Week in Review: Netflix Launches a Vertical Video Feed, M6 Partners with ChatGPT, and Tech Giants Tout Their AI Investments
Netflix unveiled a new vertical video feed called “Clips,” turning short snippets into a personalized discovery tool on its mobile app. French broadcaster Groupe M6 partnered with OpenAI to embed its M6+ streaming catalog directly into ChatGPT, enabling conversational content searches. Meanwhile, Google, Meta and Amazon each announced larger AI‑focused capital‑expenditure plans, with Amazon’s AI‑chip business reaching a $20 billion quarterly revenue run rate. The week also saw a flurry of CTV and ad‑tech initiatives aimed at measuring outcomes and expanding addressable inventory.
FCC Probe May Foil NFL’s Early TV Renewal Talks
The NFL is in the midst of renegotiating its broadcast rights, with CBS facing a potential $1 billion fee increase. An FCC investigation into the league’s distribution strategy and foreign ownership stakes threatens to derail an early renewal. The league’s opt‑out...
Netflix’s Shark Thriller Sequel ‘Under Paris 2’ Begins Filming
Netflix has kicked off production on "Under Paris 2," the sequel to its 2024 shark thriller set on the Seine. The film is shooting in southern France under the direction of Alexandre Aja, who replaces Xavier Gens from the original. The first movie...
‘Becoming Elizabeth’ Creator Penning BBC Drama About Celebrity Legal Battle Spiraling Out Of Control
BBC has ordered a new six‑episode drama titled "Reputation" that dramatizes a high‑stakes celebrity libel battle. Created by Anya Reiss, the mind behind "Becoming Elizabeth," the series follows a free‑speech lawyer defending pop star Davina Knight against her ex‑husband’s defamation...
Trump-Backed Governor Candidate Steve Hilton Joins Call For Unlimited California Film & TV Incentive
Steve Hilton, the Trump‑endorsed candidate for California governor, is pushing to eliminate the state’s $750 million cap on film and TV tax credits, effectively creating an unlimited incentive. He argues the current 35‑40 percent credit is insufficient to keep production in California...
"Sharp" Series Branded "Comedy Comfort Food" Jumps up Netflix's UK Trending Chart
Running Point’s second season has propelled the sports‑comedy series onto Netflix’s UK trending chart, landing it at number five regionally and number two worldwide on the platform’s TV rankings, according to FlixPatrol. The show, starring Kate Hudson as reformed party...
Voyo Adds AMC Channels and Ta3 in Slovakia
Voyo has broadened its Slovak streaming portfolio by adding ten linear channels on April 29, including nine from AMC Global Media Central Europe and the ta3 news service. The new lineup—Sport 1, Sport 2, AMC, Film+, Spektrum, Spektrum Home, TV Paprika, Minimax and JimJam—covers sports,...
WBD Lines up 4,000 Live Hours for Summer of Sport
Warner Bros. Discovery will air more than 4,000 hours of live sport this summer across TNT Sports, Eurosport and HBO Max. The schedule, running from May through July, includes over 50 events in 50 markets, ranging from Grand Tour cycling and Roland‑Garros to...
Charline Bou Mansour Joins CNN Creators Team
Charline Bou Mansour, a senior journalist from Sky News, has joined CNN Creators as a permanent on‑air member in Doha. Known for digital storytelling and award‑nominated documentaries, she brings expertise in Middle‑East cultural, social and geopolitical reporting. Her appointment coincides with CNN’s...
Italy: Sky, WBD Renew Deal
Sky Italia and Warner Bros Discovery have renewed their partnership, restoring a suite of linear channels and on‑demand assets to the platform. The agreement re‑introduces WBD’s portfolio—including Food Network, HGTV, Discovery, and kids’ brands—alongside the discovery+ app on Sky Q, Stream and...
Digital Azul Centralises Multi-Site Operations with New Lisbon MCR
Digital Azul has launched a new Master Control Room in Lisbon, capable of managing up to three concurrent productions across disparate locations. The facility leverages Vizrt TriCaster, Intinor Direkt routers, Dante audio, and supports a range of signal formats including...
