Cynopsis 01/14/25: Rachel Maddow spending more time at her MSNBC desk

Cynopsis
Tuesday January 14, 2025

   IN THE NEWS

While over 70% of consumers are familiar with the term “generative AI,” and 57% say they’ve used a generative AI product like ChatGPT, only 18% are “very confident” they could explain to someone else what generative AI is or how it works, according to Hub study “AI in Entertainment.” The majority of people have at least some concerns about AI, with two thirds very worried about undetectable “deepfakes” and potential loss of privacy, and 57% worried about people losing their jobs to AI. It’s a mixed bag when it comes to creative tasks. Respondents strongly preferred human creativity for tasks like writing scripts, dialogue, and music, but are equally or more comfortable with AI handling technical tasks such as creating CGI effects and writing subtitles or descriptions.

When it comes to AI and content discovery, 76% of respondents said they were somewhat or very interested in AI applications to analyze their viewing across platforms to give better recommendations, recommend shows for particular situations like watching with others (77%), or to summarize all the reviews of a show before they decide to watch (74%). “Consumers don’t understand AI yet, but they know enough to feel concerned about the impact on society and on entertainment in particular,” said Jon Giegengack, principal at Hub and one of the study authors. “Studios and distributors should prioritize tasks viewers are comfortable with (like better discovery), and tread lightly on creative tasks where they prefer real humans.”

Speaking of, asked to rank the most critical consumer technology and media trends for Mediaocean’s 2025 Advertising Trends Report, marketers named Generative AI number one (63%). Breaking down the data into 12 industry verticals, five chose Gen AI and five chose CTV. CPG/FMCG companies favor E-commerce Everywhere, while direct-to-consumer brands prefer TikTok and Social Video as their top trends. See details below:

X is attempting to add more defendants to its lawsuit accusing the World Federation of Advertisers and major companies of conspiring to boycott the platform. According to court papers filed Friday, X plans to name “multiple” additional defendants in a second amended complaint. In its complaint filed in August, X alleged that members of the (now defunct) Global Alliance for Responsible Media colluded to “collectively withhold billions of dollars in advertising revenue” from the company formerly known as Twitter. The current defendants in the case are the WFA, CVS Health, Mars, the energy company Orsted, and Twitch.

Netflix is donating $10 million for relief and rebuilding efforts tied to the catastrophic LA wildfires – and that’s just for starters. “Beyond this financial contribution, we are directly assisting all of our impacted employees at this incredibly difficult time, including assistance with temporary housing needs for those who lost their homes,” said Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on Monday. “We are also continuing to double-match all employee charitable contributions through our employee giving program.”

Jess Armstrong’s (“Succession”) next project for HBO will be a film, done in collaboration with “Succession” executive producer Frank Rich, about four friends who gather during an international financial crisis.

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   NEWS IN THE NEWS

Rachel Maddow, who has been anchoring her MSNBC show on Mondays only since 2022, is returning to a five-days-a-week schedule for the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term. Alex Wagner, who had taken the 9p seat Tuesday-Friday for “Alex Wagner Tonight,” will travel the country for a series of reports called “Trumpland: The First 100 Days” during Maddow’s return gig. The lineup returns to its regular schedule on May 1.

As a new administration prepares to take over, NBC News is making changes to its White House and Capitol Hill teams. Garrett Haake, who has covered Capitol Hill for four years and the past two years covered Donald Trump, is moving to the White House as senior correspondent. Yamiche Alcindor, who covered Donald Trump during his first term, and Vaughn Hillyard, who has covered Trump in the past two years, will serve as White House correspondents. Ryan Nobles, who joined NBC News in 2022, will become chief Capitol Hill correspondent, while Julie Tsirkin will remain Capitol Hill correspondent covering the new Congress.

