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.
Virginia Bill Banning Sale Of Location Data Nears Final Passage
Virginia lawmakers have moved a bill that would prohibit businesses from selling precise geolocation data within a 1,750‑foot radius of a consumer. The House passed the measure unanimously, and the Senate, which already approved a near‑identical version, will consider it for final approval. The proposal amends Virginia’s existing privacy law, shifting from consent‑based requirements to an outright ban. Similar bans are already in effect in Maryland and Oregon, signaling a growing state‑level push against location‑data commerce.
Paramount's Survival Hinges on Deal, Ellisons' Influence
There is always a chance when government is involved, never rule this out. But I still see the odds in #Paramount’s favor for 2 reasons: 1- the Ellisons are one of the richest and most well connected families in the U.S. 2-...
YouTube TV Launches 12 Cheaper Packages of Channels
YouTube TV rolled out twelve new, lower‑priced subscription bundles in February 2026, giving users the option to pay only for the genres they watch. The standalone Entertainment plan starts at $54.99, while the Sports bundle is $64.99, with mixed‑genre combos...
Telos, College Foundation Will Give Away an Omnia.11
Telos Alliance and the College Radio Foundation are offering a flagship Omnia.11 FM+HD audio processor—valued at roughly $10,000—to a U.S. college radio station. The contest, open to students, faculty and staff, runs through April 10 and requires a brief paragraph explaining...
A Major MVPD Merger Is Done: FCC OKs Charter-Cox Deal
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved Charter Communications’ $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Enterprises’ residential cable, fiber, and managed‑IT businesses. The deal, signed in May 2025, will rebrand the combined consumer offering under the Spectrum name while adopting the Cox corporate...
Pocket.watch Expands Creator-Led Content Library with 8 New Digital Partners
Pocket.watch announced the addition of eight new digital creators—including Topper Guild, JJ & Mikey, and Lana’s Life—to its global distribution portfolio, collectively reaching over 132 million YouTube subscribers. The expansion pushes the company’s creator network to 1.5 billion subscribers and more than 1 trillion lifetime...
Which Streaming Stories Did You Miss This Week?
HBO Max announced it will launch in 12 Asia‑Pacific territories and simultaneously roll out in the United Kingdom and Ireland on March 26, taking its footprint to more than 100 countries and over 130 million subscribers. The expansion adds markets such as...
Jargon‑Heavy X Threads Mask Inexpertise—Verify Sources
Big thing I am seeing on X is super authoritative sounding accounts doing long threads, on defense tech etc, that use tons of jargon and acronyms so as to look like the account is 'in the know,' when really they...
Advocates Seek To Prohibit Trump Admin From Censoring ICE Reporting Tools
A free‑speech advocacy group has filed a federal injunction request to stop the Trump administration from pressuring Apple and Meta to remove ICE‑reporting tools. The lawsuit centers on the Eyes Up app and the Facebook group “ICE Sightings — Chicagoland,” both taken down...
Account Manager
Acast, the leading podcast marketplace with over 140,000 shows and 3,300 advertisers, is hiring an Account Manager to drive revenue from agency and direct advertiser clients. The role will manage end‑to‑end podcast ad campaigns, develop strategic account plans, and provide...
Tablo Firmware Update Brings Free Streaming Channels to Legacy Devices
Nuvyyo’s Tablo firmware version 2.2.25 now enables most legacy DVRs to stream a selection of free channels via the newer Tablo app, excluding devices with built‑in HDMI. Users must rescan their units and manually add channels, while AMC and Warner‑owned...
Microsoft Ads Launches Self-Serve Negative Keyword Lists
Microsoft Advertising has introduced self‑serve shared negative keyword lists, allowing advertisers to create, edit, and apply up to 5,000 negative keywords directly in the UI. The lists can be attached at the campaign or account level and support exact and...
Chronicle Studios Partners with Teo Skaffa on ‘Graveheart Keep’ WEBTOON Series
Chronicle Studios announced its first partnership on the WEBTOON platform, teaming with illustrator Teo Skaffa to launch the young‑adult gothic‑horror series *Graveheart Keep* this spring. The AI‑driven studio will handle social strategy, content optimization and monetization across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok....
USAGM Pushes Deferred Resignations as Court Decision Nears
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has opened a Deferred Resignation Program, giving staff a chance to leave voluntarily as a federal court prepares to rule on CEO Kari Lake’s authority to slash the agency’s workforce. Over the past year,...
Why ‘Flooding the Zone’ Works for Trump
Trump’s “flooding the zone” tactic involves saturating the media with crisis‑driven narratives to force political opponents onto the defensive. In the week of Jan. 11‑18, 2026, an ICE agent’s fatal shooting sparked nationwide protests, a federal judge halted ICE arrests, and...
Music Streamer Quboz Implements AI Detection
French streaming service Qobuz has rolled out a proprietary AI detection system that scans both its existing catalog and new uploads. Tracks identified as 100 % AI‑generated are flagged with visible labels across all Qobuz applications. The move targets the rapid...
