FAST Trend Report 2026: What’s Trending?
Free ad‑supported streaming TV (FAST) has become the new normal in 2026, reshaping audience habits, advertising models, and content monetisation. International programming, especially Asian dramas and anime, generated $8 billion in streaming revenue between 2020‑2024, while FAST sports channels grew 105% year‑over‑year. Local news streaming surged 69% YoY, driven by cord‑cutters, and mobile‑first consumption is propelling growth in emerging regions. Content owners are urged to launch full‑stack FAST services, and advertisers must shift to engagement‑focused, programmatic strategies.
Data: Champions League on Prime Video Attracting New Advertisers
Amazon Ads reports a surge in demand for UEFA Champions League advertising on Prime Video, attracting brands across automotive, financial services, lifestyle and travel. Brand‑lift studies show average lifts of 20% in favourability, 14% in familiarity and 21% in purchase...
McCann Group NZ Appoints Zac Stephenson as Managing Director, Media; Terri Collier Promoted to Newly-Created Chief Client Officer Role
McCann Group New Zealand announced Zac Stephenson as Managing Director, Media, effective 9 March, and promoted Terri Collier to the newly created Chief Client Officer role. The duo, who previously collaborated at DDB, will steer the agency’s shift toward a fully integrated,...
FCC Warns Montana FBO Over Unlicensed Radio Transmissions
The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Beacon Air Group, the fixed‑base operator at Billings‑Logan International Airport, for transmitting on the VHF aircraft band at 128.825 MHz without a license. The unauthorized signal interfered with a co‑located...
How to Watch No. 5 Houston Vs. No. 14 Kansas: Feb. 23, 2026 Men's Basketball Game
On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks (20‑7, 10‑4) will host No. 5 Houston Cougars (23‑4, 11‑3) at Phog Allen Fieldhouse. The game, a pivotal Big Monday showdown, tips off at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Both programs are seeking to rebound...
Maureen McCollum Moves From WPR to WUWM Leadership Role
Maureen McCollum has been hired as Vice President of Content for Milwaukee NPR affiliate WUWM 89.7. The former Wisconsin Public Radio journalist and host will steer the station’s editorial strategy and drive its shift toward a multi‑platform public media model. McCollum...
How to Watch Louisville Vs. No. 18 North Carolina: Feb. 23, 2026 Men's Basketball Game
On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, No. 18 North Carolina hosts Louisville in a pivotal ACC showdown at 7 p.m. ET in Chapel Hill. Both teams sit at 9‑5 in conference play, making the game critical for postseason positioning. The contest will...
Woolworths Senior Media Manager Joins Comcast’s FreeWheel
Comcast’s FreeWheel has hired Woolworths senior media manager Alan Jenner as Director of Platform Partnerships for Australia and New Zealand. Jenner spent nearly five years leading programmatic at Woolworths and previously held senior roles at LiveRamp, Comscore, Optus and Telstra. FreeWheel,...
Is The New York Times a Games Company? A Familiar Debate Continues
The New York Times now has more bundle subscribers than those who pay for news‑only, reflecting a strategic shift toward ancillary products such as Wordle, cooking guides, and The Athletic. The company has stopped offering a pure news subscription to new customers,...
KPGZ Captures Kearney Championship Run With Comrex
102.7 KPGZ in Kearney, Missouri leveraged Comrex’s FieldLink sideline reporter codec to enhance its live coverage of the Bulldogs’ high‑school football playoff run. The FieldLink system, which uses the free FieldTap app on iOS and Android smartphones, provided crisp, wireless...
Google Discover Update: Early Data Shows Fewer Domains In US via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
NewzDash’s early analysis of Google’s February 2026 Discover core update shows a shift toward locally relevant, in‑depth content and a drop in click‑bait style items. In California, local articles in the top 100 rose from 10 to 16, while Yahoo’s presence fell...
TEGNA Brings More ‘9News’ To Denver Viewers
TEGNA has added two new 30‑minute “9News” broadcasts at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on its MyNetwork TV affiliate KTVD‑20 in the Denver‑Boulder market, also streaming via the 9News+ app. The 5:30 p.m. slot competes directly with NBC Nightly News on KUSA‑9. TEGNA...
