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.
Live with Katie Couric: Supreme Court Ruling, CDC Update, WHCD Shooting Latest
In this episode, host Katie Couric talks with Atlantic writer David Graham about the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Louisiana's majority‑Black voting map, its likely impact on Black representation and upcoming House races, and the broader strategy of the conservative Project 2025 to preserve white political power. The conversation then shifts to Dr. Fiona Havers, a former CDC official, who reveals how the CDC leadership suppressed a report showing the COVID‑19 vaccine’s effectiveness in reducing ER visits and hospitalizations. Finally, Professor Cliff Lamp discusses the rapid spread of conspiracy theories online and why public trust in information is eroding.
TV Land Debuts 1996, Showcasing Classic Paramount Series
📺 April 29, 1996: Cable network TV Land launched. Owned by MTV Networks and promoted as an extension of Nick At Nite, the original emphasis was on classic television shows from the Paramount library. https://t.co/Kr6qN9w1TS https://t.co/kmvlWH2GBJ
The Best Star Wars TV Show Isn't The Mandalorian — and George R.R. Martin Agrees
Star Wars: Andor has emerged as the franchise’s most acclaimed series, praised for its gritty, political storytelling that sidesteps traditional lightsabers and Force lore. The two‑season run, helmed by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna, cost roughly $645 million but earned...
Leading Cancer Charity Stops Funding Open Access Publishing Because It’s Just Not Working
Cancer Research UK announced it will stop directly funding open‑access (OA) publishing, a move projected to save roughly £5.2 million (about $6.6 million) over the next three years. The charity cites the prevalence of hybrid journals, which charge authors for OA while...
YouTube Named TIME100 Entertainment Industry Leader
Proud of @YouTube for being recognized on the #TIME100 Industry Leaders in Entertainment list. Thanks to all of our incredible employees, @youtubecreators, artists, and partners, our platform has become the stage for this generation and the ones to come. https://t.co/CmUWtdQy9X
Creators Reporting Live: Journalism's Decentralized Future Revealed
I was at the Substack party when things went into lockdown. At the same time, creators were already reporting on it across their own platforms. That moment said everything about where media is headed. More on what I saw + the future of...
2027: Tinubu’s Team Unveils Digital Platform to Enrich Communication
President Bola Tinubu’s campaign arm, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, unveiled a new digital platform ahead of the 2027 elections. The centerpiece is the website www.rhambassadors.org, which aggregates policy explainers, reform updates and verified government data. An AI‑powered Data Communication Centre...
Sheldon Ingram to Retire From Hearst’s WTAE to Pursue Acting Career
Sheldon Ingram, a general‑assignment reporter at Hearst‑owned WTAE since 1992, announced he will leave the newsroom on May 29 to pursue acting full‑time. Over three decades he reported on major local and national stories, notably chronicling Pittsburgh’s homelessness crisis from 1993...
Support Independent Clean Energy Reporting: 50 Donors Needed
Independent reporting on clean energy is essential, but it isn't free to produce. As Canary wraps up its 5th anniversary month, we need your help We need 50 donors to step up to ensure our work remains free & accessible....
Meta Ads: The Machine That Over-Funds The AI Bet?
Meta’s advertising engine generated $56.3 B in revenue, producing $12.4 B of free cash flow that now bankrolls an aggressive AI‑infrastructure push. In Q1, the company reported $26.8 B net income and $10.44 EPS, but an $8.03 B one‑time tax benefit skews the headline;...
Meta Opens Its Ad Ecosystem to Third-Party AI Tools
Meta announced an open‑beta rollout of Meta ads AI connectors, letting advertisers link third‑party AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude directly to their Meta ad accounts. The connectors promise secure, cross‑channel insights and real‑time campaign management without forcing users...
Harvard Study Documents the Rise in Divisive Posts on X
Harvard researchers analyzed 3 million X posts from 2013‑2025 and found a dramatic surge in anger‑driven political content. The share of policy‑related posts expressing anger climbed from 20% to 50%, while neutral tweets fell to 50%. Anger‑laden messages generated significantly higher...
Google's Subscriptions Business Is Booming — and AI Is a Big Reason
Google reported its strongest quarter for subscriptions, reaching 350 million paying users. The subscriptions, platforms and devices segment grew 19% year‑over‑year in Q1 2026, mirroring the same pace as Search. Growth was led by YouTube and Google One, with AI‑enhanced Google One...
EFF Submission to UN Report on the Role of Media in the Context of Israel’s Policies Toward Palestinians
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) submitted a briefing to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, documenting a sharp decline in press freedom since October 2023. The submission highlights a surge in government takedown requests, disinformation...
DSports Announces Unprecedented Coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
DSports announced it will be the sole broadcaster of every one of the 104 matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first tournament staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The network will deliver roughly 900 hours of...
Scandal, Loyalty & ‘Summer House’: Frances Berwick’s Bravo Playbook
Frances Berwick, now chairman of Bravo and Peacock unscripted, has turned the network into a growth engine despite a shrinking unscripted market. Over the last six months Bravo’s shows lifted their monthly reach on Peacock by 45%, with flagship series...
