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.
200 French Authors Threaten Mass Exit From Grasset Over Dismissal of Chief
More than 200 French authors have announced they will quit Grasset following the abrupt dismissal of its chief, Olivier Nora, by Hachette Livre owner Vincent Bolloré. The authors say the move threatens editorial independence and could reshape publishing contracts across France.
NBC Cancels ‘Brilliant Minds’ and ‘Stumble’ After Low Ratings, Shifts Focus Ahead of May Upfront
NBC announced the cancellation of the medical drama Brilliant Minds and the mock‑documentary comedy Stumble after both series posted some of the lowest linear ratings of the season—just over 3 million and 2.24 million viewers respectively. The moves come as the network readies its May 11 upfront,...
Dark‑Money Influencer Campaign Pays $5K per TikTok to Cast Chinese AI as a Threat
Build American AI, a dark‑money group tied to the $140 million Leading the Future super‑PAC, is paying TikTok creators $5,000 per video to portray Chinese artificial‑intelligence advances as a threat to U.S. safety. The covert campaign, run by influencer agency SM4,...
Progressive Megadonors Commit Tens of Millions to Boost Creator‑Driven Media
The Democracy Alliance, the liberal donor network, announced a plan to invest tens of millions of dollars in creator‑focused media after a three‑day retreat in New Mexico. The move targets young audiences and seeks to counter decades of conservative cultural...
Too MAGA to Fail: CNN's Leadership Collapse in Real Time
CNN commentator Scott Jennings erupted on air during a segment with Adam Mockler, exposing a broader culture of provocation over credibility at the network. The incident highlights years of editorial decisions that prioritized ratings and partisan outrage, allowing opinion‑driven personalities...
From Mumford & Sons to ‘Free Speech’ YouTuber: Winston Marshall’s Dramatic Career Change
Winston Marshall, former banjoist for Mumford & Sons, has abandoned his music career to launch a conservative YouTube show that now boasts over 400,000 subscribers. After a controversial tweet praising the anti‑antifa book *Unmasked*, he quit the band and embraced...
Henry Cavill & Alan Ritchson’s Action Movie Gets Peacock Streaming Date
Guy Ritchie’s World War II action film "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," starring Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson, will debut on Peacock on May 18, 2026. The movie originally opened in U.S. theaters on April 19, 2024 but underperformed, grossing roughly $30 million against a $60 million...
Before 'The White Lotus,' Mike White and Laura Dern Created This Overlooked 2011 Show
Laura Dern has been announced as a cast member for season 4 of Mike White’s hit series *The White Lotus*, reuniting the Emmy‑winning duo after a decade‑long gap. Their earlier collaboration was the HBO dark comedy *Enlightened* (2011‑2012), in which Dern’s...
OpenAI's Policy Shift Cements Its Ad Platform Role
ChatGPT advertising update -> OpenAI updates its privacy policy formalizing data-sharing with marketing partners as it continues to build its ad platform infrastructure. It also explains it's receiving purchase data from advertisers. "The changes, which include explicit language about receiving...
Tartakovsky, Harmon, Cappa Talk Animation Craft At Adult Swim’s L.A. Roundtable
Adult Swim’s Los Angeles roundtable highlighted three Emmy‑contending series—Primal, Rick and Morty, and the new short‑form Haha, You Clowns. Creator Genndy Tartakovsky defended Primal’s hand‑drawn aesthetic, while Dan Harmon ribbed the advantage of software‑based pipelines like Toon Boom Harmony. Joe Cappa explained...
Northern Lights, Southern Shadows: The 2026 RSF Index Reframes the Work of Protecting Journalists
Reporters Without Borders released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index on April 30, showing the lowest global score in 25 years and a sharp decline in the legal indicator across 110 of 180 countries. Norway retained the top spot for the tenth...
AI‑generated Podcasts Surge, Flooding Spotify and Spreaker
Whoa -> “Podslop” is flooding listening platforms like Spotify; Podcast Index: of ~11K new podcast feeds in a recent 9-day span, ~39% were likely for AI content shows "Under the Spreaker website, if recognized by its software, the company will highlight to...
