Moloco Launches AI-Powered Performance CTV for App Marketers
Moloco has introduced Moloco Ads for Performance CTV, extending its AI‑driven advertising technology to connected‑TV inventory. The platform optimizes each impression in real time, targeting specific marketing outcomes while leveraging advertisers' chosen mobile measurement partners for attribution. It promises premium, brand‑safe inventory, full transparency through publisher‑level reporting, and an open, unbiased marketplace. Moloco positions the service as a way for app marketers to capture untapped TV audiences with mobile‑level precision.
Netflix Expands Video Podcast Slate With Shows From ‘Rotten Mango’ Creator Stephanie Soo, Evan Ross Katz, NBC News’ Ellison Barber...
Netflix is bolstering its original video‑podcast portfolio with five new series, adding to the slate it began building in 2025 through distribution deals with Spotify, iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports. The lineup includes a pop‑culture interview show with former NBC anchor...
HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Premiere Episode Generates 8.5 Million Views in 72 Hours, Up 44% From Season 2 Debut
The season‑three premiere of HBO’s teen drama "Euphoria" attracted 8.5 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max within the first 72 hours, a 44% jump over the Season 2 debut. The episode also propelled the series to the No. 1 spot on Max worldwide,...
How that Scrubs Finale Cameo Sets Things up for JD in the Show's Return
The Scrubs revival’s season‑10 finale featured a brief cameo by Rachel Bilson as Charlie, a new character positioned as a potential love interest for JD (Zach Braff). Showrunner Aseem Batra confirmed that the next season would flesh out this romance...
Albertsons Media Collective Offers New Measurement for Advertisers
Albertsons Media Collective launched an onsite incrementality measurement tool that isolates the causal impact of display ads on sales using test‑and‑control frameworks. The solution, dubbed iROAS, quantifies revenue generated solely by advertising, revealing up to a 6.5‑fold variance across campaigns....
Oh Look, The MAGA FTC Built The Censorship Industrial Complex It Was Screaming About
The Federal Trade Commission, backed by eight red‑state attorneys general, forced all five major U.S. advertising agency holding companies to cease using NewsGuard’s journalism‑rating service. The move extends a prior condition on the Omnicom‑IPG merger and is framed as an...
YouTube Reportedly Nears Deal for 5 NFL Games as League Expands Streaming Push
The NFL is in advanced negotiations with YouTube to secure a five‑game regular‑season package, now at the contract‑review stage. The proposed slate would likely feature international matchups and early‑kickoff games previously aired on NFL Network. YouTube, which streamed a 2025...
The Team Behind Zohran Mamdani’s Viral Campaign Wants More Political Candidates to Get Candid on Social Media
At AD Week, Melted Solids—co‑founders Anthony DiMieri and Debbie Saslaw—and video director Donald Borenstein broke down the social‑video playbook that helped Zohran Mamdani win New York City’s mayoral race. Their strategy centered on authentic, on‑the‑fly footage that let Mamdani riff in...
Target Puts Creators at Forefront of Pokémon Anniversary Campaign
Target is launching a 100‑item Pokémon × Target collection to mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary, rolling out May 2‑June 6 in select stores and online. The campaign puts social creators such as Sydeon and SuperDuperDani front‑and‑center as “trainers,” extending the promotion across social, digital,...
Standard Website Transfers to Independent with More than 30 Staff Leaving
The Independent has signed a long‑term agreement to run the digital, advertising and data operations of the Evening Standard’s website, while the print weekly remains under the original company. At the start of the year the Standard employed 75 people;...
IAB: Ad Revenue Reached $294.6B In 2025
The Interactive Advertising Bureau reported that total internet advertising revenue hit a record $294.6 billion in 2025, a 13.9% year‑over‑year increase. Social‑media ads led the surge, generating $117.7 billion and accounting for 40% of the market, driven by the creator economy and...
New Nielsen Report Makes It Clear: Underestimating Anime Is Bad Business
New Nielsen research released in April 2026 quantifies anime’s shift from niche subculture to a mainstream, high‑spending audience. The study finds 60% of anime fans are primary household earners, rising to 68% among millennials, with a quarter of that cohort...
