Can a Dubai Podcast Crack the Global Top 20?

Kris Fade launches “One on One” with global ambitions | Streaming in Short – W18

May 01, 2026

⏱️ This week’s streaming news in MENA and around the world, in 5 min.

🎙️ Kris Fade launches “One on One” with global ambitions

👉 At The Power of Podcast event organized by Next Audio, Kris Fade introduced his new podcast One on One and shared a clear goal: reach the Top 20 worldwide.

📍 The strategy goes beyond MENA: he wants to build a format from the region that can work globally and be sold internationally.

💡 Creators in MENA are starting to think bigger: not just local audiences, but exportable formats that can compete on a global stage.

🤖 M6+ becomes first French streamer on ChatGPT

👉 Groupe M6 has partnered with OpenAI to bring its streaming platform M6+ directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to access its full catalog through a simple conversation.

📍 This marks a first in France, turning ChatGPT into a new discovery and access layer for audiovisual content.

💡 Streaming is entering the era of conversational discovery, where AI interfaces become a key battleground for audience attention, not just apps and platforms.

📱 Netflix launches “Clips” to boost mobile discovery

What happened?

👉 Netflix is expanding its vertical video strategy with a new mobile feature called Clips, a personalized feed designed to drive engagement and content discovery.

Key details:

A vertical video feed similar to TikTok or Shorts, but fully integrated into the Netflix app.
Includes clips from existing shows and movies, as well as new original content.
Strong focus on personalization: each user sees a different feed based on their behavior.
Future plans include clips from podcasts and live events

Why it matters?

🎯 Netflix is adapting to changing viewing habits, where short-form video dominates mobile time. Instead of competing with TikTok, it is integrating similar mechanics to improve discovery within its own ecosystem.

📰 Brut. launches 24/7 linear channel across TV platforms

Brut. is launching a dedicated linear channel, available on Orange, Bouygues Telecom, Molotov, TCL and LG Channels.

The channel will run 24/7 with over 140 hours of content refreshed monthly, including reports, documentaries, interviews, and explainers.

📺 YouTube TV adds full multiview customization

YouTube is rolling out a new feature on YouTube TV, allowing users to fully customize their multiview experience.

Users can now mix and match content across subscription, using a new builder with filters like sports, news, and shows.

📊 YouTube ad revenue reaches $9.88B in Q1 2026

YouTube generated $9.88 billion in ad revenue in Q1 2026 (+10.7% yoy), while paid subscriptions across YouTube Premium and Google One reached 340 million.

The platform continues to scale across ads and subscriptions, with million hours watched daily and more channels publishing Shorts every day.

📺 Roku’s low-cost streamer Howdy passes 1M subscribers

Roku’s $2.99/month service Howdy has surpassed 1 million subscribers, with strong early growth and retention, according to Antenna.

The service is benefiting from its low price point and ecosystem integration, with over 50% of early users still subscribed.

🎧 Spotify reaches 293M premium subscribers, hits record profit

Spotify ended Q1 2026 with 293 million premium subscribers and record profitability, driven by price increases and continued user growth.

Spotify’s model shows how streaming platforms are balancing subscription growth, pricing power, and engagement, while investing in AI to move from passive listening to more interactive experiences.

🎬 LA Vertical Drama Market returns for its 2nd edition in Hollywood

The LA Vertical Drama Market will take place from May 7–10, 2026 at FAB Factory Entertainment in Hollywood, bringing together creators, producers, and platforms focused on vertical storytelling.

The event will feature panels, labs, pitching sessions, and networking opportunities, highlighting the rapid growth of vertical formats and the emergence of a more structured ecosystem for short-form, mobile-first content.

🏎️ My Road To Red Bull, with Isack Hadjar (TOD, 3 episodes): From a small French karting club to the brightest stage in motorsport: the rise of Isack Hadjar. The family behind the dream, the years of sacrifice, the rivals who became friends, and a rookie season the entire Formula 1 paddock would be watching.

🎭 A few years ago, The Mandalorian premiered on Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau, the series follows a lone bounty hunter navigating the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic. Blending Western and sci-fi influences, it helped define Disney+’s launch, introduced iconic characters like Grogu, and became a global hit, showcasing the power of franchise-driven streaming content.

As a gift, here is the final trailer for the upcoming movie The Mandalorian and Grogu.