 IN THE NEWS |
| CBS executives maintain the shocking cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” next season was financially motivated, and “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” However, its timing raised eyebrows, and hackles, coming as it did just days after Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Trump – calling it “a big fat bribe” – as the company awaits White House approval for its merger with Skydance Media.
The Writers Guild of America said on Friday that it had “significant concerns that ‘The Late Show’s’ cancellation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump administration as the company looks for merger approval.” Posted Senator Bernie Sanders, “Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.” Chimed in Senator Elizabeth Warren, “America deserves to know” if the show was canceled for political reasons,” a sentiment echoed by Senator Adam Schiff.
As for Trump, “I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,” posted the president about the top-rated late-night host, whose show will end its run next May when his contract expires.
The aforementioned CBS execs, including George Cheeks, President of CBS and a Co-CEO of Paramount, CBS’s parent, did have high praise for Colbert. “Our admiration, affection and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult,” they said in a statement. As for claims of the cancellation being financially driven, while the timing has caused outrage, the business of late night has been in decline, with audiences shrinking and ad revenue dropping.
Two days before Colbert broke the news, Skydance Media CEO David Ellison and his legal counsel met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to discuss the Paramount merger. According to a filing with the FCC, they “discussed Skydance’s commitment to unbiased journalism and its embrace of diverse viewpoints, principles that will ensure CBS’’s editorial decision-making reflects the varied ideological perspectives of American viewers.”
Congress passed a White House-requested $9B federal spending cut that will have a major impact on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The corporation, which will lose all of the $1.1 billion that had already been approved during the next two budget years, distributes more than 70% of the money to over 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations. Stations who rely more heavily on the subsidy will be singularly hard hit. “These cuts will significantly impact all of our stations, but will be especially devastating to smaller stations and those serving large rural areas,” said PBS CEO Paula Kerger. Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said in a statement that the bill would have “profound, lasting, negative consequences for every American.” |
 Don’t look for Will Kulp in season four of Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality,” Bravo’s “Southern Charm” spinoff about a group of friends working at a nightclub. “The new season has started filming, and unsurprisingly, I will not be a part of it this year,” posted the former bartender, who faced accusations of infidelity last season and failed to appear during its reunion episode. “I will likely never film a second of reality TV ever again. It has been a horrible experience and a life lesson.” That said, Kulp didn’t burn bridges entirely, adding, “A big thanks to some cast, some production, Andy Cohen and ALL of the crew for the seasons past. You know who you are. Your kindness and professionalism are rare occurrences in the industry.”
Actress Eileen Fulton, best known for her role on soap opera “As the World Turns,” died July 14 at age 91. Fulton played the role of much-married Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi Chedwyn from 1960 until 2010, when the show left the air. |
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| Cynopsis ScreenShift
Audiences move fast – how do you keep up?
Let’s stop guessing and start strategizing.
At ScreenShift, we’ll chart the next era of audience attention — together.
I’M INTERESTED IN ATTENDING |
| DISTRIBUTION |
 “Gilmore Girls” is coming to Hallmark Channel. The show will air weekdays from 2-6p and weekends from 8-10a, beginning Monday, August 25. “The success of the ‘Gilmore Girls’ universe is a testament to the power of storytelling that is centered around love, family, and close-knit community,” said Hallmark Media’s VP of Programming & Acquisitions, Ayn Prince. “Hallmark shares the same passion for feel good, whimsical content and characters, making this show and its ever-growing fandom the perfect addition to our Hallmark Channel viewing experience.” “Gilmore Girls” premiered on The WB in 2000 and ended its run on The CW in 2007.
Newsmax has entered into a multiyear partnership agreement with Fubo. The deal includes continued distribution of Newsmax, along with the launch of Newsmax en Español, the only US-based news channel to use advanced AI technology to dub its content into another language on a live basis. Newsmax en Español will launch on Fubo’s Latino plan and Latino Plus add-on package. |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Hulu has renewed “Vanderpump Villa” for season three. The second season of the reality series dropped in April.
Bridget Moynihan will reprise her “Blue Bloods” role in the series premiere of spinoff “Boston Blue.” The new series, starring Donnie Wahlberg, launches Friday, October 17. |
| NEW & RETURNING SHOWS |
| Occupation-reality series “Truck Dynasty” (show title of the week, right?), premiering Tuesday, August 12 at 9p on Discovery, follows a family who transform average trucks into eye-catching custom creations.
Bobby Flay has chosen three chefs for “Bobby’s Triple Threat.” New York chef and restaurateur Ayesha Nurdjaja joins Michael Voltaggio and Brooke Williamson to take on competitors in three head-to-head cooking rounds. The ten-episode season premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 8p on Food Network. |
Today’s Premieres
Hulu Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari
Disney Jr.: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+
Netflix: The Hunting Wives
Prime Video: Justice on Trial |
Cynopsis ScreenShift
Speaker Spotlight
AI is profoundly reshaping media strategy by transforming how content is created, distributed, personalized, and monetized. Caroline Giegerich, VP of AI Integration & Acceleration at the IAB, will delve into these changes on October 14 during her ScreenShift session, “The AI Advantage: Redefining Media Strategy.”
VIEW THE AGENDA |
| RATINGS |
| UPtv’s “Red, White and Binge” marathon featuring “Hudson & Rex,” “Last Man Standing,” “Blue Bloods” and the recently launched “The Rookie,” was viewed by over 2.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen, while Ovation TV’s “Mysteries, Librarian and Leverage” marathons reached over 1.3 million viewers. |
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This Day in History
1983 – The world’s lowest recorded temperature, −128.6 °F, was measured at Vostok Station in Antarctica.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was Hollywood A-lister Chris Pratt’s first series regular TV role? Bright Abbott, on “Everwood” (2002-06). Kudos to: Mia Gabriel-Havas Media/NYC; Nicole Langella-Two Twelve Direct/Manalapan, NJ; Corey Lambert-Paramount Global/NYC; Adam Leston-Weigel Broadcasting/Milwaukee; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which talk show preceded “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in CBS’ late-night slot? (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.) |
VP SALES, NORTH AMERICA >>
All3MEDIA INTERNATIONAL/NEW YORK/HYBRID: Responsibility for covering format sales in the territory, liaising with the EVP Formats & Licensing as well as All3Media America, as well as Licensing finished program/tape sales in the United States and Canada. Also take ownership of and implementing the agreed sales strategies, reporting on progress and any issues preventing implementation. Full info HERE
SENIOR DESIGNER >>
REELZ CHANNEL/ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Responsible for the concept, design and execution of various motion graphics projects for on-air promo and sales presentations. Will be required to design and create graphics for social media, digital and print. Must be able to follow brand guidelines and expand and change the brand look when necessary. Full info HERE
EVP, COMMERCIAL & TECHNOLOGY TRANSACTIONS, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >>
A+E GLOBAL MEDIA/NY(HYBRID): Oversee the three major areas of commercial transactions (comprised of supporting the Distribution, Total Media Solutions and Global Content Sales divisions) and the adjacent areas supported by the attorney teams that principally support those divisions (including vendor management and privacy). Full info HERE
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
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 5 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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