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.
Donnie Wahlberg's Favorite Blue Bloods Episode Is Also The Show's Most Important
Donnie Wahlberg says the *Blue Bloods* pilot is his favorite episode, noting it still holds up after 14 seasons. The pilot established the Reagan family dynamics, the iconic Sunday dinner, and the procedural‑family hybrid formula. Wahlberg revealed the series almost didn’t air, receiving a last‑minute greenlight from CBS just before the upfronts. The gamble paid off, turning the show into a long‑running hit and spawning the spin‑off *Boston Blue*.
Arena Group’s Ad Revenue Dependency Shrinks as 2025 Revenue Rises
The Arena Group posted full‑year 2025 revenue of $134.8 million, up from $125.9 million in 2024, driven by expanding non‑advertising streams. Advertising now accounts for 64% of revenue, down from 74% a year earlier, as the company pushes video, syndication and performance‑marketing...
Algorithms Decide What Goes Viral. Journalists Are Still Chasing the Truth.
At SXSW, journalist Tarapaleri and Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate examined how algorithmic recommendation systems now dictate what content goes viral, eclipsing traditional editorial gatekeeping. The discussion highlighted that even independent journalists are beholden to opaque...
Livestream, Tonight, 8 PM ET, Monday 3/16: "Today's News" On Iran, FCC, Podcasts V. MSM
The post promotes an 8 PM ET livestream of "Today's News" where host Matt Taibbi and Michael Tracey will dissect a chaotic news week. Topics include FCC chief Brandon Carr’s crackdown on networks with unfavorable Iran coverage, Tucker Carlson’s claim of CIA...
Debra O'Connell Elevated to Disney Entertainment TV Chairman
New: ABC News Group President Debra OConnell is being elevated to chairman of Disney Entertainment Television… Move is part of Disney restructuring that unites streaming, film, and television businesses with games and digital entertainment under one division.
What’s New This Week on Netflix for the Week of March 16, 2026
Netflix’s weekly slate for March 16‑21, 2026, introduces a blend of originals, legacy titles, and international hits. New releases include the original documentary *The Plastic Detox*, season continuations of *Furies* and *Eva Lasting*, and the anime‑styled *STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure*....
Tegan and Sara's Tegan Quin Is Writing a Story for Marvel Comics' Pride Special
Pop‑indie icon Tegan Quin, one half of Tegan and Sara, is debuting as a Marvel Comics writer with the pride‑themed one‑shot Wiccan & Hulking: Raid of Ultron #1, slated for May 27. Her story, illustrated by Luciano Vecchio, follows twins Wiccan and...
‘Arkansas TV’ Pivot Away From PBS Placed On Hold
Arkansas PBS’s board voted 6-2 to let its PBS contract lapse, planning to rebrand the statewide network as “Arkansas TV” on July 1, 2026. The move would have stripped all PBS programming from the AETN stations, sparking concern among viewers...
City AM’s Magazine Editor Steve Dinneen Wins Features Writer of the Year
City AM magazine editor Steve Dinneen was named Features Writer of the Year at the Regional Press Awards, outpacing competitors such as LondonCentric and the Manchester Evening News. The judges praised his lively, imaginative style, citing three diverse pieces on...
2026 NAB Show Offering Free Show Floor Passes to Creators
At the 2026 NAB Show, organizers are expanding the Creator Lab and offering free show‑floor passes to registered creators using code MP09. The event will feature additional sessions, workshops, and a community mixer aimed at the burgeoning creator economy, which...
Epstein Survivor Who Helped Bring Him Down Speaks to A CURRENT AFFAIR
Marina Lacerda, long‑known only as "Minor Victim One," sat for her first Australian television interview on Nine's A Current Affair. At 14, she was a key witness whose testimony helped prosecutors charge Jeffrey Epstein with sex‑trafficking of minors. In the...