Four Graduates Are Building an AI Video-Dubbing Tool for African Filmmakers
Four recent graduates launched Reedapt in 2025, an AI‑powered dubbing platform built for African languages after witnessing $500,000‑plus costs and poor nuance in traditional dubbing. The Lagos‑based startup already serves over 200 users—mainly Nollywood producers and churches—and has secured two...
What Is The Best Time to Hit “Publish” On Substack?
The article advises publishing Substack newsletters in mid‑week mornings—ideally Tuesday between 9 AM and 11 AM—because email open‑rate data consistently shows a spike during that window. It notes that weekends and Friday afternoons tend to underperform as readers are less focused. While...
Wolves v Sunderland Live Stream, TV Channel – Where to Watch EPL on Tv Today
Wolves host Sunderland on 2 May 2026 at 15:00 BST, but the match will not be shown live on UK television, with only overseas streaming options available. Wolverhampton Wanderers are already relegated yet are fighting to avoid finishing bottom, sitting three points above...
'Past Lives,' 'Training Day,' 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' And More Movies You Can Stream for Free in May
May’s lineup of free, ad‑supported streaming brings a mix of blockbusters, indie gems, and documentaries to platforms like Tubi, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Plex and Fawesome. Tubi debuts the WWII drama "The Battle for Castle Itter" and adds classics such as...
'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' Is a Roaring Good Time
Apple TV+ has launched "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters," a two‑season series that deepens the Godzilla universe by following the secretive Monarch organization and its fight against awakening Titans. The show centers on trauma‑scarred survivor Cate Randa, played by Anna Sawai,...
Sudan Journalists’ Union Wins Press Freedom Prize
Sudan’s Journalists Syndicate has been awarded the 2026 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in recognition of its resilience amid the country’s three‑year war. The union documented 680 violations, including the killing of 34 journalists, five women, making Sudan one...
ABS-CBN Expands Abroad with New International Music Arm
ABS‑CBN Corp. has launched ABS‑CBN Music International (AMI), a joint‑venture label that merges its domestic music assets with its global operations. The new arm will serve as a pipeline for Filipino artists such as BINI, BGYO, JMKO and Acoya to...
Hallie Harris of HLOVECO on Building Brands for Amazon and Rhone
Hallie Harris, founder and CEO of HLOVECO, leverages her creator‑economy expertise to build personal brands for high‑profile clients. She previously led a multi‑million‑dollar influencer campaign for Amazon Fire in 2017, pioneering brand storytelling through YouTube personalities. In January 2024, HLOVECO...
Day 12: The Growth Experiment That Found 12,637 Buyers
Olly Richards invested $19,000 in paid acquisition and a 118‑page lead magnet to grow an email list of 12,637 engaged subscribers at roughly $1.50 per buyer. By niching two layers deep—online education businesses scaling $1‑7 million—he ran a $200, five‑day workshop...
New Study Shows Dolls Outperform Screens in Boosting Kids' Social Skills
Researchers in New Zealand published a peer‑reviewed study that found dolls are more effective than screens at developing children's social skills. The finding challenges the growing reliance on digital media for early learning and gives parents a data‑backed option for playtime.
‘We Have to Mock the Site’s Insanity’: Comedian Tim Heidecker on the Allure of Becoming Infowars’ New Boss
The Onion is poised to take control of Alex Jones’s Infowars after a Texas court approves a lease agreement, with comedian Tim Heidecker appointed as creative director to turn the site into a satire platform. The deal, valued at $81,000 per month,...
Roku Adds 34 New Free Channels Featuring Beloved Classic TV Shows
Roku has added 34 new free, ad‑supported channels to its Roku Channel, each dedicated to a classic TV series. The lineup ranges from black‑and‑white staples like *Leave It to Beaver* to 2000s hits such as *Bones* and recent sitcoms like...
La. Investigators Credit Podcast Series for Arrests in 1982 Cold Case Murder
Louisiana State Police announced that four men have been charged with aggravated rape and second‑degree murder in the 1982 killing of 16‑year‑old Roxanne Sharp. The breakthrough came after a local media company produced a six‑part podcast, “Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?”,...
