|
|
| Thursday October 16, 2025 |
 IN THE NEWS |
| Roku has unveiled major updates to its platform, including new AI-powered voice control capabilities. Users can ask questions like “What kind of fish is Nemo?”, and the AI-powered voice technologies will answer. Roku is also improving its content discovery tools and enhancing its sports offering with updates like Live Scores and Reminders features.
NBC News is laying off about 150 employees, said the company on Wednesday. The move comes as MSNBC and CNBC prepare to split from NBC News as part of the Versant spinoff, and will no longer rely on NBC News for newsgathering support. NBC News has about 140 open job postings and is encouraging affected staff to apply.
As sports rights splinter across multiple platforms, fan frustration is growing, according to a Hub Entertainment Research study presented at Cynopsis’ ScreenShift event on Tuesday. Highlights from the “Evolution of Sports” study include:
· 72%of avid fans say sports are more important to them than anything else they watch on TV.
· 87% of avid fans said they were at least somewhat likely to sign up for new subscriptions to watch a sport they follow, and two thirds (66%) said they were very likely.
· 65% of sports fans say it’s a hassle to use multiple services to watch games during a season.
· 53% say it’s become harder to find the sports they want to watch compared to a year ago.
· 63% say having games on separate apps makes it hard to check on other games that are on at the same time. |
 |
| “These findings prove once again that sports have unrivaled power to attract new viewers to a platform, and keep them engaged over time,” said Jon Giegengack, Founder and Principal at Hub and one of the study authors. “But it’s critical for services to remember that with great power comes great responsibility: the splintering of rights is making sports content harder to find. The backlash will come bigger and faster from sports fans than those looking for scripted TV.”
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).
Fawesome is expanding its Spanish-language content library through new partnerships with Latin American and international distributors. “Fawesome’s expansion into Spanish-language programming is not just about increasing volume, it’s about delivering content that reflects the tastes, traditions and stories of US Hispanic audiences,” said David Di Lorenzo, SVP Content Acquisitions and Partnerships at Future Today. “This initiative marks a major milestone in elevating content offerings for one of the fastest-growing streaming demographics we’ve seen across our platforms.” |
 |
| CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026
Get Ready for Convergent TV World 2026
March 5-6, 2026 | The event where TV, data, and technology align.
Registration opens Nov. 3. Don’t miss it—sign up for alerts or explore sponsorships now.
LEARN MORE |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| “His & Hers,” a psychological thriller based on the novel by Alice Feeney, makes its debut Thursday, January 8 on Netflix.
Season three of “Ms. Pat Settles It” premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 10p on BET. Pat’s celebrity jury lineup includes NeNe Leakes, DeRay Davis, Karlous Miller, Safaree Samuels, Navv Greene, Jasmin Brown, and Carmen Barton.
“Blue Lights,” also returning for a third season, hits BritBox on Thursday, November 13. The drama is set in a world where the old political and criminal order has gone and a new global gang rule Belfast. |
Today’s Premieres
CBS: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage at 8p; Ghosts at 8:30p
Netflix: The Diplomat; Romantics Anonymous; Starting 5
Peacock: Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
 Meet the new Bosch: MGM+ has greenlit a “Bosch” prequel series. “Bosch: Start of Watch” explores the origin story of Michael Connelly’s detective Harry Bosch, portrayed by Titus Welliver on the original “Bosch” series and its sequel “Bosch Legacy.” Cameron Monaghan (“Shameless”) will star as Titus in the new entry.
VICE Studios (“Gangs of London”) has signed a deal with V10 Entertainment (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) to co-develop “Clip Bait,” a hybrid clip and competition series. Each clip is judged by content creators, with fans deciding the ultimate viral champion in a live, interactive finale. |
| CABLEFAX MOST POWERFUL WOMEN
Celebrate the Power of Women in Media
Join us Dec. 4 at The Current at Chelsea Piers for an unforgettable evening honoring the women shaping the future of programming, marketing, and technology.