Inovonics Introduces AARON 656
Inovonics unveiled the AARON 656, a dual‑tuner rebroadcast receiver designed for FM and HD Radio environments. The unit uses a Maximum‑Ratio Comparison system to monitor two antennas and a combined feed, automatically selecting the strongest signal. It offers a five‑band audio...
Behind The Mic: Netflix, NBC Tap Matt Vasgersian to Call MLB and Tony Dungy Is Out at NBC
Matt Vasgersian will call MLB Opening Night on Netflix and serve as play-by-play voice for NBC's MLB Sunday Leadoff games. Netflix's broadcast team features Albert Pujols, CC Sabathia and multilingual commentators, streaming the game in five languages. NBC also added...
FCC Upholds New LPFM CP in Miami
The FCC’s Media Bureau has upheld a construction permit for La Familia De Fe Corp to launch a low‑power FM station (WFRH(LP)) on 99.5 MHz in Miami, rejecting Doral Voice Corp’s challenge. The dispute centered on local‑service eligibility and allegations of pirate broadcasting, which...
Trump’s Controversial Venezuela Oil Grab on FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
The ABC series Foreign Correspondent aired a special on Trump’s aggressive push into Venezuela’s oil sector, highlighting U.S. intervention aimed at reviving the country’s faltering industry. The episode follows journalist Sandra Gathmann and a local crew as they document on‑the‑ground...
Guardian's Reputation: Consistently Publishing Poor Op-
Has the Guardian ever gotten upset over a shitty op-ed before? They're legendary for having the worst.
Gamblers Threaten Free Press with Disinformation Tactics
cc @brianstelter, this is a new one. gambling/gamblers threatening a free and plural press either with bad intentions to spread disinformation in order to win funds - or just ignorant - but it raises concerns of threats to the press...
HBO Max Australia Brings SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE UK to Aussie Viewers
Australian streaming platform HBO Max has acquired the rights to air the first official UK adaptation of Saturday Night Live. The six‑episode series, filmed live in London, premieres on March 23 with Emmy‑winner Tina Fey hosting the debut episode. The...
FCC Announces TV Translator Call Sign Changes
The FCC Media Bureau announced that it has completed the automatic modification of TV translator call signs to comply with the rule adopted on December 19, 2025. The new convention requires a K or W prefix, the channel number, two...
Joel Dommett 'Nearly Died' After Dog Attack on ITV's Celebrity Sabotage
Comedian Joel Dommett revealed he “nearly died” after a Great Dane attacked him while he was disguised as a dog toy during filming of ITV’s new reality‑prank series Celebrity Sabotage. The show, which pits celebrity “saboteurs” against unsuspecting members of...
BAM SubstackaPalooza Is This Wednesday — 12 Hours. 20+ Guests. 11AM - 11PM ET.
Blue Amp Media’s BAM SubstackaPalooza is a 12‑hour live event on March 18, running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, hosted on Substack. The marathon features over twenty political commentators, journalists, and activists, including Steve Schmidt, Malcolm Nance, and Chris Matthews....
The Bubble Bursts Onto the Scene At Connoisseur Columbia
Connoisseur Media has rebranded Columbia’s WARQ 93.5 as “93.5 The Bubble,” a feel‑good station that blends classic hits with today’s top tracks. The new format is aimed at thirty‑something women, a demographic the company says was underserved locally. Weekday programming...
Free Bert Renewed For Season 2 At Netflix
Netflix has officially renewed the comedy series “Free Bert” for a second season. The show, starring stand‑up comedian Bert Kreischer playing a fictionalized version of himself, debuted on January 22 and follows his family’s clash with Beverly Hills culture. Production will again take...
FloSports and Storied Sports Partner on Women’s and College Sports Content
FloSports announced a partnership with Storied Sports, a studio founded by former espnW and The Players’ Tribune executives, to produce sponsor‑oriented storytelling across its women’s and college sports programming. The collaboration will create original formats for live broadcasts, social platforms,...
