CNN is laying off about 200 employees, or 6% of the workforce, as it moves to expand its digital and streaming offerings. “Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting,” wrote CEO Mark Thompson in a memo to staff. Thompson said the organization is expected to add enough new jobs in the first half of 2025 that headcount shouldn’t “fall much this year, if at all.” CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is investing $70 million in CNN’s digital plans, which include a new streaming service. On a linear note, Jim Acosta’s 10a show is being replaced by “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown”; Audie Cornish will be getting her own morning show; and Jake Tapper’s “The Lead” is moving to 5p from 4p.

Big moves at NBCUniversal ahead of parent company Comcast’s cable spinoff: Pearlena Igbokwe has been elevated to Chairman, Television Studios, NBC Entertainment & Peacock & Scripted, while Frances Berwick becomes Chairman, Bravo & Peacock Unscripted. Chief Business Officer Liz Jenkins will now oversee Content Strategy, TV Acquisitions, Strategy and Business Operations across the Entertainment and Studio Groups, and Jenny Storms becomes Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. Corie Henson, EVP, Unscripted Content, Competition and Game Shows, NBCUniversal Entertainment is leaving the company amid the restructure.

“This new structure will bring together our Television Studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock programming as one cohesive organization, bolstered by fully integrated Marketing and Content Strategy teams,” said Donna Langley, Chief Content Officer and Chairman, NBCUniversal Studio Group. “It is designed to enhance collaboration, streamline decision making, and amplify our ability to deliver world-class television experiences to audiences everywhere.”

Media spend is projected to top $585 billion this year, up 6.1% over 2024, according to Winterberry Group’s “Outlook for Advertising, Marketing and Data 2025: Transformation Accelerates.” The report notes marked shifts from linear television and many offline channels to largely digital, data-centric channels fueled by ad tech, analytics, and AI investments. Search, social, CTV, video and influencer marketing each posted double-digit growth in 2024, with a repeat performance expected in 2025. CTV advertising expenditures reached $28.8 billion in 2024, versus $58.9 billion for linear television (broadcast and cable). In 2025, CTV ad revenue is expected to jump 15.8% to $33.4 billion, while linear TV revenue will decline by 19.3%, falling to $47.5 billion. Winterberry Group estimates by 2027, CTV’s take will be the larger one.

CBS’ primetime version of “Hollywood Squares” is getting a promotional push with a limited daytime run. Encore episodes of the game show hosted by Nate Burleson – with Drew Barrymore in the center square – will air the week of January 27 at 2p.

Nationally syndicated “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien” will conclude its tenth and final season in August. The show is produced by HMPG and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. “The ‘Matter of Fact’ team, led by Executive Producer Rita Aleman, had a tremendous 10-season run and is going out on top,” said HMPG President Frank Biancuzzo. “We have new projects in development with Soledad and are looking forward to what’s ahead in continuing our successful partnership.”

Publicis Media US has acquired performance-driven digital marketing agency Dysrupt. Dysrupt’s proprietary media solution, Impact Advertising System, is expected to improve full-serve ad management for Publicis Media clients. Dysrupt was founded in 2019, optimizing campaign performance in ecommerce, entertainment, fintech, health & wellness, and subscription.

Starz and Lionsgate will remain in business together after the proposed separation of Lionsgate’s studio operations from Starz. Lionsgate has extended its multi-year theatrical output deal and made it even sweeter, giving Starz exclusive first pay TV and SVOD window rights to the studio’s films, with films landing on Starz closer to their theatrical release dates. “Movies are a critical part of our premium offering, and we’re pleased to extend our agreement with an accelerated window,” said Starz Networks prexy Alison Hoffman. “Lionsgate’s movies perform incredibly well on our service, and we’re thrilled to offer subscribers their expanding slate of films.”

Optimum and News 12 have donated $500,000 in airtime for PSAs to the American Red Cross to help ensure that vital information on how to support Red Cross efforts of offering shelter, food, and emotional support victims of the LA wildfires reaches as many people as possible.

