Today's Media Pulse
Nexstar CEO warns big‑tech dominance threatens local broadcasters
Nexstar Media Group’s chief says platforms like YouTube now capture one‑eighth of U.S. TV viewing and TikTok delivers news to a quarter of young adults, eroding local TV audiences. He notes that five digital firms are projected to control 65% of a $260 billion advertising market by 2026, and points to the Nexstar‑TEGNA merger covering over 130 communities as a defensive move.
Rural Virginia FM Poised To Trade Hands After Failed Deal
A Class A FM station serving Virginia’s Appalachian border with Kentucky has been sold to the Somerset Educational Broadcasting Foundation, pending FCC approval. The deal replaces a 2024 transaction that fell through, marking the station’s first change of hands in years. The buyer is a nonprofit focused on educational broadcasting, suggesting a potential format shift. Regulatory clearance remains the final hurdle before the transfer is finalized.
SABO SEZ: Anarchy Wins in Radio
Walter Sabo announced he will speak at the IBS New York 2026 conference, urging college students to consider radio careers. He argues that radio uniquely lets newcomers launch ideas on air instantly, unlike the corporate‑controlled environments of TV and film....
PBS Kids Official Visits Arkansas as Campaign Aims to Keep Public Television Affiliation
PBS Kids senior vice president Sara DeWitt visited Little Rock to headline a public forum organized by the newly formed Friends of Arkansas PBS. The group, chaired by former first ladies Gay White and Barbara Pryor, is urging the Arkansas...
Dr. Asa Andrew Guests on TALKERS MEDIA YouTube Channel Podcast
Dr. Asa Andrew, known as “America’s Health Coach,” appeared as this week’s guest on Talkers Media’s YouTube podcast “Up Close Far Out.” Host Michael Harrison guided a conversation that covered health‑care trends, personal motivation, multi‑platform branding, and the niche world...
Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 16-20, 2026)
In the week of February 16‑20, 2026, talk‑radio audiences tuned in to a diverse slate of headlines that shaped the national conversation. Data from TALKERS shows that the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, including executive resignations and the arrest...
UKCRN Urges Response to Ofcom Consultation and Government Radio Review
The UK Community Radio Network (UKCRN) is urging community stations, volunteers and listeners to complete a sector survey by 28 March, feeding into a joint response to Ofcom’s licensing consultation and the DCMS radio review. The data will shape Ofcom’s strategic...
What We Need to Know
In this episode, host Susie Banikarim examines three urgent media‑driven crises: the catastrophic humanitarian emergency in Sudan and the under‑reporting that persists despite on‑the‑ground reporting by Ann Curry; the backlash and confusion sparked by Elizabeth Bruenig’s fictional second‑person measles narrative...
Build the Moment: 2026 Is All About Brand Aura
In 2026 the advertising landscape has moved beyond the battle for eyeballs to a fight for relevance. Brands are being urged to build a lasting "brand aura" by crafting moments that matter rather than merely capturing attention. The article argues...
Center Parcs Brings Forest to Life at Tube Station
Center Parcs has launched an eye‑catching out‑of‑home campaign that transforms a London Underground station into a lush forest environment. Creative agency Neverland installed realistic trees, foliage and ambient wildlife sounds to immerse commuters in the brand’s nature‑focused ethos. The installation...
From Niche to Nation: How Radio Strengthens Communities
Radio continues to evolve as a vital connector for underrepresented communities, offering platforms in native languages and culturally resonant programming. Ethnic and community stations invite local voices, turning broadcasts into interactive roundtables that foster empathy and shared identity. By spotlighting...
Former Rep Cites Privacy, Public Safety in Push for AM Radio Bill
Former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter is urging Congress to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan bill that would require new vehicles to retain functional AM receivers. He argues that AM radio offers a privacy‑friendly, data‑free listening option...
Elevate Your Show’s Emotion
Personality radio shows are reframed as emotional‑experience businesses rather than pure content producers. The article cites Guy Raz’s advice that products sell feelings, urging hosts to own a specific emotional payoff such as joy, nostalgia, or validation. It introduces tools...
Compass Points Sperling To Affiliate Sales Director Role
Compass Media Networks has promoted Sydney Sperling to Director of Affiliate Sales, expanding her responsibilities for affiliate strategy and network growth. Sperling, a Trinity College graduate, joined the company in July 2023 and has helped broaden affiliate relationships for syndicated...
Chris Boffey: Star Reporter, News Editor, Mentor and ‘Great Human Being’
Chris Boffey, a 74‑year‑old veteran journalist, died after a four‑decade career that spanned the Sunday Mirror, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Observer and Guardian. He was celebrated for frontline reporting from Northern Ireland, the Omagh bombing, the Lockerbie crash and the...
Why the Former Sony Head Blames Himself for the Infamous Hack
In this episode, host Matt Belloni sits down with Michael Lynton, former Sony Pictures CEO and current Snap Inc. chairman, to dissect his decision to greenlight the controversial comedy "The Interview" and the subsequent 2014 Sony hack. Lynton reflects on...