Netflix Pushes Deeper Into Mobile with ‘Clips’ Feature
Netflix has rolled out a redesigned mobile app centered on a new “Clips” feature, a vertical, swipe‑able feed of short excerpts from its library. The feed lets users share clips, add titles to their watchlist, and jump straight into full...
ITV Reviving ‘Name That Tune’ With Host Alison Hammond
ITV is reviving the classic music‑quiz "Name That Tune" with popular presenter Alison Hammond at the helm. The reboot taps the momentum of the U.S. version on Fox, which has completed five successful seasons. Production is being handled by ITV...
Rohan Lund Begins as CEO of Merged Southern Cross Media
Rohan Lund began his first day as chief executive of Southern Cross Media, the newly merged entity that combines Seven Network, 7plus, Hit and Triple M radio networks, and the LiSTNR audio platform. Lund arrives after former boss Jeff Howard’s departure...
How Streaming Platforms Can Operationalize AI Without Compromising Performance
Streaming platforms are rapidly moving AI from experimental pilots into core workflows, but the added intelligence threatens the millisecond‑level performance that drives viewer satisfaction. A recent 500 % traffic surge showed AI‑driven recommendation engines can saturate compute resources, causing playback latency...
How China Is Using AI – and State Funding – to Transform the Micro Drama Industry
South Korean studio Vigloo is allocating roughly 30% of its budget to AI, slashing production cycles from three months to one and cutting costs by 80%. Meanwhile, China’s micro‑drama sector—often called vertical dramas—reached an estimated $14.6 bn in 2025 and is...
What ‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals About LGBTQ+ Media And Marketing
The HBO Max series “Heated Rivalry,” created by an openly gay director, resonated with LGBTQ+ viewers because it offers genuine representation, unlike many mainstream shows that rely on rainbow‑washing. Despite the show’s buzz, advertisers were scarce, highlighting lingering brand hesitancy...
TF1 Q1 Revenue Down 9.3%
TF1 reported Q1 2026 consolidated revenue of €472 million (≈ $510 million), a 9.3% year‑on‑year decline and 5.2% drop on a like‑for‑like basis. The Media segment fell 10.1% to €414 million (≈ $447 million), driven partly by disposals completed in 2025 and a still‑soft advertising market,...
DISNEY+ ANZ Boss Sally O’Donoghue Steps Down After Seven Years
Sally O’Donoghue, who launched Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand in 2019, announced she is stepping down after seven years at the helm. During her tenure she guided the service through its rollout, rapid subscriber growth and a series of strategic...
EBU Urges EU Policymakers to Strengthen AVMSD
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has released a position paper urging EU lawmakers to strengthen the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) as it undergoes revision. It highlights five priority areas, including mandatory prominence for general‑interest media, protection against gatekeeping by...
Paramount Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit Over Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition
Paramount Skydance has been served with a 46‑page antitrust lawsuit challenging its $110.9 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The plaintiffs, a group of streaming and movie‑going consumers, argue the deal would raise the combined entity's market share to 23.6%, diminish consumer choice,...
Out with the Tapes, in with the Cloud: Nine’s TV News Transformation
Nine Network is overhauling its TV news operation, moving to cloud‑based, story‑centric production and cutting 120 legacy systems to three bespoke platforms. The restructure reduces role types from 100 to nine, requiring staff to multi‑skill, and includes about 20 voluntary...
TV Ratings (30/4/2026): Women’s State Of Origin Edges AFL In Thursday Night Code Clash
Thursday night’s television clash saw the inaugural Women’s State of Origin game claim the top spot with a national reach of 2.045 million and an average audience of 980,000, edging out the AFL broadcast. The NSW Blues defeated the Queensland Maroons...
SiriusXM Churn at Record Low in Q1
SiriusXM posted Q1 2026 revenue of $2.09 billion, a modest 1% year‑over‑year increase, while net income surged 20% to $245 million. The company’s churn rate fell to a record‑low 1.5%, reflecting strong subscriber retention across its 33 million paid users and the broader...
‘Friends’ Cast’s Multi-Million Dollar Yearly Residuals Revealed
Lisa Kudrow disclosed that the six Friends actors collectively collect about AUD 27 million (≈US$18 million) in residuals each year, more than two decades after the sitcom ended. The cast negotiated equal salaries early on, rising from roughly AUD 32,000 (≈US$21,000) per episode in season 1 to AUD 1.3 million (≈US$860,000)...
