Cynopsis 06/03/25: The CW renews “All American” for eighth and final season

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Cynopsis
Tuesday June 3, 2025

   IN THE NEWS

Allen Media Group, having invested over $1 billion in acquiring television stations over the last 6 years, has hired investment banker Moelis & Company to help evaluate strategic alternatives, including the sale of its ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX affiliated television stations in 21 US markets. “We have received numerous inquiries and written offers for most of our television stations and now is the time to explore getting a return on this phenomenal investment,” said AMG founder, chairman and CEO Byron Allen. “We are going to use this opportunity to take a serious look at the offers, and the sale proceeds will be used to significantly reduce our debt.”

Disney began laying off “several hundred” workers across its global divisions on Monday, according to reports, including staffers in units that handle marketing for film and TV, publicity, casting and development as well as corporate financial operations. The moves are part of the overall cost-efficiency measures the company laid out in September, as it refocuses on the streaming business.

Ratings for season 50 of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” hit a three-year high, averaging 8.1 million cross-platform viewers, up 12% from season 49. “To see the show honor its legacy while still pushing boundaries was incredible. The strong ratings this season are a testament to how deeply ‘SNL’ continues to resonate with audiences,” said Katie Hockmeyer, EVP, Late Night, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “After five decades, ‘SNL’ remains a powerful force in shaping culture and making us laugh week after week.”

Meta plans to enable brands to fully create and target ads using AI by the end of next year, sources have told The Wall Street Journal. A brand could present an image of the product it wants to promote along with a budgetary goal, and AI would create the entire ad, then determine which Instagram and Facebook users to target. Ads could also be personalized, so users see different versions based on their location.

Alex Marquardt, CNN chief national security correspondent, is leaving the network. Marquardt’s departure comes months after a Florida court found his 2021 report that a US Navy veteran was illegally exploiting Afghans by charging them exorbitant fees to evacuate the country after the US military withdrawal, to be defamatory. The court awarded security consultant Zachary Young $5 million in damages. “Tough to say goodbye but it’s been an honor to work among the very best in the business,” Marquardt wrote on X on June 2. “Profound thank you to my comrades on the National Security team & the phenomenal teammates I’ve worked with in the US and abroad.”

WUPA Channel 69 will become the new CBS Network outlet in Atlanta beginning August 16. CBS has owned and operated WUPA in the region, most recently as an independent station, since 1994. WUPA will be branded as CBS Atlanta and include the upcoming launch of the CBS News Atlanta streaming channel. WUPA’s live linear feed will also be available on Paramount+, in addition to a slate of original series, hit shows and movies from Paramount Global’s portfolio.

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   PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Comcast spinoff Versant has found a temporary home at 229 W. 43rd Street, reports TheWrap. MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, Syfy, and Golf Channel will be making the move. Snap Inc. also has offices in the building.

Nippon TV has launched Gyokuro Studio, a production studio dedicated to content development for the global market and established a new business hub in Los Angeles — Nippon TV LA Business Office. Gyokuro Studio is based in Tokyo and plans to develop 10 unscripted titles each year, reaching a total of 100 titles over the next 10 years, with plans to distribute them to audiences worldwide.

   NEW & RETURNING SERIES

The CW renewed drama series “All American” for its eighth and final season, set to air in 2026 and run for 13 episodes. “All American” was one of the last remaining scripted shows on The CW before its sale to Nexstar in 2022. The channel currently focuses on game shows, dating competitions and sports.

Today’ Premieres
Netflix: Sara – Woman in the Shadows
Bravo: NexGen NYC at 9p
MTV: Caught in the Act: Double Life at 9p
ID: Fatal Destination at 10p
TLC: 1000-lb Roomies at 10p
History: The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch at 9p; Beyond Skinwalker Ranch at 9:30p
Peacock: Love Island USA

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   COMING UP

The 78th Annual Tony Awards will feature performances from the casts of some of this season’s most celebrated new musicals and revivals including “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Floyd Collins,” “Gypsy,” “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical,” “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” “Sunset Blvd.,” “Just in Time” and “Real Women Have Curves,” along with a special appearance by the 2019 Tony Honor Recipient, Broadway Inspirational Voices. Awards will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8 at 8p on CBS.

