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| Thursday February 19, 2026 |
 IN THE NEWS |
| Netflix pacing to take nearly 10% of global CTV ad spend next year, with ad revenue forecast to double to $3 billion in 2026 and reach $8 billion by 2030, according to the latest Platform Insights report from WARC Media. “Netflix is expanding beyond video into a global entertainment hub,” said Celeste Huang, Media Insights Analyst, WARC Media, and author of the report. “It increasingly attracts ad dollars and share of market boosted by live sports, cultural events, Gen Z’s love for brand integrations, and is perceived to be trustworthy by both brands and viewers alike.” |
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Consumers aren’t paying less attention to advertising, they’re just more selective, according to Vistar Media’s State of Consumer Attention Report, which notes audiences actively tune out intrusive, overly personalized, or AI-labeled ads, yet respond strongly to bold, purposeful, and relevant creative. Key findings include:
· 53% of respondents said an ad sticks because it feels personally relevant; 69% cite humor, emotion, or entertainment; and 45% highlight creativity or unexpected elements.
· 43% report decreased trust in AI-labeled ads, with young audiences (16–28) most skeptical at 58%. 33% feel AI personalization is invasive, while 21% respond positively.
· Trust grows when creative reflects genuine human motivations – relevance, emotion, and cultural context – with AI used strategically to enhance smarter marketing decisions, not replace human creativity.
· 58% say authenticity matters more than celebrity, while only 4% prioritize fame.
· Creative resonates most when it reflects shared cultural moments, with humor (47%) and nostalgia (26%) leading performance.
Add Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix to the companies sending cease and desist letters to ByteDance over copyright infringement concerns. Wrote WBD legal head Wayne M. Smith to ByteDance Global General Counsel John Rogovin, his predecessor at WBD, “Given your history with Warner Bros., you understand the importance and value of Warner Bros. Discovery’s copyrighted works, including the famous copyrighted characters like Superman and Batman that you spent much of your career protecting.” Netflix warned ByteDance it “will not stand by and watch ByteDance treat our valued IP as free, public domain clip art.” The missives follow similar warnings from Paramount and Disney.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr denied censoring “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” but confirmed that the agency “has an enforcement action” underway after ABC daytime talk show “The View” featured Democratic Texas State Representative James Talarico, who is running for the US Senate. Colbert said on Monday that CBS lawyers had prohibited him from airing an interview with Talarico, on the grounds it violated equal time rules for interviews with political candidates. For his part, Carr denied having any involvement in barring Colbert’s interview with Talarico, telling reporters on Wednesday that he was “highly entertained” by the situation.
Norah O’Donnell is returning to “CBS Mornings” for three days next week, reuniting her with her former co-anchor Gayle King. O’Donnell co-anchored the morning show from 2012-19, before anchoring “CBS Evening News” until last year. O’Donnell is launching a tour for her new book, We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America.
In 2025, 52% of Netflix’s original TV season releases were non-English-language, according to research from Ampere Analysis. Spanish was the leading local language for TV releases, accounting for 21% of new originals, while Korean-language originals rose from 12% of non-English titles in 2024 to 20% in 2025. “Crossing the 52% threshold is a meaningful milestone for Netflix,” said Rahul Patel, principal analyst at Ampere Analysis. “For the first time, non-English-language titles now form the majority of its Original TV releases, highlighting how global and local content strategies are no longer peripheral, but central to the platform’s growth.” |
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CONVERGENT TV AWARDS
Who’s Defining Convergent TV?
The 2026 Convergent TV Awards finalists and special honorees have been announced.
On March 5 in NYC, we celebrate the leaders shaping streaming, measurement, and cross-screen innovation—then unveil the winners live.
VIEW FINALISTS & JOIN US IN NYC |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Great American Media is offering “40 Days of Scripture & Film,” faith-based films streaming on Great American Pure Flix. All Great American platforms (Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+) will feature new episodes from the mid-winter season 1 finale of “Crossroad Springs,” the premiere of the film Blessings in Disguise, and the return of season three of “When Hope Calls: Brookfield.” Great American Pure Flix and Great American Family will also feature daily Scripture connecting to the themes of each movie, with viewers invited to participate via digital and social platforms to share prayer requests and messages of gratitude.