DAZN’s U.S. Pursuit Gaining Steam
DAZN announced the acquisition of ViewLift, a streaming‑technology provider that already powers direct‑to‑consumer services for several major U.S. sports teams. ViewLift’s portfolio includes partnerships with the NHL’s Panthers, MLB’s Mariners, 15 teams and five regional sports networks. The deal gives...
Comcast-NFL Network Dispute Kicks Off
Comcast’s carriage agreement with Disney/ESPN for NFL Network and NFL RedZone expired at 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, prompting the removal of both channels from Xfinity, Comcast Business, Xfinity Stream, and On Demand. The dispute marks the first high‑profile carriage fight for...
Programming
Amazon has held preliminary internal talks about reviving “The Apprentice” for Prime Video, with a possible host in Donald Trump Jr., following its acquisition of MGM. The streaming giant confirmed no development is underway, though the idea reflects a strategic...
The Cryptkeeper Now Streaming
AMC Global Media has resolved a long‑standing rights tangle to bring the cult horror anthology "Tales from the Crypt" to streaming for the first time. Season 1 launches today on Shudder and AMC+, with a new season released each Friday until...
The ABC Dominates SPA Awards
The Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards saw the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) sweep six of the nine television categories, cementing its dominance in local content. Hard Quiz captured Light Entertainment Production of the Year, while Austin, The Newsreader, Grand Designs...
Alliance Entertainment Relaunches ‘Movies Unlimited’ Retail Platform Targeting Collectors
Alliance Entertainment has relaunched its Movies Unlimited website as a collector‑led retail platform offering classic movies and TV series on DVD, Blu‑ray and 4K Ultra HD. The redesign focuses on higher‑margin products such as limited editions, pre‑orders and 4K formats, and...
Report: ABC Set to Part Ways with Jimmy Kimmel as Contract Expiry Looms
ABC is expected to let Jimmy Kimmel go when his contract expires in May 2027, according to gossip columnist Rob Shuter. While the network has publicly defended the host, the FCC’s early broadcast‑license review—triggered by Trump family criticism of a recent...
Prime Video Reveals ‘Obsession Is in Session’ Initiative for Young Adults
Prime Video unveiled "Obsession is in Session," a year‑long initiative to cement its position as the go‑to streaming home for young adult (YA) audiences. The program kicks off with a teaser trailer showcasing 12 new YA titles slated for 2026...
Sinclair Notes Stronger Political Ad Buys in Q1 as Midterm Budgets Open
Sinclair reported Q1 revenue of $807 million, a 4% year‑over‑year increase, while adjusted EBITDA rose 13% to $126 million and net income turned positive at $20 million versus a $156 million loss a year ago. Core advertising revenue grew 4% to $305 million, and political...
LINE Digital Frontier, Redice Studio and Kadokawa Launch Studio White
LINE Digital Frontier, Kadokawa and Redice Studio have created Studio White, a new web‑comic studio focused on adapting popular Japanese franchises for the global WEBTOON platform. The studio’s first release is a spin‑off of Record of Lodoss War, slated for...
Will Big Mood Get a Third Season on Channel 4? Everything We Know
Channel 4’s dramedy *Big Mood* wrapped its second season with Maggie and Eddie confronting past wounds and hinting at a fresh start after a raw confession about Maggie’s lithium poisoning. Creator Camilla Whitehill admitted she hasn’t decided whether the story will...
Roku Net Revenue Tops $1.25 Billion, But Revenue From The Sale of Roku TVs & Roku Players Fell As Subscriptions...
Roku reported first‑quarter 2026 net revenue of $1.25 billion, a 22% year‑over‑year increase driven primarily by platform growth. Platform revenue surged 28% to $1.13 billion, with advertising up 27% and subscriptions up 30%. Device revenue slipped 16% to $118 million, posting a negative...
Sinclair Beats The Street On Q1 Revenue, Swing To Profit
Sinclair Inc. reported first‑quarter 2026 earnings that topped analyst revenue forecasts and delivered a quarterly profit, marking a turnaround for the broadcaster. The company’s earnings beat was driven by strong performance at its local TV stations and continued growth in...
