Know What's Happening in Television
Know What's Happening in Television
China regulator cracks down on TV dramas obsessed with beauty
China’s National Radio and Television Administration warned that domestic TV dramas are overly fixated on physical beauty and traffic‑driven popularity, urging producers to prioritize stronger acting and storytelling. The directive was delivered at a conference attended by major streamers including iQIYI, Tencent Video, Mango TV and Youku.
The Trade Desk unveiled the Ventura Ecosystem, a collaborative framework linking global TV operating systems and streaming platforms to streamline connected‑TV (CTV) advertising. The initiative offers participants access to The Trade Desk’s ad‑tech suite—including OpenPath, Unified ID 2.0/EUID, OpenAds, and upcoming OpenPass—to boost programmatic demand, CPMs, and fill rates. V (formerly VIDAA TV OS), powering over 50 million devices, and Nexxen are the first members. The ecosystem aims to foster a transparent, revenue‑optimized marketplace for OEMs, advertisers, and publishers.
Warner Bros. Discovery Sports faced a visual gap when studio cameras cut off the snow‑capped Dolomite peaks visible from its Cortina studio. Director of Graphics Alex Dinnin solved it with extended reality, stitching live PTZ footage into a virtual scene that restores...
The BBC is scaling back its on‑site IBC presence for the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games, opting for a leaner, remote‑production model anchored in Cortina, Livigno and its Salford headquarters. By consolidating editorial decisions in Salford and trimming infrastructure in Milan,...
ViX announced that its new psychological thriller series Polen will debut on March 6 on the platform's Premium tier, with the entire first season released at once. The show, produced by 11:11 Films, stars Ana Brenda Contreras, Claudia Ramírez and...
Beta Film has expanded the distribution of the British hit series *Patience* to over 100 territories, adding AMC Networks as the Latin American broadcaster. The drama, produced by Eagle Eye Drama, saw record‑breaking viewership on Channel 4, with 4.2 million viewers in...
Sony Pictures Animation’s “KPop: Demon Hunters,” released on Netflix in June 2025, became the streaming platform’s most‑watched original title, pulling in hundreds of millions of views. Although critics called the sale a financial misstep because Sony gave up theatrical, franchise,...
BBC Studios announced a Czech version of its hit scripted comedy Ghosts, joining six other territories that have adapted the series. The format, praised for its ability to embed local heritage into a house‑mate sitcom, will be produced by TV...
Michael Petricone argues that legacy broadcasters are receiving an outsized public subsidy by retaining exclusive rights to underused spectrum, even as fewer than 9% of Americans watch over‑the‑air TV. He cites the $95.8 billion annual economic value of unlicensed spectrum and...
In January 2026 television viewing hit a 12‑month peak, and Disney emerged as the biggest month‑over‑month gainer in Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge report. The gain reflects a notable rise in total TV consumption attributed to Disney’s owned‑and‑operated properties, especially ABC....
First Economy has created a chief growth officer role and appointed Herat Panchal to lead it. Panchal will design integrated growth frameworks that unite brand, media, partnerships, and performance functions. He brings dual expertise from the publisher and agency sides,...
YouTube is in advanced talks to add four live NFL games to its platform, a package previously carried by the NFL Network and now part of the league’s broader media‑rights reshuffle following the $3 billion sale of its media division to...
ITV and Disney have deepened their UK partnership by adding an exclusive primetime linear window for two Hulu Original dramas on ITV1. The arrangement builds on the Disney+‑ITVX content‑sharing deal launched in July 2025 and introduces a branded slot called...
NEM Dubrovnik, the largest TV market in Central and Eastern Europe, will take place from June 8‑11 2026 in Dubrovnik. The four‑day event features panel room sessions with industry experts, case studies, special presentations, and exclusive screenings. Three market areas – Sunset,...
ESPN launched ESPN Unlimited in 2025, bundling its traditional TV networks with ESPN+ and the newer ESPN Select service into a single direct‑to‑consumer offering. The tiered structure has confused many users, especially as some content that was previously free on...
The UK government is moving to bring the most popular video‑on‑demand services under Ofcom’s regulatory umbrella through secondary legislation to the Media Act 2024. Platforms with more than 500,000 UK users—including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, ITVX and Channel 4—will be classified...
Warner Bros Discovery will launch HBO Max direct‑to‑consumer in twelve Asia‑Pacific island markets on March 26, 2026. The rollout follows recent European launches in Italy and Germany and precedes the UK and Ireland debut. The service will bundle HBO, Harry Potter, DC, Cartoon Network, Max Originals...
ITV and Disney have extended their UK partnership by bringing two Hulu Original series to ITV1’s primetime linear schedule. The first, “The Stolen Girl,” premieres on February 25, followed later by “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.” The titles will air under...
HELL Energy Drink has renewed its official sponsorship of the Zee Cine Awards 2026, marking a second straight year of partnership. The deal places the brand alongside the coveted “Viewers’ Choice Song of the Year” award, linking it directly to...
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is a new limited series that seeks to revive the Game of Thrones brand by returning to a stripped‑down, character‑driven narrative. The show arrives after the original series’ final season and its spin‑off House...
