MEDIA MARGINS BLOG
BITE-SIZED UPDATES IN THE WORLD OF MEDIA & ADVERTISING
TikTok’s first week under new US ownership was marred by major outages and user backlash after a winter storm disabled Oracle data centers, causing videos to register zero views and sparking censorship fears.
Although TikTok blamed infrastructure issues, updated privacy policies and distrust of the new owners deepened scrutiny and concern among users.
YouTube made over $60 billion in 2025, surpassing Netflix and marking Alphabet’s* first full revenue disclosure for the platform. Its Q4 ad revenue reached a record $11.38 billion, albeit still shy of Wall Street expectations.
Alphabet attributes the growth to surging subscriptions across YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, and Google One.
*Holding company of Google, Youtube, Android, etc.
Opening arguments have begun in a landmark trial accusing Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube of deliberately designing addictive features that harm young users’ mental health.
Meta and YouTube deny the allegations, insisting they provide safeguards and that many factors influence youth well‑being.
The investigation follows concerns and viewer backlash of potentially violating equal‑time rules after giving Texas Senate candidate James Talarico airtime without comparable opportunities given to other candidates.
Talarico used this time to discuss family, faith, and positions on Texas political issues.
Google is partially rolling back its AI Overviews feature after concerns surrounding dangerous medical inaccuracies. AI Overviews were found giving incorrect guidance on critical topics such as liver function tests and cancer‑related queries.
In response, Google began removing AI Overviews from specific health searches, including “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and similar phrases, replacing them with standard search results from trusted medical sites.
However, experts warn that variations of the same queries can still trigger AI-generated answers, indicating the issue is systemic rather than isolated.
Hellmann’s has released a 15‑second teaser for its Super Bowl 60 ad, introducing “Meal Diamond,” a glittery Neil‑Diamond‑inspired performer who snacks on a mayo‑stacked turkey sandwich as part of his backstage ritual.
The spot is meant to spark curiosity and appetite ahead of the full fourth‑quarter commercial, hinting at a fun, sandwich‑centered moment where this new character finally takes the spotlight.
Artlist, a creative technology company used by more than 50 million creators for licensing music, footage, and advanced AI tools, has unveiled a full AI‑powered production ecosystem after finishing 2025 with $260M in ARR and 50% YOY growth.
The new suite includes Artlist Studio, the AI Toolkit, and the Artlist Original 1.0 model, all designed to give creators faster, more intuitive, end‑to‑end control over video production.
Google is partially rolling back its AI Overviews feature after concerns surrounding dangerous medical inaccuracies. AI Overviews were found giving incorrect guidance on critical topics such as liver function tests and cancer‑related queries.
In response, Google began removing AI Overviews from specific health searches, including “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and similar phrases, replacing them with standard search results from trusted medical sites. However, experts warn that variations of the same queries can still trigger AI-generated answers, indicating the issue is systemic rather than isolated.
Fanatics has officially entered content production with the launch of Fanatics Studios, created in partnership with L.A.-based OBB Media and led by CEO Michael Ratner.
The new studio will produce films, documentaries, live event specials, and scripted and unscripted series, partnering with LA28, ESPN, Fox Sports, WWE, MLB, and Tom Brady. As part of its LA28 deal, Fanatics Studios will produce the official Olympic film, along with additional film, TV, and digital projects tied to the games.
The company is also expanding its ESPN relationship with multiple hours of programming through 2027, including renewed Fanatics Fest coverage and support for the ESPY Awards. Fanatics Studios formally launched on January 13 at the Intuit Dome, signaling a major shift toward Fanatics becoming a full‑scale sports and entertainment content player.
Infillion announced a strategic partnership with behavioral AI company Yobi to deliver walled‑garden‑level optimization to the open internet.
The collaboration promises Google‑style performance automation—without relying on cookies—reshaping how independent advertisers compete outside major platforms.
MEDIA MARGINS BLOG
BITE-SIZED UPDATES IN THE WORLD OF MEDIA & ADVERTISING
TikTok’s first week under new US ownership was marred by major outages and user backlash after a winter storm disabled Oracle data centers, causing videos to register zero views and sparking censorship fears.
Although TikTok blamed infrastructure issues, updated privacy policies and distrust of the new owners deepened scrutiny and concern among users.
YouTube made over $60 billion in 2025, surpassing Netflix and marking Alphabet’s* first full revenue disclosure for the platform. Its Q4 ad revenue reached a record $11.38 billion, albeit still shy of Wall Street expectations.
Alphabet attributes the growth to surging subscriptions across YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, and Google One.
*Holding company of Google, Youtube, Android, etc.
Opening arguments have begun in a landmark trial accusing Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube of deliberately designing addictive features that harm young users’ mental health.
Meta and YouTube deny the allegations, insisting they provide safeguards and that many factors influence youth well‑being.
The investigation follows concerns and viewer backlash of potentially violating equal‑time rules after giving Texas Senate candidate James Talarico airtime without comparable opportunities given to other candidates.
Talarico used this time to discuss family, faith, and positions on Texas political issues.
Google is partially rolling back its AI Overviews feature after concerns surrounding dangerous medical inaccuracies. AI Overviews were found giving incorrect guidance on critical topics such as liver function tests and cancer‑related queries.
In response, Google began removing AI Overviews from specific health searches, including “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and similar phrases, replacing them with standard search results from trusted medical sites.
However, experts warn that variations of the same queries can still trigger AI-generated answers, indicating the issue is systemic rather than isolated.
Hellmann’s has released a 15‑second teaser for its Super Bowl 60 ad, introducing “Meal Diamond,” a glittery Neil‑Diamond‑inspired performer who snacks on a mayo‑stacked turkey sandwich as part of his backstage ritual.
The spot is meant to spark curiosity and appetite ahead of the full fourth‑quarter commercial, hinting at a fun, sandwich‑centered moment where this new character finally takes the spotlight.
Artlist, a creative technology company used by more than 50 million creators for licensing music, footage, and advanced AI tools, has unveiled a full AI‑powered production ecosystem after finishing 2025 with $260M in ARR and 50% YOY growth.
The new suite includes Artlist Studio, the AI Toolkit, and the Artlist Original 1.0 model, all designed to give creators faster, more intuitive, end‑to‑end control over video production.
Google is partially rolling back its AI Overviews feature after concerns surrounding dangerous medical inaccuracies. AI Overviews were found giving incorrect guidance on critical topics such as liver function tests and cancer‑related queries.
In response, Google began removing AI Overviews from specific health searches, including “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and similar phrases, replacing them with standard search results from trusted medical sites. However, experts warn that variations of the same queries can still trigger AI-generated answers, indicating the issue is systemic rather than isolated.
Fanatics has officially entered content production with the launch of Fanatics Studios, created in partnership with L.A.-based OBB Media and led by CEO Michael Ratner.
The new studio will produce films, documentaries, live event specials, and scripted and unscripted series, partnering with LA28, ESPN, Fox Sports, WWE, MLB, and Tom Brady. As part of its LA28 deal, Fanatics Studios will produce the official Olympic film, along with additional film, TV, and digital projects tied to the games.
The company is also expanding its ESPN relationship with multiple hours of programming through 2027, including renewed Fanatics Fest coverage and support for the ESPY Awards. Fanatics Studios formally launched on January 13 at the Intuit Dome, signaling a major shift toward Fanatics becoming a full‑scale sports and entertainment content player.
Infillion announced a strategic partnership with behavioral AI company Yobi to deliver walled‑garden‑level optimization to the open internet.
The collaboration promises Google‑style performance automation—without relying on cookies—reshaping how independent advertisers compete outside major platforms.
alisaflum.com 