 IN THE NEWS |
| Could Netflix make a bid for WarnerBros. Discovery? Not likely, to hear Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters tell it. “We come from a deep heritage of being builders rather than buyers,” he told attendees at the Bloomberg Screentime conference. “One should have a reasonable amount of skepticism around big media mergers. They don’t have an amazing track record over time.” Paramount Skydance is said to be considering a bid for WBD, sparking speculation about other possible buyers, including Netflix. “We have to think really carefully about how we invest our capital, our time and our attention,” said Peters. “If that’s the best way to do it, great. And if it’s not, we should do something else.”
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, also at the Bloomberg event, didn’t confirm or deny the possibility that Paramount will make a play for Warner Bros. Discovery. But he did maintain there are “actionable” opportunities outside of WBD. “We would approach it, make it more, not less,” he said.
The estate of the late Bob Ross is auctioning 30 paintings by Ross – many of which were created on-air – with profits pledged to American Public Television stations amid the funding crisis. “This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades,” said Bob Ross Inc. president Joan Kowalski. Ross died in 1995 at age 52 in 1995.
TV ad revenues ticked up 4% to $8.77 billion in 3Q25, with an assist from NFL and college football, according to iSpot. Total TV advertising impressions dipped nearly 3% to $1.7 trillion, while national TV linear ad airings inched down 1% to 12.2 million. CBS grabbed the most TV ad impression reach (7.04%), followed by Fox News (6.86%), ABC (6.38%), NBC (6.19%) and ESPN (3.67%). |
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CYNOPSIS SCREENSHIFT
Building Iconic Athlete Brands Through Storytelling
At ScreenShift, Oct. 14 in NYC, Ameeth Sankaran, CEO of Religion of Sports, shares how storytelling has turned athletes like Tom Brady, Simone Biles, and Serena Williams into enduring cultural brands. Discover how platforms, agencies, and partners can build authentic content pipelines and align business goals with narratives that drive real value.
Don’t miss this playbook for powerful brand building.
RESERVE MY SPOT |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 HBO’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” debuts Sunday, January 18 at 10p. The “Game of Thrones” prequel is set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne.
All six episodes of “Malice” drop on Prime Video on Friday, November 14. The series focuses on a charismatic tutor who charms his way into the life of a wealthy family while they’re on holiday in Greece.
Season 11 of Bravo’s “Southern Charm” debuts Wednesday, November 19 at 9p. The episode will follow BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas.
“Who Hired a Hitman?” premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 10p on ID. The true crime series follows surprising murder investigations.
“Studio C” is back for season 21 on Monday, October 13 at 8p on BYUtv. Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”) will guest star for the launch. |
Today’s Premieres
Apple TV+: Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars; The Last Frontier
CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us at 8p; Masters of Illusion at 9p
Netflix: Kurukshetra: The War of Mahabharata; Old Money
Tubi: Always, Lady London
We TV: The Braxtons at 8p
Saturday’s Premieres
A&E: The Real Estate Commission with Todd J. Drowlette
Netflix: Typhoon Family
Sunday’s Premieres
CBS: Matlock at 8:30p; Elsbeth at 9:30p
HBO: The Chair Company at 10p
Hulu: One Punch Man
Ho ho ho! Cynopsis is gearing up for our annual Holiday Programming Guide – dropping November 3 and delivered straight to all Cynopsis subscribers. If your network has holiday programming airing from November 3 through January 1, please send your listing to janetdilauro@gmail.com and Lynn@cynopsis.com no later than October 22 with the subject line: Holiday Guide. To be included, programs must be listed by date, title of program, and start times, in the following format: “Thursday, November 19: Network Name: My One Christmas Wish at 9a, Paper Angels at 11a, 12 Days of Giving at 1p”. Holiday-related programs only! A confirmation email will be sent following each submission (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit). |
| PRODUCTION |
| FOX has ordered a two-season pickup for “MasterChef,” with Seasons 16 and 17. Gordon Ramsay will return as a host and judge, alongside restaurateur Joe Bastianich and chef and entrepreneur Tiffany Derry. “MasterChef remains a standout series for FOX, drawing its dedicated fanbase back season after season to witness amateur cooks transform into culinary masters,” said Yasmin Rawji, Executive Vice President Unscripted, Fox Entertainment.
