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.
Somali Influencer Drives $310 M Cross‑Border E‑Commerce Surge From China’s Hubei Hub
Somali influencer Mohamed Issa Omar, CEO of Ezhou Shahai Business Bridge Trading, has turned Ezhou’s pilot zone into a $310 million cross‑border e‑commerce engine, selling AI‑powered glasses to a global audience. His live‑stream model, backed by China’s cargo infrastructure, showcases how foreign entrepreneurs are tapping China’s logistics and marketing ecosystem.
AI Carousels Will Flood Feeds With Identical Content
Honestly... I am not actually all that worried about the quality of these AI-generated carousels, I am worried about the quantity. Some AI carousels are going to be genuinely good. The issue is that hundreds of them are going to...
How I Do Content Engineering with Claude Code
In April 2026 Ryan from Ahrefs detailed a new content‑engineering workflow that uses Anthropic's Claude Code together with 23 custom skill files to turn a keyword idea into a publish‑ready draft in six to twelve minutes. The system has already produced...
Exclusive: Rakuten and impact.com Form Strategic Alliance to Scale Connected Performance Ecosystem
Rakuten and impact.com announced a strategic alliance that makes impact.com the exclusive technology platform for Rakuten’s advertising and rewards businesses. Over time, Rakuten will migrate all of its customers onto impact.com’s infrastructure, creating a unified, global affiliate‑marketing ecosystem. The partnership...
Pixalate’s March 2025 Top Grossing CTV Apps
Pixalate released its March 2026 Global Top Grossing Connected TV (CTV) Apps report, covering the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., Hulu topped open‑programmatic ad revenue on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Samsung Smart TV, with $70 M on Roku alone....
Prime Video’s Lush, Ambitious “The House of the Spirits” Does Right By Isabel Allende’s Masterpiece
Prime Video has released an eight‑episode, Spanish‑language adaptation of Isabel Allende’s seminal magical‑realism novel, “The House of the Spirits.” The series, shot with lavish production design, follows four generations of the Trueba family amid political upheaval in an unnamed Latin...
Media Freedoms Under Renewed Attack In Europe
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe released its fifth‑annual media‑freedom report, finding that journalists across the EU face a sustained wave of attacks. The report cites declining public trust, legal pressures, and government neglect as key drivers of the erosion....
Built for the Generation That Won’t Sit Still
ShowUp Studios is launching a hybrid model that merges the speed of the creator economy with the craftsmanship of premium storytelling to capture Gen Z’s fragmented attention. CEO Carolina Lightcap says the company will debut strong intellectual property in Ibero‑America during...
Inside the Agency Turning TikTok LIVE Into a Creator Development System
TikTok LIVE has become a fast‑growing monetization channel, yet creators lack formal development support. Bill Herndon founded ATRX Agency in 2020 to fill that gap, offering a TikTok LIVE Partner service that handles live strategy, brand deals, and Shop integration...
SARAL
SARAL positions itself as an InfluencerOS for DTC eCommerce, unifying discovery, outreach, affiliate tracking and content management into a single platform. Brands using SARAL reported an average $2.1 million incremental revenue and a 7.68× ROAS last year. Quarterly pricing ranges from...
Bryan Barletta Is Merging Podcasting’s Biggest Institutions – Here’s Why
Podcasting’s two leading trade groups, Sounds Profitable and Podcast Movement, have merged under Bryan Barletta’s leadership, creating a unified association with over 200 partners and a global events footprint. The consolidation unlocked bold moves such as an all‑sponsorship presence at...
India’s MSMEs Get a Prime-Time Boost with SIDBI’s ‘MSME Samvaad’
SIDBI, in partnership with Prasar Bharati, has launched “MSME Samvaad,” a television programme aimed at providing Indian micro, small and medium enterprises with expert‑led business insights. The show airs every second and fourth Saturday at 7 PM on Doordarshan’s national and regional...