TikTok Unveils UK's First Official BookTok Bestseller List, Boosting Romance Reads
TikTok has rolled out the United Kingdom's first official BookTok bestseller list, a monthly chart of 20 titles compiled with Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData. The inaugural list is dominated by romance and "romantasy" titles from female authors, signaling a...
The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 Cast Confirmed, with National Treasures, Soap Royalty, and More
BBC has unveiled the Celebrity Traitors season 2 lineup, mixing comedians, actors, and media figures such as Bella Ramsey, Michael Sheen, Professor Hannah Fry, and King Kenny. Contestants will vie for a £100,000 prize—about $127,000—for charities of their choice. The show drops the Secret...
Social Media Nears TV as Top News Source for Americans, Survey Finds
A Media Insight Project study released this week finds social media now delivers daily news to 37% of Americans, narrowing the lead held by television and streaming at 46%. The report highlights that influencers and independent creators reach 57% of...
Near-Perfect "Twisted" Thriller Finally Confirms UK Release Date for New Season Branded 'Best Yet'
The sci‑fi thriller *From* has locked in its UK launch, with Sky One airing season 4 on Thursday, 14 May as a double‑bill. After the premiere, episodes will roll out weekly, giving UK fans a schedule distinct from the US MGM+ rollout. The...
Wrexham v Middlesbrough Live Stream, TV Channel – Where to Watch Championship on Tv Today
Wrexham host Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday, 2 May 2026, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports+. The game is a pivotal final‑day fixture; a win could keep Wrexham’s playoff hopes alive, provided Hull City and Derby County drop points....
Strictly Come Dancing Professional Appears to Confirm He's in the Next Series Amid Co-Star Exits
Johannes Radebe signaled he will return for Strictly Come Dancing’s 24th series as the show grapples with the departure of several veteran professionals, including Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer. Radebe, who made history in 2021 with...
7 Rookie Mistakes That Are Sabotaging Your Substack Growth
The post identifies seven rookie mistakes that cripple Substack growth, including over‑branding, burnout, ignoring audience feedback, treating content as pure information, using the email list as a one‑way broadcast, neglecting personal storytelling, and writing weak headlines. The author illustrates how...
Mike Tyson & Jelly Roll To Appear On “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
Disney announced the upcoming week’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” lineup on ABC, streaming on Hulu and Disney+. The schedule features comedian Jelly Roll on Monday, John Mulaney and Eiza González mid‑week, and a high‑profile appearance by former boxing champion Mike Tyson on Wednesday...
TV’s Portrayal of A.I. Has Become a “Vicious Circle” / Eternally Yours Took 11 Years From Pilot Script to CBS...
The television landscape is saturated with artificial‑intelligence storylines, prompting critics to label the trend a "vicious circle" that both reflects and shapes public perception. Meanwhile, the drama series "Eternally Yours" finally secured a CBS pickup after an 11‑year journey from...
Why Founders Need to Build Trust Before They Can Monetize Attention
The article argues that while founders can engineer viral attention, trust is a non‑engineerable asset that must be cultivated before monetization. It warns that aggressive sponsorships and affiliate deals create “reputational debt,” inflating customer‑acquisition costs and eroding lifetime value. Using...
Hugh Jackman & Stanley Tucci To Appear On “The View”
Disney announced a star‑studded guest lineup for ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” for the week of May 4‑8. Highlights include Hugh Jackman on May 6 promoting his upcoming film “The Sheep Detectives,” and Stanley Tucci on May 8 discussing his new series “Tucci...
Sneak Preview: Ultra-Low-Latency Sports Streaming From Stadium to Screen at Streaming Media Connect
On May 14, Elecard’s Victoria Tuzova will moderate a Streaming Media Connect panel titled “Need for Speed: Ultra‑Low‑Latency Sports Streaming From Stadium to Screen.” The discussion brings together senior leaders from Servers.com, Vindral, Stats Perform and Synamedia to dissect the full...
