Today's Media Pulse
Nielsen data shows radio gaining audience among World Cup fans
Nielsen measurements reveal a surge in radio listening among World Cup viewers, giving the medium a new foothold during the tournament. Complementary data shows overall football viewership continuing to rise across the United States.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GBH merges operations with New England Public Media
FAD News: Meta Media Group Launches The Art Journal, a New Publication Focused on the Art Market
Meta Media Group has launched The Art Journal, a digital‑first publication aimed at demystifying the global art market. Edited by Tom Seymour, the outlet promises original reporting, market analysis and opinion that probe the economics, regulation and geopolitics behind art transactions. The title revives a historic 19th‑century British magazine, linking past prestige with a modern mission to make the market transparent. Early stories already span Lagos’s booming scene, disputed Russian avant‑garde works, and the branding of the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Translator Conference to Focus on Broadcasters' Current ATSC 1.0-3.0 Hybrid World
The National Translator Association’s annual conference in Reno (May 6‑9) will spotlight the need to keep ATSC 1.0 operational while broadcasters roll out ATSC 3.0. A panel led by Weigel Broadcasting’s Kyle Walker will explore hybrid‑signal strategies, new encoding techniques from Harmonic and...
How Do You Turn Creator Commerce Into a Performance Channel?
The PI LIVE Europe Influencer & Commerce Summit will examine how creator‑driven affiliate marketing can evolve into a performance‑focused channel. Influencer spend reached $32 bn last year, a 35% jump, while research shows a 46% lift in affiliate sales when creators...
After Media and Commerce, Bia Granja Says Creators Are Coming for Hollywood IP
Bia Granja, veteran of Brazil’s creator‑economy firm YOUPIX, is launching HollyTube, a four‑day immersion in Los Angeles that bridges Hollywood studios with top creators. She argues the creator economy is now cracking the third gatekeeping—intellectual property—by co‑creating long‑form content with film...
Snapchat Partners With Credit Data Company Experian to Deliver Financial Education to Younger Consumers
Snapchat and credit‑reporting giant Experian have teamed up to embed an AI‑powered financial‑education experience within Snapchat’s Sponsored Snaps and chat interface. The partnership lets Gen Z and Millennial users ask money‑related questions and receive instant guidance, extending Experian’s recent ChatGPT‑driven...
Conservative Talk Media Star Larry O’ Connor Interviewed on Harrison Podcast
Larry O’Connor, the flagship host of Cumulus Media’s WMAL-FM in Washington, DC, appeared on Michael Harrison’s “Up Close Far Out” podcast to discuss his show’s recent syndication deal. The morning program “O’Connor and Company,” which runs from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m....
Civic Media Establishes Milwaukee Black Media Trust to Preserve Print and Radio Outlets
Civic Media has transferred ownership of the Milwaukee Courier, Wisconsin’s oldest Black newspaper, and two local radio stations into a newly created Milwaukee Black Media Trust. The employee‑benefit trust is designed to lock the assets in perpetual Black community ownership...
Cumulus Announces Season Three of “On the Frontlines” Podcast
Cumulus Media announced the launch of season three of its original podcast series, “On the Frontlines,” co‑hosted by conservative commentator Mark Levin and Yael Eckstein, CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The season continues the partnership that...
Capitol Broadcasting to Sell Seven North Carolina Signals to Curtis Media
Capitol Broadcasting Company has filed to sell seven North Carolina radio signals to Curtis Media Group, including sports‑talk WMFD‑AM in Wilmington and FM stations WRMR, WKXB, WILT and WAZO, plus two translators. The assets cover coastal markets from Wilmington to...
Netflix’s Thriller ‘Apex’ Beats ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The Boys’ to Top Weekly Streaming Chart
Netflix’s new outdoor thriller “Apex” claimed the No. 1 spot on Samba TV’s weekly streaming chart, displacing HBO Max’s “Euphoria” and Prime Video’s “The Boys”. The title is the first fresh chart‑topper in more than a month, highlighting Netflix’s programming momentum.
