James Hale

• YouTube is backing creators–and their ambitious shows–in a big way at Brandcast 2026
• Top 5 Branded Videos of the Week: Who’s hungry?

  This week's Gospel Stats Brand Report begins and ends with chow-downs, but in between we've got an eclectic mix of true crime, gaming, and baby cam--complete with an equally eclectic mix of sponsors.

  
• The Amazing Digital Circus finale hits $7.5 million in theater presales weeks before debut

  Kevin Lerdwichagul, Glitch's CEO, said the studio began looking into theatrical distribution for the final episode late last year.

  
• Tired of seeing ads on TikTok? That’ll be five bucks, please

  Kris Boger, the U.K. Managing Director at TikTok, said the goal with Ad-Free is to "[give] people greater control over their experience" on the platform.

  
• Disney is doubling down on short-form–and creator partnerships
• Creators 4 Mental Health taps Doctor Mike, Vivian Tu, and more to record positive messages for NYC commuters
• VTuber Mitama Sakumaru is working on “reality manifestation” tools for VTubers–like an iPhone program that avatar-ifies their hands in real time
• Airlines are clamping down on in-flight filming. What does this mean for aviation YouTubers?
• You can now listen to Musk v Altman live on YouTube
• Roblox hikes developer earnings by 42%–but only if they make games aimed at adults
• Vine is back–and it has a zero-tolerance policy for creators using AI
• YouTube hits nearly $10 billion in Q1 ad revenue