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Streaming Industry News/Media/Broadcasting Ratings For Entertainment, Sports, Grappling; Wrestling With Intel Past, Present And Future Developing News Story! Wrestling Podcasters, Scribes Onto Something Big?! Podcasters Battle Royal or Royal Rumble?! Rules Of Engagement?!
News
Combat Sports Streaming May 2026
TrillerTV
“TrillerTV continues to operate its global operations for its millions of registered users, leveraging hundreds of licensed publishing partners across a variety of live and on-demand sporting events” spokesperson for Flipps Media, TrillerTV’s corporate entity. “TrillerTV intends to provide the greatest content for users no differently than it has the past 11 years.”
News
“Flipps Media cannot comment on its ongoing legal dispute that is currently active in the Delaware Court of Chancery”
News
May 15 Livestreamer ChudTheBuilder Faces $1.25 Million Bond After Courthouse Shooting
Dalton Eatherly, the 28-year-old known online as ChudTheBuilder for livestreaming confrontations with racial slurs, argued with Joshua Fox, a 31-year-old Army veteran, outside the Montgomery County Courts Center in Clarksville. Eatherly shot Fox in the stomach and shoulder during a fight, claiming self-defense after Fox pursued and punched him; over 100 stream viewers backed his account, but prosecutors pointed to the crowded public setting and Eatherly's prior arrests. Judge H. Reid Poland III set a $1.25 million bond, citing the felony charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and more, which carry 15 to 60 years if convicted. Online, reactions divide sharply between self-defense claims and criticism of Eatherly's history, with fundraising topping $130,000 amid plans to block his release.
News
May 15
Forecast: Amazon, Netflix, Google to control half of CTV ad market by 2030
The global fight to “own the living room” is entering a new phase as Google, Amazon and Netflix are projected to control 50 per cent of the global connected TV advertising market by 2030, according to forecasts presented by Omdia at RetailX in London. The findings highlight how the centre of power in television is rapidly shifting away from traditional broadcasting toward streaming platforms, TV operating systems and advertising ecosystems. According to Omdia forecasts, global connected TV (CTV) advertising revenue will surge from $44 billion (€37.8bn) in 2025 to $81 billion by 2030, with CTV ad revenues expected to surpass traditional linear TV advertising during the 2030s. By the end of the decade: Google is forecast to command 26 per cent of global CTV advertising revenue Amazon will account for 13 per cent Netflix will represent 9 per cent Combined, the three companies will own half of the entire global CTV advertising market. “The battle for the living room is no longer only about streaming content,” commented Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Research Director at Omdia, speaking at RetailX London. “It is increasingly about controlling the platform, the advertising layer, the operating system, the data and ultimately the consumer relationship.” Rua Aguete noted that television is becoming one of the most strategic gateways for digital advertising, retail media and commerce integration, with tech companies increasingly competing to control the TV interface itself. Omdia also revealed that the European TV operating system landscape is shifting rapidly. According to the research firm, VIDAA is set to become Europe’s third-largest TV operating system this behind Android TV and Tizen, overtaking several established competitors as manufacturers seek greater ownership of the smart TV experience. The rise of VIDAA underlines how smart TV operating systems are becoming critical strategic assets in the streaming era, acting as the front door for content discovery, advertising monetisation and viewer engagement. “Who owns the TV operating system increasingly controls advertising, discovery and monetization,” added Rua Aguete. “The operating system is becoming as important as the content itself.” The shift comes as media companies, streamers, retailers and technology giants race to secure premium positioning in connected households. Amazon is leveraging Prime Video and retail media integration to expand its TV advertising footprint, while Netflix continues to scale its advertising business globally through its ad-supported tier. Google remains dominant through YouTube’s massive connected TV reach and broader advertising infrastructure. Omdia expects several trends to accelerate the transformation of television advertising over the next five years: Expansion of ad-supported streaming services Convergence of retail media and television advertising Growth in programmatic and targeted TV advertising Increasing importance of TV operating systems and smart TV ecosystems Greater competition for consumer attention and platform ownership The findings reinforce how television, commerce and digital advertising are converging into a single ecosystem and why control of the living room is becoming one of the most valuable strategic positions in media.
