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 Walking Dead's 15 Worst Episodes Ranked
TVLine ranks the 15 worst episodes of AMC’s *The Walking Dead*, highlighting how the series’ later seasons fell into filler territory. The list points to stale flashbacks, weak character arcs, and pacing issues that undermine the show’s earlier narrative strength. Critics note that financial imperatives, rather than artistic ambition, drove many of these missteps. The ranking culminates with Season 10’s “Diverged,” deemed a failed experiment in slow‑cinema style.
Microsoft Study Warns Media Authentication Systems Must Scale to Counter AI-Driven Content Manipulation
Microsoft’s new report, *Media Integrity and Authentication*, warns that today’s media authentication tools lag behind the surge of AI‑generated images, video and audio. It evaluates cryptographic provenance metadata, imperceptible watermarking and soft‑hash fingerprinting, concluding that layered signing and watermarking can...
Celebrating 23 Years: ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ Debuts on HBO, Sparking Decades of Unfiltered Political Satire
Real Time with Bill Maher celebrated its 23‑year anniversary, marking 24 seasons and over 700 episodes on HBO. Launched in February 2003 after Maher’s Politically Incorrect cancellation, the show leveraged premium‑cable freedom to blend uncensored political satire with a panel...
What Set Game Of Thrones' Writing Room Apart From Other Shows
Game of Thrones’ writers’ room remained unusually small, never exceeding four people at any time. Producer Bryan Cogman confirmed that David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and a handful of assistants handled the adaptation, with Cogman and occasional writers like Vanessa Taylor...
The Boston Globe Adds an Option that Puts It One Step Closer (Maybe) to Sharing on Social Media
The Boston Globe has introduced a new "Gift an Article" option in its article‑sharing menu. The feature currently only allows users to send a free link via email, while existing social‑media buttons still lead to the paywall. The rollout suggests...
Pluto TV Now Has 11 Sci-Fi Free Live Channels & Tons of On-Demand Shows & Is Bigger Than You Think:...
Pluto TV has expanded its free, ad‑supported lineup to include 11 dedicated science‑fiction live channels, alongside a robust on‑demand library of cult classics, indie titles, and franchise staples. The offering blends curated sci‑fi streams, franchise‑specific channels such as Star Trek...
Predicting 2026 Headlines: AMC+ Gets Bought by Paramount
Analysts predict that after a failed bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount will target AMC Networks as a more affordable acquisition in 2026. AMC’s portfolio includes the premium streaming bundle AMC+, plus niche services like Shudder, HIDIVE, and Sundance Now,...
The Top 10 Cable TV Networks Most Likely to Shut Down in March 2026
Cable TV networks are confronting accelerating cord‑cutting pressures, prompting several major owners to consider consolidations, sales, or outright closures. Paramount is reportedly evaluating the shutdown of MTV and other legacy channels, while Warner Bros. Discovery’s pending network spin‑off threatens Cartoon Network, Boomerang...
Karen Gillan and Hugh Bonneville's "Punchy" British Drama Lands New UK Streaming Home
British drama "Douglas Is Cancelled" starring Karen Gillan and Hugh Bonneville has moved from ITV to Disney+ as its new UK streaming home. The four‑episode series, written by Steven Moffat, blends satire and dark comedy around a news anchor accused...
Trump’s Brief Pledge to Avoid WB Sale Fizzles
Donald Trump’s vow to stay out of the WB sale lasted all of a couple weeks. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-21/trump-threatens-netflix-with-consequences-over-rice-board-seat?taid=699a45d18e21f400010da132&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=business&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Silence Reveals Society's Tolerance of Abhorrent Behavior
This entire NYT report puts so much together, but this section really adds a lot of context as to tolerance of abhorrent behavior. “What’s most shocking is no one said anything.” https://t.co/n0Ug9ow5fg
I'm a Celebrity... South Africa Teases "Tougher than Ever" New Series
ITV unveiled the first teaser for the new "I’m a Celebrity… South Africa" series during the launch of Britain’s Got Talent, featuring hosts Ant and Dec startled by a fake big‑cat scare. The upcoming season will be pre‑recorded, but the...
