 IN THE NEWS |
| A bipartisan group of former FCC chairs and commissioners have filed comments objecting to the current FCC’s investigation into allegations of “news distortion” by CBS for a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris last fall. “By reopening this complaint, the Commission is signaling to broadcasters that it will indeed act at the behest of the White House by closely scrutinizing the content of news coverage and threatening the regulatory licenses of broadcasters whose news outlets produce coverage that does not pass muster in the President’s view,” the filing said. “We recommend the Commission reverse course, closing this proceeding without further action and reaffirming its long-held commitment to acting as an independent agency rather than the White House’s personal censor.”
Are live sports worth the money poured into them? According to a survey from Looper Insights, 56% of consumers say sports won’t impact their streaming subscription decisions, while 25% claim they will stay subscribed because of sports. But 57% of industry leaders surveyed say live sports are equally valuable for attracting and keeping subscribers. And don’t count out traditional TV: 35% of consumers still prefer watching live sports on cable/satellite, while 33% prefer watching live sports on streaming services, and 32% turn to free streaming or social media. Industry executives expressed confidence that that streaming will fully replace traditional TV for live sports, with 57% believing this shift will happen within the next 5-10 years. |
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| “With billions pouring into sports rights, our latest report suggests the industry may be overestimating consumer demand,” said Lucas Bertrand, CEO and founder of Looper Insights. “While many media executives see sports as a major driver of streaming growth, 56% of consumers say it won’t influence their subscription choices, and more than half refuse to pay for multiple sports services. Add to that the rise of free, ad-supported alternatives, and we’re looking at a potential sports streaming bubble that may soon burst.”
“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” has been renewed for season two. The show’s first episode became Disney Channel’s most-watched series premiere ever on Disney, collecting 3.2 million global views in the first 12 days.
NewsNation and The Hill have struck an agreement with Decision Desk HQ to cover the 2025 and 2026 election cycles. Decision Desk HQ will provide NewsNation and The Hill with exclusive election data, voter analysis, polling information, and other insights, and on election day will once again join NewsNation to make race projections. The new agreement builds upon DDHQ’s collaboration with NewsNation in 2024, when the network became the first television news organization to project that former President Donald Trump would win a second term.
Social media platforms may be establishing a “new center of gravity” for media and entertainment, drawing more of people’s time spent viewing entertainment and the money that brands spend to reach them. That’s according to Deloitte’s 2025 Digital Media Trends report, which includes a survey that reveals that media and entertainment companies, including advertisers, are competing for an average of six hours of daily media and entertainment time per person. Age matters: 56% of Gen Zs and 43% of millennials surveyed report that social media content is more relevant to them than traditional content like TV shows and movies. Gen Zs spend 54% more time—or about 50 minutes more—than the average consumer per day on social platforms and watching UGC; and 26% less time—or about 44 minutes less per day—than the average person watching TV and movies. Concludes Deloitte: Get creative and publish to social platforms. Social video can help lift TV and movies. |
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 Streaming service Max has a new logo color, swapping bright blue and white for black, white and gray – making it look more like HBO’s brand mark. Max was launched in 2020, replacing HBO Max.
Netflix is streaming its hit drama series “Adolescence” for free to secondary schools across the UK. The goal is to spark conversations about harmful content on social media, and the move has been welcomed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you — it hit home hard,” Starmer said. “It’s an important initiative to encourage as many pupils as possible to watch the show. As I see from my own children, openly talking about changes in how they communicate, the content they’re seeing and exploring the conversations they’re having with their peers is vital if we are to properly support them in navigating contemporary challenges, and deal with malign influences.”
Newsmax stock made a big splash its first day trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. Shares of the cable TV news network started at $14, up from its $10 IPO price, then spiked to as high as $82.25, with trading halted multiple times due to volatility.
Samsung Ads has launched Samsung Game Breaks interactive ad formats, aimed at creating accessible gaming experiences in different formats within its ecosystem of services and devices. Trivia game “The Six” will be the first of a portfolio of games designed to transform passive ad breaks into brand-driven gameplay, with opportunities for brands to engage audiences through interactive, high-performance ad experiences. “GameBreaks: The Six’ is just the beginning,” said Travis Howe, VP, Global Head of New Product Solutions. “We’re combining our unmatched scale with interactive technology to give brands an entirely new, high-impact way to engage audiences.”
CrimeCon has added its first scripted category, “Scripted TV Series,” for the 2025 CLUE Awards. Until now, the show has focused on true crime content. |
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DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
Maximize Your Impact at the 2025 Upfronts
The 2025 Upfronts are the ultimate stage for brands to showcase innovation and leadership in media. With branding, newsletters, eblasts, and custom content, Cynopsis offers unmatched opportunities to connect with key players in the industry.
