 IN THE NEWS |
Only 30% of agencies, brands, and publishers have fully integrated AI across the media campaign lifecycle, according to IAB’s “State of Data 2025: The Now, The Near and the Next Evolution of AI for Media Companies.” Additional takeaways include:
– Two-thirds of companies cite issues with data quality, protection, and tool fragmentation as major obstacles.
– Job security concerns are minimal (37%), with the focus on building a solid AI foundation.
– A phased AI adoption approach is needed, focusing on secure data, best practices, and industry collaboration.
“The explosion of generative and agentic AI solutions will radically alter the entire digital media ecosystem. AI will soon power every aspect of media campaigns, not to mention its impact on the creative process,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. “We must fundamentally rethink how agencies, brands, platforms and publishers work — which is both incredibly exciting and challenging at the same time.” |
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| Cox Media Stations might be on the market. Bloomberg reports Apollo Global Management has hired an investment bank to explore a possible sale of the company’s TV and radio stations, which have drawn interest from Nextstar Media Group and Gray Media, among others.
Future Today is expanding its partnership with Shout! Studios to launch three new free, ad-supported apps across most major streaming devices. Over 2,500 hours of content will be available both through a FAST as well as AVOD experiences. Future Today’s flagship streaming platform, which currently runs approximately 400 streaming apps, will be used to launch the new destinations including a mix of IP-based and genre-based apps. The new lineup consists of Shout! Movies; Scream Factory TV; and Wild West TV.
Curiosity University’s lineup of lectures, documentaries, and courses is now available on The Roku Channel. “Partnering with Roku is a pivotal step in Curiosity’s commitment to making learning a lifelong journey for everyone,” said Jay Sodha, Curiosity’s VP of Business Development and Partnerships. “Roku’s extensive reach and commitment to innovation make it the perfect platform for Curiosity University.”
A hit YouTube series has landed on Roku – Alan Chikin Chow’s “Alan’s Universe” is now available on the platform. It’s the first time the creator’s content has been available outside of YouTube, where it has over 80 million subs.
Reed Hastings has given his alma mater, Bowdoin College, a cool $50 million to support a new initiative around AI. “This donation seeks to advance Bowdoin’s mission of cultivating wisdom for the common good by deepening the college’s engagement with one of humanity’s most transformative developments: artificial intelligence,” said Netflix’s founder and Executive Chairman. “We aim to develop leaders who can be ‘at home’ in both the present and future technological landscape.” The gift is the largest in Bowdoin’s history.
Warner Bros. Discovery is taking a 30% stake in OSN Group’s streaming business in the Middle East. OSN has an exclusive output deal in the region with HBO. “It’s our goal to tell the greatest stories, whilst innovating our products and distribution channels,” said Jamie Cooke, WBD’s EVP and Managing Eirector of Central Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. “OSN has been a great partner and custodian of our content, making this union partnership a natural step for WBD.” The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
What did Coresight Research learn from the CTV Connect event this month? For starters, Even the giants covet data transparency and measurement; over-frequency can be necessary; currency wars” are far from over; and the “linear TV vs. streaming” debate continues, with “spill-in” and frequency being hot topics. To read the complete report, go here. If you missed CTV Connect, you’ll have another chance to hear fresh approaches, strategies and solutions at Cynopsis Media Summit in September.
Fred Rogers Productions has partnered with Milton Hershey School on a six-month digital sponsorship for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The partnership runs through July 2025 and consists of 15-second spots and display banners. |
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| CTV CONNECT 2025
Watch On Demand!
That’s a wrap on CTV Connect 2025—but if you missed it, we’ve got you covered!
Discover how major brands are shifting ad dollars from linear to streaming, why CTV is the biggest ad channel for Inspire Brands this year, and what’s next for transparency, measurement, and scale.
Don’t miss out on the conversations shaping the future of CTV—watch on demand today!
Visit our site to purchase access today! |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
 A second season of game show “The Perfect Line” has been given the greenlight by CBS Media Ventures, and “Flip Side” has also been renewed for a sophomore run in national syndication. Anchored by CBS Stations group, which previously picked up the show, “The Perfect Line” is now sold to broadcast stations in 90% of the country. Deborah Norville (“Inside Edition) serves as host. “Flip Side,” hosted by Jaleel White and cleared on stations in 95% of the country, is averaging 1.01 million viewers season to date, ranking #4 among syndicated game shows, after “Wheel of Fortune, “Jeopardy!” and “Family Feud.”
Hulu handed a series order to a drama written and executive produced by Liz Meriweather (“New Girl”), with Emmy Rossum (Shameless) executive producing and in talks to star as an FBI agent. |
 Hallmark Media has renewed “When Calls the Heart” for season 13. “Hearties are far more than a fan-base — they are a connected community, as loyal and supportive as the characters of Hope Valley,” said Hallmark Media’s SVP, Programming Samantha DiPippo. “It is an honor to tell stories of hope, resilience, humor and romance that continue to resonate with millions of viewers.”
