Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions hit 2.24 billion in 2025, overtaking pay‑TV revenue
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, surpassing pay‑TV's $170 billion for the first time. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit levels in 2026 as operators focus on monetising existing users.
Also developing:
At Fox’s Upfront, the World Cup, Tubi, and AI Adtech Headline the Pitch
At Fox’s upfront, the network emphasized a streamlined portfolio anchored by live sports, news, entertainment, and ad‑supported streaming. The centerpiece was Fox Fan OS, an AI‑native media operating system that tags every second of video and powers the new Fox AdStudio platform for granular, scene‑level ad targeting. Tubi highlighted its 100 million monthly active users and strong incremental reach, while Fox detailed its extensive World Cup and NFL inventory ahead of the 2026 tournament. The pitch underscored a “first‑principles” approach that favors performance over sheer scale.
TikTok’s Business Strategy: THEFT
TikTok is reportedly deploying AI‑driven bot accounts that scrape and repurpose creator videos without attribution, while the platform’s creator rewards program has been sharply reduced. The shift coincides with Oracle CEO Larry Ellison gaining a controlling stake in TikTok USA...
OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Ads Manager Beta, Opening New Channel for Marketers
OpenAI today launched a beta version of Ads Manager, a self‑serve portal that lets advertisers run campaigns inside ChatGPT. The platform relies on conversational context rather than keyword matching and promises transparent labeling and user‑controlled data use.
Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Has 1 Key to Success That Other Action TV Shows Fail to Replicate
Prime Video has renewed the action‑crime series Reacher for a fifth season before the fourth season even premieres, underscoring its status as one of the streamer’s top‑performing originals. Since its 2022 debut, the show has consistently ranked high in viewership...
Little House on the Prairie Teaser Trailer Previews Netflix TV Show Adaptation of Beloved Books
Netflix has dropped a new teaser for its upcoming Little House on the Prairie series, adapting the third book of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic saga. The drama, set on the Kansas frontier, stars Alice Halsey as Laura and Luke Bracey...
Could Mint Return? BBC Drama's Finale Leaves Major Questions Unanswered
The BBC crime drama *Mint* concluded its double‑episode finale with Shannon turning the tables on Sam, shooting him and leaving his survival ambiguous. The cliff‑hanger sparked speculation about a second season, though the BBC has not announced a renewal and...
Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Trailer Reveals First Look At Helen's Wedding — Plus, Whose Marriage Is In Crisis?
Netflix’s hit drama Sweet Magnolias returns for a fifth season on June 11, shifting part of the story to New York City as Maddie starts a book‑marketing role. Helen’s long‑awaited wedding to Erik is framed as a source of doubt, while Dana Sue hints...
California AG Unwilling to Approve Concessions to Avoid Trial on Nexstar-TEGNA Deal
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state will not approve any concessions from Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA to sidestep a trial over their $4.5 billion merger. Eight states have filed antitrust lawsuits, arguing the combined company would dominate local...
AOI Expects Cable Revenues to Accelerate in 2026
Applied Optoelectronics Inc. reported a 4% year‑over‑year rise in Q1 cable‑TV revenues to $66.8 million, placing the result at the top of its $61‑$67 million guidance. The company now expects Q2 cable revenues of $75‑$80 million and a full‑year 2026 cable revenue run‑rate...
Fast & Furious Learns Nothing From Franchise Fatigue, Launches Four TV Series
Vin Diesel announced at NBCUniversal's upfronts that Peacock will launch four new Fast & Furious television series in 2026, expanding the high‑octane franchise into the streaming arena. The move follows a decade of fan demand for more content and aims...
Congress Urged to Protect Live Sports on Broadcast TV
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), backed by all 50 state broadcaster associations, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, has urged Congress to revisit the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act. The coalition argues that the rise of streaming paywalls is...
Roku Announced As North American Streaming Platform For Inaugural Enhanced Games
Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) will serve as the North American streaming home for the inaugural Enhanced Games, launching on May 24 at 9 p.m. EST. The free-to-watch competition will air on the Roku Sports Channel across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, featuring...
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test: Season Four Ratings
Fox’s reality series *Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test* returned for a fourth season featuring 18 celebrities, many paired as spouses or family members, undergoing grueling military‑style training in Morocco. The show’s Nielsen ratings have slipped compared with season three, which...
FOX, NBC, Get Two of Ex-ESPN Games at Center of NFL Media Rights Talks
The NFL is adding four national broadcast windows this season by moving games previously earmarked for ESPN and its streaming partner to FOX and NBC. FOX will air a Week 10 International Series game from Munich as part of a rare...
Next Level Baker: Season One Ratings
Fox launched the holiday‑season spin‑off *Next Level Baker* with Gordon Ramsay, Carla Hall and Candace Nelson as judges. Twelve bakers compete for a $25,000 cash prize and a HexClad kitchen package. Nielsen’s live‑plus‑same‑day ratings, now posted in a public spreadsheet,...
Name That Tune: Season Five Ratings
Fox renewed Name That Tune for a fifth season in 2024, betting on a celebrity‑driven format that pits well‑known personalities against each other for charity. The hour‑long episodes combine classic musical games with the high‑stakes Bid‑a‑Note and Golden Medley rounds,...