Tube Trends: Now Creators Are Taking Over The NFL Draft
The NFL is leaning heavily into creator‑driven coverage, with YouTube emerging as the primary platform for the Draft. Tubular Labs data shows creators accounted for 58% of YouTube views from April 23‑29, and 21 individual creators each surpassed one million views....
Entire TV Genres Can Live and Die by Their Emmys Potential
The Emmy landscape shows a split between thriving and struggling genres. Animated programs like "The Simpsons," "Bob’s Burgers," and Netflix’s "Arcane" continue to receive regular nominations, while reality‑competition shows such as "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," and "The Traitors" keep the...
Google Gains 25M Subscriptions in Q1, Driven by YouTube and Google One
Google added 25 million paid subscriptions in Q1, bringing its total to 350 million, driven primarily by YouTube Premium and Google One plans. The company bundled advanced Gemini AI features into Google One, reporting a 40% quarter‑over‑quarter rise in paid enterprise Gemini...
YouTube Rolls Out Multiview Option to More Subscribers
YouTube has expanded its Multiview feature, allowing Premium and YouTube TV subscribers to watch up to four streams simultaneously and customize each screen. The new Multiview builder lets users pick any live content, including mix‑and‑match bundles like NFL Sunday Ticket...
Demand Context: Explain Why Growth Numbers Matter
I wish when people flexed their growth stats, they explained WHY the growth happen. Did Twitter increase ad spend? Did the $1 million contest work? Did the political climate affect things? Are these new users or revived users?
Jim Jordan Tried to Go Off on Comey — Fox News Didn’t Let Him Get Away With It
Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer interrupted Rep. Jim Jordan during a live interview, forcing a reality check on Jordan’s sprawling attack against former FBI director James Comey. The segment was meant to amplify the GOP’s outrage over Comey’s indictment tied...
From Kickstarter to $150M: Ghost Empowers Publishers
On this day, 13y ago, @ghost started as an idea on kickstarter 5,000+ people backed the project to help bring it to life and support the future of media and journalism Today, Ghost has generated over $150M for independent publishers all over...
Texas AM Station to Sign Off After 75 Years
After 75 years on the air, Coleman, Texas AM station KSTA (1000 AM) will cease broadcasting. The 250‑watt daytime‑only station, owned by Wendlee Broadcasting, could not secure a buyer and faces building‑lease expiration and technical issues. Owner Rex Tackett, who bought...
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30 Actors Who Were Recast on Their TV Shows, From Janet Hubert to Ruby Rose
The article catalogs 30 notable television recasts, from classic sitcoms like *Bewitched* to modern streaming hits such as *The Witcher*. It highlights the reasons behind the swaps—scheduling conflicts, creative retooling, or behind‑the‑scenes disputes—and notes how each change affected the show’s...
New Free Factful Friday Now on Substack, LinkedIn Tomorrow
My new Factful Friday is up on (free) Substack. https://t.co/X786SgsWGu On LI tomorrow as usual. https://t.co/rEepEZYbxQ
Taylor Swift Wants to Trademark Her Likeness. These TikTok Deepfake Ads Show Why
Taylor Swift has filed three trademark applications to protect her image, voice, and signature phrases amid a wave of AI‑generated deep‑fake ads on TikTok. Researchers at Copyleaks identified sponsored videos that use realistic‑sounding synthetic voices and manipulated footage of Swift...
AMC Comes Into Upfront With Bite, New Ways to Work With Advertisers
AMC has rebranded from AMC Networks to AMC Global Media, emphasizing a worldwide footprint. At its New York upfront, the company unveiled fresh advertising formats tied to sports, franchise content, and live events such as a Vampire Lestat showcase. The holiday‑season...
Reporter Quits TV to Act; Pitt Star's Emmy Category Changes
TV Talk: @WTAE reporter exits TV news to pursue acting + change in Emmy category consideration for one of #ThePitt stars, via @TribLIVE - https://t.co/dh1o8MtY10 https://t.co/LkHjnymDYM
Martha Wells Hints Eighth Murderbot Book May Be Series Finale
Martha Wells told Polygon that the eighth Murderbot Diaries novel, Platform Decay, slated for May 5, is likely to be the series' final installment. The author, who currently has only one Murderbot book under contract, hinted that after finishing her...
Free Daily Newsletter Delivers Story Behind Everything
My newsletter gives you something to talk about every single day. The story behind the song. The context behind the controversy. The history behind the headline. Always free. Subscribe here: https://t.co/2xAhFGBOB4
AI-Generated Media Slop Overwhelms Kids Content, Parents Alarmed
#AI ‘Slop’ Is Flooding Children’s Media. Parents Should Be Very Alarmed. A bracing must-read from @The74’s @ByEmilyTate: https://t.co/eoVNY9zXdD
Hulu Launches Four‑Part Malcolm in the Middle Reunion, Boosting Legacy Content Drive
Hulu released the four‑episode revival "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair," reuniting most of the original cast. The move underscores streaming platforms' bet on legacy content to attract and retain subscribers amid fierce competition.
