WhatsApp gives Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity the boot

Microsoft says Copilot access on WhatsApp will end on January 15, 2026, after Meta moved to block general-purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity from the app. Meta is tightening control of AI in its ecosystem, prioritizing its own Meta AI and limiting APIs to businesses building specialized customer-service tools rather than hosting third-party assistants

Programmatic ads are coming to AI chatbots

Programmatic ads have entered the chat … bots. On Tuesday, PubMatic announced a partnership with Kontext, a platform that uses LLMs to generate relevant ads within AI chatbots.

Telkom Radio Awards 2025 honours best in broadcasting

This Saturday, 6 December the 2025 Telkom Radio Awards named Hot102.7 (Commercial), Ikwekwezi FM (PBS), Groot fm 90.5 (Community) and Tshwane FM 93.6 (Campus) as the Station of the Year.

65% of AI chats have no commercial intent, new analysis finds

AI users behave nothing like traditional searchers – and most AI chat activity has zero commercial intent, according to a new analysis.

South African views on the cost of living, economic stability, health, and climate change

Insights from PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey 2025.

Trace Africa rebrands to Trace Ngoma

In a move to strengthen its connection with South African audiences and offering content that mirrors their sound, their languages, and their lived experience, the Trace Africa channel on DStv has rebranded to Trace Ngoma, which means drumbeat, celebration, unity and heritage.

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Media Loop is your one-stop shop for staying informed in the ever-evolving South African media and marketing landscape. We provide news, analysis, and insights for industry professionals, keeping you up-to-date on the latest trends, awards, and key players shaping the market. Our aim is to be your trusted partner in navigating this dynamic space, offering valuable resources and fostering connections within the South African media and marketing community.

