Shifting business away from traditional media distribution partners has been an issue for years. This includes TV stations and local cable systems.

As we enter the upfront TV season, observe those new free, ad-supported video-on-demand platforms that do not always need scores of top original, fresh produced content.

There's a lot of content to consume on the big streaming platforms -- including big movies seemingly intended for the big screen but arriving on the small screen instead. In addition, some of those lesser original, free, AVOD services could be gaining.

Streaming video platforms have put traditional ad-supported TV, especially cable TV nets, on the back foot. The reason: Too much advertising.

Future smart TV set makers will try to add things you have not thought about -- perhaps more associated with the needs of entertainment consumers.

Media stocks have plummeted since the year began, much more than the marketplace overall. Even new companies like Warner Bros. Discovery are getting bashed around. Those looking to catch up to Netflix -- like Walt Disney -- have had their own woes, losing 28% since the start of the year and off 3% on Thursday's big selloff to $112.61.

How do TV networks adjust to this perhaps new and potentially violent environment? Bill Maher said this may be a growing problem for comedians and their audiences.

We can expect much more abortion-related political advertising for the next seven months leading up to the midterm elections in November -- both for Democrat and Republican candidates.

Casual TV viewing mixed with some eye-opening marketing might have been absorbed by viewers Monday during MSNBC's coverage of a "New York Times" investigative story about Fox News Channel's "Tucker Carlson" show.

When including all media platforms -- local broadcast, local cable/satellite, radio, digital and OTT -- Kantar projects political advertising could total $8.0 billion this year -- up from $7.8 billion in an August 2021 projection.