QVC and HSN Owner Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
QVC Group, the parent of QVC and HSN, announced a Chapter 11 filing and aims to emerge within roughly 90 days. The company says it has ample liquidity to pay all unsecured creditors in full and does not plan any layoffs...
Bullet Points for a Smoother Operation
Small‑market radio stations often falter not because of outdated gear but due to workflow gaps such as undocumented processes and temporary fixes that become permanent. Steve Cannon proposes four operational systems—quarterly automation audits, a single‑path production workflow, monthly engineering walk‑throughs,...
Pano Investigation: No Evidence of Russian Drones in Belgium Despite €50m Emergency Spend
The Belgian TV program Pano found no verifiable evidence of Russian drones over Belgium, contradicting Defence Minister Theo Francken’s public warnings. An emergency procurement of counter‑drone systems cost about €50 million ($55 m) and was executed without a standard tender, leading to...
This Week’s MPN Video Podcast: Why Live Sports Streaming Still Breaks — And How to Fix It
The Media Play News podcast hosted by David Bloom and Daniel Frankel featured NetSkrt CEO Sig Luft discussing why live‑sports streaming continues to falter. Luft highlighted persistent CDN bottlenecks, edge‑delivery constraints, and latency issues that jeopardize viewer experience and real‑time...
Conecta Magaluf–Mallorca Announces First Speakers and Unveils New Meeting Model
Conecta Magaluf–Mallorca announced its first international speakers and introduced a new "Focus On" format that replaces traditional Country Spotlights with curated 1‑to‑1 meetings for audiovisual decision‑makers. The lineup features executives from major European broadcasters, production houses, and a U.S. producer...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Is Forced to Pause Filming as Severe Flooding Leaves Set Underwater
HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms halted production after Storm Therese flooded its Gran Canaria set, submerging medieval structures near the Presa de Las Niñas reservoir. The island’s worst storm in a decade forced a state of emergency and will require environmental cleanup before filming can...
5W PR Launches Digital Growth Program Tailored to B2B Clients
5W PR unveiled a new digital growth program aimed at B2B companies in technology, enterprise solutions, and professional services. The offering fuses public relations, search‑engine optimization, generative engine optimization (GEO) and content creation into a single growth engine. It promises...
Save over 40% Off Fire TV Devices in April
Amazon is offering deep April discounts on its entire Fire TV lineup, with savings of up to 43% off regular prices. The Fire TV Stick HD is now $20 (down from $35), the 4K Select model $25 (from $40), and...
Election Ad Spending Drives up GMA Profit in 2025
GMA Network Inc. posted a 6% rise in net income to PHP2.2 billion (≈$40 million) in 2025, driven by a 3% jump in revenue to PHP18.12 billion (≈$326 million). Political advertising during the mid‑term elections lifted advertising sales to PHP16.57 billion, representing over 90% of...
Artnet Makes Significant Layoffs Following Consolidation with Artsy
Artnet and Artsy have been unified under Artsy CEO Jeffrey Yin, prompting a wave of layoffs that hit Artnet's editorial staff and its Berlin sales team. Senior reporters Sarah Cascone and Eileen Kinsella were among those let go, and the...
BBC's "High-Stakes" Crime Drama with Sheridan Smith Confirms Release Date with First Look Trailer
BBC has announced the premiere date for its new five‑episode crime drama "The Cage", starring Sheridan Smith as a casino cashier who turns to theft to protect her family. Created by Tony Schumacher and produced by the team behind "Poor Things"...
Super Hi-Fi Introduces AI Music Scheduling
Super Hi‑Fi unveiled Neuron, an AI‑powered music‑scheduling engine that leverages neuroscience research to reshape how songs are sequenced for listeners. The platform replaces decades‑old static rule‑sets with dynamic optimization of attention, contrast, novelty and reward, aiming to boost Time Spent...
Christian FM Adds ‘Brant Hansen Show’ Across TCM Network
Christian FM Media Group is adding The Brant Hansen Show to its Today Christian Music network, extending the program to more than 200 markets across the United States and Canada. The show, acquired from Salem Media Group last year, has...
