 IN THE NEWS |
| Days after NPR filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s order to cut its funding, PBS followed with its own legal action. The lawsuit – filed in US District Court in Washington by PBS and a public television station in Minnesota – argues that federal law prohibits the President from acting as the arbiter of PBS’s programming content, including through efforts to defund the network. The suit states: “The executive order makes no attempt to hide the fact that it is cutting off the flow of funds to PBS because of the content of PBS programming and out of a desire to alter the content of speech. That is blatant viewpoint discrimination.”
California has opened an inquiry into whether Paramount Global has violated state laws against bribery by offering President Trump’s 2024 campaign $15 million to settle a lawsuit filed against CBS over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris in October. In a letter sent May 30, former “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens and former CBS News President Wendy McMahon were invited to testify in an upcoming hearing on the proposed settlement, which comes as Paramount Global is seeking federal approval for its merger with Skydance Media.
That settlement (though Trump is holding out for more) could have a “chilling effect” on investigative and political journalism, wrote Sens. Tom Umberg and Josh Becker. “Your recent resignations from CBS’s leadership, amid public reports of internal about the editorial and ethical implications of the proposed settlement, suggest that you may possess important, first-hand knowledge relevant to our legislative oversight responsibilities… We respectfully encourage you to participate in this important hearing. Your cooperation will help safeguard the values you have each worked to uphold in your distinguished careers.” |
 The two seasons of reality series “Sweet Life: Los Angeles,” canceled by HBO Max in 2022, are being re-aired on OWN, with new original footage cut into the episodes. The Issa Rae-produced show hits OWN on Friday, June 13 at 9p.
The Weather Channel once again ranked as the most trusted news source, as it did in 2022, 2023, and 2024: Americans are 49 percentage points more likely to call The Weather Channel trustworthy as they are to call it untrustworthy, up from +43 last year, according to YouGov’s 2025 poll of trust in media. Like last year, the Weather Channel is followed by two public broadcasters: the BBC (+26) and PBS (+25). While 53% of Americans say that consuming news generally makes them feel informed, other common reactions to the news are more likely to be negative than positive. Between 32% and 43% say that consuming news makes them feel either angry, anxious, cynical, overwhelmed, or depressed, and fewer than one in five say it makes them feel more motivated, entertained, or hopeful. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say that consuming news makes them feel hopeful, while Democrats, are more likely than Republicans to say it causes anxiety, depression, anger, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. |
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 Loretta Swit, best known for her role on “M*A*S*H.”, died May 30. She was 87. “Loretta was a supremely talented actor,” posted Swit’s “M*A*S*H.” co-star, Alan Alda, on X. “She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it. She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.” |
Cynopsis Sports Media Awards
Sports Media Awards: Almost Here
The countdown’s on! On June 4, City Winery NYC becomes the hub of sports media excellence. Finalists from PBR, CBS Sports, YES & more will be there—will you? Winners will be announced live; join us June 4th from 4-7PM ET at City Winery in NYC!
GRAB MY TICKET |
| PRODUCTION |
| Jonathan Tropper is sticking with Apple TV+. It’s the third consecutive deal that Tropper, whose “Your Friends and Neighbors” ranks as the most-watched new Apple drama series, has inked with the streamer.
Acorn TV has renewed “Harry Wild” for a fifth season. The Irish mystery series stars Jane Seymor as an amateur detective.
Creative agency Saylor has launched independent creative studio Elevado, devoted to AI-powered production. Elevado will operate under the Saylor umbrella, but function both as an extension of the agency and as a stand-alone entity, serving other agencies and brands directly. “AI has ushered in an incredibly exciting time for the creative and production industry,” said CEO Will Trowbridge. “Our intention with Elevado is to build a creative studio to meet this moment head-on, and utilize ai-technology to elevate creativity.”
Mission Partners Entertainment Group and Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation announced “Treasures of the Everglades,” a documentary exploring the ecological wonders of Florida’s Everglades. Filmmaker Mike Slee (“Flight of the Butterflies”) will direct.
Melissa George (“The Good Wife”) is set to star in “Ms. X,” a crime dramedy commissioned in New Zealand for WBD’s Three and ThreeNow. Plus6Four and South Pacific Pictures are producing, with Dynamic Television co-producing and handling worldwide distribution. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| For sneak peeks of shows, go to Cynopsis Trailer Park.