NAB Rewind: Lawo’s Andreas Hilmer on the Power of the Edge One AV Stagebox
At NAB 2026, Lawo unveiled the Edge One AV stagebox, a compact device that merges video and audio interfacing, DSP processing, and compression into a single unit. The box offers up to eight SDI/XLR connections, four HDMI ports, two MADI,...
Jennifer Lopez Uses Fake LinkedIn Jobs to Boost Netflix’s ‘Office Romance’
Jennifer Lopez updated her LinkedIn résumé with made‑up film‑role titles to promote Netflix’s new rom‑com “Office Romance”. The stunt, announced via an Instagram video, extends Netflix’s growing LinkedIn playbook that has previously featured campaigns for “Squid Game” and “Emily in...
13 States Sue to Block Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Takeover
Thirteen state attorneys general, including Republicans from Indiana and Kansas, have joined a federal antitrust lawsuit to halt Nexstar Media Group's $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna. A California judge issued a preliminary injunction, pausing the merger while the case proceeds.
From the Archives : Zadie Smith : Grand Union
In this archival interview, Zadie Smith discusses her debut short‑story collection Grand Union, exploring how her awareness of mortality and the passage of time shapes her writing. She explains why she revisited and rewrote earlier stories, seeking forms that capture...
How the Vinyl Revival Fills the Gaps Streaming Left Behind
Vinyl sales have rebounded for 19 straight years, reaching $2.1 billion in 2025 and projected to hit $3.6 billion by 2034. In the United States, revenue surpassed $1 billion last year, driven largely by Gen Z seeking tactile, algorithm‑free listening experiences. Internationally, records serve...
Mappa Makes Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Anime Video for Final Manga Volume
Mappa released a brief anime promotional video to mark the launch of the third and final volume of the Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo manga on May 1, 2026. The teaser highlights new protagonists Tsurugi and Yuka Okkotsu, the alien Simurian Maru,...
Avoid Over‑Splitting Budgets; Tiny Campaigns Waste Data
Just audited an ad account spending around 300k/month and they currently have 107 active campaigns with budgets as low as $20/day. Don't do this.... ever please. I'm all for unique strategies when running an account etc... but when you split your account...
News Alliance Demands Common Crawl Halt Unauthorized AI Scraping
Common Crawl comes under attack -> The News/Media Alliance urges web repository Common Crawl to stop unauthorized scraping and prevent AI companies from using publisher content in its database "As reported in the Atlantic, its archive has been a primary source...
BBC Confirms "Audacious" And "Totally Addictive" New Legal Drama - Here's What We Know
The BBC has commissioned a six‑part legal drama titled "Reputation" for BBC One and iPlayer. The series follows formidable lawyer Elaine, who defends free expression and becomes embroiled in a high‑profile libel battle with pop star Davina Knight. Created by...
Reddit Search Surges 30% YoY, Boosting Retention
And you better believe Google is paying attention. But for Reddit, one turn of the Google dial and traffic could come crashing down -> People are finally using Reddit Answers "The company has seen a 30% year-on-year jump in the number...
Gaming Ads: Unlocking an Underused Advertising Powerhouse
Scott Ensign, Chief Strategy Officer at @ButlerTill, discusses why gaming is still one of the most misunderstood and underutilized channels in advertising and how brands can finally unlock its full potential. https://t.co/bgRersWIG8
The Morning After: Instagram Will Try to Penalize 'Unoriginal' Posts
Meta is expanding its 2024 algorithm tweaks to penalize unoriginal photo and carousel posts on Instagram, joining the earlier restrictions on recycled Reels. The change will throttle reach for accounts that simply reshare content without material edits. Meanwhile, Samsung is...
Competitor Adds Four Star Wars Films to Library
A major Disney+ competitor just Force pulled four great Star Wars movies into its film library. https://t.co/fHKE1efmPC
Websites Are Suddenly Cranking Up Bot Blocking
Have websites suddenly gotten more aggressive about blocking scrapers/bots like just in the last few weeks? EG Claude Code telling me it can't extract Kashkari's new statement out today, due to a 403 error. Can't remember that having been an...