Weekly Dashboard – Feb. 20, 2026
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told CNBC that rumors of a Disney spinoff are unfounded, emphasizing that ESPN is a core component of Walt Disney Company’s long‑term strategy. He highlighted the network’s integrated approach, linking ESPN’s content with ABC broadcasts and...
OmniPlayer 3 Enters The U.S. Marketplace
M&I Broadcast Services, part of Valsoft, has introduced OmniPlayer 3, its flagship radio‑automation platform, to the U.S. market. The software, already a staple in the Dutch radio sector and used by the BBC, promises to streamline workflows and future‑proof broadcast operations....
An iHeartMedia Tweak Seek Requires A Redo
iHeartMedia filed an FCC minor‑change application to shift WROV‑FM’s city of license from Martinsville, Va., to New Castle, Va. The FCC’s Audio Division rejected iHeart’s claim that the move would serve a larger population, citing a staff engineering analysis that shows...
Kazakh Journalists Are Being Fined for Surveying Public Opinion on the Upcoming Referendum
Kazakh authorities have fined journalists and a media outlet for conducting online polls about the March 15 constitutional referendum, citing violations of the country’s referendum‑survey law. The Prosecutor General’s Office requires pre‑approval for any poll, a rule that has blocked...
Daily Express Is the Next Reach Plc Title to Go Premium
The Daily Express has launched a new Express Premium subscription, offering ad‑lite reading, exclusive journalism, and perks like the Daily Expresso newsletter and enhanced commenting. New subscribers can try the service for £1 in the first month and receive priority...
Bostopia’s Evan George Serves Boston Daily News From a Lefty Perspective
Boston native Evan George has built a daily news brand, Bostopia, delivering Boston headlines in 60‑second TikTok videos. Leveraging his background in political organizing and a graduate education in sociology, he walks the city, cites local journalists, and adds a...
Let’s Get This Place Spiffed Up
Radio stations face mounting obsolete gear as technology advances, prompting a shift toward leaner facilities and consolidation. The article outlines a step‑by‑step plan for inventory audits, staff communication, and systematic removal of outdated equipment. It emphasizes documentation, recycling, and potential...
‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ Review: Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe Rake in the Laughs
NBC’s new sitcom “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” stars Tracy Morgan as a disgraced former NFL star who hires Oscar‑winner Daniel Radcliffe to document his redemption. Created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means, with Tina Fey as executive producer, the series blends...
NBCUniversal Brings Top Titles to London TV Screenings
NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution used this year’s London TV Screenings to debut three flagship series – the ensemble drama The Five-Star Weekend starring Jennifer Garner, the high‑octane thriller Prisoner featuring Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle, and the character‑driven comedy Dog Park....
RAIN Notes: February 23
HeartMedia’s new study defines a growing audience – bicultural Latinos who identify equally as American and Hispanic – and highlights their media habits. Radio remains dominant, reaching nine‑in‑ten of this group each month, while 90% regularly consume English‑language content and...
SPI International & A1 Group Launch FilmBox+ in Southeast Europe
SPI International has rolled out its FilmBox+ streaming service in Bulgaria and Serbia through a partnership with telecom operator A1 Group. The launch builds on FilmBox+'s existing presence in Poland, Hungary and Romania, extending the brand’s reach in Southeast Europe....
ABC Orders Tasma Walton’s WA Crime Drama Pilli Sisters PI to Series
ABC has ordered a six‑part crime drama titled Pilli Sisters PI, created and written by actress‑author Tasma Walton. The series follows Indigenous sisters running a private investigation firm in Fremantle, Western Australia, and will be filmed across the state. Production...
Cobalt Digital To Feature New End-to-End IPMX, ST 2110 Solutions At 2026 NAB Show
Cobalt Digital will unveil a suite of new end‑to‑end IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110 solutions at the 2026 NAB Show, including the blueCORE 1RU processor family, upgraded PACIFIC ULL‑DEC decoder with dual SDI/ST 2110 output, a factory‑installed DVB‑S/S2 demodulator, and hybrid satellite‑internet...
