 IN THE NEWS |
 Warner Bros. Discovery has created a new corporate structure, splitting its linear and streaming content assets into two separate and distinct operating divisions. WBD’s Global Linear Networks division will include its linear networks like TBS, TNT and HLN; while its Streaming & Studios division will house the Warner Bros. studio, premium service HBO and streaming service Max. According to WBD, Global Linear Networks will concentrate on increasing profits and free cash flow to pay down debt while the streaming unit will center on driving growth and strong returns on continued investment. The new structure also is also expected to widen WBD’s options in pursuing “value creation opportunities,” which could mean acquisitions or combinations.
“Since the combination that created Warner Bros. Discovery, we have transformed our business and improved our financial position while providing world class entertainment to global audiences,” said Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO, David Zaslav. “We continue to prioritize ensuring our Global Linear Networks business is well positioned to continue to drive free cash flow, while our Streaming & Studios business focuses on driving growth by telling the world’s most compelling stories. Our new corporate structure better aligns our organization and enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities across an evolving media landscape, help us build on our momentum and create opportunities as we evaluate all avenues to deliver significant shareholder value.”
YouTube TV is raising the monthly price of the live TV platform to $82.99 from $72.99 beginning January 13 for existing members. The new price point was effective for new subscribers on December 12. The company attributed the price increase to “the rising cost of content” as well as investments into the platform.
Can TV ads drive direct consumer engagement and sales from the gaming market? According to LG Ads report, The Connected Gamer, 83% of gamers are open to scanning a QR code on a TV ad for a video game, and 92% of those who would scan a QR code would likely purchase that video game. Additional findings include:
– 80% of respondents agree that TV ads influence their decisions to buy video games.
– 81% are more likely to purchase games they see advertised on TV.
– 85% like the idea of seeing video game recommendations on their TV Home Screen.
“The largest screen in the home is an incredibly powerful way for brands to connect with gaming audiences,” said Tony Marlow, CMO at LG Ad Solutions. “Gamers are among the most deeply engaged audiences on Connected Televisions—a platform that uniquely blends premium, big-screen experiences with actionable data. This powerful combination enables marketers to drive measurable outcomes across the funnel while delivering relevant and impactful experiences on the screen that gamers prefer.”
Brands and agencies worldwide leaned further into creator marketing in 2024. According to CreatorIQ’s 2024-25 State of Creator Marketing Report, 74% of organizations reported increasing their creator marketing investment year over year, compared to 55% last year. CreatorIQ counted 26K campaigns launched (+17% YoY); 3.1M creator posts tracked (+29% YoY); and $79M paid to creators (+47% YoY). And creator content drove 23.4B engagements, up 159% from 2023. Growth in short-form video, known for high engagement and lower production demands, is led by TikTok, though the field is still led by Instagram Reels, with 520K total posts.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences unveiled nominations for the 3rd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with ceremonies scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on March 15. Apple TV+ and Disney + led the pack with eight nominations each with PBS Kids a close second with seven nominations. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Netflix each had five nominations, with Max garnering four. “This year’s nominations are particularly meaningful as much of the work being honored was delayed due to last year’s strikes,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. “It is a privilege to have been named Head of a competition that is not only honoring exceptional talent but is also shaping the way children and their families interact with the world. Congratulations to all.” |
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| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| FX series “The Beauty” has cast Rebecca Hall, according to Variety. The series, currently in production, is based on the Image Comics Series of the same name and also stars Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope. FX has given the show an 11-episode order.
Newsmax named Marc Lotter as co-host of “Wake Up America,” joining Sharla McBride. The show airs weekdays beginning at 6:30a. Lotter’s first broadcast will be Monday, December 16. Lotter most recently was Chief Communications Officer for the America First Policy Institute. He also served as Director of Strategic Communications for the Trump-Pence 2020 campaign and as a Special Assistant to the President and Press Secretary to Vice President Mike Pence during the first Trump Administration. Lotter replaces former “Wake Up” co-host Rob Finnerty, who was named to lead Newsmax’s primetime coverage as the host of “Finnerty” in October. |
| NEW & RETURNING SHOWS |
 “Hollywood Squares” hosted by Nate Burleson premieres Thursday, January 9 at 8p on CBS. Celebrity guests Tyra Banks, Julie Bowen, Whitney Cummings, Tiffany Haddish, Thomas Lennon, Ms. Pat, Jeff Ross and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog will join Center Square Drew Barrymore, followed by Tichina Arnold, Nicole Byer, Drew Carey, Pete Holmes, Debi Mazar, Bobby Moynihan and Chelsea Peretti at 8:30p.