Walmart Launches Self‑serve Scintilla API, Giving Agencies Access to 500 Retail Metrics
Walmart Data Ventures has opened its Scintilla Media Data Feed to agencies and advertisers via a new self‑serve API, delivering almost 500 first‑party retail metrics. The move promises faster planning, optimization and measurement for marketers, while deepening Walmart’s retail‑media ecosystem.
Does This Potential Acquisition Make Sirius XM Stock a Buy?
Sirius XM is reportedly in preliminary talks to acquire iHeartMedia, the nation’s largest radio‑station owner. Both companies have seen rapid growth in podcasting, with Sirius XM’s podcast revenue jumping 41% in 2025 and iHeart’s up more than 25% the same...
Peacock Rolls Out May 2026 Lineup with New Crime Thriller, Reality Finale and Full‑length Kill Bill
Peacock unveiled its May 2026 programming slate, adding four headline exclusives – the season‑2 finale of "Love Island: Beyond the Villa," the crime thriller "M.I.A.," the drama "Another Man’s Wife" and a full‑length "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair" –...
“Casper” Series In Development For Disney+
Disney+ is developing a live‑action "Casper the Friendly Ghost" series, produced by Universal Content Productions (UCP) after winning a competitive bid against five other outlets. The show will be written and directed by Rob Letterman, with Hilary Winston co‑writing, and...
Omnicom Posts $5.6B Core Ops Revenue, CFO Angelastro Highlights AI‑Driven Growth
Omnicom Group posted $5.6 bn in core operations revenue for Q1 2026, up $345 m (6.7% total, 3.9% organic). CFO Philip Angelastro said the AI‑powered Omni platform and aggressive divestitures are key to margin expansion and cost‑synergy targets.
HYBE Launches NEB Unit to Tap Superfan Market with Transmedia Content
HYBE announced the creation of its Next Entertainment Business (NEB) unit, led by Taeho Park, to capture revenue from superfans by weaving music, gaming, film and other media into a single storytelling ecosystem. The move reflects a broader industry shift...
Winemiller Scores A Three Rivers LPTV Deal
Jeff Winemiller’s Lowcountry 34 Media, a fast‑growing operator of low‑power TV stations, has secured a broadcast property in Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers market. The acquisition expands the company’s over‑the‑air portfolio after a high‑visibility appearance at the 2026 NAB Show in Las...
BritBox Marks DAVID ATTENBOROUGH 100th with Top 10 Shows
Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8, and BritBox is celebrating by launching a curated top‑10 collection of his landmark natural‑history series, including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet. The lineup showcases his work across more than 80...
James Burke's 1978 TV Shot Named Greatest Ever
James Burke's perfectly timed shot on television in 1978 is hailed as one of “The Greatest Shot In Television History” https://t.co/kCnADUMZep
DPP Media Supply Festival 2026
The DPP Media Supply Festival will take place June 9‑10, 2026 in New York, gathering media executives to explore the evolving supply chain from ideas to streaming content. Organizers highlight AI’s dual role in adding complexity and unlocking efficiency across...
Claire Danes to Star in Netflix Romantic Drama Series Lovesick / Casper the Friendly Ghost Is Getting the Live-Action Series...
Netflix is launching a new romantic drama series called "Lovesick" starring Emmy‑winner Claire Danes, created by Sarah Treem of "The Affair" and adapted from a 2024 Israeli hit. The platform is also developing a live‑action adaptation of the classic cartoon...
Val Kilmer Is Back on the Big Screen Via Generative AI. His Family Is Fine With It
Val Kilmer’s likeness is being resurrected with generative AI for the upcoming historical adventure *As Deep as the Grave*. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer gave the family’s blessing, framing the technology as a way to protect the actor’s intellectual property. The...
YouTube Starts Rolling Out Free Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Globally on Android, iOS
YouTube is extending its picture‑in‑picture (PiP) mode to all free users worldwide, after a limited rollout in the United States. The feature will work on both Android and iOS for long‑form, non‑music videos, letting viewers keep content playing while using...
Libsyn Video on Spotify, New Patreon Feeds, & More
Libsyn has enabled video distribution on Spotify across all its hosting plans, letting creators upload MP4 files for a $25‑per‑month fee. Patreon rolled out a redesigned home feed that surfaces creator collaborations, free posts and recommended creators, claiming a five‑fold...
OzTAM Launches New Streamscape Dashboard as TV Viewing Dominates
OzTAM unveiled an interactive Streamscape dashboard alongside its Q1 2026 Total Video data, giving subscribers a self‑serve tool to analyse broadcast, BVOD and streaming performance in one place. The new platform replaces static reports with customizable visualisations, streamlining metric comparison across...
Can Student Influencers Woo Classmates to This District?
Detroit Public Schools announced a $1 million marketing push that includes hiring roughly two dozen student influencers to share district news on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Each influencer will receive a $250 monthly stipend, training on social‑media policy, and coaching...
ABC Can Beat Trump FCC's License Threat if Owner Disney Is Willing to Fight
The FCC ordered Disney to file early renewal applications for ABC’s eight broadcast stations, citing possible violations of anti‑discrimination rules. Legal experts note that the 1996 Telecommunications Act makes license denial extremely difficult unless a broadcaster commits willful or repeated...