 IN THE NEWS |
 Comedy Central’s “South Park” kicked off its 27th season with its highest-rated premiere since 1999, and a 68% increase over last season’s debut. Featuring a satirical take on President Trump, the episode drew 5.9 million viewers across Paramount+ and Comedy Central and ranked as the #1 telecast across all cable.
Comcast reported net income for 2Q25 of $11.1 billion, up 183% year-over-year, with $9.4 billion coming from the sale of Hulu to Disney. Media EBITDA increased 9.3% year-over-year to $1.5 billion, boosted by an 18% revenue increase for Peacock.
In its second quarter earnings report, Paramount Global noted strong subscription revenue growth for Paramount+. The streamer counted 77.7 million subscribers, down 1.3 million due primarily to the expiration of an international bundle deal. Total company revenue inched up 1% to $6.85 billion as DTC growth outpaced linear. On her last earnings call for Paramount Global, Shari Redstone waxed nostalgic. “I believe I can take it on faith that many on this call understand the enormous importance of this business to my family and to me, beginning nearly 40 years ago. My father, Sumner Redstone, built Viacom and CBS by bringing together a group of the best assets in media, news and entertainment,” she said. “While people often debated whether content or distribution ruled the day, my father’s steadfast belief was that content was king. Even against the backdrop of enormous change, that core business philosophy remains the reality for our business and industry.”
Charter shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company’s proposed acquisition of Cox Communications. The $35.4 billion deal, announced in May, is expected to close in mid-2026, pending regulatory approval.
Disney has launched a back-to-school initiative, providing classroom supplies and books to schools in all 50 states, in collaboration with the education-focused nonprofits Donors Choose and First Book. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”) is lending her voice to the campaign.
HBO Max is offering a “programming pop-up”from August 1-September 29, with 15 British series available on BritBox. “We’re continually looking for creative ways to bring more high-quality storytelling to our HBO Max audience,” said Joshua Walker, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer of Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery. “This BritBox sampling gives our subscribers a chance to discover a variety of great British television series featuring rich, distinctive stories.” |
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| CYNOPSIS SCREENSHIFT
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
Live TV still dominates ratings—and the race to monetize it is heating up.
Want the facts? Jon Giegengack, Founder of Hub Entertainment Research, will break big news at the ScreenShift panel “Winning with Live TV: Revenue, Reach, and Rights Optimization” on October 14.
You don’t want to miss this.
RESERVE MY SPOT |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 Season three of Paramount+’s “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday, September 21. The drama starring Sylvester Stallone was the #1 Paramount+ original series in 2024, setting a new record for the streamer with 21.1 million global streaming viewers for the season two premiere.
“The Chrisleys: Back to Reality,” following the “Chrisley Knows Best” clan, premieres as a two-night event on September 1 and 2 and 8p on Lifetime. The remaining episodes will air back-to-back on Tuesdays at 8p starting September 9.
A new season of TLC’s “90 Day Fiance: The Other Way” kicks off Monday, September 8 at 8p, with four new couples and two fan favorites starting over with their partners abroad.
Politico White House bureau chief Dasha Burns is hosting C-SPAN’s upcoming political panel “Ceasefire.” Set to debut this fall, the show will feature “honest and civil discussions about how to tackle the nation’s most pressing problems,” according to the network. |
Today’s Premieres
Apple TV+: Chief of War; Stillwater
Discovery: Deadliest Catch at 8p
Disney: Eyes of Wakanda
Netflix: Perfect Match
OWN: Ready to Love
Prime Video: Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues
WE tv: Life After Lockup at 8p
Saturday’s Premieres
Hallmark Channel: Providence Falls at 8p
Nat Geo: Naming the Dead at 10p
Netflix: Beyond the Bar
OWN: Heart & Hustle: Houston
Sunday’s Premieres
A&E: 1000 Ways to Dine at 8a
Animal Planet: Wardens of the North at 9p
Food Network: The Great Food Truck Race at 9p
HBO: The Yogurt Shop Murders at 10p |
| TECH |
| Nielsen announced the launch of the Outcomes Marketplace, an interoperable ecosystem for partner measurement that will bring together a diverse set of key brand, sales, attention, and conversion metrics within the Nielsen ONE platform. Realeyes, focused on attention measurement and creative effectiveness, will be the first measurement provider at launch. “Our Outcomes Marketplace is the latest example of how we are innovating to make it easier to measure what truly matters: real business results,” said Nichole Henderson, GM of Global Campaign Analytics at Nielsen. “Working with industry leaders like Realeyes will allow our clients to seamlessly connect powerful metrics for quick, actionable insights of their campaigns’ outcomes, all in an open, interoperable ecosystem.”
TikTok is introducing new partners to its “Out of Phone” advertising program. Brands will now have access to ad placements beyond mobile with Curb, Westfield Malls, Rockbot, and Hope Hydration, in addition to ReachTV, GSTV and Vevo.
Home Depot’s Orange Apron Media is expanding its first-party data capabilities to non-endemic brands through a new partnership with Yahoo DSP. By harnessing both in-store and digital signals, The Home Depot is now enabling non-endemic brands to reach its high-intent, home-focused audience across display, video, native, and connected TV environments.