Metaprofile Rolls Out metaADS For Scene-Level Contextual Ad Targeting In CTV
Metaprofile has launched metaADS, an AI-driven contextual ad placement engine that scans dialogue and narrative structure to identify high‑value ad moments at the scene level in film and TV content. The platform delivers scene‑level metadata—including emotional tone, narrative significance and...
AI's Formulaic Clichés Eclipse Journalism's Classic “Bug, Not Feature”
Nowadays, I am so exposed as a reader to so much of revolting AI writing, where “A is not just/only/merely B, but also/more importantly C,” that I don’t think I will ever go back to using what used to be...
Back‑Button Vignette Ads Risk Google Spam Penalty
So, I've had some people ping me about an interesting 'back button hijacking' situation wondering how Google will treat it. Vignette Ads, which most people hate with a passion, include additional triggers that a site owner can activate. One trigger...
‘Beat the Press’ Takes on the WHCA Shooting: Coverage, Conspiracies and the Times’ Too-Early Print Deadline
Contrarian Boston launched a new video series, “Beat the Press with Emily Rooney,” to dissect the media’s handling of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting. The episode probes why The New York Times missed the front‑page deadline that the Washington Post...
Paramount‑WB's New Media Venture Majority Foreign‑Owned
Our new state media of Paramount-WB--including CNN and CBS--will be half-owned (49.5%) by foreign interests, 38.5% by Middle Eastern funds. https://t.co/zNAPjHjnc0
Apple Debuts iTunes Store with U2’s “Vertigo”
#ThisDayInTechHistory. April 28, 2003. Apple launched the iTunes Music Store. It coincided with a colorful commercial featuring U2 and their new song Vertigo. #Internet #History https://t.co/lKoRiMSQUD
YouTube Testing New Search Experience, Ask YouTube
Google is piloting "Ask YouTube," a conversational AI search layer that returns structured itineraries and mixed media results instead of simple video lists. The feature is accessible via youtube.com/new and currently limited to U.S. users aged 18+ who subscribe to...
Sensationalism Fuels Profits, Education Gets Sidelined
Media Math… More Negative/Sensationalist = More Viewers = Higher Prices for Advertising = Larger Profits = Happier Shareholders Nowhere in the formula will you find educating, informing and empowering people. https://t.co/rcUyU7l7fT
All New & Returning Summer Scripted Series Preview
TV Talk: Summer streaming/cable scripted series preview highlights all the announced programs that are new and returning, via @TribLIVE - https://t.co/o7D89byKzO https://t.co/mMR28gRg8U
What A Lead Generation Conference Taught Me About Fixing Ad Ops
eHealth, an online insurance marketplace, transformed its lead‑generation model by moving from a single‑transaction focus to a lifetime‑value approach, assigning each customer a primary advisor and tracking renewals, add‑ons, and retention. This strategic shift lifted the company from near‑$100 million annual...
Two Screens Of Content - At The Same Time? One Is YouTube
Young U.S. consumers are increasingly watching YouTube on one device while simultaneously viewing TV or CTV content on another. Precisely, 43% of Gen Z and 50% of millennials report second‑screening YouTube during television viewing. This dual‑screen habit expands total media hours...
Australia's Media Code Leads; Google Cooperates, Meta Resists
Brilliant x2. Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code was a world-leading approach to intervening on market power imbalance held by Google and Meta. The former played ball while its proxies argued for a tax. The latter, on brand, did everything it...
Washington Post Joins News Aggregation App Cafeyn in Bid for Global Growth
The Washington Post is expanding its international reach by joining the news‑aggregation platform Cafén. Cafén, which runs the Cafén and Readly apps, already serves over 2.5 million users across Europe, North America and other regions. The partnership adds The Post to...
Dude Perfect Wants to Graduate Beyond Being a "Creator Company"
Dude Perfect CEO Andrew Yaffe announced the group is shifting from a creator‑centric model to a full‑fledged media business, highlighted by their upcoming appearance at YouTube’s Brandcast upfront. The company now treats brand partnerships like long‑term sports sponsorships, leveraging its...
