 IN THE NEWS |
| How do theater owners feel about the pending merger of Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery? Two days after Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos was grilled in a Senate hearing, trade organization Cinema United wrote to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy & Consumer Rights. “If Netflix succeeds in acquiring Warner Bros., the results will be economically and culturally catastrophic: fewer theatres, shorter windows, less revenue, fewer jobs across the national and global entertainment industry, and fewer movies for consumers to see in theatres,” said Cinema United. Should Paramount Skydance’s hostile takeover bid for WBD succeed instead, the organization wrote, “our concerns are no less serious. A combination of Paramount and Warner Bros., for instance, would consolidate as much as 40% of each year’s domestic box office in the hands of a single dominant studio.”
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison sent out a letter of his own, written in several languages and addressed to the “British creative community, fellow film lovers and television fans, the industry at large.” Ellison maintained a Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery deal would be “in stark contrast to Netflix’s path – this proposed combination is intended to strengthen competition by creating a more capable and effective rival to the dominant platforms.”
Viewership of the Grammys ceremony was down 6% this year (to 14.4 million), but the day after the CBS broadcast, fans sought out both official music videos and live performance videos more than in years prior, reports Vevo, with YouTube Search the #1 traffic source for content. Vevo also found that:
· Luther Vandross’ catalog on Vevo jumped 35% on Sunday following Cher’s mix-up.
· Rising global artists like KATSEYE, Lola Young, Olivia Dean (alums of Vevo’s DSCVR Artists to Watch program) saw a 223%, 220% and 108% increase in views, respectively, the day after.
· Music Video of the Year winner Doechii saw a 144% increase in views of “Anxiety” on Sunday.
· Fans rewatched and compared past live performances such as 2025 Grammy performances from Sabrina Carpenter (1,198% lift) and Chappell Roan (265% lift); Lola Young’s “Messy” (693%); and YUNGBLUD’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, “Changes (Live From Villa Park / Back To The Beginning)” (521% lift).
Fox FAST service Tubi has expanded its partnership with Nielsen to include more of the measurement company’s services. With the new numbers, Nielsen says that in 4Q25, Tubi had a 6.2% share of ad-supported viewing. Nielsen’s original Gauge results for the period that included SVOD, AVOD and FAST platforms and showed Tubi with a 2.0% share in October and December, and 2.1% in November.
Gray Media has entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with Telemundo Network that includes new local affiliates in Dayton, Ohio (WZCD-LD); Chattanooga, Tennessee (WTVL-CD, WDNN-CD); and Lafayette, Louisiana (KNGC-LD), on Gray-owned stations in those markets. Gray’s expanded Telemundo portfolio now reaches over 1.6 million Hispanic TV households across the country.
MeTV has secured exclusive broadcast rights to air “The Wizard of Oz,” for the classic film’s first airing on free broadcast TV since 1998 on CBS. “It will be presented without any edits and will be surrounded by surprises we will announce later, making the film the centerpiece of our expanded annual MeTV Halloween BOO-Nanza programming event,” said Neal Sabin, Vice-Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting. |
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| CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026
Think You Know Convergent TV? Prove It.
Submit your answers for our Family Feud–style game, Survey Says! Who Really Knows Convergent TV? Your insights power the live showdown on stage this March.
TAKE THE SURVEY |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| “Friends Like These: The Murder of Skyar Neese” premieres Friday, March 6 on Hulu and Hulu and Disney+. The true-crime docuseries tells the story of the disappearance of a 16-year-old from West Virginia.
HBO comedy “Rooster,” starring Steve Carell (“The Office”), launches Sunday, March 8 at 10p. Carell plays an author who has a complicated relationship with his daughter.
On a more serious note, HBO documentary “Murder in Glitterball City” debuts Thursday, February 19 at 8p. The two-parter explores the shifting landscape of a grisly murder.
There’s a new group of Housewives ready to stir up drama. “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” kicks off Thursday, April 2 at 9p on Bravo. The series moves to Sundays beginning Apri 5 at 9p.
Paramount’s longest-running unscripted series, “Bar Rescue,” is back for season 10 on Sunday, February 22 at 10p. |
 Craig Ferguson (“The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson”) will host a new CNN series, “Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose,” premiering later this year. “Any chance I get to remind my fellow Americans that we are still the best idea for a country anyone has ever had I’m going to take it,” said the Scottish comedian. “My eagle is still bald and my banner is still spangled with stars.”
Darkly comedic crime drama “Sunny Nights,” starring D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) and Will Forte (“Last Man on Earth”), makes its US premiere on Hulu on Wednesday, March 11. The show centers on an American who teams up with his loose cannon sister to open a spray tan business in Sydney.
“Martha Graham Dance Company: We Are Our Time” comes to PBS on Friday, March 27 at 9p (check local listings). The two-parter explores Graham’s legacy through the dancers who embody her work.
Peacock dramedy, “The Miniature Wife,” about a man who accidentally shrinks is spouse, debuts Thursday, April 9. Eizabeth Banks (“Pitch Perfect”) and Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”) star and executive produce.
AMC has renewed “Dark Winds” for a fifth season. The drama’s fourth season kicks off Sunday, February 15 at 9p.