News
May 6
Endemol Shine Poland brings Naked Attraction back to territory
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, has announced Endemol Shine Poland is producing hit dating format, Naked Attraction (Magia Nagości. Polska) for Zoom TV. Returning after a year off-air, the show is set to premiere its fifth season later this year. Originally created for Channel 4 in 2016 by Studio Lambert, part of All3Media, Naked Attraction has become a global phenomenon, with successful adaptations in Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Italy. A true “dating in reverse” format, the show strips away first impressions inviting participants to put aside prejudices and opt for naturalness when it comes to finding love. In Poland, the format has already run for four seasons, consistently sparking conversation and encouraging audiences to reflect on body acceptance and perceptions of attraction. The new season will be hosted by Julia Oleś. Michal Kaszuba, Head of Production at Endemol Shine Poland said: “Naked Attraction has already built a strong following in Poland, and after a year off-air, we’re proud to bring it back. It’s a show that sparks conversation, challenges perceptions, and we’re confident the bold format will once again resonate strongly with Polish audiences.” Ben Packwood, SVP Sales for CEE at All3Media added: “It is great to see Magia Nagości. Polska returning to Polish screens for a fifth season in 2026. Zoom TV has proven that Naked Attraction has a dedicated local audience and can continue to be a ratings winner, year after year.” Endemol Shine Poland has over 20 years’ experience producing hit shows including local adaptations of renowned brands such as Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Must Be The Music, Drag Me Out, Boomerissima, MasterChef, Lego Masters and The Money Drop. More recent launches include BAFTA-nominated factual format Banged Up and Ambulance. In addition, it is behind premium scripted programming including Our Century for TVP 1, Squared Love for Netflix, and the return of Penoza for TVP 2.
News
May 15
Spider-Noir
Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris attend 'Spider-Noir' premiere
Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris and Jack Huston attended the premiere of their new Prime Video series, Spider-Noir, in New York Wednesday night. Co-stars Brendan Gleeson, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Lukas Haas and Abraham Popoola also walked the red carpet at the event. The comic-book adaptation is slated to debut on Prime Video on May 27. The series will be available to view in black and white, and color. "Spider-Noir tells the story of Ben Reilly, a seasoned, down-on-his luck private investigator in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life, following a deeply personal tragedy, as the city's one and only superhero," a synopsis said.
News
May 15
Combat Sports: Jake Paul Can't Get Into TKO Events
According to Jake, his involvement with MVP has made it so he can't be in his older brother's corner in WWE for the foreseeable future. Despite the trouble, he enjoys what he describes as playful banter between himself and TKO. "I don't take any beefs too serious. I think it's definitely in the name of entertainment; however, there is truth in it," the 12-2 professional boxer said on "Smash Cast." "From my side, I'm just having fun. The fact that one of the biggest organizations in the world, the TKO group, has this major beef with me, they won't even let me go be in my brother's WWE matches because they hate me so much. And so it's pretty wild, how much under their skin we are. ... I enjoy s*** talk. I like when people make fun of me. I'm easy to make fun of. I'm able to make fun of myself." (Jake Paul)
News
Streaming Rankings
May 14, 2026
Top 10 Overall Includes movies and TV series.
1. The Pitt HB0 - Max
2. The Boys - Prime Video
3. Buey - Disney
4. The Big Bang Theory HBO Max
5. Bob's Burgers - Hulu
6. SpongeBob quarePants - Paramount+
7. Family Guy - Hulu
8. Grey's Anatomy - Hulu / Netflix
9. Thrash (2026) - Netflix
10. Survivor - Hulo / Paramount + / Pluto TV
News Nielson (Australia)
Nielsen data shows Australian outdoor and sport retailers are changing how they advertise to win over outdoor enthusiasts
Advertising strategies shift as competition grows for a large, active and quality-focused audience Sydney, April 22, 2026 – New Nielsen Ad Intel data shows Australian outdoor and sports retailers are changing how they invest in advertising, as competition intensifies for the attention of outdoor enthusiasts. Advertising spend across a selected group of major Australian outdoor and sports retailers rose 4.0% year-on-year in 2025, reaching $91.9 million, up from $88.4 million in 2024. While overall growth was moderate, the way brands allocated that spend points to increasingly different strategies as retailers looked for new ways to stay visible in a competitive market. Anaconda was the biggest advertiser in the group in 2025, investing $17.6 million, followed by BCF (Boating Camping Fishing) at $13.0 million, then Rebel Sport at $6.6 million.
