 IN THE NEWS |
 Netflix has renewed “Black Mirror” for an eighth season. The dystopian anthology series from Charlie Brooker launched on UK’s Channel 4 in 2011, moving to the streamer in 2016 starting with season three.
Audience interest in seeing actors age 50-plus in leading roles is strong, according to research from AARP. Ninety-three percent of adults say they’re likely to watch movies or shows featuring older leads, and younger viewers are especially eager to see intergenerational casts. More than half of adults say storylines about romance are missing from today’s media for their age group. When movies and TV get age representation right, the report concludes, the impact is powerful: one in three adults say a show has made them feel more positive about aging, and younger viewers feel inspired when they see people their age portrayed realistically.
The Emmy Awards will see changes this year, including new safeguards governing the use of AI. In a statement, the Television Academy said it “reserves the right to inquire about the use of AI in submissions. The core of our recognition remains centered on human storytelling, regardless of the tools used to bring it to life.” Among other changes are dropping the word “television” from the Outstanding Television Movie category; splitting the Sound Mixing for Nonfiction or Reality Program category into two groups; and the expansion of Emmy eligible titles in Casting and Costumes.
The Producers Guild of America announced nominees for its 37th annual awards, to be handed out Saturday, February 28. For a list of who’s in the running in TV and movie categories, go here.
“PBS News Weekend” signed off for the final time on Sunday. “Due to federal budget cuts, PBS News had to make the difficult decision to rework our staffing and programming,” said PBS News in a statement. Six days earlier, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting board voted to dissolve the organization following Congress’ recission of federal funding.
Paramount Skydance is seeking a strategic partner for MTV, according to Bloomberg. Once a defining force in pop culture, MTV has gradually moved away from music-focused programming toward reality television as platforms like YouTube became the primary destination for music videos. Now, Paramount is reportedly looking to reinvigorate MTV’s music roots, bringing in financial advisers to identify a partner that would not only invest in the brand but also contribute assets such as music rights or artist relationships.
CNBC is making some adjustments to its business day lineup. Starting Tuesday, January 20, Melissa Lee and Michael Santoli will serve as co‑anchors of “Closing Bell Overtime,” replacing Morgan Brennan and Jon Fortt. Brennan moves to the 5a hour on Monday, January 26, while Fortt will host a new show focused on tech leadership. Frank Holland is stepping into a new role as anchor of CNBC International’s “US Markets Edition. “These moves allow us to refresh our lineup and place our anchors in positions that maximize their impact,” said CNBC Editor‑in‑Chief David Cho in a note to staff. |
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MEET THE CABLEFAX 100
Final Days to Nominate!
The Cablefax 100 recognizes the executives whose decisions move markets, shape strategy, and define the future of media and broadband.
If 2026 represents a pivotal year for your organization — or a leader you admire — this is the moment to document that impact.
Nomination deadline: January 16
NOMINATE TODAY |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| All eight episodes of “The ‘Burbs,” inspired by the 1989 horror-comedy of the same name, drop Sunday, February 8 on Peacock.
Peacock will continue to serve as the exclusive US streaming home for UK spin-off series “Love Island: All Stars.” The first episode of season three premieres Wednesday, January 14, with new episodes streaming at 6p. |
Today’s Premieres
ID: People Magazine Investigates at 9p; The Curious Case Of…at 10p |
| CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026
$500 Savings Expire This Friday!
From AI and identity to measurement and monetization, Convergent TV World is where senior leaders pressure-test what actually works. Laura Martin (Needham & Company) anchors a program built for real strategic alignment—not surface-level noise.
Prices increase after Jan. 16 at 11:59pm ET.
REGISTER NOW |
| PRODUCTION |
| Netflix handed a series order to “I Suck At Girls,” reports Deadline. The comedy from Doozer and Warner Bros. Television is based on Justin Halpern’s book of the same name.
Tubi has cast its original movie, “Buzzkill.” Onboard the YA horror comedy are Siena Agudong (“Sidelined: The QB and Me”), Brec Bassinger (“Final Destination: Bloodlines”) and Aliyah’s Interlude (“English Teacher”). The film is currently in production. |
| SPORTS ROUNDUP |
| Baseball analyst and former MLB pitcher David Cone has exited ESPN amid scheduling conflicts with his work at the Yankees YES Network. Issues arose after ESPN traded “Sunday Night Baseball” for a package of midweek games.
Sky Deutschland has secured live rights to LIV Golf and the Asian Tour, covering all distribution channels in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As part of the agreements, Sky Sport will broadcast all LIV Golf events and significant Asian Tour events live in 2026, nearly 600 hours of live coverage annually.
The Colorado Avalanche, in collaboration with the National Hockey League and Sony’s Beyond Sports, will air a real-time, animated program for the Avs’ game versus the Minnesota Wild on February 26 at 7p MT on My20 (KTVD-TV) and Altitude 2. “Bernie’s Mountain Showdown,” organized by Avalanche mascot Bernie the St. Bernard, will depict Bernie and several of his four-legged friends putting on a charity pond hockey game to support the service dogs of Colorado.
Viaplay Group and LIV Golf today announced a new partnership that will see Viaplay deliver c live coverage of the LIV Golf League across its platforms in the Nordics beginning with the 2026 season. |
| RATINGS |
| Spectrum News was the most-watched news network in 2025 among Spectrum customers, according to Spectrum set-top box and streaming data. Throughout the year, Spectrum News averaged 1.84 million daily viewing households across its linear and digital platforms. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Angele Steele has been named US Chief Client Officer at WPP Media. Steele was previously CEO of Publicis Collective.
Abby Zeltser has been promoted to SVP Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Zeltser re-joined the studio last year as VP, Corporate Communications after heading corporate and executive communications for Tubi. |
| IN MEMORIAM |
| Producer/director Tom Cherones died January 5 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was 86. The Emmy winner was best known for his work on “Seinfeld.” |
This Day in History
1906 – The Dow Jones closed above 100 for the first time.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which network launched as the Madison Square Garden Sports Network? USA Network. Kudos to: David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Ken DuBow-DuBow Media Distribution/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Rosemary Cunningham-MeTV/Chicago; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; John Carlo-UP Entertainment/NYC; Aymon DeMauro-ADM Media & Marketing/Southampton, NY; Betsy Frank-Betsy Frank Insights/NYC; Martha Voyer-LWD/NYC
Today’s Trivia Question
Which TV superhero had an adopted daughter named Gosalyn? (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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