NHL Sees Early Bump for Post-Olympic Slate
The NHL’s post‑Olympic slate is showing an early ratings lift, with the first eight telecasts on ABC, ESPN and TNT averaging 603,000 viewers – a 23% increase over the pre‑Olympic baseline. ESPN’s coverage now averages 785,000 viewers, up 17% year‑over‑year, while TNT’s audience is up 6% to 353,000. ABC’s marquee matchups drew about 1.1 million viewers, though still below the network’s pre‑break double‑header peaks. Historically, the league did not see a clear viewership bump after the 2010 Olympics, making this rise noteworthy.
Wednesday TV Ratings: Chicago PD, Survivor, Abbott Elementary, Masked Singer, Police 24/7
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, TV ratings show new episodes across major networks, featuring Chicago PD, Survivor, Abbott Elementary, The Masked Singer and Police 24/7. Percent changes from each show’s previous original episode are reported, though exact numbers are omitted. The article links...
Shark Tank: Season 17 Ratings
ABC’s long‑running reality series Shark Tank entered its 17th season with a schedule shift from Friday to Wednesday nights, prompting speculation about its ratings impact. Season 16 averaged a 0.27 rating in the 18‑49 demographic and attracted 2.81 million viewers, providing...
SpotVault - Survivor (CBS) - Spring 2026 Ratings
Survivor’s Spring 2026 season posted an average of 5.0 million viewers and a 0.95 rating in the coveted 18‑49 demographic across its first two episodes. Both metrics represent double‑digit year‑over‑year growth, with total viewership up 44% and the demo rating climbing...
SpotVault - RJ Decker (ABC) - Spring 2026 Ratings
SpotVault’s Spring 2026 ratings show ABC’s new drama RJ Decker premiered Tuesday, March 3, at 10 p.m. with a preliminary rating of 3.692 and a 0.21 lead. The key 18‑49 demographic registered only 0.3 viewers, reflecting a 79% drop compared with earlier benchmarks....
Operators Love CEO Products: How’s That Going?
Major media publishers such as The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and The Economist are launching high‑priced C‑suite membership programs that combine exclusive events, networking, and concierge services. These offerings aim to address CEOs' isolation and rapid disruption from geopolitics and...
Here Are the Substacks You Should Read
The author curates three standout Substack newsletters—Comedy Distant by Vanessa Ogle, big reader bad grades by Alexander Sorondo, and Cross Current by Mo Diggs—highlighting their unique voices and cultural relevance. Ogle delivers sharp satire on workplace and improv culture, Sorondo...
The Kitchen: Food Network Series Returning for Special Following Cancellation
The Kitchen, a Food Network staple since 2014, was cancelled in October 2025 after 490 episodes and 14 specials. Hosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian announced a surprise special slated for later this month. The...
“Love Story” Becomes FX’s Most Watched Limited Series On Streaming
Ryan Murphy’s limited drama "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette" has become FX’s most‑watched limited series on streaming, delivering over 25 million hours viewed across its first five episodes on Disney+ and Hulu. The fifth episode attracted 51 % more viewers...
“Bluey” Tops The Nielsen Chart Once Again
Bluey reclaimed the No. 1 spot on Nielsen’s Acquired Shows chart for the week of Feb 2‑8, 2025‑2026, logging 871 K minutes and breaking into the overall top‑10. Disney’s family‑friendly slate continues to dominate the acquired‑show rankings, while Netflix’s original hits The Lincoln...
People Are Wondering Who Is Running The White House's X and Tik Tok Accounts, Running War Communucations
White House officials have begun using X and TikTok to broadcast real‑time updates about the Ukraine war, blending official statements with short‑form video content. The posts have sparked speculation about who actually manages these accounts, as no clear staff roster...
NFL Reportedly Wants New Rights Deals in Place by Start of Next Season
The NFL is accelerating its media‑rights negotiations, aiming to lock in new agreements before the 2026 season starts in September, earlier than the previously expected fall window. Talks will begin with Paramount and then Fox, with contracts likely extending through...