Across the retailers analysed, social media was the largest channel by spend in 2025, attracting $39.9 million, followed by metro TV at A$20.0 million, general display at $11.4 million, regional television at $10.8 million, and out-of-home at $4.3 million. The figures show brands are taking very different paths to reach consumers interested in outdoor lifestyles. Anaconda and BCF both backed broad, high-reach strategies, spanning television, social and digital display. Rebel Sport also maintained a diversified mix, with strong investment across social, television and general display. By contrast, 4WD & Outdoor Supacentre leaned heavily into social and radio, while Kathmandu was overwhelmingly social-led. Macpac, meanwhile, remained much more television-focused than many of its competitors. The timing of spend also points to a highly seasonal battle for attention. Investment built sharply in the second half of the year, peaking in November and December, when retailers were most aggressive in competing for consumers during key promotional and holiday periods.
The ad battle is playing out against the backdrop of a large and commercially attractive audience. New Nielsen Consumer & Media View (CMV) data shows around 15.4 million Australians identify as outdoor enthusiasts via their interest in fishing, camping or bush walking, making them a substantial audience for brands looking to connect through lifestyle, wellbeing, performance and quality. This broad audience is 53.8% male and 46.2% female, with almost two-thirds aged under 55. The strongest concentration sits among 18-39 year olds, followed by 40-54 year olds, showing outdoor enthusiasm is especially strong among active, working-age Australians. They are also motivated shoppers. Nielsen CMV shows 73.3% say they would spend more for quality goods, while 66.9% say they tend to hold off buying until products go on sale, suggesting this audience values quality but remains highly responsive to promotions and timing. The data also points to a strong lifestyle connection. More than 66% say they prefer holidays where they can see nature or be in a natural setting, and Australians in this audience are 25% more likely than average to be seeking an adventure or outdoor experience on a domestic holiday in the next 12 months. *Full article and coverage via Nielsen.
News
Wrestling Media And Ratings Flashback
October 6, 2025
Media Man Monday Wrestling Feature
Video
Nielsen's new ratings system is bad news for pro wrestling | Wrestling Observer Radio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7cAAIeHUHA
Dave Meltzer goes into detail regarding Nielsen's new ratings system, which has had a very bad effect on pro wrestling so far. (F4 Online) Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard WWE is playing chess when most are playing checkers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRHawQflb1c JBL shares his views on WrestleMania 43 heading to Saudi Arabia. Watch full show:
#wrestlemania #wwe #wrestling #aew
Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard is an audio podcast that discusses topics, events, wrestlers and memorable moments through the lens of former WWE executive Bruce Prichard co-hosted by Conrad Thompson. STW was launched in August 2016 on MLW Radio. The episodes typically range from 2 hours to 4 hours in length, and include discussions about previous WWE pay-per-views and former WWE wrestlers. (STWW)
"We are in the TKO ERA of pro-wrestling" - Eric Bischoff | 83 Weeks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnVy3f3cWe0&t=177s
Eric Bischoff discusses TKO's increasing dominance over the landscape of professional wrestling and combat sports. (83 Weeks)
#ericbischoff #wweufc #tkowwe
Teddy Long on ESPN rating Wrestlepalooza 'C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X1pSjdvdPg
Konnan on: if Paramount buys WBD, will they drop AEW from their network? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsfTd9zudqw
Jim Cornette on AEW Dynamite's Record Low Ratings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hivB1aNgLBI
Jim Cornette on What If Hulk Hogan Demanded An Ownership Stake In WWE From Vince McMahon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QXabryiHaw
Why WWE & AEW Should Be Worried About Nielsen’s Ratings Shake-Up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E_TPYByHUI
News