Simply Social Reels in Princes Group Digital Overhaul
Princes Group, the owner of brands such as Branston, Napolina and Crosse & Blackwell, has hired digital agency Simply Social to overhaul its UK organic social strategy, content creation and community engagement. The agency won a competitive pitch to become...
‘Brands Can’t Guide Culture’: Creators and Marketers on Ditching Skin-Deep Allyship
At Social Media Week 2026, experts warned that brands cannot own culture and must instead immerse themselves in the communities they wish to serve. Alejandra Salazar of Croing urged marketers to rely on cultural experts and listen deeply. Deaf creator...
Host Ron Slay and “104.5 The Zone” Renew Deal
Afternoon drive host Ron Slay has signed a new contract with Cumulus Media, keeping him on WGFX‑FM’s “3HL” show on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone alongside Brent Dougherty and Dawn Davenport. Slay, who joined the program in 2021, is credited with...
BBC Confirms Sci-Fi Thriller That's a "Show Like No Other" With "Unfathomably Good" Cast Announced
The BBC has green‑lit "Sutherland," a six‑part sci‑fi thriller set in the near‑future Scottish Highlands. Created by James Smythe and produced by World Productions, the series will stream on iPlayer and air on BBC One and BBC Scotland. It features...
AI Is a Gold Mine for Spammers and Scammers, but Google Is Using It as a Tool to Fight Back
Google’s latest ads safety report reveals that generative AI, specifically its Gemini system, intercepted over 99% of policy‑violating ads in 2024, blocking more than 8.3 billion ads—including 602 million scam‑related pieces. The AI‑driven approach also cut incorrect advertiser suspensions by 80% and...
What Dove, Netflix, and Nike Didn’t Do on Reddit Is Why They’re Winning
Brands are abandoning high‑frequency posting on Reddit in favor of authentic, low‑volume engagement. Research from Reddit’s insights team shows sentiment drops sharply after three weekly posts, prompting marketers to focus on community contribution rather than follower counts. Companies like Netflix,...
Shapiro Joins CNN as Contributor
Ari Shapiro, the longtime NPR journalist known for his sharp reporting and humor, has joined CNN as a contributor. CNN announced he will co‑host a new video podcast titled “Engagement Party” with anchor Audie Cornish. The show, which blends culture, ideas,...
When Jokes Won’t Do: Affective Shifts in U.S. Late-Night Comedy
Researchers identify “affective shifts” as a rhetorical tool where U.S. late‑night hosts pivot from humor to solemnity during crises. Analyzing 14,451 sentences from shows covering COVID‑19, George Floyd, and the Jan 6 riot, sentiment scores plunge sharply after tragedies and recover...
Google Is Now Targeting Bad Ads over Bad Actors
Google reported blocking a record 8.3 billion ads worldwide in 2025, up from 5.1 billion in 2024. The surge was driven by its Gemini AI models, which the company says caught more than 99% of policy‑violating ads before they reached users. Despite...
Gemini Is Stopping Harmful Ads Before People Ever See Them
Google’s Gemini AI is now powering its ad‑safety engine, catching more than 99% of policy‑violating ads before they ever appear. In 2025 the system blocked or removed over 8.3 billion ads and suspended 24.9 million accounts, including 602 million scam‑related ads. Gemini’s intent‑focused...
Instagram Re-Enters Creator Affiliate Commerce Years After Rivals Built Lead
Instagram announced in March 2026 that creators can now tag up to 30 affiliate products directly in Reels and earn commissions on sales. The move ends a four‑year hiatus after the platform shut down its 2022 affiliate program and removed...
Influencer Appoints North America President Jenny Penich as Global CMO
Creator marketing agency Influencer has promoted Jenny Penich to Global Chief Marketing Officer while she continues as President of North America. Penich, who joined in 2023, will now steer the firm’s worldwide marketing strategy, product positioning and data‑driven solutions. The...
