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.
The Non-Profit Publisher Making Local News Pay in London
Social Spider CIC, a nonprofit publisher of four free monthly London newspapers, posted a pre‑tax profit of £30,495 for the year to July 2025, reversing a loss from the previous year. The enterprise distributes about 52,500 print copies across Waltham Forest, Enfield, Barnet and Newham, with print advertising supplying roughly half of its revenue and donor support about 20%. It also receives funding from Google News Showcase and the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service, which backs three journalists covering a million residents. Despite profitability, the firm faces a structural hurdle: public‑notice contracts favour weekly papers, limiting its ability to scale advertising revenue.
The Bigger Picture Behind Apple HLS
Apple Podcasts is rolling out HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) support, enabling creators to publish identical video and audio versions of episodes that can be switched seamlessly on iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro and the web. HLS will handle video‑enabled podcasts while RSS...
An Indiana Public Records Fight Went to Court. The Journalists (and the Public) Won.
Indiana journalists from the Indiana Capital Chronicle sued the state Department of Correction to obtain records on the cost of lethal‑injection drugs. After a year‑long legal battle, a Marion County Superior Court judge ordered the agency to release the data,...
When the Comments Section Is Challenging
Lea Page recounts a harrowing comment she received after publishing a Huffington Post piece on empathy, illustrating how women often endure gendered harassment online. Instead of silencing herself, she reclaimed the insult “sea hag,” turning it into a personal brand...
Eight Cultural Shifts Shaping the GCC’s New Trust Economy
The M+C Saatchi Group Cultural Power Report 2026 maps eight deep‑seated cultural shifts reshaping the GCC’s emerging trust economy. Influencer growth has exploded to over 263,000 creators, yet trust in influencers has fallen to the region’s lowest‑rated profession, prompting a...
Digest: Anthropic Sues US Defence Department; Meta’s Deepfake Moderation Falling Short; Barb Adds Pre-Campaign Functionality
Anthropic has filed two lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Defense after being labeled a “supply chain risk,” alleging the designation infringes its First Amendment rights. The company maintains its willingness to work with the government on national‑security AI projects...
Matt Belloni on the Oscars, the Ellisons, and Hollywood’s Next Chapter
In this episode of Channels with Peter Kafka, Puck journalist Matt Belloni breaks down the 2026 Oscars, highlighting Warner Bros.’s final big‑budget campaign with films like “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” and the shifting power dynamics after the studio’s...
Bestads Best TV of the Week: Telstra’s ‘Wherever We Go 2’ via Bear Meets Eagle On Fire with +61
Bestadsontv.com named Telstra’s “Wherever we go 2” the Best TV of the Week. The ad, created by Bear Meets Eagle On Fire with +61, continues the whistling duet narrative introduced in the original campaign. Guest judge Adam Bodfish of McCann Birmingham highlighted...
Research: Over Half of 45–54 Year Olds Watch Mobile While TV Viewing
Primary research from Omdia shows that 52% of U.S. adults aged 45‑54 watched video clips on their mobile phones while viewing television in November 2025, up from 39% in 2022. The trend also accelerated among 55‑64‑year‑olds, rising to 35% from...
Kyle and Jackie O ‘Back in Contact’ as Days Count Down to His $100m Ouster
Australian radio giant ARN is on the brink of terminating Kyle Sandilands' $200 million Kyle & Jackie O contract after a belittling tirade that left Jackie “O” Henderson unable to work with him. Sandilands has six days to remedy the alleged...
Full Set and Fuller Partnership to Publish Journalism in Book Format
Full Set, an independent book publisher, has teamed with Fuller, a global newsroom focused on women and gender‑diverse voices, to release a series of long‑form journalism essays in ebook, audiobook and paperback formats. The pilot launches in Spring 2026 with three...
Stonegate Group Appoints Fifty as Strategic Media Partner Ahead of World Cup
UK’s largest pub operator, Stonegate Group, has appointed Fifty as its strategic media partner to manage media strategy and buying across its 4,500‑venue portfolio. The partnership, chosen for Fifty’s AI‑enabled audience‑intelligence platform, will cover more than 15 addressable channels, including...