Open‑source, Audited, Decentralized Tools Succeed without Government Control
“The tools that actually work in this space work because they’re open source, independently audited, decentralized, and not run by any government.” 🎯
SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA to Rebrand as NEWS24
Sky News Australia will rebrand as News24 later in 2026, coinciding with its 30th anniversary and a shift toward a digital‑first, globally‑focused news operation. The new name drops the geographic tag to broaden appeal and mirrors News Corp’s worldwide branding....
One Chatbot’s Journey To Introducing Ads That Don’t Suck
Luzia, a Latin‑American AI assistant, moved from generic Google Display ads to Koah’s generative‑AI ad network to deliver native, context‑aware ads within its chat interface. Koah’s flexible formats—color, size, interactive polls—and hybrid CPC/CPM/CPE pricing let Luzia experiment with placement before...
WTF Is a Creator Capital Market?
Creator capital markets (CCMs) are emerging as a way for influencers to monetize future earnings through equity, revenue‑sharing tokens, or meme‑coins. Early platforms like GigaStar have raised millions by offering fans a stake in YouTube ad revenue, while crypto launchpads...
Viaplay Scores EFL Championship Rights in Nordics
Viaplay Group has signed a multi‑year agreement to broadcast every English Football League Championship match in the Nordic region through 2028. The deal adds the second‑tier league to Viaplay’s existing portfolio of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and selected...
DANIKA MASON’S ‘Drunk’ Cross – What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Channel Nine sports reporter Danika Mason appeared flustered during a live cross on the Today show, prompting viral speculation that she was drunk on‑air. The brief stumble was captured and widely shared across social media within hours. Mason returned the...
US Media to Flood UK Royal Coverage Online
I am highly confident the US press will have wall to wall coverage available int he UK over the internet. Ironically, it may be more than Trump indictments 1, 2 or 3 since it's less political and involves royal. So...
The Traitors Hits 40 International Commissions
All3Media International announced that The Traitors format has now been commissioned in 40 territories, with Indonesia becoming the 40th market for a 10‑episode celebrity adaptation in 2026. Recent roll‑outs include new versions in Slovakia, Estonia, Serbia, and Malta, while earlier...
Burnley FC Launches Docuseries on X
Burnley FC and X have expanded their partnership with the launch of "Limitless", an eight‑part behind‑the‑scenes docuseries following Burnley FC Women. The series, produced by VSP Studios and Ad Hoc Films, premieres on X on February 20 and will release new...
"What an Anti-Climax": Love Island Fans Slam "Boring" Firepit Questions for All Stars
Love Island: All Stars aired a fire‑pit Q&A segment where host Maya Jama read viewer‑submitted questions to the cast. Only one query sparked a brief argument between Samie and Lucinda, while the remaining questions were described as bland and uneventful....
A Familiar Face Returns To Host ‘New Faces’ Show at CRS 2026
Syndicated country radio personality Elaina Smith will host the New Faces of Country Music Show at the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2026. The showcase features emerging artists Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick, and Josh Ross....
Triton Digital Releases 2025 U.S. Podcast Report
Triton Digital’s 2025 U.S. Podcast Report shows podcast reach climbing to 53 % of the U.S. population each month, crossing the half‑population threshold for the first time. Audio remains the dominant consumption mode, while video usage varies sharply by genre. New...
Advertisers’ Trust in Public Media, with Thomas De Napoli
Thomas De Napoli, VP of Sales & Underwriting at American Public Media, explains how the organization’s business side rallies around editorial teams during high‑profile moments, keeping revenue pressure secondary to mission. He highlights public media’s non‑biased stance, rapid ad placement—often within 12 hours—and...
Writers Guild Honours Invisible Boys, Colin From Accounts at 58th AWGIEs
The 58th Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) AWGIE Awards celebrated top screenwriting across film, TV and digital platforms in Sydney. Stan’s drama "Invisible Boys" captured Television Series, while Netflix‑backed "Apple Cider Vinegar" won Limited Series, underscoring the rise of Australian streaming...
JKB Journalist: Decade‑Defining Epstein Investigation
Practically the only journalist who just kept going…in the same way the Boston Globe and Marty Baron are recognised for a decade of work on abuse in the Catholic Church , @jkbjournalist is the journalism story of the decade for...
New Study Debunks Tracking as Win‑Win for All
Big. A major new law & tech paper takes on the economics of behavioral advertising - the kind that tracks users across multiple businesses and contexts, not just on sites they choose to visit. It challenges industry’s favorite claim: that tracking...
The Creator Autonomy Paradox
The article argues that influencer campaigns deliver higher ROI when brands give creators genuine autonomy rather than rigid scripts. Data shows Gen Z audiences distrust brands that micromanage creators, and only 10 % of creators feel they have creative control despite 53 %...
History Repeats: Same Censorship Debates Across All Media
No, bc speech and content is nothing like alcohol. We have literal exact 1-1 parallels of what’s happening w the internet now and what happened before w comic books, TV, video games, novels, even the telephone. The EXACT groups and...
