 IN THE NEWS |
Streaming isn’t just an alternative to traditional TV – it’s the primary way Americans watch video content, according to Adtaxi’s “2025 Streaming TV Survey.” The report indicates 70% of US adults select a streaming service as their default viewing choice. Findings include:
· 64.8% of US adults watch video content on smartphones or mobile devices, making it the most popular screen for streaming. Consumers now use an average of three different screens to watch content.
· The average household subscribes to 3.3 paid streaming services while also using 2.7 free, ad-supported platforms.
· While streaming dominates, some viewers hold onto traditional TV for live events like sports and news. However, just 7.1% of Americans report no digital consumption at all.
· The average household now spends roughly $50 per month on streaming subscriptions.
“As of 2024, streaming TV had fully crossed into the mainstream. For advertisers, it’s no longer a complementary channel to broadcast and cable—it’s the foundation of any media plan built to reach today’s audiences,” said Adtaxi Director of Research Murry Woronoff. “For 2025 and beyond, brands must lead with digital-first, video-centric strategies to capture attention, drive engagement, and influence purchase decisions across every generation.”
National US broadcast and cable TV advertising revenue declined 7% to $6.7 billion in 1Q25 amid economic uncertainty, according MoffettNathanson Research. Cable revenue slipped 9.2% to $3.4 billion, while broadcast was down 4.6%, to $3.3 billion. Fox Corp. bucked the trend with help from Fox News and Super Bowl advertising, with cable up 10% to $326 million, and broadcast seeing a 114% lift, to $1.0 billion. Total US streaming ad revenue was up 26% to $3.6 billion for the first quarter, led by Disney+ (up 98% to $197 million).
Omnicom Media Group is consolidating its global influencer marketing capabilities under one brand, to better match creators with campaigns and enable more precise planning and measurement. “With influencers playing an outsized role in how consumers discover, experience and ultimately choose a brand, we’re bringing together the deep capabilities that we have built in this space – across all of our regions – under a single brand and approach to ensure that every client, in every market can access the same industry-leading talent, tools and technology to build influencer partnerships that unlock brand growth,” said OMG CEO Florian Adamski.
A request by CBS Studios and “SEAL Team” script coordinator Brian Beneker to settle a lawsuit brought by Beneker was approved by a federal judge. Beneker, a straight white man, claimed that he was denied a permanent job on the show due to an “illegal policy” of DEI measures. The settlement comes as Paramount prepares to be taken over by Skydance Media.
Samsung TV Plus reports it is the #1 linear streaming service in the US, with nearly 700 channels in its US lineup and over 3,500 channels globally. |
 |
| NEW: CYNOPSIS SPORTS WEBINAR
Power Plays:
The Business of Sports Media in 2025
When? June 3, 2025
Streaming. Sponsorships. Storytelling.
The game is changing—and so is the business behind it.
Power Plays is a new virtual event from Cynopsis that brings together top execs from networks, platforms, agencies, and brands for a fast-paced look at how sports media is evolving in real time. From the surge in women’s sports to smarter targeting, tentpole moments, and purpose-led partnerships—this is your front-row seat to what’s next. Because in 2025, the real wins are happening off the field.
REGISTER TODAY |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Netflix has ordered “WWE: Unreal,” featuring superstars outside of the ring. The docuseries, slated to debut this summer, is part of a partnership between the streamer and WWE that launched earlier this year with “RAW.” Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports and WWE are producing. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Vice TV’s “United Gangs of America” is back for a second second season with ten one-hour weekly episodes beginning Tuesday, June 3 at 10p. This time around, the series will highlight the histories of different gang formations, including their cultures, hierarchies, and crimes. |
Today’ Premieres
Disney+: Andor
Netflix: Race for the Crown |
| SCREENSHIFT
Sponsorships Going Fast
Formerly the BIG TV Summit, ScreeShift is where streaming, linear, tech, and commerce converge. Backed by the Cynopsis 20+ year legacy, this flagship event is built for the decision-makers shaping media’s next era.
