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 IN THE NEWS |
| Warner Bros. Discovery took over Madison Square Garden on Wednesday to tout the companies offerings, including new series “Guy’s Flavortown Games” and “Family Recipe Showdown” (w/t) for Food Network; ID’s “They Know What They Did” and Dick Wolf true crime series “Vanity”; HGTV’s “Renovating the Bachelor Mansion”; TLC spinoff “90 Day: Hunt for Love”; and miniseries “High Value Target” on TNT. “Our strength lies in our ability to create shows that dominate the zeitgeist,” said Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of the Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks. “We produced six of the top 10 new unscripted series on cable last year, and we’ll continue to push the boundaries of great storytelling.”
On the advertising front, WBD US Ad Sales unveiled NEO and DemoDirect, two new solutions aimed at accelerating the effectiveness and efficiency of brands across WBD’s portfolio. In addition is an initiative to help advertisers as well as meet the rise in demand for nostalgia. “WBD Storyverse” will offer films and series to help brands emotionally connect with audiences using beloved characters and IP with new twists – like they did for the Super Bowl. “Our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery allowed us to bring an iconic moment from ‘When Harry Met Sally’ to the Big Game in a fresh, unmissable way,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, Unilever. “The results were phenomenal, not just in terms of market share – but in creating genuine cultural impact. I mean, we even got a real-life Bill and Meg reunion at the Oscars!”.
WBD is also turning back the clock for streamer Max. Rebranded two years ago from HBO Max, the service is reverting to its former name this summer. “With the course we are on and strong momentum we are enjoying, we believe HBO Max far better represents our current consumer proposition,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content. “It clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for.”
What viewers won’t have to pay for is season one of HBO Max’s new hit series “The Pitt” – the medical drama will run on TNT ahead of its season two premiere on the streamer.
Warner Bros. Discovery US Hispanic announced an omnichannel strategy that integrates SVOD, AVOD and FAST models including WBTV Hispanic Stream, offering nine genre-focused digital channels. “Our expanded digital ecosystem provides audiences with culturally relevant, engaging content while creating premium opportunities for brands to connect meaningfully with Hispanic viewers,” said David Tardio, Vice President of Advertising Sales at WBD USH.
Netflix took to the stage on Wednesday to boast it has 94 million monthly active users globally, up from 70 million in November. Also announced was just-launched in-house advertising platform The Netflix Ads Suite. The platform allows advertisers to target more than 100 interests in over 17 categories, including life stages. Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s President of Advertising, also noted subscriber engagement. “When you compare us to our competitors, attention starts higher and ends much higher,” she said. “And even more impressive, members pay as much attention to mid-roll ads as they do to the shows and movies themselves.”
Also announced during Netflix’s event was upcoming sports drama “Fight for ’84.” Jamie Foxx stars as a coach enlisted to rebuild an Olympic boxing team after the 1980 team is killed in a plane crash. Eric Newman produces for Grand Electric along with Bryan Unkeless for Night Owl, Foxx and Michael W. Abbott for A Move Films Production.
In more Netflix programming news, a reboot of talent competition “Star Search” is in the works, as well as a crime comedy series co-created by and starring Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”); a series adaptation of S.A. Cosby novel All the Sinners Bleed; and coming-of-age drama “The Body.” The streamer renewed “Bridgerton” for seasons five and six; “Love on the Spectrum” and “The Diplomat” for fourth seasons; “Survival of the Thickest” for a third and final season; “My Life with the Walter Boys for a third season; and “The Four Seasons, “Million Dollar Secret” and “Forever” for second runs.
Reaching consumers off the couch and outside the home can significantly influence purchase behavior, according to a study conducted by MAGNA and GSTV. Video on-the-go outperformed both CTV and online video, with +12% lift in driving incremental store visits compared to no impact from the other channels, says “The Power of Video Everywhere,” which used ad tests for Applebees. Additional findings from the study include:
· While on their own, CTV and online video didn’t drive incremental restaurant visitation, in combination with video-on-the go, they drove a +22% and +27% lift, respectively.
· 80% of dining advertisers see behavioral lift with GSTV, versus 39% for TV and digital; benchmarks are similar for retail advertisers.
· 45% of viewers reached were incremental to the CTV/online video investment, and video on-the-go was +30% more efficient than CTV at delivering viewers.
“Our research has identified an even more holistic media strategy for advertisers on TV/video formats,” said Kara Manatt, EVP, Intelligence Solutions, MAGNA. “We were able to show clear pathways for marketers to move beyond awareness and brand storytelling to action, bringing motivated customers to stores for purchases.”
