 IN THE NEWS |
 The CW Network is expanding its streaming strategy through new deals with The Roku Channel and ESPN. Next-day streaming for CW entertainment programming on The Roku Channel is set to launch in fall 2026, in a partnership CW President Brad Schwartz said was a way to “supercharge” the reach of their content, framing it as a marriage of broadcast and streaming designed to benefit content, audiences and advertisers. Beyond next-day episodes, the dedicated CW hub on The Roku Channel will also house more than 800 hours of library content.
On the sports side, ESPN will become the exclusive streaming home for CW Sports live events this summer. Shows will continue airing live on The CW while simultaneously streaming on the ESPN App for subscribers on an ESPN Unlimited plan.
The National Association of Broadcasters criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s decision to fast-track a review of ABC’s station licenses. Although the order cites “unlawful discrimination” as its justification, Carr launched the review just one day after President Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel’s firing — a response to a joke the ABC late night host made two days before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt argued that the FCC’s license renewal process should rest on “predictability, fairness and transparency,” values he said are embedded in the terms Congress set and later extended. He called the Media Bureau’s request that ABC rapidly reapply for all its licenses — bypassing the standard enforcement process — virtually without precedent, warning it undermines those principles and introduces broad uncertainty across the broadcasting industry.
Snapchat has introduced AI Sponsored Snaps, a new advertising format that lets brands reach users directly within the app’s Chat feature through interactive AI agents. The move reflects a broader push to embed AI into the spaces where people already spend their time, rather than treating it as a separate destination. Snap argues that Chat — historically the backbone of Snapchat’s user behavior — is the logical place for that shift to happen. “Conversation is becoming the most valuable real estate in advertising,” noted Ajit Mohan, Chief Business Officer at Snap Inc. “AI is accelerating that shift, turning chat into the place where people discover products, ask questions, and make decisions in real time. The real opportunity isn’t just putting ads into those environments; it’s designing formats that feel native to how people already talk.”
Last Saturday’s Feeding Our Families / Alimentando a Nuestras Familias food drive, hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU and campaign partner Stop & Shop raised $232,000 and collected 107 tons of non-perishable food. The campaign was created in 2017. |
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Season five of Apple TV’s “Trying” premieres Wednesday, July 8. This season of the U.K. comedy finds Nikki and Jason dealing with the consequences of Princess and Tyler’s biological mother turning up at their doorstep.
Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon” returns for season two Thursday, July 23, picking up six months after Quinn, a concert pianist, left her hometown behind to chase her dreams. The Western drama starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly is based on the book series by Jodi Thomas.
Also returning for a second season on Netflix is “Bad Thoughts.” The dark comedy from Tom Segura starts streaming Sunday, May 24.
TLC’s “90 Day: The Last Resort” returns for season three on Monday, June 1 at 8 p.m. This time around, the troubled couples spend three weeks in the English countryside attempting to revive their relationships.
Hulu competition series “Designed to Last” binge-drops Monday, May 5 on Hulu. The challenge: safeguarding homes against extreme real-world conditions.
Nordic drama “Black Sands” starts its second and final season on Viaplay on Thursday, May 14, following a troubled police officer investigating her hometown’s dark history.
“Stellar Makeover,” a new style transformation show hosted by actor and comedian Rickey Smiley, celebrates everyday heroes who have made a meaningful difference in their communities. Produced by Central City Productions, the two-part, one-hour program will be available to stations throughout June. |
Today’s Premieres
Nat Geo: Mysteries of Ancient Medicine at 9 p.m.
Netflix: Man on Fire
Tubi: Destination World Cup 2026 |
| PRODUCTION |
 Netflix has greenlit “Dad’s House,” an animated Australian comedy series from Smiling Friends and Danger 5. Serving as showrunners and executive producers are Michael Cusack (“Smiling Friends”), Dario Russo (“Danger 5”) and David Ashby (“Danger 5”). Animation and production are handled by Princess Pictures and Bento Box Entertainment. Logline: “In small-town suburban Australia, 13-year-old child of divorce Sean spends every second weekend with his laid-back but well-meaning dad, Ian. Cramming quality dad-time into a single weekend is already a tall order — but Ian has a remarkable gift for making it so much harder than it needs to be.”
