 IN THE NEWS |
| Following Netflix’s lead, Disney said it will stop reporting subscriber numbers with its quarterly reports. “We believe quarterly updates on the number of paid subscribers and ARPU have become less meaningful to evaluating the performance of our businesses, and we will no longer report these metrics starting with the first quarter of fiscal 2026 for Disney+ and Hulu and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 for ESPN+,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston in earnings commentary with the fiscal third quarter figures. It’s not as if Disney has anything to hide, streaming-wise – the company beat Wall Street expectations, with Disney+ and Hulu swinging to a profit of $346 million amid continued subscriber growth, versus a year-ago loss of $19 million. Netflix stopped reporting subscriber numbers on a quarterly basis in the first quarter of this year.
In more Disney news, Hulu will be integrated into Disney+, with the launch of a unified streaming app experience coming next year that pairs Disney’s family-friendly content with Hulu’s more general fare. Hulu will also become the international tile on Disney+, replacing Star, this fall. The announcement comes almost two months after Disney completed its purchase of Comcast’s stake in Hulu. “We are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+,” stated Iger and Johnston. “This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.” |
 National TV spending by automakers was $437.9 million for the second quarter, down 8.2% year-over-year, estimates iSpot.tv. The year-to-date spend is $1.2 billion, down 1.3% year-over-year. The top five brands for 2Q25: Hyundai ($47.9 million), Kia ($41 million), Nissan ($35.5 million), Lexus ($32.3 million) and Subaru ($27.9 million). |
| Cablefax Most Powerful Women
Celebrate Women Who Lead & Inspire
From the boardroom to the newsroom, Cablefax is recognizing the women whose influence shapes the industry. These leaders drive growth, innovation, and opportunity across every department.
Nominate your industry trailblazer today.
NOMINATE TODAY |
| PRODUCTION |
| Filming has commenced in London on the second season of the Sky Original dark comedy thriller “Sweetpea.” New cast members include Tamsin Greig (“Riot Women”) and Rish Shah (“Overcompensating”).
Seoul-based Aanaxion Studio (upcoming film “Protector”) is expanding into the global kids and family space with the launch of Konfetti Studios, a subsidiary led by veteran animation and franchise executive Norman Grossfeld (“Yu-Gi-Oh!,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, “Pokémon”). The goal: developing next-generation brands by leveraging Grossfeld’s expertise with the surging worldwide demand for K-content. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Season four of Fox celebrity social experiment “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” kicks off Thursday, September 25 at 9p. This season’s recruits facing demanding training exercises includes Kody Brown, Brittany Cartwright, Randall Cobb, Eric Decker, Jessie James Decker, Andrew East, Shawn Johnson East, Mark Estes, Gia Giudice, Teresa Giudice, Chanel Iman, Brianna LaPaglia, Johnny Manziel, Eva Marcille, Ravi V. Patel, Christie Pearce Rampone, Jussie Smollett and Nick Young.
“Ghost Adventures: House Calls,” following responses to “urgent paranormal cases,” returns Wednesday, August 20 at 10p on Discovery Channel.
HISTORY docuseries “Mountain Men” returns for season 14 on Wednesday, September 3 at 8p. |
Today’s Premieres
AMC+: The Newsreader
FXX: Necaxa at 9p
Hulu: Ted Bundy: Dialogue With the Devil
Prime Video: Taurasi
Tubi: Demascus |
| Cablefax Voices of Impact & Workplace Culture Awards (Formerly The Diversity & Pride List)
Honoring the Changemakers Redefining Work for the Better
The Voices of Impact & Workplace Culture Awards celebrate those building inclusive, empowering, and people-first workplaces.
Nominate your changemaker by TOMORROW, August 8.
NOMINATE TODAY |
| SPORTS REPORT |
 ESPN will launch its new streaming service, called simply ESPN, on Thursday, August 21, with a price tag of $29.99. An expanded deal with the NFL enables fans to bundle ESPN’s DTC service with NFL+ Premium. The new streamer will have robust NFL content – ESPN acquired the NFL Network and other media assets from the NFL in exchange for a 10% equity stake.
On Disney’s earnings call, CEO Bob Iger said the company has “had some discussions with other companies” about more potential sports bundles. “As a devoted sports fan, I often have to work to try to find what platform sports are on,” said Iger. “If we can help consumers in that regard, we’re certainly going to try.”
IMG has extended its agreement to broadcast the Premier League to the inflight and cruise markets on Sport 24, for the next three seasons. Under the deal, Sport 24 will continue to broadcast 270+ matches live on its channels to passengers globally each season.
Nancy Lieberman Charities has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, BEVEL & P&G, and basketball league the BIG3, to present a new Dream Court to the Santa Monica community. The outdoor basketball court will provide a safe place for youth to play basketball, build positive relationships, and much more. “You don’t have to be an expert to know what kind of impact a space like this has on children,” said BIG3 CEO Ice Cube. “Having a safe, fun, professional-grade space to play makes kids feel valued and empowered.” |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Curiosity, Inc. announced the launch of its flagship streaming service, Curiosity Stream, as an add-on subscription on Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand.
MyOutdoorTV has launched on Prime Video in Canada. MOTV has been available on Prime Video in the US since 2019. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Skydance Media CEO David Ellison announced executives who will serve under the company’s leadership team after Skydance’s merger with Paramount Global: Don Granger, President, Motion Picture Group; Kevin MacLellan, President, International and Global Content Distribution; Rebecca Mall, President, Cross Company Initiatives, Franchise, and Corporate Marketing; Matt Thunell, President, Paramount Television Studios; Kevin Creighton, EVP, Corporate Finance & Investor Relations; Tony Driscoll, EVP, Head of Corporate Strategy & Development; Efrain Miron, EVP, Head of Content Strategy & Licensing, DTC; Jose Turkienicz, EVP, Head of Global Operations; Laura Watson, EVP, Corporate and Executive Communications; and Jane Wiseman, EVP, Head of Originals, DTC.
Cadent has appointed Jeremy Haft as EVP of Sales & Growth Markets. Previously, Haft served as Chief Revenue Officer at Digital Remedy and Channel Factory.
Production studio Muck Media has hired Yuna Ma as Head of Production. Ma joins from Story Syndicate. |
 |
This Day in History
1912 – The Progressive Party nominated Theodore Roosevelt as President.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which sitcom followed a family from New York City who relocated to New Mexico to operate a dude ranch? “Guestward, Ho!” (1960-61). Kudos to: Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Gary Bernstein-Bernstein/Romero Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What show did “Morning Joe” replace on MSNBC? (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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