Today's Television Pulse
Roku Q1 2026 net revenue hits $1.25B as platform growth outpaces device sales
Roku posted first‑quarter 2026 net revenue of $1.25 billion, a 22% year‑over‑year rise driven by platform revenue that jumped 28% to $1.13 billion. Advertising and subscriptions grew 27% and 30% respectively, while device revenue fell 16% to $118 million, posting a negative gross margin. The company earned $86 million in net profit and $148 million adjusted EBITDA.
Marvel’s ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Misses Nielsen Top‑10, Raising Streaming Doubts
Marvel’s second season of Daredevil: Born Again did not appear on Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 original streaming chart, falling short of the roughly 239 million minutes needed to rank tenth and well below the 449 million‑minute benchmark for that slot. The miss marks the first time a live‑action MCU series has failed to chart an entire season, prompting questions about Disney+’s strategy for Marvel content.
Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ Season 2 Soars to #2 on Prime Video Streaming Chart
Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ Season 2 has surged to the No. 2 spot on Prime Video’s streaming chart, trailing only the series ‘From.’ The jump follows the show’s move from Paramount+ to Amazon’s platform, highlighting the creator’s pull and changing audience preferences.
Public Service Broadcasters Unite at DG8 Tokyo 2026 to Boost Digital Collaboration
Representatives from ABC International, BBC World Service, CBC/Radio-Canada, Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde, NHK WORLD‑JAPAN and SWI swissinfo.ch gathered in Tokyo for the DG8 meeting on April 13‑14, 2026. The summit produced a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation on digital platforms, AI governance and journalist safety,...
Kyle Brandt Admits He Tried ‘Poach’ ESPN’s Field Yates to Join NFL Network Last Year
ESPN finalized its acquisition of NFL Network on April 1, 2026, bringing both channels under a single corporate umbrella. During the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN host Kyle Brandt revealed on air that he had tried to poach ESPN analyst Field Yates...
DIRECTV Launches Streaming TV App for Meta Quest VR Headset
DIRECTV unveiled a new streaming TV app for Meta Quest VR headsets, including Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S and Quest Pro. The app delivers live channels, sports, on‑demand titles and the free MyFree DIRECTV ad‑supported service inside a virtual theater‑style environment. It integrates DIRECTV’s...
Netflix Debuts ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’, a 10‑Episode Animated Bridge Between Seasons 3‑5
Netflix has rolled out ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’, a 10‑episode animated series that slots between seasons 3 and 5 of the flagship show. Showrunner Eric Robles calls it a “lost season,” aiming to fill narrative gaps while expanding the...
Spider Noir Debuts in Both Black‑White and Color
Credit to CCXP for always having a cool intro for every panel on the Thunder Stage. Here’s the intro for @primevideo’s #spidernoir in Mexico City. What’s unique is how the series is being released in black and white and color...
Hazbin Hotel Renewed for a Fifth and Final Season
Amazon Prime Video announced that the cult‑favorite animated series Hazbin Hotel has been renewed for a fifth and final season. Created by Vivienne Medrano, the show evolved from a 2019 YouTube pilot into a full‑length musical black‑comedy series on the...
Michael Sets Biopic Record with $200M Global Opening
Michael, a $200 million global opening. Biggest ever for a biopic. Second biggest of the year. https://deadline.com/2026/04/box-office-michael-1236870542/
Michael Biopic Nets $200M, Biggest Ever, Year’s #2
Michael, a $200 million global opening. Biggest ever for a biopic. Second biggest of the year. https://t.co/C18fr2dY2I
White Lotus Season 4 Moves Production to France, Helena Bonham Carter Exits
Producer David Bernad announced that season 4 of HBO’s The White Lotus will be filmed in France following a “stereotypical” Cannes waiter incident. At the same time, HBO confirmed that Helena Bonham Carter’s role has been recast, prompting disappointment among the...
Scarlett Johansson’s Oscar-Winning Hit Is Coming To Peacock
Taika Waititi’s Oscar‑winning black comedy *Jojo Rabbit* will debut on Peacock on May 1, 2026. The 2019 film, starring Scarlett Johansson and Roman Griffin Davis, earned roughly $90 million worldwide against a $14 million budget and garnered critical acclaim. It received six Academy Award...
