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| Wednesday February 18, 2026 |
 IN THE NEWS |
| Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to a seven-day window of deal talks with Paramount Skydance, after Paramount signaled it would raise its bid from $30 to $31 per share – or higher – if WBD reopens negotiations despite its existing agreement with Netflix. In a letter released Tuesday, WBD said a senior representative of its financial adviser told a board member on February 11 that PSKY would pay $31 per share and that the offer was “not PSKY’s best and final proposal.” Still, WBD made clear its board has not concluded Paramount’s proposal is likely superior to the Netflix merger and remains committed to that deal. Shareholders are set to vote on the Netflix merger at a special meeting on March 20.
WBD board chair Samuel A Di Piazza, Jr. and CEO David Zaslav wrote in the letter, “During this seven-day period – as we consistently did during the strategic review process last year – we welcome the opportunity to engage with you and expeditiously determine whether PSKY can deliver an actionable, binding proposal that provides superior value, transaction certainty and interim protection for WBD’s businesses to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.”
The WBD/Paramount talks were okayed by Netflix, which noted “ongoing distraction for WBD stockholders and the broader entertainment industry.” Netflix granted WBD a seven-day waiver of certain obligations under their merger agreement to allow the company to engage with Paramount Skydance to “fully and finally resolve this matter.”
PSKY’s response? Paramount stated that while the WBD board’s actions are unusual, it remains willing to engage in constructive, good-faith discussions. “At the same time,” the company added, “we will continue to advance our tender offer, maintain our solicitation in opposition to the inferior Netflix merger, and proceed with our intention to nominate a slate of directors at the upcoming WBD annual meeting.”
Television viewing hit a 12-month high in January 2026, according to Nielsen’s The Gauge. Cable captured the largest monthly viewing increase in January, accounting for 21.2% of total TV (+1.0 pt.). Cable sports viewing surged 49% over December, propelled by ESPN’s coverage of the College Football Playoffs, with ESPN alone seeing an 82% monthly viewing rise. Cable news jumped 13% versus December, largely driven by a 17% viewership gain for Fox News Channel, plus a 29% gain for CNN. Together, ESPN and Fox News comprised 21% of January’s cable viewing. On the streaming front, time spent viewing increased 2.7% month-over-month, with the category representing 47.0% of TV usage. |
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| Stephen Colbert was not alone in expressing frustration after CBS attorneys told him unequivocally that his interview with James Talarico, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in Texas, could not air as planned on Monday’s episode of “The Late Show.” Anna Gomez, the FCC’s sole Democratic commissioner, criticized the move, calling it “another troubling example of corporate capitulation amid this Administration’s broader effort to censor and control speech.” She added that the FCC lacks any legal authority to pressure broadcasters for political reasons or to foster an environment that suppresses free expression. The Talarico interview did stream on YouTube. |
 Fuse Media has partnered with Complex, the platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, to launch Complex TV. The FAST channel combines Fuse Media’s streaming network operating and monetization model with Complex’s authority across music, streetwear, art, sports, and entertainment. “Fuse Media is building a network portfolio around elite brands and talent that define culture,” said Patrick Courtney, Chief Business Officer at Fuse Media. “Complex TV is a natural extension of our strategy to create FAST experiences that resonate deeply with audiences and deliver meaningful value for advertisers and partners.”
Netflix is diving into MMA, with a fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano set for Saturday, May 16. It will be the streamer’s first live mixed martial arts broadcast.
Japan’s Nippon TV has launched Viral Pocket, a new division focused on the vertical video market. Viral Pocket will focus on three pillars: content IP development; end-to-end execution tailored for vertical formats; and marketing support. |
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Fox unveiled its spring 2026 premiere dates, starting Sunday, March 22 at 8p with event series “Women of the Bible.” Rob Lowe-hosted “The Floor” returns for season five on Wednesday, April 8 at 8p, while Monday, April 13 brings back “The 1% Club” at 8p for season two, and “The Quiz With Balls” for season three at 9p. Season 16 of “MasterChef” kicks off Wednesday, April 15 at 8p, with season four of “Farmer Wants a Wife” debuting Tuesday, April 21 at 8p, followed by the Fox premiere of “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” at 9p. “Running Wild” ran on NBC, then Nat Geo between 2014 and 2023.
“Heartbreak High” returns to Netflix for its third and final season on Wednesday, March 25. The Australian high school drama is a reboot of a 1994-99 Australian series.
“Standoff: The FBI, Power and Paranoia” premieres Sunday, March 22 at 9p on CNN. The series examines the high-risk relationship between FBI directors and the presidents they serve.
New series “Sugarbush Amish Mysteries” launches Thursday, April 23 at 9p on UPtv. Based on the Guideposts book series, the cozy mystery follows a woman who escapes to an Amish community after a failed engagement.