The emergence of new AI-powered search engines isn’t diminishing Google’s dominance. Instead, on the year anniversary of Google AI Overviews (AIOs), BrightEdge data shows total search impressions rose more than 49%. The report also found:
· In the last month, ChatGPT grew 21%, with Perplexity and Gemini remaining about 1/10 of its size, and other AI search engines like Claude, Meta, and Grok another 1/10 smaller. Meanwhile, Google still maintains over 90% of market share.
· AIOs now appear in over 11% of Google queries, a 22% increase since debuting last year.
· Longer, complex queries have grown 49% in AIOs since May 2024, while ranking-style content and comparison queries have decreased, down 60% and 14% respectively.
· Impressions on all content have jumped by over 49% since the launch of AIOs while click-throughs have steadily declined, with a nearly 30% reduction since May 2024.“
The assumption was that AI would kill traditional search,” said Jim Yu, Founder and CEO of BrightEdge. “But our data tells a different story: search is not disappearing, it’s expanding. Google is not being replaced; it’s being reimagined. The rise of AI agents has created a new battleground where visibility is no longer about rankings or clicks, it’s about presence across a new class of interfaces. Brands need to understand how and where they’re being interpreted by AI. The rules of engagement are changing, and this data is an early signal of where things are headed.”
There’s high demand for commerce and advertising in CTV, with 52% of US internet households likely or very likely to perform at least one commercial activity through a TV platform. Or so says Parks Associates’ new white paper, Interactive & Shoppable TV: Next Wave of CTV Revenues, released in partnership with Adeia. More than 278 million viewers projected to watch subscription ad-supported streaming services by 2029. Other findings include:
· 82% of respondents see streaming ads through a combination of free streaming services, ad-based tiers of subscription streaming services, and vMVPD services that feature ads as part of their live/linear bundles of channels.
· 59% subscribe to an ad-based tier of an SVOD service, like Netflix, Disney+, or Peacock.
· 47% watch free ad-based streaming services, like Tubi, Pluto, and The Roku Channel.
· 22% watch streaming pay-TV services, vMVPDs, like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Philo.“Industry players can take productive steps today to advance the interactive TV experience for viewers and advertisers by connecting workflows, making effective use of available data, and optimizing user experience elements for interactivity,” said Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates. “Success involves building sustainable, scalable solutions for the long term rather than quick, band-aid solutions that address only immediate challenges.” |
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| MEDIA IMPACT AWARDS
You’re not just building products—you’re building what’s next.
The Media Impact Awards are your chance to be recognized where it matters: in front of top media buyers, tech partners, and industry decision-makers.
Whether you’re leading in Attribution Technology, closing the biggest partnerships as Dealmaker of the Year, or powering results with the Best Video Advertising Platform, this is the moment to claim your spot at the top.
Winning isn’t just a trophy—it’s proof you’re the standard.
Submit your entry today |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| For sneak peeks, check out Cynopsis Trailer Park.
Season 27 of “Big Brother” will have the most original hours of programming in since its 2000 debut, thanks to extended 90-minute Wednesday episodes and the launch of “Big Brother: Unlocked” on Friday nights. The reality show Thursday, July 10 at 8p.
A new season of “Storage Wars” kicks off Saturday, June 7 at p on A&E with expanded one-hour episodes. For fifteen seasons, the show has featured teams of bidders on the hunt for valuable abandoned and repossessed storage units with only a few moments to decide whether they’ve spotted trash or treasure.
Unscripted series “House on Fire” premieres Thursday, Jun 5 on BET+, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Ballroom culture.
“Breaking the Deadlock: A Power Play” brings together legal experts to debate a hypothetical scenario surrounding the use of executive power by a pair of fictional presidents from opposing parties. The series debuts Tuesday, May 20 at 9p on PBS.
“Heart & Hustle: Houston” (w/t), a new docuseries following a sisterhood of successful Black women, is headed to OWN. Produced by Jesse Collins and marking Jesse Collins Entertainment’s first foray into the unscripted ensemble arena, the series is slated to premiere this summer. |
 Tony Shalhoub (“Monk”) will star in CNN Original Series “Tony Shalhoub Breaking Bread,” debuting this fall on CNN platforms. “I’ve long believed that the simple act of breaking bread has the power to bring people together,” said Shalhoub. “It’s been wonderful to partner with CNN on my mission to illuminate and celebrate our shared humanity at a time that it is so urgently needed.”