Why ‘White Lotus’ Picked France After an Encounter With a Cannes Waiter; Season 4 Set to Explore Fame and Art
HBO’s anthology series *The White Lotus* will film its fourth season in France after a serendipitous encounter with a stereotypical French waiter in Cannes sparked the idea. Creator Mike White plans to examine the loneliness of artists and the corrosive...
Dutton Ranch: Showrunner Fired From Yellowstone Spin-Off Series Ahead of Paramount+ Premiere
Paramount+’s Yellowstone spin‑off Dutton Ranch is set to premiere on May 15, but its showrunner, Chad Feehan, was dismissed just three weeks before the debut. Sources say the decision stemmed from friction with the series’ stars over his production style...
Warner Bros Discovery Shareholders Approve $110 B Paramount Merger Amid Industry Outcry
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders voted overwhelmingly to sell the company to Paramount Skydance for roughly $110 billion, clearing a major hurdle for the merger. The deal now faces antitrust reviews in the U.S. and abroad while industry groups, lawmakers and unions...
WGA Secures $321 Million Health Boost in Fast‑Track Deal with Studios
The Writers Guild of America closed a three‑week negotiation with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on April 4, securing a $321 million infusion into its health plan and a $280 million employer‑contribution pledge. The swift settlement, driven by new AMPTP...
Cord Cutting 2.0 Is Hitting Comcast & Spectrum Hard in 2026 As Customers Cancel Internet & TV
Comcast and Charter’s Spectrum reported a combined loss of 382,000 TV subscribers and 185,000 broadband customers in Q1 2026, signaling the acceleration of a second‑wave cord‑cutting trend. The decline reflects not only traditional video churn but also a growing exodus from...
Prime Video Renews Hit Adult Animated Comedy "Hazbin Hotel" For a Fifth and Final Season
Prime Video announced at LVL UP Expo that the adult‑animated musical comedy Hazbin Hotel will return for a fifth and final season, concluding the series in more than 240 countries. The show, created by Vivienne Medrano and produced with A24 and Bento Box, originated...
DISH’s Deal With SpaceX Could Save The Company & Bring In $32 Billion
EchoStar’s recent spectrum sale to SpaceX injects up to $32 billion into DISH, delivering immediate liquidity and long‑term equity stakes. The $17 billion deal includes $8.5 billion cash, an equal amount of SpaceX stock, and $2 billion of interest coverage through 2027, with a...
JioStar Reports 22% Revenue Growth, Posts ₹9,784 Crore in Q4
Reliance Industries' media arm JioStar posted Q4 revenue of ₹9,784 crore (about $1.18 bn), a 22% year‑over‑year increase, while EBITDA reached ₹827 crore ($100 m). Digital platforms drove engagement, with JioHotstar reporting 500 million monthly active users and a record 72.5 million concurrent viewers for the...
Fans Want Pay‑Per‑View, Not Expensive Subscriptions
National League and DAZN missing a trick here. Would love to watch York vs Rochdale and pay per view, but the only choice is to pay a $25 monthly subscription. No thanks.
Judge Halts Nexstar's $6.2 B Tegna Deal, Raising Antitrust Concerns
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley issued a preliminary injunction that blocks Nexstar Media Group from completing its $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna. The ruling follows a coalition of eight state attorneys general and DirecTV’s antitrust lawsuit, arguing the...
Netflix Starts Filming Live‑Action ‘Scooby‑Doo: Origins’ Series
Netflix has kicked off production on a live‑action adaptation titled ‘Scooby‑Doo: Origins,’ a pre‑quel that explores how Mystery Inc. formed. The series, created by Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, features a teen‑camp setting and a cast that includes Mckenna Grace...
Amazon Prime Video Cancels ‘Gen V’, Plans ‘Vought Rising’ for 2027
Amazon Prime Video announced the cancellation of the ‘Gen V’ spinoff after two seasons and confirmed that the franchise will continue through a 2027 prequel, ‘Vought Rising’. The decision follows a mixed performance for Season 2, which peaked at 424 million minutes...