Will David Ellison Remake the NFL Market?
David Ellison, backed by Skydance and RedBird Capital, has embarked on a $125 billion media buying spree, acquiring Paramount for $8 billion, securing a $7.7 billion UFC broadcast deal on CBS, and moving to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery for roughly $110 billion. These transactions dramatically expand...
The Playbook Behind One of the Fastest-Growing Social-First Newsrooms
The News Movement, launched in 2020, built a newsroom that creates journalism native to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts, targeting Gen Z. Its reporters are “triple‑threat” video journalists who shoot, edit and publish stories directly on social feeds, bypassing traditional websites....
What ‘Hoppers’ And ‘The Bride’ Tell Us About At-Home Demand
The article argues that pre‑release audience intent data can forecast a film’s performance across theatrical and at‑home windows. Using Pixar’s *Hoppers* and Warner Bros.’ *The Bride* as case studies, it shows how theatrical intent and home‑viewing intent percentages, plus willingness...
Dunk Neos and Mediocrity Hell
The post highlights four distinct cultural moments: Addison Rae fronts Lucky Brand’s new 1990s‑inspired campaign, Rob Rausch teams up with audio‑erotica startup Quinn, engineering student Bhavitha Mandava is profiled for opening a Chanel show, and the author joins the EIC...
State of the Workflow: Becca Farsace
In the latest Cortex episode, former Verge editor Becca Farsace discusses her transition to an independent creator, detailing how she built a self‑directed workflow for video production. She shares lessons learned from her tenure at a major tech publication and...
The Big Ben Show: Ben Shapiro, Benham Ben Taleblu, Buck (Somehow Not Ben) Sexton
The latest episode of The Big Ben Show drops as a supersized special, featuring Fox News host Ben Shapiro, Iran specialist Benham, and veteran commentator Buck Sexton, who recently landed a New York Times bestseller. The trio tackles the week’s political upheavals,...
TCWD Podcast: Who Killed the Media?
The TCWD Podcast "Who Killed the Media?" argues that journalism’s decline is engineered, not accidental, citing AI‑generated fake war footage, a war‑hawk press, and profit‑driven ownership. Hosts Jessa and Nico point to venture‑capital funding, Jeff Bezos’ controversial handling of the...
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly From The Daily Wire's New Merlin TV Show
The Daily Wire’s seven‑episode series “The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” showcases production quality that can stand beside mainstream fantasy giants like HBO, featuring strong acting, cinematography, and music. However, the show crams Stephen R. Lawhead’s expansive source material...
DCN’s Media Industry Must Reads: Week of March 5, 2026
Digital Content Next curated a weekly roundup of the most consequential media stories for the week of March 5, 2026. The collection highlights Larry Ellison’s looming media empire, a surge in niche‑casting as traditional broadcast wanes, and the Supreme Court’s refusal to...
History of RBI Communications
In early 2026 the Reserve Bank of India launched its first official podcast, "RBI Talks Paisa to Policy," building on a 2025 web‑series released to celebrate the institution’s 90‑year anniversary. Both initiatives expand RBI’s communications toolkit, which has evolved from...
Monday TV Ratings: The Voice, The Rookie, DMV, Wild Cards, Extracted
Monday, March 2, 2026, saw a full slate of new episodes across major broadcast and cable networks, including American Idol, The Rookie, The Voice, and the sci‑fi drama Wild Cards. Ratings were compiled using Fast Affiliate Numbers, showing percentage changes...
Is Digital Content The Key To Local Media's Future?
In the inaugural episode of "In The Vicinity," Tim Hanlon interviews Madhive CEO Jim Wilson about the future of local media. Wilson argues that broadcasters must reinvest linear TV cash flow into digital and streaming capabilities to stay competitive. He...
Reclaiming Distribution: A Modern Indie Release Strategy
Gille Klabin, after a traditional distributor release of his debut, chose self‑distribution for his $296,000 horror‑comedy “Weekend at the End of the World.” He partnered with aggregator Bitmax for technical delivery, kept full rights, and used data‑driven micro‑ads, tiered pricing,...
