MadTech Daily: France Investigates X for Alleged Algorithm Manipulation; Perplexity Seeks Phone Deals for Comet AI Browser

In this ExchangeWire team episode of the MadTech Podcast, head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by CEO Rachel Smith, and head of content John Still, to discuss the latest headlines in the TV and streaming landscape.  They examine the surge we’re seeing in ad-supported streaming, ITV announcing a new cost-cutting drive as its profits fall, and UK media regulator Ofcom proposing that YouTube should promote videos made by public service broadcasters. 

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Google joining the EU’s AI Code of Practice and AI boosting engagement on Meta platforms. We also look at Barb beginning to track YouTube TV viewing, and TikTok debuting a positive-only version of its app in the EU.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover YouTube becoming the top TV choice for children, YouTube being added to Australia’s social media ban for under 16s, as well as Havas reporting solid H1 results and expanding in Southeast Asia.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Google and Microsoft launching new AI features in search and browsing, Warner Bros Discovery revealing further details of its split, and Temu being accused of violating EU online safety law

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Meta’s suspension of political ads in the EU and UK advertising rising 8% in the first quarter. We also cover strategic acquisitions in media with Netflix bundling with MBC, and Skydance sealing its deal with Paramount.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover YouTube’s ad revenue nearing $10bn while it decides to drop its Barb subscription, the UK putting tech giants’ age checks to the test, and Southeast Asia becoming TikTok’s largest ad audience.

In this episode of the MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and Kate Ross, co-founder and CEO of agency eight&four, for an AI special looking at the latest headlines surrounding the technology.  They discuss Netflix using AI in one of its shows for the first time, Meta resisting the EU's AI code of conduct, as well as the UK's AI audit standards which are due to be launched at the end of the month. 

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the UK targeting Apple and Google’s mobile dominance, ITV reporting a 30% profit fall in the first half of 2025, and Google trialing shopping ads in Gmail.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Brainlabs' acquisition of Exverus Media to expand its US operations, WARC’s report revealing key consumer trends shaping purchase decisions, and the metrics gap hindering creator marketing impact.

Today’s MadTech Daily discusses the UK striking an AI deal with OpenAI for public sector use, YouTube potentially being required to prioritise British public service broadcaster content, and ‘dark traffic’ surging 49% as ad blockers obscure 1 billion users.