The Clause that Lets Netflix Raise Your Price Might Not Be Legal in Europe
Netflix faces a €673 million ($727 million) lawsuit in the Netherlands alleging its price‑increase clause violates EU Directive 93/13 on unfair contract terms. The claim follows an Italian court ruling that declared every Netflix price hike from 2017 to 2024 unlawful, with similar...
Zuckerberg Threatens to Pull Meta Apps From New Mexico
Mark Zuckerberg says he'll pull his apps out of New Mexico if the state forces Meta to make them less addictive. https://t.co/Ykb2lWcYJC
‘Becoming Elizabeth’ Creator Penning BBC Drama About Celebrity Legal Battle Spiraling Out Of Control
BBC has ordered a new six‑episode drama titled "Reputation" that dramatizes a high‑stakes celebrity libel battle. Created by Anya Reiss, the mind behind "Becoming Elizabeth," the series follows a free‑speech lawyer defending pop star Davina Knight against her ex‑husband’s defamation...
Environmental Finance Journalist Honoured with Award
Environmental Finance senior reporter Genevieve Redgrave was named Journalist of the Year for Sustainable Investment & Stewardship at the 24th State Street UK Institutional Press Awards, and she also placed as runner‑up in the Pensions category. The honors recognize her...
Studios Rally at CinemaCon 2026 to Defend Theatrical Window Amid 20% Box‑Office Surge
At CinemaCon 2026, the biggest Hollywood studios used the Las Vegas stage to make a coordinated case for preserving the theatrical window, pointing to a 20% year‑over‑year increase in domestic box‑office revenue and a slate packed with franchise tentpoles. Their...
Everyone Keeps Talking About AI Taking Jobs. We Put It to the Test.
Business Insider reporter Amanda Hoover built an AI bot trained on her own articles and let it handle the full reporting workflow—conducting interviews, drafting copy, and liaising with editors. The experiment proved the bot could perform many tasks, yet still...
Submit a Partner Perk
Startups Magazine is inviting brands to submit exclusive Partner Perks for its Weekly Wisdom newsletter, which reaches about 49,000 digital subscribers. The call emphasizes offers that provide real substance for founders and operators, rather than generic discounts. Submissions will be...
ASA and HarperCollins Reveal 2026 ASA/HQ Fiction Prize Shortlist
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and HarperCollins' HQ imprint have released the shortlist for the 2026 ASA/HQ Fiction Prize, selecting from 280 unpublished manuscripts. The winning author will receive a $10,000 advance and a publishing contract, underscoring the prize’s...
Prosecutors Release Six‑Minute Video of Armed Intruder at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Federal prosecutors posted a six‑minute video showing Cole Allen breach the White House Correspondents’ Dinner security perimeter, brandishing a long gun and shooting a Secret Service officer. The footage, released by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, reignites debate over security protocols...
Paramount‑Skydance Faces $110 B Merger Lawsuit From Subscribers over Antitrust Concerns
Paramount Global, now under Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery are confronting a consumer lawsuit that seeks to block their $110 billion merger. Plaintiffs argue the deal would give the combined firm roughly 24% of theatrical distribution, enabling higher prices and fewer...
LIV Golf Secures Major South Asia Distribution Push with Sony Alliance
Sony Pictures Networks India has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the 2026 LIV Golf season, covering all 14 events across South Asia. The tournaments will be shown live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV, reaching audiences in India,...
The Walrus Leads National Magazine Awards
The Walrus announced an unprecedented 25 nominations at this year’s National Magazine Awards, covering categories from long‑form feature writing to illustration and branded content. The nominations span more than 20 distinct categories, highlighting the magazine’s breadth of storytelling and visual...