Anthony Anderson (“Black-ish”) is the focus of the seventh season of TV One’s “Uncensord,” debuting Thursday, February 18 at 8p.
A second season of Revry competition series “King of Drag” is planned for fall 2026. Season one drew more than 32 million views worldwide and sparked over 200 global watch parties.
Also coming back for season two is Prime Video’s “Deadloch.” The first two episodes of the crime comedy drop Friday, March 20.
Disney Jr. series “Sofia the First: Royal Magic” is headed for a May debut. The animated preschool show is set in the world of 2013-18 series “Sofia the First.”
“Crooked on MS NOW,” featuring content from Crooked Media podcasts like “Pod Save America,” kicks off Saturday, February 28 at 9p. |
Today’s Premieres
BritBox: Ten Pound Poms
Netflix: Being Gordon Ramsay
Paramount+: Wild Boys: Strangers in Town
Prime Video: 56 Days |
| PRODUCTION |
| Stephen Amell (“Arrow”) is the first actor to land a series regular role in Fox’s upcoming “Baywatch” reboot. “From the first conversation, Stephen Amell brought exactly what this new chapter of ‘Baywatch’ demands: heart, intensity, and that undeniable hero energy,” said showrunner and EP Matt Nix. The 12-episode series is set to premiere in the 2026-27 season.
Over at NBC, Damon Wayans Jr. (“New Girl”) will star in NBC pilot “Puzzled.” The drama is based on the novel The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni, about a man whose brain injury gives him the ability to see the world in an unexpected way.
Salla Kozma, founder of Pig & Horse Productions, announced the launch of Naru Force Studios, a Monaco-based media and technology company that will develop unscripted formats and IP designed for new first-party streaming apps, creator platforms, and social media distribution. |
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| TECH |
| Innovid announced the general availability of full Reddit ads management within its Social Ads Manager. The integration enables marketers to traffic creatives, set up campaigns, manage delivery, and measure and optimize performance for Reddit alongside major social platforms from a single environment. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Year two of the NTT Indycar Series on Fox launches the 2026 season with three events on consecutive weekends. The action begins with the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1, at 12p on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
FloSports will serve as the exclusive broadcast partner and media hub for high school track and field event, the 2026 Brooks PR Invitational. The partnership will include content and original programming building in the months leading up to the main event, with exclusive coverage streaming live on FloTrack on June 7.
The Harlem Globetrotters and VOSS have entered into a joint partnership making VOSS the sports organization’s hydration brand for North America leg of The 100 Year Tour. The partnership focuses on unique social content from the Harlem Globetrotters athletes. |
| COMING UP |
| “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” hits Disney+ on Tuesday, March 24, exactly two decades after its Disney Channel debut. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, the special will feature an interview with Miley Cyrus, hosted by Alex Cooper.
FMC remembers the late Robert Duvall with a “Lonesome Dove” marathon on Sunday, March 1 from 10a-6p. Duvall, who died February 15 at age 95, often said the miniseries in which he played Texas Ranger Augustus “Gus” McCrae was the “favorite” role of his career. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Fox Nation has launched on Prime Video as an add-on for $8.99/month. Programming includes more than 10,000 hours of original series, documentaries, and specials. |
| RATINGS |
| NBC’s telecast of the NBA All-Star Game drew 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and Telemundo, according to early Niesen data – the largest audience recorded for the games since 2011, when it aired on TNT. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus has appointed Mélanie Ratté to the newly created role of Head of Sales for Formats and French Programming & Content Partnerships.
All Sports News, the sports journalism division of the All-Sports Television Network, has appointed Ravi Teja Mandapaka as Bureau Chief and Correspondent, based in India. |
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This Day in History
1952 – The fourth Emmy Awards were broadcast. It was the first year national shows, in addition to those produced in the LA area, were considered.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Who played Ilana’s manager in season four of “Broad City” (2014-19)? RuPaul. Kudos to: Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Ken DuBow-DuBow Media Distribution/Amsterdam; Tom Moore-Kalt Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
The fifth season of which drama featured a WWE wrestler in a recurring role? (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.) |
PRINT TRAFFICKER AND TECHNICAL COORDINATOR >>
FILM FEST DC/WASHINGTON, DC: Coordinate direct communication between print sources and the festival to ensure the on-time inbound and outbound delivery of all film materials and work with venue staff to deliver and test each film and KDM. Request and collect KDMs for all encrypted DCPs and maintain a spreadsheet that contains all the aspects of the film. Full info HERE
MANAGER, MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS >>
TELEVISION ACADEMY/NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA:
Lead the execution of initiatives such as the Peer Circle program and Your Voice Matters, reviewing data to enhance program participation and ensure metrics are achieved; collaborate with the Senior Director of Engagement and Retention and stakeholders across marketing to manage delivery and optimization of the Member Benefits Perks newsletter. Full info HERE
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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