Sports Publisher On3 Tries AI Recommendations To Keep Engagement In Its Home Court
On3, a sports‑focused publisher with 15 million monthly visitors, has deployed Mula’s AI‑powered recommendation engine across about 20 of its sites to sustain engagement and revenue per session (RPS). The system leverages first‑party data to surface articles, vertical video and Fanatics‑linked merchandise, then routes users to RevContent native ads when their On3 session wanes. Early results show consistent RPS and ecommerce sales, including a $2,500 autographed helmet, despite broader declines in search and social traffic. On3 plans to extend the feed to its mobile app and fan forums.
Stegawave Debuts Real-Time Forensic Watermarking to Tackle Piracy in Live Sports Streaming
Irish firm Stegawave launched a real‑time forensic watermarking platform for live sports streaming. The solution embeds invisible watermarks into live feeds, enabling detection of illegal IPTV redistribution within minutes and allowing content owners to block source accounts. In a pilot...
Greece Bans Social Media Under 15, UK Campaigners Debate Lower Age to Be Raised in House of Lords
Greece has enacted a law that will prohibit anyone under 15 from accessing social‑media platforms, with enforcement beginning in January 2027. The measure is framed as a public‑health response to sleep disruption, anxiety and other mental‑health risks linked to addictive design....
Four Ways to Level up Your YouTube Live Engagement
YouTube is expanding its Live platform with four new engagement tools. Viewers can now send gifts on both horizontal and vertical streams, and the feature is rolling out to creators in Canada, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Purchases of...
Sam Levinson and ‘Euphoria’ Cinematographer on How the Show’s Harrowing Opening Scene Was a Metaphor for Rue: ‘One False Move...
After a four‑year break, HBO’s "Euphoria" returns with a daring opening sequence that sees Rue attempting to drive a car over a makeshift border wall, a visual metaphor for her precarious drug‑smuggling life. Creator Sam Levinson rewrote the script after...
Dropbox Enlarges Big Spaceship's Scope As Social AOR
Dropbox has elevated Big Spaceship from project‑based work to its official social agency of record, expanding the scope to full‑funnel duties and IRL activation content for 2026. The partnership has already driven quarter‑over‑quarter engagement gains among Dropbox’s 700 million users, supported...
'Extreme' Reveal: TDA Boulder Unboxes Orijen Freshprey
TDA Boulder launched Orijen Freshprey with "The World’s Most Extreme Unboxing," filming at 12,000 feet in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. The campaign partners with outdoor creators Wander with Willow and showcases the product in a rugged, outdoor setting, diverging from...
NBA Playoffs Set to Leave Local TV Behind in Streaming-Heavy Shift
The NBA’s postseason will be shown exclusively on national networks and streaming platforms, ending local TV coverage for the first round. The Play‑In Tournament moves to Amazon Prime Video, while first‑round games split among NBC, Peacock, Amazon, ESPN and ABC...
The Purpose Of An Investigative Report
Investigative reports are the definitive record of an inquiry, translating findings into actionable outcomes such as disciplinary measures, training programs, or legal proceedings. They must be clear, comprehensive, and free of extraneous detail to protect the organization from liability. A...
Tucker Carlson Launches Book Imprint With Skyhorse
Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host and podcaster, has launched a new book imprint called Tucker Carlson Books in partnership with Skyhorse Publishing. Skyhorse, which has issued memoirs by Woody Allen and Melania Trump, will handle distribution and editorial support....
Archer Teams with ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ for First Entertainment Deal
Archer Meat Snacks announced its first entertainment partnership, teaming with the upcoming theatrical release *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu*. The multi‑channel campaign includes three co‑branded snack packs, a 30‑second ad spot on Disney+ and sports playoffs, and a QR‑code reward that gives...
Student Journalists May Produce a Quarter Million Bylines a Year. Here’s What that Looks Like
Student journalists are set to generate roughly a quarter‑million bylines in 2026, based on an AI‑driven analysis of 870 RSS feeds that represent about 80% of U.S. college newspapers. The data shows a dramatic rise in output, with some campuses...
