Agency & Consulting
DAZN expands NBA local rights footprint ahead of hub bid
TVREV’s John Cassillo reports that DAZN has acquired local rights to over a third of NBA teams for 2026-27, including exclusive deals with the Pacers, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Spurs.
Local TV anchors now direct and produce their own streaming newscasts
TVREV’s Tim Hanlon reports that Fox and ABC affiliates in Houston are having anchors like KRIV’s Caroline Collins handle video switching, graphics and audio while anchoring streaming newscasts, with Fox 10 Phoenix now listing combined producing, directing and anchoring as a hiring requirement.
TV networks pitch reach over digital at upfronts amid soft ratings
Inside Radio reports that broadcast networks are using upfront week to argue reach beats digital, even as first-quarter ratings and ad sales ran soft and analysts expect pricing up mid-single digits with volume down slightly.
Netflix’s Sarandos hints at adding a ‘Channels’ program for rival streamers
The Ankler’s Sean McNulty reports that Ted Sarandos signaled Netflix may add a “Channels” feature letting subscribers access Disney+, Peacock and others inside its app. He also voiced frustration with current hours-watched engagement trends on the platform.
Amazon advertisers skip the AI hype, flock to new review-generation tool
The Drum’s Kiri Masters reports that at Amazon’s unBoxed expo, advertisers paid less attention to Amazon’s new AI agents than to a simple new tool built to generate customer reviews.
Publishers turn AI visibility optimization into a real revenue line
Digiday’s Sara Guaglione reports that GEO has moved from experiment to business, with Future signing more than thirty clients and securing renewals while Ziff Davis and a half dozen other large publishers now sell generative engine optimization services.
MoffettNathanson: agency media-buying fees under pressure as AI reshapes ad market
Inside Radio reports that MoffettNathanson now forecasts the U.S. ad market will grow fifteen percent in 2026 to $471.4 billion, with online advertising reaching $359.6 billion, or seventy-six percent of the total, as AI, streaming and sports drive the gains.
Despite Nielsen backlash, upfront deals still rest on its ratings
Inside Radio reports Ad Age estimates only high-single-digit percentages of this year’s upfront deals will use measurement alternatives like Innovid, VideoAmp or comScore, with most still priced on Nielsen’s age and gender demos.
Independent shop Zambezi sells majority stake to private equity firm Manna Tree
Ad Age’s Brian Bonilla reports that Zambezi is selling a majority stake to private equity firm Manna Tree, an unusual deal that has the independent agency helping evaluate deals and bringing marketing expertise to Manna Tree’s portfolio companies beyond its usual client work.
Goalhanger takes ad sales in-house from January 2027
Advanced Television reports that Goalhanger is bringing advertising sales fully in-house starting January 2027, letting brands build cross-platform deals directly with its own commercial team rather than buying podcast ads as a standalone line item.
Comcast: multiscreen TV ad campaigns double incremental ROAS
TV Tech’s Phil Kurz reports that Comcast found multiscreen TV ad campaigns deliver double the incremental return on ad spend compared to single-screen buys.
Disney+ bundles with Indonesia’s Vidio, extends APAC distribution push
The Hollywood Reporter’s Patrick Brzeski reports Disney+ and Vidio are launching the Vidio Ultimate Disney+ All Screen Bundle, combining Disney films and Asian originals with Vidio’s local programming, live TV and sports rights like the Premier League and Champions League.
TikTok’s One Pay guarantees creators brand-deal payment within 30 days
Tubefilter’s James Hale reports that TikTok is launching One Pay, a feature within its TikTok One marketplace that pays creators for brand deals within 30 days of a video posting, with TikTok taking zero cut.
VAB: Nielsen undercounting cost TV $690 million in ad inventory
Inside Radio reports that the Video Advertising Bureau’s updated analysis found Nielsen’s out-of-home TV undercount, which ran from September 2020 to December 2021, erased 54 billion ad impressions worth an estimated 690 million dollars in unsold inventory.
Delrahim: Paramount’s California exit threat on merger was ‘not a bluff’
TheWrap’s Lucas Manfredi reports that Paramount’s Makan Delrahim told TheGrill conference David Ellison’s threat to move the studio out of California absent a settlement was “not a bluff,” though he downplayed its role in the outcome, crediting a weak antitrust case instead.
Casey Bloys to run combined Paramount-Warner Bros. streaming business
Variety’s Michael Schneider reports that HBO chief Casey Bloys has won control of Paramount-Warner Bros.’ merged streaming operation, after Paramount’s Cindy Holland told colleagues she’s leaving ahead of the deal’s close.
TVision: creators win YouTube share, studios win attention scores
MediaPost’s Wayne Friedman reports that TVision found creator channels like MrBeast draw 63% of YouTube sessions versus 38% for studio channels, but studio content scores higher on “eyes on screen” attention, 35% to 26%.
Podcaster A.J. Gentile accuses manager Night Media of illegal talent brokering
The Ankler’s Natalie Jarvey reports that Why Files host A.J. Gentile filed a California Labor Commissioner complaint against Night Media, alleging the unlicensed management firm violated the Talent Agencies Act and owes him $743,988 in commission from one year of repping him.
Netflix plots ‘very broad’ theatrical run for KPop Demon Hunters sequel
Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva reports that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told Bloomberg’s Screentime the “KPop Demon Hunters” sequel, expected in 2029, will get a “big, broad, global” theatrical release.
Nielsen radio clients balk at fee hike for continuous diary measurement
Inside Radio reports that Nielsen is seeking 5%-12% rate increases for radio clients upgrading to continuous, monthly diary measurement starting in July, a fee clients say was never disclosed during early talks about the switch.
NPR’s new content chief bets on video podcasts to rebuild its funnel
Nieman Lab’s Sarah Scire reports that NPR chief content officer Nadine Zylstra discussed acquiring Casey Newton and Kevin Roose’s Machine Gods, a deal Bloomberg previously reported was approaching five million dollars.
Cindy Holland exits Paramount Skydance ahead of WBD merger close
Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva and Peter White report that Cindy Holland is leaving Paramount Skydance, where she chaired Direct-To-Consumer, with her last day today ahead of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger close.