Buy Invitational Selling—Profits Support Make‑A‑Wish
My friend Dennis Cummins, who is incredible when it comes to sales and communication, has just released his new book, Invitational Selling. For the first 48 hours, 100% of the proceeds from the launch will be donated to Make-A-Wish.Grab a copy today:...
Media Audiences Are Engaged, but Selective and Skeptical
New data from Ofcom shows audiences are spending more time online but feel less positive, with only 59% saying benefits outweigh risks, down from 72% a year earlier. AI use has surged to 54% of adults, up from 31% last...
A Grand Unified Theory on the American Supreme
The piece launches a new paid‑subscriber series by revisiting classic film essays, using the recent indie drama "Marty Supreme" as a case study. It dissects the protagonist’s choice to abandon a bleeding lover for a ping‑pong match, framing it as...
EXCLUSIVE: TONY DOKOUPIL FURIOUS NORAH GOT TRUMP INTERVIEW — CBS NEVER TOLD HIM IT WAS TO SAVE HIM
CBS assigned the highly coveted Donald Trump interview to Norah O'Donnell instead of daytime host Tony Dokoupil, sparking Dokoupil’s fury. Executives said the decision was a protective measure, fearing the interview could devolve into a volatile exchange that would damage...
Communiqué 115: The Economics of a Microdrama
African media groups are moving from speculation to market formation in the microdrama space. EbonyLife entered the segment with the series *Love Me Twice* on its own streaming service, while Toribox prepares to launch Africa’s first dedicated microdrama platform. Production...
As Threats to the Press Grow, Student Journalists Are Rewriting the Rules
Student journalists across U.S. campuses are overhauling long‑standing newsroom practices as immigration enforcement and federal protests threaten reporters, especially international students. The Student Press Law Center’s April 2025 warning prompted schools to reconsider anonymity, takedown requests, and digital‑privacy safeguards. Editors like...
AdMarketplace Is Piloting Performance Ads In AI Chat
adMarketplace has launched the beta version of AI Discover, a performance‑ad product that inserts sponsored placements directly into AI chat conversations. During a six‑month alpha with Opera’s AI assistant, the system delivered over 2 million ads across roughly 700,000 queries, revealing...
AdMarketplace Is Piloting Performance Ads In AI Chat
adMarketplace has launched the beta version of AI Discover, a performance‑ad product that inserts sponsored placements directly into AI chat conversations. The pilot builds on a six‑month alpha with Opera’s AI assistant Aria, during which more than 2 million ads were...
In Indiana, a Campus Newspaper Adviser Fights for the ‘Soul of Our Country’
Indiana University fired longtime adviser Jim Rodenbush after he resisted a directive to curb the *Indiana Daily Student*’s print run. Rodenbush sued, alleging First Amendment violations, while alumni pulled more than $1 million in pledged gifts and free‑speech groups rallied to his...
AP Unveils Summer 2026 Movie Guide Featuring 'Toy Story 5' And 'The Odyssey'
The Associated Press has published a comprehensive Summer 2026 movie guide that outlines every major theatrical and streaming release from May through August. Highlighted titles include Pixar’s long‑awaited "Toy Story 5" and the ambitious sci‑fi epic "The Odyssey," giving audiences a roadmap...
Trust in News Rises After Years of Decline in NZ. What’s Behind the Shift?
New Zealanders' trust in news rose to 37% in 2026, up five points from the previous year and marking the first increase since the 2020 baseline. Trust in the news they personally consume also climbed to 50%, a five‑point gain....
TikTok Is Now the #1 Platform for Beauty Influencer Marketing
TikTok has overtaken Instagram as the top platform for beauty influencer marketing, generating more than $18 billion in earned media value (EMV). The short‑form video format fuels high‑volume, authentic content that scales quickly, while Instagram’s value now hinges on specific formats...
