'Newsfluencers' are the new news anchors

It’s Wednesday!

Instagram is testing password-protected Reels with The Weeknd, who's dropping exclusive footage from his upcoming thriller "Hurry Up Tomorrow" behind a passcode wall. Next evolution of exclusive content drops?

Podcasts are becoming TV shows—and advertisers are paying attention

As more people watch YouTube on their TVs, podcasters are investing in full production setups – professional sets, high-end cameras, TV-quality visuals. The reason is simple: when your podcast looks like a TV show, people watch longer. And advertisers pay more.

The numbers tell the story: Some creators report 20-30% of their views now come from smart TVs. Longer watch times mean better ad rates and opportunities for product placements beyond standard host-read ads.

The distinction between podcast, YouTube show, and traditional TV is rapidly disappearing. The next generation of late-night hosts might already be recording from their home studios.

From our partner: Storyblocks

Everything you need to create better video, faster than ever.

Storyblocks gives you unlimited downloads of premium stock video, music, templates, and more — all created by real artists and built to streamline your creative workflow.

Whether you're working on a client project or building content for your own channels, Storyblocks helps you create faster with a library that’s easy to search, royalty free, and always growing. No hidden fees, no confusing licenses — just high-quality assets that let you focus on what you do best: creating.

Get started creating with Storyblocks.

How 'newsfluencers' became Gen Z's trusted news source

A striking trend: 37% of people under 30 now get their news from influencers, according to Pew Research. Not traditional outlets. Influencers.

These "newsfluencers" aren't just reading headlines—they're building genuine connections with their audiences. People trust them because they feel personal and familiar. That's why creators like Dave Jorgenson at The Washington Post are becoming the new faces of news for younger generations.

The tension: Most influencers lack journalism training. While they excel at being relatable, they may struggle with fact-checking and editorial standards. Meanwhile, traditional journalists face pressure to "build their personal brand" or risk losing relevance—turning news into something that feels more like a popularity contest.

The future of journalism increasingly looks like whoever can break news while also mastering the algorithm.

OnlyFans cofounder returns with a new rival—and a bigger pitch

Tim Stokely, who helped build OnlyFans into the creator economy powerhouse it is today, is back with a new platform: Subs.

The premise is simple: OnlyFans has a discovery problem. So Subs is building in features from day one to help creators get found—Instagram-style Explore feeds, YouTube-style shows. The goal is to help creators build audiences without having to hustle for traffic on X or Reddit.

What makes it different:

• A built-in funnel from free content to paid subscriptions (plus 1:1 calls, which OnlyFans doesn't offer)

• Web-only, avoiding app store restrictions and fees

• Same 80/20 revenue split as OnlyFans

• Early users include everyone from podcasters to adult creators

The challenge: Mixing adult and non-adult content without alienating either audience. Platforms like Fanfix and Patreon have already chosen to specialize.

Stokely's betting creators want everything in one place: "Creators need more than just a paywall."

Would you give it a shot? Or is the mixed-content approach a dealbreaker?

Creator quick hits

• The Golden Globes is adding a "Best Podcast" category to its 2026 awards, recognizing the medium's "seismic growth" – a major legitimacy boost for audio creators.

• Kai Cenat is opening applications for his "Streaming University." The top Twitch streamer will fly chosen creators to a college campus for a free residency program where they'll live and learn together.

• YouTube is testing cheaper duo subscriptions for YouTube Premium in India, France, and Taiwan – letting two people split an ad-free plan at a discount.

• Facebook just launched "@facebookforcreators" on Instagram, a new account focused on product updates and monetization tips for the blue app. (Meta being Meta.)