Greetings!

Welcome to the July 2026 issue of Key Notes - Marketing Keys' monthly newsletter! We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July while celebrating America's 250th birthday! Key Notes is an informative, quick-read newsletter to get you caught up on all things media and marketing. Our goal is for you to be informed and entertained with the latest media and marketing happenings quickly and efficiently. 

As the nation marked its 250th anniversary over the Fourth of July holiday, ABC brought viewers a 24-hour television event celebrating the people, places and stories that have shaped the United States. Broadcast across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic and other Disney platforms, Disney Celebrates America featured ABC News anchors alongside National Geographic Explorers as they traveled to the Seven Natural Wonders of America, highlighting the landscapes that have played a lasting role in the country's history and culture. The special also offered viewers an exclusive look inside National Geographic's new Museum of Exploration in Washington, D.C.

Among the featured destinations were the Grand Canyon and Northern California's towering redwood forests, where World News Tonight anchor David Muir explored both the natural beauty and the rich cultural history of these iconic locations. The program emphasized the deep connections Native American tribes have maintained with the Grand Canyon for thousands of years, with tribal members and park leaders sharing why protecting the land and preserving its stories remain just as important as safeguarding its scenery.

Muir's journey also took viewers beneath some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth in Redwood National and State Parks. There, conservation experts discussed how the ancient forests have endured for centuries, while the broadcast highlighted the Yurok Tribe's ongoing efforts to restore and help manage ancestral lands. Together, the segments showed how conservation and cultural heritage continue to go hand in hand.

The special also featured visits to the Appalachian Mountains, the Everglades, Niagara Falls, Hawaiʻi's volcanoes, Yellowstone National Park and North Dakota's fossil-rich badlands. Through conversations with explorers, scientists, tribal leaders and local communities, the broadcast reflected on the landscapes that continue to shape America's identity, offering viewers a memorable way to recognize the country's 250-year milestone.

Is the Big Screen Back for Good?

Movie theaters are gaining momentum again in 2026, suggesting audiences are becoming more interested in seeing films on the big screen. Box office revenue across the U.S. and Canada increased by 15% during the first half of the year, bringing in $4.7 billion. If ticket sales continue at the same pace, theaters could finish the year with their highest revenue since before the pandemic. Even so, the industry would still have room to grow before reaching the record-setting numbers seen in 2018.

While streaming services were once viewed as the main reason theater attendance declined, the conversation has shifted. Many industry observers now believe the overall theater experience plays a much bigger role in whether people choose to leave home for a movie. Premium formats like IMAX continue to perform well because they offer something viewers cannot easily recreate in their living rooms. At the same time, traditional theaters may need to modernize if they want to keep attracting audiences.

Small frustrations can also affect how people feel about going to the movies. Long stretches of commercials before the feature begins, distractions from phones, and noisy audiences can take away from what should be an enjoyable outing. As entertainment options continue to expand, theaters that focus on creating a comfortable, high-quality experience may have a better chance of standing out and bringing customers back.

Recent box office hits have also shown that people still enjoy sharing entertainment with others. Viral moments, social media buzz, and highly anticipated film releases can turn a trip to the theater into an event instead of just another night out. Streaming platforms remain popular for everyday viewing, but they cannot fully replicate the excitement, atmosphere, and shared reactions that make watching a blockbuster with a crowd feel special.

As CBS News continues to undergo major leadership and organizational changes, questions are being raised about how the network communicates with its audience. Much of the attention has turned to Kenneth Weinstein, the network's ombudsman, whose role is to review concerns and provide feedback to company executives. Unlike traditional ombudsmen who publicly address viewer complaints and newsroom decisions, Weinstein's work remains behind the scenes, leaving some wondering whether the public is receiving enough transparency during a period of uncertainty.

The discussion comes as CBS News faces continued scrutiny over executive shakeups, staff departures and editorial decisions. Many longtime viewers want more insight into how stories are chosen, how mistakes are handled and why some reports never make it to air. Weinstein was appointed in late 2025 as part of commitments made during regulatory discussions surrounding the proposed merger between Paramount, CBS' parent company, and Skydance Media. Since then, industry observers have continued to debate whether the network is doing enough to maintain public trust.

At the same time, CBS News appears to be rethinking how it presents itself to viewers. Rather than emphasizing its long history and established reputation, recent promotions have focused on individual reports and exclusive interviews. Under the leadership of new CBS News President Bari Weiss, the network has also expressed a desire to modernize programs like 60 Minutes for today's digital audience. As these changes continue, many will be watching to see how CBS News balances innovation with the transparency and credibility viewers expect.

Despite ongoing concerns about vehicle affordability and a shifting automotive market, several major car manufacturers delivered surprisingly strong sales results in June. Many brands recorded their best June or first-half sales in years, showing that consumers are still buying new vehicles when they offer the right combination of value, fuel efficiency and technology. Hybrids, in particular, continued to attract buyers looking to save at the pump without making the leap to a fully electric vehicle.

Honda was among the month's biggest success stories, posting its strongest June sales in five years and its best first-half performance since 2021. The company's lineup of practical sedans, SUVs and hybrid models helped drive growth, with the CR-V becoming one of the nation's top-selling vehicles. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia also celebrated impressive milestones, thanks in large part to soaring demand for hybrid models. Across these brands, fuel-efficient vehicles played a major role in boosting sales and setting new company records.

The picture wasn't as positive for every automaker. Companies with fewer hybrid options struggled to match the momentum of competitors as shoppers continued to favor vehicles that balance fuel savings with convenience. Both Ford and General Motors reported lower sales, highlighting how changing consumer preferences are reshaping the industry. As the year continues, the latest results suggest that automakers offering a wider variety of hybrid and electrified vehicles are better positioned to remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.

The U.S. Men’s National Team’s first knockout-round win in the FIFA World Cup didn’t just advance them to the Round of 16, it also broke viewership records in the process. Fox’s English-language broadcast of the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina averaged 24.4 million viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen data, making it the most-watched soccer match ever on English-language television in the U.S. That figure includes both pregame coverage and the match itself, with final numbers expected to come in slightly higher.

The game’s reach was even larger when factoring in Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and streaming through Peacock, which added another 9.1 million viewers. Combined, the match drew about 35.3 million viewers across platforms and languages, surpassing the previous combined record held by the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. That earlier match had reached 26.7 million viewers in total across its broadcasts.

So far in the tournament, the U.S. team has been a major driver of audience growth. Across its four matches on Fox, the team is averaging 18.9 million viewers, with each game ranking among the network’s top soccer broadcasts. Overall World Cup viewership is also trending sharply higher, with combined English- and Spanish-language audiences up more than 100% compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Both Fox and Telemundo have benefited from the surge, signaling growing momentum for soccer viewership in the U.S. as the competition progresses.

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