Blue Ant Media, a privately owned company controlled by Michael MacMillan, has entered into a definitive agreement that will have Blue Ant go public via a reverse take-over of Boat Rocker Media.
Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia and Law Roach are set to join Heidi Klum for Season 21 of “Project Runway,” which began production on Monday The season is slated to air this summer on Disney+, Hulu and Freeform. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| “The Future of Nature” premieres tomorrow, March 26 at 10p on PBS. The four-parter is narrated by Uma Thurman. |
Today’ Premieres
ABC: Bad Romance at 10p
Fox: Alert: Missing Person’s Unit at 9p
Hulu: Big Boys
Prime Video: First to the Finish |
| CABLE AND BROADBAND JOBS
Find Top Talent with Cable & Broadband Jobs in 2025!
Looking for the perfect candidate? Cable & Broadband Jobs connects you with industry-specific professionals through targeted outreach and high-impact engagement.
Advertise on Cynopsis’ most-visited job page and put your open roles in front of the right audience. Don’t miss out—start hiring today!
Contact Carley to Get Started! |
| ADVERTISING |
| LGBTQIA+ consumers are more likely than other consumers to engage with interactive and targeted advertising, according to new Horowitz report, “State of Media, Entertainment, and Tech: FOCUS LGBTQIA+.” Fifty-two percent of LGBTQIA+ consumers say they have clicked on an ad from a brand that shows up on their media feed, compared to 44% of consumers overall. They also lean toward social media for content and advertising that feels more welcoming and relatable – 51% of LGBTQIA+ consumers are more likely to feel that social media is for people like themselves than traditional media (37%). |
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| Shoppable TV is on the rise, but it’s not for everyone. A successful campaign strategy segments viewers and crafts targeted campaigns that resonate with their preferences, notes a new survey from Origin. For technology lovers, go all out with interactive ads and personalized recommendations, advises Origin. But for the more traditional shoppers, offer a gentle introduction to shoppable TV that highlights its convenience, while inspiring a quick online search or trip to the store.
Spherex has expanded its flagship product, SpherexAI, to power contextual advertising. The new feature enables advertisers to target audiences more precisely based on the cultural and emotional context surrounding the content they are viewing. SpherexAI also allows advertisers to deliver more relevant ads within content, adding to cultural sensitivity and brand safety. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Anime streaming service Hidive is now available on Amazon Prime Video Channels as a monthly ad-free add-on subscription in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The company has additionally expanded its distribution in the United States, bringing the app to several CTV partners including Samsung, LG and VIZIO.
All3Media International has signed deals for New Pictures’ thriller “Protection,” set in the world of witness protection, to BritBox for the US and English-speaking Canada, Stan in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, and ABC for Australia and New Zealand. BBC Studios has picked up “Protection” in a pan-territory deal covering Asia, India and the Indian subcontinent. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Nathanial Brown has taken the role of Chief Brand and Communications Officer at TikTok. Brown departed Warner Bros. Discovery, where he was Chief Communications Officer, last year.
Amanda Wills is onboard CNN as Group SVP and Chief Content Officer. Wills was previously Chief Content Officer of Video at The Wall Street Journal.
Seven.One Studios International has appointed Fleur Wheatley to the role of VP Sales for the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Wheatley joins the company from Serial Maven Studios, where she led sales initiatives across the UK, Nordics, and Benelux.
AJ Jones has joined Monumental Sports & Entertainment as EVP, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer. Jones joins MSE from Starbucks Coffee Company, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
Eli Baldrige has been promoted to EVP, Development at A. Smith & Co. Most recently, Baldridge led the development on Max and Magnolia Network’s series “Human vs Hamster” and Roku’s “WWE: Next Gen.”
Kate Hamill has been hired as VP of Enterprise Sales in North America at Pinterest. Hamill was most recently Managing Director of Industry of Retail & Ecommerce at Meta.
Former Flashtalking CEO John Nardone has been appointed to the same role at Connatix.
FloSports has named Seth Hart as SVP of Integrated Partnerships. Most recently, Hart served as Global SVP at Footballco. |
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This Day in History
1669 – Mount Etna in Sicily erupted, killing 20,000.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Patrick Duffy and Angela Lansbury guested on the same episode of which sitcom? “Newhart” (1982-1990). Kudos to: Rory Rosegarten-The Conversation Company/Manhasset, NY; Barbara Capella Loehr-Equal Opportunity Publications/Melville, NY; Rick Dascher-Haberdaschery Creative/Atlanta; Eric Dunefsky-Crossmedia/NYC; Wendy Holmes/Denver; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA: Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
In which series did Morgan Fairchild have the role Joan Collins played in the TV movie on which the show was based? (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.) |
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