Google Chrome is now blocking disruptive video and pop-up ads by default

Google Chrome is now blocking disruptive video and pop-up ads by default. VP Rahul Roy-Chowdhury says feedback has shown that video ads that play at full blast or giant pop-ups without an obvious exit icon are a huge source of user frustration. Chrome will stop showing all ads on sites that repeatedly display disruptive ads after they’ve been flagged. Google says it’s relying on Better Ads Standards from the Coalition for Better Ads, to determine which ads to block.

CUPE Quebec’s Provincial Council for Communications is asking the CRTC to drop an exemption order for digital media broadcasting undertakings. Rejean Beaudet, recording secretary for the CPSC-CUPE and provincial president for the local union at TVA, says there is no reason Netflix and similar corporations should be under an exemption order. With more than 116,000 members in Quebec, CUPE (SCFP) represents 7,500 workers in the communications sector.

Blue Ant Media has rebranded Omnia Media’s production arm to Blue Ant Digital Studios. The Los Angeles-based production house creates original short and long form content with Dan Lubetkin continuing to oversee production and development as chief content officer at Blue Ant Digital Studios. Coinciding with the announcement, Facebook’s video platform Facebook Watch, launched three of Blue Ant Digital Studios’ short form series Grade A Kitchen, Family of Champions and Pixville Nightly.