Six Months on, Has Seven’s WINNING ARVO Experiment Moved the Dial?
Seven’s "Winning Arvo" afternoon block launched six months ago, mixing imported quiz formats, rolling headlines and cash giveaways to revive daytime viewership. The experiment has helped steady the lead into the 4 p.m. news and The Chase Australia at 5 p.m., though...
Screen Producers Awards 2026: Winners
Jungle Entertainment won both Production Business of the Year and the Screen Business Export award at the 24th Annual SPA Awards, held during Screen Forever 40 on the Gold Coast. The ceremony also recognized a wide range of Australian productions, from drama...
Morris Rises To Top Spot At ‘6abc’
John W. Morris has been promoted to President and General Manager of WPVI‑TV, the Philadelphia ABC owned‑and‑operated station known as “6abc.” Previously the vice president of multiplatform programming, Morris will now oversee the station’s editorial direction, audience strategy, and digital...
Inside Nine’s FUTURE NEWS Plan to Reshape Newsroom Operations
Nine Network has unveiled its "Future News" strategy, a multi‑year overhaul that will collapse roughly 100 existing newsroom job titles into nine core roles and condense more than 120 production and publishing systems onto three unified platforms. The first phase...
Nura Studios Launches Showcraft AI-Assisted Animation Platform
Nura Studios announced that its AI‑assisted animation platform Showcraft will enter Early Access on May 19. The tool lets game and animation studios transform existing characters, environments, and assets into episodic series or films while preserving the artistic intent of the...
‘Flat Earth’ TV Series in the Works at Vice Studios From Debut Novelist Anika Jade Levy (EXCLUSIVE)
Vice Studios is developing a TV series adaptation of Anika Jade Levy’s debut novel “Flat Earth,” with Levy serving as co‑creator. The novel, published by Catapult Books in the U.S. and Little, Brown in the U.K. in November 2025, earned critical praise...
Shifting Gears Renewed For Season 3 At ABC
ABC has officially renewed the half‑hour sitcom “Shifting Gears” for the 2026‑27 television season, extending the Tim Allen‑Kat Dennings father‑daughter comedy into a third season. The series, which debuted in January 2025, follows widowed classic‑car shop owner Matt Parker as his...
Cord Cutting Today: Comcast and Spectrum Merger Talks Grow as Streaming and 5G Surge Past Cable
Comcast and Charter (Spectrum) are intensifying talks to merge, potentially creating a cable giant worth over $150 billion. The talks come as streaming services have surged 12% year‑over‑year, accelerating cord‑cutting trends. Simultaneously, 5G home‑internet and fiber deployments added more than 1 million...
UC3 Names Preferred Bidders for UEFA Club Rights in 19 Markets
UC3, the UEFA‑Club commercial joint venture, named preferred bidders for the 2027‑31 men’s club competition media rights in 19 territories. The shortlist blends incumbent broadcasters such as Sky and Canal+ with streaming giants Disney+, Paramount+, ESPN and DAZN, reflecting a...
5 Themes That Defined Possible 2026
Possible 2026 conference in Miami Beach showcased a more polished, self‑assured event. Attendance rose 38% to about 7,500 participants, reflecting growing industry interest. The festival expanded beyond the Fontainebleau into neighboring Eden Roc and Nobu hotels and added branded yachts...
Simplestream Brings Local TV Channels to Freely
Simplestream is enabling the launch of six UK local TV channels on the free‑to‑air streaming platform Freely, delivering fully managed IP distribution and server‑side ad insertion. The channels—London TV, Birmingham TV, KMTV, Latest TV Brighton, Liverpool TV and Leeds TV—are...
Hearst Networks Unveils H2 Factual Slate
Hearst Networks announced its second‑half 2026 factual programming slate for Sky History, Crime+Investigation and BLAZE. The lineup mixes new original series, returning franchises and talent‑led formats featuring Dolph Lundgren, Bradley Walsh, Rob Rinder, Jim Belushi, Sean Bean and Laurence Fishburne. Highlights include History’s Greatest Machines, 102 Minutes Inside...