This year’s sponsorships go beyond the logos. We’re talking curated, high-impact activations designed for real engagement.
Limited spots remain – and some already sold out.
Contact Amy Abbey, aabbey@accessintel.com for more details on how to secure your spot in the room. |
| TECH |
| Canela Media announced the launch of Club Canela, an integrated in-app streaming rewards program to create a deeper connection with Canela.TV users, as well as provide new opportunities for brands. McDonald’s and The Coca-Cola Company are onboard as Club Canela’s launch partners. “This initiative represents a unique opportunity for The Coca-Cola Company to further strengthen our already successful partnership with Canela Media,” said Stephanie Eaddy, Head of Cultural Marketing in North America. “Club Canela is an innovative program designed to foster deeper connections with audiences as they engage with the content they love, offering The Coca-Cola Company’s brands, like Gold Peak, an enhanced platform for more meaningful and lasting engagement.”
Dr. Phil’s MeritTV has struck a strategic partnership with madSense to create Merit Pulse, an AI targeting platform that converts live social‑media topic engagement scores from Dr. Phil’s Merit TV assets into cross‑platform ad placements on Merit TV’s linear, FAST, app, social and podcast outlets. “At MeritTV, we’re fusing proven and engaging hit content like Dr. Phil with cutting-edge ad tech from madSense to create a leading next-gen messaging platform,” said Ken Solomon, President/CEO, MeritTV. “Merit Pulse delivers unique real-time audience insights and highly sophisticated AI-driven creative matching. Each viewer tells us exactly which stories are resonating at that moment and then aligns individual sponsor messaging to MeritTV’s hyper-targeted TV and digital content, finally delivering YouTube-style contextual relevance to free broadcast, pay TV, and digital advertisers and sponsors.”
Rockbridge Growth Equity has sold GSTV, a video network available at fuel and convenience retailers, to MidOcean Partners, but will retain a minority stake. “Through our partnership with the GSTV team, we successfully transformed the business to realize new opportunities in an evolving media landscape,” said Brian Hermelin, Managing Partner and co-founder of Rockbridge. “Rockbridge understood that advertisers need new channels to reach today’s consumers, and GSTV has delivered a captive audience that we believe has more potential to grow. We look forward to supporting the GSTV and MidOcean teams as the Company embarks on its next chapter.”
Optable partnered with The Globe and Mail, VIA Rail, and Omnicom Group to demonstrate the power of clean room technology in driving measurable business outcomes. Using Optable’s data collaboration technology, the teams activated VIA Rail’s first-party data within The Globe’s premium media environment, resulting in a 3.4x increase in reach, 2.5x more cost-effective unique reach, and a 1.5x improvement in viewable impressions efficiency compared to standard travel segments. |
| INSIGHT |
| Google was back in court on Monday for the final phase of its antitrust case, which will determine the appropriate market remedy for what has been ruled monopolistic behavior. The DOJ wants Google to stop making third-party payments to phone makers like Apple that ensure its default search position, and to spin off its Chrome web browser and possibly to sell its Android smartphone operating system. Cynopsis asked experts in the adtech world how the ruling could shake up the industry.
“This ruling against Google has the potential to be a revolution for the digital ad industry, especially publishers. We’re likely looking at a significant ‘unbundling,’ where Google’s long-standing requirement of its publisher ad server for access to its ad exchange is disrupted. This could force Google to divest key parts of its stack, possibly creating a more competitive and vibrant ecosystem. This ruling could be the catalyst that allows for marked innovation. Publishers, who have been impacted the most by monopolistic practices, hope this ruling is a step in the right direction for the open web and that publishers can navigate a market of choice over consequences.” – Amanda Martin, CRO at Mediavine
“This DOJ ruling is a wake-up call for the industry. While it likely won’t change the ad tech landscape overnight, it’s accelerating a fundamental shift away from closed systems to a world where flexibility, independence, and transparency are paramount. Independent measurement will play an important role in this transformation as brands will now have the opportunity to evaluate media effectiveness across platforms and make data-informed decisions.” – Lindsay Fordham, SVP of Product at Cint
“While many in the industry are talking about Google divesting assets as a potential next step, I think that misses the point. Simply selling off Ad Manager or AdX to another big player like The Trade Desk won’t solve the underlying problem. The real issue is the forced bundling of Google Ad Manager with Ad Exchange. Publishers are essentially being double-charged with no room for negotiation. A far better solution would be for Google to allow publishers to use any ad server they choose and simply plug AdX in as a demand source, just like any other Supply-Side Platform. That would truly level the playing field, encourage competition, and ultimately reduce costs for publishers. This isn’t about breaking up Google; it’s about creating a fair and open market.”