Wednesday TV Ratings: Abbott Elementary, Chicago PD, MasterChef, Survivor, Police 24/7
On April 22, 2026, Nielsen released final ratings for the major broadcast networks' Wednesday lineup. Abbott Elementary continued to dominate the comedy slot, while procedural dramas such as Chicago PD and Chicago Fire posted stable numbers. Reality competition MasterChef recorded a modest...
Director and Producer Earn Millions for Sanitizing Film
The director and producer of Michael got paid millions more for the trouble of sanitizing the movie, per @tgbuckley. https://t.co/pWvvzwlzn3 https://t.co/kUaaQ4OirM
Trump Dinner, 60 Minutes Layoffs, Talent Contract Uncertain
NEW @PuckNews: Highlights from David Ellison and Bari Weiss’s private dinner with President Trump. Plus, new intel on the impending layoffs and multiplatform expansion of 60 Minutes, and one talent contract that almost certainly won’t be renewed….. https://t.co/YRFXzhWf2c
TNT Sports Gains Right to Sell CFP Ads for Games It Sublicenses
Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports has received permission to sell the advertising inventory for the College Football Playoff games it subleases from ESPN under its 2024‑28 agreement. The network will now handle ad sales for first‑round, quarterfinal and potentially semifinal...
TNT Sports Secures CFP Advertising Rights for Sublicensed Games
SCOOP: TNT Sports Gains Right to Sell CFP Ads for Games it Sublicenses https://t.co/xkyvCf3H57 via @sportico @crupicrupicrupi
Paramount CEO and Ex-President Earn $60‑$63M in 2025
Paramount CEO David Ellison’s Pay in 2025 Was $63.2 Million, Former President Jeff Shell Had $60.7 Million in Compensation https://t.co/if4LrnH3gG via @variety
Critics Label 'Stranger Things: Tales From ’85' A Cynical Animated Retread
Variety’s Alison Herman panned the Netflix animated spin‑off 'Stranger Things: Tales From ’85', calling it a cynical retread that recycles the original story between Seasons 2 and 3. The review highlights the shift to animation, new voice talent, and the perception that...
Bear Grylls Is Running Wild: Season One Ratings
Fox revived the adventure‑reality franchise with *Bear Grylls Is Running Wild*, rebranding the former NBC/Nat Geo series for the 2025‑26 season. The first season sent celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Uma Thurman and MGK on 48‑hour wilderness challenges across Norway,...
Politico Elevates Dasha Burns to Global Anchor, Pushing Creator‑Driven News
Politico announced that Dasha Burns will assume the role of Global Anchor next month, tasked with scaling the outlet's video and audio offerings. Burns says the move reflects a shift toward a creator‑mindset—delivering stories on TV, in ears and inboxes—to...
Gen V Canceled After Two Seasons / Dutton Ranch Creator Ousted Ahead of Premiere / HBO Docuseries to Tackle the...
Amazon Prime Video announced that the YA spinoff *Gen V* will end after two seasons, even as the broader *The Boys* universe pivots to a new series, *Vought Rising*, slated for 2027. The cancellation comes amid mixed ratings and a...
Farmer Wants a Wife: Season Four Ratings
Season 4 of FOX’s dating reality series *Farmer Wants a Wife* returned with a revamped format featuring three bachelors seeking deeper connections. Nielsen’s final ratings, which include live, same‑day and DVR viewing, will be the primary metric for the show’s future....
Pearlena Igbokwe: Pilots Return, Co-Viewing Boosts Platforms
LISTEN: NBCUniversal’s Pearlena Igbokwe on the Return of Pilots, the Value of Co-Viewing, and Leveraging Broadcast and Streaming Platforms https://t.co/MS3GNvpuOW via @variety
Dancing with the Stars: Season 35; ABC Competition Series Renewed for 2026-27
ABC has officially renewed Dancing with the Stars for a 35th cycle slated for the 2026‑27 TV season. The 34th season, which concluded in November, delivered a 1.34 rating in the 18‑49 demo and attracted 6.49 million viewers, marking an 83%...