Tennis Channel Streaming Service Joins Amazon Prime Video Channels
Tennis Channel’s direct‑to‑consumer streaming service, launched in 2024, is now available through Amazon Prime Video Channels at $11.99 per month. The partnership expands the network’s reach beyond its own platform and follows similar moves by smaller streamers like Fox One....
One Year of The Red Letter
The Red Letter marks its one‑year anniversary as a subscription‑based newsletter delivering independent, unbiased reporting. Backed by community contributions, it has pursued stories hidden from mainstream outlets, including closed‑door negotiations and private communications. The platform’s editorial freedom enables deep‑dive investigations...
Query Critiques February 2026
The February 2026 edition of Query Critiques on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing offers two downloadable PDF critiques—one by Cw Notesmilleradams and another by Cece Notes Milleradams. Access is restricted to paid subscribers, though a seven‑day free trial grants temporary...
New Literary Agency: Lingua Nova
Jaidree Braddix, former head of publishing at ARC Collective, has founded Lingua Nova, a new literary agency dedicated to nonfiction. The agency aims to represent a mix of emerging and established nonfiction writers, leveraging Braddix’s industry contacts. Lingua Nova enters...
Agencies Partner up to Represent Authors of Romance and More
The Gernert Company and Bookcase Literary Agency announced a partnership to jointly represent self‑published and debut authors of commercial fiction aimed at women, including romance. The collaboration pools the agencies’ editorial, sales, and rights expertise to broaden market reach. By...
Gayle King Inks New CBS News Deal to Stay at CBS Mornings
Veteran journalist Gayle King has signed a new multi‑year agreement with CBS News, confirming she will remain co‑anchor of the network’s flagship morning program, CBS Mornings. The contract, disclosed to The Wall Street Journal, comes after weeks of speculation about...
Netflix Picks Up NBC Medical Sitcom ‘St. Denis Medical’ for April 2026 Release
Netflix will add NBC’s mockumentary sitcom *St. Denis Medical* to its U.S. library on April 1, 2026, coinciding with the ongoing broadcast of season 2 and a confirmed renewal for season 3. The acquisition follows the earlier addition of *Happy’s Place*, highlighting Netflix’s strategy...
Reba McEntire’s Sitcom ‘Happy’s Place’ Is Officially Coming to Netflix
Netflix has secured U.S. streaming rights to the freshman NBC sitcom *Happy’s Place*, slated to debut on the platform on April 1, 2026. The series, created by Kevin Abbott and headlined by country star Reba McEntire, follows Bobbie inheriting a...
Emerald’s MJBizCon’s Evolution Amid Industry Overhaul
Emerald Holding acquired MJBiz, the premier cannabis B2B event, for $120 million in 2022, betting on a booming market. Since the purchase, exhibitor numbers have slumped from roughly 1,400 to 557 and attendance data has become opaque, reflecting a broader industry...
What Online Master’s Programs Reveal About the Convergence of Digital Publishing and Journalism
Online master’s programs are becoming a barometer for the merging of journalism and digital publishing. Approximately one‑quarter of graduate media students now enroll exclusively online, reflecting broader digital adoption in higher education. These programs combine traditional reporting with multimedia storytelling,...
Tokenized Shareholder Rewards – What It Means for Financial Journalism
Tokenized shareholder rewards let companies issue blockchain tokens tied to equity stakes, offering programmable access to content, voting and future yields. The model leverages crypto‑exchange infrastructure, turning tokens into tradable incentives that align investor engagement with media consumption. Financial journalism...
Lifetime Expands Roster of Powerhouse Creatives with New Movie Projects Helmed By Queen Latifah and Taraji P. Henson
Lifetime announced new original‑movie agreements with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment and Taraji P. Henson’s TPH Entertainment. Latifah will executive‑produce three Lifetime films, while Henson will helm two projects in partnership with FOX Entertainment Studios. Both deals reinforce Lifetime’s focus on bold, female‑driven storytelling and...