How Advertisers Can – And Cannot – Get In Front Of Chatbot Shoppers
Advertisers face a stark reality: there is no paid gateway to appear in most LLM‑driven shopping chats. Google’s AI Overview (AIO) ads are the sole open‑market option, automatically surfacing in search results without exclusion controls. ChatGPT’s ad pilot remains a...
Grass Valley Expands Studio Berlin Deal For Cinematic Live Workflows
Grass Valley is expanding its partnership with Studio Berlin by delivering a new batch of 24 LDX cameras—12 LDX 135 UHD/HDR units and 12 LDX 180 Super 35mm systems, including two compact C180 models. The cameras will be integrated into Studio...
AIP, Castlabs To Demo Next-Gen Streaming Ad Formats
Ad Insertion Platform (AIP) and Castlabs will demo next‑generation streaming ad formats at the NAB Show in Las Vegas (April 18‑22). The showcase centers on AdBlendr, AIP’s server‑guided ad insertion engine, paired with Castlabs’ PRESTOplay player to deliver non‑intrusive formats such as...
Dan Stevens, Felix Kammerer and Agnes O’Casey Join ‘Legacy of Spies’ as BBC/MGM+ John Le Carré Series Starts Production
BBC and MGM+ have begun filming "Legacy of Spies," an eight‑part series that weaves John le Carré’s Cold War novels *The Spy Who Came in from the Cold* and *A Legacy of Spies* into a new thriller. Matthew Macfadyen returns as Michael Smiley, while...
BBC & MGM+’s ‘Legacy Of Spies’ Adaptation Finds Its Bill Haydon & Casts ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’ Star...
BBC and MGM+ are launching an eight‑part adaptation titled “Legacy of Spies,” based on John le Carré’s Cold War novels and the 2017 prequel sequel. Dan Stevens leads the cast as the enigmatic double‑agent Bill Haydon, joined by Felix Kammerer as Stasi enforcer...
Visionular’s Auroravision Aims To Bring Tier-1 Live Production To Standard GPU Servers
Visionular has unveiled AuroraVision, an AI‑native production platform that delivers Tier‑1 live‑production features on standard GPU servers. The software provides real‑time slow‑motion replay, AI‑driven video reframing, 4K/8K up‑scaling and object tracking without specialized cameras or signal‑chain hardware. AuroraFlex extends the...
The Chatbot Closed the Sale. The Publisher Created the Demand. That’s a Problem.
Criteo has embedded sponsored product placements directly into ChatGPT answers, turning AI responses into a new ad inventory. The move sidesteps traditional attribution because the publisher content that shaped the recommendation never appears as a clickable URL, leaving creators without...
Neither Debt Nor Equity: How Copyright Capital Is Funding Creators Banks Won’t Touch
Copyright Capital, founded by former M&A banker Jack Ojalvo in 2022, offers a novel financing model for digital creators that sidesteps traditional debt and equity. The Geneva‑based firm evaluates creators primarily on actual revenue, not subscriber or view counts, and...
CURRENT ISSUE: April 13, 2026
Radio Ink’s April 13, 2026 issue spotlights MediaCo CRO Brian Fisher in its cover story, exploring his strategic vision for the company. The issue also publishes the annual Radio’s Top 20 Leaders 2026 list, ranking the most influential radio executives....
Do TV Shows or Movies Show More Streaming Ads?
Ampere Analysis reports that streaming movies carry about 40% fewer ads than TV series. On average, movies see roughly three minutes of ads per hour versus just over five minutes for shows, giving viewers 36 minutes of uninterrupted content between...
Monday Memo: The 2026 Case for Weekend Talk Radio
Consultant Holland Cooke argues that as podcast listening surpasses traditional spoken‑word radio, podcasters should leverage weekend talk radio to boost credibility and efficiency. Broadcast radio provides an established, trusted audience and makes it easier to attract guests. A live call‑in...
Nate Lundy Show Debuts on The Bet in Denver
Audacy’s Denver sports‑betting station KAMP‑AM, branded as The Bet 1430, has added the "Mile High Sports" show hosted by veteran broadcaster Nate Lundy to its weekday lineup. The program will air from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, positioning the station to capture...