On Brand with Jimmy Fallon: Season One Ratings
NBC’s new marketing‑competition series *On Brand with Jimmy Fallon* debuted its first season in early 2024, pairing the comedian‑host with former Uber and Pepsi CMO Bozoma Saint John to mentor ten creative teams. Each episode pits the teams against a major brand,...
AFL LEGENDS GAME Back on Seven After Blockbuster Revival
The Seven Network will broadcast the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer again in 2026 after a blockbuster 2025 revival. The 2025 match drew more than 2.3 million Australian viewers, raised over AUD 1 million (≈US $660,000), and attracted a crowd of 31,320...
Can FARMER WANTS A WIFE Cowboy Dylan Find True Love?
Seven’s reality series Farmer Wants A Wife returns with 24‑year‑old rodeo cowboy Dylan Scarborough seeking love. Dylan, a sheep farmer from Cherry Gardens, also runs the western‑wear label Outback Drover Co., launched in 2023 while working FIFO in mining. Known...
Hell’s Kitchen: Season 24 Ratings
Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen returns for its 24th season, featuring 20 chefs each representing a different U.S. state. The competition culminates in a $250,000 prize and a head‑chef position at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Nielsen’s live‑plus‑same‑day ratings show the show still pulling...
Bruce McAvaney’s Emotional WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Journey
Veteran sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney headlines the Season 17 premiere of SBS’s genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, tracing his family’s South Australian roots. The episode follows his journey to the tiny settlement of Peter’s Hill, where he uncovers Wendish (Sorbian) ancestors linked to...
Netflix at the BAFTAs: How Many TV/Movie Nominations and Wins Does The Streamer Have?
Netflix had a strong showing at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, capturing eight wins across film and television. Its drama "Adolescence" became the first Netflix series to win four awards in a single ceremony, including a historic youngest supporting‑actor win for...
Crime Scene Kitchen: Season Three Ratings
Crime Scene Kitchen’s third season aired on Fox with a mystery‑baking format, pitting six family duos and six friend duos against each other to recreate a vanished dessert for a $100,000 prize. Hosted by Joel McHale and judged by Curtis Stone...
Vin Diesel Confirms Fast & Furious Is Getting a Yellowstone TV-Verse
Vin Diesel announced that Universal Television is developing four new Fast & Furious TV series, including a live‑action show slated for Peacock. Writers Mike Daniels and Wolfe Coleman are attached to the pilot, with Diesel serving as executive producer. The...
Celebrity Weakest Link: Season One Ratings
Fox has launched a celebrity‑driven revival of the classic game show Weakest Link, premiering its first season in late 2025. Hosted by Jane Lynch, each episode pits eight celebrities against trivia challenges, with a top prize of $1 million donated to...
At Upfronts, NBCUniversal’s Legacy Is the Message
NBCUniversal marked its centennial at a Radio City Music Hall upfront, positioning its 100‑year legacy as a strategic advantage in a crowded TV and streaming landscape. Chairman Mark Marshall highlighted evolution, innovation, and consumer focus as core strengths, while Tina...
Can JUJUTSU KAISEN Fans Conquer This Anime Fitness Test?
Crunchyroll has teamed with virtual‑fitness firm The Conqueror to roll out an officially licensed Jujutsu Kaisen fitness challenge, debuting globally on 15 May 2026. The program offers three distance‑based events—Cursed Vessel (79 km), Unlimited Void (88 km) and Chimera Shadow Garden (124 km)—that participants can complete...
American Conversations: Josh Marshall & Kate Riga of Talking Points Memo
American Conversations: Josh Marshall & Kate Riga of Talking Points Memo is a Substack post by historian Heather Cox Richardson, published May 11, 2026. The entry announces a recorded conversation between Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall and journalist Kate Riga, centered on investigative reporting and...
CBC Upping Investment in Documentaries, Launching New FAST Channel This Fall
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced a significant boost to its documentary slate and plans to launch a new FAST (Free‑Ad‑Supported Streaming TV) channel this fall. The investment will fund original long‑form nonfiction projects and acquire international titles, aiming to...
Spotify Prioritizes Inventory Over Platform Efficiency in Walled Garden
Spotify, Roblox, and the conditions for a walled garden Spotify is a scaled platform with logged-in user state; why explicitly expand the amount of inventory sold programmatically rather than invest in platform-efficiency tools and data-aggregation technologies that unlock the value of...
ABC Greenlights The Rookie North Starring Jay Ellis
#ABC officially picks up #TheRookie spinoff #TheRookieNorth starring Jay Ellis. Produced by #Lionsgate & #Disney’s 20th TV. $DIS $LION
Prime Video Renews ‘Reacher’ for Fifth Season Ahead of Season Four Premiere
Amazon Prime Video has renewed the action series "Reacher" for a fifth season, announcing the decision before the fourth season premieres later this year. The renewal reflects the show's strong global performance, with season three attracting 54.6 million viewers worldwide in...