Audible Australia’s new research shows audiobooks are eclipsing music as the preferred soundtrack for morning routines and workouts. Thirty‑two percent of Australians consider audio essential for setting the day’s tone, while 34% specifically choose audiobooks over playlists during exercise. Among...
The UK government announced a two‑stage plan to close regulatory gaps in electronic programme guides (EPGs). Stage one will use secondary legislation to bring all EPGs delivered by existing regulated providers and portal services under Ofcom’s broadcast code by late...
Samsung Ads has introduced an Immersive Carousel ad unit for Samsung Smart TV home screens across Europe, allowing up to five interactive tiles that rotate automatically or can be navigated with the remote. The format appears on the home screen,...
Mattel Studios announced Rob David’s promotion to Senior Vice President of Animation, effective immediately. In his new role, David will oversee development, creative and production for both adult and children’s animated series across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms, including YouTube....
CBS has renewed the flagship FBI series for a ninth season while cancelling its two spin‑offs, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. Season 8 posted a 0.38 rating in the 18‑49 demographic and attracted 6.14 million live‑plus‑same‑day viewers, a solid performance by...
The CW’s procedural comedy‑drama *Wild Cards* completed season three with Nielsen ratings hovering around a 0.04 rating in the 18‑49 demo, mirroring its second‑season performance. Viewer voting on the show’s episodes shows a strong fan response, highlighted by a 9.05...
CBS’s new sitcom DMV debuted with a 20‑episode order, positioning it as the network’s latest workplace comedy. Nielsen’s live‑plus‑same‑day data and a modest 347 viewer votes averaging 8.39 provide early performance signals. The series follows a diverse team of DMV...
The Atlanta Braves are launching their own regional sports network, BravesVision, to become the franchise’s official local TV home starting next season. The network will produce more than 140 games plus pre‑ and post‑game shows and will distribute content via...
TelevisaUnivision reported a 5% YoY revenue decline to $4.8 billion in 2025, but highlighted the Direct‑to‑Consumer (DTC) segment as a bright spot. The Spanish‑language streamer Vix achieved full‑year profitability, contributing roughly a quarter of total revenue and 20% of adjusted OIBDA,...
JFX has appointed Ingo Putze as VFX Supervisor and Jenn Epstein as Associate VFX Supervisor, expanding its senior creative team after its April 2025 launch. Both bring experience from high‑profile projects such as The Woman King, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and senior...
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...
The Pulcinella Awards, part of the Cartoons on the Bay International Festival of Animation and Transmedia, are now open for 2026 submissions. The competition runs May 27‑30 in Pescara, Italy, with a hard deadline of March 16. Entries are accepted across TV...
Corus Entertainment’s Home Network announced a robust spring slate featuring two new original series. “Life Is Messy,” starring design expert Kortney Wilson and builder Kenny Brain, debuts April 9, showcasing budget‑friendly renovations that help families declutter chaotic homes. The network also...
Mychal Threets is front‑running a new Reading Rainbow reboot that has secured a 24‑episode order from Sony for broadcast and streaming. The series builds on a four‑episode digital revival released last October on Sony’s Kudzoko YouTube channel. Threets, known as...
…. And the shoe drops. Peter Attia out as Cbs News contributor. This was just waiting to happen. Story here: https://t.co/99esYUSIJH
The National Rugby League reported a record AUS$845.6 million in revenue for 2025, a dramatic jump from AUS$100.7 million the year before. Media, merchandise and betting rights contributed AUS$520 million, while sponsorship, ticket sales and government funding grew 41% to AUS$286.7 million. Club distributions...
Anderson Cooper announced his departure from CBS's 60 Minutes after a twenty‑year tenure, prompting the program to schedule his final segment for broadcast. The piece had been delayed by production and clearance hurdles, but 60 Minutes confirmed it will air...
Apple is expanding its live Formula 1 coverage by partnering with 50 IMAX theatres and integrating the feed into DirecTV’s Apple TV bundle, letting satellite subscribers watch races without launching the app. In the UK, Barb data shows YouTube now ranks as...
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...
Apple announced native video podcast support on Apple Podcasts, adding HTTP Live Streaming, full‑screen playback, and offline downloads. The upgrade lets listeners switch between audio and video formats without separate uploads, matching features offered by rivals like Spotify. Apple also...
Janice Min, publisher of The Ankler, paints a bleak picture of Hollywood, likening Los Angeles to a "Detroit vibe" as media consolidation squeezes the advertising pool. In contrast, Reed Duchscher, founder of Night, announced a $70 million raise to expand his agency...
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...
Bytedance’s Seedance 2.0 lets creators churn out Hollywood‑style short clips at unprecedented speed and cost, turning TikTok into a hub for AI‑driven IP mashups. While platforms like YouTube Shorts now earn more revenue per watch hour than traditional long‑form video,...
Major media players are deploying generative‑AI tools to accelerate film and TV production. Disney’s strategic push, backed by its partnership with OpenAI, focuses on cost reduction, while Amazon’s new Head of AI Studios aims to streamline creative workflows. ByteDance and...