NPR Receives $113 Million in Charitable Gifts
NPR announced two of the largest gifts in its history, totaling $113 million, to fund digital innovation and support its network of public‑radio stations after Congress eliminated all federal funding. Connie Ballmer contributed $80 million earmarked for a technology overhaul, while an anonymous...
BeIN SPORTS Expands Motorsport Portfolio with FIA World Endurance Championship Coverage
beIN MEDIA GROUP has signed a multi‑year agreement to broadcast every race of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) across 35 territories in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia‑Pacific. The 2026 season, kicking off with the 6 Hours of...
Runway CEO Says AI Could Help Hollywood Make 50 Films Instead of One $100M Blockbuster
Runway, the AI video‑generation startup now valued at over $5 billion, CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela told Semafor World Economy that a $100 million budget could fund 50 AI‑generated movies instead of a single blockbuster. He argues that scaling quantity with the same visual...
VCreative Expands Cloud Integrations With RCS and WideOrbit
vCreative announced new integrations that connect its Cloud AutoDub platform directly with WideOrbit Aurora and RCS’s ZettaCloud automation systems. The links enable audio files, metadata and companion assets to flow from production to playout without any on‑premise servers. Broadcasters can...
‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Maker Launches Official Actual-Play Show Amid Growing Popularity of ‘Critical Role,’ ‘Dimension 20’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Wizards of the Coast, a Hasbro subsidiary, is debuting “Dungeon Masters,” its first official Dungeons & Dragons actual‑play series. The two‑episode launch drops on YouTube on April 22, with new episodes released weekly. The show’s inaugural storyline is tied to the...
SAMY Debuts Proprietary AI Platform to Consolidate Social Media, Influencer Marketing Data
Global social‑media agency SAMY launched Maia, an AI‑powered platform that consolidates paid social, influencer activities, and owned media into a single management environment. The solution delivers a real‑time campaign dashboard, influencer approval hub, streamlined content‑approval workflows, brand‑safety screening, spoken‑word analysis,...
Metro Hit 4 Million TikTok Followers. Should Affiliate Publishers Follow?
Metro grew from 8,000 to over 4 million TikTok followers by April 2026, launching four vertical channels—news, sport, entertainment and gaming. The publication spent ten months producing platform‑native, presenter‑led videos without any commercial intent, then began monetising through brand partnerships rather than...
How The Daily Show Is Outsmarting the Social Media Algorithm
The Daily Show posted its strongest 18‑49 ratings in eight years while its digital footprint surged to 2.5 billion views in 2026, a 56% jump from the prior year. Producers explained that a dedicated digital team creates content that flows between...
Irish News Wrong to Allege ‘Serious Editorial Misconduct’ on Stephen Nolan Show, Says IPSO
The UK press regulator IPSO ruled that the Irish News overstated allegations that BBC Northern Ireland staff were "planted" in the audience of Stephen Nolan's TV programme. The regulator found the newspaper breached the Editors' Code by failing to provide...
Kick Hits 100M Users but Co-Founder Warns Milestone Masks Deep Platform Flaws
Kick announced it has surpassed 100 million users, positioning it as the third‑largest live‑streaming platform by hours watched. Co‑founder Bijan Tehrani warned the milestone masks deep technical debt from a rushed launch, prompting a three‑year infrastructure rebuild and a fully native...
Why Brand Safety on Social Is No Longer Enough
Social media ad spend is projected to top $317 billion in 2026, making it the world’s largest advertising channel. Yet more than half of U.S. marketers consider social the greatest brand‑safety risk as shoppers increasingly decide purchases on these platforms. Integral...
Beasley Media Brings History Alive with America 250 Initiative
Beasley Media Group has launched the "America 250" initiative, a multiplatform series of public‑service announcements and interviews that spotlight key moments and figures from the nation’s founding era. Timed for the 2026 semiquincentennial, the program highlights leaders such as Benjamin...
How Amika’s Marketing Aims to Make Prestige Hair Care More Approachable
Amika launched the "On Your Wavelength" campaign on April 3, centering stylists instead of celebrities to showcase its top hair‑treatment line. The initiative coincides with the brand’s rapid growth after its Ulta debut, where it quickly became the retailer’s No. 2 prestige...