Albania Lifts TikTok Ban After Safety Upgrades
TikTok returns to Albania after government-imposed ban Albania has lifted its government-imposed ban on TikTok. The suspension followed the death of a teenage boy, with officials citing online bullying concerns. The Albanian government says TikTok has introduced stronger safety and moderation measures. The platform...
ESPN Explores New POVs With CapCam, EarCam for NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, College Softball
ESPN deployed POVORA’s CapCam and EarCam wearables during the NBA All‑Star Celebrity Game and the Shriner’s Children’s Clearwater Invitational college softball tournament. The CapCam houses a 4K camera, battery, RF transmitter and servo motor inside a cap, offering remote tilt...
Buffalo Public Radio Signal To Go Commercial Due To Federal Cuts
Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM) will convert its 94.5 FM frequency from a non‑commercial classical format to a commercial news‑and‑music station after a $2.2 million federal funding cut. NPR programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, will shift to 88.7 FM, along...
TEGNA Board OKs Dividend Ahead of Q4 Release
The TEGNA Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend as the company prepares to release its Q4 and full‑year 2025 results. The decision comes while TEGNA and Nexstar Media Group await final regulatory clearance from the FCC and...
Who’s Suing AI and Who’s Signing: Danish Publishers Take OpenAI to Court
Danish media body DPCMO filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the AI giant trained ChatGPT on member publishers’ content without consent. The filing follows a wave of US lawsuits, including actions by The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, US News...
Claudia Winkleman's New Chat Show Confirms Start Date and A-List Guests for First Episode
Claudia Winkleman’s new chat show launches on BBC One on Friday 13 March at 10.40 pm, with episodes also streaming on iPlayer. The debut features A‑list guests including Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders and comedian Tom Allen. The programme follows Winkleman’s high‑profile exit from Strictly Come Dancing...
J. Cole's 2014 Track Beats Pop Giants in Streams
J Cole’s “No Role Modelz” is the third-most-streamed song from 2014 on Spotify. More daily and total streams than “Blank Space”, “Uptown Funk”, “Sugar”, and “Shake It Off.” Great example of why it’s hard to know in the moment which songs will...
CBS Producer Leaves Amid Pressure to Target Political Bias
Veteran CBS News producer Mary Walsh takes leave (first reported by Guardian) "We've been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum. Honestly, I don't know how to do that." https://t.co/9gLno7bgkf
News Diary 2-8 March: Spring Statement, Winter Paralympics and F1 Season Begins
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Spring Statement, presenting updated growth, inflation and fiscal forecasts alongside an OBR economic outlook. The Winter Paralympics opened in Verona amid a growing boycott over the participation of Russian athletes. Meanwhile, the 2024 Formula One...
Paramount's Bold Move Beats Netflix, Secures Warner Bros.
‘David Ellison Scares the Shit Out of Me’: How Paramount Beat Out Netflix, Won Warner Bros. and Will Change Hollywood Forever https://t.co/Pt6DwlK7fc
Anderson Cooper Quits 60 Minutes, Then Returns to Same Team
So @andersoncooper quits 60 minutes over dissatisfaction with new ownership and now works for the same team again https://t.co/pyHkrAMNUP
Vanished Finale Explained: Kaley Cuoco Weighs In On Prime Video Thriller's Ending — And Alice's Decision Regarding Tom
The series finale of "Vanished" reveals Tom as an undercover Interpol operative who helps dismantle the human‑trafficking ring, but his secrecy shatters Alice’s trust. After a harrowing rescue, Alice spends one last night with Tom before deciding to leave him...
Reporter Denies Defamation Suit, Cites Rally Ejection Evidence
“Let’s get a few things straight. I’ve never been sued for defamation, let alone successfully. I did write a profile of the Rep last year that she didn’t like. Most important, I was thrown out of her rally. There is...
Zaslav’s Deal Hands Media to Authoritarian Hands
Lord. The #BrokenTimes treats handing important and cultural and journalistic assets over to fascist factotums as an unalloyed triumph, with not a yes-but for democracy. How David Zaslav Pulled Off the Deal of a Lifetime https://t.co/pSsWNsFsaF
2026 NAB Show Expands Sports Summit to Four Days
The 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas is extending its Sports Summit to a four‑day program, bringing together league executives, broadcasters, streaming platforms and technology partners. Highlighted by a fireside chat with NBC Sports’ Jon Miller, the summit will examine...
CNN Journalists Fear Paramount Takeover, Still Committed
Journalists at CNN are fearful for what's ahead if Paramount takes over - but want to just do the job My conversation with @ailsachang on NPR's All Things Considered, coming up at 4.35/6.35p
From Hollywood’s Most Hated to $790M Dealmaker
Three years ago, David Zaslav was called "the most hated man in Hollywood." Now he's pulled off one of the biggest deals in media history, engineering a bidding war that earned him $790.5 million. How it all happened, with @LaurenSHirsch: https://t.co/jaz2VIbdCe
How Skittle Media, an Unexpected Events Company, Is Using Video to Stand Out in Its Niche
Skittle Media, founded in 2024 by Richard and Clare Springham, has carved a profitable niche in pharma‑focused B2B media by concentrating exclusively on paid advertising. The company’s flagship brand, Solli, delivers daily news, thought leadership and on‑demand professional‑development lessons, attracting...