Ad Council and NHTSA Unveil 'Never Happens' Hot‑Car Safety PSAs
The Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched new public‑service ads on May 1, 2026 as part of the "Never Happens" campaign. The pro‑bono effort, developed by agency Chemistry, targets parents and caregivers to stop child heatstroke...
"Sharp" Series Branded "Comedy Comfort Food" Jumps up Netflix's UK Trending Chart
Running Point’s second season has propelled the sports‑comedy series onto Netflix’s UK trending chart, landing it at number five regionally and number two worldwide on the platform’s TV rankings, according to FlixPatrol. The show, starring Kate Hudson as reformed party...
Under the Trump Administration, Pressure on the Press Is Both Subtle and Direct | Kai Falkenberg
Former President Donald Trump has begun demanding that news outlets air his interviews in full, threatening lawsuits if they edit content. He has already sued CBS, the Des Moines Register and the BBC under state deceptive‑trade‑practice statutes, a legal strategy...
How to Repurpose Existing Content for Multiple Channels
Azad Yakatally, social media lead at Spring Health, urged marketers to stop chasing brand‑new ideas and instead recycle existing assets across channels. At a Ragan conference he demonstrated how a single webinar, white paper or testimonial can be split into...
Balaji and Taylor Lorenz on AI and Media
In this episode, Balaji Srinivasan and tech journalist Taylor Lorenz discuss how AI is reshaping media, trust, and the economics of information. They argue that AI-generated content makes verification harder, prompting a push for cryptographic truth, decentralized identity, and human‑only...
Disney, Hulu Team on Interactive, Immersive Storefronts
Disney+ and Hulu have rolled out “The Drama You Want,” an interactive storefront experience in Manhattan and Santa Monica. The installations turn vacant retail windows into gesture‑controlled displays that let pedestrians browse drama titles by waving their hands. Developed with Publicis...
Data: Football Viewership Growing Across the US
Nielsen reports U.S. audiences logged nearly 80 billion minutes watching football in 2025, underscoring the sport’s accelerating popularity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Interest is rising across the board, with a third of the general population and nearly two‑thirds...
NYTimes' Delayed Coverage Raises Questions About Priorities
What I find more interesting is why it's taken the NYTimes this long to highlight this. https://t.co/ZzT7Hk26XM
The Sales Talent Lessons Radio Needs From Hispanic Radio
Hispanic radio leaders argue that attracting and retaining sales talent now hinges on storytelling, community ties, and digital integration rather than commissions alone. They frame radio as part of a broader ecosystem, emphasizing purpose, earnings potential, flexibility, and modern tools....
Nielsen Data Gives Radio a Foothold With World Cup Fans
Nielsen’s Fan Insights survey reveals that 61% of U.S. soccer fans rely on radio for sports news, outpacing the 46% baseline of the general population. Podcast usage mirrors this trend, with 60% of fans tuning in versus 37% of non‑fans....
Do Opposites Really Attract?
The traditional "Dick, Dork, Dear" formula that once guided morning‑show casts is giving way to fluid, contrast‑driven ensembles. Producers now map personalities to five core archetypes—Everyman, Instigator, Comic, Heart, and Head—regardless of cast size. Contrast between these roles fuels humor,...
DMR/Interactive Elevates Bannon to EVP, Strategy and Growth
DMR/Interactive announced Tony Bannon’s elevation to Executive Vice President of Strategy and Growth. Bannon, who joined the firm in December 2019 as VP of Marketing Strategy, has guided its response to shifting media‑consumption habits during the pandemic. His background spans...
How Some Crime Writers Are Finding a New Path to Publishing
The crime‑fiction market is navigating a wave of publisher closures, with indie presses like Down and Out Books folding and trade paperback sales falling 9% in 2025. In response, writers such as Jill Blocker and her partner have launched Constellate...
Reporters at McClatchy Withhold Bylines in A.I. Dispute
McClatchy has deployed an internal AI system called the Content Scaling Agent to generate audience‑specific summaries of reporters' stories. Journalists at The Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee and other chain papers are refusing to attach their bylines to AI‑assisted pieces, opting...