| A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM HALLMARK CHANNEL |
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| Thursday December 4, 2025 |
 IN THE NEWS |
| Comcast has set January 2 as the date to spin off most of its portfolio of cable networks into a new publicly traded company, Versant, led by CEO Mark Lazarus. The new entity will include MS NOW, CNBC, E!, Oxygen, Syfy, Golf Channel, USA, and select digital assets. Comcast noted that the transaction remains subject to certain conditions, including that no event occurs that, in the board’s sole discretion, would make the distribution inadvisable. |
 ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” game between the playoff-contending San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts on December 22 at 8p will now stream on Disney+ and simulcast on ABC, in addition to remaining available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App. This will be the first traditional NFL game broadcast available to stream on Disney+ for standalone subscribers.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, global advertising spend is forecast to rise by 5.1% in 2026, surpassing the $1 trillion mark for the first time ($1.04 trillion), according to dentsu’s new Global Ad Spend Forecasts. That’s a slowdown compared to 2025 (+5.5%), but still ahead of projected global economic growth (+3.1%), thanks to major events such as the Olympic Winter Games, FIFA World Cup and midterm elections. Retail media is predicted to remain the fastest growing digital channel, increasing 14.1% in 2026, supported by first-party shopper data and closed-loop measurement. CTV advertising is expected to rise by 9.5% in 2026, while broadcast spend is expected to stabilize after a 4.2% decline in 2025.
Netflix has ordered a drama series set in the Las Vegas casino world, co-created by “Billions” creators Brian Koppelman David Levin. Koppelman and Levien executive produce with Paul Schiff (“The Inheritance”), alongside filmmaker Martin Scorsese and his Sikelia Productions, Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn for Expanded Media, and former “Billions” writer-producer Beth Schacter.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) wrote a letter to CBS News ombudsman Kenneth Weinstein asking for information about President Trump’s influence over the network. “President Trump increasingly appears to be exercising direct control over CBS’s editorial decisions, destroying CBS’s ‘journalistic integrity’ while violating its right to be free from governmental coercion and manipulation,” wrote Raskin, pointing to segments omitted from a “60 Minutes” interview with Trump that deprived the public of “critical information about President Trump’s obvious pay-to-play pardon scheme and his obvious discomfort.” |
 Hulu has renewed “Chad Powers” for a second season. The series is based on the “Eli’s Places” segment from ESPN and Omaha Productions, where Eli Manning disguised himself in prosthetics to participate in a walk-on tryout at Penn State, and stars and was co-created by Glen Powell.
CBS ordered second seasons of “Sheriff Country” and “Boston Blue.” “Two new shows on Friday night have become instant hits, with audiences quickly embracing ‘Boston Blue’ and ‘Sheriff Country’ across broadcast and streaming,” said Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment. “These early renewals reflect the power of character-driven storytelling, compelling narratives and the exceptional talent on both sides of the camera that make these series truly stand out.”
HBO Max will launch in Germany and Italy on January 13, and in the UK in March. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, shared the news during a content showcase in London. |
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| CONVERGENT TV WORLD AWARDS 2026
PRICES INCREASE TOMROROW: Where Cross-Screen Excellence Gets Recognized
Innovation deserves a spotlight—and tomorrow is your last day to claim it. The Convergent TV Awards honor the campaigns and technologies shaping the converged future.
Enter by TOMORROW, Dec. 5 and stay ahead of the pack.
ENTER NOW |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Apple TV’s “Your Friends and Neighbors,” starring and executive produced by Jon Hamm, is back for season two on Friday, April 3. James Marsden (“Dead to Me”) has joined the cast.
Season three of HBO’s “Euphoria” will premiere in April – more than four years after season two wrapped.
New Ryan Murphy drama series “The Beauty” premieres with three episodes on FX and Hulu on Wednesday, January 21 at 9p. The thriller follows the investigation into a tech billionaire who has engineered a miracle drug to protect his empire.
HGTV is starting off the year with fresh episodes of series, beginning Sunday, January 4 at 8p with “Home Town.” “The Ugliest House in America” returns Wednesday, January 7 at 8p, along with “Neighborhood Watch” at 9:30p.
Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America: Reality Check” premieres Sunday, January 4 at 8p, with chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry putting a celebrity cast through a culinary boot camp. |
Today’s Premieres
ABC: The Great Christmas Light Fight at 9p
Fox: Next Level Baker at 9p
Netflix: The Abandons; The Believers; Fugue State 1986
TNT: Dunkman at 7p
Tubi: Zero Star: The Cam Ward Story
Viaplay: Murdering Love |
| PRODUCTION |
| Keshet International inked a deal with Sony Pictures Television. The multi-year agreement gives SPT first-look rights to develop and produce English-language adaptations of Keshet International’s scripted titles in partnership with Keshet Studios. First up: A US remake of Keshet 12 romantic comedy series “Save the Date.”
FOX Business Network’s Brian Brenberg got a new job – but he’s keeping his old one. Brenberg has been tapped to co-host “The Bottom Line” alongside Dagen McDowell starting Monday, December 8, in addition to his duties as co-host of FBN’s “The Big Money Show.”
BET Studios will become a label within CBS Studios, George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media, told staff in a memo, explaining the move creates “alignment, resources, and support across studios while preserving BET’s unique programming brand and point of view.” President of Media Sales Louis Carr has been promoted President of BET, succeeding Scott Mills, who is leaving his role of BET Media Group President and CEO. |
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| CYNOPSIS HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING GUIDE
Never Miss a Holiday Moment
Track every movie, special, and festive premiere with our up-to-date schedule running through Jan. 1. Times in EST. Presented by UP Entertainment.
