Techsurvey 2026 Results Coming in Jacobs Media Webinar
Jacobs Media will release its annual Techsurvey 2026 findings in a free webinar on Thursday, April 23 at 2 p.m. ET. The study gathered nearly 31,000 responses from core radio listeners across more than 500 U.S. stations. It expands its questionnaire to include YouTube, short‑form video, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, concert attendance, and podcast service preferences, while still tracking device ownership and on‑demand habits by demographic. The webinar will be recorded and shared with all registrants.
Scripps News Hires NBC’s Jay Gray to Serve as Senior National Correspondent
The E.W. Scripps Company announced that veteran NBC journalist Jay Gray will join its streaming outlet Scripps News as senior national correspondent. Gray brings 22 years of experience covering breaking news on programs such as The Today Show and NBC Nightly News. His hire follows...
Alan Ritchson’s New Netflix TV Show Revealed After War Machine’s Success
Alan Ritchson is set to host an untitled survival‑competition series for Netflix, marking his return to reality TV after more than two decades. The show, produced by Bunim/Murray, will pit high‑profile creators against each other in a wilderness setting, testing...
CBA Names Station of the Year Winners at Denver Gala
The Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA) held its Awards of Excellence Gala in Denver, drawing over 400 industry professionals and a record 546 radio entries. Station of the Year honors were awarded across four market tiers, with Eagle Country 104.1 (KBVC) winning...
Xbox CEO Called Game Pass 'Too Expensive for Players' In a Leaked Memo
Xbox’s newly appointed CEO Asha Sharma circulated an internal memo warning that the Game Pass subscription has become too expensive for many players. The memo follows two price hikes in the past 15 months that pushed the service to $15‑$30...
Rumor Fact(ory): DistroKid Explores $2B Sale
DistroKid, the DIY digital music distributor that claims to handle roughly 40% of new releases and serves over two million artists, is reportedly exploring a sale valued at $2 billion. The company’s last disclosed valuation was $1.3 billion in a 2021 funding...
BJTC Revamps Student Journalism Awards to Reflect Digital-First Newsrooms
The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) has overhauled its Student Journalism Awards to mirror the industry’s digital‑first focus. New categories include Best Social Video for TikTok and Instagram Reels, and Best Live Report for real‑time reporting. Traditional TV, radio and...
The Amazing Digital Circus' Series Finale Will Be a Theatrical Exclusive
The Amazing Digital Circus, an indie animated web series that debuted on YouTube in late 2023, has exploded to over 425 million views on its pilot and 81 million on its latest episode. Netflix licensed the eight‑episode run while keeping it free...
Cord Cutting Today: Roku Adds New Features as Streaming Prices Rise and Local TV Faces More Disruption
Roku quietly rolled out a new "Roku City" feature on its TVs and players, offering a more personalized channel guide while simultaneously deploying a critical bug fix that restored stability for millions of users. At the same time, Nexstar announced...
Is AUSTRALIAN NINJA WARRIOR Gearing up for a Big TV Comeback?
Australian Ninja Warrior is on the brink of a revival, with a deal expected to be signed within weeks to move the series from Nine to Network 10. Potential filming locations include Dreamworld on the Gold Coast and Melbourne, each offering...
Synamedia Updates Quortex PowerVu to Accelerate IP-Based Distribution
Synamedia unveiled an upgraded Quortex PowerVu platform that shifts broadcast workflows to a software‑centric, IP‑native architecture. By moving playout functions to the edge and using standard IP delivery, the solution can slash operational costs and complexity by up to 80...
Xbox CEO Says Game Pass Is “Too Expensive” And Needs Changes in Leaked Internal Memo
Xbox’s new chief Asha Sharma told staff that Game Pass pricing is too high and must be reworked. The memo follows a recent 50% price hike that lifted Game Pass Ultimate to $29.99 per month, prompting subscriber backlash. Microsoft is...