Grok 4.20 Enables Personalized News From 300M Daily Posts
Grok 4.20 is starting to use lists. Here's my first attempt at getting it to read my lists and give me interesting posts from each: https://t.co/uKEszPmEsG This leads to a new kind of personalized news service. It still isn't close to...
Using NMOS and Ember+ to Control IP Codecs
Audio codec manufacturers are adopting open protocols NMOS and Ember+ to streamline IP‑based broadcast workflows. Tieline’s codecs now support NMOS IS‑04, IS‑05, and IS‑07 for discovery, connection management, and event handling, while Ember+ exposes a hierarchical parameter tree for granular...
What You Need To Know About Streaming UFC Fight Night: Strickland Vs. Hernandez On February 21
UFC Fight Night heads to Houston on February 21, 2026, featuring a middle‑weight showdown between former champion Sean Strickland and rising contender Anthony Hernandez. The entire event, from early prelims to the main card, streams live in the United States...
The Simpsons Is "Never Going to Do a Series Finale" To End the Show, Boss Says
The Simpsons hit its 800th episode, sparking speculation about the series’ end. Showrunner Matt Selman told The Wrap the show will not stage a traditional series finale; it will simply stop without a special goodbye. He likened the sitcom’s reset...
Own Your Digital Space: Keep a Website in 2026
It's the digital form of "Renting vs. Owning" :) Yep, you own it, you can do what you want with it, you can monetize how you want to, and you won't wake up one morning to find some network removed...
AI Bot Overload Leaves Users Feeling Exhausted
When is the AI bot-calypse coming @nikitabier - all the AI bot replies and AI articles wearing me down 🫠 Accounts clearly labeled as bots are ok I think
The Big Bang Theory Guest Star Who Almost Played Leonard Before Johnny Galecki
John Ross Bowie originally auditioned for the role of Leonard Hofstadter on *The Big Bang Theory*, a part that ultimately went to Johnny Galecki, who had been eyed for Sheldon before opting for Leonard. Galecki’s decision reshaped the show’s core...
Alt‑right Moral Panic Threatens Reproductive and LGBTQ Internet Freedoms
Why are we listening to an alt right Christian fundamentalist, who thinks selfies are moral decay and women’s bodies should be regulated by the government, feed a moral panic that is being used to strip repro rights content, LGBTQ ppl...
Cynical Support Aims for Top‑Down Control of Speech
They do understand it, they just cynically support that mission because they want top down control over our information landscape and online speech.
Roku vs Fire TV vs Apple TV vs Google TV: What Is The Best Streaming Player For Streaming Youtube, Netflix,...
A recent reader survey found Roku the clear favorite for cord‑cutters, capturing 62% of votes, while Apple TV, Fire TV and Google TV received 16%, 12% and 10% respectively. Roku’s appeal stems from its neutral interface, over 25,000 apps, quick setup and a...
Billionaires and New Yorkers Finally Face New Tax
No, Fareed Zakaria, billionaires will pay for this, at last. New Yorkers will pay for this https://t.co/C2borEu7fx
What To Watch Saturday: Shoresy Season 5, Timothée Chalamet/Matthew McCounaughey Town Hall, And More
TVLine’s “What to Watch” column outlines Saturday’s February 21, 2026 lineup across streaming, cable, and broadcast. Hulu launches the six‑episode Season 5 of the hockey‑centric comedy “Shoresy,” while CNN streams a high‑profile town hall featuring Timothée Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey. The evening also includes new...
Ro Khanna Pushes Censorship, Backs Heritage’s Section 230 Repeal
Once again @RoKhanna is calling for mass censorship and surveillance. Here he says a bunch of good sounding things abt big tech then ends w boosting Heritage Foundation tech policy of ending Section 230. Politicians need to be called out...
