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Today's News

PLATFORM PARTNERS

Tubi is joining forces with TikTok to launch a creator incubator

The incubator: According to Tubi's latest The Stream report, 67% of U.S. consumers think creator content is more authentic than TV. So, the Fox-owned streaming hub is teaming up with TikTok to infuse its programming with more creator flare.

The two platforms are uniting to launch a Creatorverse Incubator, which will help creators develop original series that will premiere exclusively on Tubi. TikTok will help the free-to-watch hub identify creators for the inaugural cohort, and will also use its Spotlight solution to drive engagement surrounding their original shows. The first Creatorverse participants will be revealed in the summer.

The context: The arrival of former TikTok exec Kudzi Chikumbu at Tubi signaled the platform's intention to elevate digital-native voices. A slate of creator programming followed soon after, including contributions from TikTokers like Kelon Campbell.

If you're wondering why Fox is zeroing in on creators now, other insights from Tubi's The Stream report provide the statistical justification for the push.

The annual survey of U.S. consumer habits revealed an increasing preference for creator content over traditional fare, with 77% of respondents saying they would rather stream on-demand programming than tune into a scheduled show. 63% also noted that watching creator content feels no different than streaming a TV show.

Tubi will talk more about its plans when it hosts a NewFronts presentation on March 24.

HEADLINES IN BRIEF 📰

FESTIVAL CIRCUIT

The Cannes Film Festival is buying into the creator economy in a big way

The event: The 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival will put an unprecedented focus on creators and their work. On May 17, the Cannes marketplace—known in French as the Marché du Film—will host an event that will gather some of the creator economy's foremost leaders, influencers, and innovators.

The day's schedule will include an overview of the creator economy, "compelling success stories," and case studies presented by the attending industry professionals. Those operatives will also explore "the collaborations already emerging between these worlds, the challenges that remain, and the opportunities ahead for the future of storytelling," the organizers said.

The context: Though Cannes once resisted digital incursions, the Marché summit won't be the festival's first foray into the creator world. Most notably, a recurring partnership with TikTok has brought a short film competition to the French Riviera.

In 2026, the creator economy has become too big to relegate to a vertical video contest. Other festivals that take place in Cannes, including MIPCOM and Cannes Lions, have already added creator-themed programming. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, creators are breaking into Hollywood and selling their shows to both traditional and digital networks.

CHILDHOOD ICONS

YouTube welcomes Mister Rogers into its neighborhood

The strategy: 25 years after its finale first aired, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is getting its first official YouTube channel.

Visitors to the Mister Rogers hub will be able to watch full episodes from the show's 33-year run. Compilations and short-form clips of the long-running children's TV program will also be available.

To bring its eponymous star's kind-hearted messages to the masses, Fred Rodgers Productions is partnering with Little Dot Studios. The media company knows a thing or two about digital translations of famous IP, having previously teamed up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to build out the author's official YouTube hub.

The context: In past years, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood has had a limited presence on social media. The show's legal actions against fan tributes were as notable as its own forays on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

Given the current state of children's content on YouTube, however, it makes sense that the PBS classic has chosen to increase its digital output now. The weirder, darker side of kid-targeted YouTube videos hasn't faded away, but creators who prioritize empathy and educational value are thriving. The clearest example of that trend is Ms. Rachel, who has become a household name while racking up millions of views per day on YouTube.

For Fred Rogers Productions, this effort could be the start of something big. The company that brought us into Mister Rogers' Neighborhood also produces programs like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, and Alma's Way. If those properties can take off on YouTube, it will be a beautiful day indeed.

WATCH THIS 👀

Brennan Lee Mulligan played D&D with the cast of Ted

"The Quest for the Green Herb": Just days after the Game Changer cast's cameo on The Rookie, another Dropout star has made his own TV appearance. Brennan Lee Mulligan guest-starred as a Dungeon Master/weed dealer in a Dungeons & Dragons-themed episode of Ted Season 2, which dropped on Peacock earlier this month.

Fans can check out a snippet of Mulligan's delightfully profanity-laced cameo on Peacock's official YouTube channel.

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Today's newsletter is from: Emily Burton, Drew Baldwin, Sam Gutelle, and Josh Cohen.