Satire in Print – French Satirical Outlet Le Gorafi Expands Beyond Digital
Le Gorafi, the French satirical outlet modeled on The Onion, is launching a 16‑page monthly print newspaper priced at €6.99, with all content original. The move follows a broader print resurgence, echoing The Onion’s successful 2024 relaunch and Der Postillon’s rapid subscriber...
Neuroscientist and Technologist Poppy Crum to Headline NAB’s 2026 Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference
The National Association of Broadcasters announced the 2026 Broadcast Engineering and Information Technology (BEIT) Conference agenda, slated for April 18‑21 in Las Vegas. Neuroscientist and technologist Poppy Crum, PhD, will deliver the opening keynote titled “From Data to Mind,” exploring AI‑driven, human‑centered...
Paramount+ Absorbing BET+, Shuttering Platform in June
BET+ will cease operations in June, with its 3.5 million subscribers and content library moving to a new BET Hub inside Paramount+. The transition follows Tyler Perry’s equity sale to Paramount Skydance, which now owns both services. Paramount+’s subscriber base of...
Carol Vorderman Reveals Special Appearances Across Channel 5's Daytime Line-Up
Carol Vorderman will dominate Channel 5’s daytime schedule on Tuesday, March 17, appearing on Jeremy Vine, Storm & Alexis, Matt Allwright and Vanessa from 9:15 am to 3:00 pm. The marathon is designed to showcase the breadth of the channel’s daytime line‑up and to...
Kamlesh Singh Receives Haldi Ghati Award From MMCF
India Today Group senior editor Kamlesh Singh was honoured with the MMCF Haldi Ghati Award in Udaipur, recognizing three decades of journalism, digital innovation and mentorship. The award, one of four national honours from the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation,...
Send Media and Press Freedom Tips on Signal
Regular reminder: Tips about media, press freedom, and the Trump administration's relationship with news organizations are always welcome. Reach out on Signal at scottnover.99 from a non-work/non-government device.
NAB 2026: Marshall Electronics Launches First 4K All-IP Weatherproof NDI Camera
Marshall Electronics unveiled its first all‑IP 4K POV camera, the CV574‑WP, at NAB 2026. The unit combines an IP67 weather‑proof rating with NDI|HX support, allowing ultra‑high‑definition video over standard Ethernet. Featuring an 8.46‑megapixel sensor, interchangeable M12 lens mount, and PoE power,...
Wednesday TV Ratings: America’s Culinary Cup, Chicago Med, Shark Tank, Masked Singer, Police 24/7
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, saw a mixed slate of new episodes across major broadcast and cable networks, including America’s Culinary Cup, Chicago Med, Shark Tank, The Masked Singer, and Police 24/7. The ratings report highlights percentage changes from each show’s previous...
Tuesday TV Ratings: NCIS: Origins, High Potential, Doc, NBA Basketball, WWE NXT
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, TV ratings released show new episodes of NCIS, High Potential, Doc, and other scripted series across broadcast and cable. Sports broadcasts, including the Celtics‑Spurs NBA game and WWE NXT, also posted strong numbers. Ratings are reported...
Biggest GTA Wiki Leaves Fandom Over Censorship And Annoying Ads Ahead Of GTA 6 Launch
The GTA Wiki, the largest community‑run Grand Theft Auto encyclopedia with over 20,000 articles, has left the Fandom platform and launched an independent website. Editors cited Fandom’s aggressive pop‑up ads, intrusive video embeds, and tightening censorship policies as primary reasons...
Google News to Offer Transcripts for AI Audio Briefings
Google News may soon let you read transcripts of its AI-generated audio news briefings ✅ Details and video demo - https://t.co/yDMVhGVGcp https://t.co/Q1sn3R7ioV
Another Streaming Service Is Raising Its Price in April
Hulu has begun notifying subscribers that the Starz premium add‑on will increase from $10.99 to $11.99 per month starting March 31, 2026. The hike follows a series of incremental price adjustments aimed at covering rising content production and licensing costs....
