In a joint statement ABC News, CBS News, CNN, FOX News Media, NBC News said, “Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the US military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press.” News outlets had until yesterday at 5p to sign the document, but so far only one – pro-Trump conservative network OneAmerica – has done so.

CBS News staffers won’t be disciplined by the network if they fail to respond to a controversial memo sent last week by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Citing a message to members from the Writer’s Guild of America, Variety reports CBS told the union that “you will not be disciplined if you do not respond to the email, indicating that a response was optional. The company further stated that if you choose to respond, it will not be a basis for discipline, discharge, or layoff. We intend to hold the company to these responses.” Weiss set off a firestorm of criticism when it was revealed she sent staffers a memo asking them to tell her “how you spend your working hours” and what they thought of CBS News. The WGA had advised its members not to respond to the request until CBS provided more details.

Have you submitted your holiday listings yet?
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 and 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).

Chef, author, and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich spotlights everyday Americans who help those in need in her next PBS special, “Lidia Celebrates America: A Nation of Neighbors,” airing November 25 at 9p.

Great American Media has renewed original drama series, “County Rescue.” Season three of the series will stream exclusively on Great American Pure Flix and return to air on Great American Family and GFAM+ in 2026. The family drama follows EMTs and paramedics on their personal and professional journeys.

FETV will begin airing family-friendly western series “Here Come the Brides” on November 1. The series starring Robert Brown, Bobby Sherman, and David Soul will air weekdays at 2p.

Netflix and Spotify have formed a partnership to bring a select number of video podcasts to the streamer’s platform. Initial titles include “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” “The Zach Lowe Show,” “The McShay Show,” “The Rewatchables,” and “Conspiracy Theories” and will be available on Netflix in the US in early 2026.

WPP and Google have agreed to a five-year expansion of their partnership, with WPP committing to spend $400 million on Google technologies. The spend will go towards WPP’s efforts to infuse AI into its services like WPP Open, its AI platform for marketing. Through the partnership, WPP will get early access to Google AI models (including Veo, Imagen, and others), and Google Cloud’s AI products will fuel WPP Media’s AI data solution, Open Intelligence. InfoSum’s Bunkers on Google Marketplace will be integrated into WPP Open to offer secure data sharing. Google also will join WPP’s Creative Technology Apprenticeship program as the primary curriculum partner.

DirecTV is partnering with Glance AI to bring artificial intelligence-enhanced interactive screensavers to streaming customers using its Gemini devices in early 2026. The screensavers will use AI-generated images of users, their families and pets and offer items across lifestyle, travel, health, auto, seasonal events, and local trends in an AI-led immersive shopping experience. In addition, the screensavers will allow users to stay up to date in real-time with live weather and sports scores. Users can also customize the images through a mobile app and interact via a remote.

Hulu original “Sebastian Maniscalco: It Ain’t Right” premieres Friday, November 21 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. The show was filmed live at the United Center Arena in Chicago.

The HBO Original documentary short “Country Doctor,” directed by Emmy-winning filmmakers Shari Cookson and Nick Doob (“Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life & Times of Katrina Gilbert”), debuts Tuesday, October 28 at 7p on HBO.

Free TV Networks is partnering with rapper and actor Bow Wow to host “Bow Wow’s House of Horror” for two nights, October 30 and 31, showcasing his favorite genre. The lineup begins October 30 at 8p with “Gothika.

Lifetime’s latest “ripped from the headlines” original movie “Shopping Cart Killer” is scheduled to debut in 2026. Based on a true story, the thriller stars Lela Rochon (“Waiting to Exhale”) and Jarod Joseph (“The 100”). Elisabeth Rohm will direct and executive produce the movie.

Accelerator Active Energy has launched a new campaign featuring Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce that will kick off during the team’s battle with the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. Part of its “Upgrade Your Energy” platform, the campaign shows Kelce Offering a can of Accelerator Active Energy to a Raiders fan who confesses on social media that he’s said a lot of mean things about the Chief’s star over the years. The campaign is running across OLV, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

TNT Sports will continue its coverage of Big 12 football with the West Virginia Mountaineers visiting the UCF Knights on October 18 at 1p on TNT and HBO Max. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30p.

Cablefax Editorial Director Amy Maclean has been selected as a 2026 Cable Hall of Fame inductee by the Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. Maclean joins five other distinguished honorees in being recognized for their leadership and impact across connectivity, content and media. “I’m honored and humbled to join such an inspiring group of Hall of Fame inductees who’ve helped shape the future of the industry,” Maclean said. “It’s been a privilege to chronicle this industry’s story at Cablefax, and I look forward to seeing – and sharing – its next chapter.”

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. named Todd Schwartzman and Kristin Wnuk Senior Vice President, National Sales, and Senior Vice President, Digital Sales, Strategy and Growth, respectively. In addition, Laura Lamattina has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing Solutions and Brand Partnerships, also reporting to Lanzano.

Trilliad has appointed Owen McCorry as its new Chief Growth Officer.

Fox Corp.’s Red Seat Ventures named Rena Ayer Senior Vice President, Content & Talent Partnerships. Ayer will be responsible for developing and overseeing Red Seat Ventures’ portfolio of content partnerships and talent relationships.

Today’s Trivia Question
On “Green Acres” (1965-71), which country was Lisa from? (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Limit of four answers per time zone.)