01/26/26: Cynopsis Media Tech Update

Monday January 26, 2026

   TOP MEDIA TECH NEWS

Netflix beat its 2025 earnings estimates, announcing a 16% year-over-year revenue increase during a call with investors last week. The announcement comes at the heels of Netflix turning its bid for Warner Bros Studios and HBO Max into an all-cash offer as pressure from Paramount Skydance intensifies.

What’s going on? – The competition between streaming platforms for viewers and ad dollars grows fiercer as continued consolidation and the next TV upfront season inch closer.
So what? – Streamers are currently laser-focused on building the most competitive package of content, subscription options and ad products to attract viewers and media investments to sustain them in the long term.
Now what? – The proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery must still undergo regulatory approval, which Netflix is confident about securing. In the meantime, media companies with streaming services prepare to announce 2025 earnings as they continue to compete for subs and ad spend.

Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance introduced programmatically enabled ads for select live sports inventory on Paramount+. The ad units, within what Paramount calls its “marquee sporting events,” debuted in a UFC match on January 24.

What’s going on? – Paramount’s latest move reflects the increasing importance of live sports access as competition among streamers for advertiser dollars intensifies.
So what? – The major streamers are racing to develop ad products and program slates that appeal to advertisers. From a technology perspective, Paramount has stayed competitive by prioritizing opening programmatic access and simplifying media activation for advertisers.
Now what? – As part of its pursuit for entertainment dominance, Paramount Skydance continues its fierce competition with Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. It extended its buyout offer to February 20.

Albertsons is rolling out a digital display network across screens in more than 800 of the grocer’s 2,200 stores this year. Albertsons Media Collective began piloting its network of screens over the summer in select stores with software provider Stratacache.

What’s going on? – Stores and venues are increasingly pitching marketers on digital out-of-home screens that can get them closer to the point of sale.
So what? – Albertsons hopes to attract markers with a unique promise of closed-loop attribution made possible through its retail media network. Performance metrics are what decisionmakers seek to justify their media investments.
Now what? – The grocer will incorporate impressions from sensor technology into its measurement framework. With a better understanding of whether and when display screens help drive sales, it can continue developing the offering for advertisers.

CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026

The Converged World Isn’t Coming. It’s Here.

Linear, streaming, FAST, and digital now live inside the same plan—but confidence is harder to find. Convergent TV World brings buy-side leaders together to share how they’re navigating fragmentation, measurement, and investment decisions. Hear perspectives from Dentsu, NBCUniversal, WPP Media, Needham, OAAA, VAB, Horizon Media, and more.

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   BEST OF THE REST

Google rolled out new shoppable ad formats across all its Performance Max and Demand Gen campaigns last week. Google first made its shopping ads available on YouTube via Google’s Merchant Center. While the ads remain a predominantly YouTube feature, Google expects to launch them more widely on its DV360 platform soon.

Speaking of Google, BBC is planning a content deal with YouTube to produce bespoke content that would counter misinformation and disinformation on the platform. The shows will run on BBC’s Sounds and iPlayer platforms in addition to YouTube, and will generate ad revenue for the British broadcaster outside the U.K.

Sports Illustrated launched a free ad-supported TV channel, called SI TV, across several major distributors including Amazon’s Fire TV and Plex. The sports outlet plans to produce original, long-form video content for its new channel, and expects its foray into FAST to help it attract new viewers and, in turn, higher ad spend.

Substack rolled out the Substack TV app, currently in beta. The smart TV app also includes a “For You” column to discover content, similar to popular social media apps. The creator-led, subscription-based platform is one of several publishers carving out a connected TV business to get a slice of the CTV advertising pie.

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Brands and agencies come to Convergent TV World ready to evaluate partners and shape next year’s plans. Sponsorship delivers direct access to high-intent buyers—before decisions are finalized.

Speaking spots are limited.

REQUEST THE PROSPECTUS

Adoption of FAST channels has increased dramatically in recent years, with 57% of households that were streaming only ad-free in 2020 now watching FAST content, according to a study from Roku and Horizon Futures Group. Based on Roku’s proprietary viewership data alongside surveys of 1,500 streamers, the study found: the Roku Channel, most time spent is with professionally produced content.

The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) released a new report written by industry leaders Manish Bhatia and Josh Chasin. The report, entitled “Funding the Fiesta,” suggests that the US TV and video advertising industry is large enough to support at least two measurement-based currency solutions for TV ad transactions.

A group of American investors finalized a $14 billion deal to acquire the US version of TikTok. Larry Ellison’s Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake and investment company MGX will split 45% ownership of the divested company, own US user data and be responsible for moderating content on the short-form video app.

Sell-side ad platform Magnite teamed up with video ad platform MNTN to make live programming more accessible to digital performance marketers. The deal should make it easier for digital-minded marketers to apply digital buying tactics to sports and other live programs as live streaming becomes more popular for viewers and advertisers alike.

Cynopsis Team

Lynn Leahey
Editorial Director
lleahey@accessintel.com

Stephanie Cronk
Brand Director, Convergent TV World, Top Women Network
scronk@accessintel.com

Dave Colford
SVP, Media
dcolford@accessintel.com

 

Advertising Opportunities
Kelly Mahoney
Group Director, Sales
kmahoney@accessintel.com

Kerry Smith
Division President
Access Intelligence

 

Cynopsis Job Listings Sales
Rob Hudgins

Cynopsis General Inquiries
clientservices@accessintel.com

 

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Job of the day
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE, MULTI-EPISODE TELEVISION PRODUCING >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: Develope, produce, and manage scripted and unscripted multi-episodic series for linear television and/or streaming. Qualified applicants will be distinguished multi-platform practitioners with a significant body of “boots on the ground” work in the TV and streaming industry. The position will require in-class instruction and on-set exercises. Full info HERE

PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: STUDIO AND/OR FIELD DIRECTING; MULTIPLE CAMERAS >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a significant body of practical work in television directing using multiple cameras for linear television and/or streaming platforms. Familiarity with visual effects and AI-supported tools is considered a plus. This position includes teaching directing of scripted and/or unscripted content using multiple cameras at many levels. Full info HERE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: VERTICAL FILMMAKING/CONTENT CREATOR >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a professional track record in the creation and development of original short-form content aimed at promoting, activating, and motivating young people through social activism, experimentation, entertainment, brand building, and audience engagement across today’s leading content platforms and social media ecosystems. More info HERE

SALES MANAGER – AP AD INSIGHTS HUB >>
ADVERTISER PERCEPTIONS/NEW YORK, NY: Drive direct sales of the platform offering, focusing heavily on new client acquisition. Reporting to and working closely with the GM of the Ad Insights Hub, this individual contributor will partner cross-functionally with Sales, Business Intelligence, Operations, and Client Services teams to build awareness and engagement with new clients. Full info HERE

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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