YouTube Bringing AI Feature to Connected TV App
YouTube is extending its AI‑driven Ask feature from the mobile app to the connected TV app, with a rollout slated for the coming months. The new Ask button lets viewers pose questions about the video they’re watching using their remote’s microphone, receiving conversational answers and AI‑generated content suggestions. This follows Google’s earlier integration of Gemini on Google TV devices, underscoring a broader push to embed generative AI across its platforms. The enhancement aims to make YouTube TV more interactive and sticky for users.
Netflix Drew the Youngest MLB Opening Day Audience Since 2017
Netflix streamed its first live MLB game on Opening Night 2026, attracting roughly 3 million viewers – the largest Opening Day audience since the pandemic‑shortened 2020 season. The 18‑49 demographic was the strongest for an MLB opener in nearly a decade,...
Craig Fox Acquires A CNY LPTV Property
Craig Fox, a veteran owner of Central New York radio stations, has agreed to purchase a low‑power television station serving the Syracuse market. The transaction was disclosed in FCC filings prepared by David Oxenford of Wilkinson Barker Knauer. While the...
Sky Sports and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions Agree Broadcast Deal For Women’s Boxing
Sky Sports has signed a multi‑year exclusive deal with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) to broadcast its new women’s boxing platform, MVPW, in the UK and Ireland. The agreement guarantees two all‑female fight nights each year, starting with a...
ITVX Hits 1bn Streams in 2026
ITV announced that its streaming service ITVX logged over 1 billion streams in 2026, reaching the milestone eight days earlier than the previous year. The growth was driven by strong performance of flagship events such as the Rugby Six Nations and...
URC TV Cuts Streaming Costs with Eluvio Migration
United Rugby Championship migrated its direct‑to‑consumer service, URC TV, to Eluvio’s Content Fabric platform, slashing streaming operating costs by 62%. The move sparked a 64% jump in transaction volume and lifted revenue 35% despite lower pricing. Subscriber numbers more than doubled,...
Deutsche Telekom Expands FAST Line-Up on MagentaTV
Deutsche Telekom has expanded its FAST (Free Ad‑Supported Streaming Television) offering on the MagentaTV platform by adding six new channels, including romance‑focused Fabella, classic‑film hub MovieDome, and genre‑specific feeds for RTL’s Alarm für Cobra 11, Balko, Bauer sucht Frau, as well...
Here Are the 2026 Q1 Evening News Ratings
ABC World News Tonight solidified its dominance in Q1 2026, pulling 8.73 million total viewers and a 1.09 million Adults 25‑54 audience, marking an 11% quarterly increase. NBC Nightly News posted the strongest growth, up 12% in total viewers and 23% in the key...
US Titles Dominate VOD Catalogues Despite Strong European Production
New research from the European Audiovisual Observatory shows that U.S. titles dominate video‑on‑demand (VOD) catalogues across Europe despite a sizable European output. European works account for 46% of individual titles but only 32% of catalogue "presences," while U.S. titles represent...
Globo Shifts Primary Distribution to SRT with Synamedia
Globo has completed a migration of its primary linear pay‑TV distribution to a fully IP‑based architecture using Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) over a managed backbone across Brazil. The transition leverages Synamedia’s Quortex PowerVu suite and virtualised Digital Content Manager, with...
waipu.tv Adds Nicktoons
German streaming service waipu.tv is expanding its Perfect Plus tier by adding the children’s channel Nicktoons, effective April 1, 2026. The addition brings the package to more than 300 Full HD channels, including 20 dedicated family channels. Subscribers receive Nicktoons at...
Caterpillar Captions Drives Audience Growth on Kenya’s Akili TV
Caterpillar Captions introduced the Read‑Along Hour on Kenya’s Akili TV, pairing popular cartoons with literacy‑grade captions and reading‑nutrition labels. The block lifted child viewership by 14.9% (about 194,900 extra kids) and adult co‑viewing by 39.1% (roughly 361,300 additional parents) within...
