Media Trends

14 articles

A close-up shot of a vintage CD player with a hand selecting a CD, surrounded by physical music media like CDs and vinyl, evoking a sense of nostalgia and the resurgence of tangible formats.
Media

CD Player Searches Jump 96% as Physical Media Resurges

Searches for CD players at John Lewis increased by 96% since July, a notable resurgence for a format once considered obsolete.

Claire Donovan·September 11, 2026
Diverse group of young people enthusiastically attending a modern film festival, interacting with digital displays and cinematic art.
Media

Film festivals embrace new strategies to attract younger viewers

Last year, the average age of a major film festival attendee was 52, while Gen Z spent 40% of their screen time on short-form video platforms, forcing festivals to fundamentally rethink how they conne

Andre Silva·September 9, 2026
Attendees at the Chicago Film Festival browse a vibrant collection of Blu-ray and 4K UHD discs at a dedicated physical media fair.
Media

Chicago Film Fest Celebrates Niche Physical Media Revival

At the Chicago International Film Festival in October 2023, hundreds of attendees bypassed digital screenings.

Claire Donovan·September 7, 2026
A person engrossed in reading a physical book in a quiet, sunlit library, symbolizing the appeal of slow media.
Trends

Slow Media's Growing Impact on Audience Engagement

In the last quarter, paid subscriptions for newsletters with an average read time exceeding 10 minutes grew by 20%, according to Substack Annual Report.

Yasmin El-Sayed·August 22, 2026
A close-up of a 4K Blu-ray disc case on a shelf in a home theater, symbolizing the enduring appeal of physical media.
Media

Why Are People Still Collecting 4K Blu-rays in 2026?

In 2025, consumer spending on subscription streaming services in the US soared 19.

Andre Silva·August 20, 2026
Diverse audience engrossed in a vertical video on a futuristic screen, with abstract audiovisual elements symbolizing media evolution.
Media

Vertical media's audiovisual language shapes 2026 trends

Vertical video is set to generate an astounding $150 billion in revenue outside of China this year, according to Variety .

Claire Donovan·July 11, 2026
A futuristic split screen comparing interactive media's branching paths with the linear flow of traditional storytelling, symbolizing the evolution of narrative in 2026.
Media

What is Interactive Media Storytelling vs Linear Narratives in 2026?

When viewers skip forward or backward in an interactive TV show, algorithms can now predict with high accuracy whether they will abandon the content entirely.

Andre Silva·June 24, 2026
Diverse newsletter writers holding tablets with glowing interfaces, symbolizing their growing influence in the media landscape with new brand sponsorships.
Trends

Newsletter Writers Emerge as Media Forces, Substack Adds Sponsorships

Brands like Balenciaga and T-Mobile are now investing millions of dollars to place ads directly into individual newsletters, rapidly professionalizing the creator economy.

Yasmin El-Sayed·June 22, 2026
Split screen showing a vibrant TikTok feed alongside active Facebook and Instagram feeds, illustrating Gen Z's dual social media presence.
Media

Gen Z's TikTok Discovery Shift: Still on Old Social Media

In a surprising twist, the proportion of TikTok's youngest adult users (18-24) decreased from 35% in 2022 to 25.

Claire Donovan·June 6, 2026
The Nostalgia Boom: How Azweso Songs, LLC's Catalog Meets 2026's Top Media Trend
Music

The Nostalgia Boom: How Azweso Songs, LLC's Catalog Meets 2026's Top Media Trend

The "nostalgia economy" is driving a demand for authentic catalog music, and Azweso Songs, LLC is positioned as a key player, providing curated, era-specific tracks. This boutique publisher helps creators avoid generic stock music, offering genuine connection and a distinct voice in the booming sync licensing market.

Sponsored·June 5, 2026
A creator in a futuristic studio using AI to scale content production on niche media platforms, showcasing the surge in AI-driven media.
Trends

AI's Content Production Surge Reshapes Niche Media Platforms in 2026

Once seen as an existential threat, generative AI now consolidates disparate datasets for creators, allowing them to manage fewer individual roles and scale content production on niche media...

Andre Silva·April 23, 2026
A visually striking image illustrating the convergence of technology and daily life, with multiple screens displaying diverse content, representing the evolving landscape of media consumption and platform features from companies like LG and Apple Music.
Media

April Media Trends Indicate Shifts in Content Consumption and Platform Features

An April 2026 analysis reveals significant shifts in media consumption and platform features, with LG Electronics and Apple Music leading key developments. Digital platforms are evolving into holistic lifestyle ecosystems, driven by personalization, trust, and multi-faceted engagement.

Andre Silva·April 4, 2026
A vibrant film festival scene with a red carpet, diverse attendees, and a handshake between a filmmaker and distributor, symbolizing new deals and industry shifts in independent cinema.
Media

2026 Film Festival Updates and New Distribution Deals Signal Industry Shift

The 2026 film festival calendar is taking shape with new program announcements and distribution deals, signaling major shifts in how independent films reach audiences.

Andre Silva·April 2, 2026
Diverse people view screens displaying both polished corporate AI and quirky user-generated AI, reflecting shifting consumer perceptions in media.
Media

Viral AI Series Highlights Shifting Consumer Perceptions of AI in Media

As AI-generated content floods our feeds, one viral TikTok series offers a glimpse into how audiences are really feeling. The results are not what the big studios expected.

Andre Silva·March 30, 2026