Netflix aims to join the $1T club

The 2025 Vergecast streaming draft analyzes the latest trends in streaming, with services like Netflix, YouTube Premium, and TikTok leading the way in categories such as "Cheap" and "4K." David Pierce for The Verge highlights how these picks reflect shifting user preferences in a competitive market. For a deeper dive, check out the full report

AI agents are linking up with advertising platforms, making it easier for brands to tap into AI-powered insights and automation. This trend is changing the game for targeting and personalizing ads, allowing campaigns to optimize in real time. Laurie Sullivan covers the shift in Mediapost, showing how brands are embracing smarter, more efficient ways to reach consumers.

"March was a big month for 'Reacher' and YouTube, with both making waves in the entertainment and digital world. The action-packed Prime Video series crushed it, while YouTube kept building steam with more viewers and content. Rick Porter from The Hollywood Reporter dives into how these platforms are leading the charge in today's media scene."

Netflix is setting its sights on joining the $1 trillion club, fueled by impressive subscriber growth and big investments in new content. The streaming giant has long been at the top of the game, constantly evolving and expanding its offerings. Jessica Toonkel and Suzanne Vranica from The Wall Street Journal break down how Netflix plans to scale globally and make moves in markets beyond just English-speaking ones.

In March, ChatGPT and Meta’s Threads app kept the downloads rolling, but it seems both are now hitting a bit of a plateau. Threads, which skyrocketed to 100 million sign-ups in just five days, and ChatGPT, which initially wowed users, are seeing a drop in active users. Andrew Hutchinson from Social Media Today points out that while fast growth is exciting, it doesn’t always guarantee long-term engagement—retention and solid infrastructure are key to keeping users around.

Apple is stepping up its AI game by using user data to train its systems, and naturally, privacy concerns are popping up. The company’s push is all about making its products smarter, but how much control do users have? Laurie Sullivan at Mediapost breaks it all down, with Apple stressing transparency, though not everyone’s convinced it’s enough.

Celebrities are diving into the viral AI box doll trend, turning their faces into collectible figurines. Stars like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber are embracing this craze, offering limited-edition dolls to their fans. As reported by TMZ, it’s a cool way AI is making its mark on pop culture, giving celebrities a fresh way to connect with their audiences.

Looks like Mark Zuckerberg’s in trouble again, facing a big trial that could shape Meta’s future and how it deals with regulators. The case is all about Facebook’s privacy issues and its major role in the social media game. According to The New York Times’s Cecilia Kang, Christina Shaman, and Pierre Kattar, Zuckerberg’s testimony might just set the tone for antitrust actions down the line, while Meta continues to deal with privacy and competition concerns.

Creators are getting smart about their revenue mix as they brace for an economic slump. With brand deals on shaky ground, many are turning to new income streams like subscriptions and merch. Alexander Lee dives into the shift in a report for Digiday, showing how creators are making moves to stay afloat.

Marc Eckō is back at Complex! The founder of the media giant is returning to a leadership role after some time away, bringing his original vision back to the brand. Mark Stenberg from Adweek reports that his return is all about staying ahead of the curve with fresh content and keeping Complex’s cultural impact strong.