EXPLORE THE GUIDE |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Rebecca Lowe, who currently serves as host of NBC Sports’ Premier League, is joining the Fox Sports broadcast team as one of its hosts covering the FIFA World Cup 2026. “To have the chance to host the FIFA World Cup™ – the greatest event on Earth – in my adopted home country and help to continue to spread the word of the beautiful game across the US is truly a dream,” said Lowe. “I’m so thankful to both NBC and FOX and am already counting down the days until the tournament kicks off next summer.”
Meanwhile, Telemundo, the Spanish-language home of the FIFA World Cup, will deliver all-day coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw live from Washington, DC. In addition to live coverage of the draw on Friday, December 5 at 12p on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock, the network will present multiplatform coverage across Telemundo’s sports, news and entertainment programs, with all shows and talent broadcasting live from the nation’s capital complemented by in-studio programming throughout the day. |
| TECH |
| Untapped Growth, a media buying collective built for independent agencies and mid-market advertisers, has partnered with FreeWheel to bring equitable access to media and transparent pricing to independent agencies and mid-sized brands. “Independent agencies and mid-sized brands have long been boxed out of premium CTV opportunities,” said Brendan Clifford, Managing Partner at Untapped Growth. “This collaboration with FreeWheel changes that. We’re streamlining access to truly innovative CTV strategies, traditionally available to only the largest of agencies. This partnership is making it easier for advertisers to show up where their audiences are, offering transparency, efficient pricing and better outcomes.” |
| COMING UP |
| MeTV is offering A Very Special Sunday on December 28. The stunt is a marathon of reunion, anniversary and retrospective specials for shows including “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “All In the Family,” “I Love Lucy,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days,” starting at 11a.
“Roofman,” starring Channing Tatum in the true story of a struggling father who secretly lives in a Toys “R” Us store for six months, premieres on Paramount+ on Tuesday, December 9. The film was released in theaters on October 10.
TV One is also in a marathon mood, with a block of holiday movies every Sunday starting at 5p, and movies all day long on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Great American Media’s first theatrical film, “Another Sweet Christmas,” will stream exclusively on Great American Pure Flix, beginning Thursday, December 18, and premiere on Great American Family and GFAM+ on Saturday, December 20 at 8p.
FOX Nation is releasing a special on the Luigi Mangione case today. “Healthcare Homicide: The Luigi Mangione Case” offers updates on the murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Marlon Wayans (“Him”) and Skye P. Marshall (“Matlock”) will announce the nominees for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on Monday, December starting at 8:15a on CBSNews.com, with 11 categories revealed on “CBS This Morning” at 8:30a. The Globes ceremony is set for Sunday, January 11 on CBS. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| ITV Studios has sold its new reality quiz format “Nobody’s Fool” to NRK in Norway. The Norwegian version will be produced by ITV Studios Norway and is set to launch on the channel in 2026.
Bomanbridge Media has secured sales for wildlife series “The Secret World of Snakes.” The co-production between Bomanbridge Media, South Africa’s Lion Mountain Media and China Media Group(CMG), will debut in China on CMG’s CCTV 9 in early 2026. The three-parter has also been picked up by National Geographic for EMEA and Discovery Asia. |
| RATINGS |
| The Thanksgiving Day match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs delivered 57.2 million viewers to CBS, making it the most-watched regular season game ever.
Fox Sports’ Thanksgiving Day game between the Green Pay Packers and Detroit Lions drew 47.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game on record and Fox’s most-watched regular season game ever.
CBS Sports’ Thanksgiving Classic matchup between Duke and Arkansas drew 6.81 million viewers, making in the most-watched regular season college basketball game in more than 30 years – since February 1993. |
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This Day in History
1980 – Led Zeppelin announced it was disbanding.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On “Mad Men” (2007-15), what was Don Draper’s real name? Richard “Dick” Whitman. Kudos to: Tom Boyd-WGN/Chicago; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Larry Hutchings/Nipomo-Pismo Beach, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Cory Angerthal-AMC Networks/NYC; Adam Sumrall-FTV/South Bend, IN; Luke Watson-Watson Way/NYC; Charles Conner-KOKI Fox23/Tulsa, OK; Martha Voyer-LWD/NYC; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
Jack Riley reprised his role as Carlin from “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78) on which two series? (Email your answer to mjfarrell9865324@gmail.com and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.) |
DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE MARKETING >>
ATHLETE TO ATHLETE/SANTA MONICA, CA: Lead the performance marketing team across Meta Ads and new paid digital channels (TikTok, YouTube, Google, etc.) as well as build and execute a roadmap for channel expansion and profitable scale. Develop and run structured testing frameworks. Partner with Creative Strategist on ad briefs, testing priorities, and creative feedback loops. Full info HERE
SENIOR MANAGER, TRAFFIC >>
INSP, LLC./CHARLOTTE, SC: Oversee the Traffic staff and manage and monitor the day-to-day operations. Responsible for the prompt and accurate execution of broadcast logs for three networks. The manager assumes a leadership role within our Network Operations and consistently looks to streamline processes and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Traffic department. Full info HERE
MANAGER, DISTRIBUTION MARKETING >>
INSP, LLC./INDIAN LAND, SC: Develop and manage B2B and B2C campaigns in partnership with multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), virtual MVPDs (vMVPDs), and streaming platforms to increase viewership, drive tune-in, and support carriage initiatives. Execute marketing strategies. Strong multi-tasking skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities. Full info HERE
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
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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