As Return of Excellent Police Drama Blue Lights Approaches, Show Creators Land Brand-New BBC Drama
The BBC has commissioned a six‑episode drama titled “D‑Notice” from Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, the creators of the acclaimed police series Blue Lights. Filming will take place in Belfast and London, and the series will examine the UK government’s...
"Incredible" Police Sitcom Branded "Fun and Refreshing" Is Coming to Netflix
Netflix will debut the police sitcom “Good Cop/Bad Cop” on March 3, featuring Leighton Meester and Luke Cook as sibling detectives in a quirky Pacific Northwest town. The series, originally aired on The CW in 2025, earned a 91 % Rotten Tomatoes score and a...
AI-Driven Kids Media Firm Animaj Strikes Global Deal with The Orchard’s Magic Star and Sony Music Publishing
Animaj, a digital‑first kids media company, has signed a global music partnership with Magic Star, The Orchard’s children’s division, and Sony Music Publishing. Magic Star will distribute Animaj’s recordings worldwide while Sony will administer publishing rights for its song catalog....
A Star Trek Producer Has A Perfect Idea To Bring Back Scott Bakula's Captain Archer
Star Trek producer Michael Sussman has outlined a new series centered on Scott Bakula’s Captain Jonathan Archer, envisioning the character’s later years as president of the United Federation of Planets. The concept, tentatively titled “Star Trek: United,” builds on a...
Waterloo Sparkling Water Names Dentsu Creative Social AOR as Brand Expands
Waterloo Sparkling Water has appointed Dentsu Creative as its social agency of record, coinciding with the rollout of new flavors Banana Berry Bliss, Melon Medley and a year‑round Lemon Italian Ice. The partnership is timed to the opening of the...
Games Journalism’s Challenges in 2026: The BIG Show with Christopher Dring and Kaare Eriksen
Video game journalism entered 2026 under severe pressure, with widespread layoffs, shrinking freelance budgets, and shifting audience habits eroding traditional business models. At GamesBeat’s Hollywood & Games event, Alexander Lee interviewed Christopher Dring and Kaare Eriksen, who highlighted the sector’s...
Steve Goldstein: Apple Just Moved the Center of Gravity in Podcasting
Apple’s recent rollout of native video in Apple Podcasts marks a pivotal shift, turning video into a core podcast format and introducing Apple’s first large‑scale video ad revenue share. This move accelerates the “liquid content era,” where shows fluidly switch...
Video Growth Lead – Temporary
Lemonada Media is hiring a part‑time, temporary Video Growth Lead to boost its YouTube and short‑form video presence. The role, reporting to the SVP of Content & Production, will create, edit, and optimize video assets for shows like *Don’t Listen...
Dentsu Entertainment, Iconic Arts Partner to Create Brand-Oriented IP
Dentsu Entertainment announced a strategic partnership with Iconic Arts to develop original, brand‑centric intellectual property, emphasizing anime and serialized formats. The collaboration will initially serve Dentsu’s Japan‑US synergy initiatives, helping Japanese and global brands launch cross‑market franchises. Leveraging Iconic Arts’...
Headliner and Hubhopper Partner to Bring AI-Powered Video Clipping to Podcasters
Hubhopper has integrated Headliner’s AI‑powered video‑clipping toolkit, letting podcasters turn full‑length video episodes into up to ten short clips with a single click. The workflow lets creators upload, generate, and schedule clips to YouTube and, soon, Apple Podcasts directly from...
5 Reasons Why 30 Rock Fans Need To Check Out NBC's The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins premiered on NBC on February 23, starring Tracy Morgan as a fallen football star seeking a comeback. Created by 30 Rock veterans Robert Carlock and Sam Means, with Tina Fey as executive producer, the...
Post Leveson Chill in Police-Press Relations Thaws After 15 Years with New Rulebook
After fifteen years of strained police‑press relations following the Leveson Inquiry, the College of Policing has issued updated communications standards for England and Wales. The new rulebook encourages officers at all levels to engage with journalists, permits off‑the‑record briefings, and...
The 10 Fastest-Growing UK Instagram Accounts Of January 2026
Manchester United led the UK Instagram surge in January 2026, adding 497,000 followers to reach 66.1 million total. Harry Styles, Owen Cooper, Olivia Dean and other entertainers followed, each gaining between 191,000 and 419,000 new followers. The growth was driven by a...
