Basis Wants To Help Marketers Bring Agentic AI Into Media Planning
Basis introduced Compass, an agentic campaign‑planning platform that integrates directly with its DSP and other buying systems. The solution synthesizes advertisers' first‑party data and broader market signals to auto‑generate omnichannel media strategies and audience personas. Early adopter SMZ found the tool unbiased toward Basis’s own inventory and praised its ability to streamline brief uploads, budget discussions, and presentation creation. A summer upgrade will pull full historical data via Model Context Protocol, enabling deeper AI‑driven recommendations.
Basis Wants To Help Marketers Bring Agentic AI Into Media Planning
Digital‑ad platform Basis unveiled Compass, an agentic campaign‑planning tool that integrates with its DSP and other buying platforms. The solution synthesizes advertisers’ first‑party data with broader market signals to generate omnichannel media strategies, while allowing a conversational back‑and‑forth with the...
Meet Logan Marshall-Green, Who Plays Cal on Yellowstone Spin-Off Marshals
The CBS drama *Marshals*, a *Yellowstone* spin‑off, debuted on March 1 with Logan Marshall‑Green starring as Pete “Cal” Calvin, the leader of an elite U.S. Marshal team. The premiere attracted over 20 million multiplatform viewers, prompting a renewal after just two episodes for...
“DTF St. Louis” And the New Story of the Suburbs
HBO’s new miniseries “DTF St. Louis” turns a quiet suburban setting into a murder‑mystery driven by a secret‑dating app, starring Jason Bateman as a weatherman. Critics on the *Critics at Large* podcast link the show to a long line of suburban...
Congress Takes Up an Old Problem: Writing Laws for a Future It Can’t See
Congress is revisiting the 1996 Communications Act, recognizing that its landline‑centric framework no longer fits broadband, 5G, streaming and satellite services. Lawmakers face pressure from national‑security concerns, the erosion of the Universal Service Fund, and renewed scrutiny of Section 230....
Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First Visit to Perugia's IJF
The International Journalism Festival (IJF) in Perugia, Europe’s largest media gathering, returns in two weeks with over 200 sessions and nearly 500 speakers. Set against the city’s historic hilltop, the event draws journalists worldwide to discuss investigative techniques, AI‑driven newsrooms,...
TAG Video Systems and OCI Partner on Cloud Monitoring Integration
TAG Video Systems announced a partnership with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to host its entire product suite on OCI. The deal includes a free egress tier and bandwidth pricing that the company says is significantly lower than typical hyperscaler rates. A...
Attekmi’s Roman Vrublivskyi on Ad Tech Trends, Ad Strategy, and AI
Attekmi CEO Roman Vrublivskyi outlines the five ad‑tech trends shaping 2026, highlighting first‑party data and AI as the top drivers. He explains that privacy‑driven first‑party data is replacing third‑party identifiers, while AI now powers bidding, creative generation and forecasting. Supply‑path...
Net Insight Introduces Programmable Video Production Network
Net Insight unveiled programmable Trust Boundaries, a new layer that creates deterministic IP demarcation points for live‑media workflows. Integrated into the Open Media Platform and powered by Nimbra Live Intelligence, the solution supports uncompressed video and JPEG XS at up to...
Denmark’s Financial News Systems Raises €1.5M to Build AI-Only Financial Newsroom for Real-Time Market Intelligence
Denmark‑based Financial News Systems (FNS) closed a €1.5 million (≈$1.6 million) pre‑seed round led by Ugly Duckling Ventures to scale its AI‑only newsroom. The platform uses specialised models to pull market‑moving data from press releases and regulatory filings in as little as...
Ofcom: Trust in News Sources Mixed; Social Media Usage Down
Ofcom’s latest Media Lives study shows adult social‑media activity becoming more passive, with posting rates falling from 61% to 49% and fewer users exploring new sites. Screen‑time concerns are rising, as 67% admit they spend too long online and 40%...
Albanese’s Address to Australia Was a TV Ratings Smash
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s four‑minute national address aired simultaneously on all five free‑to‑air networks at 7 p.m., drawing 3.722 million live viewers. Adding YouTube streams from broadcasters and the PM’s own channel pushed the total audience to at least 4.183 million. The viewership...
