| A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM LOCALITY |
 IN THE NEWS |
| Lester Holt’s last day as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” will be Friday, May 30. Holt, who announced in February that he was stepping down, will remain at NBC as a full-time anchor on “Dateline NBC.” Tom Llamas takes the anchor seat on Monday, June 2. |
 “I am not retiring,” “Fox & Friends” founding co-host Steve Doocy assured viewers on Thursday. Doocy is heading out the show’s NYC studio, though, and will be based in Florida, co-hosting the show throughout the country. “For nearly 30 years, Steve has been a force on the curvy couch with his signature smile and wit,” said Fox News Media’s EVP of Morning Programming & Program Development Megan Albano. “His relationship with our audience is unmatched and we are looking forward to him taking his trademark style from the couch to cities across America’s heartland where he will co-host from diners to pickleball courts and more and finally not have to drive across the George Washington Bridge at 3:30am every morning.”
In the first quarter of 2025, 72.4% of TV viewing was on ad-supported platforms, compared to 27.6% for ad-free platforms, according to Nielsen’s new quarterly report, The Ad Supported Guage. Cable and broadcast each account for about 29%. |
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| Fox and Smartmatic have each asked a judge to rule in their favor in a defamation suit over Fox News’ reporting that the voting machine company helped rig the 2020 election. Fox said in its filing that its hosts had no motive to harm Smartmatic, and “accurately reported the President’s claims while also providing their opinions on a fast-moving and evolving issue of national importance.” While Fox did settle with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million over similar election-rigging accusations, Fox claims Smartmatic’s lawsuit is a desperate move by a company in financial trouble. Smartmatic alleges Fox News knew election fraud claims were false, but promoted them to boost ratings.
Roku has entered into an agreement to acquire Frndly TV, a subscription streaming service that offers live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR, starting at $6.99/month. “Frndly TV’s impressive growth and expertise in direct-to-consumer subscription services make it a compelling addition to Roku,” said Anthony Wood, Founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. “This acquisition supports our focus on growing platform revenue and Roku-billed subscriptions, with a live content offering our users love at an industry-leading price point.”
The average client-agency relationship tenure is about seven years, more than double the 3.2-year average reported in 2016, according to a joint study from the ANA and the 4As. The Client-Agency AOR Relationship Tenure study surveyed both client-side marketers and agencies to understand the evolving dynamics of Agency of Record (AOR) partnerships. “Driving meaningful results in today’s marketing environment requires a collaborative approach built on a foundation of trust and transparency,” said Greg Wright, SVP at the ANA. “This research demonstrates that when clients invest in building that foundation, agencies are empowered to deliver the innovative and effective strategies that fuel brand growth and, ultimately, drive greater ROI, fostering stronger, long-term partnerships.” Other findings include:
– Integrated full-service agencies report an average tenure of 87 months, while media-only agencies have an average tenure of 44 months.
– Independent agencies report longer AOR tenures (7.3 years) than holding company agencies (5.8 years).
– Clients without mandatory review periods (60% of respondents) have significantly longer relationships (8.1 years) than those with frequent reviews (as low as 3.8 years). For the 40% of clients mandating agency reviews, they carry a substantial financial burden, averaging $408,500 per pitch for clients.
– The majority of agencies’ top 10 clients are in AOR/retainer-based relationships, suggesting a strategic preference for ongoing partnerships.
“In a landscape where the average agency pitch costs marketers over $400,000, both sides of the table are recognizing the value of long-term commitment,” said Matt Kasindorf, SVP at the 4As. “This report confirms that enduring partnerships are not only possible, but seem to be increasingly the norm and potentially deliver better business outcomes.”
Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Noticias, a national Spanish-language news network available on Spectrum TV lineups. News bureaus have been established in LA, NYC, Florida and Texas.
NATAS announced nominees for the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. The ceremony for news will take place Wednesday, June 25 at 7p in NYC, followed the next evening by the docs ceremony. For a list of nominees, go here.
Pluto TV is expanding its anime offerings with Anime x HIDIVE, Pluto TV Anime Comedy, and a 24/7 channel dedicated to Inuyasha. |
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| SCREENSHIFT
The Strategy-Focused Leader’s Event
The media landscape has shifted. So have we. Introducing ScreenShift—Cynopsis’ newly reimagined flagship event (formerly BIG TV Summit) built for the power players redefining media strategy.
From AI to audience behavior, commerce to content, this event brings together the sharpest minds in media, marketing, and tech to exchange ideas, spark partnerships, and shape what’s next.
Join us October 14th in NYC for keynotes, expert-led roundtables, and a high-touch environment designed for senior-level strategists and innovators.
If you’re leading the conversation—not just following it—this is your event.
SAVE YOUR SEAT |
| TECH |
| Google is adding new features to AI Mode. Rolling out over the coming week, users will begin to see visual place and product cards in AI Mode with the ability to tap to get more details about local spots like restaurants and stores, along with shoppable options with real-time prices (including the latest promotions), images, shipping details and local inventory. “Based on the incredibly positive feedback we’re getting, we’re removing the waitlist so anyone in the U.S. can now get immediate access to AI Mode in Labs — and we’re adding new features to help you get things done,” wrote Soufi Esmailzadeh, Director of Product Management, at Google Search, in a blog post. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| “Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie” kicks off Monday, May 26 at 9p on ID. The four-part docuseries follows Papini’s case from the days leading up to her disappearance and alleged abduction, to her 2022 arrest by federal authorities. Papini also offers her account of events.
