Spain: UTECA Sues RTVE over World Cup Ads
Spain's private broadcasters association UTECA has filed an urgent lawsuit against state‑owned RTVE, demanding a court order to stop the public broadcaster from selling World Cup advertising slots to brands that are not official FIFA sponsors. UTECA argues the practice breaches Spanish competition law and deprives private networks of vital ad revenue ahead of the 2026 tournament. RTVE counters that its broadcast rights include full commercial freedom and that its sales strategy complies with regulations set by the competition regulator CNMC. Both sides hint at further legal escalation.
TV Measurement Experts: How To Cultivate Audience In The Age Of Attention
The TV industry is moving beyond traditional ratings to metrics that capture attention, engagement and outcomes. Nielsen announced a new one‑minute qualifier for local TV, narrowing the gap with streaming’s two‑second view standard, and expanded its Outcomes Marketplace to link...
ITVX Signs In-Car Partnership with Xperi
ITV has teamed with Xperi to bring its commercial BVoD service ITVX to cars via the DTS AutoStage Video platform powered by TiVo. The service is live today in a broad range of BMW and Mini models, with Mercedes‑Benz vehicles...
CMG Productions & ‘The Football Ramble’ Firm Stak To Co-Create Sport And Crime Podcasts
CMG Productions and London‑based indie audio firm Stak have announced a joint venture to develop a slate of sport‑and‑crime podcasts. The partnership will initially produce four original projects, drawing stories from the UK, United States, South Africa and Latin America....
Forecast: New TV OS to Take 28% of European Market by 2030
Omdia forecasts that newly‑emerged TV operating systems will command 28% of Europe’s smart‑TV OS market by 2030, up from 21% in 2025. Google TV’s current 32% lead will erode as V (formerly VIDAA), Titan OS and TiVo gain traction. These...
Richard Bacon Returns To Broadcasting Roots With Interview Podcast ‘Why Are You More Successful Than Me?’
British presenter Richard Bacon returns to on‑air interviewing with the video‑podcast “Why Are You More Successful Than Me?” launching today. The series, produced by his Yes Yes Media imprint, features high‑profile guests such as Gary Lineker, Dexter Fletcher and Elizabeth...
Rollercoaster Television, Producer Behind Netflix’s ‘What’s In The Box?’, Becomes Standalone Business As ITV Studios Ends Investment After Five Years
Rollercoaster Television, the UK indie behind Netflix’s quiz show “What’s in the Box?”, is spinning off as a standalone entity after ITV Studios ends its five‑year investment. The company will rebrand to Rollercoaster Studios and has secured a production‑and‑distribution agreement...
‘SNL UK’ Storms Past 86M Views On Social Media, But TV Viewing Drops By A Third
Sky’s UK adaptation of Saturday Night Live has amassed more than 86 million views across YouTube, Instagram Reels, X and TikTok in its first month, driven by viral clips such as Tina Fey’s monologue and the “Last Supper” sketch. While online engagement...
EDO Strikes Back Against iSpot By Offering TV Intelligence Data For Free
EDO, recently ordered to pay $18.3 million to rival iSpot, is fighting back by offering its basic TV‑ad intelligence for free through an AI chatbot called ChatEDO. The free data spans 375 million linear‑TV airings from 120 national networks and 2.6 million ads...
Shared Screens: Co-Viewers in APAC Are More Likely to Act on Ads Than Solo Viewers
PubMatic’s new report reveals that shared‑screen viewing on connected TV (CTV) drives markedly higher ad performance across APAC. Co‑viewers pay 42 % more attention, recall brands 53 % better, and are 70 % more likely to act than solo viewers. The study of...
How The Financial Times Is Betting on Personality-Led Vodcasts as Its Next Subscription Lever
The Financial Times has launched “The Story of Money,” a history‑of‑finance vodcast on YouTube that also streams as a podcast, marking its first stand‑alone, multi‑platform video brand. Sponsored by Nuveen, the series pairs star journalists with a narrow editorial franchise...
TVNZ+ Rolls Out Major Overhaul With New Ad Formats
TVNZ+ is rolling out a major platform upgrade built with Quickplay, Amazon Web Services and Evergent, aiming to boost viewer experience and ad capabilities. The redesign adds a refreshed content carousel, a Top 10 belt, simpler login and audio‑description features, while...
