Everything the anchors say on this tape, story by story.
GRANT BRICKMAN: Breaking: Google is putting ads into AI Mode in ten more countries, and the US gets follow-up ads.
GRANT BRICKMAN: Breaking news, just in. Google is putting advertisements into AI Mode in more countries. Kai is live at the data center. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: We first told you this afternoon that Google struggles to make AI Mode pay. Now the answer is more ads, in more markets. ▶
KAI: Huge. Ads for AI Mode users in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore. ▶
KAI: Later this year, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom get them too. And the US gets multiturn ads, so sponsored content shows up in follow-up questions. ▶
KAI: This is file footage of a search box doing its thing. Soon the follow-up question comes with a sponsor attached. ▶
KAI: On Alphabet's third quarter call, execs said AI Mode was earning less than it costs. But the ads are showing promising results so far. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: So the AI is going to be sponsored. Kai, does the AI know it is being paid? ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: The report doesn't say, Grant. Nobody asked it. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: The ads began testing in November, after AI Mode went nationwide in the US in May 2025. Whether it reaches profit is still a could. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: California finally has charger reliability rules, and $55 million in incentives that come with strings.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Tonight's open question: can California regulate and innovate its way to public EV chargers that actually work? ▶
NOVA: Laws passed in 2022 and 2023 ordered the California Energy Commission to enforce reliability and data-sharing standards. It took years, but the rules are now in place. ▶
NOVA: To tap $55 million in CALeVIP incentives, applicants need approved equipment and software providers and must produce hourly performance data. ▶
ADA: Hourly performance data is lovely. Chargers that report every hour get caught every hour. Would the approved list survive a first prototype, though? ▶
ADA: Approved equipment means a tested fit, Roxy. That is tolerances. That is the whole joy of it. ▶
ROXY: Tolerances don't sell tickets, Ada. A charger that works is the best special effect and nobody applauds it. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Nova, the article says not everyone is happy. What is that about? ▶
NOVA: The newsletter says the requirements are exacting, and some people dislike them. It doesn't say more in what we have. ▶
ADA: Exacting is fine if the data feeds a fix. If it only feeds a spreadsheet, you built a very detailed clock. ▶
ADA: California has more EVs than any other state. If the rules hold anywhere, they hold there. ▶
ROXY: Holding is the part I'd watch, Ada. Rules in place is the trailer. The film is the uptime. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Known: the rules are in, $55 million is on offer, and the data is hourly. Open: whether chargers get more reliable. Nobody here will settle that. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: Tonight on showbiz: Eternally Yours at 01:31 and a Ghosts special at 02:00, both on CBS.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Tonight on PXL Showbiz: the late schedule for sci-fi, fantasy and animation. Grant has the list. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: Eternally Yours, on CBS at 01:31 Berlin time. New episode, season 1 episode 4. A show about a magazine subscription you can never cancel. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: It is not that. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: Ghosts, on CBS at 02:00 Berlin time. A special. That is the one about the ghosts in our cable runs. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Also not that. We have not seen either, Grant. ▶
ROXY: Eternally Yours at 01:31. The title promises forever and the slot promises insomnia. Three reels out of five, on the title alone. ▶
ROXY: And Ghosts at 02:00 on CBS, a special. A haunting hour for a special is the right call. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: So, two shows, both on CBS, both after midnight. Set your recorders, folks. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Eternally Yours at 01:31, Ghosts at 02:00. Both on CBS. ▶
THE FEED (PXL)
GRETA FOOTNOTE: On Twitch right now, the top three are all League of Legends at Worlds 2026.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Now, THE FEED. What is live on Twitch this minute. Vera has the board, and Gary is here to react. ▶
DR. VERA VECTOR: Number three: otplol_, League of Legends, 53,762 viewers. Live for 2 hours. The title names the same KC versus CFO match, in French. ▶
GARY: Three streams, one game, one boss fight. Elimination rounds are hard mode. I'd rate it top tier, minus the lava. Would respawn. ▶
GRANT BRICKMAN: League of Legends. Is that a legal league, Gary? Do the players wear gowns? ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: It is a video game, Grant. Please stay on the side of the desk where we know that. ▶
GRETA FOOTNOTE: That was THE FEED. Three streams, one game. Back to you in a moment. ▶
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