This 6-Part Spy Thriller Turns a Wild True Story Into a Gripping Miniseries
The MGM+ miniseries *A Spy Among Friends* dramatizes Ben Macintyre’s biography of Cold War double‑agent Kim Philby, turning the true story into a six‑part thriller. Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis lead as Philby and his MI6 friend Nicholas Elliott, tracing their decades‑long friendship to its...
How a ‘TikTok Doctorate’ Made 26-Year-Old Griffin Johnson a Venture Capitalist
Griffin Johnson turned a 9.5 million‑follower TikTok presence into a venture‑capital career, co‑founding Animal Capital after his Sway House creator collective secured a $1.5 million Reebok deal. Leveraging his creator‑to‑brand expertise, Johnson helped early‑stage social‑first brands like Poppi, which PepsiCo bought for...
Meta’s Bid to Woo Creators to Facebook Just Might Work, Despite Its Recent Legal Woes
Meta unveiled the Facebook Creator Fast Track, promising $1,000 a month for creators with at least 100,000 followers and $3,000 for those exceeding one million, with payouts lasting three months and a perpetual reach boost. The initiative aims to tap...
TelevisaUnivision, Nielsen Extend Media Intelligence Deal
TelevisaUnivision has extended its multi‑year agreement with Nielsen, securing comprehensive measurement across its broadcast, cable, streaming, radio and out‑of‑home assets. The deal incorporates Nielsen’s Advanced Audiences, ad‑supported streaming ratings, ONE Ads for connected TV and national OOH expansion. By leveraging...
Prime Video’s 87% RT Sci-Fi Gem Is the Perfect Show for ‘Stranger Things’ Fans
Prime Video’s sci‑fi anthology *Tales from the Loop* earned an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score and two Emmy nominations for cinematography and visual effects, positioning it as a visual and cerebral draw for fans of *Stranger Things*. The series, based on...
This Week’s MPN Video Podcast: Dean Devlin on Free Streaming, AI in Hollywood and Adapting TikTok Into TV
Dean Devlin, co‑founder of the free ad‑supported streaming service ElectricNow, discussed the platform’s rapid growth and its first original scripted series, “The Poly Couple,” which adapts a viral TikTok show into a 30‑minute format. He outlined how ElectricNow leverages FAST (Free‑Ad‑Supported‑Streaming‑TV)...
The Masked Singer Crowns A Surprising Winner In Season 14 Finale — See Every Contestant Unmasked
The Masked Singer concluded its Season 14 finale on April 1 with Galaxy Girl claiming the Golden Mask, revealing herself as Ashlee Simpson. The final four featured Cat Witch (Kylie Cantrall), Pugcasso (Phillip Phillips) and Crane (Normani), with Crane being the first finalist eliminated. Simpson’s win surprised...
Here’s What’s Worth Streaming in April 2026 on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and More
April 2026 sees major streaming platforms adjusting both price and programming. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are raising their ad‑free subscription fees by up to $2, pushing the monthly cost to $19.99 and $19.98 respectively. Hulu is capitalising on nostalgia...
How to Fix Buffering on YouTube TV
YouTube TV buffering is usually caused by home Wi‑Fi limitations rather than the service itself. The article advises first confirming actual internet speed with a wired test, then restarting and repositioning the modem and router. If problems persist, upgrading to a...
Creators Need To Be In The New Media Plan
TikTok’s new whitepaper projects Australia’s creator‑driven commercial contribution to reach US$100 billion (≈AUD $144 billion) by 2030, a 1.3‑fold increase from 2025. The growth is spreading beyond beauty and fashion into gaming, financial services, apps and consumer electronics, as brands seek authentic creator...
‘We Haven’t Culturally Normalised It’: Media Industry Unpacks Why Younger Staff Are Hesitant & ‘Using AI Like A Fancy Google’
A LinkedIn panel of senior media executives highlighted a stark generational divide in AI adoption across Australian newsrooms. While 78% of Australians feel curious or relieved about AI taking over tasks, 37% feel overwhelmed and 63% fear falling behind. Younger...