MTV today named the guest judges who will join host RuPaul and mainstay judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and Ts Madison for the 17th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and unveiled a new trailer for the upcoming season, featuring pop star Katy Perry as the premiere guest judge on Friday, January 3. Episodes will follow the 90-minute format and air Fridays at 8p on MTV. New guest judges include Doechii, Sandra Bernhard, Julia Schlaepfer, Paul W. Downs, Hunter Schafer, Quinta Brunson, Jamal Sims, Law Roach, Adam Lambert, Betsey Johnson, Whitney Cummings, Sam Smith, Jerrod Carmichael, June Diane Raphael, and Tracee Ellis Ross. |
 “Kobe: The Making of a Legend,” which traces the story of the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, will premiere on CNN Saturday, January 25 at 9p. The three-part CNN Original Series features notable basketball names including NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson, NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and former head athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers Gary Vitti.
The 15-episode Max Original drama series “The Pitt,” created by R. Scott Gemmill and starring Noah Wyle, debuts with two episodes on Thursday, January 9. New episodes debut on Thursdays leading up to the season finale on April 10. “The Pitt” is a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America as seen through the lens of those working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh. |
 After building a home-flipping empire that came crashing down after their divorce, Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack are back at HGTV for the new competition series “The Flip-Off.” The series premieres Wednesday, January 29, at 8p to see which ex can find, buy, renovate and flip a house for the biggest financial gain. Tarek will team with his new wife and on-screen partner, luxury real estate agent Heather Rae El Moussa, while design expert Christina will start the competition against Tarek and Heather alongside her husband, but a sudden life change will bring a twist.
A24’s “The Front Room” (January 3), “Look Into My Eyes” (January 10) and “A Different Man” (January 17) will debut on HBO and be available to stream exclusively on Max in the US this January.
“Common Side Effects,” a new animated seriesthat follows what happens after a mysterious healing mushroom is discovered, will debut Sunday, February 2 at 11:30p on Adult Swimwith two back-to-back episodes, followed by one new episode every Sunday. New episodes will also stream Mondays on Max. |
 FOX Entertainment has renewed the dating competition series “Farmer Wants a Wife” for a third season which will premiere Thursday, March 20 at 9p on Fox. Actor and author Kimberly Williams-Paisley will join the show as host. |
Today’s Premieres
WEtv: Love During Lockup at 8p
Netflix: 1992; Mismatched
Paramount+: Dexter: Original Sin
Disney+: Invisible
Apple TV+: Wonder Pets: In the City
BritBox: The Jetty
Sunday’s Premieres
ID: Very Scary People at 9p |
| COMING UP |
 AXS TV is ringing in the New Year with a New Year’s Eve Concert Marathon, packed with 12 concert performances from legendary music artists. The celebration kicks off Tuesday, December 31, at 8a, delivering a 19-hour lineup including Fleetwood Mac, Queen, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, ZZ Top, Blondie, Journey, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Sammy Hagar, and more. |
 CBS celebrates a night of Holiday cheer on December 20 with “The National Christmas Tree Lighting” at 8p followed by “Josh Groban & Friends Go Home for the Holidays” at 9p. The tree lighting, presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, will feature musical performances by Adam Blackstone, Muni Long, Stephen Sanchez, Trombone Shorty, James Taylor, The War And the Treaty and Trisha Yearwood. Groban is joined by James Bay, Jennifer Hudson, Tori Kelly and The War And Treaty performing holiday classics, new releases and original duets. |
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| GOING GLOBAL |
| Hearst Media Production Group has agreed to a licensing agreement for Season 1 and Season 2 episodes of “Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward” with Australia’s National Indigenous Television (NITV). |
| RATINGS |
| Since its new season debuted in September, CBS said its primetime series are averaging 10 million viewers in live plus 35-day multiplatform viewership. “Tracker” and “Matlock” lead the way with 18.2 million viewers per episode and 16.9 million per episode, respectively, according to VideoAmp broadcast measurement and Paramount internal streaming data. Ten shows have more than 10 million viewers, including three new series – “Matlock,” “Georgie & Mandy’s first Marriage” and “NCIS: Origins” – and sophomore shows “Tracker” and “Elsbeth,” as well as “FBI,” “Fire Country,” “NCIS,” “Ghosts” and “The Equalizer.” Shows with over with over 9 million viewers every night of the week except Saturday, include “Survivor,” “Blue Bloods,” “60 Minutes,” “FBI: International,” “FBI: Most Wanted” and “S.W.A.T.” |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
 NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has named Jacqueline Castro Vice President of Production for Telemundo Studios. In this new role, Castro will lead Telemundo Studios’ production strategy and oversee both in-house and third-party productions. |
 Anthem Sports & Entertainment named Carlos Silva President of Anthem Sports Group. Silva will oversee the growth, development, and distribution of Anthem properties including TNA Wrestling promotion, Invicta Fighting Championships, and global streaming media channel Fight Network. |
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This Day in History
2003 – Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his hometown of Tikrit, during Operation Red Dawn by US forces.