Merchandising: ‘Humane,’ ‘SpongeBob’ Among Weekly Exclusives
Vinegar Syndrome launched a limited‑edition Blu‑ray of the horror film *Humane* on March 31, offering 1,000 slip‑covered copies at $28.99 and a standard edition at $26.49, with a one‑per‑customer cap and a 50% subscriber discount. The same week Walmart introduced an...
RTVE to Launch ARTE España
Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE announced ARTE España, a new cultural channel co‑produced with European network ARTE. The channel, led by journalist Ana Peláez, will launch digitally in late June 2025 and later roll out on free‑to‑air DTT with UHD quality. Backed...
TelevisaUnivision, Nielsen Extend Media Intelligence Deal
TelevisaUnivision has extended its multi‑year agreement with Nielsen, securing comprehensive measurement across its broadcast, cable, streaming, radio and out‑of‑home assets. The deal incorporates Nielsen’s Advanced Audiences, ad‑supported streaming ratings, ONE Ads for connected TV and national OOH expansion. By leveraging...
This Week’s MPN Video Podcast: Dean Devlin on Free Streaming, AI in Hollywood and Adapting TikTok Into TV
Dean Devlin, co‑founder of the free ad‑supported streaming service ElectricNow, discussed the platform’s rapid growth and its first original scripted series, “The Poly Couple,” which adapts a viral TikTok show into a 30‑minute format. He outlined how ElectricNow leverages FAST (Free‑Ad‑Supported‑Streaming‑TV)...
Iconic Cable Channel Warns of Bankruptcy, Survival Risk
QVC Group Inc., owner of QVC and HSN, warned investors it may not survive as a going concern after missing its Form 10‑K filing deadline. The company is negotiating with lenders to restructure more than $5 billion of debt, and a...
YouTube Connects AI Chatbot to Smart TVs
YouTube has extended its conversational AI chatbot to select smart‑TV platforms, letting viewers ask spoken questions via the remote’s microphone while watching videos. The feature, tested since February 2026, appears as an “Ask” button that delivers in‑stream answers and recommendations....
Deadline Launching Reality TV Summit In LA With Unscripted Stars, Buyers, Producers & Creators
Deadline is launching its first Reality TV Summit in Los Angeles on May 1, 2026, gathering top unscripted talent, network and streaming executives, and hit‑show creators. The event, held at Lumen West LA, will feature panels on the state of reality television, the...
Advertising-Funded Streaming Surges Ahead in DACH, New Study Finds
A new report by FUNKE Channels and valantic shows advertising‑funded streaming, especially FAST (Free‑Ad‑Supported Streaming TV) channels, is accelerating in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Linear television remains the dominant format but its share is eroding as VOD, subscription services and...
International Shoots: Why Trusted Hubs Are Overtaking Incentives
International film production hubs are outpacing pure tax rebates as the primary draw for Netflix, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery. While many Ibero‑American territories still tout high incentive percentages, executives now prioritize regulatory predictability, fast permitting, reliable payments and robust local...
Cord Cutting Today: PBS & NPR Funding Restored, DISH Faces $31B Debt Crunch & Roku Expands Streaming Push
A federal judge has reinstated crucial funding for public broadcasters PBS and NPR, averting an immediate cash crunch. Meanwhile, DISH Network's parent company is pursuing a $31 billion debt refinancing to stave off bankruptcy risk. Roku announced a new mobile app...
Beloved THE TREEHOUSE Books Head to ABC in New Kids Series Adaptation
Australian public broadcaster ABC announced a new television adaptation of Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s bestselling children’s series The Treehouse. The project, produced with Werner Film Productions, is part of a $50 million Australian‑dollar (about $33 million USD) federal funding package aimed...
Blacked Out? How to Watch ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & More Local Channels if Your Cable Company Dropped Them
Cable providers are losing local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and CW affiliates in several markets after carriage disputes, leaving millions of viewers without over‑the‑air news and sports. The article outlines a range of live‑TV streaming services—YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV,...
Freestyle Releasing Dystopian Dramedy ‘Up the Catalogue’ Across Digital Retail Platforms on April 14
Freestyle Digital Media, the distribution arm of Allen Media Group, will launch the dystopian dramedy *Up the Catalogue* on April 14 across major digital retail platforms. The film stars Lyndsey Marshal and Jonathan Bailey and follows a charismatic presenter trapped...
