News

• Top 50 Most Viewed YouTube Channels Worldwide • Week Of 01/25/2026
• OpenAI’s CEO said ads were a “last resort” business model. Now ChatGPT is getting ads–and asking brands to pay a lot for them.

  "I will disclose, just as a personal bias, that I hate ads," he said. "I think ads were important to give the early internet a business model, but they do sort of somewhat fundamentally misalign a user's incentives with the with the company providing the service."

  
• Fixated is using a $50 million investment to build a creator development ecosystem. What sets its model apart?

  What happens when a music industry veteran (and former FaZe Clan President/COO) teams up with an experienced content creator to launch a company they call a "breakthrough digital talent powerhouse" that is "redefining modern entertainment"?

  
• Have you heard? Soulja Boy’s Twitch diss, YouTube TV’s upgrade, and notes from the TikTok deal

  Soulja Boy turned his Kick swag on, TikTok finally agreed to its U.S. divestment deal, and YouTube TV got a new-and-improved feature.

  
• Instagram’s rumored paid tier would let subscribers see who doesn’t follow them back
• MIPCOM recognizes digital creators as the engine driving a “generational shift.” That’s why it’s bringing them to Cannes.
• TikTok breaks down €31 billion economic impact in the European Union
• Can a docuseries bring “the Alix Earle effect” to Netflix?
• Democrats need creators during the 2026 midterms, so a group of Senators is reaching out
• Hello Kitty is coming to CoComelon
• Kickstarter itself backs Creator Camp for a wide theatrical release of ‘Two Sleepy People’
• Artie is the newest firm “democratizing access to capital” in the creator economy
• Top 5 Branded Videos of the Week: A full week of Shorts (plus Veritasium)
• Losing track of your newsletter subscriptions? A “newsletter of newsletters” will help you out.
• Netflix CEO says YouTube “is TV”: “We all compete with them in every dimension”
• As YouTube refreshes its look, is it time to say goodbye to the play button?
• YouTube, TikTok, and Adobe are bringing creators to Sundance. Here’s what to watch for.
• Neal Mohan’s 2026 letter to creators: A lot of AI, a TikTok Shop competitor, and “beautifully produced” TV to compete with Netflix
• Netflix is counting on Alan Chikin Chow to deliver its next K-pop hit
• Top 50 Most Subscribed YouTube Channels Worldwide • Week Of 01/18/2026
• Top 50 Most Viewed YouTube Channels Worldwide • Week Of 01/18/2026
• Meet Sofiyat Ibrahim, the girl who smiles
• Microdramas are blowing up, so TikTok launched a new app dedicated to them
• The BBC is joining forces with YouTube to make original shows combating disinformation (Report)