This Is Flow Wins $16M Cranky Health Media Pitch
Australian media agency This is Flow has won the $16 million (≈$10.6 million USD) Cranky Health media account, covering its flagship The Man Shake and three sister brands. The agency will handle all media planning and buying across traditional, performance and e‑commerce...
Estée Lauder Pushes ‘One Team, One Culture’ Model as WPP Deal Details Emerge
Estée Lauder has appointed WPP as its first global media partner, launching a new “One ELC” operating model that unifies media, data and commerce across the company. The model consolidates previously fragmented regional structures into a single AI‑enabled ecosystem, aiming to accelerate...
Newspaper Ad Spend Rebounds 17.4% After Year-Long Decline
Print newspaper advertising in Australia rebounded 17.4% year‑on‑year in February, marking the first growth period since February 2025. Media agency spend across print and digital titles rose 11.2% YoY, driven largely by regional publications and the South Australian election cycle....
Call for Entries: Screenworks: Regional Crew Pathways Program Tasmania
Screenworks has launched its 2026 Regional Crew Pathways Program in Tasmania, partnering with Netflix, Screen Tasmania and AFTRS. The initiative offers an AFTRS‑run post‑production onboarding course in May and a single paid entry‑level placement on a 2026 film or TV...
Prime Video Drops ‘Kevin’ Trailer and Guest Cast
Prime Video unveiled the trailer, key art, and an extensive guest‑cast list for its new adult animated comedy *Kevin*, which drops all eight episodes on April 20. The series follows a housecat navigating life after his human owners split, starring Jason Schwartzman...
The Live Blog Is Dead in the Water – It’s Time for the News to Break Out of Bad Habits
The article argues that traditional live blogs are ill‑suited for covering complex, multi‑theater stories like the Gulf conflict, as they prioritize timeliness over understanding. It highlights a surge of AI‑powered dashboards that aggregate data but still fail to deliver true...
Sea Cleaners, JCDecaux Target Litter as Brand Risk
Sea Cleaners and JCDecaux have launched Reverse Media Schedules, a model that treats littered branded packaging as negative outdoor advertising. The system blends litter audits, audience data and media modelling to estimate how many people see branded waste and its...
3 Popular Jack Black Movies Now Streaming on Peacock
Peacock has added the three Kung Fu Panda movies, all featuring Jack Black as the voice of Po, to its streaming lineup. The original 2008 film generated roughly $632 million worldwide, while the 2024 fourth installment earned about $548 million, underscoring the franchise’s box‑office...
UK Social Media Activity Drops but AI Is on the Up
Ofcom’s latest reports reveal that while 89% of UK adults remain on at least one social platform, active participation is falling sharply – posting, sharing and commenting dropped from 61% in 2024 to 49% this year. Users are becoming more...
Celebs Face the Music in Seven’s Glenn & Mick’s CELEBRITY INTERVENTION
Seven Network is launching a new primetime comedy series, Glenn & Mick’s Celebrity Intervention, on its broadcast channel and streaming platform 7plus. Hosted by veteran comedians Glenn Robbins and Mick Molloy, each episode places a well‑known Australian celebrity in a...
Why Every Social Strategy Needs a Performance Audit Before Q2
A social media audit is a structured review of account health, content performance, competitors, and goals, providing an objective snapshot of what works and what doesn’t. Teams that conduct quarterly audits grow faster than those that only react to problems,...
Foreign Correspondent: Apr: 7
ABC’s Foreign Correspondent will profile New York’s newly elected mayor, Zoran Mamdani, a young Muslim Asian American who identifies as a democratic socialist. Mamdani’s platform promises tax hikes on the wealthy, rent freezes and free childcare to address the city’s...
TikTok Tests In-App DM Games
TikTok has rolled out a new emoji‑based game that can be launched directly from private or group direct messages, making it the latest in‑app entertainment feature for the platform. Users send a single emoji, tap it, and then guide the...
Iconic Cable Channel Warns of Bankruptcy, Survival Risk
QVC Group Inc., owner of QVC and HSN, warned investors it may not survive as a going concern after missing its Form 10‑K filing deadline. The company is negotiating with lenders to restructure more than $5 billion of debt, and a...