Nielsen Wrestling News (via X)
October 5, 2025
The Media Rating Council accredited the system, and Nielsen plans to phase out the old method entirely by late 2025. However, early results show inconsistent effects—some sports events have seen gains, but wrestling has been hit hard, with drops of 20-60% in key demographics. As of October 6, 2025, "Nielsen Wrestling News" primarily refers to the ongoing industry-wide discussion about Nielsen's overhaul of its TV ratings methodology, which has drastically lowered reported viewership numbers for major wrestling programs like WWE and AEW. This change, rolled out in early Q4 2025, has sparked concern among promoters, analysts, and fans about its potential impact on media deals and the perceived value of wrestling content. Below, I'll break down the key details, impacts, and reactions based on the latest reports. What Changed in Nielsen's System? Nielsen transitioned from its traditional "panel-only" method (tracking ~42,000 households) to a new "Big Data + Panel" approach. This integrates: Data from 45 million households and 75 million devices (e.g., set-top boxes, smart TVs). The goal: More accurate, comprehensive audience measurement in a streaming-heavy era. Impact on Wrestling Shows The shift explains recent "plummeting" ratings, complicating year-over-year comparisons. Here's a snapshot of affected shows (new Big Data + Panel numbers vs. old panel-only equivalents where available): (Media Man: See Grok live results)
Broader Context and Outlook
Wrestling remains a top performer relative to other non-sports TV (e.g., WWE Raw still ranks high in key demos), but the optics are rough amid WWE's Netflix transition and AEW's expansion pushes. Analysts like those at Wrestlenomics suggest tracking both methodologies for now to avoid panic. No major cancellations or deal breaks reported yet, but expect more scrutiny in Q4 earnings calls Sources: Wrestlenomics, F4WOnline, Programming Insider. These aren't actual declines in audience—it's a measurement shift—but they could influence negotiations. Industry Reactions Dave Meltzer (Wrestling Observer Newsletter): Called it a "disaster for pro wrestling," noting wrestling's value to TV "looks to be taking a very significant hit." He highlighted disproportionate drops for WWE/AEW compared to other genres.
WWE: Expressed internal concerns that the lower numbers could undermine TNA Wrestling's ongoing TV deal talks (aiming for ~$10M annually). However, TNA President Carlos Silva stated it hasn't factored into negotiations yet. USA Network (WWE SmackDown broadcaster) is monitoring but using supplementary data like VideoAmp. AEW/WBD (TBS/TNT): Tony Khan and Warner Bros. Discovery view it as a short-term optics issue, relying on internal metrics showing stable engagement. One source: "Not seeing a strong pattern yet—some events go up, others down." Broader Concerns: Fears of cascading effects on ad revenue, rights fees, and even talent contracts. Reddit's r/SquaredCircle community debated it as "doom and gloom" for public perception, though networks have access to fuller data sets. Media Man: Change is a regular occurrence in both the media, new media and pro wrestling industry. Best to adopt the Charles Darwin ideology .. adapt to change and evolve to the changing landscape. Manage risks and focus on strengths. To help get to the bottom of things as per the old saying in and around Vegas, "Follow The Money". TKO may have an ace or two up it's sleeve here, but AEW is not short a dollar either. There's many moving parts to this situation. The combat sports sector will be watching Nielsen with an eagle eye, or evil eye?! Many are watching the waters. Road To Crown Jewel and Road/Flightpath to WrestleMania Saudi! He who owns the gold makes the rules?! More podcast and pro wrestling news fodder right?! Got to fill up those reports with something in between the pro wrestling match results. Plenty of news outside the ring, as well as in and around in. This storyline is writing itself. VKM and maybe Shane watching with interest. UFC can't be to bothered by this, fresh off a Paramount Skydance Deal. Anyone game to bring back Lucha Underground? That's what we thought. How about more web only broadcasts? Still, With WWE Speed now off X and onto NXT something knows something! The grapple for the audience and paying customers and b2b continues.