Support for Data Rights Contradicted by Backing KOSA
Would LOVE a data bill of rights. But if that’s what you actually believe in then why do u support surveillance legislation like KOSA that strips anonymity from the internet and forces companies to collect far MORE data, making it...
Prediction Markets Are Invading Everything
In this episode, Alex Heath talks with Substack CEO Chris Best about Substack’s new integration with prediction market platform Polymarket, which lets writers embed live market data in their posts. Best explains his personal fascination with prediction markets, citing how...
Privacy Experts Warned: Digital ID Age Checks Inevitable
This was inevitable and it’s what EVERY SINGLE PRIVACY advocate said would happen. Not even a week in and this is the norm. There is no safe and private digital ID system, ban age verification of the internet now
Journalists Shielded From Government Searches, Except When Investigated
“The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 is intended to protect journalists and newsrooms from government searches and seizures of a reporter’s work product materials unless the reporter is themself the subject of a criminal investigation or prosecution.”
Friday VOZ Ratings | WINTER OLYMPICS Draws Us All in over Lifestyle Content
Friday 20 February 2026 TV ratings show the Winter Olympics commanding the top‑30 slots across both overnight and consolidated measurements. Lifestyle‑focused programmes fell behind sports content in both broadcast and BVOD audiences. OzTAM introduced new metrics that count a minute of broadcast...
AdX Publishers Warned: No Action Needed Amid Google Probe
As we await Judge Brinkema's decision in US v Google whether to break up Google's adtech business, evidence continues to be unsealed in SDNY tonight. "NEVER USE THE WORD BERNANKE EXTERNALLY, EVER." "All AdX publisher will be impacted." "Publishers do not need to...
‘Wolfram’ Review: Warwick Thornton’s ‘Sweet Country’ Follow-Up Is Just as Ravishingly Bleak
Warwick Thornton’s new film “Wolfram,” a sequel to his acclaimed 2017 western “Sweet Country,” returns to early‑1930s Central Australia to dramatize the brutal tungsten mining imposed on Aboriginal communities. The story follows a half‑breed protagonist, child miners, and two outlaw...
Cassandra Kulukundis on How a Lifetime of Casting for Paul Thomas Anderson Led to ‘One Battle After Another’
Casting veteran Cassandra Kulukundis, who began with Paul Thomas Anderson on 1996’s Hard Eight, is now the inaugural nominee for the Academy Award for Best Casting for Anderson’s latest epic, One Battle After Another. The film showcases her signature blend...
Why Creators Are Ditching Ad Revenue for Chocolate Bars and Fintech Acquisitions
Creators are moving beyond ad revenue, launching product lines, acquiring startups, and building tangible businesses. MrBeast’s chocolate brand now out‑earns his media arm, and his purchase of fintech startup Step illustrates the shift toward diversified revenue. The TechCrunch Equity podcast...
One Of The Internet's First Memes Was Immortalized On A Quirky Hit TV Show
The low‑polygon Dancing Baby, created by animator Robert Lurye in 1995, became one of the internet’s first viral memes after circulating on CompuServe and email. Showrunner David E. Kelley saw the clip and inserted it into the Ally McBeal episode “Cro‑Magnon,”...
BRIT Awards Confirm Major UK Streaming Change for 2026
The 2026 BRIT Awards will be streamed on ITV’s YouTube channel for the first time, alongside ITV1 and ITVX. The ceremony airs Saturday 28 February from 8.15 pm live on TV, with a global digital simulcast beginning at 8.45 pm on YouTube....
‘Journal with Witch’ Is the Best Anime of the Winter
Winter 2026’s anime slate is dominated by high‑octane sequels, yet “Journal With Witch” quietly steals the spotlight. Adapted from Tomoko Yamashita’s manga, the series follows grieving teen Asa and her aloof aunt‑novelist Makio as they navigate loss, identity, and an...
