 TOP MEDIA TECH NEWS |
| Paramount Skydance failed to force Warner Bros. Discovery to disclose information about its asset valuation and planned Netflix merger. After repeated attempts to compete with Netflix’s offer for WBD, Paramount Skydance filed a lawsuit in Delaware, asserting that shareholders need more information to make a decision about WBD’s sale. A judge rejected Paramount’s request to hear the case before its own tender offer for WBD expires on January 21.
– What’s going on? – Paramount Skydance and Netflix both want to acquire WBD, and sweetened their offers in hopes of closing a deal. WBD prefers Netflix’s offer to buy Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max over Paramount’s full buyout offer.
– So what? – WBD’s next owner will have a major advantage as the competition for streaming market share intensifies. The planned merger with Netflix indicates the rising value of streaming TV in particular.
– Now what? – In addition to extending its tender offer for WBD, Paramount Skydance plans to nominate directors to WBD’s board to vote against approval for a Netflix takeover.
Speaking of Netflix, it reclaimed its position as the most-watched subscription-based streaming service in the US with 20% market share, according to JustWatch’s Q4 2025 report. Amazon Prime Video is a close second at 19%. Disney and Apple TV each gained two percentage points in market share growth.
– What’s going on? – Streamers are in fierce competition to grow their audience base by expanding their content offerings. Netflix is hyper-focused on live sports, and now believes its livestreaming tech is strong enough to help it win more subscriptions.
– So what? – Many streamers are chasing a dual revenue stream of subscriptions and advertising commitments. They hope to grow their subscription base and sell that scale to media buyers.
– Now what? – Expect more competition and consolidation in the long term. In the short term, Netflix will report its quarterly earnings on January 20. |
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CONVERGENT TV AWARDS: INFLUENCER LIST
Have You Seen the Awards Honorees Yet?
Meet the industry leaders redefining convergent TV. The 2026 Influence Awards honor innovators across streaming, media investment, measurement, creative, and platform strategy—shaping performance across every screen.
Honorees span companies including Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Google, Roku, Omnicom, Paramount, and more.
VIEW THE LIST
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| Video measurement provider VideoAmp undergoes another leadership shakeup. Marketing vet Jenny Wall joined the company in 2023 as its first – and last – CMO to pitch VideoAmp to advertisers as a Nielsen currency alternative. Wall will step down into a sales advisory role.
– What’s going on? — When Wall joined VideoAmp, the company was struggling to grow its currency business, leading to restructuring and headcount cuts last year. Wall’s move follows Peter Liguori stepping down as CEO last month.
– So what? — VideoAmp isn’t the only video currency player facing roadblocks. Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel currency offering faces scrutiny from the Video Advertising Bureau and some media sellers for inconsistent data as the company continues to build its methodology.
– Now what? — Measurement providers need unique differentiators to win business in a sector that demands rigid standards. It’s not easy. |
| BEST OF THE REST |
| Swerve TV closed a $2.5 million Series A funding round led by Scott Galloway, co-founder of Prof G Media. Swerve TV, which programs combat sports and women’s sports across FAST platforms including Prime Video and Roku, plans to use its funding to expand its live event coverage and form relationships with more high-quality media distributors. |
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| Disney announced 11 new advertiser clients for the Oscars main show, which ABC will telecast on March 15. Disney expects that an Oscars centered on live programming, especially sports, will set the groundwork for more advertiser demand in both the short and long term as it broadens its live programming slate and sports streaming.
CBS Evening News ratings were down 23% year over year during Tony Dokoupil’s debut week as anchor, despite heavy social media promotion leading up to the broadcast. Although CBS News ratings grew throughout the season, nearly all major evening news networks are seeing smaller audiences compared to last year.
The NBA made a strategic investment in Evergent Technologies, a subscription management company. The league started working with Evergent in 2022 to boost sign-ups for its League Pass, citing the partnership for international subscription growth.
A jury found video measurement company EDO liable for breaching its contract with iSpot, awarding iSpot $18.3 million in damages. The contract breach relates to EDO’s use of iSpot’s TV ad airing data, including to develop a competitive product. EDO plans to appeal the decision.
Video technology firm JWX acquires Aug X Labs, the AI content production company behind Augie Studios. JWX is the result of the merger between JW Player and Connatix in 2024. It expects its latest acquisition to help it expand video monetization opportunities for publishers.
