Good morning and welcome to Cynopsis — the media industry’s essential morning read. Today:
· It’s Not You, It’s Your UX: Streaming Apps Blamed for Breakups
· Streaming Giants Hit “Non” to France’s New Content Rules
· Versant Takes Big Swing in Sports Tech |
 IN THE NEWS |
A poor user experience, not price or content, is increasingly driving streaming cancellations, according to Value by Design: Building a Better Streaming UX and Discovery Experience, a new study from CTAM and Hub Entertainment Research. More than one-third (36%) of viewers — and 43% of those under 25 — say the streaming experience alone has prompted them to cancel a subscription. Key findings:
· Frictionless experiences matter: Viewers favor apps that launch directly into relevant content or resume where they left off, minimizing the need to browse or search.
· Gen Z has higher expectations: Nearly six in 10 (59%) viewers ages 13-24 say recommendations don’t feel personalized, compared with 45% of older viewers.
· Viewing decisions happen before the TV turns on: 43% of younger viewers decide what to watch before opening a streaming app, versus 35% of older viewers.Social media drives discovery: 48% of viewers ages 13-24 discover shows and movies through trailers on social platforms, compared with 38% of older viewers.
· “Continue Watching” is a retention tool: A pinned Continue Watching row appealed to 63% of respondents, while 48% said it would make them more likely to keep their subscription and 42% said it would increase the service’s value.
· Pinned watch lists also resonate: 56% said they would use a pinned watch list, 43% said it would increase their likelihood of retaining the service, and 36% said it would make the subscription feel more valuable.
“This research underscores the extent to which TV apps are compared not just to other TV apps, but to all of the apps consumers use across categories,” said Jon Giegengack, founder of Hub Entertainment Research and one of the research authors. “Viewers have high expectations, and even small moments of friction can quickly accumulate to cause frustration and abandonment.” |
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Local TV still leads, but digital sources are gaining ground. New data from Pew Research shows that at least 65% of U.S. adults say they tune in to local TV stations at least sometimes. While that’s down from 70% in 2018, it still outpaces every other source.
· Digital alternatives are on the rise: 52% of Americans now get local news from online forums or discussion groups (up from 38%).
· 40% turn to local government agencies or officials (up from 30%).
· 42% use online-only news sources — nearly triple the 15% who did so in 2018, marking the fastest-growing category.
· The Takeaway: Local TV remains the go-to source for local news, but the audience journey is becoming increasingly digital, with online-only outlets, forums and government channels capturing a growing share of attention. |
 Versant Media Group is teeing up a bigger swing in sports tech, agreeing to acquire golf simulator and analytics platform Full Swing for $350 million. The deal adds an interactive, data-driven sports layer to Versant’s portfolio, strengthening its ecosystem across Golf Channel, GolfNow, and GolfPass—bringing simulation, engagement, and real-world play a little closer together. |
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Today’s Premiere
Netflix: Better Late Than Single
Prime Video: The Ghost in the Shell
Vice: Dark Side of the Ring at 9 p.m. |
| THE BUZZ |
Comcast’s Sky has agreed to acquire ITV’s television network operations in a deal valued at £1.6 billion ($2.1 billion), ITV confirmed Monday.
· ITV will sell its broadcast network business to Sky, bringing one of Britain’s largest commercial TV networks under the umbrella of NBCUniversal.
· The transaction — subject to shareholder and regulatory approval — follows nearly nine months of negotiations.
· Sky will pay £1.2 billion upfront, with an additional £200 million contingent payment due in 2028 if ITV’s advertising revenue reaches £1.7 billion in 2027.
· ITV Studios, the company’s production arm, is not included in the sale.
· As part of a related £200 million side deal, Sky will sell Love Productions to ITV Studios.
· The Takeaway: The acquisition marks another major consolidation move among traditional TV companies as they seek greater scale to compete with streaming giants.
ITV Studios partner Tomorrow Studios is producing “Guilty Creatures” for Apple TV+. Julia Garner (“Weapons”) is set to star and executive produce, and Craig Gillespie to direct the thriller series based on the true crime book by Mikita Brottman and Stuart Zicherman.