We're Tracking Streaming Price Hikes in 2026: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and Others
Streaming services across the U.S. are seeing a wave of price hikes through 2025‑2026, with major players like Netflix, YouTube Premium, Spotify, and Disney+ raising monthly fees by $1‑$4. Netflix’s ad‑free Standard and Premium plans now cost $20 and $27...
How CORRECTIV Investigated the EU Housing Crisis
CORRECTIV.Europe released a continent‑wide analysis of housing affordability using the ESPON House4All dataset, which scraped 100 million listings to cover nearly 100,000 municipalities across the EU, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Between 2015 and 2025 rents rose 21 percent while home prices surged...
Inside Fiji’s Growing Drug Trade on FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
ABC’s Foreign Correspondent aired a two‑part investigation revealing Fiji’s emergence as a major transit hub for methamphetamine and cocaine bound for Australia. The program, based on intelligence and naval access, shows how vast oceanic routes enable traffickers to move large...
Pluto TV Adds a New Channel
Pluto TV has added Swerve Women’s Sports, a free, ad‑supported channel dedicated to live competitions, highlights, documentaries and original programming featuring female athletes. The 24‑hour linear channel covers football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics and more, aiming to capture the rapidly...
Jim Jefferies Hosts Flirty New THE 1% CLUB AUSTRALIA Singles Special
Australia’s comedy quiz show The 1% Club returns on Seven and 7plus on April 19, 2026, kicking off with a Singles Night special hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies. The episode features 100 single contestants competing for a $100,000 prize (≈US$66,000)...
YouTube Boosts Creator Economy Focus at 2026 AUS CHILDREN’S SUMMIT
YouTube has joined the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbour as a Major Partner, marking its first formal involvement in the nation’s dedicated kids‑content event. The four‑day summit, running 24‑27 August 2026, will showcase leading family‑friendly creators alongside producers,...
NAB Show: Bridge Technologies To Highlight VB440 Probe Integration with NEP
Bridge Technologies announced that its VB440 production probe will be available as a software‑defined application on NEP Group’s new NEP Platform during the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The integration lets broadcasters launch VB440’s full suite of video scopes,...
Robert Corn-Revere: Fact Checking Without Facts
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is using the public‑interest licensing standard to threaten broadcasters that he labels as spreading "fake news," a stance that departs from decades‑old FCC precedent. Over the past year he has posted on social media that stations...
A Thousand Nos and Two Picassos
The entertainment sector saw several flashpoints on April 13, 2026. A coalition of 1,000 Hollywood creators signed a letter opposing the proposed Paramount‑Warner merger, warning of job cuts and reduced choice. Meanwhile, Canada debated its “Netflix tax” amid U.S. trade tensions, and...
Independent Journalists Are Mission-Driven, but Financially Strained, a New Report Says
A new Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) report, based on a survey of 43 independent information providers and in‑depth interviews with 26, reveals that creator‑journalists are largely mission‑driven but financially strained. Only five respondents can fully fund their...
Google Simplifies Analytics and Ads Consent Rules
Google is overhauling how consent signals flow between Google Analytics and Google Ads, effective June 15. The new model drops the reliance on Google Signals and other Analytics settings, using only the `ad_storage` consent flag for Ads data collection. This...
NAB 2026: OpenDrives Introduces Edge Hybrid Cloud-Edge Performance Accelerator
OpenDrives unveiled OpenDrives Edge at NAB 2026, a hybrid cloud‑edge performance accelerator designed for distributed video and rich‑media workflows. The system automates data movement between a central hub and edge sites, caching files locally for LAN‑speed access while syncing changes back...
NAB 2026: Disguise to Demonstrate Media Server and Software Integrations
Disguise will exhibit its media‑server platform across five partner booths at NAB Show 2026, highlighting new software integrations and a strategic partnership with NETGEAR. The company will preview Sony’s XYN plugin, which converts real‑world spaces into 3D graphics for LED...