Friday Fun Fact
Sudan has more pyramids (255) than any other country in the world. (Egypt has 138).
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which “Friends” actor starred in a spinoff of “Married…With Children” (1987-97)? Matt LeBlanc, in “Top of the Heap” (1991). Kudos to: John Baghdassarian-Olympusat/LA; Dan Quiterio-AKA NYC/NYC; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Adam Leston-Weigel Broadcasting/Milwaukee; Mark Selby-Melbar Entertainment Group/Toronto, ON; Evan Williams-Roger Wilco Productions/New Canaan, CT; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Mike Gioscia-NBCUniversal/NYC; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Louis Lewow-TrillerTV/Atlanta; Stephanie Bonk-Disney Advertising/ESPN/NYC; Aaron Paquette-AccelerateSG/Fort Worth, TX; Dale Warshaw-KMSB/KTTU/Tucson; April Iseral-TRG/Dallas; Charles Conner-KOKI/Tulsa.
Today’s Trivia Question
What was the first series to be shown on The Disney Channel? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone) |
COUNSEL, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >>
MLB NETWORK/SECAUCUS, NJ: Responsible for a variety of matters, including services agreements, production related agreements, talent agreements, software and other technology related agreements, licensing and programming agreements, third party rights clearances, distribution agreements, contract summaries, confidentiality, and general contract matters. Full info HERE
SENIOR INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN PROJECT MANAGER
BEACON MEDIA GROUP
NY/NJ
Seeking a diligent, organized, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as we manage Integrated Marketing Campaigns for a candy manufacturer. Responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction, managing project timelines, and optimizing campaign effectiveness. If you’re proactive and enjoy collaborating with teams, we want to hear from you! Full info HERE
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Proven track record of monetizing digital assets on various social media platforms. Work closely with our production team in creating content and comprehensive marketing plans to increase market share. Full info HERE
INTERNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Create and execute sales strategies and proposals- generating new sales from past, current and future leads by networking, building relationships and identifying valuable sales opportunities. Manage existing accounts and excel at identifying clients’ needs. Requires a self-driven individual who is passionate about the sports and media industry. Full info HERE
NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Looking for another self-motivated, highly disciplined National AD Sales Executive that enjoys the sales process from beginning to close. If you bring the enthusiasm and determination we will supply the opportunity to make this the best position you’ve ever had. Full info HERE
LEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE >>
CASTIFY.AI/HYBRID: Expand our client base in the digital advertising industry and focus on business development, securing new clients and partnerships, and negotiating contracts with leading advertising brands and agencies as well as experience in the digital advertising sector, showcasing a proven track record of achieving targets and excelling in business development. Full info HERE
TV HOST >>
QVC/WESTCHESTER, PA: Credible while entertaining candidate w/exp hosting TV, digital, radio, spokesperson or live events. Masterful storyteller, enthusiastic & a love for products and shopping a must. Must be quick on their feet w/ability to improv & engage as well as have an elevated sense of style. Full info HERE
ACCOUNT REP: MPT NATIONAL CORPORATE SALES
MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION FOUNDATION
REMOTE
Call on current and prospective sponsors, providing high-quality customer service, in a manner consistent with standard industry practice, for the customer/client accounts for which they have cultivated or have been assigned as well as build sustainable, long-lasting relationships with existing clients. Full info HERE
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF AD SALES >>
HAYSTACK NEWS/NYNY, LA, CHICAGO: Responsible for developing large, meaningful partnerships to drive strategic and creative solutions for clients. You relish the opportunity to help advertisers build their brands by supporting the world’s most premium news publishers. Full info HERE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
INTERSECTION
LOS ANGELES, CA
Drive new revenue for our media around Los Angeles and beyond as well as building relationships with prospects and clients. Full info HERE |
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