 IN THE NEWS |
Consumers bounce hourly as “couch commerce” reshapes the path to purchase, says MiQ’s From Funnel to Flexibility report, which focuses on the ways people watch, browse, and buy. “Couches have become the new storefronts as consumers move from screen to screen, almost in the same breath,” said Jordan Bitterman, Global Chief Marketing Officer, MiQ. Highlights in the report include:
· 87% of consumers switch between digital activities at least once an hour.
· 42% of those surveyed their path to purchase feels entirely random.
· 91% of consumers use a second device while watching TV, with 22% actively researching products related to what they’re watching.
· 71% get distracted mid-research and only return when re-triggered.
· 69% say they discover brands they like even when they’re not actively shopping.
· And 45% say they use AI chatbots when shopping. |
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| The FCC’s Media Bureau issued a public notice Wednesday requesting feedback on whether TV ratings should better alert parents when children’s programming includes transgender or non-binary themes. The agency is also seeking input on the transparency of the TV Oversight Management Board, which administers the ratings system, and on the accuracy of its current guidelines.
Hulu has ordered dating show “Ring by Spring Break,” from Fremantle. The reality show is inspired by the trend that has evangelical Christian college students pressured into getting married before they graduate.
The CTV platform market remains concentrated among a small group of leading operating systems, with Roku OS (28%) and Samsung’s Tizen OS (23%) accounting for the largest share of usage in US broadband households, according to Parks Associates’ Streaming Video Tracker. Additional findings include:
· Platform rankings have remained consistent over time, with Roku showing modest growth and Samsung maintaining a strong installed base.
· Leading platforms manage ad inventory, data collection, and targeting, shaping monetization across the ecosystem.
· The TV OS plays a key role in recommendations, search, and user experience, influencing viewing behavior.
“Control of the platform layer is central to competition in the connected TV market,” said Michael Goodman, Director, Entertainment, Parks Associates. “Operating systems determine what content consumers see, how services are positioned, and how advertising is delivered.” |
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| Paramount+ is riding the short-form video wave with a new vertical feed on its mobile app designed to increase viewer engagement. Curated clips span news, sports, UFC highlights, and more.
As brands race to capitalize on the “Millennial Summer” trend, ad tech firm Digital Culture Group (DCG) cautions that many are missing the mark by replicating the aesthetic without confirming it truly connects with their audiences. DCG’s Audience Resonance Index (ARI) suggests that effectively tapping into cultural moments requires a deeper, more strategic approach:
· Understanding what drives a trend’s appeal, such as nostalgia, identity, or escapism
· Pinpointing which audience segments genuinely respond to those motivations
· Aligning creative, timing, and media efforts with moments when audiences are most receptive
Alicia Keys has joined ABC’s “American Idol” as a guest mentor, helping the Top 3 finalists get ready for the final vote. Keys will also perform in the finale.
Nashville’s 800 Pound Gorilla is partnering with Cineverse to launch Gorilla Comedy+, an ad-free streaming service built for comedians and their fans, on May 5. The platform will feature exclusive new specials alongside the full 800 Pound Gorilla catalog.
Crooked Media is expanding into the FAST lane with the launch of SANEtv (Save America News & Entertainment Television). The channel, offering political analysis, culture deep-dives, and commentary, has launched on Prime Video, with plans to further expand.
DirecTV is expanding its MiEspañol® Genre Pack, adding Telemundo affiliates in 82 Markets. Which is good news for soccer/football fans – DirecTV customers in all 11 US cities that will host FIFA World Cup matches this summer will now be able to stream the tournament. |
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Spinoff docuseries “In the Eye of the Storm: Chasers” debuts Sunday, May 17 at 10p on Discovery. The six-part series captures harrowing encounters as storm chasers, outfitted with their own camera rigs and advanced weather tech, race into the American Midwest during tornado season.
INSP has greenlit “Wild West Chronicles” for a sixth season. “Wild West Chronicles has become an integral part of our overall brand and programming strategy, consistently resonating with audiences who are drawn to authentic, character-driven storytelling,” said Craig Miller, VP of Original Programming at INSP. “As we move into Season Six, we’re continuing to build on that momentum by telling true stories of the American West that are much more engaging than a stodgy documentary.”
“Million Dollar Nannies,” following a group of elite nannies aiming to launch their own agency, premieres with two episodes on Freeform on Wednesday, June 17. The entire will drop on Hulu the next day.
The BBC has acquired UK rights for “The Traitors India” from Prime Video. Versions of the franchise have been sold across 50 territories. The show will stream on BBC iPlayer. |
Today’s Premieres
BritBox: After the Flood
HBO: Half Man
Netflix: Flunked
Prime Video: LOL: Last One Laughing Italy; Stranger Things: Tales From ’85; The Trials of Winnie Mandela
UP: Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries at 9p |
| TECH |
| EDO is giving ad agencies free access to its TV Ad Intelligence platform, ChatEDO, ahead of the 2026 Upfronts. Agencies can use ChatEDO to analyze share of spend, top creatives, competitor activity, and category trends.