Future Today has added interactive games to its content portfolio. Available now across dedicated Roku apps – Free Games by HappyKids and Free Games by Fawesome – as well as within the HappyKids streaming channel, the new game lineup spans arcade challenges, puzzle-solving adventures and educational brain-teasers, and are designed to work with just a TV remote. |
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Cablefax Voices of Impact & Workplace Culture Awards (Formerly The Diversity & Pride List)
There’s still time to spotlight workplace changemakers.
Nominations for the Voices of Impact & Workplace Culture Awards are open through August 8. Help us honor the leaders and programs building inclusive, people-first cultures.
Final honorees will be featured in Cablefax: The Magazine on October 20.
ENTER NOW |
| COMING UP |
| Samsung TV Plus is debuting two new lifestyle channels this month: The Martha Stewart Channel and The Emeril Lagasse Channel.
Telemundo is expanding its broadcast news programming beginning Monday, August 4 with the simulcast of an hourlong early morning news program from the network’s 24/7 streaming news FAST channel. The “Noticias Telemundo AHORA” newcast will air weekday mornings at 7a.
August heats up on INSP with weekend stunts including Born Tough (today, August 1 through Sunday, August 3), celebrating Sam Elliott; Better Off Red (Saturday, August 9-Sunday, August 10), featuring movies with red-headed women; and Don’t Mess with Fess! (Sunday, August 17), a Fess Parker birthday celebration.
Submissions for the 78th Annual Writers Guild Awards open Monday, September 15, with preliminary voting beginning January 6. The ceremony takes place Sunday, March 8.
Documentary film “Big Dreams: Little League World Series,” focused on the town in rural Pennsylvania that is home to the LLWS, premieres Tuesday, August 12 at 9:30p on ESPN. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| FOX Corp. has acquired a one-third interest Penske Entertainment, inclusive of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a multi-year extension of INDYCAR’s media rights with FOX Sports. “We’re thrilled to join the INDYCAR ownership group at such a pivotal time for the sport,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer, FOX Sports. “INDYCAR represents everything we value in live sports – passionate fans, iconic venues, elite competition, and year-round storytelling potential. This investment underscores our commitment to motorsports and our belief in INDYCAR’s continued growth on and off the track.” This year’s Indianapolis 500 on FOX averaged 7.01 million viewers, a 41% increase over the previous edition and a 17-year high.
DirecTV announced that streaming, satellite and U-verse customers will gain access to ESPN Unlimited at no additional cost. All DIRECTV streaming and MySports customers will receive access to ESPN Unlimited following its launch, with satellite and U-verse customers gaining access later this fall. DirecTV also plans to make HBO Max and Peacock ad tiers available within select DIRECTV packages later this year. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| JK Media Group has formalized a distribution agreement for its original productions with Mega Global Entertainment independent distribution network, starting with the Spanish-language licensing of “Foodie on the Go.” The company also announced the launch of its new MMA league, Empire MMA, which premieres in August on Telemundo Deportes’ new FAST channel. |
| PRODUCTION |
| Amsterdam-based channel group and FAST streaming specialist Insight TV announced the asset acquisition of factual content company Off the Fence (“My Octopus Teacher”). Key staff at OTF have been retained with select roles integrated into Insight TV’s commercial, legal, and acquisitions teams. In line with Insight TV’s evolving third-party and co-production model, the decision was made not to continue with OTF’s in-house production arm. |
| RATINGS |
| The sixth episode in season three of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” hit a new series high 4.5 million viewers with three days of viewing. The period drama is tracking 25% higher than last season, with week-to-week growth each episode.
Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas in July” programming stunt boosted the network to be the #1 most-watched entertainment cable net throughout the month in Weekend Prime among Households, Total Viewers, Women 18+, and Persons 18+, and #1 in Total Day among Households and Women 18+. The four original movie premieres ranked as the #1 most-watched entertainment cable programs on Saturdays, and limited docuseries “Christmas at Sea” was the #2 most-watched entertainment cable program in its time period on Mondays among Women 18+.
Netflix’s 2020 docuseries “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich” counted 73.1 million minutes watched the week of July 18, up 430% from the week prior. The surge comes as President Trump faces backlash among supporters calling for the long-promised release of more files on Epstein’s criminal case. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| E.W. Scripps has appointed former WarnerMedia Entertainment exec Sandy Padula as VP, Head of Enterprise Research and Consumer Insights. Most recently, Padula led a boutique executive consulting firm focused on research-driven growth strategies.
PMG has tapped Leah Meranus to serve as SVP Customer Success, a newly created customer leadership role. Meranus most recently served as CEO of Dentsu X North America. |
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This Day in History
1996 – George R.R. Martin published A Game of Thrones.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the name of Ernestine’s boyfriend on “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73)? Vito. Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Gary Bernstein-Bernstein/Romero Productions/LA; Ed Horwitz-WitzEnd Productions/LA; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Jim Kelly-Jim Kelly Consulting/Central Islip, NY; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC
Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom star’s TV husband was recast during the short run of her 2000-01 series? (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.) |
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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