Today’s Premieres
FX: Welcome to Wrexham at 9p
Hulu: The Secret Lives of Mormon WIves
Max: Duster; Mermicorno: Starfall
Netflix: Franklin; Bet; Secrets We Keep; Love + Death Robots
Paramount+: SkyMed; Thank You, Next
Prime Video: Overcompensating
UP: Hudson & Rex at 8p |
| TECH |
| Sooth, specialist in predictive emotional and behavioral intelligence for marketers, unveiled its Emotional Logic Interface, Eli. The AI system is designed to decode human behavior before it happens, modeling the emotional drivers and behavioral triggers behind purchasing decisions. “Most marketers still make decisions based on demographics and transactions, but those only drive 7% of buying behavior. Eli was built to decode the emotional, practical and situational needs that account for 13 out of every 14 buying decisions,” said Ian Baer, Founder & CEO, Sooth. “Brands are drowning in data, dashboards and AI hype. Eli delivers clarity, fast.” |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Herring Networks, parent company of cable network brands One America News Network and A Wealth of Entertainment, has struck a new multi-year content carriage agreement with Spectrum. Under the agreement, OAN and AWE will be added to Spectrum TV Select and TV Stream plans. In addition, OAN Live, the direct-to-consumer streaming platform, will be made available at no additional cost to Spectrum TV customers.
ITV Studios and Talpa Studios’ murder mystery format, “A Party To Die For,” has landed its first international commission in France. “Murder Party au Musée,” produced by ITV Studios France, is headed to M6. |
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| POWERPLAYS SPORTS WEBINAR
The Future Is Live—Are You Ready?
The next frontier of live sports advertising is already here.
Join us for Power Plays: The Business of Sports Media in 2025—a free virtual event where industry leaders break down what’s working now, and what’s coming next.
In our can’t-miss session, “The Future Is Live: What’s Next for Monetizing Sports Viewership,” you’ll hear how major players are using interactive overlays, shoppable formats, and predictive ad models to boost fan engagement and unlock new revenue streams.
Featuring:
• Brett Sullivan, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
• Ben Cohon, DAZN
• Matt Felder, Fubo
• Laura Lamattina, Nexstar Media Group
Registration is free!
Save Your Seat |
| COMING UP |
| CNN documentary “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” described as an “authorized yet unfiltered” documentary of the comedian, will premiere in 2026. “I understand CNN is going to release a documentary about me. I’m delighted and I hope I’m in it,” said Chase. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Scripps is partnering with FreeWheel to increase advertising opportunities across women’s live sports content on ION. “CTV monetization through the first eight weeks of this NWSL on ION season has seen a major uptick vs. last season, increasing over 200%,” said Seth Walters, head of CTV sales at Scripps. “We are looking forward to working with FreeWheel to power this explosive streaming growth and unlock new monetization opportunities for the forthcoming season of the WNBA.”
FloSports is reimagining the track & field viewing experience with the debut of “The Athlete’s Lounge,” a companion show supporting FloTrack’s Wanda Diamond League coverage. The show will debut during live coverage of the Doha Wanda Diamond League on May 16 at 11:15a on FloTrack and the FloTrack YouTube channel. |
 For the seventh straight year, the NHL is accepting applications for NHL Power Players™, a youth advisory board which brings together young hockey fans, ages 13-17, to provide input to the NHL on hockey-related topics important to their generation. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Stephen Colvin is joining Trusted Media Brands as CEO. Colvin was most recently Global Chief Commercial Officer at Bloomberg.
Viamedia announced a newly structured Executive Leadership Team following its recent acquisition of LocalFactor. Promotions include Wendell Decker to CTO and Kristen McDonnell to EVP of Operations.
Charter Communications has named Jake Perlman Executive Vice President, Chief Technology & Information Officer. In this newly created role, Perlman will expand his existing duties leading the Software Development & IT team to now include oversight of the Connectivity Technology and Technology Operations organizations. |
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This Day in History
1918 – The Finnish Civil War ended.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which actor had recurring roles on “Homeland” and “Royal Pains” in 2012? Timothée Chalamet. Kudos to: Wendy Holmes/Denver; Joel Dearing-Virtual News Center/Indianapolis; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing In/NYC; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What was the first international version in the “Real Housewives” franchise? (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.) |
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
SALES PLANNER, GENERAL RATE >>
GAC MEDIA, LLC/NEW YORK, NY: The Sales Planner, General Rate is responsible for providing support to the Advertising Sales department by working with Account Executives to service clients on a daily basis. The job requires attention to detail, industry knowledge, as well as strong communication skills. Full info HERE
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
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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