If you missed this week's top stories, you were probably too busy watching a three-year-old soccer prodigy outmaneuver grown-ups and police alike, all while livestreaming to thousands. Who knew toddler soccer could be such a rollercoaster? Now, let's catch you up on the less adorable but equally important news.
Scottish Premiership makes first UK move to remove Saturday 3pm broadcast blackout
The Scottish Premiership has invited bids to televise all its matches from 2029, including the currently blacked-out 3pm Saturday games, marking the first UK league to challenge UEFA's Article 48 broadcast blackout. This move is expected to be coordinated with other UK domestic leagues, which see lifting the blackout as a way to increase broadcast revenues. Currently, UK broadcasters cannot show live football between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays, a restriction unique in Europe.
Source: The Guardian
Meta discussed ‘whisper strategy’ against social media critic Jonathan Haidt, files show
Court documents reveal Meta employees discussed a covert 'whisper strategy' to discredit Jonathan Haidt, a US social psychologist whose work influenced stricter social media regulations. Internal meeting notes from March 2023 show plans to 'get the academic community to disavow Haidt' and to 'debunk' his work, aiming to reduce his credibility without overt campaigns. Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation, links smartphone use to youth mental health crises. Meta has not commented on the documents.
Source: The Guardian
Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, ended its commercial partnership with the Japanese TV drama Vivant following criticism from Chinese state media and netizens. The backlash centered on the show's portrayal of Chinese agents using ruthless violence, which Chinese media called a 'deliberate smear' and likened to historical wartime atrocities. Sanrio stated the show contained elements inconsistent with its core values and pledged to strengthen review processes for future collaborations. The decision comes amid tense China-Japan relations.
Source: The Guardian
Stagwell Posts Best Results Yet as Mark Penn Eyes Government Contracts
Marketing company Stagwell reported its best quarter since going public, with Q3 2026 net revenue of $664 million, an 8% year-over-year increase, and EBITDA growth of 25% to $145 million. CEO Mark Penn highlighted the company's AI tools, which can reduce clients' marketing costs by $100 million annually. Stagwell secured a new five-year, $1.5 billion deal with federal contractor CACI and projects full-year adjusted EBITDA between $490 billion and $540 billion, with net revenue growth guidance of 8% to 12% for 2026.
Source: Adweek
Embattled CBS leader Bari Weiss downplays concerns about weak 60 Minutes ratings
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss addressed the network's ratings challenges, particularly for the flagship show 60 Minutes, which recently drew one of its lowest audiences in years with 5.64 million viewers. Weiss, who overhauled the show in May, stated that viewership numbers are not her top priority and described the program as doing 'tremendously well.' She also dismissed speculation about leading CNN after a recent merger, emphasizing her focus on CBS News despite criticism from inside and outside the organization.
Source: The Guardian