Guilty Plea in Milford Haven Piracy Case
A Milford Haven resident, Michael David Barrow, pleaded guilty to operating a large‑scale piracy scheme that sold adapted Amazon Fire TV sticks and custom apps, enabling illegal access to pay‑TV services such as Sky, BT Sport and Amazon Prime. The...
‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ To Resume Production Following Taylor Frankie Paul Drama
Disney’s streaming platform Hulu announced that production will resume on Season 5 of the reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The show was halted earlier this year after domestic assault allegations against star Taylor Frankie Paul, which were later...
Rachel Bloom Optimistic About ‘Do You Want Kids?’ As ABC Mulls Pilot’s Fate: “We Feel Wonderful About It”
Rachel Bloom and husband Dan Gregor have completed the single‑camera comedy pilot “Do You Want Kids?” for ABC’s 20th Television. The show, starring Bloom and Rory Scovel, follows a couple in parallel universes—one with a baby, one without—and has been...
Is Splitting NRL Rights In The Long-Term Interest Of The Code?
The NRL is negotiating a record‑breaking 2028 TV deal that could split broadcast rights in an NFL‑style model, aiming to maximise short‑term revenue. While the approach may generate a larger cheque, it risks diluting audience reach and complicating fan access....
Mamamia Out Loud Breaks Podcast Ranker Record with 1.2m Listeners
Mamamia Out Loud attracted 1.22 million individual listeners in March 2026, setting a new all‑time high for any Australian podcast on the Australian Podcast Ranker. It marked the show’s third straight month at the top of the ranker and the first...
Chyron Announces PRIME Translate
Chyron has launched PRIME Translate, an AI‑driven workflow that adds real‑time multilingual translation to live broadcasts. The solution creates hyper‑realistic facial movement, synchronized audio and graphic overlays, enabling one‑to‑many language outputs from a single production. Built on NVIDIA Holoscan and AI...
Disney+ Secures Waitrose, Volkswagen and PG Tips Sponsorship for Rivals
Disney+ has secured three high‑profile sponsors—Waitrose, Volkswagen and PG Tips—for the second series of its original drama "Rivals," which premieres on 15 May. The partnerships embed the brands directly into the narrative, offering product placement and co‑branded moments. This marks Disney+’s most...
Paramount+ Goes Vertical
Paramount+ has rolled out a new vertical‑video Clips feature on its iOS app, delivering bite‑sized sports, news and original‑show moments. The addition puts the service alongside rivals like Peacock, Disney+ and ESPN that are already courting mobile users with TikTok‑style...
FCC Scrutinizing TV Ratings System
The FCC has issued a notice seeking public comment on the transparency and accuracy of the industry‑run TV ratings system overseen by the TV Oversight Management Board (TVOMB). The agency is concerned that shows featuring transgender or non‑binary themes are...
NFL Goes to the FCC
The NFL met with Federal Communications Commission staff to argue that its reliance on free, over‑the‑air broadcasts benefits fans, local stations, and all 32 clubs. The league highlighted the steep decline in pay‑TV subscriptions and cited Amazon’s record‑breaking Thursday Night...
Nine Secures NBL Rights in Two Year Deal
Nine has secured a two‑year free‑to‑air broadcast agreement with the National Basketball League, delivering two marquee games each week on the 9Network and 9Now. The deal also includes live coverage of the NBL Finals, a weekly analysis show, and a...
Netflix Quietly Adds Martin Short Movie Collection to Celebrate New Documentary
Netflix is bolstering its comedy slate ahead of the May 12, 2026 debut of the documentary *Marty, Life is Short*. The streamer will add Martin Short’s *Father of the Bride* and its sequel to its catalog in May, joining existing titles like...
‘Jury Duty: Company Retreat’ Submits 19 Actors for Emmys, Including Sia; Participant Anthony Norman Ineligible (EXCLUSIVE)
Amazon Prime Video is pushing its reality‑hoax series “Jury Duty: Company Retreat” for Emmy recognition, submitting 19 performers across 19 categories for the second season. The eight‑episode run is entered for Outstanding Comedy Series, with 15 cast members in supporting...