NAB 2026: Mediaproxy Adds AI Brand and Advertisement Tracking to LogServer
Mediaproxy unveiled an AI‑powered brand and advertisement tracking suite integrated into its LogServer compliance platform, with a live demo at NAB Show 2026 in Las Vegas. The solution leverages machine‑learning models to automatically spot logos and visual identifiers across broadcast, streaming...
NAB 2026: Synamedia Launches Cloud-Controlled Edge Playout Version of Quortex PowerVu
Synamedia unveiled a cloud‑controlled edge playout version of its Quortex PowerVu platform at NAB Show 2026. The solution moves national feeds to a CDN and lets affiliates generate localized linear channels using a single Media Edge Gateway, cutting infrastructure costs...
NAB 2026: Avid to Demonstrate Integrated Newsroom Capabilities
Avid will unveil its new integrated newsroom suite, Avid for News, at NAB Show 2026. The platform centers on Avid Content Core, an API‑first layer that links planning, production, and publishing across MediaCentral, Wolftech News, iNEWS, NEXIS, and Stream IO. AI‑driven semantic search...
What Separates Brands that Grow From Brands that Stand Still
Keen Decision Systems analyzed 455 brands representing $42 billion in media spend and identified a clear playbook for growth. Winning brands increased budgets about 30% YoY, allocated roughly 40% to digital, and spread spend across the full funnel, achieving 5.4% higher...
Nemesis Trailer: See First Footage Of Power Creator Courtney A. Kemp's Slick, Sexy Netflix Drama
Netflix unveiled the first trailer for “Nemesis,” an hour‑long action drama from “Power” creator Courtney A. Kemp and co‑creator Tani Marole. The series pits a brilliant LAPD detective against a sophisticated thief, promising a heist‑genre twist with family drama and high‑stakes...
Section 230 Is Dying By A Thousand Workarounds, And Massachusetts Just Added Another One
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected Meta’s motion to dismiss, holding that Section 230 does not shield the company from claims that Instagram’s design features—such as infinite scroll, autoplay and algorithmic recommendations—were engineered to addict children, that the platform misled...
Storipod Strikes Deal to Distribute Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Books Digitally
Storipod, a mobile‑first microblogging platform for African creators, has partnered with Narrative Landscape Press to digitise Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s books and other leading African titles. The deal uses Storipod’s chapter‑by‑chapter micropayment system, lowering upfront costs and keeping content in users’ libraries. The...
Audiobooks, E-Books, Printed Books — a Pew Research Comparison
Pew Research’s 2026 reading‑habits survey shows print books still lead American readers, but their dominance is eroding. Audiobook consumption has risen steadily since 2015, reaching 26 percent of adults in 2025, while e‑book usage holds steady around 31 percent. Over the past...
Steve Goldstein: The Attention Economy Comes for Podcasting
Steve Goldstein argues that podcasting has been fixated on download counts, a metric that reflects distribution rather than consumption. He highlights an industry shift toward engagement indicators such as streams, completion rates, and repeat listening, mirroring practices of Spotify, YouTube,...
Beloved Lake District Character Herdy Makes ‘Ewe-Ropean’ Book Debut
Lake District icon Herdy has secured a global publishing deal with Quarto, granting the company world rights to a new line of children’s books. The character will make its international debut at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which runs April...
App Makes Conversation Musical
Feels Music Messaging, founded by former Interscope executive Tony Seyler, launched last month as a free app that lets users share bundled lyrics, images, audio clips and music videos instead of static screenshots. The platform secured licensing agreements with Universal...
Overlay Ads and the Streaming Ad Tech State of Play
IAB Tech Lab’s VP of Product Jill Wittkopp outlined the current state of streaming ad‑tech, focusing on overlay formats such as L‑bars, squeezebacks and corner overlays. The lab applied an 80/20 rule to distill eight ad experiences down to six,...
Issa Rae Has a Trick for Pushing Diverse Projects in an Anti-DEI Industry. Her Advice Is Going Viral
Issa Rae warned that DEI has become a taboo term in Hollywood, with investors pulling back from diverse projects. She advises creators to reframe Black‑centered stories as universal themes such as class to make them marketable. Rae also unveiled Hoorae...
