Today's Media Pulse
Online video subscriptions top 2.2 bn, revenue eclipses pay‑TV
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's $170 billion for the first time. Growth is expected to slow to single‑digit in 2026 as operators shift focus from acquiring new users to monetising existing ones.
Indigenous Fantasy Boom Highlights Growing Demand for Cultural Narratives
Indigenous authors are driving a surge in cultural fantasy titles across North America, a trend that publishers say is expanding readership and creating new opportunities for Indigenous creators. The movement, highlighted by works such as David A. Robertson’s “The Misewa Saga,” reflects a broader shift toward diverse storytelling in the books industry.
HBO Max Bolsters May Library with Wuthering Heights and 60+ New Titles
HBO Max announced a sweeping May content rollout that adds more than 60 movies and series, highlighted by the romantic drama “Wuthering Heights” starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The expanded library aims to deepen the platform’s appeal amid fierce...
Agile Media Investment Strategies Overtake Rigid Annual Plans
Josh Rosen, co‑founder of Hotspex Media, says the traditional fixed‑year media plan is being abandoned for agile investment models that let marketers reallocate spend in real time. The shift is driven by volatile markets, continuous performance data and AI tools...
Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video Flood May Line‑up with 30+ Fresh Titles
Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video unveiled a wave of new series and movies this week, with Netflix alone adding 15 titles, including the high‑profile drama "Lord of the Flies" and the family hit "Remarkably Bright Creatures." The releases underscore fierce...
All Things Creator Marketing with Mae Karwowski
Mae Karwowski, founder and CEO of influencer agency Obviously, will speak at Marketing Brew’s "The Next Phase of Social & Creator Marketing" on May 12. She notes U.S. creator ad spend is expanding four times faster than the broader media...
Day 13: He Built a Tool to Cut His Newsletter Creation Time in Half
Brandon Smithwrick built an AI‑driven intelligence system that links Beehiiv’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) with Claude, Google Sheets, and Wispr Flow. The setup automatically pulls audience demographics, grades each issue, and drafts content from voice notes, cutting his newsletter writing...
Paramount‑Skydance's $111B Warner Bros. Deal Wins Shareholder Vote but Sparks Massive Opposition
Paramount Skydance secured shareholder approval for its $31‑per‑share, $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, but a coalition of over 4,700 Hollywood talent, labor unions and Democratic lawmakers has launched a public campaign warning the deal would deepen media consolidation and...
Study: Paramount-WBD Deal Signals New Era of Streaming Scale
Parks Associates' latest research indicates that the proposed Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger would extend the combined company's reach to 57% of U.S. internet households, putting it on a level with Netflix, Google, Amazon and Disney. The study shows the four current...
$500 PodGround Creator Micro-Grant For Podcasters (Deadline: May 15, 2026)
PodGround has launched a $500 micro‑grant aimed at independent podcasters who have been creating for three years or less. The award can be used for equipment upgrades, a year of hosting, or other production expenses. To qualify, applicants must be...
Daredevil: Born Again and the Fascism of State Gangsters
Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again returns the original cast and retools its narrative to portray Wilson Fisk as a mayor who weaponizes the police as a private army. The series draws explicit parallels between state‑sanctioned violence and organized‑crime tactics, echoing historical...
AI Brands Are Pumping Ad Dollars Into Linear TV
Leading AI companies are pouring tens of millions of dollars into linear television advertising to shape public perception and drive adoption. By April 20, 2026, OpenAI has spent roughly $64.9 million, Google $81.7 million, Microsoft $34.4 million and Meta $64.2 million, amounts that nearly...
How Dow Jones Launched a New Product in 10 Days—Without Building Anything New
Dow Jones launched the free "Crisis Monitor: Middle East" newsletter in just 10 days, repurposing proprietary risk and energy analysis from its B2B brands for a consumer audience. The weekly email draws on experts from Dragonfly, Risk Journal and other...
WKRP Is Back in Cincinnati
After nearly 50 years, the iconic WKRP call letters have returned to Cincinnati on 97.7 FM. The launch featured former sitcom star Gary Sandy recording new liners, and the station joins a three‑station “Oasis” oldies network covering Ohio and Kentucky. Radioactive LLC...
April Social Media Recap: Stay Active Despite the Snooze
Social media is SO fucking boring right now... it’s a big snooze fest. But that doesn’t mean you should stop posting, we still need some damn momentum. Here's everything that happened in social media in April, and how you should move forward...
Hearts v Rangers Live Stream, TV Channel – Where to Watch SPL on Tv Today
Hearts host Rangers on May 4, 2026 at 17:30 BST, broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. The match is a potential title decider, with Hearts sitting seven points clear after a 2‑1 derby win over Hibernian. Rangers sit third after a 3‑2 loss...
Triton Digital Launches Its March 2026 Canada Podcast Ranker
Triton Digital released its March 2026 Canada Podcast Ranker, confirming CBC/Radio‑Canada as the top sales network with 2.4 million average weekly downloads, followed by Audioboom and the BBC. The same three CBC‑produced shows – Front Burner, World Report and The World This...