Culture Hive Media Group is launching a platform that gives brands an AI-powered score for measuring cultural relevance in advertising. The metric is designed to tells brands how well their creative and media align with the cultural values, identity, and communities of their target audience, and connects that score to media buying and activation.
Libsyn announced new exclusive hosting and advertising partnerships with five audio and video podcasts: Locked In with Ian Bick, Unlearned Wisdom with Johnny Chang, Restricted Handling, Was I In a Cult?, and The Joe Vulpis Podcast. The partnerships combine host-read, programmatic, and dynamic ad formats.
Orange Apron Media (OAM), The Home Depot’s retail media network, announced a slate of new initiatives at its InFront event. Enhancements include a Reddit integration, Pinterest partnership, new onsite experiences including a self‑serve Brand Page Portal that allows brands to curate and manage their own digital storefronts, and a new certification program set to launch later in 2026.
PubMatic announced the integration of its Creative Innovation Suite across its AgenticOS platform. The Creative Innovation Suite provides a unified execution layer for high-impact creative formats, centralizing access to custom formats and combining them with agentic deployment, optimization, and measurement inside a single workflow.
Ad tech platform Nexxen said independent agency H/L is the first to programmatically activate native smart TV home screen inventory via its new Nexxen TV Home Screen offering, using private marketplace (PMP) deals through Nexxen DSP. The move signals rising demand for high-attention connected TV placements as a complement to broader streaming ad strategies. |
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| SPORTS REPORT |
| Amid an FCC probe into whether streaming’s expanding role in sports media is harming consumers and broadcast TV, the NFL met Friday with senior regulators to defend its media-rights strategy, according to The Wall Street Journal. Hans Schroeder, EVP and COO of NFL Media, backed the league’s long-standing antitrust exemption, arguing that centralized negotiations prevent confusion and higher costs that could arise if all 32 teams struck their own deals. He also emphasized that 87% of NFL games still air on traditional broadcasters – CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC. “Even as we’ve gone on to new platforms like Netflix or Amazon…we are doing so in a very selective and appropriate way,” said Schroeder. |
| COMING UP |
| “Send Help” starts its streaming run Thursday, May 7 on Hulu. The 20th Century Studios film was released in theaters on January 30.
Hulu Original film “Miss You, Love You,” starring Allison Janney (“I, Tonya”) and Andrew Rannells (“Girls”) debuts Friday, May 29. |
| RATINGS |
| ESPN aired the three most-watched Stanley Cup First Round games on cable (excluding game 7’s). The Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins matchup (Saturday, 8p) drew 2.1 million viewers, Minnesota Wild-Dallas Stars (Saturday, 5:30p) drew 1.9 million viewers, and the Boston Bruins-Buffalo Sabres matchup (Sunday 7:30p) scored 1.7 million viewers. All three games were up substantially year-over-year vs. ESPN’s First Round game 1 average last year, with Flyers-Penguins up 173%, Wild-Stars up 147% and Bruins-Sabres up 118%.
The season two finale of ABC’s High Potential” hit a six-week high, scoring triple-digit multiplatform growth with 12.69 million Total Viewers (+137%; vs. 5.36 million in Live+Same Day) and a 2.04 rating among Adults 18-49 (+716%; vs. 0.25 rating in Live+Same Day) over seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms.
Last Thursday’s Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres game was the most-watched “MLB Network Showcase” out-of-market telecast since August 2019, averaging 460,000 viewers. The game also ranked as the most-watched Mariners game in the 18-year history of MLB Network.
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race from Kansas delivered 1.18 million viewers for The CW, making it the most-watched Kansas race since 2023 on NBC, according to Nielsen Panel + Big Data.
Basic Cable Top 10 for the Week of April 13
P2+ AA (00))
Primetime
Fox News 2711
MS NOW 1215
ESPN 998
CNN 753
HGTV 715
Food Network 533
TBS 517
History 511
TLC 495
Discovery Channel 481
Total Day
Fox News 1715
MS NOW 729
CNN 549
ESPN 492
HGTV 371
Food Network 279
TBS 273
GSN 267
Hallmark Channel 265
History 238
Source: Nielsen |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| The Weather Company has named Brian Benedik as Chief Revenue Officer. Benedik most recently served as CRO at Audacy.