Fox News Media is making programming changes across Fox News and Fox Business Network. Starting Tuesday, January 21, “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Will Cain will take over the 4p weekday timeslot on FNC with “The Will Cain Show,” replacing Neil Cavuto, who exited the network last month. Fox News contributor Charlie Hurt will replace Cain as co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend” beginning Saturday, January 18. “The Fox Report” and “The Big Weekend Show” are both expanding to two hours on Saturdays and Sundays starting on January 18. FBN’s Dagen McDowell will join “The Big Money Show” as it expands from 12-2p on weekdays beginning on January 27, while she also continues to co-host “The Bottom Line” at 6p.

Chuck Todd reportedly plans to leave NBC when his contract is up this year. The former “Meet the Press” anchor “has discussed potential roles outside the network both in broadcast and digital media,” according to Semafor.

Spectrum News NY1 has launched a three-hour weeknight lineup anchored by Cheryl Wills. She now leads both “New York Tonight” at 8p and “NY1 at Ten” at 10p, while remaining the host of the weekly public affairs program “In Focus with Cheryl Wills.”

Lenox Hill Hospital cardiologist Tara Narula has joined ABC News as chief medical correspondent. Narula, who has in the past been a medical correspondent and contributor for CBS, CNN, NBC, will report on ABC News programs including “Good Morning America.”

   BUNDLE UP

VIZIO announced a new bundle giving customers access to the libraries of Starz and AMC+. If purchased separately, subscriptions to the two streaming services would ordinarily cost $20.98 per month; customers with a VIZIO Account can access both apps with a single subscription for $13.99 per month.

   NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Prime Target” premieres Wednesday, January 22 on Apple TV+. The conspiracy thriller stars Leo Woodall (“The White Lotus,” “One Day”) and Quintessa Swindell (“Black Adam,” “In Treatment”).

Today’s Premieres
Discovery: Moonshiners: Master Distillers at 9p
NBC: St. Denis Medical at 8p; Night Court at 8:30p
Netflix: Single’s Inferno
Paramount+: FBI True

   AWARDS UPDATES

While numerous events have been canceled due to the LA wildfires, the Grammy Awards will take place as scheduled on Sunday, February 2 at LA’s Crypto.com Arena, broadcast on CBS. However this year, in addition to celebrating the music business, the ceremony will raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts, and honor first responders.

The Academy Awards Show will also stick to its planned date of March 2, airing on ABC, but the Oscar Nominees Luncheon scheduled for February 10 has been canceled, and the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony has been postponed.

The announcement of WGA Awards nominees has been delayed again, this time “until further notice.” This is the second postponement, but the ceremony is still set to take place February 15 at the Edison Ballroom in NYC and the Beverly Hilton in LA. The American Society of Cinematographers has also postponed the announcement of nominees for their ASC Awards for a second time, promising a new announcement date “within the next week.”

   DOOH

T-Mobile has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Vistar Media, provider of technology solutions for digital-out-of-home advertisements. Through the T-Mobile Advertising Solutions business, T-Mobile will acquire Vistar’s marketplace and technology solutions for buying, selling and managing media campaigns. “We see a tremendous opportunity to provide more relevant and personalized advertising,” said JP Colaco, SVP & Chief T-Ads Officer, T-Mobile. “Combining T-Mobile’s customer-centric approach and its expertise as one of the nations most scaled marketers, with Vistar’s leading out-of-home technology means advertisers can easily place their ads where they know their audience will be, improving every step of the customer journey.”

   COMING UP

“Eric Clapton Unplugged…Over 30 Years Later” premieres in select theaters on Monday, January 27, ahead of its debut on Paramount+ on Wednesday, February 12. The 90-minute special is a remixed and remastered version of an installment of the “MTV Unplugged” series filmed in 1992.

It’s all in the family: “My Three Sons” joins the FETV lineup up Monday, February 3 at 11:45a, following “Leave It to Beaver.”