New Starz Limited Series ‘Amadeus’ Set to Premiere May 8
Starz announced that its five‑part limited series “Amadeus” will debut in the United States on May 8, 2026, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays. The drama adapts Peter Shaffer’s acclaimed 1979 play and features Emmy‑nominated Will Sharpe as Mozart opposite...
Unbeaten Sports Channel Launches Exclusively on FETCH TV
Fetch TV announced the exclusive launch of Unbeaten, a 24/7 sports channel owned by Inverleigh, adding global competitions, emerging leagues and under‑represented codes to its lineup. The channel is bundled with the Vibe Pack (AU$7.99 ≈ US$5.30 per month) and...
Netflix’s Brilliant Adventure Show Is Dominating the Charts, Expect Where It Matters
Netflix’s live‑action adaptation of *One Piece* debuted at number one in multiple international markets, but its U.S. performance lagged behind domestic hits like *Love Is Blind: The Reunion*. With roughly 66.7 million U.S. subscribers—about 20 % of Netflix’s global base—the American viewership...
Scripps Stations Yanked From Xfinity In Latest Retrans War
The E.W. Scripps Company’s local‑channel portfolio was pulled from Comcast’s Xfinity platform after a retransmission‑consent agreement expired. The blackout affected WSFL‑39 in Miami, WHDT‑9 in West Palm Beach and other Scripps stations nationwide. The dispute surfaced during the Florida Panthers’...
Spotwise.ai Closes $450,000 Pre-Seed to Expand AI Sales Intelligence Platform for Broadcast Media
Spotwise.ai announced a $450,000 pre‑seed round led by Outlast Fund, with participation from BADideas.fund and 500 Global. The funding will accelerate development of its agentic AI platform that combines broadcast monitoring, analytics, and sales automation for media companies. The solution processes...
4 Broadcast Radio & TV Stocks to Watch From a Challenging Industry
The broadcast radio and television sector is wrestling with accelerating cord‑cutting while streaming consumption soars, leaving the broader industry with a Zacks rank of #192 and a 37% drop in 2024 earnings estimates. Companies that have diversified into over‑the‑top (OTT)...
TV 2 and Amedia Plan Joint Streaming Platform for Norwegian Football
TV 2 and Amedia have formed a joint venture to offer Norwegian football broadcasting rights from 2026 to 2034, using a shared streaming platform. The partnership combines TV 2's national reach with Amedia's extensive local newspaper network and its Direktesport...
Bitmovin Adds Support for SGAI to Enhance Ad-Supported Streaming Products
Bitmovin announced support for Server‑Guided Ad Insertion (SGAI) across its playback suite, using HLS interstitials to signal ad breaks. The hybrid approach merges client‑side flexibility with server‑side scalability, enabling real‑time, personalized ad decisions. By standardizing the insertion point, Bitmovin aims...
Spanish Series La Mesías Premieres in the US on Disney+ and Hulu
Spanish drama "La mesías" has launched in the United States, streaming exclusively on Hulu and the Hulu‑on‑Disney+ bundle. Created by acclaimed duo Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, the seven‑episode series follows siblings confronting religious trauma and seeking redemption. The show...
AgileTV Makes DACH Move with LIWEST IPTV Launch
AgileTV has entered the DACH market through a partnership with Austrian operator LIWEST, launching a next‑generation IPTV platform that merges linear TV, streaming and app‑based entertainment. The service features super‑aggregation, an open content system for third‑party integrations and regionalisation tools...
MOR Rays Games For Tampa Bay MLB Fans
The Tampa Bay Rays have secured a limited over‑the‑air broadcast partnership with Hearst Television for the 2026 season. Hearst’s stations in four Florida markets will air ten selected Rays games, including the April 6 home opener at the newly repaired Tropicana...
How Fox News Is Luring in Gen Z
Fox News is expanding its reach to Generation Z by leveraging TikTok, where chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst posts daily bulletins to a million followers. The network’s traditional cable dominance remains strong, outpacing CNN, MSNBC, and even broadcast rivals like...