New this year: Virtual Upfront Summaries! Share your presentation highlights during a 7-min live to Cynopsis’ 85k audience.
Contact Amy Abbey at aabbey@accessintel.com or 410.979.0171 to secure your spot and make your mark! |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| “Baldoni vs. Lively: A Hollywood Feud” (w/t) is in the works for Discovery+. The true crime series, slated for a June debut, follows (in case you live under a rock) the legal battle between “It Ends With Us” star and director Justin Baldoni and his co-star, Blake Lively.
Production on HBO drama “House of the Dragon has begun in the UK, and there are some new faces onboard: Tommy Flanagan (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Dan Fogler (“Fantastic Beasts” series), along with previously announced new cast member James Norton (“Happy Valley”).
Italian entertainment group Rainbow has announced that its new action series, “Gormiti – The New Era” will make its UK debut on CBBC and iPlayer in Spring 2025. The adventure series has been reinvented as a live-action series with CGI effects.
Casting notes: Cristin Milioti (“How I Met Your. Mother”) has joined the cast of FX drama pilot “Seven Sisters”…Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”) is onboard HBO’s upcoming drama series “Lanterns,” based on DC’s Green Lantern comic. Fillion’s no stranger to the franchise – he’s voiced Green Lantern character Hal Jordan in animated shows….Kal Penn (“Designated Survivor”), Charlie Heaton (“Stranger Things”) and Claire Forlani (“Departure”) have joined HBO’s “Industry.” |
| NEW & RETURNING SHOWS |
 “Chief of War,” an Apple TV+ drama starring, executive produced and written by Jason Momoa, kicks off with the first two episodes on Friday, August 1, followed by new episodes every Friday through September 19. The series follows the unification and colonization of Hawai’i from an indigenous point of view.
Unscripted Hallmark Channel series “The Motherhood” launches Monday, May 5. In the net’s first transformational series, host Connie Britton (“Nashville”), who also created the show, connects with other single mothers and helps them improve their lives. “Hallmark brings a unique dynamic to the unscripted genre that is largely untouched across the industry,” said Hallmark Media Head of Unscripted, David Stefanou. “The stories we tell live and breathe universal themes of care, connection, family, and heart.” |
Today’ Premieres
BritBox: Would I Lie to You?
Discovery: Street Outlaws: Locals Only at 8p
History: The Death Coast at 10p |
SPORTS MEDIA AWARDS
Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities – Sports Media Awards
Align your brand with the biggest names in sports media at the 2025 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards! This is your chance to secure premium brand positioning and connect with top executives, decision-makers, and innovators in the industry.
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| COMING UP |
| In celebration of Earth Day, TV5MONDE will feature series and films this month including caribou-focused documentary “Atik, gardien du territoire” on Thursday, April 17 at 3p.
Shudder, AMC Networks’ horror streaming service, will mark its 10-year anniversary with fan events, customized merchandise and more. Shudder 10 will kick off during the streamer’s annual “Halfway to Halloween” horror-thon. “Shudder perfectly represents our targeted streaming approach, offering a deep and highly-curated selection of films and series programmed by horror superfans for all horror fans,” said Courtney Thomasma, EVP of Linear and Streaming Products at AMC Networks. “As horror continues to grow in popularity, Shudder is leading the charge.” |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Spectrum TV Select customers now have access to ad-supported AMC+ at no extra cost. AMC+’s inclusion in Spectrum video packages was part of the Companies’ early, multi-year, programming renewal agreement that was announced last September.
Free streaming service Local Now is adding The Joel Osteen Network. The FAST channel features Pastor Joel Osteen’s sermons, original programming, and special events from Lakewood Church. |
 Sox Entertainment has closed deals in markets covering nearly 95% of the country for Prime Video’s “Tribunal Justice,” with major broadcast groups including Nexstar, Gray, Sinclair, Tegna, Hearst, Sunbeam, Cox Media, Scripps, Weigel, Mission, News Press and Marquee. “’Tribunal Justice’s’ successful syndication launch was further validation that the streaming to broadcast syndication model is vibrant,” said Sox’s Scott Koondel. “With eight series being cancelled this year. ‘Judy Justice has been the only successful syndication launch for many years and has paved a path of success for Tribunal Justice.”
FilmRise has entered into an agreement with Bloomberg to distribute “Bloomberg Originals” on Amazon Prime Channels VOD. The deal includes 18 series.