Microsoft is cutting 3,200 employees — or 20% of the workforce — from its Xbox division. Sixteen hundred people are being pink-slipped this week, with the rest to follow over the fiscal year. “Our business today is not healthy,” wrote Xbox Chief Executive Asha Sharma in a memo to staff. “We must reset XBOX.” Microsoft is also selling or spinning off four game development studios, which could cost at least 350 additional employees their jobs. |
 CBS’ Big Brother is expanding its digital footprint with two new live fan experiences on YouTube ahead of Season 28. The cast will be unveiled exclusively during the first-ever “Big Brother: Broveal,” streaming live Tuesday, July 7, at noon. When the show’s 24/7 live feeds launch Friday, July 10, at 9 p.m., they’ll stream not only on Paramount+ and Pluto TV, but also on YouTube for the first time. While YouTube viewers will get limited access following each episode throughout the summer, Paramount+ and Pluto TV subscribers will continue to have exclusive 24/7 access to the live feeds.
Cynopsis is evolving right alongside the media industry. In the coming weeks, we’re rolling out a reimagined newsletter — new look, new feel, new cadence — built to deliver everything you need to get ahead of the day. We’re still refining the format and would welcome your input. Share ideas or feedback at Lynn@Cynopsis.com.
Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ are challenging proposed French regulations that would require streaming platforms to increase investment in animation, documentaries, and live performance programming.
· The companies are seeking changes to a government decree that has required foreign streaming services since 2021 to invest a portion of their French revenue into local film and television production. The required contribution rose 20% in January.
· In an op-ed published in Le Monde, Pauline Dauvin, VP of Content for Netflix France, said the company is appealing the new “diversity” rules while also seeking a cap on mandatory local content investment obligations.
· Prime Video said it remains committed to French production but is asking for “a regulatory framework that is balanced, fair, and legally sound,” arguing that France already has the European Union’s most burdensome streaming investment requirements and that additional mandates could discourage future investment.
· The Takeaway: The legal challenge underscores growing tensions between European policymakers seeking to bolster local content production and global streaming platforms pushing back against increasingly costly regulatory obligations.
Television City and Orbital Studios are teaming up to launch an advanced virtual production facility at the historic Television City lot in Los Angeles’ Fairfax district. The new LED volume at 7800 Beverly Blvd. is designed to expand the lot’s technology offerings while preserving its legacy. .
Great Entertainment Television is celebrating the 20th anniversary of detective comedy-drama “Psych” with a fan-voted marathon Saturday, July 11 and Sunday July 12, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
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| SPORTS REPORT |
| DAZN is serving as global broadcaster for professional hockey format 3ICE. The format features three skaters and a goalie on each side and removes power plays as well as offside challenges.
Ahead of Paramount+ bout “UFS 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2” on July 11, corporate sib CBS will air “This Is UFC: McGregor vs. Holloway” on Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. The special will cover the weigh-in, as well as interviews. |
| RATINGS |
| Fox News Channel scored its highest-rated Fourth of July in network history during its America 250 programming, peaking at 5.5 million viewers and 817,000 in the 25-54 demo during President Trump’s speech, according to early Nielsen data. FNC averaged 3.3 million viewers and 360,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 2.2 million viewers and 266,000 in the 25-54 demo across total day.
Fox News Media wrapped the second quarter delivering 1.4 billion YouTube video views across its portfolio, according to Emplifi. Since the start of the year, the company has generated 3.3 billion YouTube video views, with Fox News accounting for 2.5 billion. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Robert Lydick has been named Senior Vice President of Engineering, Operations and Technology for FOX Television Stations (FTS). Most recently, he served as Vice President of Station Operations and Technology at Tegna. |
Today’s Trivia Question
Which 5-season Syfy series was followed by a 2-season Netflix spinoff? (Email answers to trivia@cynopsis.com and include your name, company and city. Answers limited to four per time zone.)
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which network launched in 2010 was a spinoff of another channel? Two answers are correct! The Cooking Channel was a spinoff of Food Network, while The Hub was an extension of Discovery Kids.
Congrats to: Matt Marini-Paramount/NYC; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University-Playa Vista, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA |
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