 IN THE NEWS |
Ad spend growth is expected to slow to 1.8% growth in April-May, down from 5.8% year-over-year growth for 1Q25, due to macroeconomic uncertainty. That’s according to Guideline, a provider of advertising data, which notes there are still categories driving significant growth. Retail Media is up 18%, driven by its clear connection to consumer purchase behavior, and digital media is growing at 9%, as marketers continue prioritizing channels that offer flexibility, shorter lead times and rapid feedback on performance. Other findings include:
• Traditional channels are on the decline, as spending on traditional media types are down 11%. Among media sub-types, local TV is down 24%.
• Among categories, Financial Services (+15%) shows notable resilience, while Automotive (-9%) highlights sensitivity to economic volatility.
• DoorDash, Uber, Reddit and Apple emerge as the fastest growing publishers, reflecting advertiser demands for platforms that deliver immediate and measurable impact. |
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| The two-hour season finale of CBS’ “Matlock” drew 5.60 million viewers and was the night’s #1 primetime program, according to Nielsen. Throughout the season, an average of 17 million viewers watched the detective drama on broadcast and streaming on Paramount+, making it the #1 new broadcast series and #2 broadcast series overall in multiplatform viewing.
Google plans to appeal a judge’s ruling last week that found the company holds an illegal monopoly on advertising technology. Google notes the judge delivered a “mixed decision” because the DOJ failed to show that Google’s advertising tools or acquisitions of DoubleClick and AdMeld were anticompetitive, reported Reuters on Friday. “We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, VP for Regulatory Affairs. “The Court found that our advertiser tools and our acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, don’t harm competition. We disagree with the Court’s decision regarding our publisher tools. Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective.” |
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MEDIA IMPACT AWARDS
New Awards Program for a New Era of Media
Cynopsis Media Impact Awards—spotlighting the platforms, products, and people transforming the business of media and advertising.
From ad tech and AI to measurement, data strategy, and brand safety, these awards celebrate the innovations redefining how we reach and engage audiences.
Part of Cynopsis’ ScreenShift (previously BIG TV Summit), this brand-new program honors those leading the charge in a $300B+ digital ad ecosystem.
If you’re building what’s next for the industry, this is your moment.
Enter now |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Animated series “Maul: Shadow Lord” is in production for Disney+, set to premiere in 2026. The news broke during LucasFilm Animation’s panel at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo.
Corey Stoll (“Billions”) has joined the cast of Apple TV+ psychological thriller “Imperfect Women,” based on the novel by Araminta Hall. Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington are starring and executive producing.
Hulu’s untitled titled true crime drama series about the Murdagh Murders now counts Kathleen Wilhoite (“Yellowstone”), Noah Emmerich (“The Big Cigar”) and Tommy Dewey (“Saturday Night”) among its cast. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| The premiere of Telemundo drama “Velvet El Nuevo Imperio,” based on 2014 hit “Velvet,” is set for Monday, May 19 at 9p. “’Velvet El Nuevo Imperio’ is not a continuation, it is a reinvention,” said Javier Pons, Chief Content Officer & Head of Telemundo Studios. “With a fresh narrative, unforgettable characters, and a star-studded cast, this contemporary retelling honors the original that fans fell in love with, while introducing the world of ‘Velvet’ to a whole new generation.”
Fist pump! “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” kicks off Thursday, May 29 at 8p on MTV. This season, the crew is celebrating 15 years since their first wild year in Seaside Heights.
Season two of “Conan O’Brien Must Go” launches Thursday, May 8 at 9p on Max. In the travel series, O’Brien experiences local cultures and connects with fans he previously met on his podcast.
Discovery’s “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing” returns Sunday, May 18 at 8p, with fan favorites returning to take on new challenges. |
Today’ Premieres
Acorn TV: The Brokenwood Mysteries
BritBox: This Farming Life
Fox: America’s Most Wanted at 9p
HGTV: Love It or List it at 10p
Lifetime: Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out at 10p
Netflix: Pangolin: Lulu’s Journey |
| DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
Cynopsis Trailer Park
Cynopsis Trailer Park is the ultimate platform to showcase new series, specials, and seasons while featuring the latest in advertising innovation.
This all-new opportunity offers:
– Captivating Sneak Peeks – Highlight must-watch content in an engaging, high-visibility format.
– Cutting-Edge Ad Solutions – Leverage personalization, interactivity, and dynamic ad insertion to enhance audience engagement.
– Immersive Brand Messaging – Amplify your promotion with video, text, and infographics for a fully integrated experience.
Be among the first to take advantage of this exclusive promotional platform.
Contact Amy Abbey for more details or to secure your spot! |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| FloSports will debut its coverage of the Wanda Diamond League track and field content starting Saturday, April 26. The coverage begins in Xiamen China. |
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This Day in History
1986 – In a live TV special, Geraldo Rivera opened a vault that was found in the former headquarters Al Capone, only to show 30 million TV that it was empty.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
How was the title character in “All in the Family” spin-off “Maude” (1972-78) related to Edith Bunker? Maude was Edith’s cousin. Kudos to: Jackie Howell-Nexstar WCMH-TV/Columbus, OH; Ray Mendelsohn-FanDuel Sports Network/Cincinnati; Perry Casciato-CBS Television Stations/Philadelphia; John Kukla-KDFX Fox 4/Dallas; John W Burshtan-Water Plant Productions/LA; Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago; Darren Wadyko-Margate and Chandler/LA; Peter Steckelman-Tennis Channel/Santa Monica, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcoms, one in 1978 and one in 1986, had the same name? (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.) |
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
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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