LOCAL MEDIA NEWS

WhatsApp gives Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity the boot
December 15, 2025
Microsoft says Copilot access on WhatsApp will end on January 15, 2026, after Meta moved to block general-purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity from the app. Meta is tightening control of AI in its ecosystem, prioritizing its own Meta AI and limiting APIs to businesses building specialized customer-service tools rather than hosting third-party assistants
Media Post
Programmatic ads are coming to AI chatbots
December 15, 2025
Programmatic ads have entered the chat … bots. On Tuesday, PubMatic announced a partnership with Kontext, a platform that uses LLMs to generate relevant ads within AI chatbots.
Ad Exchanger
Telkom Radio Awards 2025 honours best in broadcasting
December 15, 2025
This Saturday, 6 December the 2025 Telkom Radio Awards named Hot102.7 (Commercial), Ikwekwezi FM (PBS), Groot fm 90.5 (Community) and Tshwane FM 93.6 (Campus) as the Station of the Year.
Bizcommunity
65% of AI chats have no commercial intent, new analysis finds
December 15, 2025
AI users behave nothing like traditional searchers – and most AI chat activity has zero commercial intent, according to a new analysis.
Search Engine Land
South African views on the cost of living, economic stability, health, and climate change
December 15, 2025
Insights from PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey 2025.
PWC
Trace Africa rebrands to Trace Ngoma
December 15, 2025
In a move to strengthen its connection with South African audiences and offering content that mirrors their sound, their languages, and their lived experience, the Trace Africa channel on DStv has rebranded to Trace Ngoma, which means drumbeat, celebration, unity and heritage.
Bizcommunity
Advertising growth resilient in face of tariff, AI disruption: report
December 15, 2025
WPP Media revised its full-year revenue projections upward by over two percentage points as areas like retail media and gaming attract investment.
Marketing Dive
EXCLUSIVE: IAB South Africa releases the first Bookmarks Digital Rankings 2025
December 15, 2025
In a landmark moment for South Africa’s media and marketing landscape, and a culmination of 17 years of industry data and award-winning work, the IAB South Africa has released the Bookmarks Digital Rankings 2025, the first official ranking system recognising excellence across the country’s digital ecosystem.
Bizcommunity
All set for MultiChoice delisting
December 15, 2025
The shift marks one of the most significant shake-ups in the country’s media and broadcasting landscape in years, signalling the end of MultiChoice’s long run as a publicly traded local giant and the beginning of a new era under the French pay-TV powerhouse.
IT Web
Canal+’s MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery unable to agree on price for 12 TV channels and HBO content, won’t lower subscription fees for DStv subscribers if channels are axed
December 15, 2025
Bloomberg quotes an insider who said the channels carriage negotiations have stalled because of a difference over what WBD wants to be paid and what Canal+ Africa is willing to pay.
TV with Thinus
The state of retail media | RMNs expand marketers’ reach via off-site advertising Ad Results Media Warns on Meta, Google Metric Dependence
December 15, 2025
Marketers who lean too heavily on Meta and Google’s performance metrics may be limiting long-term growth, say Ad Results Media executives. They argue that the industry’s focus on quick clicks and short-term ROAS favors convenience over truly accurate measurement.
Inside Radio
Havas Accelerates Growth in ANZ With Acquisition of Independent Media Agency Kaimera
December 15, 2025
Havas has announced the acquisition of Kaimera, an award-winning, independent media agency recognised for its expertise in simplifying media complexities and delivering tailored, impactful solutions.
Media Update
South Africa’s most admired creative and media agency professionals for
December 15, 2025
Industry peers recognise exceptional talent driving marketing excellence across the country.
The Media Online
New biz champ year-to-date: Publicis Media
December 15, 2025
Publicis Media dominated major holding groups in new business for the first nine months of the year, with COMvergence’s Global New Business Barometer showing it led total and net wins, generating $7.7 billion in net new billings.
Media Post
Google reveals South Africa’s top searches of 2025
December 15, 2025
Google SA has released its 2025 Year in Search report, highlighting the fastest-rising queries and the topics that captured public attention over the past year. The report provides insight into what South Africans tried to understand, follow, debate or resolve online.
Bizcommunity
All the 2025 iPendoring Awards winners
December 15, 2025
Joe Public claimed the top honour at the iPendoring Awards 2025, winning the Prestigious Umpetha Award for Afrikaraoke for SAB / Castle Milk Stout.
Bizcommunity
eNCA’s Checkpoint investigation triumphs at Vodacom Journalist Awards
December 15, 2025
The national winners of the 2025 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards (VJOY) were announced at a ceremony in Johannesburg, where the event recognised the dedication, skill and courage of South Africa’s press.
Bizcommunity
Social media updates and new features to know this week – 08/12/2025
December 15, 2025
Hello social friends! This week we’re seeing some shifts for improved collaboration across social platforms, including TikTok’s shared feed feature and Instagram’s re-sharable public stories. There are some holiday-inspired tools as well, like custom greeting cards and shoppable grocery pins through Pinterest to help make your holiday menu complete. Let’s dive in and see where these tools can be most useful.
PR Daily

GLOBAL NEWS

WhatsApp gives Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity the boot
Microsoft says Copilot access on WhatsApp will end on January 15, 2026, after Meta moved to block general-purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity from the app. Meta is tightening control of AI in its ecosystem, prioritizing its own Meta AI and limiting APIs to businesses building specialized customer-service tools rather than hosting third-party assistants
Read More
Programmatic ads are coming to AI chatbots
Programmatic ads have entered the chat … bots. On Tuesday, PubMatic announced a partnership with Kontext, a platform that uses LLMs to generate relevant ads within AI chatbots.
Read More
Telkom Radio Awards 2025 honours best in broadcasting
This Saturday, 6 December the 2025 Telkom Radio Awards named Hot102.7 (Commercial), Ikwekwezi FM (PBS), Groot fm 90.5 (Community) and Tshwane FM 93.6 (Campus) as the Station of the Year.
Read More
65% of AI chats have no commercial intent, new analysis finds
AI users behave nothing like traditional searchers – and most AI chat activity has zero commercial intent, according to a new analysis.
Read More
South African views on the cost of living, economic stability, health, and climate change
Insights from PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey 2025.
Read More
Trace Africa rebrands to Trace Ngoma
In a move to strengthen its connection with South African audiences and offering content that mirrors their sound, their languages, and their lived experience, the Trace Africa channel on DStv has rebranded to Trace Ngoma, which means drumbeat, celebration, unity and heritage.
Read More

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