TikTok Unveils UK’s First #BookTok Bestseller List, Women Authors Claim All Top 20
TikTok has launched the United Kingdom’s first official #BookTok bestseller list, a hybrid chart that blends physical‑store sales with in‑app engagement data. The inaugural top‑20 is composed exclusively of women writers, highlighting the platform’s power to drive a £86 million (≈$108 million)...
Netflix Expands Ad‑supported Tier, CPMs Fall to $20s, Ad Revenue up 16%
Netflix has rolled out a broader ad‑supported subscription tier, cutting CPMs to the low $20s and prompting a 16.2% jump in quarterly revenue to $12.25 bn. The move signals the streamer’s shift from experimental ad sales to a core revenue pillar.
Philo Elevates Laura Dechant to COO as It Scales Streaming Service
Philo announced Laura Dechant as its new chief operating officer, promoting her from head of business operations. The move follows a broader executive reshuffle that includes Tom Tidgwell as CFO and signals a push toward greater operational agility and AI...
Public Broadcasting: A Political Battle with Democratic Stakes
A parliamentary inquiry into France's public broadcasting sector, led by Charles Alloncle, is set for a decisive vote, sparking concerns of an ideological offensive. The paper by David Medioni and Nathalie Sonnac frames the probe as a direct challenge to...
VIOOH Expands Programmatic DOOH Reach Across Brazil’s Major Cities With We OOH Partnership
VIOOH, the global premium DOOH supply‑side platform, has partnered with Brazil’s We OOH to bring programmatic access to its extensive digital billboard network. The deal unlocks 320 screens that generate more than 1.3 billion monthly impressions, roughly 5% of the country’s...
Where People Get Their News Influences Their Beliefs About Vaccines
A Johns Hopkins study of 2,970 U.S. adults finds that regular consumers of “new right” media—such as Breitbart, Newsmax and Zero Hedge—are more than twice as likely to be vaccine‑hesitant. The survey, conducted in 2025 amid a record measles surge of...
The Doom-Scroll Drama: France.tv Swipes Up on Its First Vertical Series
France.tv has debuted its first vertical series, a 20‑part micro‑drama titled “P*tain de soirée.” Each episode runs about three minutes and was filmed exclusively in a 9/16 portrait format to suit smartphone screens. Produced by La Méridienne and directed by...
One Billion Views and Counting: How Digital Publisher 'Brut' Is Rethinking Cannes for Gen Z
Since 2022, digital‑first outlet Brut has been the official producer and broadcaster of Cannes Film Festival’s online coverage, turning the traditionally elite event into a billion‑view digital experience. By repurposing red‑carpet moments into short‑form videos optimized for TikTok, Instagram Reels...
Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Christy’ Flops at Box Office, Becomes HBO Max Hit
Sydney Sweeney’s R‑rated boxing biopic ‘Christy’ opened to $1.3 million and plunged to $108,487 in its second weekend, marking one of the steepest drops in modern cinema. The film has since resurfaced as a top‑trending title on HBO Max, underscoring how...
The €1 Billion Axe: Leaked Parliamentary Report Proposes Gutting French Public Broadcasting
A leaked parliamentary report, championed by Conservative MP Charles Alloncle, calls for a €1 billion (≈$1.08 billion) overhaul of France's public broadcasting system. The proposal mandates merging major TV channels, imposing strict editorial controls, and reinstating state‑appointed executives to run the outlets....
My Instore Radio Launches Reporting Feature to Track In‑Store Audio Campaigns
My Instore Radio unveiled a reporting feature that lets retailers see exactly how often each in‑store audio message plays and match that data to foot‑traffic patterns. The tool, available across single‑ and multi‑location setups, aims to turn a traditionally opaque...
“As a Channel, We Are Incredibly Resilient”: Kirsten Black Talks Shifts, Shocks and Untapped Potential
Kirsten Black, Affiliate Director at EssenceMediacom, highlighted the affiliate channel’s surprising durability despite recent market shocks. She emphasized the rapid rise of micro‑influencers, who are capturing niche audiences with engagement rates that surpass macro and mega creators. Black noted that...