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.
NBA’s Sunday Gains Help Offset “Saturday Primetime” Slide
NBA viewership on ABC’s Saturday Primetime fell 21% to 2.22 million, the lowest since the series began in 2016. In contrast, the league’s Sunday Showcase rose 20% to 2.56 million, marking the first season since 2022‑23 that Sunday outdrew Saturday. NBC’s new Sunday Night Basketball package is averaging 3.7 million viewers, far surpassing previous Sunday windows. Across all national broadcasters, regular‑season games now average 1.78 million viewers, up 13% year‑over‑year and the highest seasonal average in seven years.
ABC Cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s The Bachelorette Season
ABC announced the cancellation of the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, starring Taylor Frankie Paul, just three days before its scheduled premiere. The decision follows the release of a video allegedly showing Paul committing domestic violence against a partner. ABC...
IAB AU’s Future of Measurement, Projected iOS 26.4 Release Window, & More
IAB Australia has announced its Future of Measurement (FoM) initiative, a 2026‑focused review of advertising metrics that will culminate at the MeasureUp conference in September. Apple Podcasts is set to roll out HLS video support with the iOS 26.4 update slated...
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok Are All Bad at Crediting News Outlets, but ChatGPT Is the Worst (at Least in...
Canadian researchers evaluated four major AI models—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok—on 2,267 Canadian news stories. All models demonstrated extensive knowledge of domestic reporting but omitted source attribution in the vast majority of answers. ChatGPT performed the worst, naming the original...
Most Newsletters Fail; Competition Is Easy to Beat
Just about everyone I know has jumped on Substack or otherwise started a newsletter. Most of these efforts don't amount to anything. It's not wasted time (not necessarily), but the newsletter is probably not achieving the writers' goals either, assuming they...
Tax Prep But Make It Catchy
Boss Up Taxes, a Houston‑based tax‑preparation outlet, has exploded on TikTok, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers and generating a surge in client appointments ahead of the April 15 deadline. The firm’s bold, meme‑style videos contrast sharply with the traditionally...
The Observer Opens Voluntary Redundancy Round
The Observer, now owned by loss‑making start‑up Tortoise Media, has opened a fresh voluntary redundancy round, extending buyout offers to staff hired after the 2025 acquisition. The package mirrors the terms of the previous round, but Tortoise has not disclosed...
Bondi Hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed Joins SBS HARMONY WEEK Live Broadcast
SBS is turning Bondi Pavilion into a live multilingual hub for Harmony Week, broadcasting programming in ten languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, and English. The day‑long event features community leaders, first responders, and local hero Ahmed Al‑Ahmed, providing space for...
Quince, McDonald’s Top Magellan Podcast Advertiser Lists
Magellan AI released its February rankings of podcast advertisers, highlighting both the highest spenders and the fastest spend growth. Quince and McDonald’s topped the list of total spend, while sports podcasts captured the majority of investment across the top fifteen....
Arizona Law Makes Posting Trump Parody Illegal without Consent
A new "kids online safety" law in Arizona would make posting the South Park clip of Trump and Satan having sex illegal, unless the social media user was able to upload Trump's government ID and a consent form from him...
Overnght To Stream The Boat Race in North America
Overnght has secured exclusive digital streaming rights to The CHANEL J12 Boat Race across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand through 2030. The service will deliver live and on‑demand coverage for a $105‑per‑year subscription. CEO Kevin McReynolds says the deal...
Miley Cyrus Manifested the Hannah Montana Special
Miley Cyrus announced a Hannah Montana 20th‑anniversary special that will debut on Disney+ next week. She publicly promoted the idea before Disney approved it, citing advice from godmother Dolly Parton to “manifest” projects. Disney executives confirmed they began planning the special in...
IPhones Democratize Video; Podcasts Now Cost TV‑level Production
iPhones have massively democratised video production. Also, every 'podcast' is now a TV show with a felt-lined room and $20k of gear.
Writers Thrive by Balancing Constant Online and Offline Presence
To be a successful writer in 2026 you need to be both chronically online and offline.
A Golden Move Is A Win For Scott Wiggins
Scott Wiggins has been appointed General Manager of Golden Isles Broadcasting, overseeing four stations in the Brunswick, Georgia market, including WRJY‑FM, WSSI‑FM, WXMK‑FM and WBQO‑FM. He joins the company after a stint as revenue‑strategy lead at Nexstar Media Group and...
Beehiv Founder Shares Blueprint for Creator Publishing Success
Tomorrow on The Grill Room: Beehiv founder @denk_tweets This, imho, is a must-listen for creators and would-be creators thinking about building their own publishing businesses... Follow here: https://t.co/OUrgd2dr7a https://t.co/7uSZkENSc8
Melania Docs Pulls 747k Views, Ranks Fourth
MELANIA generated 747,157 views on Prime Video in its debut week, big for a documentary but only 4th place on the Luminate streaming movies chart.