Taco Bell Taps Myke Towers In a Multi-Million Dollar Ad Push Across the US, Latin America, and Spain
Taco Bell announced a multi‑million‑dollar partnership with Latin music star Myke Towers, integrating his track “Sunblock” into a new Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas commercial. The campaign rolls out across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Latin America/Caribbean region and...
Scrubs Revival Brings Back Neil Flynn And Christa Miller — Showrunner Teases The Janitor And Jordan's Returns
ABC’s nine‑episode “Scrubs” revival will feature original cast members Neil Flynn and Christa Miller returning for single‑episode guest spots as the Janitor and Jordan, respectively. Core stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Donald Faison are back, while Judy Reyes and...
American Media Must Highlight Unresisted Dictatorship Collapse
I asked @derspiegel to share this important interview with Robert Kagan in English. Rafaela von Bredow made it happen. This is how American media should be talking: "We Are Watching a Country Fall Under Dictatorship Almost Without Resistance" https://t.co/Ctij7ummvc
Predictive Rankings Aren’t Journalism, They Mislead Voters
Just fucking stop. Prediction is not journalism. It does nothing to inform the electorate. It is media self-indulgence. And it's usually wrong. The 2028 Democratic Presidential Contenders, Ranked by Nate Silver https://t.co/V3LGKnCvIs
Marvel's Original Thanos Actor Played A Classic Green Lantern Villain In The Arrowverse
Damion Poitier was the first actor to portray Thanos, appearing in the post‑credits cameo of 2012’s The Avengers before the role was recast with Josh Brolin. After a brief background appearance in Captain America: Civil War, Poitier transitioned to DC...
AEQ Notes ESPN Brazil’s Use of Olympia 3
ESPN Brazil equipped its NBA Finals coverage with AEQ’s Olympia 3 commentary system, integrating eight units through LineUP. The deployment replaced legacy commentator panels at the São Paulo headquarters and an on‑site booth in Oklahoma, enabling native IP audio workflows. AEQ highlighted...
Tube Trends: ‘Primetime’ For Social Video? It Depends
Tubular Labs’ analysis of U.S. YouTube activity shows a clear “primetime” window from 7 a.m. to noon ET, with the highest average daily views (6.1%) occurring at 8 a.m. ET. Early‑morning uploads also generate the most views per video, suggesting untapped potential...
Downtown Music Completes Merger with Virgin Music
The episode announces that Downtown Music Holdings has finalized its $775 million acquisition and merger with Virgin Music Group, a deal first revealed in December. Founder Justin Kalifowitz is exiting Downtown, marking a leadership transition as the combined entity positions itself...
Politico’s Mass. Playbook Is Ending, and Kelly Garrity Is Taking Her Talents to The Boston Globe
Politico announced the termination of its Massachusetts Playbook, a daily newsletter covering state politics, after more than eight years. The newsletter’s editor, Kelly Garrity, will launch a new political newsletter at The Boston Globe later this year. The Playbook, launched...
NAB Rolls Out Hyper-Local AM Advocacy Spots
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has introduced hyper‑local public‑service announcements that thank individual legislators for backing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The spots are customized for each of the 49 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S....
7 Romance Sub-Genres Driving Reader Demand
Romance remains the commercial engine of modern publishing, consistently outpacing fantasy, sci‑fi, thrillers and literary fiction combined. Seven sub‑genres—contemporary, romantasy, billionaire, romantic suspense, historical, paranormal and LGBTQ+—are currently delivering the strongest sales velocity, social buzz and indie market share. The...
How Metadata Can Support the Discoverability of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Books
In recent TechForum sessions, industry experts from EDItEUR, BookNet Canada, and the Société de Gestion BTLF presented new ONIX and Thema guidelines aimed at improving metadata for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis titles. The best‑practice notes detail how to tag...
Digital ID Tracking Has Been Power's Goal Since 2017
I've been reporting on this legal effort since 2017 in the U.S. (and it started far before that). Whitney Webb is 1000% correct that the goal of Digital ID and tracking everything every person says/consumes online has long been the...