Exclusive: Playboy Names Phillip Picardi Chief Brand Officer and Editor in Chief
Playboy announced Phillip Picardi as its new chief brand officer and editor‑in‑chief, marking a high‑profile editorial overhaul. Picardi, who reshaped Teen Vogue and founded the queer‑focused publication them, previously served as chief brand officer at Weight Watchers and consulted for...
Stephen Colbert’s Monologue Interrupted by Fan Shocked Over Pete Hegseth Joke: ‘Was That You?’ | Video
Stephen Colbert’s monologue on The Late Show was briefly interrupted when an audience member shouted “What?!” after the host mocked Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s alleged $6 billion in luxury Pentagon purchases. Colbert listed items such as $5.3 million in iPads, $60,000...
Sky, Canal+ Sign Scripted Production Partnership
Sky and Canal+ have entered a three‑year co‑commissioning partnership to develop English‑language scripted series, committing to at least two new projects each year. The deal pools StudioCanal’s resources with independent producers, allowing both companies to co‑finance green‑lit titles. By targeting...
NOVA Entertainment Partners With Retail Media Arm Of Westfield’s Scentre Group
Australian radio and podcast leader NOVA Entertainment has partnered with BrandSpace, the retail media division of Westfield owner Scentre Group, to create a unified advertising platform across 42 Westfield shopping centres and NOVA’s audio network. The collaboration offers agencies a...
Two Broke Chicks Join Nova Podcasts
Two Broke Chicks, a female‑led Australian podcast hosted by Sally McMullen and Alexandra Hourigan, is joining Nova Podcasts. The show, which offers practical advice on money, career, identity and relationships, reaches over 1.1 million followers across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Nova’s...
TikTok Now a Top Search Hub; Brands Must Optimize
TikTok continues to grown as a search engine, with nearly half of U.S. consumers using it to discover recipes, DIY tips, beauty advice, product recommendations, and more. Video tutorials, product reviews, personal stories, and influencer recommendations remain the most preferred...
PacificAus TV Screens in Timor-Leste
Free TV Australia launched PacificAus TV in Timor‑Leste, delivering free Australian programming to RTTL as part of the Indo‑Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. The service arrives alongside the broadcast of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, highlighting women’s football across the region. Officials...
More Screens, More Stakes: India’s Content Boom Needs an India-First Media-Tech Backbone
India now has 313 million digital‑only viewers, with rural adoption outpacing metros, fueling a surge in multi‑screen content consumption. The explosion of hours, languages, and formats is stressing a media‑tech stack that remains fragmented and largely dependent on foreign infrastructure. Sunil...
The Next Phase of Creator-Owned Media
The creator economy is reshaping media as independent journalists, newsletter writers, podcasters and livestreamers build audiences that rival traditional outlets. Recognizing a structural gap, a group of creators launched the Journeyman Media Network (JMN), a creator‑owned collective that links independent...
Senators Warn Tencent-Backed Warner Deal Threatens Security
Scoop: Senators Richard Blumenthal & Elizabeth Warren are raising fresh concerns about David Ellison's expected use of foreign money to finance his takeover of Warners—this time, from China's Tencent. "Designated by the DOD as having ties to the Chinese military, Tencent’s...
A Forgotten Doctor Who Spin-Off Introduced A Major Recurring Character
The 1995 direct‑to‑video film *Downtime* introduced Kate Lethbridge‑Stewart, the Brigadier’s daughter, marking one of the earliest Doctor Who spin‑offs. The character re‑appeared in the revived series in 2012, later recast with Jemma Redgrave and promoted to commander‑in‑chief of UNIT. After a decade...
Bluesky's New CEO Inherits Strong Community, Faces Tough Road
I wrote about Bluesky's CEO switch. Jay Graber deserves lasting credit for building a big and bustling community. But the challenges ahead of the company are significant: https://www.platformer.news/bluesky-ceo-change-graber/
Omidyar Fellowship Not Dark Money: Non‑partisan, Self‑Funded
Hutch is correct, Pierre Omidiyar’s non-partisan investigative journalism fellowship is not dark money. 1- it’s not political in nature, which it must be to be a dark money program, and 2- the funder is disclosed: Pierre Omidiyar. There are no...