“Global Affiliate Programmes Are Becoming a Hot Topic”: PartnerBoost VP on China’s Affiliate Ecosystem
William Hamer‑Jones, VP of Partnerships at PartnerBoost, says global affiliate programmes are moving from siloed niches to a hot topic, especially in the APAC region. Agencies are overcoming resource gaps by establishing local offices in China, Japan and South Korea,...
Nielsen Appoints Roberto Ruiz as Head of Measurement Sciences
Nielsen has named Roberto Ruiz as Head of Measurement Science, tasking him with advancing the firm’s measurement capabilities and innovation roadmap. Ruiz will oversee the strategy and rollout of new products, technologies and AI‑driven solutions across the division. His mandate...
Sinclair and ONE Media Technologies Outline NextGen TV, Tech Plans for NAB Show
Sinclair Inc. and its subsidiary ONE Media Technologies will showcase ATSC 3.0, Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) and related innovations at the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas (April 18‑22). Executives and engineers will present demos, panels and technical papers highlighting the "Broadcast Once....
How Brands Should Respond to CTV Ad Fatigue Before Viewers Tune Them Out
Streaming platforms are rapidly expanding ad‑supported inventory, with Prime Video doubling its ad load, Netflix adding ad minutes, and Amazon rebranding its ad‑free tier. The U.S. CTV audience now exceeds 240 million, and projected ad spend is set to surpass $46 billion...
Dollar General Expands AI-Powered In-Store Audio Network
Dollar General is expanding its retail media footprint by launching an AI‑enabled in‑store audio network in roughly 6,000 stores, with a goal to reach 12,000 locations by Q2 2026. The system blends point‑of‑sale data, curated music and AI‑generated ads to deliver...
Jay Bilas to Fill Michael Malone’s Role on ESPN NBA Playoff Coverage
Jay Bilas will replace Michael Malone on ESPN’s NBA playoff broadcast team after Malone left for the University of North Carolina head‑coaching job, signing a six‑year, $50 million contract. Bilas, a longtime college basketball analyst who joined ESPN in 1995, will...
The End of MultiChoice as We Know It
Six months after Canal+ acquired MultiChoice, the South African pay‑TV giant is being reshaped under CEO David Mignot. A price freeze follows the loss of 2.8 million linear subscribers, and the underperforming Showmax service is being retired. The business now leans...
Epic Games Store Struggles with Retention as Steam Breaks User Records
Epic Games launched its store in 2018, using free games and exclusives to attract tens of millions of users, but retention remains weak as many revert to Steam after promotions end. Steam recently set a record with over 42 million concurrent...
Nothing’s Impossible in the Trailer for The Boroughs
Netflix announced the upcoming series *The Boroughs*, set to debut on May 21. The show follows a group of retirees in a seemingly idyllic community who confront a mysterious, possibly supernatural threat. It boasts a high‑profile cast including Geena Davis,...
The Real Reason Craig Melvin Is Missing From Today After Reports He’s Scared He’ll Be ‘Elbowed Out’ if Hoda Kotb...
Craig Melvin announced a short, pre‑planned break from NBC’s *Today* show beginning April 13, with a planned return on April 20. During his absence, Hoda Kotb is stepping in as a temporary co‑host, sparking speculation about a possible reshuffle of anchor duties. Industry...
Vince Richards Rocks Back Into PD Role With iHeart Dallas
iHeartMedia Dallas has appointed veteran programmer Vince Richards as Program Director for 97.1 The Eagle (KEGL) and Lone Star 92.5 (KZPS). Richards leaves Audacy after an eight‑year stint, bringing a 30‑year broadcast résumé that spans DFW, Sacramento, Kansas City, New Orleans and...
TV Ads Don’t Work Nearly as Well as Believed
Traditional TV ads still dominate ad spend, with $139 billion allocated versus $33 billion for streaming, yet new research from the University of Notre Dame shows they are only about half as effective as previously believed, overstating impact by roughly 55% for...