– Lazar Rubin, CEO Next Millennium Media
“The future of digital advertising depends on a healthier, less toxic, digital public sphere. Our research shows that advertising and marketing were among the industries least trusted by Americans. That is in part a result of Google locking advertisers into a system that forces even the best ad campaigns to coexist with more misinformation and extremism each year. It doesn’t need to be that way – allowing competition and innovation could create a more diverse and trusted media ecosystem. The future of digital advertising depends on an Internet consumers can trust. The era of misinformation and declining trust isn’t an accident, it’s the result of real business decisions. This ruling shows those choices can have consequences for the architects of digital spaces, not just those of us who have to work within them.” – Andre Banks, founder and CEO of NewWorld |
| COMING UP |
| Weigel’s diginet Story Television will present a Wild West Week programming stunt starting Monday, April 28. First up: “Hands on History – Cattle Ranching” at 8a. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
So how are sports fans taking to “Prime Vision,” the AI-enhanced interface available as an alternate feed on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night NFL games? According to Hub’s latest “Evolution of Sports” survey, 57% of NFL fans with Prime Video said they had noticed at least one of the Prime Vision features during the game. Among those, 70% were positive about the features, and 26% “loved” them. Among those who said they “liked” or “loved” the Prime Vision experience:
· 82% said they were excited for more sports content to become available om streaming services (compared to 56% of all sports fans).
· 80% said they like it when streaming services that don’t typically offer sports, add sports content (compared to 54% of all respondents).
· 76% said that if the same game were available on both streaming and cable, they’d choose to watch on a streaming platform. |
 |
| “These findings underscore that new tech won’t engage consumers, just because it’s new,” said Jon Giegengack, Hub’s founder and one of the study authors. “Many ‘enhancements’ in the past haven’t added value, or worse, have gotten in the way of the experience. But Prime Vision appears to elegantly thread the needle, improving the experience for fans who choose to use it and instilling confidence in fans about Prime as a ‘home’ for sports content in the future.”
TNT Sports’ Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage will continue with a 14-game slate over five days starting Wednesday, April 23 with Game 2 of the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings at 10p on TBS, truTV and Max. Brendan Burke will call the action with commentary from Darren Pang and Aly Lozoff.
A five-year extension of SportsEngine Play’s streaming partnership with the Puma NXT and Puma Pro16 youth basketball circuits will deliver live coverage of more than 10,000 games during the current 2025 season and includes a selection of games to be streamed on Peacock.
Dave Checketts and The Cynosure Group, a diversified private investment firm, announced the formation of Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital, a new strategic collaboration dedicated to investing in high-potential sports opportunities. The partnership will have offices in both New York and Salt Lake City. |
| EXCUTIVE MOVES |
| Brian Silver has joined TransUnion as EVP of Marketing Solutions. Silver has held senior roles at Oracle Advertising, Yahoo!, LiveIntent, and Oath. |
This Day in History
1954 – Senator Joseph McCarthy began hearings investigating the US Army, which he accused of being “soft” on communism. The televised proceedings, which made public McCarthy’ unethical and bullying tactics, led to his downfall.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which sitcoms, one in 1978 and one in 1986, had the same name? “The Ted Knight Show.” (The second show had originally been named “Too Close for Comfort.”) Kudos to: Andrew Goldman-Phanes Funding Group/NYC
Today’s Trivia Question
What was grim reaper George’s day job on “Dead Like Me”? (2003-2204)? (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 |
|
|