Ikegami To Spotlight Latest UNICAM 4K-UHD Cameras At 2026 NAB Show
Ikegami will showcase its latest UNICAM XE 3‑CMOS 4K‑UHD camera lineup at the 2026 NAB Show, including the ultra‑compact UHL‑X40 for robotic use and the versatile UHK‑X700/750 models. The company will also demonstrate the IPX‑100 IP base station, which powers...
Utah Public Radio Managers to Retire
Utah Public Radio announced that co‑managers Tom Williams and Kerry Bringhurst will retire this fall. They have led the station since 2019, overseeing expanded local programming, rural broadcast improvements, student scholarships, and community‑engagement awards. Bringhurst brings nearly two decades of experience, previously...
Endemol Shine Brasil and A Fábrica Unveil Microdrama Expansion For Mobile-First Audiences
Endemol Shine Brasil and A Fábrica, both part of Banijay Americas, announced a partnership to produce a slate of vertical‑format microdramas for mobile‑first audiences. Endemol will lead production and brand negotiations, while A Fábrica will handle creative development and screenwriting. The duo...
AP Pivots From Print to Streaming, Turning Correspondents Into Anchors
The Associated Press is known for its deep ties to newspapers -- but with that business in decline, it has been ramping up its efforts to join the streaming era, with live-streamed shows that make anchors out of its correspondents.... https://t.co/hZI5mvEXQZ...
The Scoop: FCC Chair Threatens Media Could Lose Licenses over Iran War Coverage
FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned broadcasters that airing what the agency deems misleading coverage of the Iran‑Russia war could trigger license revocation. He posted on X that broadcasters must "correct course" or risk losing their FCC licenses, citing a public‑interest...
Google Searches for “Ghost Newsletter” Triple in August
The number of Google search queries for “Ghost newsletter” tripled in August last year https://t.co/S94726OafX
Mike Masnick Debunks Myths Behind Section 230 Vilification
Mike Masnick joined my section 230 mini series this week to break down how this one law became so villainized and debunk the most common myths about it https://t.co/vongG0sjkZ
Townsquare Media Reports 2025 Q4 Revenue Down 9.6%
Townsquare Media posted Q4 2025 net revenue of $106.5 million, a 9.6% decline from the same quarter a year earlier, and recorded a $4.8 million net loss after earning $25 million in Q4 2024. Segment results showed a 14.8% drop in total digital...
FCC Chair Threatens TV Licenses over “Fake News” Claims
For Trump’s FCC Chairman, Trolling Liberals Is the Point in His Threat to Pull Licenses of TV Networks That Air ‘Fake News’ About Iran War https://t.co/IKR86ZvW81 via @variety
Confusion Over Publishing Off‑the‑Record Zito Comments
a little confused re the Zito piece, do we just publish off-the-record comments now? https://t.co/XVR4YCfUBF
Richard Osman's Surprise Replacement on House of Games Revealed – It's Not Who You'd Expect
Richard Osman announced his departure from BBC Two's quiz series House of Games after nine years, citing a focus on his Thursday Murder Club franchise. The BBC confirmed actor Michael Sheen will replace him, marking Sheen's first full-time hosting role....
BBC's 'The Interface' Receives Observer Shoutout Amid UK Confusion
The Brits don't know what to do with our new BBC podcast The Interface, @thomasgermain & Nicky Woolf. Lovely shoutout from @ObserverUK. https://t.co/4fXbHYNjxr https://t.co/7AaF1IxoLk
Andy Hooser Show Goes National Via Talk Media Network
Wichita-based talk radio host Andy Hooser announced that his program “The Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser” will be nationally syndicated through Talk Media Network. The one‑hour conservative show will air live weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, originating from...
FOX News Reporter Accepts RTDNA First Amendment Award
FOX News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin received the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) First Amendment Award. The ceremony took place at the historic Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., with Griffin accompanied by her husband, NPR journalist Greg...