WTFN has agreed a deal with long-term partner Nine to collaborate on global FAST and VOD platforms, starting with the creation of a new channel called Real Emergency. The FAST channel, which will feature two of the 9Network’s long-running returning series, will launch on 9Now in Australia in 2Q25 and will also be distributed to major FAST platforms worldwide. |
| TECH |
| Circana, Paramount and iSpot are collaborating to bring “always-on” sales and conversion measurement to consumer packaged goods advertisers. Starting in 2Q25, all CPG brands advertising on Paramount’s linear and digital channels will have access to continuous, transparent performance measurement, bridging the gap between in-store sales and advertising investment. “Always-on attribution measurement done at scale, across platforms, isn’t just a fast way to track and justify investments, it’s a better way for both the buy and sell side to drive revenue and deliver more impactful ad experiences,” said Lindsey Woodland, SVP of Client Data Science, iSpot. “Outcomes at scale move performance tracking closer to the point of transaction and broaden the tent to include brands and products of all sizes that don’t always have the time and resources to perform a rapid analysis on impact.”
Digital data and market intelligence company SimilarWeb has acquired The Search Monitor, an ad monitoring company that supports affiliate compliance solutions for paid search. “Combining The Search Monitor’s capabilities with Similarweb’s rich digital intelligence enables us to deliver a more complete, market-ready solution for performance marketers,” said Maoz Lakovski, Chief Business Officer at Similarweb. “As digital ad environments become more complex, this move allows us to help customers achieve greater control, transparency, and ROI across their paid media investments.”
Plex has started rolling out its new mobile app to all users. In addition to an expanded use of artwork throughout the app, updates include streamlining the user menu, where users can quickly access personalized details, and a dedicated tab for centralized personal media libraries. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Amagi, a cloud-based SaaS solutions provider, is assisting sports platform Sports Studio, as a technology, content, and monetization partner. As part of the engagement, Amagi has provided Sports Studio with cloud streaming and monetization solutions for seamless channel distribution.
Peter Schrager said goodbye to NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” after nine years. Schrager was one of the original members of the sports show.
The Seattle Storm struck a new multi-year partnership with KOMO (ABC) and KUNS (CW), making the local Sinclair affiliates the official television broadcast home of the WNBA champs. This deal is the local network’s first with a women’s professional league and will offer expanded coverage.
Eli Lilly and Company will serve as the title sponsor of this year’s Women’s College All-Star Game. Lilly’s commitment includes the creation of the inaugural Lilly Women’s College All-Star Combine, allowing dozens of prospective professional athletes the opportunity to test, train and compete in front of scouts ahead of the WNBA Draft on April 14. |
| RATINGS |
| Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” finished season 12 as the #1 most-watched program this year to-date on entertainment cable among Households, Women 18+, Persons 18+, and Total Viewers. The season reached 6.1 million Total Unduplicated viewers.
Spectrum News averaged 1.9 million daily viewing households across its linear and digital platforms in March, according to Niesen, to rank as the most-watched news network among Spectrum households for the month.
Week three of Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship” averaged a 0.59 P25-54 / 0.92 W25-54 Live+3 rating, posting gains of +20% and +30% respectively vs. its first two weeks; up +37% and +53% vs prior six-weeks as well as up +26% and +28% vs year-ago timeslot benchmarks. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Basis Technologies has appointed Mark McEachran as VP of product – DSP. McEachran was most recently SVP of product at YieldMo.
Nicole Stetter has been named Head of Creative at Saylor. Stetter previously held roles at Little Dot Studios, BOND and WarnerMedia. |
This Day in History
2004 – Google launched Gmail.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which series did Muhammad Ali, Celine Dion and Sally Ride guest star as themselves? “Touched by an Angel” (1984-2003). Kudos to: Debbie Supnik-SOFA Entertainment/West Hollywood, CA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What was the name of the precinct bowling team on “Hill Street Blues” (1981-87)? (Email your answer to trivia@cynopsis.com and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.) |
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
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DIRECT RESPONSE >>
OPPORTUNITY MEDIA/NY(REMOTE/HYBRID): Seeking an energetic achiever with excellent written & organizational skills for role to assist in growing revenue for dynamic Direct Response Team: required: BA Degree, Min 2 yrs DR Experience. Wide Orbit Exp a +. 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
DIGITAL MEDIA PLANNER/BUYER >>
BEACON MEDIA GROUP/ LYNDHURST, NJ: Management of paid social media campaigns, strong written & verbal communication skills, knowledge of various targeting methodologies, and basic understanding of traditional media. Familiarity with media planning and buying software. Proficient in website analytics tools. Experience in pixel implementation and conversion tracking. Full info HERE
VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS AFFAIRS >>
HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP/CHARLOTTE, NC: Focus on FCC compliance, brand integrity for all current series and day-to-day business affairs for development and production. Strategize with management and outside counsel on business issues, and draft, review and execute various short-form business documents. Legal background and/or related media experience is required. 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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