Season three of “The Gilded Age” premieres Sunday, June 22 at 9p on HBO. Logline: As all of New York hastens toward the future, their ambition may come at the cost of what they truly hold dear.
Bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan takes on the conditions of ten morbidly obese individuals, each at a crossroad in their journey to survival, in “The 6000 lb. Diaries.” The reality show launches Monday, May 26 at 10p. |
 New animated series “Wylde Pack” debuts Friday, June 6 at 7:30p on Nickelodeon. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, the show explores the dynamics of a multigenerational and multicultural blended family.
CNN has added three new non-fiction series to its summer slate. On the way are “Live Aid: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took On the World” and “Billionaire Boys Club” on Sunday, July 13 at 9p and 10p, and “American Prince: JFK Jr.” on Saturday, August 10 at 10p.
Michael Chiklis (“The Shield) has joined season four of Starz’s “BMF. The crime drama returns with new episodes on Friday, June 6. |
 Adult Swim’s animated science fiction sitcom “Rick and Morty” is back for season eight on Sunday, May 25 at 11p.
When Discovery’s “Ghost Adventures” returns on Wednesday May 7 at 10p, Zak Bagans and the team find themselves in an eerie Nevada desert town to investigate a recently shuttered casino haunted by the spirit of a notorious bootlegger. Comedian Matt Rife makes a guest appearance.
“Human Footprint” is back for season two on Wednesday, June 25 at 9p on PBS (check local listings). The host, biologist Shane Campbell-Staton, travels the globe to explore how people have transformed the planet.
Peacock is launching four emerging artist-led series on Monday, May 19, each concept developed and executed by next-gen creators and social media stars Charlie Curtis-Beard, Katie Florence, Serena Kerrigan, and Daren Vongirdner. Scripted originals include “The Warehouse Phase,” “The Kouncil,” “Older Hotter Wiser,” and “People Like Me.” |
Today’ Premieres
CBS: Hollywood Squares at 8p
Max: Malditos
Netflix: Unseen
Ovation TV: Return to Paradise at 7p
Saturday’s Premiere
FYI: Wild Game Kitchen at 9p
Sunday’s Premieres
AMC: The Walking Dead: Dead City at 9p
Disney+: Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld
PBS: Miss Austen |
| NEW: CYNOPSIS SPORTS WEBINAR
FREE TO ATTEND: Power Plays:
The Business of Sports Media in 2025
When? June 3, 2025 1-3PM ET
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The game is changing—and so is the business behind it.
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Because in 2025, the real wins are happening off the field.
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| COMING UP |
| Prime Video and Netflix announced plans for their Emmy FYC events. Prime Video’s Prime Experience will be held Sunday, May 4 through Thursday, May 22 in Hollywood, overlapping with Netflix’s annual showcase, taking place at various locations in LA from Saturday, May 17 through Monday, June 2.
Former president Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will visit ABC morning show “The View” on Thursday, May 8 at 11a. It will be the couple’s first interview since leaving the White House.
CNBC is set to host the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting, taking place tomorrow, May 3. CNBC’s broadcast of the meeting and livestream on CNBC.com and CNBC+ will begin at 8:30a. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| The NASCAR Channel, NASCAR’s official FAST channel, is launching on Xumo Play. The channel will anchor a new hub for all things NASCAR across Xumo’s streaming devices.
Banijay Rights struck a deal that secures the return of “MasterChef” to Pakistan following an 11-year hiatus. Under the agreement, Karachi-based Pixel Entertainment will produce a new version of “MasterChef Pakistan” after being handed the rights to secure its own broadcast partner. |
| RATINGS |
| ABC News primetime special “President Trump the First 100 Days: The Interview in the Oval Office” was the top program in primetime on broadcast and cable on Tuesday in Total Viewers (3.96 million), based on Live+Same Day Data from Nielsen Media. Terry Moran conducted the interview. |
| EXCUTIVE MOVES |
| Amy Fenton and Paul Forgue have been appointed Co-Presidents of MarketCast. Fenton has been Chief Analytics and Operations Officer since 2022, while Forgue joined MarketCast as Chief Financial Officer in 2024.
Circana has appointed Cara Pratt as President, Global Retail and Media, effective May 27. Pratt most recently served as SVP of Media, Insights and Loyalty at 84.51°.
OAAA has tapped OOH Veteran Greg Ald to serve as SVP, Revenue, Growth, and Membership, a newly created leadership position designed to strengthen the organization’s impact and better serve the evolving needs of the industry. |
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This Day in History
1918 – General Motors acquired the Chevrolet Motor Company.
Friday Fun Fact
Martial artists who smile before the start of a match are more likely to lose.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What does Michael Scott eat for lunch on “The Office” that makes him fall asleep? An entire chicken pot pie. Kudos to: Max Leinwand-Maxximizer Productions/NYC; Amy Hurt-Turn Card Content/NYC; Alex Mebane-Emmeboo Inc./Brooklyn, NY; Mike Gioscia-NBCUniversal/NYC; Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago; Julie Martinez-JDA Media/Dallas; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which television interview drew a total audience of 90 million viewers? (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.) |
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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 >>
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