Globo and BBC Studios have entered into a co-production agreement for a documentary series focused on the Amazon. The show will combine BBC Studios’ expertise in documentary filmmaking with Globo’s journalistic strength in telling stories from Brazil. “This co-production is more than a series: it is a testament to the strength of Indigenous communities, the urgency of protecting the Amazon, and the power of audiovisual storytelling as a tool for transformation,” said Gabriel Jacome, Director of Content at TV Globo.
A six-part reality series starring Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”), which goes behind the scenes of the actor’s New York-based gay bar and nightclub, has been greenlit for WOW Presents Plus. “Club Cumming” will air in 2026.
Christopher Briney (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”) has joined the season five cast of HBO Max’s “Hacks.” |
 Banijay Kids & Family (“Totally Spies!”) announced a new co-production with creator business platform, TheSoul Publishing (“5-Minute Crafts”). The deal triggers the launch of original IP “Ava & Digger,” a digital-first animated series set to debut on YouTube and streaming platforms later this year. The series follows the adventures of two animal friends living with their psychologist owner. The rollout strategy is “designed to be agile and responsive, with adaptive content formats and storylines to reflect audience preferences and current trends as the show progresses.”
FOX Entertainment Studios and HarperCollins Productions announced a two-way, first-look development deal. Together, the companies will create a content pipeline that they say “flows between book and screen.” FES will develop original series, feature films, and made-for-platform movies inspired by Avon A titles, while giving Avon A the opportunity to publish adaptations based on FES originals from its portfolio of cross-platform stories.
FOX Entertainment also announced an equity stake investment in digital entertainment company and vertical video expert Holywater. “Innovation in digital storytelling is shaping the future of entertainment and investing in vertical video positions FOX Entertainment to achieve sustained, long-term growth as we build a modern studio for the future,” said Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment. “This partnership is all about finding different, innovative ways to tell stories and inspire storytellers and creators like never before, while giving us the tools and flexibility to bring talent ideas to life faster, smarter and across more platforms worldwide.” |
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| CABLEFAX MOST POWERFUL WOMEN
Recognizing Excellence. Inspiring the Future.
Nominations close TONIGHT at midnight. This is your last chance to recognize the leaders driving programming, ops, marketing, and tech. Act now—before it’s too late.
NOMINATE NOW |
| TECH |
FOX Advertising and Mobian are teaming for the continued development of FOX’s Converged Media Platform, powered by AdRise, which was announced in May. Mobian’s AI-powered intelligence tools within OneFOX offers:
· Unified Audience Insights: AI connects signals across streaming and digital endpoints for an end-to-end view of the consumer journey across the FOX portfolio.
· AI-Driven Activation: Real-time optimization of ad placement based on contextual alignment and creative resonance.
· AI-Fueled Measurement: Moves beyond identity-based measurement with data signals to demonstrate performance without reliance on personal data.
“To start, we’ll launch this technology within our News ecosystem – marketers naturally want to be assured their ads won’t appear next to content that doesn’t align with their brand,” said Stephano Kim, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, FOX Advertising Sales. “Unfortunately, traditional technology is flawed and oftentimes mistakenly flags content that is completely brand safe. Particularly in news, this unnecessarily prevents advertisers from reaching important consumers while jeopardizing publishers from receiving funding to create content that provides audiences a vital connection to the world around them.”
Monetization platform Dappier and LiveRamp, the data collaboration partner, announced a partnership to unlock a new category of ad inventory: personalized advertisements driven within publishers’ native AI chat and search experiences. “Dappier enables publishers to thrive in the transition from web pages to AI agents, letting them easily launch their own branded experiences and then monetize those interactions with high-intent ads driven by user conversation and page context,” said Dan Goikhman, CEO of Dappier. “Now with LiveRamp enabling us to extend their offering from the open web to the agentic web, ads optimize for users and publishers alike while supporting consumer trust.” |
| COMING UP |
| Creator TV and World Poker Tour are teaming up to co-produce the “Creator Poker Championship,” a tournament featuring popular content creators. The event, streaming Thursday, December 18 across Creator TV and WPT channels, marks Creator TV’s debut into the sports and gaming space. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Google is partnering with LA28, Team USA and NBCUniversal to create a more personal and interactive Olympics experience for US fans, athletes, volunteers and members of the Games workforce. The partnership brings together advancements across Google Search, Gemini and Google Cloud.