47 Years Ago Today: Nickelodeon First Launched on Cable TV & Changed Children’s TV Forever
On April 1, 1979 Nickelodeon debuted as the first cable network devoted exclusively to children, launching with the preschool series Pinwheel and no commercials. The channel grew from a 13‑hour, ad‑free test in Ohio to a national brand, adding advertising...
Andy Cohen “Was Surprised” By Amanda Batula & West Wilson’s Relationship, Has “So Many Questions” For ‘Summer House’ Reunion
Andy Cohen revealed he was surprised by Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s joint relationship announcement, emphasizing that the statement left many unanswered questions. The couple confirmed their romance, describing it as evolving from a long‑standing friendship and acknowledging its broader...
YouTube Connects AI Chatbot to Smart TVs
YouTube has extended its conversational AI chatbot to select smart‑TV platforms, letting viewers ask spoken questions via the remote’s microphone while watching videos. The feature, tested since February 2026, appears as an “Ask” button that delivers in‑stream answers and recommendations....
Deadline Launching Reality TV Summit In LA With Unscripted Stars, Buyers, Producers & Creators
Deadline is launching its first Reality TV Summit in Los Angeles on May 1, 2026, gathering top unscripted talent, network and streaming executives, and hit‑show creators. The event, held at Lumen West LA, will feature panels on the state of reality television, the...
Will Smith & Matt Damon’s Controversial Movie Streams on Paramount+ Today
Paramount+ added the 2000 drama "The Legend of Bagger Vance" to its library today, making the Will Smith‑Matt Damon collaboration available for on‑demand streaming. The film, directed by the late Robert Redford, was a commercial flop, earning roughly $39.5 million against...
Advertising-Funded Streaming Surges Ahead in DACH, New Study Finds
A new report by FUNKE Channels and valantic shows advertising‑funded streaming, especially FAST (Free‑Ad‑Supported Streaming TV) channels, is accelerating in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Linear television remains the dominant format but its share is eroding as VOD, subscription services and...
Heroes' Creator Got His Start Writing For Courteney Cox's Forgotten Sci-Fi TV Series
Tim Kring’s first notable TV credit was writing the ninth episode, “Twin Engines,” of NBC’s 1985 sci‑fi series Misfits of Science, a short‑lived, campy show starring a young Courteney Cox. The series was canceled after one season due to low ratings,...
GRID Teams With NAVER to Bring LoL Esports Data to CHZZK Platform
South Korean internet giant NAVER has partnered with esports data specialist GRID to embed real‑time League of Legends statistics into its CHZZK livestreaming service, launching with the LCK season on April 1, 2026. The integration will surface a live win‑probability graph, early‑game...
LA’s Woody To Be Honored with MSBC’s ’26 Kidd Kraddick Award
Woody, the host of the syndicated The Woody Show on iHeartMedia’s ALT 98.7 in Los Angeles, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Kidd Kraddick Award at Talentmasters’ 38th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp, to be presented in Cleveland from August 5‑7. The...
NYC Organizer Fernando Mateo Gets Sunday Show on 77WABC
Former NYC mayoral candidate Fernando Mateo is launching a new Sunday‑night talk show, “No Excuses,” on Red Apple Media’s 77 WABC. The program targets the tri‑state area’s Hispanic community, featuring policy discussions, listener calls, and interviews with government, business, and grassroots...
International Shoots: Why Trusted Hubs Are Overtaking Incentives
International film production hubs are outpacing pure tax rebates as the primary draw for Netflix, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery. While many Ibero‑American territories still tout high incentive percentages, executives now prioritize regulatory predictability, fast permitting, reliable payments and robust local...
Audacy Phasing Out Market Manager Role in Sales Restructure
Audacy announced a sweeping sales reorganization that eliminates the Market Manager role across all of its clusters. The company will replace those positions with Senior Vice Presidents of Sales and ten new Regional Vice Presidents who will oversee multi‑city territories....
Cord Cutting Today: PBS & NPR Funding Restored, DISH Faces $31B Debt Crunch & Roku Expands Streaming Push
A federal judge has reinstated crucial funding for public broadcasters PBS and NPR, averting an immediate cash crunch. Meanwhile, DISH Network's parent company is pursuing a $31 billion debt refinancing to stave off bankruptcy risk. Roku announced a new mobile app...