New Axios Editor Nails Concise, Impactful Kicker
hat tip to the new editor at axios. the kicker on the end gets to the point quickly. https://t.co/81n58qvrda
G FLIP Delivers Reimagined Tournament Anthem Ahead of ASIAN CUP Kick-Off
Australian ARIA‑winner G Flip has reimagined the classic rock anthem “All Fired Up” as the official soundtrack for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The revamped track will play throughout the tournament, which will be streamed live and exclusively on Paramount+,...
IMPERFECT WOMEN Trailer Drops with A-List Cast
Apple TV released the first trailer for "Imperfect Women," an eight‑episode psychological thriller. The series stars and is executive produced by Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss, alongside Kate Mara and a large ensemble cast. Based on Araminta Hall’s novel, the...
Dana White Opens up in THIS IS UFC Special
Paramount+ is debuting a new documentary series titled "This Is UFC" on Saturday, 21 February. The three‑part special offers unprecedented access to UFC president Dana White as he recounts the promotion’s evolution from a fringe spectacle to a global sports...
Tom Hawkins Replaces Nathan Buckley as FOX FOOTY Reveals 2026 Lineup
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports unveiled their 2026 AFL broadcast lineup, keeping most shows unchanged but swapping Tom Hawkins for Nathan Buckley on Friday Night Footy. Buckley steps aside due to his coaching duties at Geelong, while Hawkins joins Garry...
RAIN Notes: February 19
The episode covers three main topics: Audible’s new sync feature that highlights ebook text in real time with audiobook narration, insights from audio‑industry executives on how advertisers can leverage the evolving AI‑driven audio advertising ecosystem, and the International Federation of...
White House Counsel Leaked Probe Details to Epstein
"'Doing fine,' she responded. 'Was talking to reporters until late in the morning last=night. Trying to isolate/contain wapo.'"
Fox and News Corp Pledge $1,000 Match for Trump Accounts
Inbox: Fox Corp and News Corp (owner of WSJ et al) says it will match the U.S. government’s so-called Trump accounts with $1,000 contributions. https://t.co/jvxXALmJI6
Sir Damon Buffini to Step Down From BBC Board Role
Sir Damon Buffini will step down as Deputy Chair of the BBC Board and Chair of the Commercial Board on 30 June, ending his term that began in January 2022. Under his tenure, BBC Commercial posted record profits, returning £400 million to the...
Natasha Valerie On Why Creator Management’s Next Phase Demands Cultural Fluency And Infrastructure
The Viralist Group, founded in September 2022, now represents over 200 creators—more than 90% of whom identify as AAPI or BIPOC—and commands a combined audience of 500 million across platforms. The agency has partnered with over 1,300 global brands, positioning itself...
Manychat Earns WhatsApp Technical Certification From Meta
ManyChat has regained Meta’s WhatsApp Technical Certification, confirming its compliance with the messaging giant’s security and API standards. The renewed status elevates ManyChat to Meta’s “Tech Partner” tier, reflecting high conversation volumes and robust client onboarding. The certification allows the...
Influencer Darla Bundus On Why She Decided To Slow Down, Sell Less, And Protect Audience Trust
Influencer Darla Bundus, who commands over nine million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat, has shifted her strategy from rapid growth to deliberate restraint. She now accepts fewer brand deals, posts less frequently, and emphasizes transparency around personal health...
AI Startup Hightouch Launches AI Tool To Repurpose Existing Marketing Creative
Hightouch unveiled Content Assembly, an AI‑driven tool that repurposes existing brand‑approved assets into new campaign materials. Marketers describe desired outputs in plain language and AI agents scour DAMs, Figma, Adobe, Google Drive and other repositories to assemble on‑brand emails, ads,...
Seattle Sports Brings Back “The John Schneider Show”
Bonneville’s KIRO‑AM “Seattle Sports” is reviving “The John Schneider Show,” a weekly program hosted by Seahawks EVP and GM John Schneider alongside Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton. The show launches on February 19 and will air every Thursday through the NFL...
FCC’s Carr Appoints Two to World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appointed George John as chair and Kimberly Baum as vice‑chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee, re‑chartered on Jan. 21. The committee will guide the FCC’s positions for the International Telecommunication Union’s 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. The...
Atlantic's Measles Story Lacked Disclosure, Misled Readers
To +1 @laurahazardowen I've also seen PDF of Atlantic piece on measles as first posted. a/ Originally it had no editor's note b/ PR rep initially told reporter (in note I've seen) "this is based on a mother's real account." If Atlantic was...
Profit or Nonprofit? A Debate over Journalism’s Future
In this episode of Journalism 2050, host Emily Bell and Heather Chaplin discuss the survival of journalism with two innovators: Vanan Murugesan of the nonprofit Sahan Journal and Joshi Herrmann of the subscription‑based Mill Media. The conversation contrasts nonprofit grant funding...