Media companies, tech giants, and retailers could face dramatic shifts if sports viewership declines, Meta loses billions in youth safety lawsuits, or AI transforms every product placement into personalized ad inventory. Sports rights spending is on track to hit about $70 billion a year by 2030, and every dollar of it comes out of something else. "The amount that media companies are paying for sports rights continues to climb. It's gonna be about $70 billion a year by 2030, and it's taking away from what they do otherwise," said our analyst Ross Benes on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers." Three scenarios below look unlikely today. Each would rewrite how these businesses operate.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three biggest questions surrounding Meta right now: Will the company create the next big social network? Will people really watch Instagram on TV? What AI agent will Meta release after rolling out its shopping agent? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Minda Smiley and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
45% of US Gen Z digital audio listeners play video games while they listen, compared with 28% of listeners overall, according to a March survey from The Harris Poll and EMARKETER.
Meta faces brand-safety scrutiny: Monetized account payouts reach pages that appear to violate its rules, an Australian news report finds.
Generic “AI-generated” tags aren’t enough to help TikTok users spot deepfake doctors or fabricated medical claims.
New Mexico’s $942M order tests whether courts can require product changes alongside financial penalties.
Gen Z turns to YouTube, while millennials to Facebook—underscoring the need for social content that helps consumers parse GLP-1 options.
TikTok expands AI video creation tools: Dreamina Seedance 2.5 keeps advertisers in the app as longer, production-ready videos reduce the need for outside tools.
Adults ages 18 to 24 make up just 12.7% of US unique visitors to Instagram, barely ahead of the 65+ crowd at 12.2%, according to a July report from Comscore.
Their “always online” presence means they encounter a steady stream of health information. Simple, evidence-backed wellness claims align with their health goals.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the three biggest questions surrounding Google right now: Is Google spending too much in the AI race? Will the company finally rationalize its AI product naming conventions? And what will the next phase of YouTube's growth look like? Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Analyst Nate Elliott and Analyst Marisa Jones. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Snapchat and LinkedIn curb AI slop: Brands may earn more reach with original reporting than generic AI posts.
81% of US Instagram users watched Reels, but only 39% uploaded content to Reels, according to an April report from Morning Consult.
Snapchat adds agency tools and HubSpot integration: The company aims to make lead gen, attribution, and ROAS easier for performance marketers.
Short-form video is where social platforms are concentrating their ad innovation in 2026. Instagram is monetizing the moment after a Reel ends, YouTube Shorts earned the industry's first short-form measurement accreditation, and episodic formats are turning casual scrolling into appointment viewing. This FAQ covers the formats, inventory growth, and creative practices shaping short-form video advertising.
TikTok's biggest US audience isn't Gen Z: 36.5 million visitors ages 25 to 34 came to the platform in May 2026, compared with 24.5 million ages 18 to 24, according to a May survey from Comscore.
Our updated forecasts show that genAI, social, and streaming are becoming the front lines where pharma must build trust and visibility.
A 6% APY may draw deposits, but trust and rate durability could decide whether users bank with X.
Facebook adds a user trust layer: Free identity badges may help users and sellers, but optional adoption will determine their long-term value.
A new seller app and verification tools strengthen Marketplace as Meta competes for merchants and secondhand shoppers.