LEARN MORE |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Roku has launched its CTV advertising platform in Brazil. “In Brazil, the number of streaming households has gone up – double-digit growth year-over-year – and we want to meet that audience where they are,” said Lucio Grimaldi, Director, LATAM Advertising Sales at Roku. “Earlier this year, we added 30 FAST channels to our Live TV Guide to match this expanding market, and now we want to help advertisers overcome their biggest challenges.” |
| TECH |
| Viamedia has officially rebranded as Viamedia.ai, an AI-powered platform aimed at reducing the complexity of managing campaigns across traditional TV, streaming and digital channels. The evolution is powered by the integration of LocalFactor, the tech-enabled digital advertising which VIamedia acquired in March. “We’re not just rebranding – we’re reimagining how advertising should work,” said David Solomon, CEO of Viamedia.ai. “Our AI eliminates the complexity that has plagued multi-channel campaigns for years. What used to take weeks of coordination now happens in seconds.”
Samsung TV Plus is partnering with Spotify to exclusively launch its first-ever FAST channel, The Ringer from Spotify. “Bringing The Ringer to Samsung TV Plus is an exciting evolution – expanding our reach and allowing audiences to engage with our content in new ways,” said Geoff Chow, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Studios & Managing Director of The Ringer. “This partnership highlights the growing influence of video podcasts and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality programming across multiple platforms.”
DoubleVerify has expanded its technical integration for authenticating advertising with Microsoft. Previously, DV had access to MSN and Microsoft’s third-party network. With this expansion, DV now has access to Microsoft’s ad platform, which includes inventory from Bing, Outlook, and Casual Games.
Stack Adapt announced the general availability of its martech suite. The platform brings email marketing, first-party data activation, and programmatic advertising into one AI-powered platform.
OUTFRONT Media announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services to modernize OOH planning and buying through AI-enabled workflows. The initiative will enable the planning, purchasing, and measurement of static and digital OOH inventory end-to-end using natural language via intelligent agents. |
| COMING UP |
| OWN’s OWN For the Holidays programming event returns for its seventh year with three new movies: “Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Showdown” and “Very Merry Mystery.” The holiday films premiere over three consecutive Saturdays at 9p, beginning November 29. |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| FanDuel Sports Network announced a new partnership with Ming Entertainment, which will become the network’s primary crewing provider beginning January 1. “FanDuel Sports Network has rapidly transitioned itself as an innovative player in the sports media landscape,” said Matthew Kwok, Founder & Owner, Kwokman Productions. “We’re proud to bring our nationwide network of production professionals and Ming’s proven crewing and payroll expertise to support the network’s continued growth and success.” |
| Free Live Sports is launching 45 dedicated free sports channels on devices powered by TiVo, including smart televisions and the DTS AutoStage Video Service Powered by TiVo. “This partnership transforms how sports fans access content,” said Cathy Rasenberger, President of Free Live Sports. “We’re bringing comprehensive, high-quality sports programming to viewers wherever they are – at home or on the road – leveraging TiVo’s powerful global platform.” |
|
This Day in History
1915 – Great Britain declared war on Bulgaria.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On “Green Acres” (1965-71), which country was Lisa from? Hungary. Kudos to: Michael Goodman-Radio One/Atlanta; Karen Kelly-SPUH/Barnegat, NJ; Joel Dearing-Virtual News Center/Indianapolis; Jane Pook/Brooklyn, NY; Barb Throm-Throm Media/St. Louis; Tom Boyd-WGN/Chicago; Rosemary Cunningham- MeTV/Chicago; Beth Tallent-Tallent PR/Nashville; Wendy Holmes/Denver; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA
Today’s Trivia Question
On “Fresh Off the Boat” (2016-20), what was the name of the Huangs’ restaurant? (Email mjfarrell9865324@gmail.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Limit of four answers per 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 |
|
|