"There's a customer born every minute" P. T. Barnum
News (In Case You Missed It)
News Flashback
Streaming Reaches Historic TV Milestone, Eclipses Combined Broadcast and Cable Viewing For First Time
June 2025
Streaming Notches a Record 44.8% of Total TV Usage in May Streaming Usage Up 71% Since 2021, with YouTube, Netflix and Other Platforms Showing Dramatic Growth Over Four Years FAST Services Continue to Grow as PlutoTV, Roku Channel and Tubi Combine for 5.7% of TV Viewing in May NEW YORK – June 17, 2025 – Streaming reached a historic milestone in May as its share of total television usage outpaced the combined share of broadcast and cable for the first time ever, according to Nielsen’s monthly report of The Gauge™. Streaming represented 44.8% of TV viewership in May 2025, its largest share of viewing to date, while broadcast (20.1%) and cable (24.1%) combined to represent 44.2% of TV. This month also marks four years since the launch of The Gauge, which debuted with the May 2021 report. As audience viewing habits—and the media landscape at large—have rapidly evolved over that time, The Gauge has continued to serve as the industry benchmark for tracking how people spend time watching television. When comparing TV usage in May 2021 and May 2025, it’s clear that streaming has been the dominant viewing format with a usage increase of 71%. And while broadcast and cable viewing have declined (down 21% and 39%, respectively, compared with May 2021), traditional TV has shown surprising resilience. “It’s fitting that this inflection point coincides with the four year anniversary of Nielsen’s The Gauge, which has become the gold standard for streaming TV measurement,” said Karthik Rao, Nielsen CEO. “It’s also a credit to media companies, who have deftly adapted their programming strategies to meet their viewers where they are watching TV – whether it’s on streaming or linear platforms.” Along with the 71% increase in streaming usage, six additional streaming services are now reported in the list of platforms that exceed a full share point of TV usage. The original list included Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Prime Video and Disney+, and has expanded to 11 platforms in May 2025. Among subscription services, Netflix has gone wire-to-wire as the leading SVOD provider in total TV usage for four straight years. Netflix’s viewership has climbed 27% since May 2021, and the streamer owned the biggest day in streaming history, thanks to two exclusive NFL games it live streamed on Christmas Day 2024. Many programs—and by extension, other distributors—have also benefited from the SVOD giant through The Netflix Effect, where licensed content becomes an even bigger hit when distributed on the platform. Exemplified by memorable streaming hits like Suits (Netflix / Peacock) and Young Sheldon (Netflix / Max), this month’s top streaming title, You, (4 billion minutes) was one of the first examples of the Netflix Effect in 2018. Free services have been a major driver of streaming’s overall success. Most notably, YouTube Main (excluding YouTube TV) has exhibited steady, significant growth and is up over 120% since 2021. YouTube represented 12.5% of all television viewing in May, its fourth consecutive monthly share increase and the highest share of TV for any streamer to date. Additionally, FAST services have become increasingly popular, and three have reached the reportable threshold in The Gauge. PlutoTV, Roku Channel and Tubi combined for 5.7% of total TV viewing in May, which is larger than any individual broadcast network this interval. The continued transformation of traditional media companies into streaming-first entities has also been a strong contributor to the growth of streaming. Platforms like Hulu, Paramount+ and Peacock have expanded their accessibility to create crucial points of connection with streaming-native audiences, complementing rather than competing with their linear counterparts. This trend extends beyond original and catalog content, too, demonstrated by successful simulcasts of sporting events like Super Bowl LIX on FOX and Tubi, and the 2024 Olympics on NBC and Peacock. Virtually all subscription-based platforms now have ad-supported components as well, which are creating a critical new element to the television landscape from an agency and advertiser perspective as they seek to reach streaming-centric consumers. While the milestone of streaming exceeding traditional TV viewership is almost certainly not permanent, it presumably will be in the near future. This trend could continue into the summer months, but the balance will likely shift back—at least temporarily—as football kicks off and a new broadcast season returns. The May 2025 interval included dates 04/28/2025 through 05/25/2025. Nielsen reporting follows the broadcast calendar with measurement weeks that run Monday through Sunday. About The Gauge™ The Gauge™ is Nielsen’s monthly snapshot of total broadcast, cable and streaming consumption that occurs through a television screen, providing the industry with a holistic look at what audiences are watching. The Gauge was expanded in April 2024 to include The Media Distributor Gauge, which reflects total viewing by media distributor across these categories. Read more about The Gauge methodology and FAQs. About Nielsen Nielsen is a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their global audiences—now and into the future. Learn more at www.nielsen.com Source: Nielsen https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2025/streaming-reaches-historic-tv-milestone-eclipses-combined-broadcast-and-cable-viewing-for-first-time/
https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/
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Nielsen wins Media Man 'Data Provider Of The Month' award
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