At its annual Tudum event, Netflix confirmed Lady Gaga will make a cameo appearance in season two of “Wednesday.” Part 1 of the series launches Wednesday, August 6, followed by Part 2 on Wednesday, September 3.
The fifth and final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” will be released in three batches, timed to the holidays. Volume 1 starts November 26, Volume 2 arrives on Christmas Day, and the finale will be released New Year’s Eve.
Candice Bergen will pop up on season three of Apple TV+ comedy “Shrinking.” Co-creator Bill Lawrence dropped that tidbit at Austin’s ATX TV Festival while talking about Michael J. Fox, who will also guest star.
Season two of Prime Video drama “Gen V” kicks off Wednesday, September 17 with three episodes, followed by one episode a week until the October 22 finale. |
 Hulu’s revival of “King of the Hill” premieres Monday, August 4. The animated comedy, which ran from 1997 to 2010 on Fox, picks up several years after the events of season 13.
“King of Drag” premieres Sunday, June 22 at 9p on Revry. The competition series is hosted by actor/comedian Murray Hill. |
Today’ Premieres
BBC America: Relative Secrets at 10p
Bravo: Below Deck at 8p
Fox: The Quiz With Balls at 9p
Great American Pure Flix: Iggy and Mr. Kirk
HGTV: Ugliest House in America at 9p
Zeam: Laughing Boy Live! |
Cynopsis Power Plays Sports Webinar
ONE DAY OUT… ARE YOU REGISTERED?
The digital sports business event of the season is tomorow. Join execs from BIG3, Fubo, Nexstar, Monumental Sports & more to explore what’s next in media, brands & monetization. Join us tomorrow, June 3rd from 1-3PM ET!
REGISTER NOW FOR FREE |
| COMING UP |
| “The Alto Knights,” starring Robert De Niro, starts streaming Friday, June 6 on Max, followed by its linear debut the following night at 8p on HBO. The film was released in theaters March 21.
The 50th anniversary of “Jaws” gets the documentary treatment on Nat Geo. With never-before-seen footage and interviews with Steven Spielberg, “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story” premieres Thursday, July 10 as part of Sharkfest.
MeTV is celebrating the late Loretta Swit with special episodes of “M*A*S*H, from today through Friday at 7p and 7:30p.
Family Entertainment Television is marking Father’s Day with specials across FETV and FMC. A six-hour marathon of “Leave It to Beaver,” “My Three Sons,” and “Bewitched” will air on FETV on Sunday, June 15 starting at 9a, while FMC will present “Films for Father,” an all-day Father’s Day marathon. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Newsmax has signed a multi-year renewal deal with Verizon. The Verizon platform reaches approximately three million subscribers, mainly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| ESPN has re-signed NFL reporter Kimberley A. Martin to a new multi-year agreement, extending her reporting and commentating roles on the sport’s news and storylines across multiple shows and platforms. Martin will continue on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” a position she has held since joining ESPN in 2020.
Formula 1 sponsorship revenue hit $2.04 billion in the 2024 season, according to a new report from SponsorUnited – more than the NBA, MLB and NHL, and nipping at the heels of the NFL, which collected $2.5 billion. Key insights from the report include:
• F1’s average sponsorship deal is valued at $6.01 million, over 8x higher than the NFL’s average.
• The Technology category accounted for over $500 million in sponsorship revenue, making it the highest-spending category across the league.
• The most expensive sponsorship assets on F1 race cars include Airbox and Sidepod—each valued at upwards of $5M. |
| RATINGS |
| Food Network’s “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” wrapped its season with an average 0.63 P25-54 / 0.72 W25-54 / 0.55 M25-54 Live+3 rating, up +15%, +24% and +6% respectively versus season one. |
This Day in History
1941 – Baseball player Lou Gehrig died at age 37.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Who played Bob Newhart’s character’s wife in Newhart’s third sitcom? Carlen Watkins, in “Bob” (1992-93). Kudos to: Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta; Andrew Goldman-Phanes Funding Group/NYC; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Wendy Holmes/Denver; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA; Rosemary Cunningham-MeTV/Chicago; John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which game show ran on CBS from 1974-78, and from 1982-84? (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 >>
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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>>
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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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