“Rivals” is back for season two on Friday, May 15. The UK drama will be released in two six-episode batches on Hulu on Disney+. |
Today’s Premieres
Fox Nation: White House
Netflix: Salvador
Prime Video: LOL: Last One Laughing Brazil
Sunday’s Premiere
Peacock: The ‘Burbs |
| TECH |
| BBC.com is expanding its technology coverage with a new vertical. Now live at bbc.com/technology, Technology delivers reporting on the innovations shaping society.
Outcomes platform Teads has partnered with Googe TV to expand its CTV HomeScreen ad inventory. “Google TV offers exceptional reach and premium supply, and by pairing that with Teads’ creative and omnichannel capabilities, we’re able to bring brands a unique entry point that doesn’t just reach viewers – it commands attention and delivers premium quality,” said Simon Klein, SVP Commercial Strategy CTV at Teads. |
| CYNOPSIS SPORTS AWARDS
Recognizing the Breakthroughs Redefining Sports Media & Marketing
From breakthrough platforms and bold marketing strategies to standout content and fan experiences, the Sports Awards honor the people and innovations shaping how fans engage with sports today—and tomorrow.
Entries are now open for 2026.
VIEW CATEGORIES & ENTER NOW |
| PRODUCTION |
 Bhooshan’s Junior announced a new strategic partnership with media personality JoJo Siwa. The new deal will see Siwa and Bhooshan’s Junior develop original animated digital-first content. |
| COMING UP |
| Bill Nye is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards on Sunday, March 1.
The 27th Annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration premieres on BET on Saturday, February 7 at 8p. The special is filmed in curated segments across Los Angeles and San Francisco during Super Bowl week festivities. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| NASCAR and FloSports announced an expanded slate of racing events that will bring FloRacing coverage live throughout the 2026 season to the NASCAR Channel. The action starts today, February 6, with opening night of World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
Combate Gobal and content creator Shane Fazen announced a licensing agreement to distribute the Hispanic-focused franchise’s first three live 2026 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events on Fazen’s YouTube channel, FIGHTTIPS. The first event under the deal takes place Thursday, February 6. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Telemundo Puerto Rico, a FAST channel featuring Telemundo Puerto Rico / WKAQ’s programming, is available now in the mainland US on The Roku Channel. Additional streaming services and connected TV platforms will be announced soon.
UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus announced a third title in the “MOB” series. “Hollywood and the Mob” (w/t) is produced by Dash Pictures with Sphere Abacus securing early sales to AMC Networks (US and Canada) and SBS (Australia).
yes is extending its partnership with ChaiFlicks with a three-series package licensed to the streamer. The deal includes “On the Spectrum,” season two of “The Chef,” and season five of “Checkout.”
Blue Ant Media is launching Love Nature on CANAL+. It’s the first time the wildlife and nature brand will enter French-speaking markets in EMEA. |
| RATINGS |
| ABC’s “High Potential” hit a series high 12.98 million viewers after seven days of cross platform viewing. On linear, the count was 9.07 million, another series high.
Top 10 Broadcast Primetime Averages for the week of January 26
P2+ AA (000)
CBS: 4055
ABC: 3416
NBC: 2786
Fox: 1793
Univision: 1093
Telemundo: 990
ION 691
MeTV: 5786
Grit: 365
Bounce TV: 232
Source: Nielsen Big Date + Panel |
|
Friday Fun Fact
Winter lasts for 21 Earth years on Uranus.
This Day in History
1899 – The US Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris, ending the Spanish-American War and finalizing the transfer of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the US for $20 million.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which short-lived sitcom centered on a man who quit his job as an insurance company executive to start medical school? “The Bob Crane Show” (1975). Kudos to: Andrew Goldman-Phanes Funding Group/NYC; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which current Portuguese telenovela has the same (almost) name as an American soap opera that ended in the 1990s? (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.) |
BROADCAST ENGINEER >>
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY/HIGH POINT, NC: Ensure high-quality production environments and provide technical leadership to faculty, staff, and students in live and recorded productions and play a role in supporting the school’s mission to provide industry-standard production experiences for students and will have opportunities to contribute to the development of emerging media technologies. More info HERE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE, MULTI-EPISODE TELEVISION PRODUCING >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: Develope, produce, and manage scripted and unscripted multi-episodic series for linear television and/or streaming. Qualified applicants will be distinguished multi-platform practitioners with a significant body of “boots on the ground” work in the TV and streaming industry. The position will require in-class instruction and on-set exercises. Full info HERE
PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: STUDIO AND/OR FIELD DIRECTING; MULTIPLE CAMERAS >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a significant body of practical work in television directing using multiple cameras for linear television and/or streaming platforms. Familiarity with visual effects and AI-supported tools is considered a plus. This position includes teaching directing of scripted and/or unscripted content using multiple cameras at many levels. Full info HERE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: VERTICAL FILMMAKING/CONTENT CREATOR >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a professional track record in the creation and development of original short-form content aimed at promoting, activating, and motivating young people through social activism, experimentation, entertainment, brand building, and audience engagement across today’s leading content platforms and social media ecosystems. More info HERE
SALES MANAGER – AP AD INSIGHTS HUB >>
ADVERTISER PERCEPTIONS/NEW YORK, NY: Drive direct sales of the platform offering, focusing heavily on new client acquisition. Reporting to and working closely with the GM of the Ad Insights Hub, this individual contributor will partner cross-functionally with Sales, Business Intelligence, Operations, and Client Services teams to build awareness and engagement with new clients. Full info HERE
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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