Nutrition Startup Zoe ‘Stunned’ as ASA Upholds Ad Ban over ‘Misleading’ Claims
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld its ban on a Facebook ad for Zoe’s Daily30+ supplement, rejecting the company’s appeal. The ad claimed the product contained no ultra‑processed foods, a statement the ASA judged likely to mislead consumers...
Labeling Omidyar-Funded Fellowship “Dark Money” Misleads
What's so wild about Destiny calling a public, non-partisan investigative reporting fellowship funded in full by Pierre Omidiyar "dark money," is that there are so many reputable journalists who have done that fellowship. The implication is that they have ALL...
YouTube's 2025 Ad Revenue Eclipses Major Media Giants
YouTube’s ad revenue in 2025 was $40.4B. More than Disney, NBC, Paramount, and WBD’s combined. (@THR)
Early Readings From the FCC’s Sports Broadcasting Docket
The FCC’s Media Bureau has opened a docket to examine the fragmented sports‑broadcasting ecosystem, inviting comments through March 27. Early filers include One Ministries, which urges the commission to extend must‑carry rules to virtual MVPDs so independent stations like KQSL...
Snapchat Drives TV Viewership, Promotions
Snapchat released a study with Omnicom Media and Ipsos showing social platforms heavily influence TV viewership. Two‑thirds of viewers say ads on social make them more likely to watch, while 65% are driven to watch trailers after online discussions. The...
Murdoch’s Mexico War & An Ellison Merger Lesson
Fox is embroiled in a cross‑border trademark dispute in Mexico after a football broadcast blackout, leading to injunctions and mounting contempt fines. The Ninth Circuit is hearing an appeal that could restore the NFL’s $4.7 billion Sunday Ticket penalty. Disney is...
Casting News: Doc Adds Blair Underwood, Kate Walsh's CBS Comedy Pilot, And More
Veteran actor Blair Underwood is set to guest‑star in the Season 2 finale of Fox’s medical drama Doc before becoming a series regular for Season 3, which the network has already renewed. Underwood will portray Dr. Ben Grant, a charismatic trauma and...
Why Bruce Willis' '80s Series Moonlighting Was Canceled
Moonlighting, the 1980s ABC series starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, was cancelled after its fifth season despite early critical acclaim. Ratings plummeted to 70th place on Nielsen charts, driven by production disruptions when Willis filmed Die Hard and Shepherd...
10 Best Cartoon Network Shows Of The 2010s, Ranked
Cartoon Network’s 2010s lineup is celebrated in a new ranking of its ten best shows, from “Adventure Time” to “Over the Garden Wall.” The list highlights how the network’s experimental storytelling, diverse representation, and genre‑bending animation set a new benchmark...
NAB Show: Broadpeak to Showcase Live Streaming, Advanced Monetization and Anti-Piracy Solutions
Broadpeak will unveil a suite of live‑streaming and monetisation tools at NAB Show 2026, highlighting premium‑performance delivery, advanced ad insertion, and anti‑piracy safeguards. New offerings include Multiview for simultaneous event viewing, Media over QUIC (MoQ) for lower latency, and AI‑powered...
WUSF Public Media Names Three Senior Managing Directors
WUSF Public Media announced the promotion of three long‑time employees to Senior Managing Director, reshaping its leadership across content, operations, and membership. Mary Shedden will steer journalism and cultural programming, Christopher Sampson will oversee technical infrastructure, and Danielle Wright‑Landry will...
UK’s First Live Broadcast Using New N40 Private 5G Spectrum
Neutral Wireless, Haivision and ITN delivered the United Kingdom’s first live broadcast using the newly‑available n40 private 5G spectrum (2320‑2340 MHz) for the London New Year’s Eve Fireworks 2025/26. A portable pop‑up 5G Pro system created a single cell covering the...
