Today's Media Pulse
US DOJ clears $111 bn Paramount‑Warner merger
The Justice Department approved Paramount Skydance’s $111 bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing $6 bn of projected synergies and concluding the deal is unlikely to harm competition. The clearance ends an eight‑month antitrust probe, but the UK Competition and Markets Authority has opened its own investigation with an Aug 7 deadline. The merger now moves forward pending any further challenges.
Also developing:
By the numbers: K-LOVE acquires Baltimore station in undisclosed deal
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 data‑driven performance insights. Compensation ranges from $85,000 to $95,000 annually, plus bonus, and requires 2‑5 years of digital media experience. The position emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration across sales, creative, and operations to grow Acast's ad inventory.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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,...
Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 23-27, 2026)
Talk radio’s weekly chart from TALKERS shows Donald Trump’s State of the Union address leading the conversation, followed by the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files and high‑profile Clinton testimonies. U.S.–Iran diplomatic talks, the Cuba speedboat incident, and persistent economic...
"Survivor 50" Premiere Wins the Night Posting CBS' Most-Watched Wednesday Since 2022
CBS reported that the "Survivor 50" premiere on February 25, 2026 attracted an average 5.06 million viewers, making it the network’s most‑watched Wednesday night since 2022. The episode outperformed NBC by 81 % and peaked at 6.18 million viewers, retaining at least 90 % of its audience...
Mega Moves to 99.3 as Sunny 104.3 Lights Up in Phoenix
Sierra H Multimedia announced the launch of Sunny 104.3 (KAJM), a Soft Adult Contemporary station, marking its third property in the Phoenix market. To accommodate the new frequency, the existing Mega 104.3 format will move to 99.3 FM while retaining its on‑air talent...
Part 2: How to Pitch Yourself for Speaking Opportunities
The article compiles actionable advice from top conference programmers and seasoned speakers on how to secure speaking slots. Interviews with SXSW, Cannes LIONS, and VidCon directors reveal what they prioritize in emerging talent, while a first‑time SXSW speaker and corporate...
Amazon Joins $110B OpenAI Funding Round
OpenAI closed a record‑breaking $110 billion funding round, with Amazon contributing $50 billion—$15 billion now and $35 billion later. The deal also ties OpenAI to Amazon Web Services, committing $100 billion in cloud spend over eight years and integrating Amazon’s Trainium chips. A new Stateful...
The Lawyer at the Negotiating Table: Frank Poe on Professionalizing the Creator Economy
Frank Poe, former general counsel at Creators Entertainment, launched Poe Law PLLC in December 2023 to provide dedicated legal services for the rapidly expanding creator economy. His firm represents agencies, managers, creators, and brands, focusing on influencer contracts, payment structures,...
Later CEO Scott Sutton Breaks Down How Later 360 Unifies Creator Marketing Measurement
Later introduced Later 360, a unified analytics platform that merges organic content, paid amplification, and verified commerce data into a single reporting environment. The tool delivers granular visibility down to the SKU level, allowing marketers to trace every dollar, click,...
Can We Talk About Whether LHF Brands Should Learn From Silk Cut?
The article argues that LHF‑owned brands should study Silk Cut’s historic navigation of advertising bans, highlighting how the cigarette maker turned strict regulation into a catalyst for bold, indirect marketing. It notes that today’s alcohol and other restricted‑product marketers face similar...
Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren Top New York Fashion Week Social Media Rankings as Total Media Value Reaches $275M
New York Fashion Week FW26 generated $275 million in total media value, a 73 % increase year‑over‑year. Calvin Klein led with $81.3 million, followed by Ralph Lauren ($58.4 million) and Michael Kors ($56.7 million). Their success stemmed from distinct tactics: APAC‑focused celebrity partnerships for Calvin Klein,...
Study of $1.3B in Meta Ad Spend Suggests Creative Output, Not Creative Intuition, Drives Results
Motion’s analysis of $1.29 billion in Meta ad spend across 600,000 ads shows that only 4‑8 % of creatives become “winners,” yet they capture roughly 55 % of total budget. Advertisers that produce the most winners do so by scaling creative output, launching...
Threads Adds Rich Link Previews for Podcast Clips
🚨 NEW 🚨 Threads now supports rich link previews for podcast video clips, making it easier for creators to drive viewers from short clips to full episodes. Podcast creators can upload a video clip and add a link that directs audiences...
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
Podcast Agency Oxford Road Launches Awards to Honor Indie Podcast Creators Outside Major Platforms
Oxford Road, a podcast advertising agency, has launched the Independent Podcast and Creator Awards to spotlight independent shows that operate outside major audio platforms. The inaugural ceremony, hosted by rapper Killer Mike, will take place at SXSW in Austin on...
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...
Sean Spicer Heads to NYC Radio With ‘Full Court Press’ on WABC
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is launching a new Sunday‑morning talk show, “Full Court Press,” on New York’s 77 WABC. The program joins a weekend lineup that recently added former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Spicer will cover national politics, current events,...
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...
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.
The Night Agent's Creator Learned An Important Lesson From A Past TV Failure
Shawn Ryan’s Netflix thriller "The Night Agent" has become a breakout hit, but its creator credits an earlier failure for shaping his approach. In 2010, Ryan’s FX series "Terriers" was cancelled after one season despite critical praise. The experience taught...
Warner Bros' Debt Curse Threatens Media Conglomerate Survival
If you need something to look forward to, remember that Warner Bros. is Cootie Corp. It poisons all who swallow it: Time Inc. AOL, AT&T, Discovery. The only question is how long it will take the Warner curse--and debt--to kill...
Riding the Rightwing Algorithm to Success: Is Karl Stefanovic Australia’s Joe Rogan?
Australian TV veteran Karl Stefanovic launched an independent podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, which surged to No. 2 on Apple Podcasts overall and topped the news category within four weeks. The series quickly amassed over 50,000 YouTube subscribers and its right‑wing...
Bandcamp Expands Publishing Tools to Ensure Songwriters Get Paid
Bandcamp has introduced dedicated publishing‑rights fields on its track and album upload pages, allowing artists to enter songwriter, publisher and ISWC information. The platform also offers bulk‑edit tools for retrofitting existing catalogs and a free guide to navigate collection societies....