Five Things I've Learned About Politics
Matt Goodwin reflects on the Reform Party’s recent by‑election effort in Gorton and Denton, outlining five key lessons. He highlights how a ten‑person core team, backed by hundreds of volunteers, gathered voting intention data from a third of the constituency,...
RJ Decker: Season One Ratings + Viewer Votes
The ABC crime drama RJ Decker premiered its first season starring Scott Speedman, adapting Carl Hiaasen’s Double Whammy novel. Nielsen’s live‑plus‑same‑day ratings, which include DVR playback, have been posted but show modest numbers compared with network peers. Viewer‑generated votes are...
News: Versant, Bob Costas, David Ross and More
Versant CEO Mark Lazarus said the company will pursue new sports‑rights opportunities as NFL contracts are renegotiated, positioning USA Sports to fill gaps left by larger networks. NBC’s Bob Costas revealed that the Sunday Night Baseball pre‑game will be trimmed...
Friday TV Ratings: Boston Blue, Stumble, 20/20, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, NBA Basketball
Friday, February 27, 2026, TV ratings show a busy lineup with new episodes of 20/20, Sheriff Country, Fire Country, Boston Blue, Happy’s Place, Stumble and Dateline NBC, alongside an NBA matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. Reruns of The Greatest American, Masters of...
Dateline NBC: Season 34 Ratings
Dateline NBC’s 34th‑season ratings were released on March 4 2026, posting a 0.20 rating in the 18‑49 demographic and 2.21 million total viewers. The long‑running primetime newsmagazine remains a Friday‑night staple on the Peacock Network. NBC has not yet announced a renewal or...
Television’s Value Is Not Decided In The Ad Break
The television industry is moving from an advertising‑centric view of value to an upstream focus on intellectual property (IP) as a capital asset. While ad yield still matters, executives are now assessing financing structures, rights ownership, and extension potential before...
AI in Practice: SISO CEO Summit to Explore What’s Actually Happening
The SISO CEO Summit convenes March 9‑12 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, under the theme “Innovation in Action,” shifting focus from AI hype to concrete implementation. Attendees—C‑level leaders from trade shows, media groups, and suppliers—will explore evolving KPIs, AI‑driven M&A...
Bridging the News Gap
In September, PBS‑affiliated KVIE launched the free Abridged newsletter, delivering investigative and cultural stories to Sacramento‑area readers. The service now includes dedicated Yolo County, food‑and‑drink, and arts‑culture editions, many authored by former Sacramento Bee and local newsroom staff. Abridged has...
Squid Game Expands to Celeb-Reality / House of Cards Creator Writing Game of Thrones Movie / Little House on the...
Netflix is extending the Squid Game franchise with a new celebrity‑driven reality series titled "Squid Game: The VIP Challenge." The spin‑off pits eight high‑profile VIPs against each other in games that echo the original show's deadly contests. Hosts Dylan O'Brien...
Evidence of Effort
The author argues that the most compelling online content today highlights genuine effort, leveraging the effort heuristic that equates visible investment with quality. While AI‑generated imagery can spark mixed reactions, brands face higher scrutiny when using the same tech in...
The Accidental Ad Tech Founder: Eric Hochberger’s 20-Year Bet on the Open Web
Eric Hochberger co‑founded Mediavine in 2004 as a collection of SEO‑driven fan sites. After years of selling sidebar ads and consulting, the company built its own header bidding platform in 2014, which quadrupled revenue and shifted Mediavine into a full‑service...
Will Media Consolidation Finally End TNT Sports?
Paramount Global's pending acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery could spell the end of TNT Sports, the long‑standing sports brand of Turner. The deal, while likely to clear U.S. antitrust review, may still face challenges and follows a pattern where regulators...
ABC's Beloved Comedy "Scrubs" Returns with Over 11 Million Total Audience to Date
ABC’s revived "Scrubs" episode attracted 11.36 million cross‑platform viewers within five days, making it the network’s top comedy debut on streaming in over a year. The broadcast also earned a 0.74 rating among adults 18‑49, the highest linear comedy telecast on...