EBay Taps Fashion Influencers to Stock NYC Pop-Up Market
eBay is launching a three‑day pop‑up called “The NYC Edit Market” in SoHo from April 17‑19, showcasing pre‑loved items curated by ten local fashion influencers. The event blends physical retail with eBay’s digital platform, allowing visitors to list items on‑site...
Creator Economy NYC Partners With Social Media Week to Host Creator Economy Exchange Session on April 16
Creator Economy NYC is teaming with Social Media Week to host a "Creator Economy Exchange" during ADWEEK’s New York conference on April 16. The half‑hour session will feature eight rotating stations covering topics such as long‑form content, AI workflows, partnership...
Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (April 11-12)
Talk radio’s weekly roundup highlighted five headline‑grabbing stories that dominated the airwaves from April 11‑12. Listeners heard intense debate over Iran’s nuclear talks and a potential U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the Rep. Eric Swalwell scandal. The weekend...
CAA, YouTube, Meta, and Rivian Among Speakers at Brand Innovators’ Creator Economy Summit in LA
Brand Innovators will host its Creator Economy Summit on April 23, 2026, at Dhar Mann Studios in Burbank. The one‑day event gathers senior marketers from Fortune 500 firms and fast‑growing brands to explore brand‑creator collaboration, monetization, and full‑funnel content strategies. High‑profile...
Snapchat Partners With Los Angeles Dodgers to Bring AR Lens Experiences to Dodger Stadium
Snap Inc. has teamed with the Los Angeles Dodgers to roll out Snapchat’s augmented‑reality lenses throughout Dodger Stadium this season. The deal adds in‑stadium branding, on‑site photo experiences and a dedicated AR photobooth at select games, leveraging Snap’s Cam Lens...
Meta Is Closing in on Google's Title as the World's Largest Digital Ad Platform
Meta is projected to generate $243.46 billion in net ad revenue in 2026, narrowly surpassing Google’s $239.54 billion and claiming the title of the world’s largest digital‑ad platform for the first time. The social‑media giant’s growth is driven by a 24.1% ad‑revenue...
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco Getting His Own New Channel & Show On SiriusXM
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco has signed a multi‑year agreement with SiriusXM to launch his own 24/7 comedy channel, Channel 99, on April 20. The channel, branded Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, will replace SiriusXM Raw Comedy and feature the flagship The Sebastian Maniscalco Show...
Ready, Set, Goal: Capturing Peak Attention on Soccer’s Biggest Stage
Integral Ad Science released a cross‑channel playbook titled “Ready, Set, Goal” to help advertisers capture peak attention during soccer’s biggest stage, such as the 2026 World Cup. The guide provides data‑driven benchmarks that have delivered up to three‑times return on...
Kier-La Janisse Expands Her Spectacular Optical Label Into Distribution
Canadian genre specialist Kier‑La Janisse has turned her Spectacular Optical imprint into a full‑service theatrical, streaming and home‑video distribution label. The venture launches this month with Severin Films handling U.S. home‑video releases, starting with Christopher Morris’s 2023 documentary A Year...
Marketing Director
FlightStory, a media company and investment fund focused on creator‑led IP, is hiring a Marketing Director to build a systematic marketing engine across its portfolio. The role will design virality frameworks, channel strategies, and owned‑audience systems that turn attention into...
Podcast Ad Sales Account Executive
Realm is hiring a Podcast Ad Sales Account Executive for its direct‑sales team, targeting candidates in Chicago, New York/New Jersey, or California. The role manages the full sales cycle, from prospecting and pitch‑deck creation to campaign optimization and billing, while collaborating with...
Prime Video's New Ultra Plan Officially Launches
Amazon has rebranded its ad‑free tier as Prime Video Ultra, launching it officially in April. The new plan costs $14 per month as a standalone service or adds $5 to existing Prime memberships, with an annual option at $46. Ultra...
Creator Partnerships Lead
Supercast, the podcast subscription platform behind shows like Huberman Lab and This American Life, has been acquired by Red Seat Ventures, a Fox Corp. company, signaling a new phase of investment and expansion. The firm is hiring a Creator Partnerships...
