 IN THE NEWS |
| Faced with the massive costs of AI infrastructure, OpenAI is looking to monetize its 800 million weekly users by advertising in ChatGPT. The company says it plans to test ads in the free tier, as well as ChatGPT Go, a low-cost subscription tier now rolling out in the US. Clearly labeled ads will begin to appear at the bottom of the chatbot’s answers and ChatGPT’s responses will not be influenced by ads, said OpenAI, adding it will “never” sell users’ data to advertisers. “It is clear to us that a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don’t want to pay, so we are hopeful a business model like this can work,” posted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on X.
While LLM platforms clearly need a new revenue stream, introducing ads puts them in a “precarious” position, says Caroline Giegerich, VP, AI at IAB. “If ads feel interruptive rather than native to the conversational experience, users will abandon the platform and in a market where everyone’s racing for dominance, losing stickiness means losing the game,” notes Giegerich. “For advertisers, this creates both risk and opportunity. Poorly integrated ads generate consumer animosity, but contextually relevant ones – like a discount on a rug you’re actually shopping for – can be genuinely useful. The key is that ‘ad’ doesn’t have to mean ‘bad’ if the recommendation fits naturally into what you’re already asking about.” |
 Amid a push to expand the NCAA College Football Playoff, President Trump announced he will sign an executive order protecting the Army vs. Navy game’s December time slot with an exclusive four-hour broadcast window. “The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions – Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!” posted Trump on Truth Social. “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!”. The Navy re-posted Trump’s message.
The trailer for the third season of “Euphoria” was viewed nearly 100 million times in its first 48 hours. That’s HBO Max’s best trailer launch for an original series ever, reported Warner Bros. Discovery. The drama’s season two finale back in 2022 drew 6.6 million viewers across HBO platforms.
Despite a 63% year-over-year drop in ad spend during the 83rd Annual Golden Globes broadcast on CBS, ad effectiveness surged, according to TV outcomes company EDO. This year’s Golden Globes saw a 23% increase in ad performance compared to 2025, even as the total number of consumer interactions with ads, such as online searches, dipped 8%. The top performing spots drove 48% of all consumer engagement generated during the broadcast:
– Oura Ring (Consumer Electronics): #1 with 73.3x more engagement than average
– Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue” (Theatrical): 56.4x
– Hulu’s “The Beauty” (Streaming): 55.5x
– Row K Entertainment’s “Dead Man’s Wire” (Theatrical): 49.9x
– Kesimpta (Pharmaceutical): 45.5x
– Wegovy (Pharmaceutical): 35.4x
– Toyota (Auto): 33.1x
– Starbucks (Restaurants): 26.7x
– Viking Cruises (Travel): 23.8x
– Zepbound (Pharmaceutical): 21.1x
NBC has ordered a pilot for a comedy series co-written and executive produced by “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” alums Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici. The untitled project will “continue the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show,” according to a press release.
NBC’s on a roll. The network also ordered pilots for procedurals “Puzzled” from Joey Falo (“Charmed”) and “What the Dead Know” from Wolf Entertainment and writer Beth Rinehart (“FBI: Most Wanted). Both are produced by Universal Television. The pickups come on the heels of NBC’s recent pilot orders for a “Rockford Files” reboot; “Protection,” centered on a family of U.S. marshals; and a drama inspired by the work of criminal profiler Dr. Ann Burgess. |
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| CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026
From Mentorship to Momentum
At Convergent TV World, this featured town hall moves beyond talk to action—exploring how mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership translate into real career acceleration. Presented with Chief Marketer’s Top Women Network, senior executives and rising leaders share what actually drives momentum in today’s media landscape.
Join the conversation at Convergent TV World.
SAVE MY SEAT |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 Paramount+ family drama “The Madison,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, premieres Saturday, March 14. The six-parter comes from Taylor Sheridan. |
Today’s Premieres
MHz Choice: Camilla Läckberg’s Erica
Netflix: Star Search; Singles Inferno
Paramount+: Handsome Devil: The Charming Killer |
| CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026
Your VIP Pass to Convergent TV World—On Us
Brands and agencies are eligible for free VIP Passes with high-level perks—exclusive networking, hosted buyer meetings, Awards access, and more. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply now before passes are gone.
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| SPORTS ROUNDUP |
| Sports platform OutKick finished 2025 with its highest total social video views ever on Facebook and X with over 147 million combined, up 61% versus the prior year. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| CAKE struck a UK deal with BBC for two seasons of live action VFX series “Armorsaurs,” a remake of South Korea’s “Armored Saurus,” produced by MGA Entertainment (MGA). |
| RATINGS |
| ABC’s “20/20: Badass Detective” averaged 3.032 million Total Viewers on January 9, based on Live+Same Day Big Data + Panel Nielsens, ranking as the No. 1 program of the night (excluding sports). “20/20” scored its most-watched telecast in over seven months, and for the second week in a row posted Total Viewers increases versus the previous week (+18) and the corresponding year-ago telecast (+3%).
FOX News Digital saw its ever in 2025 with 143 million average total digital multiplatform unique visitors in 2025, according to Comscore. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| VICE Media has appointed Joseph (Joe) Friedman as Chief Financial Officer and Devak Shah as Executive Vice President of Strategy. Friedman joins after consulting with VICE Media as interim CFO over the past few months. Shah has been serving as a strategic consultant to VICE Media, alongside other media and entertainment companies. |
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This Day in History
1920 – The American Civil Liberties Union was founded.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which three series were part of 2011 crossover event Night of the Hurricane? “Family Guy,” “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show.” Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Rev. Mark Wajda/Clermont, FL; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What was the first series to air on Nickelodeon? (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.) |
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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