   TECH

Locality Studios, launched by Locality, has partnered with Moroch Partners to deliver customized video content, broadcast TV programming integrations, and streaming campaigns that connect brands with communities. Why go local? “Our Local Lift™ study revealed that 71% of Americans expect localized video advertising, making tailored local solutions is essential for regional and national brands,” Keith Kazerman, President of Streaming at Locality, tells Cynopsis. “With local talent and custom content, brands can easily create and integrate long-form segments in local broadcast TV programming and short-form ads in locally targeted streaming campaigns through our partnerships with premium publishers and stations. Consumers expect local messages, and we simplify local for brands.”

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   SPORTS REPORT

RL Commercial and IMG unveiled a new look for Rugby League’s official fan app, Our League, powered by digital platform provider Urban Zoo. Users can now access all news, videos and information via Our League’s Match Centre, which includes the three Betfred Super Leagues – Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair – as well as cup competitions such as the Betfred Challenge Cup, and Community Rugby League divisions like the National Conference League.

   RATINGS

The season premiere “Fixer to Fabulous” was HGTV’s highest-rated premiere episode in the past six months, attracting nearly 2.1 million total viewers and delivering a .52 Live+3 rating among A25-54 on Tuesday, January 7, according to Nielsen, up 58% from the series’ last season premiere.

The return of Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship” posted a 0.53 P25-54 / 0.65 W25-54 Live+3 rating, up vs. prior six-week and year-over-year benchmarks. Season two of “Wildcard Kitchen” premiered with 0.49 P25-54 / 0.67 W25-54 Live+3 rating, up double digits against the season one opener, prior six-week and year-over-year benchmarks.

The return Hallmark Channel’s “The Way Home” was the #1 most-watched program on Friday with Households and Women 18+, while “When Calls the Heart” was the #1 most-watched program on Sunday and of the week with Households; Total Viewers, Women 18+; and Persons 18+, according to Nielsen.

   EXECUTIVE MOVES

Ad-filtering technology company eyeo has named Goswijn Thijssen as Managing Director, User Business. Thijssen most recently served as CMO for Google Cloud EMEA North.

Streaming media company Plex has appointed Matt DiPietro as Chief Marketing Officer. DiPietro is founder of creator-based social video platform Salut.

This Day in History
1814 – The king of Denmark ceded Norway to the King of Sweden.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On which series did Edie Falco, Kristen Wiig and Fred Armison guest star in the same episode? “30 Rock” (2006-13). Kudos to: Amy Levy-Amy Levy PR/LA; Ken DuBow-DuBow Media Distribution/LA; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Paul Gluck/TUTV/Philadelphia; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; David Rubinsohn-American Public Television/Boston

Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom featured guest appearances by Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and New Gingrich? (Email [email protected] 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.)

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VICE PRESIDENT, POLITICAL SALES >>
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC./WASHINGTON, DC: Lead the company’s political advertising revenue across its dynamic portfolio of broadcast stations. Responsible for developing sales strategies tailored to the fast-paced, high-stakes political advertising market. You will possess an understanding of the political advertising landscape, and the ability to forge strong relationships with campaigns. Full info HERE

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MLB NETWORK/SECAUCUS, NJ: Responsible for a variety of matters, including services agreements, production related agreements, talent agreements, software and other technology related agreements, licensing and programming agreements, third party rights clearances, distribution agreements, contract summaries, confidentiality, and general contract matters. Full info HERE

SENIOR INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN PROJECT MANAGER
BEACON MEDIA GROUP
NY/NJ
Seeking a diligent, organized, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as we manage Integrated Marketing Campaigns for a candy manufacturer. Responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction, managing project timelines, and optimizing campaign effectiveness. If you’re proactive and enjoy collaborating with teams, we want to hear from you! Full info HERE

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Proven track record of monetizing digital assets on various social media platforms. Work closely with our production team in creating content and comprehensive marketing plans to increase market share. Full info HERE

INTERNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
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JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
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NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
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Looking for another self-motivated, highly disciplined National AD Sales Executive that enjoys the sales process from beginning to close. If you bring the enthusiasm and determination we will supply the opportunity to make this the best position you’ve ever had. Full info HERE

LEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE >>
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ACCOUNT REP: MPT NATIONAL CORPORATE SALES

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