Endemol Shine Brasil Is Preparing Its New Docu-Reality Series Underground City
Endemol Shine Brasil, part of Banijay Americas, is launching *Underground City*, a docu‑reality series that delves into São Paulo’s subway system. The show will air on GNT, Globoplay, and TV Globo’s Fantástico, offering unprecedented access to control rooms, maintenance yards,...
Brendan Carr Ignores The Law, Rubber Stamps More Right Wing Media Consolidation, Then Lies About It
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, approved Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna in a closed‑door vote, allowing the combined entity to reach 54.5 % of U.S. television households—well above the 39 % cap that previously limited market concentration. The...
WPP Media Launches AI-Driven YouTube Tool ‘YouTube 5K’
WPP Media, in collaboration with Google, launched YouTube 5K (YT5K), an AI‑driven solution that automates channel curation and creative versioning for YouTube advertising. The platform scans channels to generate a refreshed list of over 5,000 brand‑safe options and automatically creates...
R99 DStv Deal to Keep Showmax Subscribers From Bolting
MultiChoice is offering Showmax users a 12‑month DStv Stream Compact subscription for R99/month (≈ $5.35), a 67% discount from the regular R299 (~$16.15). The promotion aims to retain subscribers as Showmax will shut down on 30 April. Migration is not automatic; users...
NEM Dubrovnik Unveils First Speakers for 2026 Edition
The NEM Dubrovnik TV market announced its first keynote lineup for the 2026 edition, scheduled for June 8‑11 in Croatia. Organisers project participation from more than 300 broadcasters, streamers, producers and distributors, making the event about 50 % larger than last year....
France 24 Launches BMW In-Car App with Dotscreen
France 24 has introduced a dedicated in‑car app for BMW Group vehicles in Europe and the United States, using Xperi’s TiVo infotainment platform. Developed by Dotscreen, the app delivers live streams, video bulletins and on‑demand news in French, English, Arabic and...
Meet Morgan Lindholm, Who Plays Cal’s Bartender Daughter Maddie in Yellowstone Spin-Off Marshals
Taylor Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone, serves as executive producer on two hit series, The Madison and Marshals. Marshals, a Yellowstone sequel starring Luke Grimes, currently ranks #1 on Paramount+ according to FlixPatrol. The show introduced Morgan Lindholm as Maddie, the...
France: FTA Still Most-Watched TV Service
France’s free-to-air (FTA) television remains the most consumed video service, even as internet streaming expands, according to Arcom’s Q1 2026 audio‑video trends report. While 74 percent of households now receive IPTV, terrestrial digital terrestrial television (DTT) usage has fallen to 34.7 percent, with...
The 13% Problem: Why Identity Accuracy Is Advertising?s Blind Spot
The advertising industry’s reliance on identity signals is exposing a costly blind spot: IP‑based targeting on connected TV delivers only 13‑16% accuracy. As media ecosystems fragment across streaming, mobile and linear TV, inconsistent identifiers cause brands to waste up to...
7News Extends Tonight for PM’s Address
Seven Network will extend its 7NEWS broadcast tonight to accommodate the Prime Minister’s national address, pushing the regular primetime slot back by 30 minutes. The address, slated for 7:00 pm AEDT in most states, will focus on Australia’s response to the...
UKTV Appoints Newman as Chief Commercial Officer
UKTV announced Jonathan Newman as its new Chief Commercial Officer, expanding his remit to include advertising, distribution, content funding and UKTV Ventures. David Swetman joins as Director of Content Partnerships & Sales, leading a newly created CPS team for the UK...
Italy: WWE Now Live on Netflix
Netflix has secured exclusive live streaming rights for WWE in Italy, replacing Discovery+ and DMAX. The deal covers WWE's flagship shows—RAW, SmackDown and NXT—as well as all Premium Live Events, starting with WrestleMania 42 on April 18‑19. Italian viewers will receive localized...
Comcast-Scripps Fight Tees Off
A carriage dispute between Scripps and Comcast erupted on Tuesday evening after their distribution agreement expired, prompting Comcast to drop Scripps stations from Xfinity lineups. The blackout affects 19 Big Four network affiliates and 21 independent stations across Comcast’s footprint,...