The Dealmaking 3: NBA Playoffs on NBC, NFL Draft AI & $7M for Athletes
The Dealmaking 3 highlights three major sports‑industry moves. NBC Sports has signed an 11‑year agreement to broadcast NBA playoff games, marking its return to the league’s postseason. Amazon’s NFL Draft AI, branded as NFL IQ, now provides live fan‑prediction updates every...
CMG Offers Spanish-Language Newscasts In ‘First Coast’
Cox Media Group’s Telemundo affiliate in Jacksonville will debut a Spanish‑language local newscast, "Noticias Jacksonville," on May 4, airing on WFOX‑30.4. The program marks the first en‑español local news offering in the First Coast market. Anchor Karen Taffanelli will also serve...
FCC OK’s NEPA ‘Triopoly’ For Sinclair With ‘CW 38’ Nod
The Federal Communications Commission approved Sinclair Broadcast Group's request to transfer control and waive conditions for the CW‑38 affiliate serving Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sinclair, which has run the station under a shared‑service agreement since September 2013, now gains outright ownership. The...
'The White Lotus’ on Points? A Luxurious Hyatt in France Is Taking Center Stage
Season 4 of HBO’s The White Lotus will be set against the Cannes Film Festival, using Hôtel Martinez—Hyatt’s Unbound Collection flagship—as the on‑screen resort. The series also features Airelles Château de la Messardière in Saint‑Tropez as a secondary location. Hôtel Martinez, a Category 8 property, commands summer rates above...
The Fine Print in My Reno Rules Competition
Seven’s new show My Reno Rules promises the biggest TV giveaway in Australia, offering two $2.5 million homes—or a $2 million cash alternative—to viewers who purchase entries through Adrian Portelli’s LMCT+ subscription club. Entries range from a $10 minimum for three chances...
Comscore Renews Measurement Agreements with Local TV Broadcasters
Comscore announced the renewal of measurement agreements with more than a dozen local television broadcasters, including Sinclair, E.W. Scripps, Cox Media Group, Hubbard Broadcasting, Allen Media Group and Thomas Broadcasting. The contracts span renewals, extensions and new partnerships, reflecting broadcasters’...
Tim Cook Turned Apple Into a Hollywood Power Player. Does the New CEO Feel the Same Way?
Tim Cook transformed Apple from a hardware‑centric firm into a major player in Hollywood by launching Apple TV+ and an in‑house studio, driving services revenue from $46.3 billion in 2019 to $109 billion last year. The platform attracted marquee talent such as...
Gray Media Accuses Dish of Violating Retransmission Consent Rules
Gray Media has filed a complaint with the FCC accusing Dish Network of violating retransmission‑consent rules by continuing to provide its CBS affiliate WVLT to a Knoxville hotel through Dish’s business‑to‑business SmartBox service after their distribution agreement expired in March....
Not So SMARTBOX? Gray Accuses Dish Of Carriage Violation
Gray Media has lodged a formal complaint with the FCC alleging that DISH Network violated retransmission‑consent rules. The dispute stems from a CBS affiliate in Knoxville being carried on a DISH‑owned distribution platform at a local hotel. Gray’s attorney from...
Sources: Tomlin Joining NBC as Studio Analyst
Mike Tomlin, the former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, will transition from the sidelines to the studio as a analyst on NBC’s Sunday Night Football pre‑game show, "Football Night in America." The move marks Tomlin’s first departure from on‑field coaching in...
Telefilm Unveils Framework for Strategic Review of Funding Programs
Telefilm Canada released its Strategic Orientation Framework, a roadmap guiding the review of all funding programs under its 2024‑2027 plan. The review, slated to run through 2028, will introduce clear, measurable performance indicators and publish results regularly. By focusing on...
Cord Cutting Today: Big Changes Could Hit Free OTA TV as Roku Expands and Netflix Eyes More NFL Games
Cord‑cutters face a shifting landscape as major broadcasters consider moving local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations from free over‑the‑air (OTA) channels to 6G wireless spectrum, while Roku expands its ecosystem with a new interactive video game for TVs and...
How Native CTV Is Solving the Channel’s Attention Problem
The NewFronts highlighted a shift in connected‑TV advertising toward performance, with native CTV emerging as a key format. By embedding ads into the smart‑TV home screen, brands reach viewers during the 10.5‑minute browsing window before content selection, turning attention into...