   STREAMING

Great American Pure Flix has launched The Ark Club, a new streaming destination for kids and families. Headlining the launch is the original series “Iggy and Mr. Kirk,” a live-action and animated blend starring Kirk Cameron, Leigh-Allyn Baker, and featuring John Kennedy as the voice of Iggy the Iguana. The Ark Club also features a library of favorites including “VeggieTales,” “The Wiggles,” “Bob the Builder,” and more.

   TECH REPORT

Pacvue, the commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management and measurement, announced the integration of TikTok Shop and Shop Ads into its commerce SaaS solution. In addition to enterprise capabilities, the platform enables SMB sellers to expand their ecommerce strategy to TikTok Shop through Helium 10, a Pacvue company. “Brands and agencies are now empowered to unlock the massive potential of discovery commerce, receive 360O insights across their digital presence and gain a significant advantage in the rapidly evolving commerce landscape, said Sunava Dutta, Chief Product Officer at Pacvue.“

YouTube continues to assert its dominance of US viewing habits. In a new study by Looper Insights, 66% of consumers surveyed said they discover long-form movie and TV content on the service, and 61% report including YouTube as part of their regular streaming routines. Looper surveyed 1,115 consumers and 65 media executives to find out whether YouTube is viewed as a true alternative to Netflix and Disney+ and how it fits into regular viewing routines. What they found is that the online video service is gaining traction with consumers – 52% said they would consider using YouTube over other streamers and 24% would consider fully replacing one of their services with it. And Media executives are increasingly seeing the platform as a viable place to launch content, with 86% saying they are open to launching premium long-form content on YouTube and 30% actively exploring it as a release platform. About 85% of executives believe YouTube can challenge subscription services and 30% say it’s on track to rival top SVOD players.

   SPORTS REPORT

The 17th annual Congressional Women’s Softball Game will air on Monumental Sports Network on July 16 at 7p live from Audi Field in Washington, DC. Washington Capitals play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati and Chris Cillizza will broadcast the event.

Amazon is the official sponsor and retail partner of the United States SailGP Team. SailGP fans will be able to shop a curated assortment of fashion and accessory items, including exclusive designs with Amazon Merch on Demand. The U.S. SailGP team will continue their 2025 campaign at the upcoming Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8.

The 157th edition of The Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets airs June 7 across the FOX Sports family of networks. For the second straight year, the third leg of the Triple Crown takes place at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park undergoes renovation. “Belmont Day on Fox” begins at 4p with pre-race coverage anchored by studio host Curt Menefee, joined by Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss and retired jockey Richard Migliore.

   GOING GLOBAL

Yes Studios said the 12th adaptation of global hit drama “Your Honor” will be in Poland and be produced by ATM Grupa, with the working title “Sędzia.” Previous adaptations in the US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Russia, and India have been followed by Chinese-language and Ukrainian versions announced earlier this year.

“BBC World Questions” will travel to Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on June 10 to debate the country’s political and economic future.

La Cabane and Thuristar have partnered with CAKE for the international distribution of “A Lamb’s Stew,” an animation special written and directed by Joeri Christiaen and produced by Perrine Gauthier. This is the third collaboration between CAKE, La Cabane and Thuristar.

   EXECUTIVE MOVES

Hallmark Media named John Matts president and Jessica Tasler Noble chief culture officer. Matts joined Hallmark Media in 2022 as chief financial officer and most recently served as the company’s chief operating officer. Tasler Noble will transition from Hallmark Product & Retail where she spent 16 years and most recently served as senior vice president of employee experience.

Communication and consultancy agency Buzzer named Natalie Yallouz as its new President. She joins Buzzer from entertainment agency, MPRM Communications, where she served as Executive Vice President, leading its corporate, digital, audio, and tech practice.

Donna Speciale is departing her role as TelevisaUnivision president of US advertising sales and marketing, and will be replaced by former TikTok US head of enterprise sales Tim Natividad, effective June 9. Speciale had been at the position for the last four-and-a-half years.

This Day in History
1989 – Chinese troops open fire on pro-democracy supporters in Beijing, beginning the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which game show ran on CBS from 1974-78, and from 1982-84? “Tattletales.” Kudos to: Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Mark Selby-Melbar Entertainment Group/Toronto; Len Klatt-The Winning Run/LA; John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Before he was Det. Steve McGarrett, Jack Lord starred in which contemporary western with Warren Oates and Bruce Dern? (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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