Media & Entertainment

NFL maintains DEI efforts as Trump rolls back policies: The league reaffirms its diversity commitment, arguing it benefits both competition and business despite shifting political winds.

Taking chances versus playing it too safe: Brands like Snickers and Nationwide have faced backlash for polarizing commercials, proving that shock value can be a double-edged sword.

Super Bowl viewership likely slipped: Taylor and Trump probably weren’t enough to top last year’s 123.7 million viewers.

Fox acquires Red Seat Ventures: As audiences shift from traditional TV, The company is expanding its digital-first media push.

A massive AI investment push and nuclear-powered infrastructure give France an edge, but supply chain constraints and strict EU rules could hamper its ability to compete with the US

Key stat: After being inspired by something they saw on TV, almost three-fourths of US viewers (71.5%) either searched online to consider purchasing it, purchased it, or both, according to an August 2024 survey from Shopsense AI and EMARKETER.

Amazon’s ad business expands: Ad sales were up 18% YoY to $17.28 billion, fueled by retail media and Prime Video ads.

The DOT’s halt on EV charging projects disrupts a $5B initiative. The move risks stalling consumer adoption and industry momentum.

Apple risks consumer trust—and security breaches—if it gives the UK a back door to iCloud, but noncompliance invites legal action.

Grammys’ viewership miss emphasizes Super Bowl power: The awards show ended a three-year streak of viewership bumps ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl.

With a nearly endless selection of books, low prices, and speedy delivery, Amazon has revolutionized bookselling, making it challenging for everyone else to keep up. But retailers like Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org haven’t given up the fight against the ecommerce giant. Here’s how they’re using their unique strengths to chip away at Amazon’s dominance.

Disney’s password-sharing changes didn’t boost subscriptions—yet: The company saw a slight dip in Disney+ subs as it faced a tough holiday period.

Google dropped diversity goals, citing federal compliance. Its DEI rollback reflects a strategic pivot among Big Tech firms to secure government partnerships

Nielsen and Paramount bury the hatchet: Measurement renewal deal offers a glimpse into the state of Nielsen competitors.

After a mini boom in 2020 (5.8% growth), US gamer increases have mostly paralleled national smartphone growth metrics

LiveRamp CEO's growth strategy: Neutral positioning and network effects fuel commerce media and CTV expansion as ad budgets rebound.

Spotify reports its first full year of profitability: Cost-cutting, price hikes, and a UMG deal should help the company build on its strong Q4 in 2025.

Fresh off an FTC settlement, the platform now faces a data breach—fueling doubts about its security and jeopardizing its acquisition by Wonder Group.

Despite having little presence in China, Google faces an antitrust probe amid a rising trade war, suggesting regulatory pressure could be used as a geopolitical bargaining tool.

AI-driven efficiencies boosted profits, but maintaining growth may require more than automation and personalization to keep users engaged and willing to pay more.