Gallery: Heartbreak High S3 Launch
Netflix hosted a star‑studded launch at The Alex in Alexandria for the third and final season of the revived teen drama Heartbreak High. Cast members including James Majoos, Chloe Hayden and Ayesha Madon, along with creator Hannah Carroll Chapman and...
Spider‑Man Trailer Shatters 24‑Hour View Record
Webheads on the move: The SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY trailer sets a record for most views in 24 hours with 718 million (!) views. Via @AaronCouch https://t.co/h2lCExppLb
Tech and Media Unite Against Vanity Fair's Fake Reporting
Honestly it’s beautiful to see tech and media come together in shared disgust for the Vanity Fair fake reporting gimmick.
ABC News Issues Correction over Suppression Orders Story
ABC News issued a correction after its March 3 story overstated suppression order figures in New South Wales and mischaracterized Victoria’s share of national orders. The original numbers – 133 orders in NSW and 47 percent for Victoria – were based on...
Arcane Producer Partners With Iwot Studios On Various New Wheel of Time Adaptations
Arcane producer Thomas Vu, through Initiate Entertainment, has teamed up with iwot Studios—owner of the Wheel of Time IP—to develop a suite of new adaptations, including a PC/mobile video game, an animated feature film, and an animated TV series. The...
Stephen A. Smith Changes His Tune on LeBron James
After years of public sparring, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith unexpectedly praised LeBron James on “First Take.” Smith, who previously accused James of double standards and even claimed the star tried to sabotage his career, called the Lakers’ forward “one of...
Interview on YouTube Features Misdubbed Brazilian Facilitator Audio
A recent interview of mine is now on YouTube: https://t.co/RrZK2rohWk The soundtrack's been dubbed because the facilitator was in Brazil. I don't really sound like that...
Inside the Collapse of Trump’s Truth Social Empire
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent of Truth Social, reported a $712.1 million loss against $3.7 million revenue last year, exposing a massive cost‑revenue gap. The DJT ticker has slumped more than 50% in six months, falling from near $80...
Netflix Continues String of Home-Video Releases with Stranger Things Box Set
Netflix is releasing a 25‑disc Stranger Things complete‑series box set on July 28, 2026, marking the first 4K UHD home‑video availability for seasons three, four and five, alongside extensive bonus material. At the same time, ABC has scrapped the upcoming...
Stephen Fry, Lenny Henry, Anna Maxwell Martin to Star in Season Two of "Powerful" Chat Show
ITV is launching the second series of "The Assembly," a chat show that places famous guests in front of a panel of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers. The lineup features Sir Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry, Anna Maxwell Martin, former Scottish...
Media Firms Lag Behind Creator‑centric Networks in Attention Economy
These media companies also have no understanding of how to work w creators well or navigate the online attention economy. Look at the creator roster at Studio71, Dear Media, or any creator-focused network…. then look at the roster for one...
New LA Publication Launches with In‑Depth Mayor Race
My friend @sherlyholmes has started a new publication devoted to Los Angeles, our home. She's started with a bang: an in-depth look at the mayor's race. I would also recommend checking out the daily newsletter (because LA sorely needs one). https://t.co/sZjwB3dCSl
PBS Proposes FY27 Budget that Would Continue Dues Relief for Stations
The PBS board has proposed a FY 2027 budget of $323.6 million, aiming to break even while lowering station dues. Dues are set at $197.7 million, a $29.2 million reduction that continues $25 million in dues relief and accounts for stations that left the network....
HBO Renews A24’s ‘Neighbors’ Late-Night Series for Second Season
HBO has ordered a second season of the A24‑produced late‑night series “Neighbors,” which debuted on Feb. 13 and wraps its six‑episode first season on March 20. The show, directed by Dylan Redford and Harrison Fishman, documents real‑world residential disputes across the United...
CNBC Adds 5 AM “Morning Call” Before Squawk Box
Just in: CNBC is launching "Morning Call,' a 5 AM program that will precede 'Squawk Box.' Morgan Brennan will host....
Controlled Chaos: Inside the Mighty Production Engine Behind the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s First Week
CBS Sports and TNT Sports orchestrate a nine‑city live‑production operation for the first week of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, deploying full crews and identical technical blueprints at each venue. Each site runs roughly ten camera operators, robotic cameras, and...
‘Forever’ Season 2: Production Start Date Revealed Following 2025 Renewal
Netflix has officially renewed the coming‑of‑age drama Forever for a second season, with production slated to start on May 8, 2025. The series logged 15.9 million views during its four‑week Top 10 run and rose to 24.4 million by the end of 2025, prompting the...
Hegseth Announces Largest Strike Package Yet as US Seeks $200 Billion for Iran War
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the upcoming "largest strike package yet" in the Iran war, noting more than 7,000 Iranian targets have already been hit. He also signaled a $200 billion Pentagon budget request, while officials continue to disagree on...
