Like and Subscribe News

VC money is flowing again. Creator studios are scaling. And platforms are starting to treat top creators like production companies, not just talent. @natjarv tracks four trends shaping the business and predictions for the rest of the year bit.ly/4eJNlME

Marc Maron is ending WTF after 16 years. He’s not alone. @natjarv reports on how more creators like MatPat and the Normal Gossip creators are stepping away from the constant pressure to perform. Plus exclusive news on Rhett and Link's new Etsy storefront bit.ly/4kJM5uA

Late night is evolving, and creators like Theo Von, Alex Cooper, and Sean Evans are leading the way. Natalie Jarvey breaks down how YouTube and podcasts took over late night and why legacy TV never figured out the business model likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/the-youtube-…

Golf content on YouTube is attracting millions of views and serious funding. The PGA Tour is leaning in, creators are landing sponsors, and a Goop-style brand is taking shape. @natjarv tracks how golf is reinventing itself for younger fans: likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/golfs-big-sw…

Creators have sold merch, tours, and meet-and-greets. @samandcolby are selling fear. Their escape room fuses audience lore, production design, and YouTube storytelling into a terrifying, monetizable fan experience. @natjarv goes inside Asylum: Room 1952: bit.ly/3GssBfy

Nick DiGiovanni has the #1 arts podcast on Spotify. But he doesn’t have a podcast. It’s videos originally from YouTube. And it’s part of Spotify’s strategy to grow ad revenue by luring creators to the platform. More from @natjarv @elainelow & @theseanmac: theankler.com/p/ankler-podca…

SCOOP: @natjarv obtained a leaked Spotify deck that shows the platform’s most aggressive play yet for video creators. They're offering $20–$30 RPMs, marketing support, and a distribution channel outside the YouTube algorithm: no podcast required likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/scoop-leaked…

At Cannes Lions, creators weren’t on the sidelines. They were the draw. From Open Call tools at YouTube to CrossCheck Studios pitching Gen Z to Hollywood, @natjarv examines how the creator economy is building its own infrastructure likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/coup-on-the-…

I’ll be sending out dispatches from Cannes Lions all week. Here’s my first one!

Cannes Lions is starting to look more like a creator summit than a traditional ad fest. Top platforms are flying in their stars, CMOs are asking to meet them, and long-term deals are taking priority over one-offs. Catch @natjarv's full breakdown: likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/cannes-lions…

Welcome to the world of microdramas: microtransaction-fueled, 60-second, phone-first serialized soap operas. @elainelow, @theseanmac, and @likeandsubnews’ @natjarv unpack where the genre stands and its possible future theankler.com/p/ankler-podca…

Substack OGs vs celebrity newcomers. Glennon Doyle’s quick flameout sparked a platform-wide identity crisis. @natjarv examines the backlash to celebrities and brands joining Substack and what it means for creator-first platforms: bit.ly/45kmlAM

Actors making $40K/month. Writers pulling six figures. No studio. No union. Just vertical microdramas. @natjarv and @elainelow explore the creator economy's gold rush, where the window to get involved is closing fast: likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/microdramas-…

L.A. soundstages are the new dead malls. Usage has plunged from 96% in 2016 to just 63%, worse than during the strikes. @likeandsubnews' @natjarv explains how YouTubers could be part of the reinvention. Full conversation: theankler.com/p/la-sound-sta…

It started as a TikTok scandal. Now, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is Hulu’s biggest unscripted series, and a masterclass in turning online drama into streaming distribution. EP Lisa Filipelli tells @natjarv how the dirty soda gets made: bit.ly/3Z5phNP

YouTube’s Emmy play isn’t subtle: “We’ll keep doing this until we get there.” But it’s not just about trophies—it’s about higher CPMs, deeper respect, and redefining what counts as TV. @natjarv charts YouTube's Emmy takeover: likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/youtube-stor…

TV isn’t dying. It’s being restructured by creators. With built-in fans and scalable IP, they’re now the safest bet in a shaky industry. @natjarv breaks down how Netflix, Hulu, and other streamers are playing catch-up likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/netflix-is-c…

.@NickViall took his Bachelor appearance and made it a pop culture and relationship podcast empire. He tells @natjarv about teaming up with Libsyn to fuel his growth, and creating his podcasting umbrella NV Media likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/nick-viall-h…

Creator economy experts tell @natjarv how creators build successful businesses and where to invest now to get ahead of the pack. Spoiler alert: yes, you should start that podcast likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/creator-mone…

In a special free edition of Like & Subscribe, social media creator turned Prime's "Overcompensating" creator Benito Skinner tells @RobLeDonne how he wooed Charli XCX to score the show and acquired the rights to iconic pop songs for the soundtrack likeandsubscribenews.substack.com/p/benito-skinn…