 IN THE NEWS |
| Warner Bros. Discovery plans to reject Paramount Skydance’s amended $108.4 billion takeover bid, reports CNBC. Paramount had strengthened its December 8 tender offer with a $40.4 billion personal guarantee from Orace co-founder Larry Ellison and increased its regulatory termination fee. But the board is expected to stick with its $83 billion deal with Netflix for WBD’s streaming and studio assets, versus Paramount’s bid for the entire company. WBD shareholders who disagree with the board’s stance have until January 21 to tender their shares as part of Paramount’s hostile takeover bid. |
 Tony Dokoupil made his debut as anchor of “CBS Evening News” two days early, with an interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday, following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Dokoupil was to have started the job on Monday in Miami as part of a tour of US cities, but his official first week will broadcast from New York instead. The tour will begin later next week, said CBS. During a listening tour last week, Dokoupil told viewers, “Here’s my promise to you today and every time you see me in this chair: you come first. Not advertisers. Not politicians. Not corporate interests. And, yes, that does include the corporate owners of CBS. I report for you.” Dokoupil, who is replacing co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, will be the fourth to hold the anchor slot since 2019.
Newsmax Media has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to block the proposed $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA. Filed on December 31, Newsmax’s Petition to Deny warns that the deal would violate federal law, harm competition, raise prices for consumers, and damage local news across the country. Said Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, “This merger would create an unprecedented and dangerous consolidation within the broadcast TV industry, giving them immense control over local news and political news coverage.”
Paramount+ is expanding the “Avatar” universe with animated film “The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender” (w/t) and new 2D series “Avatar: Seven Havens,” both from Avatar Studios. “The Legend of Aang” is set to premiere exclusively on Paramount+ in Fall 2026. Based on the original series “Avatar: The Last Airbender created” by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the film will be directed by Lauren Montgomery with Steve Ahn and William Mata co-directing. |
 “Tron: Ares” starts streaming Wednesday, January 7 on Disney+. The sci-fi action-adventure film starring Jared Leto was released in theaters on October 10.
A new agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery and France’s Canal+ adds distribution of HBO Max via Canal+ to Belgium and Austria and renews distribution of the streamer in HBO Max in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. The deal marks a “major milestone in the development of their collaboration on an international scale,” said WBD. |
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” premieres Friday, April 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. The four-episode revival series is based on the 2000-06 Fox sitcom. Linwood Boomer created the original series and returns as writer and executive producer. Cast member Bryan Cranston, as well as Tracy Katsky (KatCo), Gail Berman and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Natalie Lehmann are executive producers.
CNBC’s “Leaders Playbook,” exploring the leadership philosophies and the strategic and personal decisions that have shaped influential companies, launches Wednesday, January 7 at 10p. CNBC’s Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin hosts.
MTV’s “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” returns Tuesday, February 17 at 8p. Logline: “In the A, all is fair in Love & Hip Hop … and a new year brings new beginnings, but not everyone wants to begin again.” |
Today’s Premieres
Acorn TV: My Life Is Murder
Food Network: Baking Championship: Next Gen at 8p
NBC: St. Denis Medica at 8p; The Wall at 9p; Brilliant Minds at 10p
PBS: Antiques Roadshow at 8p
Prime Video: Spring Fever |
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| PRODUCTION |
| Great American Media has partnered with the City of Branson, MO, and Silver Dollar City to produce “An Ozark Mountain Christmas,” an original movie for Great American Christmas 2026. |
| ADVERTISING |
| Herring Networks, Inc., parent company of One America News Network (OAN) and A Wealth of Entertainment (AWE), inked an exclusive agreement that has DIRECTV Advertising serving as the sole third-party sales and marketing agent for Herring Networks’ US advertising inventory. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| LIV Golf has increased its regular season field size to 57 players and enhanced the qualifying opportunities for 2026 in the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions, set for January 8-11, at the Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event offers spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League and The International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
FanDuel TV has been named the official US broadcast partner for World Table Tennis. Fans can stream the content free exclusively on FanDuel’s FAST channel FanDuel TV Extra and it’s OTT service FanDuel TV+.