Analysts: Non-Sports Programming Is Becoming `Irrelevant’ to Broadcast TV Viewership
Analysts at LightShed Partners argue that non‑sports programming has become virtually irrelevant to broadcast TV, citing a 75% drop in primetime viewership over the past 20 years while NFL audiences have risen more than 30%. They note that NFL games...
Hollywood's Unfixable Box Office Weakness Exposed
New Box Office Behavior essay coming Monday. I like this one as it hits on a major Hollywood weakness that has no clear fix (yet). Stay tuned.
Netflix’s ‘Beef’ Season 2 Viewership Slumps 58% From Debut Season
Netflix’s anthology series ‘Beef’ saw its second season debut with 2.4 million views and 14.1 million hours streamed in the first week, landing at #10 on the platform’s Top 10 list. That represents roughly a 58% decline in both views and hours compared...
Attention, Please: TVision Deal Enhances Connected TV Measurement
xpln.ai has entered a strategic partnership with TVision to integrate the latter's person‑level attention data into its Connected TV (CTV) modeling platform. The collaboration transforms granular, second‑by‑second viewer engagement signals into scalable, predictive models that can be applied across linear...
Week of April 13 Evening News Ratings: NBC and CBS Grow in Demo
ABC World News Tonight kept its position as the most‑watched evening newscast in total viewers and the Adults 25‑54 demo for the week of April 13, but it slipped 3% in total audience and 5% in the key demo. NBC Nightly News...
Disney's Streaming Income Jumps 72% as New CEO Josh D’Amaro Takes the Helm
Disney announced a $450 million streaming operating income for Q1 FY2026, a 72% year‑over‑year increase, as Josh D’Amaro officially became CEO on March 18. The results come amid record park earnings, ESPN expansion on Disney+, and a planned 1,000‑job cut, signaling a...
Ad Dollars Moving From TV to Digital Platforms
TV’s Next Upfront Really Isn’t About TV: Where Will Ad Dollars Go? https://t.co/9r1VcjnpAx via @variety
YouTube TV Is On Track to Become Larger Than Comcast & Spectrum in 2026 & Become America’s Largest Provider of...
YouTube TV is on track to become the United States' largest live‑TV provider by the end of 2026, overtaking Spectrum and Comcast. First‑quarter 2026 data shows the service at 11‑12 million subscribers, while Spectrum slipped to 12.5 million. Analysts project YouTube TV...
‘Playback’ Producer Second Rodeo Talks Music and Micro-Dramas: ‘A Natural Fit’
Music Ally highlights the rise of short‑form micro‑dramas, a format already worth $7 bn a year in China. Second Rodeo has debuted the first music‑themed micro‑drama, *Playback*, starring influencer Hannah Stocking and distributed on Holywater’s My Drama app. The series features...
Upfronts Still Move Billions, but TV Viewership Wanes
The upfronts, the biggest national market for TV advertising, are still a central place for trading in billions of dollars tied to commercials. As for TV, not so much..... https://t.co/23ANfT2Zg1
Bravo Launches Investigation Into Leaked ‘Summer House’ Reunion Audio
Bravo announced a full investigation after an audio recording from the "Summer House" reunion was leaked online, marking the first such breach in the series' history. The clip captured cast members Amanda Batula, West Wilson and Ciara Miller discussing their...
Week of April 13 Morning News Ratings: CBS Has Only Morning Show to Grow
For the week of April 13, 2026, CBS Mornings was the only U.S. network morning program to post week‑to‑week gains, rising 3% in total viewers and 19% in the key Adults 25‑54 demo. NBC’s Today remained the audience leader with 3.0 million total viewers...
Rush Hour 4 Stalls as Tucker, Chan Reject $8M Offers
Brett Ratner’s Trump-endorsed Rush Hour 4 was supposed to shoot in spring. Now it’s September, and still no deals with stars Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan after $8m offers were rejected. Details ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/sDWXXmqJcV