IPL 2026 Ad Race Sees Digital-First Categories Dominate CTV
The IPL 2026 advertising landscape shows a stark split between Connected TV (CTV) and Linear TV. Digital‑first categories such as e‑commerce media, entertainment and social platforms captured 35% of CTV ad volume, while traditional mouth fresheners led Linear TV with...
JOLYN Tabbed as Swimsuit Partner for Upcoming ‘Baywatch’ Reboot
Celebrated performance swimwear brand JOLYN has been named the official category partner for the first season of FOX and Fremantle’s Baywatch reboot. The company will co‑design and produce three iconic red one‑piece swimsuits using its Foreverever® high‑performance fabric, plus men’s...
PBS in Minneapolis Is Taking Over Control of a Smaller PBS Station, Likely a Sign of Things to Come
Twin Cities PBS (TPT) has taken operational control of Austin‑based KSMQ Public Television through a no‑cost asset transfer that took effect on April 14. The agreement lets TPT manage daily operations while preserving KSMQ’s local identity and service to the Rochester‑Austin...
YouTube Expands Its AI Likeness Detection Technology to Celebrities
YouTube announced that its AI‑driven likeness detection system, originally tested with a limited creator group, is now available to the entertainment sector. The tool works like Content ID, scanning uploaded videos for AI‑generated faces that match enrolled celebrities, talent agencies...
Rockstar Games Co-Founder Dan Houser Unveils Cast of His Sprawling ‘Absurdaverse’ Video Game-TV Series Franchise; First Animated Shorts to Premiere...
Rockstar co‑founder Dan Houser announced the first voice cast for his new “Absurdaverse” franchise, a comedy‑satire universe that will span an untitled animated series and a AAA open‑world video game. The initial lineup—Rachel Dratch, Dan Soder, Ari Matti, Annie Lederman,...
Terence and Rachel Winter Team With Bizaar Studios for Animated Series (Exclusive)
Emmy‑winning writer Terence Winter and Oscar‑nominated producer Rachel Winter are developing an adult animated series titled "Nouvelle" with the year‑old Bizaar Studios. The show, inspired by Jacob Tomsky’s memoir "Heads in Beds," follows the staff and guests of a luxury...
Multiviews on Live Sports Streaming at NAB 2026
At NAB 2026 the streaming industry zeroed in on live sports, with multiview solutions emerging as the centerpiece for delivering seamless, low‑latency experiences across devices. Executives highlighted the massive mobile‑first audience—India alone has 650 million streaming smartphones—prompting vendors to prioritize short‑form highlights...
Mediterráneo Takes Its Hit Series to Content Europe
Spanish production house Mediterráneo used this week’s Content Europe in Lisbon to launch its latest slate for the European market. The lineup includes the sci‑fi thriller *Point Nemo*, the equine‑drama *Pure Blood*, the talent‑agency comedy *Call My Agent*, the military...
Atresmedia Sales Takes Its Original Dramas to Content Europe
Atresmedia Sales showcased its original Spanish drama slate at Content Europe in Lisbon, unveiling titles such as The Maid’s Daughters, The Girl, Dreams of Freedom, Father There Is Only One, and Between Lands. The Maid’s Daughters is an eight‑episode period...
MS NOW Uses Community to Build Up Its Brand
MS NOW is shifting from a traditional linear news outlet to a community‑first brand, leveraging its recent independence after NBCUniversal’s spin‑off. The network plans to launch a summer‑time app focused on direct audience interaction rather than streaming. Executives highlighted the rise...
AWS Demos AI Tools to Deliver Vertical Video
Amazon Web Services is showcasing a suite of AI‑driven tools at the NAB Show aimed at delivering vertical video streams for mobile‑first audiences. The centerpiece, AWS Elemental Inference, can generate a vertical feed from live encoding with only a six‑to‑10‑second...
Video Podcasting Leaps in Popularity
Podcast listening in the U.S. reached a record 58% of adults (about 167 million) in February 2026, according to Edison Research’s Infinite Dial. The surge is accompanied by rapid growth in video podcasting, with 80% of adults 18+ saying they both...