 IN THE NEWS |
 Sony Pictures Television is soliciting bids from media and tech companies for streaming rights to “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” Episodes of the popular daytime warhorses would likely begin streaming in September, the day after they air in syndication.
Tom Cibrowksi has been named President and Executive Editor of CBS News. Cibrowski is currently the President and GM of KGO-TV, the Disney-owned television station in San Francisco. During his tenure at Disney, Cibrowski served as SVP of ABC News Programs, News Gathering and Special Events. “Tom brings a clear vision, fresh perspective and competitive edge that will serve us well here at CBS News,” said Wendy McMahon, President/CEO of CBS News and Television Stations and CBS Media Ventures. “From bringing GMA to #1 to his vast international experience, I have no doubt he will lead CBS News to new heights.” Cibrowski succeeds Adrienne Roark, who left the company to take the role of Chief Content Officer at Tegna.
NBCUniversal is looking to launch a mobile-first news outlet, said Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCU’s news operations, speaking at an event on Thursday. It’s expected the service would offer the kinds of short-form vides favored by younger viewers.
Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t meet analysts’ forecast for revenue, but streaming was a bright spot. The company added 6.4 million streaming subscribers, for a total of 116.9 million for Max, and the division posted a profit.
DIRECTV is introducing three new genre packs. MyEntertainment ($34.99/month) offers 43 channels such as A&E, Bravo, Discovery, Food Network, Lifetime, as well as Disney+ and Hulu with ads. MyNews ($39.99/month) includes content from 14 national and local channels, including BBC World News, CNBC, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax. And MiEspañol has 64 channels, among them CNN En Español, Discovery En Español, ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, SONY Cine, and national Telemundo and Univision feeds, as well as Vix+. |
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CTV Connect 2025
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Retail media is reshaping digital advertising, and shoppable TV is unlocking new ways to reach consumers at the point of purchase. But with great opportunity comes big challenges—data privacy, seamless transactions, and evolving tech are all in play.
Join industry experts from Horizon Media, Uber Advertising, Annalect, and Advertiser Perceptions as they break down what’s next in CTV-driven commerce.
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| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Oscar Nunez has joined the Peacock mockumentary series known as the Untitled Greg Daniels/Michael Koman Project. The show is set in the universe of “The Office,” and Nunez will reprise the role he played in that 2005-13 comedy, Oscar Martinez.
Sharon Stone is onboard season three of HBO’s “Euphoria.” “There is little more exciting than going to work with this team of thrilling talent,” said the “Basic Instinct” star. “I am honored to be Euphoric.” |
 Production has commenced on HBO Original drama series “Lantern” on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank. The series, based on DC title “Green Lantern,” follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery. |
| RENEWALS |
| Gordon Ramsay cooking competition “Next Level Chef” has been renewed for seasons five and six, and the series’ first franchise extension, “Next Level Baker” has been greenlit for season one. “’Next Level Chef’ consistently raises the bar of culinary excellence as a high stakes food competition fans love, an invaluable franchise for Fox and an increasingly popular global format,” said Michael Thorn, President, Fox Television Network.
OWN dating series “The Never Ever Mets” returns for its second season on Friday, April 4 at 8p. Seven new couples who have built love connections online but have never met in person will spend three weeks together in a lush LA villa.
“Alma’s Way” has received the greenlight from PBS KIDS for season three. The new season will feature 15 half-hour episodes, including a 22-minute musical special. |
 Apple TV+ handed an eight-episode season two order for German-language dark comedy “Where’s Wanda?,” produced by UFA Fiction. The series stars Heike Makatsch (“Love Actually”), Axel Stein (“The Vault”), Lea Drinda (“The Gryphon”) and Leo Simon.
Disney Branded Television has ordered a fifth season of Disney Jr. and Marvel’s preschool hit “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends.” |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| New Discovery series “Filthy Fortunes,” following “King of Hoards” Matt Paxton as he travels around the country in search of rare, big-ticket items hidden in filthy homes, premieres Sunday, March 9 at 10p.
“Lazarus,” from anime legend Shinichirō Watanabe (“Cowboy Bebop”), will premiere Saturday, April 5 at midnight on Adult Swim during the network’s Toonami action/anime block.
Season two of “The Rehearsal” kicks off Sunday, April 20 at 10p on HBO, following “The Righteous Gemstones.”
