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.
Bridgerton and House of the Dragon Stars Lead "Powerhouse" Cast for Retelling of "Masterpiece" Drama
Stage veteran Kip Williams is re‑imagining Jean Genet’s 1947 play *The Maids* for a digital‑age audience, featuring streaming‑era stars Yerin Ha of *Bridgerton* and Phia Saban of *House of the Dragon* alongside Olivier‑nominated Lydia Wilson. The production will run at Brooklyn’s St. Ann’s Warehouse from May 17 to June 14 as part of the venue’s 2025/2026 season. Williams’ adaptation frames the maids’ fantasy‑driven role‑play as a commentary on social‑media‑driven identity and materialism. Early reviews from its Donmar premiere called it “exhilarating” and “a dazzling digital‑age headrush.”
Why Tony Terraciano's Jack Reagan Disappeared From Blue Bloods
Tony Terraciano, who plays Jack Reagan on *Blue Bloods*, stepped back from regular filming to pursue higher education. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Vanderbilt University and later at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, making full‑time school incompatible with...
Top Unbiased Iranian Journalists Covering the Conflict
Who are the best Iranian journalists and content creators covering the conflict who are not just stanning the monarchy?
Whatnot's Beauty Sales Surge 800% to 4,000 Items Hourly
On @Whatnot, the live shopping platform, beauty sales grew almost 800% in 2025, now representing one of its fastest-growing verticals. Buyers are purchasing nearly 4,000 beauty items per hour. More in the Live Shopping Update, presented by Whatnot: https://t.co/s9HQHL6Je5 https://t.co/VKyyHOKjyK
New York Times Runs In-House Ad Asking Listeners to “Support Any News Organization Dedicated to Original Reporting”
The New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger aired his first-ever advertisement, urging listeners to support any news organization that produces original reporting, not just the Times. The spot debuted on the Times’ podcasts and frames the appeal as a response...
Stan Partners with ACTF on Australian Family Film WHALE SHARK JACK
Stan has teamed up with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation to launch "Whale Shark Jack," a family‑focused feature set on Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef. The film stars Abbie Cornish, Michael Dorman and newcomer Alyla Browne, and follows a marine‑biologist family and their rescued...
World's Longest-Serving News Anchor Duo Celebrated
Meet the longest-serving news anchor team in the world — Delightful read from @katie_robertson https://t.co/L2xancAgbj
Paramount Australia Elevates HELEN ELLIOTT to QLD Ad Sales Director
Paramount Australia has promoted Helen Elliott to Queensland Ad Sales Director, taking over the portfolio after the untimely death of former leader Kat Droulers. Elliott joins the role having spent eight years as Head of TV Sales for Southern Cross...
Today's Newsletter Dives Into Wild Pop Culture & Tech
Yapper ads, the Most Evil Gay Guy, pop culture OpenClaw, Gucci runway texts, Jim Carry conspiracies, #sendBaron, Zuck's $170M mansion, Opensource Palantir, how the AIs kill, and MORE in today's newsletter. https://t.co/cJl7zQOUi6
Casting News: Blue Bloods Vet Joins Chris Meloni Football Drama, Hope Davis Gets Protection, And More
Hulu has green‑lit the football‑centric drama “The Land,” pairing Chris Meloni as an NFL head coach with former “Blue Bloods” star Bridget Moynahan, who will play his ex‑wife and serve as a series regular. The series is created by Dan Fogelman, the mind...
5 Deals for Cord Cutters This Week
This week’s cord‑cutter roundup highlights five cost‑saving offers across streaming, audio, power and TV accessories. Philo’s Core plan drops to $25 for new users, delivering HBO Max and Discovery+ at no extra charge. Bose’s QuietComfort headphones are discounted to $229, while...
“Podcast” Meant Nothing and Everything at On Air Fest
On Air Fest in Brooklyn highlighted a seismic shift in podcasting from craft‑focused journalism to creator‑driven, celebrity‑centric formats. Panelists admitted the economics of audio remain murky, with only a handful of shows turning a profit. The rise of “chat‑casts” and...
Donna Hay Returns with New Disney+ Series COASTAL CELEBRATIONS
Donna Hay returns to Disney+ with the four‑part Australian original *Coastal Celebrations*, debuting globally on 1 April. The series showcases relaxed summer entertaining, featuring achievable menus and simple styling against Sydney Harbour’s scenic backdrop. Hay serves as host and producer, while...
Malcolm in the Middle Reboot's New-Look Image Throws Back to Nostalgic Original Storyline
The four‑episode reboot "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair" will debut on April 10 on Disney+ and Hulu, reuniting most of the original cast for a family reunion tied to Hal and Lois' 40th wedding anniversary. A newly released...
