Hot List: For People, About People
“From up here you look like one thing, Homo sapiens are all of us; no matter where you're from or what you look like, we're all one people,” Victor Glover live from Artimus II.
It’s easy for the TV and media industries to go lost in the terms of the day— we talk like ROASsholes if we’re not careful, what with our DSPs and PMPs, our MVPDs, PVODs Cleanrooms and DDLs, we can lose sight of what’s on the other end— people.
People, who watch premium content on couches and in chairs. People like me, who may win the negotiation over what to watch tonight only to fall asleep 20 minutes in —and people like you, who do the same damn thing.
People, who increasingly watch on phones, laptops and tablets at different lengths and intervals in homes, trains and neighborhoods.
And all those people like us, who have to figure out how to navigate business amid the ever fragmenting media chaos— and just want to explore these changes in plain English.
That last part is why TVREV is worth doing and why I’m so proud of the work put forth by great people in this week’s Hot List.
Marion Ranchet is here to course correct some people’s perceptions about the European media market. John Cassillo is looking at NFL rights and how that can impact people’s wallet. Elizabeth Philbin shares some research behind a cheeky reality scandal. Hanlon shines a light on how local influencers are making their way into baseball booths. Jim Wilson explains how else local broadcasters are innovating. And Alan Wolk puts forth his take on local news, Sinclair and what you can do about it.
But wait there’s more: TVREV readers are no stranger to the concept of Feudal Media —- well this week, Alan Wolk announced he is writing a book and shared an exclusive excerpt.
Have a great week, people!
US trade panel to probe Roku, Hisense streaming and display imports for patent violations [Reuters]
TL;DR: The U.S. International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Roku and Hisense over alleged patent infringement tied to streaming devices and TVs.
NFL expected to open up local preseason rights to streamers [Sports Business Journal]
TL;DR: The NFL is considering allowing teams to sell local preseason game rights—and related content like coaches’ shows—directly to streaming platforms.
ICYMI
Price Hikes Driving U.S. Streaming Video Sales Growth, Not New Subscribers [Alan quoted in Investor’s Business Daily]
Omdia: Global TV, Online Video Revenue to Top $1 trillion by 2030 [Media Play News]
How brands and agencies are strategizing CTV investments in 2026 [Marketing Dive]
Linear TV powers brand recall across channels—even as streaming fragments audiences [EMARKETER]
YouTube Reveals Upfront Event Details, Including Trevor Noah and Chappell Roan [Adweek]
TelevisaUnivision and Nielsen Secure Measurement Deal Ahead of Upfront [Adweek]
Netflix, Eager for More NFL, Is Looking at a Four-Game Package [The Wall Street Journal]
Regional sports networks are faltering even as ratings soar [CNBC]
The Trade Desk shakes up Identity Alliance payouts, with a new focus on incrementality [Digiday]
February Olympics, Super Bowl Boost Peacock Sign-Ups To 5.2M [MediaPost]
Hanlon’s Local Links
Judge Grants Restraining Order To Pause Nexstar-Tegna Merger - Ted Johnson [Deadline]
Nexstar Tells Judge Aspects Of Tegna Merger “Cannot Be Reversed” - Ted Johnson [Deadline]
US Senators Probe FCC Chief Over Fast-Tracked Nexstar-Tegna Deal - Kelcee Griffis [Bloomberg]
Carr Blares The Horn - Jon Passantino [Status]
Lawmakers: FCC Should Mandate NextGen TV Switch To Spur Consumer Interest - Matthew Keys [TheDesk.net]
ATSC 3.0 Update: Dueling Surveys & Contact Your Congressperson! - Lon Seidman [Lon.TV]
Comcast Pulls Scripps-owned Channels From Xfinity TV - Matthew Keys [TheDesk.net]
Can Regional Sports Networks Survive, Or Even Thrive? Depends On Whom You Ask - Evan Drellich [The Athletic]
Fox, Sinclair Tell FCC That Sports Should Stay on Broadcast TV - Kelcee Griffis [Bloomberg]
Hearst Exec: Yes, Newspapers Are Still A Good Investment - Brier Dudley [The Seattle Times]