Dynasty: The Murdochs
Netflix’s four‑part documentary "Dynasty: The Murdochs" offers a forensic chronicle of Rupert Murdoch’s empire, built on leaked emails, court filings and interview snippets. The series, directed by Liz Garbus without family participation, presents the power struggle as a dry audit,...
BBC News to Bear Deepest Cuts Amid 2,000 Planned Job Losses
The BBC’s news division will slash its budget by about 15%, translating into up to 2,000 redundancies – the deepest cuts in the broadcaster’s 15‑year history. The cuts are part of a £600 million (≈$750 million) corporation‑wide cost‑saving plan announced after the...
Why I’m Hooked on the French Reality Show, ‘L’Agence’
Netflix’s French reality series L’Agence returns for a sixth season, chronicling the Kretz family’s ultra‑luxury property deals across Paris. The show highlights extravagant listings such as Brigitte Bardot’s 16th‑arrondissement mansion and a €100 million (≈$108 million) chateau still on the market. Viewers...
NPR and WLRN Dissect Super‑aging Hype, Spotlight Evidence‑based Longevity
NPR’s TED Radio Hour and public‑radio station WLRN released back‑to‑back pieces that unpack the science behind “super‑agers” and the booming anti‑aging industry. Both programs feature cardiologist Eric Topol, who argues that genetics play a minor role and that evidence‑based habits...
Crime Authors Launch Indie Imprints as Traditional Publishers Falter
Facing a wave of small‑press closures and a 9% drop in trade paperback sales, crime authors are founding indie imprints and using print‑on‑demand services to keep their work in print. The move reflects a broader shift toward self‑managed publishing in...
AI Becomes a Behind‑the‑scenes Tool for Creators
Studios are quietly moving past the "AI experiment" phase. Obsidian Studio is a good example. They're shipping work with Longchamp and Beyond Noise not as AI demos, but as actual commercial productions. The setup isn't what you'd expect: → Storyboard artists, cinematographers, and...
West Palm Beach Spends $2M on NYC Barron's Insert
West Palm Beach just took out a 34 page glossy tabloid that must have cost 2M + to be inserted into every Barrons in NYC. And I gotta admit it looks tempting. https://t.co/SOu0yl03PV
NBC Axes 'Brilliant Minds' And 'Stumble' As Upfronts Loom
NBC announced the cancellation of the medical drama 'Brilliant Minds' and the mockumentary comedy 'Stumble' as it prepares for its May 11 upfront. The shows posted 3.0 million and 2.24 million linear viewers respectively, making them the network's lowest‑rated scripted series this...
GPT-IMAGE-2 Launches: All‑In‑One Visual & Audio AI
Good news, GPT-IMAGE-2 are now live on @GlbGPT This is not another “AI tool directory” update. You can now create images, posters, comics, cinematic shots, and AI videos with physics + native audio from one workspace. https://t.co/vM8cwrzGiv
Mayor of Kingstown Season 5 Marks Series Finale on Paramount+
Mayor of Kingstown season 5 will sadly be the Taylor Sheridan show's final installment — here's everything we know so far about its Paramount+ return. https://t.co/jtFZom36lX
T‑Mobile Adds Free Hulu and Netflix to Select 5G Plans, Boosting Value Proposition
T‑Mobile is rolling out complimentary Hulu and Netflix subscriptions for customers on its Experience Beyond, Go5G Next, Better Value phone, and All‑In Home Internet plans. The move, priced at $170‑$260 per month for three‑to‑five‑line bundles, is designed to differentiate the...
Get Friday's New Releases Early—Free Weekly Newsletter
Every Friday feels different when you already know what's coming out. My newsletter keeps you ahead of new release day every single week, for free, no subscription fee required. Subscribe here: https://t.co/gvidKYi4gA
Bari Weiss’ CBS News Overhaul Falters as Ratings Hit Multi‑Year Lows
CBS News’ ratings have slumped to their lowest levels in a decade under editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss, with the CBS Evening News falling below 4 million viewers for three straight weeks and CBS Mornings posting its worst Q1 numbers. The decline coincides...