 IN THE NEWS |
 Gray Media struck a deal with Allen Media Group to acquire AMG’s television stations in ten markets for $171 million. The transaction would bring Gray into three new markets, Columbus-Tupelo, Mississippi; Terre Haute, Indiana; and West Lafayette, Indiana, and strengthen the company’s presence in the seven other markets by creating new duopolies. AMG intends to use the proceeds to help pay down debt. The deal is expected to close in 4Q25, pending regulatory approval, waivers of FCC local ownership and other customary closing conditions.
FOX News has petitioned LA County to obtain public records relating to the relationship between the voting technology company Smartmatic and county officials. The move comes after Department of Justice filings indicated that senior Smartmatic executives engaged in potential misconduct in the company’s contracting with LA County, including providing “items of value” to an LA official who helped them secure their contract, and allegedly funneling taxpayer dollars to a “slush fund” for bribery. Smartmatic sued FOX News for defamation in 2021, claiming FNC knowingly spread false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 election, and is seeking $2.7 billion in damages.
Streaming revenues at AMC Network rose 12% to $169 million for the second quarter, primarily due to price increases. Streaming subscribers increased 2% year-over-year, to 10.4 million. Advertising revenues decreased 18% year-over-year to $123 million due to linear ratings declines and lower marketplace pricing. Asked during an earnings call if AMC Networks was going to take a page from Comcast or WBD and sell or spin off its cable assets, CFO Patrick McConnell noted the differences between his company and theirs. “We have a studio, we have a big streaming business,” he said. “There’s a lot of IP housed within this company. And so we’ve also got an amazing portfolio of streaming products that work really hard alone, and they work even harder together. And I think that’s sort of thematically how we think about the business as a whole, you know, all the pieces kind of work together, and it’s sort of strength compounding strength.” |
 Netflix has renewed “One Piece” for a third season. That’s ahead of the pirate adventure series’ sophomore run, which won’t start until 2026. Ian Stokes is joining Joe Tracz as co-showrunner for the third season following the departure of Matt Owens.
“Live with Kelly and Mark” hit a summertime high of 2.234 million viewers the week of July 21. That’s up 7% from the week prior.
SuperSport has become the first African broadcaster to launch a dedicated 24-hour women’s sports channel, in partnership with the All Women’s Sport Network. Co-founded by Whoopi Goldberg and Jungo TV, AWSN is now available as a fully produced live stream only feed on DStv Stream, Channel 244, accessible to viewers on the Access package across South Africa and the rest of Africa. |
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CYNOPSIS SCREENSHIFT
For the Media Pros in Transition
If you’re exploring new roles, we want you in the room.
Cynopsis ScreenShift is opening 10 discounted spots at $99 for job seekers to join us Oct 14 in NYC—starting at 3PM with roundtables, panels, and networking.
Request access: marketing@cynopsis.com
GET THE INFO |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| CBS’ “Elsbeth” has a trio guest stars for its season three premiere. Onboard are Amy Sedaris (“At Home with Amy Sedaris”), Andy Richter (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”), and Lindsay Mendez (“American Sports Story: Aaron Henandez”).
Family drama “Crossroad Springs” launches Thursday, August 28 on streamer Pure Flix, and premieres on Great American Family and GFAM+ Saturdays at 8p beginning August 30.
Disney Jr. announced premiere dates at the “Disney Jr. Let’s Play!” fan event on Friday. Two new spinoff series are set for 2027: “Cars: Lightning Racers,” and “Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends,” spun from “Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends.” Season three of “Superkitties” hits screens Tuesday, September 23. |
Today’s Premieres
Acorn TV: Irish Blood
Disney Jr.: Marvel’s Irom Man and his Awesome Friends at 8:30a
Lifetime: A Sorority Mom’s Guide to Rush! At 10p |
| Cynopsis ScreenShift
NOW CONFIRMED: C2HR is partnering up with Cynopsis.
C2HR is teaming up with Cynopsis to host an exclusive job seekers roundtable—packed with tips on landing your next big opportunity.
Job Seekers Special: Join from 3 PM for just $99. Opportunity’s knocking—answer it!
REQUEST MY PASS |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Versant has appointed Erin Calhoun as SVP of Entertainment, Sports Communications and Steve Arocho as VP of Corporate Communications. Erin most recently served as EVP of Communications for Paramount Streaming & Paramount+ with SHOWTIME; Arocho previously led efforts at Major League Baseball across Social Responsibility, Community Affairs, Baseball & Softball Development, Youth Engagement, and Multicultural Outreach. |
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This Day in History
1866 – The world’s first roller rink opened in Newport, Rhode Island.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which show aired as a rotating mystery movie on NBC in the 1970s, and again on ABC 11 years later? “Colombo.” Kudos to: Ray Mendelsohn-FanDuel Sports Network/Cincinnati; Paul Gluck-TUTV/Philadelphia; Mikie May-Indiana Golf Journal; Eric Litt-Multicast Networks/Chicago; John Kukla-KDFX Fox 4/Dallas; Wendy Holmes/Denver; Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago; Kevin Moran-Blarney Productions/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Which show started locally in LA in 1951, moved to ABC in 1955, and wound up its run in first-run syndication? (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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