David Ellison Secures Warner Bros Deal After Netflix Backs Out
Last Saturday, Netflix was the heavy favorite to buy Warner Bros. What changed? How did David Ellison pull it off? Why did Netflix back off? Behind the scenes of one of the biggest deals in business history with @MichelleF_Davis and @joshua_sisco...
Paramount‑Warner Merger Unites Film, News, and Social Media
Paramount, Warner Bros deal would unite film, news and social media forces in the age of Trump My analysis for NPR: https://t.co/zsdkP7wB8K
How Every 2026 Best Picture Nominee Will Feature ASL Interpretation Ahead of the Oscars
For the first time in Oscars history, every one of the ten 2026 Best Picture nominees will be available with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. SignUp Media’s "The Oscars Project" will roll out picture‑in‑picture ASL overlays via a free Google...
CNN Staff Fear Warner‑Paramount Merger Will Damage Journalism
CNN Staffers Fear Warner Bros.-Paramount Deal Will Hurt Their Journalism and Network’s Financial Health https://t.co/c3LvI7Hj7N via @variety
Meta Claims Data Scandal Immaterial; FTC Sees Antitrust Evidence
For those still doubting antitrust and privacy law don't intersect, Meta just argued in DC privacy suit its biggest data scandal in its history wasn't material as users didn't exit whereas FTC has argued users sticking when its reputation was...
NETGEAR To Feature Growing Broadcast Tech Lineup At 2026 NAB Show
NETGEAR will unveil two new M4350 switches and an updated Engage Controller at the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The M4350‑16M4V adds 16 × 2.5 G PoE++ ports with lockable Neutrik connectors, while the M4350‑16C delivers 16 × 100 G ports for high‑throughput AV‑over‑IP cores....
From Boise: 24k Subscribers, Lessons for Local Media
A few years ago Marissa Lovell and I had an idea for a local newsletter. From Boise now has 24,000+ subscribers. On March 4th we're doing a fireside chat about how it grew, what we learned, and where local media is headed. Join...
Production Coordinator – Studio (US Filming)
Goalhanger is hiring a Production Coordinator in South London to manage a studio‑based, "as live" sports podcast for Netflix during June and July. The role demands at least two years of broadcast coordination experience, with a strong emphasis on handling...
Senior Producer (Producer IV) – Left, Right & Center
KCRW is hiring a Senior Producer (Producer IV) to lead its flagship political podcast and national radio show, Left, Right & Center. The role, reporting to the Chief Content Officer, will shape editorial vision, manage guest bookings, and expand the program across...
California May Counter Warner‑Paramount Merger with Robust State Law
California legislators could hit back at the Warner-Paramount deal by passing a strong state level merger law.
SummitMedia Signs Off KXSP-AM, Omaha
SummitMedia has taken KXSP-AM off the air in Omaha after selling the station’s tower land. The frequency began broadcasting in 1923 as WOAW, later rebranded as WOW, and famously launched Johnny Carson’s career. In 2005 the call letters changed to...
Podtrac Releases Multi-Channel Podcast Ranker for January
Podtrac has launched its first multi‑channel podcast ranker for January 2026, measuring consumption across audio, video and short‑form clips. Meidas Touch Network’s “The Meidas Touch Podcast” topped the list, driven by strong video podcast and clip views. The “Joe Rogan Experience” placed second...
Charlie Kirk Show Still Ranks High on Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Chart
Triton Digital’s January 2026 U.S. Podcast Ranker shows iHeart’s “Stuff You Should Know” retaining the top spot, followed by Audacy’s “48 Hours.” Salem’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” slipped just one position to #4, maintaining a strong presence among the nation’s...
Hillsdale Students Win Awards at IBS NYC 2026
Two Hillsdale College students captured first‑place honors at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System College Media Awards during the 86th IBS Conference in New York City. Erika Kyba ’26 won Best Specialty Show (Non‑Music) for her weekly podcast “The Poetry Fix,” which...
FSR’s Colin Cowherd to Air on WJBR, Tampa
Beasley Media Group announced that FOX Sports Radio’s "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" will join the weekday lineup on WJBR‑AM 1010 in Tampa, airing from noon to 3 p.m. ET. The show will also be simulcast on 92.1 FM in Hillsborough County, 103.1 FM...
Campaign Trail: Bosch Builds Cute Robots to Push Windshield Wiper Innovation
Bosch’s Mobility Aftermarket division launched the "Impressive Innovation" campaign featuring cute anthropomorphic robots to spotlight windshield wiper technology. The 30‑second spot, created with Bailey Lauerman, runs through March across streaming, social, audio and search platforms. Production involved a custom rain chamber,...