Chris Boffey: Star Reporter, News Editor, Mentor and ‘Great Human Being’
Chris Boffey, a 74‑year‑old veteran journalist, died after a four‑decade career that spanned the Sunday Mirror, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Observer and Guardian. He was celebrated for frontline reporting from Northern Ireland, the Omagh bombing, the Lockerbie crash and the Gulf War, as well as breaking high‑profile stories such as Gary Glitter’s sexual offences. Boffey also served briefly as a special adviser to the education secretary, showcasing his versatility beyond the newsroom. Colleagues remember him as a mentor whose kindness and practical advice shaped a generation of reporters.
SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA to Rebrand as NEWS24
Sky News Australia will rebrand as News24 later in 2026, coinciding with its 30th anniversary and a shift toward a digital‑first, globally‑focused news operation. The new name drops the geographic tag to broaden appeal and mirrors News Corp’s worldwide branding....
One Chatbot’s Journey To Introducing Ads That Don’t Suck
Luzia, a Latin‑American AI assistant, moved from generic Google Display ads to Koah’s generative‑AI ad network to deliver native, context‑aware ads within its chat interface. Koah’s flexible formats—color, size, interactive polls—and hybrid CPC/CPM/CPE pricing let Luzia experiment with placement before...
WTF Is a Creator Capital Market?
Creator capital markets (CCMs) are emerging as a way for influencers to monetize future earnings through equity, revenue‑sharing tokens, or meme‑coins. Early platforms like GigaStar have raised millions by offering fans a stake in YouTube ad revenue, while crypto launchpads...
Viaplay Scores EFL Championship Rights in Nordics
Viaplay Group has signed a multi‑year agreement to broadcast every English Football League Championship match in the Nordic region through 2028. The deal adds the second‑tier league to Viaplay’s existing portfolio of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and selected...
DANIKA MASON’S ‘Drunk’ Cross – What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Channel Nine sports reporter Danika Mason appeared flustered during a live cross on the Today show, prompting viral speculation that she was drunk on‑air. The brief stumble was captured and widely shared across social media within hours. Mason returned the...
The Traitors Hits 40 International Commissions
All3Media International announced that The Traitors format has now been commissioned in 40 territories, with Indonesia becoming the 40th market for a 10‑episode celebrity adaptation in 2026. Recent roll‑outs include new versions in Slovakia, Estonia, Serbia, and Malta, while earlier...
Burnley FC Launches Docuseries on X
Burnley FC and X have expanded their partnership with the launch of "Limitless", an eight‑part behind‑the‑scenes docuseries following Burnley FC Women. The series, produced by VSP Studios and Ad Hoc Films, premieres on X on February 20 and will release new...
"What an Anti-Climax": Love Island Fans Slam "Boring" Firepit Questions for All Stars
Love Island: All Stars aired a fire‑pit Q&A segment where host Maya Jama read viewer‑submitted questions to the cast. Only one query sparked a brief argument between Samie and Lucinda, while the remaining questions were described as bland and uneventful....
A Familiar Face Returns To Host ‘New Faces’ Show at CRS 2026
Syndicated country radio personality Elaina Smith will host the New Faces of Country Music Show at the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2026. The showcase features emerging artists Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick, and Josh Ross....
Triton Digital Releases 2025 U.S. Podcast Report
Triton Digital’s 2025 U.S. Podcast Report shows podcast reach climbing to 53 % of the U.S. population each month, crossing the half‑population threshold for the first time. Audio remains the dominant consumption mode, while video usage varies sharply by genre. New...
Advertisers’ Trust in Public Media, with Thomas De Napoli
Thomas De Napoli, VP of Sales & Underwriting at American Public Media, explains how the organization’s business side rallies around editorial teams during high‑profile moments, keeping revenue pressure secondary to mission. He highlights public media’s non‑biased stance, rapid ad placement—often within 12 hours—and...
Writers Guild Honours Invisible Boys, Colin From Accounts at 58th AWGIEs
The 58th Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) AWGIE Awards celebrated top screenwriting across film, TV and digital platforms in Sydney. Stan’s drama "Invisible Boys" captured Television Series, while Netflix‑backed "Apple Cider Vinegar" won Limited Series, underscoring the rise of Australian streaming...
The Creator Autonomy Paradox
The article argues that influencer campaigns deliver higher ROI when brands give creators genuine autonomy rather than rigid scripts. Data shows Gen Z audiences distrust brands that micromanage creators, and only 10 % of creators feel they have creative control despite 53 %...
G FLIP Delivers Reimagined Tournament Anthem Ahead of ASIAN CUP Kick-Off
Australian ARIA‑winner G Flip has reimagined the classic rock anthem “All Fired Up” as the official soundtrack for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The revamped track will play throughout the tournament, which will be streamed live and exclusively on Paramount+,...
IMPERFECT WOMEN Trailer Drops with A-List Cast
Apple TV released the first trailer for "Imperfect Women," an eight‑episode psychological thriller. The series stars and is executive produced by Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss, alongside Kate Mara and a large ensemble cast. Based on Araminta Hall’s novel, the...