The table tennis deal will come as no surprise to Jon Giegengack, Principal at Hub Entertainment Research. Asked for predictions for the coming year, Giegengack said, “As the rights to top-tier leagues grow too costly for all but the biggest media players, 2026 will see increased investment in mid-tier and niche sports with passionate followings. Expect broader distribution for sports like volleyball and tennis, continued momentum in women’s leagues, and the rise of participant-driven properties such as professional pickleball and cornhole – sports that already attract devoted audiences and are increasingly TV- and streaming-ready.” |
| RATINGS |
| CBS’ telecast of the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 23 averaged an all-time low 3.01 million viewers, according to Nielsen Live+ Same Day Panel + Big Data. The ceremony was hosted by President Trump, and honored Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, KISS, George Strait, and Gloria Gaynor. Roma Daravari, the Kennedy Center’s VP of PR, suggested comparing the telecast to past years was “evidence of far-left bias,” noting, “The program performed extremely well across key demographics and platforms, despite industry and timing disadvantages, including a Tuesday air date two days before Christmas.” The event raised $23 million, added Daravari, nearly twice the amount of last year’s haul.
ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” was the most-watched newscast across broadcast and cable in the fourth quarter in Total Viewers (7.862 million) and Adults 25-54 (973,000), based on Nielsen’s Big Data+Panel Ratings. “NBC Nightly News” clocked 6.224 million viewers and 848,000 in the demo, followed by 4.031 million and 502,000 for “CBS Evening News.”
Fox News scored its highest-rated non-election year in history, according to Nielsen. The cable network averaged 2.652 million viewers (+11% vs. 2024) and 278,000 in Adults 25-54 in primetime. The net also notes that once again, more Independents and Democrats A25-54 chose FNC over any other network, according to Nielsen MRI Fusion.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” hit a four-year high of 19 million viewers in the 11:30p-12:30a hour. The show drew 30 million viewers at midnight, up 35% from last year, and reached an average of 34 million across the night, not counting out-of-home data.
The NFL’s week 17 delivered 28.8 million viewers to Fox, up 9% over last year, and the week’s most-watched telecast.
Prime Video’s Christmas night presentation of Broncos vs. Chiefs averaged 21.06 million viewers, delivering the most-watched “TNF on Prime” regular-season game ever. It was the third “TNF on Prime” game of the season to achieve an all-time viewership mark.
CBS News Special “Rob Reiner: Scenes From a Life” on December 21 averaged 6.23 million viewers and 858,000 in A25-54, according to Nielsen Panel + Big Data.
The season four debut of the BBC’s “The Traitors” delivered a series-best 6.4 million viewers. Season four of the US version kicks off Sunday, January 8 on Peacock.
Top 5 Broadcast Prime Network Averages for the Week to December 15
P2+ AA (000) Live + Same Day
Fox 5056
NBC 4851
CBS 4026
ABC 3044
Univision 1059
Telemundo 1005
ION 604
Me TV 511
CW 436
Grit 299
Source: Nielsen Big Data + Panel
Top 10 Cable Prime Network Averages for the Week of December 15
P2+ AA (000) Live + Same Day
ESPN 3457
Fox News 2120
MS NOW 949
Hallmark Channel 612
CNN 602
TBS 443
HGTV 441
Freeform 393
Food Network 391
History 379
Source: Nielsen Big Data + Panel |
| IN MEMORIAM |
| Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. died December 30. He was 71. Television credits for the actor, who appeared in six Spike Lee films, included “Veep,” “The Wire” and “Your Honor,” among others. |
This Day in History
1852 – The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Hawaii.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the name and year of the first animated Christmas special made specifically for TV? “Mister Magoo’s Christmas Special,” in 1962. Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Chris O’Reilly/ITN; Rev Mark Wajda/Clermont, FL; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which short-lived medical drama had the same name as an unrelated film that had premiered two years earlier? (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.) |
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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