AP Becomes Third Major Publisher Partnering with Kalshi
By my count, AP is the third major news publsher to partner with Kalshi (CNN and CNBC also have deals with Kalshi). Polymarket has deals with WSJ and Barron's parent cmpany Dow Jones as well as Yahoo Finance. https://t.co/BN62xOIVjq
Paramount Poised to Outshine Warner Bros Discovery
Tale of Two Slide: Can Paramount Suceeed where Warner Bros Discovery Failed? Today: (Top) — $PSKY + $WBD 2021: (Bottom) — WarnerMedia+Discovery https://t.co/qQblRU5byq https://t.co/nR1QFgHVJU
What’s New This Week on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN for the Week of March 2, 2026
Disney+ and Hulu rolled out a busy week of new episodes and premieres, including the Hulu Original series *In Your Radiant Season* and the season finale of *Battle of Fates*. Disney+ added the family‑friendly film *BeddyByes* and the crossover premiere...
Update: Brint Ryan’s Lone Star Deal Valuation Surfaces
G. Brint Ryan and Malinda Flenniken have finalized a transaction in which Ryan Media will acquire two FM stations, one AM station and an FM translator located in Big Spring, Texas, from Kbest Media LLC. The deal’s financial terms have...
New YouTube Integration for Audacy Creator Lab
Audacy’s Creator Lab now lets podcasters publish full‑length video episodes directly to YouTube while still distributing audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services. The feature is free and builds on Audacy’s no‑cost hosting platform that pays creators through dynamic...
No Evidence Bans Improve Minors' Mental Health
"There is no scientific evidence to support the assumption that banning minors from accessing services would have a positive effect on their mental health and development." https://t.co/eOCmTZvNiE
Podcast Advertising – The Safest Bet
Tom Webster’s June 2024 article introduces the research report “Podcast Advertising – The Safest Bet,” which compiles recent studies on podcast ad performance. The report challenges common objections from traditional marketers by showing podcasting’s low‑risk, high‑return characteristics. Findings highlight strong brand...
Telemundo Kicks World Cup Marketing Into High Gear: Sweeping Coverage, New Campaign
Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish‑language home of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., announced a massive 700‑hour coverage slate that will air live for all 104 matches and run from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. The network will stream every game...
Owners Of Tigers, Red Wings Create Detroit SportsNet To Broadcast Games
The owners of the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings have launched Detroit SportsNet, a new regional sports network that will air Tigers games in 2026 and Red Wings games in 2027. The service will be distributed via cable, satellite and...
Sound You Can See: Podcasting’s Video Dilemma
The latest Sounds Profitable study reveals that more listeners have watched a podcast in the past month than have listened to one, signaling a clear shift toward video consumption. Yet, simply uploading a podcast to YouTube does not guarantee success;...
Paramount Boss David Ellison Says His Favorite HBO Show Is ‘Game of Thrones’
Paramount CEO David Ellison revealed his favorite HBO series—Game of Thrones—during a March 2 investor call, shortly after the $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery auction that merged the two giants. The combined Paramount‑WBD entity is being framed as a new media "kingdom"...
IvyBears Launches AI-Animated Children’s TV Series
IvyBears, a leading European vitamin gummy brand, has debuted the first AI‑driven animated TV series for children, titled IvyBears. The show’s inaugural episode airs in April with new installments released monthly through the brand’s own channels. Production was handled by...
The Janitor Will Be Back for Scrubs Reboot After All, with Additional Stars Including The OC Icon
The Disney+ reboot of Scrubs confirms that Neil Flynn will reprise his iconic Janitor role after earlier reports suggested otherwise. The revival also adds new talent, including The O.C. star Rachel Bilson, All My Children alumnus Andy Ridings, and Twisted...
Vision Maker Series Features Shorts by Young Filmmakers
Vision Maker Media (VMM) has launched "First People, First Stories," a public‑TV series that stitches together short films created by emerging Native American filmmakers. The series draws from VMM’s Creative Shorts Fellowship and its Native Youth Media Project, packaging two...
Thursday TV Ratings: Grey’s Anatomy, Going Dutch, Ghosts, Trivial Pursuit, Law & Order
Thursday, February 26, 2026, saw a packed lineup of 18 new episodes spanning ABC, NBC, CBS and other major networks, including Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order SVU, and the reality series Going Dutch. Ratings were reported using Fast Affiliate Numbers, offering near‑real‑time...
ESPN Exec: Caitlin Clark Is ‘Gateway Drug’ to Women’s Sports
ESPN’s women’s sports programming chief, Susie Piotrkowski, called rookie star Caitlin Clark a “gateway drug” for attracting new fans to women’s sports. Even after Clark’s season‑ending injury, the WNBA saw a 3% viewership increase and recorded its most‑watched regular season...
For Ellison, Combining HBO Max and Paramount+ Is About 'Reinventing' Film and TV
Paramount Chairman David Ellison outlined a plan to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ after a $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a streaming platform with over 200 million subscribers. The combined entity will inherit blockbuster franchises such as Harry Potter, Lord...
SBS Confronts Culture Wars in THE SOCIAL SCHISM
SBS will broadcast a new special, "The Social Schism," on 4 March, hosted by Janice Petersen. The program convenes politicians, economists, activists and community leaders to debate polarisation, immigration, hate speech and social cohesion. It aims to foster national understanding through...