Dana White Opens up in THIS IS UFC Special
Paramount+ is debuting a new documentary series titled "This Is UFC" on Saturday, 21 February. The three‑part special offers unprecedented access to UFC president Dana White as he recounts the promotion’s evolution from a fringe spectacle to a global sports...
Tom Hawkins Replaces Nathan Buckley as FOX FOOTY Reveals 2026 Lineup
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports unveiled their 2026 AFL broadcast lineup, keeping most shows unchanged but swapping Tom Hawkins for Nathan Buckley on Friday Night Footy. Buckley steps aside due to his coaching duties at Geelong, while Hawkins joins Garry...
RAIN Notes: February 19
The episode covers three main topics: Audible’s new sync feature that highlights ebook text in real time with audiobook narration, insights from audio‑industry executives on how advertisers can leverage the evolving AI‑driven audio advertising ecosystem, and the International Federation of...
Sir Damon Buffini to Step Down From BBC Board Role
Sir Damon Buffini will step down as Deputy Chair of the BBC Board and Chair of the Commercial Board on 30 June, ending his term that began in January 2022. Under his tenure, BBC Commercial posted record profits, returning £400 million to the...
Natasha Valerie On Why Creator Management’s Next Phase Demands Cultural Fluency And Infrastructure
The Viralist Group, founded in September 2022, now represents over 200 creators—more than 90% of whom identify as AAPI or BIPOC—and commands a combined audience of 500 million across platforms. The agency has partnered with over 1,300 global brands, positioning itself...
Manychat Earns WhatsApp Technical Certification From Meta
ManyChat has regained Meta’s WhatsApp Technical Certification, confirming its compliance with the messaging giant’s security and API standards. The renewed status elevates ManyChat to Meta’s “Tech Partner” tier, reflecting high conversation volumes and robust client onboarding. The certification allows the...
Influencer Darla Bundus On Why She Decided To Slow Down, Sell Less, And Protect Audience Trust
Influencer Darla Bundus, who commands over nine million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat, has shifted her strategy from rapid growth to deliberate restraint. She now accepts fewer brand deals, posts less frequently, and emphasizes transparency around personal health...
AI Startup Hightouch Launches AI Tool To Repurpose Existing Marketing Creative
Hightouch unveiled Content Assembly, an AI‑driven tool that repurposes existing brand‑approved assets into new campaign materials. Marketers describe desired outputs in plain language and AI agents scour DAMs, Figma, Adobe, Google Drive and other repositories to assemble on‑brand emails, ads,...
Seattle Sports Brings Back “The John Schneider Show”
Bonneville’s KIRO‑AM “Seattle Sports” is reviving “The John Schneider Show,” a weekly program hosted by Seahawks EVP and GM John Schneider alongside Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton. The show launches on February 19 and will air every Thursday through the NFL...
FCC’s Carr Appoints Two to World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appointed George John as chair and Kimberly Baum as vice‑chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee, re‑chartered on Jan. 21. The committee will guide the FCC’s positions for the International Telecommunication Union’s 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. The...
UK Broadcasters Attract “Sizeable Audiences on YouTube” Says Barb
Barb’s 2025 report shows YouTube viewing on UK TV sets climbing sharply, with half of children aged 4‑15 and 20% of over‑55s tuning in weekly. YouTube now accounts for 54% of its UK viewership via television, surpassing any single channel’s...
Audion Launches Cross-Platform AI, Podcasting’s Top Sports Networks, & More
Audion unveiled Audion AI, an artificial‑intelligence agent that aggregates podcast performance data across Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Amazon Music, then fuses it with the company’s own campaign and brand‑lift metrics to automate ad activation. The launch coincides with a...
CDN Netskrt Discloses Network Capacity, Revenue, and How It Adds Capacity Profitably
Netskrt Systems disclosed its network capacity, revenue metrics, and profit‑driven scaling strategy. The company operates a software‑defined CDN with about 65 Tbps steady‑state capacity, aiming for 150 Tbps by 2026 while keeping invested capital near $30 million. Its capital‑to‑revenue ratio is projected to...
Phil Hoffman to Lead New Mexico PBS
Phil Hoffman will assume the role of General Manager and CEO of New Mexico PBS on April 1, 2024, following the retirement of Franz Joachim on March 31. He will serve as co‑GM starting March 24 to ensure a smooth transition. Hoffman brings extensive...
Ali Breland on Why It’s Important to Cover the Online Far Right
In this episode, Ivan L. Nagy talks with Atlantic staff writer Ali Breland about the growing entanglement of the online far‑right with mainstream politics under Trump. Breland explains how figures like Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate and the viral “Clavicular” streamer illustrate a shift...
Sports, Influencer and Media Buying Capabilities to Drive M&A This Year
Moore Kingston Smith forecasts a modest rebound in UK media and marketing M&A in 2026 after a 23% drop to 301 deals in 2025, the slowest since the pandemic. Buyers are prioritising capability‑driven targets—especially sports, influencer, and media‑buying agencies that...
KCBX Names Chris McBride GM
Chris McBride has been appointed General Manager of KCBX Central Coast Public Radio, taking over from Frank Lanzone, who led the station for 45 years. McBride joined KCBX in 2023 as development director and later served as assistant GM, bringing a background...