Penske Truck Rental Renews Sponsorship of Pit Pass Indy Podcast with Award-Winning Journalist Bruce Martin
Penske Truck Rental has renewed its role as presenting sponsor of the Pit Pass Indy podcast for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The weekly Wednesday episodes, running from March through September, will feature IndyCar luminaries such as Alex Palou, Scott Dixon...
Tink Media to Co-Present International Women’s Podcast Awards with Naomi Mellor of Everybody Media
Podcast growth firm Tink Media announced it will co‑present the 2026 International Women’s Podcast Awards alongside Naomi Mellor of Everybody Media. The ceremony, traditionally held online, will be hosted in Toronto later this year, marking its first North American venue....
Making Tech Giants Pay for News Was a Success the First Time Around. It Can Be Done Again
Australia’s 2021 News Media Bargaining Code forced Google and Meta to pay for the news content that powers their platforms, delivering over $1 billion to local publishers in five years. The model proved effective, especially for smaller outlets that secured strong...
DoorDash Delivers Memes, Reality TV Moms for Mother’s Day Campaign
DoorDash launched a Mother’s Day campaign that mixes meme‑driven video spots with a reality‑TV‑style series called “The Real Moms of the Group Chat.” The multichannel effort, built with Loop, Get Engaged Media and Gut Los Angeles, runs on Instagram, TikTok and...
Warm up Donors Before Asking: Email First, Donate Later
Asking someone to donate the first time they hear about you is roughly the same as proposing marriage on a first date. It doesn't work, and everyone involved knows it doesn't work, but we keep doing it anyway. Cold advertising that...
Niche Doesn't Matter on YouTube; Strategy Does
There is no wrong niche on YouTube. 👀 YouTube isn't one platform. It's thousands of communities inside one platform. Any topic can work. Any passion can become a channel. The niche isn't the problem. The strategy is. 🎯 https://t.co/s72wL6Wmh5
The Five Star Weekend: Peacock Releases Trailer and New Premiere Date for Jennifer Garner Drama Series
Peacock has dropped a new trailer and set a July 9 premiere for "The Five Star Weekend," a drama series starring Jennifer Garner. Created by Bekah Brunstetter, the eight‑episode show features an ensemble cast that includes D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina...
CW and ESPN Extend Legacy with Pacific Northwest Basketball Power
On media column: Pac-12 --> The CW --> ESPN app = the continuation of a longstanding, highly successful relationship between the network and an a certain MBB power tucked away in the PNW -->
Expert Predicts Next Phase of Trump's Disney Media Assault
The Trump administration has been waging a ceaseless attack on the media and Disney in particular. I asked the expert, @KelceeGriffis, to explain what comes next. https://t.co/AIAT4F50JQ
How Earned Media Supports Nonprofit Authority in a World Powered by AI
Nonprofit organizations are losing control of first‑contact impressions as AI‑generated summaries and third‑party citations replace direct website visits. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) now prioritizes earned‑media placements, making credible external coverage essential for AI‑driven search visibility. To thrive, nonprofits must craft...
Star Wars Movies Outstream Disney+ Originals in 2025
Despite all the original shows on Disney+, the 11 Star Wars movies generated more viewing time on streaming in ‘25, per Nielsen #MayTheFourthDay https://t.co/MQFlEodCst
Star Wars Dominates U.S. Screens with 33B Minutes Streamed
In 2025, U.S. viewers spent 33B+ minutes watching #StarWars content across linear/streaming, streamed viewing accounting for the bulk of that total, per @nielsen. Top 3 Films: 1. A New Hope 2. Phantom Menace 3. Rogue One Top 3 Series: 1. Andor 2. Skeleton Crew 3. Mandolorian https://t.co/nMmfTs1Geb
ICYMI: April’s Biggest Headlines + Bonus Insights
The April ICYMI edition bundles nine pivotal platform updates that are reshaping social media dynamics, alongside a deep‑dive into the ongoing AI debate and its implications for marketers. It highlights where Gen Z is allocating its attention—primarily short‑form video on TikTok and...
NFL Rights Renegotiation May Cut Scripted TV by 7%
The @NFL’s media rights re-negotiations may prove so costly that it results in a “7% cut to scripted TV, film, and every other sport,” per @michaelbeach & @xscreenmedia. https://t.co/zxEQOspkCh
Pirates Dominate Pittsburgh Primetime TV Despite Recent Slumps
The local TV numbers support this. Regardless of record in recent years, Pirates games on their regional sports network consistently lead the Pittsburgh market in primetime audience over the spring/summer
Is the Retail Media Network Gold Rush Over?
Retail media networks are moving from a gold‑rush expansion to a consolidation phase as marketers reallocate spend toward platforms that prove clear ROI. New data from Keen Decision Systems shows over a quarter of retail marketers pulling budget from RMNs...