Variety Earns 100 SoCal Journalism Nominations, Four Journalist of Year
Variety Nominated for 100 SoCal Journalism Awards, Including Four Nods for Journalist of the Year https://t.co/nheotd0CVd via @variety
Four Fast and Furious TV Series in Development
FOUR different #FastAndFurious TV series are in the works as #Universal looks to expand the film franchise to a different medium. $CMCSA
JustWatch: Hulu’s ‘Send Help,’ Netflix’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ Top Weekly Streaming Through May 10
JustWatch’s weekly chart for the week ending May 10 shows Hulu’s original film “Send Help” capturing the No. 1 spot among U.S. streamed movies, while Netflix’s limited series “Lord of the Flies” exploded 1,490 % to dominate the TV‑show ranking. The rapid ascent...
Vint Cerf and Leaders Discuss Internet's Future
On Friday @ 11 AM PT @DisrupTVShow interviews Vint Cerf, VP & Chief Internet Evangelist @Google, David Bray, Distinguished Chair of the Accelerator @StimsonCenter and Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, author of The Human Edge https://t.co/HxRk6pPPCV @ValaAfshar @rwang0 #DisrupTV
Fox Holds Weekend Christmas Game Rights, Including Fridays
Clarifying something I wrote earlier, Fox has always had rights to a Christmas game when it falls on a weekend (which includes Friday)
Steve Coogan Talks ‘Legends,’ Your New Netflix Binge-Watch
British comedian Steve Coogan stars as Dom in Netflix’s new six‑part thriller *Legends*, which recounts a 1990s undercover customs operation targeting Liverpool’s heroin network. Written by Neil Forsyth, the series mixes caper‑style humor with a gritty gang‑land narrative, and Coogan...
Texas AG Sues Netflix over Alleged Addiction and Spying
Netflix Sued by Republican Texas Attorney General, Who Alleges Service Is Designed to Be ‘Addictive’ and Is ‘Spying’ on Users https://t.co/bLMByUdWzp via @variety
DOT Secretary Sean Duffy Faces Backlash Over New Family Reality Show
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a five‑part reality series, "The Great American Road Trip," featuring his wife and nine children traveling across the United States ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The show will stream for free on YouTube beginning...
Bell Media Partners with YouTube to Bring Newly Digitized Archives to Global Viewers
Bell Media announced it will digitize its national archive of roughly 300,000 tapes, converting over 100,000 tapes by the end of 2026. The company is using Google’s Gemini AI to generate searchable metadata and will host the restored content primarily...
Enable Notifications to Get Gemini Daily Brief Daily
You can also turn on Notification for Gemini's Daily Brief feature. You will get a notification every day when your brief is ready. https://t.co/TIv1URsiPD
When Does Half Man Episode 4 Premiere?
The longer that Richard Gadd's new TV show continues, the more Ruben makes me feel sick. But when does Half Man episode 4 drop on HBO Max and BBC iPlayer? https://t.co/mQeaq216TA
Apple TV's New Horror Comedy Is so Charming and Evocative, It's the Sort of Show You Want to Live Inside
Apple TV+ launches "Widow's Bay," a horror‑comedy series set in a cursed New England island town. Matthew Rhys stars as Tom Loftis, a mayor who dismisses local legends until a New York Times writer’s visit threatens to revive the town’s supernatural menace....
IndieWire Honors the Best of TV with Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicolas Cage, Charles Melton, and More
IndieWire announced its Spring 2026 IndieWire Honors, the publication’s biggest celebration of television to date. The ceremony will be held on June 4 in Los Angeles, featuring a cocktail reception, awards presentation, and a 30th‑anniversary dance party. Honorees span veteran talent such...
Tottenham v Leeds Live Stream, TV Channel – Where to Watch Premier League on Tv Today
Tottenham Hotspur host Leeds United on May 11, 2026, in a Premier League clash that could be pivotal for Spurs' survival. The match is broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed live, kicking off at 20:00 BST. Tottenham sit 17th,...
Inside NBCUniversal’s Upfront: Vin Diesel Surprise, Tina Fey Sets Up NBC’s 100th Birthday Bash and More at ‘Most Glamorous Midmorning...
NBCUniversal kicked off its 2026 Peacock upfront with a high‑gloss production at Radio City Music Hall, unveiling a slate that blends new scripted series, franchise extensions and linear revivals. Highlights included Vin Diesel announcing a Fast & Furious TV series for Peacock and...
NFL Adds Games for Fox, NBC to Mend Media Ties
The NFL has licensed two additional games to Fox and one to NBC for next season. Is this an effort to improve relations between the two big legacy media partners the NFL does not have an ownership stake in?
YouTubers Need Millions of Views and Consultants to Earn
YouTube creator pay is based on views. That means even the most popular stars have to ensure their new content is watched by millions to keep $$ pouring in. Those creators don’t do this alone. Here’s our feature on the business...
Is ITV’s Believe Me Based on a True Story? The Real-Life Horror Behind New Drama
ITV’s four‑part drama "Believe Me" dramatizes the real‑life crimes of serial sex offender John Worboys, known as the “Black Cab Rapist.” The series deliberately shifts focus from the perpetrator to the women who survived his assaults and the systemic failures...