America’s Test Kitchen rolled out direct and programmatic ad offerings across its growing footprint of free ad-supported TV (FAST) by joining forces with Magnite and PubMatic. ATK expects these two SSPs to help it build a programmatic revenue stream while also bringing new demand to the table. The culinary brand’s FAST channels are available on major distributors including Roku, Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus. |
SALES DIRECTOR – OMG
MOONBUG ENTERTAINMENT
NEW YORK, NY
Deliver and exceed sales revenue targets as well as build, manage and grow a strategic account list with a focus on Omnicom agencies and their clients directly, within the northeast. Ability to navigate holding company structure and negotiate strategic partnerships with key stakeholders (ratecards, preferred programmatic deals, content deals, etc.). More info HERE
DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE MARKETING >>
ATHLETE TO ATHLETE/SANTA MONICA, CA: Lead the performance marketing team across Meta Ads and new paid digital channels (TikTok, YouTube, Google, etc.) as well as build and execute a roadmap for channel expansion and profitable scale. Develop and run structured testing frameworks. Partner with Creative Strategist on ad briefs, testing priorities, and creative feedback loops. Full info HERE
SENIOR MANAGER, TRAFFIC >>
INSP, LLC./CHARLOTTE, SC: Oversee the Traffic staff and manage and monitor the day-to-day operations. Responsible for the prompt and accurate execution of broadcast logs for three networks. The manager assumes a leadership role within our Network Operations and consistently looks to streamline processes and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Traffic department. Full info HERE
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER >>
HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP/CHARLOTTE, NC: Oversee daily sales pipeline operations focused on national sponsorships, integrations, and branded content tied to unscripted programming. Manage and coach the Business Development team, drive outbound activity, shape proposals and pricing, and lead CRM strategy, reporting, and optimizations via Salesforce. Full info HERE
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER >>
NTD/WASHINGTON, DC: Pitch story ideas and write scripts/segment outlines as well as research guests and interview topics. Book guests and coordinate interviews. Help with logistics and sometimes field production. Support shoots and ensure production runs smoothly. Review footage and work with editors to shape final episodes. Write headlines, teasers, and social posts. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION >>
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY/HOLLYWOOD, CA: Responsible for all HR functions and oversight of administrative and management needs. This strategic role is charged with operating from a customer service driven viewpoint that prioritizes employee satisfaction as well as enforce legally compliant policies, increase efficiency by implementing administrative and record-keeping best practices. Full info HERE
SENIOR DESIGNER >>
REELZ CHANNEL/ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Responsible for the concept, design and execution of various motion graphics projects for on-air promo and sales presentations. Will be required to design and create graphics for social media, digital and print. Must be able to follow brand guidelines and expand and change the brand look when necessary. Full info HERE
EVP, COMMERCIAL & TECHNOLOGY TRANSACTIONS, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >>
A+E GLOBAL MEDIA/NY(HYBRID): Oversee the three major areas of commercial transactions (comprised of supporting the Distribution, Total Media Solutions and Global Content Sales divisions) and the adjacent areas supported by the attorney teams that principally support those divisions (including vendor management and privacy). Full info HERE
SR. DIRECTOR OF SALES, KSTU & KUPX >>
THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY/SALT LAKE CITY: Leverage our suite of advertising solutions to unlock growth opportunities for local and national businesses. Play a role in driving the station’s revenue goals as well as serving as the home station for Utah’s new NHL team. Collaborate with our production team to create campaigns that connect our clients with their customers in meaningful ways. Full info HERE
DIGITAL MEDIA BUYER >>
FURMAN ROTH ADVERTISING/NY(HYBRID): Plan, launch, and optimize digital marketing campaigns across various paid media channels (including Display, Google products, Paid Social, CTV, and Programmatic, etc.) while managing budgets effectively. Support the execution of media plans across platforms, overseeing targeting, budget allocation, and performance tracking to drive campaign success. Full info HERE
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR; CTV BRAND PARTNERSHIPS – MID WEST/WEST COAST
FUTURE TODAY
REMOTE
Build, maintain and expand a pipeline of sales targets, contacts, and sales opportunities leveraging your relationships with a heavy focus on new business revenue. Build/nurture relationships with the investment, strategy, precision and digital agencies as well as clients. Also maintain an ongoing knowledge of the streaming media landscape. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, AD MARKETING & SALES >>
THE SHADE ROOM/REMOTE: Develop and execute a revenue growth strategy to drive direct advertising, branded content, and sponsorship sales as well as lead the development of compelling advertising and branded content offerings tailored for TSR’s audience and cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key advertisers, media agencies, and brand partners. Full info HERE
PROFESSIONAL LECTURER OF COMMUNICATION/SPORTS BROADCASTING >>
MARIST UNIVERSITY/ POUGHKEEPSIE, NY: Teach studio and field broadcasting and new media courses in sports media and journalism as well as be able to teach a studio course on producing a newscast and help students live stream a podcast or produce short-form feature content suitable for social media streaming. Also demonstrate through their teaching, professional activity, and service. Full info HERE
SALES LEAD – AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS
UPWAVE
NEW YORK, NY
Build and manage relationships with our agency partners – mostly targeting media buyers and planners – and help them see the value of adding Upwave measurement to The Trade Desk campaigns. You will both leverage your existing network and open new doors to achieve aggressive but achievable sales targets. Full info HERE |
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