MediaCo’s Sigma Audio Adds Female-Forward Bilingual Network
MediaCo’s Sigma Audio Networks has unveiled Alpha Woman, a bilingual English‑Spanish radio and streaming network aimed at multicultural U.S. women. The service combines contemporary music with lifestyle programming and will be distributed through national terrestrial affiliates, digital platforms, and branded...
UFC Opens CBS Era with Stronger Audience
UFC made its CBS debut with UFC 326, drawing an average of 2.47 million viewers across a two‑hour window that included prelims and portions of the main card. The one‑hour segment featuring the main card (excluding the main event) averaged 2.81 million...
Globo and Telefuturo Renew Partnership in Paraguay
Globo and Paraguay’s leading free‑to‑air channel Telefuturo have signed a new five‑year agreement (2026‑2030) to broadcast Globo’s flagship drama slate, beginning with the telenovela “Anything Goes,” which amassed over 150 million viewers and is Globo’s highest‑grossing prime‑time production. The renewal builds...
Journalist Refuses Dark Money, Cites Ethical Standards
Debate what? There's nothing to debate. I've never accepted dark money. I can't as a journalist who writes for major outlets with strict journalistic ethics standards. I'm sorry this fact has sent you into a year long crash out 🤷🏻♀️
Why The Summer I Turned Pretty's Season 3 Poster Was Changed Weeks After The Finale
The Summer I Turned Pretty’s third‑season poster was swapped weeks after the finale, replacing Jeremiah’s kiss with Conrad’s. Showrunner Jenny Han confirmed the change was intentional, referencing the classic 1954 film Sabrina. The alternate image was pre‑shot and released later...
8 Streaming Services Celebrating Women’s History Month with Shows & Movies You Can Watch Today
Streaming services are rolling out dedicated Women’s History Month collections, spotlighting female creators, leaders, and stories. Platforms range from free FAST services like Pluto TV and ThisIsItTV to premium hubs such as Paramount+ and Peacock, each offering curated movies, series,...
Without Providing Evidence, Trump Pins School Bombing on Iran
President Donald Trump asserted that Iran carried out the Feb. 28 bombing of a girls’ school in Iran. Independent investigations using video, satellite imagery and expert analysis point to U.S. forces as the likely perpetrators. Trump offered no evidence to support...
Government Power, Media Empires, and the Fight for an Informed Public - Episode 679 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
In this episode, host Carl Bode and guest discuss the entanglement of government authority, media consolidation, and municipal broadband, using historic cases like Burlington Telecom’s Al Jazeera controversy to illustrate the challenges of public‑owned networks. They trace how telecom giants have...
CNN-CBS Merger Explained After Four Decades of Planning
🎙️ NEW @PuckNews: A CNN-CBS News tie-up is 40 years in the making... curious how it would work? @SamFeistDC, the C-SPAN C.E.O. and 33-year CNN veteran, breaks it down: https://t.co/mPte9ax0DE
Explore X’s Regional Trending Tweets Feature Tutorial
Didja know that X (née Twitter) has an area where you can see the most popular tweets by region or language? It's fascinating stuff to explore, as I demonstrate in this tutorial: https://t.co/8o4AIegPOv #x #twitter @X @twitter https://t.co/qe9zECOboY
Tech Life
Tech Life's latest episode reveals a hidden layer of digital labor behind popular adult platforms, where individuals in the Philippines impersonate OnlyFans models to chat with paying subscribers. The segment also highlights scientists leveraging artificial intelligence to speed up research...
Eccentric Cosy Crime Series From Death in Paradise Boss Will Be Back with More "Twists and Turns"
British streaming service U will premiere the third season of The Marlow Murder Club on March 18. The cosy crime series, created by Death in Paradise veteran Robert Thorogood, returns with Samantha Bond, Jo Martin and Cara Horgan as the three amateur sleuths....
Amanda St. Hilaire Upped To WITI VP-News Director
Amanda St. Hilaire has been promoted to vice president and news director of Fox Television Stations’ WITI Milwaukee (Fox 6). Effective immediately, she will oversee editorial, business, administration and streaming functions, reporting to senior vice president Mim Davey. Hilaire joined WITI...