Season three of Bravo’s “The Valley” debuts Wednesday, April 1 at 8p. “Vanderpump Rules” alums Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz join the reality action full time.
Fox News Media is launching a video podcast with Sean Hannity on Tuesday, March 3. Twice-weekly “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” will deliver long-form conversations with figures across culture, business, sports, politics, and more. “I’ve always been interested in how people got to where they are,” said Hannity. “The risks they took, the failures they pushed through, and the lessons that don’t make it on TV. This podcast is a chance to slow down and have those conversations, no scripts, no talking points, just real discussions with people who have something meaningful to say.”
“South West High,” set in an inner-city high school, premieres Monday, February 23 on Tubi. Former NBA player Jalen Rose stars as a former pro basketball player who returns to his alma mater as principal.
“Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution” premieres Tuesday, April 7 at 9p on PBS (check local listings). The two-parter reveals how losing America changed Britain forever. |
Today’s Premieres
HBO: Murder in Glitterball City
Hulu: Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman
Netflix: The Night Agent
PBS: The Puzzle Lady
Sundance: True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here at 10p
TV One: Uncensored at 8p |
| PRODUCTION |
 Adult Swim greenlit “My Two Cars,” described as “the only show brave enough to explore what happens when a man owns two cars and all the joy and frustration that comes with it.” The animated quarter-hour comedy comes from Dan Licata (“Saturday Night Live”) and Joe Pera (“Joe Pera Talks With You”). |
| CYNOPSIS SPORTS AWARDS
Recognizing What’s Next in Sports Media & Marketing
From new platforms and formats to creative campaigns and fan-first experiences, the Sports Awards honor the breakthroughs redefining how sports content is created and experienced.
Early pricing deadline next Friday, February 27.
VIEW CATEGORIES & ENTER NOW |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Want to get fleece-d? The Harlem Globetrotters and their licensed apparel partner Jerry Leigh have created a limited edition collection for Target. The Harlem Globetrotters 100th -Anniversary Capsule Collection features an assortment of fashion products that includes oversize graphic tees, pullover fleece, and fleece gym shorts.
FloSports has named Eclipse Claims Consulting as an official broadcast sponsor for FloRacing’s Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing and Lucas Oil Late Model Racing. The partnership will deliver brand visibility through live event coverage, advertising integrations, and on-site activations. |
| COMING UP |
| HBO documentary “Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare” debuts Tuesday, March 10 at 9p. The film reconstructs the nine harrowing days following the tsunami that threatened to unleash a nuclear catastrophe. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| MeTV is adding “The Golden Girls” to its lineup beginning Monday, March 16. The series will air two episodes back-to-back weeknights from 10 p-11p, Sundays at 6p and as a two-hour prime time block starting at 8p.
Banijay Rights announced that PBS Distribution in the US has acquired the first two seasons of drama “Bergerac” to launch on PBS in the US this year. The reboot is based on the original series that ran on BBC from1981-1991.
Streaming media company Stingray has launched four new channels on Pluto TV: ZenLIFE, Qello Concerts, TikTok Radio, and Stingray DJAZZ. |
| RATINGS |
| During January, Fox News Digital delivered its best month ever with over 187 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, according to Comscore. On YouTube, Fox News delivered 466 million videos, up 14% year-over-year, per Emplifi.
Sports platform OutKick also delivered year over year growth in January with 4.8 million total desktop and mobile unique visitors, up 4% versus the prior year, according to Comscore.
1.81 million Total Viewers saw Austin Hill win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opener on The CW. The event clocked the largest A18-49 audience (340,000) for an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race in nearly eight years. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Roku has named Patrick Harris as Senior Vice President of Global Media Revenue. Harris was previously President, Americas at Snap.
The E.W. Scripps Co. has named Oliver Gray as Vice President, Network Sports and Client Partnerships. Gray was most recently Head of East Coast Sales and Partnerships at Overtime.
Kristi Argyilan has been appointed to the Board of Directors at LiveRamp. Argyilan currently serves as Global Head of Advertising at Uber. |
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This Day in History
1942 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the detention and internment of all Japanese Americans on the West Coast.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
The fifth season of which drama featured a WWE wrestler in a recurring role? Adam Copeland appeared on “Vikings” (2013-21). Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What was Hulu’s first original scripted series? (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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