Advanced Systems Group Ups Gretchen Taipale To VP, Managed Services
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) promoted Gretchen Taipale to vice president of Managed Services, succeeding Jody Boatwright who moved to chief strategy officer. In her new role, Taipale will steer the strategic direction and delivery of media operations for a global...
4 Documentary Filmmaking Skills That Apply to Journalism
The article highlights how documentary filmmaking techniques are reshaping modern journalism. It outlines four transferable skills—visual storytelling, three‑act narrative structure, rigorous pre‑production research, and treating interviews as character studies. By adopting the "show, don’t tell" mindset, journalists can turn dry...
What to Know About Managing the Devices on Your Frndly TV
Frndly TV, the budget‑friendly live‑TV service, does not offer a centralized dashboard to view or log out devices, relying instead on simultaneous‑stream limits that range from one to four screens per plan. Users who suspect unauthorized access are advised to...
When You Follow Someone New On Social Media, Post About It
The article advises users to announce new follows on social media using a short, shareable post. By tagging the person and explaining why they’re worth following, you increase the chance they’ll notice and possibly follow back. The practice also encourages...
Nine Backs FOOTY FURNACE Despite Rumours
Channel 9 has officially confirmed that its AFL analysis show Footy Furnace will return for the 2026 season. The decision comes after weeks of speculation fueled by the departure of longtime host Tom Morris to Channel 7 and rumors the...
DFS Partners with ITV to Deliver an Integrated Marketing Campaign with Britain’s Got Talent
DFS has partnered with ITV to embed its brand into the 19th season of Britain’s Got Talent, featuring 10‑second TV commercials and bespoke sofas on set. The campaign includes an Amanda Holden‑branded sofa collection, social media sponsorship, and a competition...
Fox’s Lachlan Murdoch Expects Regulators to Put Conditions on Paramount-WBD Merger
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch warned that U.S. regulators will likely attach a third‑party content‑licensing condition to the $110 billion Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger. He also noted that CNN, under David Ellison, will continue to challenge Fox News as a strong competitor....
Is DAZN Planning to Make a Run at the NFL?
DAZN is positioning itself to bid for a domestic NFL package as the league prepares for its next round of broadcast negotiations. The streamer already distributes NFL Game Pass internationally and saw a 24% subscription increase in 2025, signaling appetite...
Fox News Media Signs Marcus Lemonis As Contributor
Fox News Media announced that entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis will join the network as a contributor, delivering business and economic analysis across its television and digital platforms. Lemonis serves as executive chairman and CEO of Beyond, where he led the e‑commerce...
Murdoch Predicts Paramount-Warner Will Keep Third‑party Sales
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch says he expects Paramount-Warner to continue to sell content to third parties and anticipates that will be a condition of the deal.
Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers to Receive Special Honors at 2026 GLAAD Awards
Creator Quinta Brunson, SNL alum Bowen Yang, and comedian Matt Rogers will be honored at the 2026 GLAAD Media Awards. Brunson receives the GLAAD Vanguard Award, while Yang and Rogers share the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for elevating LGBTQ visibility....
Vertical Leap: Growing the Free Vertical Drama Business at Streaming Media Connect
At Streaming Media Connect, Chris Pfaff led a panel on the rapid rise of vertical microdramas on free streaming platforms. Panelists highlighted how mobile‑first viewing, bingeable formats and AI‑driven production are turning short‑form vertical series into a potential mass‑media staple....
Fox Almost Rejected X-Files Because The Network Expected A Family Soap Opera
Fox executives initially expected Chris Carter to pitch a family or teen soap, not a high‑concept sci‑fi thriller. The network was hesitant because it lacked a comparable drama and feared the genre’s risk. Carter’s detailed 15‑page pitch and his insistence...
New Surveillance Laws Threaten Free Internet, Must Resist
Once built, this surveillance infrastructure will be abused, just as every prior expansion of government surveillance and censorship power has been. We must do everything in our power to stop these laws where we can and preserve a free and...
Paramount Plans to Merge Streaming Service with HBO Max After WBD Deal Closes
Paramount plans to merge its Paramount+ service with HBO Max once its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closes, creating a single streaming platform with over 200 million direct‑to‑consumer subscribers. The combined service will sit between Netflix’s 325 million global base and...
The Internet Is Turning Into a Digital Panopticon
I have a piece out in @guardian today on how the internet is becoming a fully surveilled digital panopticon and why we need to fight back https://t.co/Nyu66hrTmC
Age‑Verification Laws Threaten Free Speech, Empower Government Control
“All lawmakers will claim that they are [enacting age verification] to protect youth from some harm, but they fail to mention the convenient power it hands to government to control and chill speech they oppose, and even punish their critics,”...
Reporters Seek Comment. What Happens Next May Surprise You.
The New York Times insists on giving every story subject a chance to comment, even when sources are unresponsive or pre‑empt the narrative on social media. Deputy business editor Pui‑Wing Tam and tech reporters Sheera Frenkel and Mike Isaac stress that outreach...