Check Out My Free Substack Launch Post
I have a Substack now. Would be grateful if you subscribed (it's free) and read the first (original) post on the new platform: https://t.co/zvEQ16sOPz
Google Instantly Creates Audio Overviews for Fresh Posts
How quickly can Google generate Audio Overviews for a topic? I just published my latest post this morning. The Audio Overview covers that information already. Pressed play and it immediately started covering the details from my post. No delay at...
Sterling Point: Prime Video Releases Premiere Date and Photos for Coming-of-Age Drama Series
Prime Video announced that its new drama "Sterling Point" will debut on August 5. The series, created by Megan Park, follows 17‑year‑old Annie Jacobson, played by Ella Rubin, who inherits a mysterious island in Canada. Co‑stars include Keen Ruffalo, Jay Duplass, Jeffrey Dean Morgan...
Underrated Scrubs Joke: Janitor Claims He Coined “Delusions of Grandeur”
One of the most underrated jokes in #Scrubs history comes in S7: Carla: Are you familiar with the term 'delusions of grandeur?' Janitor: I believe I coined that phrase https://t.co/QbvA2X0pXp
NAB Says Nomination Window for Marconi Awards Is Open
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has opened nominations for the 2026 Marconi Radio Awards, with submissions accepted through May 31 via the NAB member portal. Winners will be revealed at a dinner on October 20, 2026, the night before the NAB...
Beasley Best Community of Caring Initiative Launches
Beasley Media Group has launched its "Beasley Best Community of Caring" initiative to mark Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout May, the company will air on‑air public service announcements, publish relatable digital stories, and display supportive messages on Quu dashboard screens...
Syracuse University Launches Creator Economy Minor
Syracuse University will debut a Creator Economy minor in fall 2026, the first formal credential from its Center for the Creator Economy. The program requires three core courses—an introduction to the creator economy, a business toolkit for creators, and entrepreneurship—plus...
Defamation Suits Expose Fox's $787 M Election Lie Payout
Defamation lawsuits like this really are a public service. We will be able to cite for eternity the fact that Fox News paid out $787 million for spreading lies about the 2020 election. I'm not sure why progressives seem to...
Turkish Media Revives 21‑Gram Soul Weight Myth Amid Fresh Scientific Critique
Turkish‑language outlet Yeni Sabah published a story that re‑examines the 21‑gram soul weight myth, citing recent scientific commentary that challenges the original 1907 experiment. The piece underscores the methodological flaws of the historic study and the myth’s persistence in popular...
Shelby Van Pelt’s ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ Sparks Netflix Adaptation and Sold‑Out Book Tour
Author Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” inspired by her grandmother, is being turned into a Netflix film starring Sally Field. The book tour at Gonzaga University sold out, underscoring the crossover appeal of literary success and streaming‑platform...
BBC’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ Miniseries Streams on Netflix, Reviving Golding’s Tale
BBC’s four‑episode ‘Lord of the Flies’ miniseries is now available on Netflix and BBC iPlayer, joining the platform’s 2025 top‑show list. The adaptation stays close to William Golding’s novel, ending with a rescue that mirrors the book’s conclusion, while prompting...
SAG‑AFTRA Secures Tentative Deal with Studios, Averting New Strike
The Screen Actors Guild‑American Federation of Television and Radio Artists reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, covering motion pictures, scripted primetime drama, streaming and new media. The deal, pending board approval, stops a...
OpenAI Begins Selling User Data to Advertisers
Be careful what you ask....OpenAI is Now Sharing Its Users’ Data With Advertisers https://t.co/Fwxb8CcbiD via @Adweek
Mindgruve Hires Former Amazon Exec Spencer Lian‑Thornton as VP to Boost Enterprise Partnerships
San Diego‑based data‑technology agency Mindgruve announced Spencer Lian‑Thornton as its new vice president of growth and partnerships. The former Amazon executive will lead efforts to deepen enterprise collaborations and scale Mindgruve’s retail‑media platform.
Google Adds AI Features to Smart TVs, Sparking Privacy Backlash
Google rolled out AI-powered capabilities for smart TVs, extending its Photos app to Samsung displays and bringing Gemini‑driven YouTube summaries to the living‑room screen. Privacy advocates warn the move deepens data collection on devices that already sit in 77% of...
Billy Bob Thornton's Big Break Came In Α Short-Lived Fox TV Sequel Series
In 1990 Fox aired a short‑lived sequel series to S.E. Hinton’s novel *The Outsiders*, produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Billy Bob Thornton landed his first major television role as greaser Buck Merrill, appearing in ten of the show’s thirteen episodes. The series also featured...
AI Swarms Are Already Undermining Global Democratic Discourse
Starting today, I'm a contributor at O'Reilly. My first piece just dropped on the Radar, "How AI Swarms Are Disrupting Democracy." It's about swarms of AI agents already bending public discourse across the globe. https://t.co/c0ZN5k0AAy
Spotify Tests Bulk Redownload for Effortless Lossless Upgrades
Spotify is testing a “Bulk Redownload” tool that will help users automatically upgrade offline music to higher-quality tiers The feature specifically addresses the current need to manually delete and redownload files when switching to lossless audio ✅ Details - https://t.co/cyegYAKuqP