All articles tagged with #digital media
MS NOW will launch a paid membership program on Sept. 9 to engage its most devoted viewers, priced at $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually, offering perks such as members-only content, direct interaction with network personalities, a community space, and a 24/7 live feed as part of a broader push to grow its direct-to-consumer business amid declining cable viewership.
A former Square Enix executive argues that a future PS store with no physical discs could spur price competition among publishers, potentially driving digital game prices downward in a Steam-like market. While this theory fits with observed Steam-style discounts, real-world results remain mixed, as newer digital-only releases (e.g., GTA VI) haven’t seen price drops and pricing on PSN and other stores varies.
The Hollywood Reporter argues that the long-feared 'pivot to video' finally lands in 2026: video is no longer confined to TV screens, as publishers invest in in-app vertical video and longer-form reporting to reach broader audiences. With YouTube evolving into a primary video hub and legacy outlets racing to capture attention beyond traditional TV, the industry signals a shift away from text-first models toward TV-like video experiences across devices.
A Nature Human Behavior paper argues that constant, low-friction digital rewards recalibrate how people value mental effort, making exploration cheap and tempting while diminishing willingness to endure slow, effortful tasks. The framework treats users as active agents and explains why lab results don’t always match real-world behavior, offering testable models and policy/design guidance to design digital environments that encourage persistence and mastery rather than perpetual quick wins.
Nick Bilton, named executive producer of 60 Minutes, wants the venerable newsmagazine to expand beyond Sunday evenings to digital and mobile formats, targeting younger viewers and cross‑platform storytelling. Replacing longtime producer Tanya Simon amid CBS News upheaval and scrutiny of Bari Weiss’s leadership, Bilton emphasizes disruption and strong newsroom integrity, noting past efforts (a weekday edition and a Quibi/Paramount+ digital run) as lessons while signaling potential staff changes to broaden the show’s reach.
Media entrepreneur Byron Allen will acquire a majority stake in BuzzFeed and assume CEO and chair roles, with Jonah Peretti becoming president of BuzzFeed AI; Allen Family Digital will own 52% of shares for about $120 million ($3 per share), funded by cash at close and a five‑year promissory note, as BuzzFeed seeks liquidity, cost cuts, and a path forward amid debt and Nasdaq delisting risk.
The Hollywood Reporter revisits Gawker’s explosive run, detailing how Nick Denton built a fearless blog that helped shape modern online journalism, then watched it collapse after billionaire-backed lawsuits—most notably Peter Thiel’s funding of Hulk Hogan’s invasion-of-privacy case—led to bankruptcy and the sale of its assets; the piece also follows former staffers who parlayed that experience into Hollywood and major outlets, underscoring how billionaire influence and aggressive digital culture continue to shape today’s media landscape.
The 30th Webby Awards announced winners across eight digital media categories, with Variety among honorees for Does Jennie Know Her Lyrics From Her Biggest Songs? and a slate of TV, music and AI-category wins; Special Achievement honorees include Shonda Rhimes, Kylie Kelce, Taraji P. Henson, Druski and Pete Davidson, while Anthropic’s Claude is named Webby Person of the Year. Google won Brand of the Year and PBS was Media Company of the Year. The ceremony, hosted by Josh Johnson, took place in New York City on May 11, 2026, and the full list of winners is available.
The Verge unveils a two-track homepage: a left column featuring top stories and topic sets, and a right column with an uninterrupted reverse-chronological feed; mobile mirrors this toggle system, and a Following feed remains accessible. The redesign aims to balance major reporting with a fast, customizable stream, with plans for a public product updates page and a reader research group to inform future changes, including dark mode, an app, and federation.
E.W. Scripps is selling Court TV to the parent company of Law&Crime for under $125 million, with a three-year deal to keep it on basic cable. Law&Crime plans to expand Court TV’s reach via YouTube and social platforms, focusing on live trials and true-crime content, while retaining about a dozen Court TV employees (out of more than 50). The move aims to transform the legacy media asset into a digital-first property.
Khaby Lame has sold his company in a $975 million deal, marking a landmark exit for a creator-led media brand as it joins a larger corporate portfolio; terms beyond the price and leadership details were not disclosed.
The article discusses how influencers and OnlyFans models are increasingly dominating the US 'extraordinary' artist visa program, highlighting a shift in the types of individuals obtaining these visas and the impact of digital media personalities on US immigration policies.
The article discusses the ongoing growth and influence of YouTube as a dominant digital video platform, highlighting its impact on content creation, monetization, and the digital media landscape.
The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029, marking a shift to digital streaming and expanding global access, with the partnership running through 2033 and aiming to reach a larger audience worldwide.
The article discusses the decline of traditional book reading in Western culture, especially in the U.S., as it is replaced by digital snippets, social media, and audio/video content, leading to a shift from a literary to an oral culture.