Hearst Built A Unified Ad Marketplace To Simplify Omnichannel News Buys
Hearst announced a unified programmatic ad marketplace that bundles inventory from its TV stations, newspapers and digital news sites into a single offering. The new Hearst News network lets agencies buy across the company’s local‑news footprint using their existing DSPs,...
Robert P. Richardson Named WHBQ VP-GM
Rincon Broadcasting Group has appointed Robert P. Richardson as vice president and general manager of WHBQ (Fox 13) in Memphis. Richardson previously led ABC affiliate WICS‑WICD and oversaw Fox and CW stations in the Champaign‑Springfield market. His career spans senior sales...
Second & Final Season Of ‘Black Sands’ Launching On The Viaplay Streaming Service In The U.S.
Viaplay will launch the eight‑part second and final season of Icelandic crime drama *Black Sands* on May 14, 2026, releasing two episodes per week in the U.S. The series, starring and co‑written by Aldis Amah Hamilton, continues the investigation of...
Hugh Bonneville Soccer Satire ‘Twenty Twenty Six’ Scores Twice In America With BritBox & Tubi Deal
BBC Studios has secured distribution for the soccer‑satire sitcom "Twenty Twenty Six" on two U.S. platforms, BritBox and Tubi, launching May 1. The six‑part series stars Hugh Bonneville reprising his Ian Fletcher role alongside a North‑American cast. The dual, non‑exclusive deal...
The Next Era of OpenX: The Intelligent SSP
OpenX announced a rebrand as the "Intelligent SSP," emphasizing AI‑driven simplicity and transparency. The company highlights three pillars—quality, performance and adaptability—backed by a cloud‑native platform and a proprietary supply‑side identity graph. By cutting intermediaries and fraud, OpenX aims to deliver...
The Economist Is Putting Names (and Faces) to Its Magazine
The Economist, long known for its anonymous bylines, is launching Economist Play, a new video component of its mobile app slated for summer 2026. The service will feature shows hosted by correspondents from studios in New York and London, along...
YouTube Is Raising Premium Prices in the U.S. While Denying that It's Serving up Long, Un-Skippable Ads
YouTube announced its first U.S. price increase for Premium and Music subscriptions since 2023. The individual Premium plan rises from $13.99 to $15.99 per month, the family tier jumps to $26.99, and the Lite tier goes to $8.99; Music plans...
Tackling Misinformation and Political Labels
The American Press Institute urges newsrooms to scrutinize political labels and prepare for election‑season misinformation. It recommends pre‑defining label usage, auditing recent stories, and developing transparent style‑guide entries. The guide also advises creating boilerplate fact‑checks and tracking falsehood sources to...
AI Is Reshaping Earned Media, and PR Pros Need to Adapt
Artificial intelligence is reshaping earned media by influencing editorial decisions and search discoverability. A recent study shows AI‑optimized stories are 68% more likely to be run, while 230 million weekly global health queries rely on ChatGPT, with 82% of citations drawn...
Tech Deal Promotes Conversations Between Journalists And Those Who Follow Their Stories
Noosphere, a New York‑based news platform, has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with Sky News to embed its app that lets audiences converse directly with journalists via video and text. The partnership will initially be tested with Sky’s defense and...
AI Is Nothing Without Data Fidelity. Here’s A Four-Step Approach to Protect It
AI’s effectiveness in advertising hinges on the fidelity of the data that fuels it. The industry often relies on inferred or fragmented signals, which degrade model accuracy and erode trust. A four‑step framework—starting with quality inputs, building low‑degradation infrastructure, demanding...
How Jake From State Farm Made His TV Debut in Netflix’s ‘Running Point’
State Farm has teamed with Netflix for an integrated campaign around the sports comedy series “Running Point,” featuring its mascot Jake from State Farm in a first‑ever TV debut within the show. The partnership includes a co‑branded pre‑roll spot starring...
Deeper Influencer Messaging For Linear's Old-School Ad Ecosystem?
Influencer creators are increasingly being featured in traditional 30‑second linear TV spots, blurring the line between social‑media ads and broadcast commercials. Brands argue that a personal, influencer‑driven tone can counteract consumer fatigue with corporate‑sounding messaging. The article examines whether addressable...
