James Hale

• Roblox, TikTok Shop, Whatnot all see a rise in Gen Z spending. Which will come out on top?
• Dropout and its comedians are starring in an episode of ABC’s ‘The Rookie’

  Over the last couple years, we've talked a lot about creators and their IPs moving into (and performing well in) spaces like TV and film. Much of this movement has been self-financed and distributed, though creators are snagging more development partnerships with traditional studios and streaming services.

  
• Microdrama apps are getting more engagement than streaming services

  "Microdrama" is the word of the moment, but how much viewership are these bite-sized vertical stories actually getting? Well, according to research consultancy/industry analyst Omdia, they're getting a lot--more, it says, than streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+.

  
• Top 5 Branded Videos of the Week: Super Bowlympics + 5-hour Energy

  With the Super Bowl just wrapped and the Winter Olympics in full swing, it's a season of sports--and if there's anything YouTube likes, it's sports. Don't worry, there's also something for the non-sports lovers. This week brings Salish Matter for the lifestylers and HAUS PLANS for people who want to live vicariously through others' jobs.

  
• GameSquare just bought TubeBuddy. So…what is GameSquare?
• Crocs’ new sales strategy? A five-part microdrama
• Night raises $70 million to “build, operate and acquire businesses embedded in internet culture”
• Top 5 Branded Videos of the Week: Blueberries, superjets, and Polymarket
• Netflix is doing it live
• Moose Toys brings in Mark Rober, Salish Matter
• Little Dot’s new data digs into YouTube viewer habits across video lengths (and what happens when the algorithm changes)
• Law&Crime just bought Court TV