A&E’s “Stadium Lockup,” centered on the security team at the Cleveland Browns’ stadium in Ohio, makes its debut Wednesday, March 19 at 9p. |
Today’ Premieres
Max: Toad and Friends
Netflix: Ataina: Metamorphosis; Roosters; Tuiskoms; Dabba Cartel
Saturday’s Premieres
A&E: Million Dollar Zombie Flips at 11a
Netflix: The Potato Lab
Sunday’s Premieres
Food Network: Tournament of Champions at 8p
MGM+: Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue
Nat Geo: Malawi Wildlife Rescue at 9p |
| COMING UP |
| In celebration of Women’s History Month this spring, a documentary on the life of a pioneering journalist, high-ranking White House aide, and women’s rights leader, “Shaking It Up: The Life & Times of Liz Carpenter,” will premiere on public television stations starting Saturday, March 1.
Diva alert: Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality” reunion on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” premieres Thursday, March 6 at 10p.
Who needs a parade? FMC celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a mini-marathon of three film classics: “The Quiet Man” (1952), “Three Cheers for the Irish” (1940), and “How Green Was My Valley” (1941) on Monday, March 17 at 6p. |
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| Cynopsis Media Summit
Breaking News: BIG TV Summit who?
You heard it here first—we are pleased to present the 2025 Cynopsis Media Summit!
Launching March 3rd, we’re bringing you fresh content, a fully-interactive program, top industry speakers, and new opportunities to build your network.
Stay tuned for more details— we can’t wait to share them!
Interested in sponsoring Cynopsis Media Summit?
Contact Amy Abbey at [email protected] or 410.979.0171 |
| THINK FAST |
| Future Today is teaming with the Bold Baking Network to launch a 24/7 baking FAST channel. “The creator economy is revolutionizing how we deliver premium entertainment, and the Bold Baking Network represents the next evolution in culinary content,” said Vikrant Mathur, Co-Founder of Future Today. “This isn’t just another cooking channel – it’s a creator-driven platform that transforms how people experience and engage with baking entertainment.” |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Sponsorship deals in women’s sports grew at a 12% year-over-year rate, outpacing the 8% YoY growth across the five major men’s professional leagues, according to SponsorUnited’s Women in Sports Marketing Partnerships 2024-2025 Report. “We’re seeing an accelerating cycle of investment in women’s sports that’s reshaping the marketplace,” said Bob Lynch, Founder and CEO of SponsorUnited. “Major brands are scaling their investments and forming deeper, more sophisticated partnerships with leagues and athletes. Meanwhile, star players are driving unprecedented visibility through endorsement deals, further reinforcing the commercial power of women’s sports…. The competition to establish a foothold in this space is only intensifying, fueling a flywheel effect that shows no signs of slowing down.”
Interest in the Boston Red Sox on NESN surged during the start of 2025 Spring Training – the first three games of Spring Training had a 62% increase in total multi-platform minutes watched over the first three games of 2024, a lift is across linear, FAST, and DTC streaming. |
| TECH |
| AI-driven creative data solution CreativeX announced a partnership and integration with Pinterest that allows advertisers to assess and enhance their Pinterest ad creative, ensuring it meets platform-recommended strategies and their own distinct best practices. “AI is dramatically improving our ad products, which leads to a better user experience, more actionability, and improved campaign results,” said Katie Dombrowski, VP, CPG Partnerships at Pinterest. “We’re excited to now offer our clients a new way to optimize their Pinterest campaigns.” |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Fox Corporation has named Pete Distad as CEO of the recently announced Fox direct-to-consumer streaming platform. Distad, who served as an executive at Apple for a decade following six years at Hulu, transitions to FOX from his most recent role as CEO of Venu Sports.
Blue Ant Media announced three promotions. Jamie Schouela has been named Chief Operating Officer, Carlyn Staudt is now President, Global Channels and Streaming, and Mitch Dent has assumed the role of President, Canadian Media. |
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This Day in History
1883 – The first US vaudeville theater opened, in Boston.
Friday Fun Fact
A blob of toothpaste on a toothbrush is called a nurdle.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which short-lived sitcom focused on a man who finds that the people from one of his favorite shows, which has been canceled, have moved next door? “Hi Honey, I’m Home” (1991-92). Kudos to: Jim Kelly-Jim Kelly Consulting/Central Islip, NY; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom ran for five seasons on NBC and moved to CBS for its final season, with a name change and leading star switch during its run? (Email answers to [email protected] and include your name, company and city. Answers limited to four per time zone.) |
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