Substack Doubles Down On Canada, Hiring Digital Media Veteran Mark Swierszcz To Expand Subscription-Led Publishing
Substack has hired veteran digital‑media executive Mark Swierszcz as its first Head of Partnerships for Canada, signaling a focused push into its third‑largest market. Swierszcz brings a decade of experience from MTV, MuchMusic, YouTube and Google Canada to grow creator,...
How Crave, the Canadian Streamer Behind ‘Heated Rivalry,’ Is Making a Name for Itself in America and Beyond
Canadian streamer Crave’s original series “Heated Rivalry” has become a breakout hit, pulling in roughly 11.5 million U.S. viewers on HBO Max and ranking as the platform’s top‑acquired series. The show’s success has driven a 26 percent subscriber surge for Crave, adding over...
Outlander's Caitríona Balfe Promises 'Revenge, Reunions, Revelations' From The Very Start Of Action-Packed Final Season
Caitríona Balfe revealed that Outlander’s final season will be driven by “revenge, reunions, revelations,” hinting at the possible return of the long‑presumed‑dead daughter Faith. She noted Jamie will shoulder a new, solitary burden while Claire begins to discover hidden abilities. The...
Shaboozey Expands EMPIRE Relationship by Signing With Publishing Arm
EMPIRE announced a new publishing agreement with Grammy‑winning artist Shaboozey, extending the partnership that began with his 2021 label signing. The deal follows the massive success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which logged 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard...
MAFS UK Star Reveals "Wobble" Moment that Didn't Air Ahead of the Show's New Reunion Episode
The season‑10 reunion of Married at First Sight UK will air on March 1, featuring a lineup of past couples. Abigail Callahan disclosed on a YouTube interview that she experienced an emotional "wobble" during filming, prompting her to ask the crew...
Luis Estrada to Lead KVMR Community Radio
Luis Estrada, a veteran public‑media professional with more than 11 years at KPBS, will become general manager of KVMR Community Radio in Nevada City on March 2. He also founded the bilingual production firm ES Creative Gang, giving him a strong...
Millennial Entertainment: Inside The Strategy Behind Long-Term Talent Growth In The Creator Economy
Millennial Entertainment, a Beverly Hills‑based 360° talent firm founded in 2017, positions itself as a long‑term career architect for creators, athletes and performers. Co‑founders Jack Reed and Max Litke emphasize a full‑service model that extends beyond brand deals into podcast...
A ‘Classic Radio Station’ Finds A New Owner
A 1 kW Class C AM station broadcasting vintage 1960s rock from Oregon’s capital is set to change hands, pending Federal Communications Commission approval. The outlet, operating with a single tower, has cultivated a dedicated niche audience that values analog authenticity. Ownership...
Ozen.fm Arrives in Brazil and Appoints Priscila Falcone as Commercial Director
Ozen.fm, a global podcast and digital‑audio platform, announced its market entry in Brazil and hired Priscila Falcone as Commercial Director. Falcone will head commercial operations, leveraging her decade‑long experience in programmatic media and audio advertising. The launch aligns with rapid...
Guggenheim Brothers Media Wants To Institutionalize The Creator Economy’s Middle Market
Guggenheim Brothers Media has launched a $75 million fund, anchored by Abu Dhabi’s Ethmar International, to fill the middle‑market funding gap in the creator economy. The Los Angeles‑based firm will invest $1‑5 million in 20‑25 early‑ to growth‑stage media and entertainment companies...
Telos Alliance Offers AERO Software Update To Correct Nielsen Watermark Issue
Telos Alliance announced a software update (v3.32.47) for its Linear Acoustic AERO series to incorporate the latest Nielsen watermark encoding library and fix a timestamp reset issue that would affect data reporting after Jan 1, 2027. The update covers current AERO models—including...
Monday Memo: “What Matters Next” For Radio?
Kate O’Neill’s new book *What Matters Next* argues that AI itself isn’t the disruptor for radio—human behavior is, and AI merely speeds up its effects. The author warns stations against using AI to double down on sameness, insisting that originality...