 IN THE NEWS |
| The FCC has informed Paramount Global that it must continue to abstain from DEI initiatives if it wants to win approval for its merger with Skydance Media, reports The Wall Street Journal. “We can only under the statute move forward and approve a transaction if we find that doing so serves the public interest,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told Paramount. “If there’s businesses out there that are still promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination, I really don’t see a path forward where the FCC could reach the conclusion that approving the transaction is going to be in the public interest.” Paramount had rolled back DEI programs in February.
Paramount Global’s former CEO Bob Bakish, who left that job in April 2024 but remained as a senior advisor until October, scored a pay package of $86.96 million for the year – up 178% from 2023. That’s according to a statement filed with the SEC last week. Current Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Brian Robbins and Chris McCarthy took home a combined $61.3 million.
Snap has launched a program to help drive ad sales. The Snapchat Affiliate Program rewards creators for bringing new advertisers to the platform and sharing Snapchat expertise. “As a Snapchat affiliate, you’ll earn a competitive commission for each new advertiser you sign up on Snapchat ads,” the company said. “You’ll start earning when you refer qualified advertisers to Snapchat ads, and along the way we’ll provide resources for your success, like approved assets marketing guides and more.”
Hearst Television defeated a suit over app data sharing. A proposed class action alleged Hearst TV intentionally shared the personal viewing information of its app users with Google Inc. and software vendor Braze Inc. without consent, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act. On Friday, US District Court Judge Richard Stearns found there was insufficient evidence to prove that the data shared was personally identifiable.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards have been set for Sunday, January 4, airing on “E!” for the second year, as well as on USA Network from 7p-10p. The awards will again include film and television categories. “The Critics Choice Association is excited to kick off awards season as the first major televised show of 2026,” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “In our expanded partnership with E! and USA Network, we’re joined again in our shared mission to uplift the creative community and their incredible work – while also deepening our relationship with live events audiences and awards devotees alike.” |
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| NEW: CYNOPSIS SPORTS WEBINAR
Power Plays:
The Business of Sports Media in 2025
June 3, 2025 1-3PM ET
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 FOR FREE TODAY |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 The first two episodes of Prime Video’s “Earnhardt” drop Thursday, May 22. The docuseries following the story of NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt debuts three days before Prime Video’s first-ever presentation of a NASCAR Cup Series race, the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
There’s more Earnhardt in “Red Bull Soapbox Race.” The series, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and motorsports announcer Mike Bagley, premieres tomorrow, April 29 at 9p, featuring amateur teams as they design and build one-of-a-kind, gravity-powered soapbox racers.
FX ensemble comedy “Adults” debuts Wednesday, May 28 at 9p on FX. The series follows five friends crashing in a childhood home. |
Today’ Premieres
Acorn TV: The One That Got Away
Fox: America’s Most Wanted: Missing Persons at 8p
NBC: Yes, Che! at 10p
Netflix: Chef’s Table: Legends |
CYNOPSIS SPORTS MEDIA AWARDS
Finalists Announced
The wait is over. Our 2025 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards finalists are now officially live!
Join us on June 4th at City Winery in NYC for more than just an awards celebration. This is your chance to network with the biggest names in sports media – all in one room.
Registration is now open. Secure your spot today and be part of the industry’s most anticipated event of the year.
Limited tickets available at each rate.
[REGISTER NOW] |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Dori Media Group game show “The Auction” will kick off its global sales efforts with an interactive experience at the Paris Unscripted Showcase tomorrow, April 29. “The Auction” pits two teams of five family members against each other.
Electric Entertainment has acquired the exclusive North American distribution rights to the science-fiction horror film “The Bunker” from Jackrabbit Media. |
| COMING UP |
| NewsNation will present “Cuomo Town Hall: The First 100 Days” on Wednesday, April 30 at 8p. The special, featuring President Donald Trump via phone, will be moderated by anchor Chris Cuomo, along with authors and commentators Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith.
Rhode Island Commerce has partnered with The HISTORY Channel to launch a multi-platform campaign as part of HISTORY Honors 250. The campaign will celebrate Rhode Island’s heritage across broadcast specials, social media and digital channels. |
| RATINGS |
| Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions” wrapped season six as the #1 non-news/sports cable program for P25-54 on Sunday nights, with the finale episode notching a season-high 1.09 P25-54 /1.26 W25-54 Live+3 rating. The season reached nearly 12 million P2+ cross-platform viewers. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Pantheon Media Group has hired Simon Thomas as Head of Creative. Thomas most recently served as President of ITV Entertainment and Head of International Programming.
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This Day in History
1945 – Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who had been captured while trying to flee Italy, was executed.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the name of Peter’s double, stabbed by Catherine, on “The Great” (2020-23)? Pugachev. Kudos to: Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Who played Kilgrave on Netflix series “Jessica Jones” (2015-19)? (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.) |
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER>>
ORIGIN/NY(HYBRID): Overseeing full time sales team of 2 remote sellers, an account director, a sales operations manager and sales strategist. Accelerating the adoption of award-winning suite of CTV ad formats. Ensuring we exceed our current targets and ultimately making sure we continue growing at the pace we are in an increasingly competitive market. 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
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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