Vegas PBS GM Mare Mazur to Retire
Mary Mazur, who has led Vegas PBS as president and general manager since early 2021, announced she will retire later this year. During her tenure, the station deepened its role as an educational partner for the Clark County School District...
How YouTuber Johns Hopkins Brings Stories of Baltimore History to WYPR
Johns Hopkins, a historian‑producer for Baltimore Heritage, launched the YouTube series “Five‑Minute Histories” during the pandemic, amassing nearly 400 videos and 18,000 subscribers. The series, despite its name, averages six‑minute episodes. WYPR partnered with Hopkins to reformat the stories into...
Elbowing In
The episode examines a lawsuit filed by three right‑wing media figures—podcaster Brandi Kruse, talk‑radio host Ari Hoffman, and Discovery Institute fellow Jonathan Choe—seeking permanent press passes and a revamp of Washington’s statehouse credentialing rules. It outlines how the Capitol Correspondents Association ceded credentialing...
Convene to Envision Shared Futures Through Art and Storytelling
AL.com teamed with the Birmingham Times to launch the Beyond the Violence series, which evolved into the Birmingham Dreams event. The free gathering, facilitated by poet laureate Salaam Green, blended poetry, music, and community storytelling in a historic theater. Attendees—including...
Guardian, January 2026
Publishers are warning that AI‑powered search summaries and chatbots could dramatically shrink the traffic that traditionally drives their advertising revenue. Major search engines, led by Google, are testing features that present condensed article excerpts directly in search results, bypassing the...
The Fix, January 2025
Reuters Institute’s 2026 Trends Report, released in January 2025, highlights three core observations shaping the future of news. First, digital subscription models are accelerating faster than traditional advertising revenue. Second, artificial intelligence is becoming integral to newsroom operations, influencing both...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 9, 2026 to February 13, 2026
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on media ownership in the digital age, zeroing in on the FCC’s 39% national TV ownership cap as the Nexstar‑TEGNA merger moves forward. FCC Commissioner Gomez publicly objected to an investigation of ABC’s...
Special Report – The Future of Media Buying
AI is reshaping media buying as Meta and Google report massive ad‑revenue growth driven by proprietary AI tools. The surge forces agencies and publishers to confront a widening data and automation advantage held by big‑tech. Publicis suggests agencies can stay...
January CDP Index: High-Dollar Gifts, New Donors Fuel Standout Year for Membership Revenue
Public media organizations saw a 42% jump in membership revenue in 2025 versus 2024, driven by higher‑value gifts and a surge in new donors. The High‑Dollar Gifts Index rose 88%, indicating far more $500+ contributions, while the New Donor Index...
FCC Approves Reassignment of UEN-TV License Within Utah University System
The FCC approved a pro forma reassignment of the UEN‑TV (KUEN) license from the Utah Board of Higher Education to the University of Utah on Dec. 4, placing the station under PBS Utah’s oversight. No money changed hands in the transaction....
Spotify Q4 Report Exceeds Expectations; Stock Bounces
Spotify's Q4 2025 earnings beat expectations, driving a sharp rebound in its stock price. Revenue grew 13% YoY to €? and gross margin hit 33.1%, delivering €1.17 billion in net income and EPS of €4.43, well above forecasts. Monthly active users rose...
You’ve Got Jmail
The episode explores Jmail, a web tool that lets users browse Jeffrey Epstein’s email archive in a Gmail‑like interface, created by AI programmer Luke Igel and developer Riley Walz to make the massive DOJ data dump hyper‑legible. Igel discusses how AI enabled...
A Tale of Two Lists: Top New and Existing Podcasts of Q4
The episode examines Edison Research’s latest podcast metrics, contrasting the Top Ten New Podcasts of 2025 with the broader Top 50 Podcasts of Q4, which includes stalwarts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Crime Junkie. The hosts highlight that none of...
Grok Is Now Editing Itself
The episode examines Grokipedia, Elon Musk’s AI‑generated Wikipedia alternative, and reveals that its chatbot Grok has become the primary editor, submitting and approving over three‑quarters of all suggested changes. Analysis by the Tow Center shows Grok’s self‑editing surged in December,...
Join FIPP for Events Around the World in 2026
The merger of FIPP with WAN‑IFRA has created a packed 2026 agenda of global media events. In April, the WAN‑IFRA AI Forum in Frankfurt will examine artificial intelligence’s impact on content creation and audience engagement. June brings the World News...
FCC Sets Requirement to Promptly Update FCC Registration Numbers – No Need to Panic, But Licensees Should Ensure All FCC...
The FCC has finalized a rule requiring all users of the Commission Registration System (CORES) to update their FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) within ten business days of any contact‑information change. The regulation, introduced in a robocalling proceeding, replaces the vague...
Britney Spears Sells Catalog
The episode discusses Britney Spears' reported sale of her music catalog to independent publisher Primary Wave, noting the lack of confirmed details and price. It places this deal in the context of recent high‑profile catalog sales by artists like Queen,...