagram introduced an AI‑powered transition tool that morphs multiple still images into a seamless video for Stories. The feature appears in the image gallery for select users and requires acceptance of Meta’s AI terms before first use. By converting photo...
Human Speech and Presence Help Drive Reels Engagement
Emplifi’s analysis of 10,110 Facebook Reels reveals that early human speech and visible faces dramatically boost short‑form video performance. Speech in the first three seconds lifts 10‑second retention by roughly 25% and outperforms music‑only clips by 5.6% in engagement. Adding...
Video Futures Collective Stands up as an Independent Industry Body
The Video Futures Collective (VFC) has transitioned from an informal think‑tank to a formal, independent non‑profit industry association, uniting eight major Australian streaming and video advertising players such as Amazon Prime, Disney Advertising, Netflix, and YouTube. The body will concentrate...
Coffee with Donn
In this inaugural Substack Live episode of "Coffee with Donn," host Donn and guest Kevin discuss the challenges and opportunities of live streaming on Substack, from technical hiccups to scheduling constraints caused by caregiving responsibilities and unpredictable lives. They compare...
Tubi Rolls Out New Ad Takeover Formats in Australia with Samsung Galaxy S26
Tubi has introduced two premium advertising products in Australia – Thematic Takeovers and Title Takeovers – with Samsung Electronics Australia debuting the formats for its Galaxy S26 launch. Thematic Takeovers grant advertisers 100% share of voice across a chosen genre,...
Booksellers Predict Upbeat Market
The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand projects a 5‑8% growth for the domestic book market this year, modestly lower than the pre‑conflict 5‑10% range. Despite rising energy and logistics costs from the Middle East war, fixed production expenses and...
Bad Sisters Star Joins Assassin's Creed Series as More Cast Revealed
Claes Bang, known for Bad Sisters, joins Netflix’s live‑action Assassin’s Creed series as a series regular. Filming has begun in Rome, with the story set in 64 AD during the Roman Empire. The show features an expanding ensemble that includes Nabhaan Rizwan, Lola Petticrew,...
SBS Expands Giro D’Italia Coverage
Australian broadcaster SBS has secured a new multi‑year deal to expand its cycling portfolio, adding the Giro d’Italia Women and the Il Lombardia classic to its lineup through 2028. The agreement now gives SBS rights to every Grand Tour and Monument...
Nine Radio Rebrands as Tapt Media
Nine Radio will rebrand as Tapt Media once its $56 million sale to the Laundy Family Office closes at the end of April. The corporate name change leaves the flagship talkback stations—2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR—intact. CEO Tom Malone says "Tapt"...
The New Yorker’s Creative Director Nicholas Blechman to Speak Exclusively at Vivid Sydney
Award‑winning illustrator Nicholas Blechman, Creative Director of The New Yorker, will deliver an exclusive keynote at Vivid Sydney’s Midweek Minds series on 3 June 2026. The event, held at the State Library of New South Wales, will explore how the century‑old...
Yung Joc Gains A St. Louis Platform In ‘Takeover’ Effort
Yung Joc, the Atlanta‑based hip‑hop artist turned radio host, is expanding his nationally syndicated morning show to St. Louis via Audacy’s KEZK‑HD2 and translator K254CR, branded as Hot 98.7. The program, "Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover," features co‑hosts Mz....
Spot Consistent Creators Who Post Daily, Regardless of Size
Dear Algo, send me the creators who are showing up every single day even when the numbers are small.
NYT Games Dominates March 22 with Connections #1015, Wordle BASIL and Strands Genericide
On March 22, 2026 the New York Times Games rolled out Connections puzzle #1015, Wordle #1737 and Strands #749, attracting millions of solvers and showcasing themed wordplay. The releases underscore NYT Games’ expanding daily‑puzzle ecosystem and its rivalry with emerging challengers like...
After CBS: Let’s Take Back the Airwaves
The pending shutdown of CBS Radio News has sparked a call to re‑evaluate radio’s role in America. John Caracciolo, CEO of JVC Broadcasting, argues that the decision was driven by accounting concerns rather than audience demand, exposing a disconnect between...
Margie McLew Takes Helm in 9 NEWS ADELAIDE Leadership Change
Veteran news director Jeremy Pudney has exited 9 News Adelaide after an eight‑year tenure and a three‑decade career across Australia’s major broadcasters. He will assume the role of Director of Media and Communications at Flinders University. The newsroom’s top post...
How Can Disney+ Become Disney’s Digital Centrepiece? | What’s On Disney Plus Q&A
In a weekly Q&A, Disney+ hosts answer community questions about the platform’s future, including its ambition to become Disney’s digital centrepiece. They discuss potential deeper integration of ESPN content, the strategic shift of Disney’s gaming division toward broader entertainment, and...
Inside the Future of Artist Royalties and AI Music
went deep on artist royalties, AI music, @spotifyforartists features, and the streaming business with @andrew.southworth & @mypoint4cents. covered a lot of complex and important topics in the hour (but hopefully didn't make the expression in the thumbnail for more than...
Cheapest SMM Panel for Instagram: Top 10 Platforms (2026)
Instagram growth demands more than organic content, prompting creators and agencies to seek low‑cost SMM panels that also deliver reliability and usability. A new 2026 guide evaluates ten platforms, highlighting NicesmmPanel, IGSmmPanel, and NicePanel as the top three that combine...
AI Lab Boosts Content Speed and Research Depth
Tyler Bloom needed his content to be sharper, faster, and more research-backed—without hiring a bigger team. The AI Business Lab® Mastermind showed him how. His newsletter is now developed 1–2x faster with deeper research and greater impact. The Slack community and...
CBS Radio's Demise Inevitable, Regardless of Leadership
The CBS News radio operations would have been toast no matter who was running CBS News.
New Life Begins as Ghanim Al Shnen Revisited on AUSTRALIAN STORY
Australian Story revisited the remarkable journey of Iraqi refugee Ghanim Al Shnen, who survived a catastrophic workplace accident and now lives with advanced robotic prosthetic arms. After years of visa uncertainty, he was granted permanent residency in 2024, enabling his...
Jury to Decide: Meta Confirms Social Media Addiction
The jury in Los Angeles will soon return its verdict on whether social media is addictive. Meta's own researchers said it is. See this quote, and many others, in my new review paper laying out 7 lines of evidence: https://t.co/n6RfRkXbeW https://t.co/F2KubzNIIT
Independent Reporters in Cuba Break Through US Propaganda
It’s incredibly valuable to have independent media figures go to places like Cuba and do on the ground reporting that cuts through the MSM bubble and US propaganda.
3 Hard-to-Find Classic TV Shows You Can Finally Stream
The article highlights three once‑hard‑to‑find sitcoms—*The Dana Carvey Show*, *The Drew Carey Show*, and *Mama’s Family*—that are now streaming legally. *The Dana Carvey Show* is on Apple TV, *The Drew Carey Show* is free on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex and The Roku Channel, and *Mama’s Family* streams on Apple TV and Pluto TV. Licensing hurdles, especially...
Tomorrow: CNBC Morning Call on AI Stock Winners
Look forward to being on the new show launch of @CNBCMorningCall tomorrow at 5:45 am with @MorganLBrennan to discuss tech stocks and navigating this white knuckle moment for AI winners @CNBC @CNBCtech 🏆🐂📺🍿☕️