Formula E’s global cumulative TV audience grew by 14% to a record 561 million in Season 11 (2024/25). The all-electric series’ global fanbase reached 422 million by the end of Season 11, a 13% increase from Season 10.
Enterprise, the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have extended their multiyear North American partnership. “Our partnership with the NHL and NHLPA has provided Enterprise with an incredible platform to authentically connect with a passionate fanbase, driving visibility, loyalty and deeper engagement with our brand,” said Susan Lynch, Assistant Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Enterprise Mobility. “We are excited to extend our partnership and look forward to bringing innovative mobility solutions to meet the needs of the League, its Players and its fans.” |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| FETV (Family Entertainment Television) has launched on Cox Communications. “This launch extends our reach and strengthens our commitment to providing audiences nationwide with quality family-friendly entertainment,” said Cara Conte, EVP Affiliate Sales of FETV and FMC.
Free streaming news service Local Now announced the addition of 5 channels from FOX to its growing lineup. The new offerings include FOX Sports, FOX Weather, LiveNOW from FOX, FOX Soul, and TMZ. |
| RATINGS |
| Season three of Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” hit 70 million viewers in its first 70 days, up 65% from the same period for season two.
Last Monday’s four-hour finale of Telemundo’s “Top Chef VIP” ranked as the #1 show in primetime, regardless of language (excluding sports), among A18-49, according to Nielsen. The episode delivered 536,000 in the demo and 1.8 million total viewers. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Jay Askinasi has been named Chief Revenue Officer at Paramount. Askinasi had headed ad sales at Roku.
Versant has appointed Liz Melcher as VP, Talent Strategy for Entertainment. Melcher was most recently Group VP of Talent Management and Strategy for WBD’s US networks.
Andreia Todd, formerly at Channel Factory, has joined Zefr as VP of Global Brand Marketing, leading the company’s brand strategy, positioning, and global campaigns.
Madhive has appointed Jim Wilson to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Madhive. Wilson founded and led Premion, the company’s first client. |
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This Day in History
1845 – The US Naval Academy was founded.
Friday Fun Fact
The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 produced the loudest sound ever recorded in history, heard over 3,000 miles.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which two medical dramas ran from 1969-76? “Medical Center” and Marcus Welby, MD.” Kudos to: Jackie Howell-Nexstar WCMH-TV/Columbus, OH; Ted Linhart-Tedon TV Newsletter/NYC; Mike Gioscia-NBCUniversal/NYC; Greg West-WATC/Atlanta; John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas; Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago; Tom Boyd-WGN/Chicago; Kevin Moran-Blarney Productions/LA; Kerri Huyck/Kennewick, WA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
No Googling Week: What was the original name of western drama “The Men From Shiloh” (1962-71)? (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone.) |
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER>>
HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP/CHARLOTTE, NC:
Oversee daily sales pipeline operations focused on national sponsorships, integrations, and branded content tied to unscripted programming. Manage and coach the Business Development team, drive outbound activity, shape proposals and pricing, and lead CRM strategy, reporting, and optimizations via Salesforce. Full info HERE
MANAGER, CONSUMER INSIGHTS & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE >>
SESAME WORKSHOP/NEW YORK, NY:
Support the Research & Insights team in understanding the behaviors, motivations, and needs of children, educators, and caregivers—especially as they interact with TV shows, digital content and experiences. This role will help execute research initiatives that inform content strategy, digital product development, marketing, and audience engagement. Full info HERE
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER >>
NTD/WASHINGTON, DC:
Pitch story ideas and write scripts/segment outlines as well as research guests and interview topics. Book guests and coordinate interviews. Help with logistics and sometimes field production. Support shoots and ensure production runs smoothly. Review footage and work with editors to shape final episodes. Write headlines, teasers, and social posts. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION >>
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY/HOLLYWOOD, CA: Responsible for all HR functions and oversight of administrative and management needs. This strategic role is charged with operating from a customer service driven viewpoint that prioritizes employee satisfaction as well as enforce legally compliant policies, increase efficiency by implementing administrative and record-keeping best practices. 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
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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