Fox can’t get enough of Joel McHale (“Animal Control,” “Crime Scene Kitchen”) – he’s been named the new host of “The 1% Club,” which has been renewed for a second season. The series from the international format is produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Magnum Media. It originally premiered on Prime Video in the US and Canada and will move exclusively to Fox for its new season, airing in 2025-26.

Yon Gonzalez (“Chicas del Cable”) will star alongside Samantha Siqueiros (“Señora Acero”) in Telemundo’s “Velvet” (w/t), set in NYC’s fashion world. Velvet” is an original format created by Ramon Campos and Gema R. Neira, produced by Bambú Producciones for Atresmedia Televisión.

Melissa Joan Hart continues her partnership with Lifetime with upcoming thriller, “Killing the Competition,” debuting Saturday, March 1 at 8p. Hart stars in and executive produces with her company Hartbreak Films. The film is inspired by actual events of an overbearing mother who descends from meddling to menacing after her daughter is cut from the dance team of her own high school alma mater.

Season four of MGM+ drama “Godfather of Harlem” debuts Sunday, April 13, as Bumpy (Forest Whitaker) continues his quest for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families

True crime docuseries “Burden of Guilt,” following a woman’s quest to solve the mystery of what or who killed her 4-month-old baby brother, premieres on Paramount+ on Tuesday, February 4. The three-parter is based on the podcast of the same name.

Culinary talk series “Dinner with Gavin Rossdale” launches Thursday, February 13 on Vizeo’s WatchFree+. “I had a very simple idea about a tv show where I cook dinner for an inspiring guest,” said the Bush frontman. “We get to see these amazing people up close and no one held back.”

“The Takedown: American Aryans” debuts Thursday, February 6 on Max. The docuseries from ID explores the cult-like world of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas from the late 2000s to the present day.

Saturday’s Premieres
BBC: Planet Earth: Asia at 80
CNN: Kobe: The Making of a Legend at 9p

Sunday’s Premiere
CBS: Watson at 10p

Husband-and-wife Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg co-host ID’s spinoff special “Very Scary Lovers” on Sunday, February 2 at 10p. The show follows the season finale of “Very Scary People” at 8p.

FOX Sports Films and NASCAR Studios announced the premieres of two documentaries marking the start of the 2025 NASCAR season. “The Madhouse: NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray Stadium” debuts Monday, January 27 at 7p on FS1, while “So Damn Close: Atlanta,” focused on the closest three-way finish in NASCAR history, premieres Thursday, February 13 at 10p on FS1.

Manchester City inked a new multi-year partnership with Veritran, the Club’s Official Fan Identity Partner. Veritran’s technology will integrate with the Club’s existing infrastructure, enhancing processes and transactions for fans across areas such as registration, memberships, and ticketing.

The Women’s National Football Conference has teamed up with Victory+ and Dove to broadcast at Super Bowl Media Center Powered By Verizon on February 4-8. Coverage includes a show titled “Coach O’s Couch,” hosted by Hall of Fame running back, the winningest head coach in women’s tackle football history, and the Founder/CEO of the WNFC, Odessa Jenkins.

Perry Ellis International, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHL announced a 4 Nations Face-Off official US partnership. The NHL and NHLPA will host the tournament, featuring NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the US from February 12-20. The Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston will serve as the host venues and cities for the seven-game tournament.

LoopMe has hired Maggie Mesa as SVP, Global Supply; Gita Bhatia as Senior Director, Head of CPG; and Matthew Pagen as Head of Measurement Sales.

ShotTracker has appointed Greg Kirkorsky as Chief Revenue Officer and LaDonna Gooden as Chief Operating Officer.

Liz Wise Lyall is returning to Lifetime as SVP, Scripted Programming and Development. Prior to rejoining Lifetime, Lyall spent over 14 years at The CW Network, most recently serving as SVP, Head of Scripted Programming.

Today’s Trivia Question
Which current network started out as The Nashville Network? (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.)