MS NOW has tapped Shawna Thomas to serve as political director. Thomas was previously executive producer of “CBS Mornings.” |
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This Day in History
1962 – The New York Mets won their first game ever, after starting the season with nine losses.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which 1988-92 series was the actor who played the lead character replaced after the first season? “Superboy.” Kudos to: Vaughn S. Ericson-True Media/Kansas City, Missouri; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Andrew Goldman-Phanes Funding Group/NYC; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom ran on a broadcast network from 1984-85, then was revived for first-run syndication in 1987? (Email your answer to trivia@cynopsis.com and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone – a limit of four answers per time zone.) |
EXECUTIVE >>
TBS INTERNATIONAL/LOS ANGELES, CA: Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of entertainment and media agreements, with a primary focus on unscripted television, format licensing, and intellectual property distribution. Handle development, production, and co-production agreements, including situations where TBS is designated as the production entity providing production services. More info HERE
PRINT TRAFFICKER AND TECHNICAL COORDINATOR >>
FILM FEST DC/WASHINGTON, DC: Coordinate direct communication between print sources and the festival to ensure the on-time inbound and outbound delivery of all film materials and work with venue staff to deliver and test each film and KDM. Request and collect KDMs for all encrypted DCPs and maintain a spreadsheet that contains all the aspects of the film. Full info HERE
MANAGER, MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS >>
TELEVISION ACADEMY/NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA:
Lead the execution of initiatives such as the Peer Circle program and Your Voice Matters, reviewing data to enhance program participation and ensure metrics are achieved; collaborate with the Senior Director of Engagement and Retention and stakeholders across marketing to manage delivery and optimization of the Member Benefits Perks newsletter. Full info HERE
BROADCAST ENGINEER >>
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY/HIGH POINT, NC: Ensure high-quality production environments and provide technical leadership to faculty, staff, and students in live and recorded productions and play a role in supporting the school’s mission to provide industry-standard production experiences for students and will have opportunities to contribute to the development of emerging media technologies. More info HERE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE, MULTI-EPISODE TELEVISION PRODUCING >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: Develope, produce, and manage scripted and unscripted multi-episodic series for linear television and/or streaming. Qualified applicants will be distinguished multi-platform practitioners with a significant body of “boots on the ground” work in the TV and streaming industry. The position will require in-class instruction and on-set exercises. Full info HERE
PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: STUDIO AND/OR FIELD DIRECTING; MULTIPLE CAMERAS >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a significant body of practical work in television directing using multiple cameras for linear television and/or streaming platforms. Familiarity with visual effects and AI-supported tools is considered a plus. This position includes teaching directing of scripted and/or unscripted content using multiple cameras at many levels. Full info HERE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: VERTICAL FILMMAKING/CONTENT CREATOR >>
BOSTON UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION/BOSTON, MA: We seek a colleague with a professional track record in the creation and development of original short-form content aimed at promoting, activating, and motivating young people through social activism, experimentation, entertainment, brand building, and audience engagement across today’s leading content platforms and social media ecosystems. More info HERE
SALES MANAGER – AP AD INSIGHTS HUB >>
ADVERTISER PERCEPTIONS/NEW YORK, NY: Drive direct sales of the platform offering, focusing heavily on new client acquisition. Reporting to and working closely with the GM of the Ad Insights Hub, this individual contributor will partner cross-functionally with Sales, Business Intelligence, Operations, and Client Services teams to build awareness and engagement with new clients. Full info HERE
SALES DIRECTOR – OMG
MOONBUG ENTERTAINMENT
NEW YORK, NY
Deliver and exceed sales revenue targets as well as build, manage and grow a strategic account list with a focus on Omnicom agencies and their clients directly, within the northeast. Ability to navigate holding company structure and negotiate strategic partnerships with key stakeholders (ratecards, preferred programmatic deals, content deals, etc.). More info HERE
DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE MARKETING >>
ATHLETE TO ATHLETE/SANTA MONICA, CA: Lead the performance marketing team across Meta Ads and new paid digital channels (TikTok, YouTube, Google, etc.) as well as build and execute a roadmap for channel expansion and profitable scale. Develop and run structured testing frameworks. Partner with Creative Strategist on ad briefs, testing priorities, and creative feedback loops. Full info HERE
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER>>
HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP/CHARLOTTE, NC: Oversee daily sales pipeline operations focused on national sponsorships, integrations, and branded content tied to unscripted programming. Manage and coach the Business Development team, drive outbound activity, shape proposals and pricing, and lead CRM strategy, reporting, and optimizations via Salesforce. Full info HERE
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER >>
NTD/WASHINGTON, DC: Pitch story ideas and write scripts/segment outlines as well as research guests and interview topics. Book guests and coordinate interviews. Help with logistics and sometimes field production. Support shoots and ensure production runs smoothly. Review footage and work with editors to shape final episodes. Write headlines, teasers, and social posts. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION >>
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY/HOLLYWOOD, CA: Responsible for all HR functions and oversight of administrative and management needs. This strategic role is charged with operating from a customer service driven viewpoint that prioritizes employee satisfaction as well as enforce legally compliant policies, increase efficiency by implementing administrative and record-keeping best practices. Full info HERE
SR. DIRECTOR OF SALES, KSTU & KUPX >>
THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY/SALT LAKE CITY: Leverage our suite of advertising solutions to unlock growth opportunities for local and national businesses. Play a role in driving the station’s revenue goals as well as serving as the home station for Utah’s new NHL team. Collaborate with our production team to create campaigns that connect our clients with their customers in meaningful ways. Full info HERE
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
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
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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