Subscription Music Streaming Revenues Rose Just 2% YoY in Sweden in 2025
Sweden’s recorded‑music market expanded 3% in 2025, reaching over SEK 2.3 billion, with paid‑subscription streaming shouldering most growth. Subscription‑based audio streaming generated SEK 1.95 billion, representing 85% of total music revenue and rising 2% year‑on‑year. Ad‑supported streaming increased 9% to SEK 124.3 million, while digital downloads...
This Writer Wants to Prevent Freelancers From Floundering on Story Pitches
Freelance writer Brendan O’Meara launched Pitch Club, a Substack series that publishes real story pitches with audio analysis. The project aims to demystify the pitching process by showing original submissions, rejection rates, and editorial expectations. Featuring pitches ranging from Outside...
Netflix Remains Aggressive in Festival Film Acquisitions
Netflix Still Wants to Be ‘Aggressive’ with Film Acquisitions Out of Festivals https://t.co/7YVih4wBsN via @IndieWire
‘Star Wars’ Launch Marks Fortnite’s Most In-Depth Creator IP Integration Yet
Epic Games announced on March 19 that Fortnite creators now have access to a suite of Disney‑licensed Star Wars assets, including characters, force powers, sound effects, and vehicles such as droid battle tanks. Creators can begin building and testing experiences immediately, but...
Prime Video’s “Jury Duty” Acquits Itself Nicely With Its Followup, “Company Retreat”
Prime Video’s reality‑prank series "Jury Duty" returns with a second season titled "Company Retreat." The new installment abandons the courtroom setting for a week‑long corporate getaway at a fictional hot‑sauce company, placing newcomer Anthony Norman at the center of a...
Video Games: The Unstoppable IPs Dominating the Adaptation Market
Video game intellectual properties are reshaping the entertainment adaptation market, now accounting for 23% of newly announced major studio productions. This share surpasses the rate at which literary works are being turned into films and series, signaling a clear shift...
Prime Video Unveils Biggest India Originals Slate Yet
Prime Video announced its largest‑ever Indian Originals slate, featuring close to 55 series and films across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The lineup introduces diverse formats, including India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series and new seasons of hit franchises like Farzi...
PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC) Renews Exclusive Rights and Distribution Agreement with A+E Networks for Podcasts Cold Case Files, I Survived, American...
PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC) announced the renewal of its exclusive sales and distribution agreement with A+E Networks for five flagship podcasts—Cold Case Files, I Survived, American Justice, City Confidential, and Ancient Aliens. The five shows have amassed more than 200 million combined...
Ecreso AiO Adds Native APTmpX and Enhanced Security
WorldCast Systems released version 3.4.0 for its Ecresco AiO Series transmitters, adding native APTmpX V2 support and a suite of security upgrades. The update embeds MPX compression at 300‑600 kbps with RDS, integrates LDAP authentication for enterprise directory sync, and adds Syslog...
Victor LaValle Adaptation The Terror: Devil in Silver Arrives on AMC+ and Shudder in May
AMC announced that the next entry in its horror anthology, The Terror: Devil in Silver, will debut on May 7, 2026, on both AMC+ and Shudder. The series adapts Victor LaValle’s novel The Devil in Silver, with LaValle co‑writing and...
‘Off Campus’ Teaser Trailer Revealed as Prime Video Sets May 2026 Release Date
Prime Video unveiled the teaser for "Off Campus," a drama adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s bestselling college romance novels, and announced a May 13, 2026 premiere. The series, set at Briar University, follows an elite ice‑hockey team and the women entwined...
Theatrical Success Boosts Streaming Audiences
The European Audiovisual Observatory released a free report analyzing 2024 data from nine European markets, revealing a strong correlation between cinema admissions and Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) usage. The study shows that spikes in theatrical attendance for blockbuster releases...
Janet Jackson Signs Global Deal with Believe Music Publishing
Janet Jackson has signed a long‑term global publishing administration agreement with Believe Music Publishing, transferring her entire songwriting catalog to the newly launched division. The deal, announced on March 19, 2026, adds a high‑profile legacy catalog to Believe’s portfolio, which...
“Zootopia 2” Becomes Most Watched Movie On Disney+ In Its Premiere Week
Disney released “Zootopia 2” on Disney+ worldwide, and the sequel quickly became the platform’s most‑watched title in its debut week. The animated film has already earned almost $2 billion at the box office, making it the highest‑grossing animated MPA release ever. Within...
ESPN Hearkens Back to Era of Monday, Wednesday, Baseball with MLB Slate
ESPN is reviving its historic Monday and Wednesday baseball nights, scheduling 20 of its 30 MLB games on those weekdays this summer. The network’s slate clusters 23 games across 20 nights, with multiple doubleheaders in July and August, while limiting...