What’s happening: Gen Alpha—kids roughly aged 12 to 15—are tapping into digital platforms to earn real income through side hustles like reselling vintage clothes, streaming video games, and building social media followings. As reported by Eve Upton-Clark for Fast Company, new data from Whop shows 47.1% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z are already monetizing online time, earning an average of $13.92 per hour, with some top earners bringing in over $40,000 a year. About 20% of their screen time is now focused on building these ventures, and more than half of Gen Alpha respondents say they plan to pursue these hustles as full-time careers.

What’s happening: A new study from Roku and Magna finds that ad-supported streaming platforms—particularly free ad-supported TV (FAST)—can deliver attention metrics that rival or exceed those of paid streaming services. As reported by Wayne Friedman for MediaPost, the research used data from TVision’s 16,000-person panel to measure viewability, visual attention, and full ad engagement. Viewability rates were nearly identical between free (75%) and paid (74%) streaming. Visual attention hit 50% across both, while full ad engagement reached 26% on free and 27% on paid platforms. Notably, a second exposure to a streaming ad generated more attention than a second exposure to the same ad on linear TV.

What’s happening: Amazon has quietly doubled the ad load on Prime Video, increasing from 2–3.5 minutes per hour to 4–6 minutes. As reported by Mark Stenberg for Adweek, the change was communicated to ad buyers and confirmed to have taken place earlier this month. The move brings Prime Video’s ad volume in line with competitors like Hulu and Paramount+, though it still falls below the 13–16 minutes typically seen on linear TV. While the added inventory could drive down CPMs and offer more flexibility for advertisers, there’s concern about how this might affect viewer satisfaction and engagement.

What’s happening: Apple is making a high-stakes move into theatrical cinema with F1, a Formula 1 feature starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. As reported by Namrata Sen for Variety, the film is co-produced by Apple Original Films, Jerry Bruckheimer, Plan B, and F1 icon Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films. Hamilton is closely involved in ensuring on-track authenticity, with scenes shot during real Grand Prix races using actual F1 cars and custom camera rigs. Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly supported the film’s production, emphasizing the use of Apple’s technology and storytelling ambitions. The movie is set to hit theaters on June 27, 2025, alongside a companion documentary on Hamilton.

What’s happening: Apple Music executive Oliver Schusser publicly criticized free music streaming tiers, calling them “crazy” and harmful to artists. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter during the National Music Publishers Association's annual meeting, Schusser argued that music should never be free and that platforms offering free tiers are devaluing creative work. He emphasized Apple Music’s commitment to a fully paid model, positioning it as more sustainable for the industry. His comments come at a time when freemium competitors like Spotify and Amazon Music continue to dominate market share.

What’s happening: Netflix is increasingly leaning into its ad-supported tier, with over 94 million global users opting in as of its recent Upfront event, up from around 70 million just six months ago. As reported by Julia Alexander for Puck News, the company is preparing to launch new AI-powered ad formats—including pause ads and interactive mid-rolls—expected to debut in 2026. This move reflects Netflix’s effort to drive additional revenue without overwhelming users, aiming to balance ad load, innovation, and retention across its more than 300 million subscribers.

What’s happening: YouTube has released its 2024 U.S. Impact Report, developed in partnership with Oxford Economics, offering one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the platform's economic, cultural, and educational footprint. One thing clear: the creator economy isn’t a side effect of the platform—it’s the product. With every new tool, feature, and partnership, YouTube is designing for depth, longevity, and shared success. For creators, it’s a blueprint for building sustainable careers. For marketers, it’s a signal that success will increasingly come from those who understand—and invest in—the full ecosystem of digital creativity.

What’s happening: Tubi, the free ad-supported streaming platform owned by Fox, is partnering with Kickstarter to bring over 20 crowdfunded indie films to its platform starting this fall. As reported by James Vincent for The Verge, Tubi will also invest in Kickstarter’s FilmStream Collective Fund and back ten selected film projects with a three-month exclusivity window on the platform. This builds on Tubi’s previous Stubios initiative, which emphasized fan-driven content development. Both companies see the collaboration as a way to expand creative opportunity for emerging filmmakers and bring new voices to streaming.

What’s happening: Warner Bros. Discovery is planning to split into two separate publicly traded companies by mid-2026, according to reporting by Joe Flint for The Wall Street Journal. One company will focus on streaming and studios—housing Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, DC Studios, and Max—while the other will take on cable networks such as CNN, TNT, and Discovery. CEO David Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios group, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will head the networks division. The split follows growing financial pressure from a debt load estimated at over $40 billion and disappointing outcomes from the 2022 merger. The company is also seeking a $17.5 billion bridge loan to support the transition.

What’s happening: MUBI, once known primarily as a niche streaming platform for global arthouse films, is evolving into a full-fledged indie film studio and distributor. As reported by Jesse Hassenger for The Hollywood Reporter, the company is now acquiring, financing, and theatrically releasing films, positioning itself alongside prestige players like A24 and Neon. MUBI’s recent moves include high-profile acquisitions like The Substance and Bird, a self-produced feature titled The Mastermind, and significant deal-making at the Cannes Film Festival. Its films are not just festival favorites—they’re drawing box office and awards attention, suggesting the platform’s shift from curated streaming service to influential indie brand is well underway.