Netflix also handed a straight-to-series order for romantic drama “Lovesick,” starring and executive produced by Claire Danes (“The Beast in Me”). Sara Treem (“House of Cards”) will write, executive produce and serve as showrunner for the project, based on a 2024 Israeli series.
A limited series adaptation of Harlan Coben’s 2007 novel The Woods is in production at Netflix. Coben created the series and serves as an executive producer through his company, Final Twist Productions, with Danny Brocklerhurst — writer of previous Coben adaptations of Fool Me Once and Run Away — onboard to write. The new series stars Tom Bateman (“Based on a True Story”) and Michelle Keegan (“Fool Me Once”). |
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| COMING UP |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Overtime and the NWSL have extended their content partnership through the 2026 season, giving fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players, game highlights and more. With the league growing its presence nationwide, Overtime’s 100 million-plus social following and connection with Gen Z audiences positions the deal as a driver in attracting new fans and building deeper engagement through digital-first content.
Bud Light, the official beer sponsor of UFC, debuted the “Bud Light UFC Summer Series,” a new platform featuring five events between May and August. Included are three numbered fights, beginning with UFC 328 in Newark, N.J. on May 9.
Buckle up – the 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards is shaping up to be one for the books. The sharpest execs in broadcasting, streaming, marketing, data innovation, and more, along with WOW wrestlers and sports anchor Stef Manisero — all in one room. Plus, winners announced live. To join us for the June 4 N.Y.C. event, you can register here. |
| RATINGS |
| A two-day slate on “Fox Saturday Baseball” drew 2.47 million viewers, up 69% over last year’s comparable game. Season to date, “Fox Saturday Baseball” is averaging 2.174 million viewers, up +32% versus 2025.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in Talladega on The CW delivered 1.34 million total viewers, up +6% compared to last year’s same weekend Talladega race. The first 11 consecutive races of the season have each delivered more than 1 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Panel + Big Data.
On the Stanley Cup front, Sunday’s Tampa Bay Lightning-Montreal on ESPN delivered the second most-viewed First Round Game 4 on cable ever with 1.9 million viewers, up 73% versus ESPN’s 2025 average.
The WNBA on ION’s telecast of the first preseason game of the year between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty on Saturday delivered an average audience of 743,000, representing increases of 76% over ION’s first preseason game last season (Dallas vs Las Vegas), and 129% over ION’s second preseason game last year (Chicago vs. Brazil National Team).
ABC’s “World News Tonight” led all broadcast and cable newscasts with 8.537 million total viewers the week of April 20, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen – its largest audience in three years. The program is on track to claim its 10th straight yearly title, doing so by its widest margin over NBC in 31 years and over CBS in at least 34 years.
NewsNation has been on the move in April, marking its strongest monthly performance in network history for primetime total viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data. In primetime, NewsNation averaged 192,000 total viewers and 27,000 among adults 25-54, representing gains of 170% overall. The network now ranks No. 57 in total day, up from No. 89 a year ago in total viewers. In primetime P25-54, it ranks No. 62 compared to No. 102 last April among all ad-supported networks.
Top 10 Cable Networks for the Month of April
P2+ AA (000)
Primetime
Fox News 2861
ESPN 1529
MS NOW 1256
TBS 1063
CNN 910
TNT 772
HGTV 677
Food Network 677
History 506
TLC 505
Total Day
Fox News 1752
MS NOW 747
ESPN 674
CNN 600
TBS 394
HGTV 360
TNT 289
Food Network 279
GSN 265
Hallmark Channel 265
Source: Nielsen |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Seoul-based format agency Something Special has promoted InSoon Kim to Co-CEO/Chief Business Officer from EVP & Head of Content, and Moonyoung Song, Head of Development, to Vice President. Additionally, Donggil Seo has been hired as Head of Production/Chief Producer. |
This Day in History
1961 – The first shuttle flights between Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York City began.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which series did Ed Asner’s character work for a newspaper called The Dispatch? “Ask Harriet” (1998). Kudos to: Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC
Today’s Trivia Question
Who guested as car dealer Ashley on “Eastbound & Down” (2009-13)? (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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