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| Thursday December 18, 2025 |
 IN THE NEWS |
 YouTube has landed the rights to air the Academy Awards beginning in 2029 and running through 2033. ABC has carried the awards show since 1976. “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
Warner Bros. Discovery’s board of directors rejected Paramount Skydance’s unsolicited $108 billion bid to buy the entertainment giant and urged shareholders to vote against it. In a Securities & Exchange Commission filing December 17, WBD’s board said it “unanimously determined that the tender offer launched by Paramount Skydance on December 8, 2025 is not in the best interests of WBD and its shareholders and does not meet the criteria of a ‘Superior Proposal’ under the terms of WBD’s merger agreement with Netflix announced on December 5, 2025.”
Among the shortcomings of the Paramount bid cited are the lack of a full backstop of the proposal by the Ellison family, misleading comments by Paramount that their deal will receive quicker federal approvals, and additional hidden costs. WBD’s board urged shareholders to approve Netflix’s $83 billion cash and stock offer for the company, which analysts expect won’t come up for a vote until April.
NewsNation has made several additions to its programming lineup, including a new weeknight hour of live news at 11p hosted by Jesse Weber, as well as an extra hour of live news on Saturday and Sunday. The updated schedule will debut in late January. “With these additional hours of live news, we reinforce our commitment to deliver clear, nonpartisan journalism at a time when viewers need it most,” said Sean Compton, President of Nexstar Networks. “With the frenetic pace of today’s breaking news cycle, expanding our live coverage will ensure our viewers never miss a beat.” |
 In honor of its milestone 50th season, CBS’ “Survivor” has come up with the “Survivor 50 Challenge,” a nationwide scavenger hunt leading up to the February 25 premiere of “Survivor 50.” Kicking off on January 30, the coast-to-coast activation is calling on people across the country to put their skills to the test and play the game for real: 50 hidden immunity idols placed across 50 states, each with a winner. |
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 “Hollywood Squares” returns to CBS for its second season on January 7 at 8p, with Nate Burleson returning as host and featuring over 70 new celebrity guests. This season’s newcomers who will share the board with center square Drew Barrymore include Anthony Anderson, Glenn Close, Kat Dennings, Fortune Feimster, Zarna Garg, Jay Mohr, Padma Lakshmi, Joel McHale, Ariana Debose and Arsenio Hall.
Season 3 of PBS Kids series “Alma’s Way,” the animated offering from Fred Rogers Productions, kicks off January 19 with a trio of episodes celebrating Black cowboy culture, creative “crowns,” and quintessential NYC eats, including food trucks and pizza. The premiere episode, “Cowboy Howard”/“Junior’s Hair Salon,” shines a spotlight on Black cowboys in the Bronx and beyond, introducing young viewers to their cultural significance in American history. In “Junior’s Hair Salon.”
TLC’s “My Strange Addiction” returns with a new season on January 7 at 9p, exploring the unfiltered stories of people whose obsessive behaviors have taken over their lives.
The five-part series “Nature: Parenthood,” narrated by Sir David Attenborough, premieres February 4 on PBS. Filmed over three years on six continents and in 23 countries, the series tells the stories of animal behaviors shaped by the environments they inhabit.
The new season of “The Curious Case Of…,” will feature eight new episodes tackling bizarre, stranger-than-fiction cases, premiering January 12 at 10p on Investigation Discovery. Guided by legal analyst and expert Beth Karas, new episodes will air weekly. |
Today’s Premieres
Netflix: Emily in Paris
Prime Video: Human Specimens |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Fox Entertainment Studios has signed producer and entertainment executive Jeffrey Levine and his production company Bronson Canyon Pictures to a multi-year first look deal. Under the agreement, Levine will develop and produce scripted television series for the studio across broadcast, streaming, and emerging digital storytelling platforms.
Pantheon Media Group has formed a partnership with TH Studios, bringing the digital producer into its content development and production. According to Pantheon, the goal of the partnership is to create seamless fan journeys that begin in development, extend through casting, roll out across platforms and sustain engagement. |
| CYNOPSIS HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING GUIDE
Never Miss a Holiday Moment
Our always-updated schedule keeps every premiere and festive event at your fingertips through Jan. 1. Times in EST. Presented by UP Entertainment.
EXPLORE THE GUIDE |
| COMING UP |
| Comedian and actor Bert Kreischer and country music star Hardy will host “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” live December 31 (8p-10p and 10:30p to 1:30a) on CBS. Social media star Haley Baylee will correspond from New York City and count down with the East Coast at midnight for New York City’s Ball Drop. Kreischer and Hardy will keep the party going through midnight central time, featuring Nashville’s renowned Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Stage.
Paramount+’s six-part original series, “Girl Taken,” starring Alfie Allen, Jill Halfpenny, Tallulah Evans and Delphi Evans will premiere January 8. Based on the novel “Baby Doll” by Hollie Overton, the series follows the story of twin sisters Lily and Abby, whose lives are shattered when Lily is abducted from their quiet rural English town by beloved local teacher Rick Hansen. After years of abuse in captivity, Lily escapes—only to discover that freedom brings its own challenges.
Lifetime has completed casting for “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love,” the sequel to last year’s hit romance “Tempted by Love.” Garcelle Beauvais (“Tempted by Love,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Survival of the Thickest”) returns to star and executive produce, with Boris Kodjoe (“Station 19,” “Code Black,” “The Last Man on Earth”) joining the cast and Vaughn W. Hebron (“Tempted by Love,” “Reasonable Doubt,” “The Game: Reboot”) and Lela Rochon (“Tempted by Love,” “Any Given Sunday,” “The Family Business: New Orleans”) set to return. “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love” will premiere January 31 at 8p as part of Lifetime’s winter “Love of a Lifetime” romance and relationship centered movie slate.
Let me tell ya pardner, Family Movie Classics is bringing back “The John Wayne Friday Night Feature” starting January 9. Every Friday at 8p, the network will show a classic movie – Westerns, war epics and patriotic dramas – starring The Duke, beginning with “Big Jake” (1971).
AMC Networks is holding its Upfront on April 29 in NYC. The programmer will also welcome the industry to its Tech & Innovation Events, hosted by EVP of Commercial Sales and Revenue Operations Evan Adlman, in February.
Season 6 of “The Reveal” featuring Cara Woodhouse will premiere December 19 at 9p on The Design Network.
CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” celebrates its 20th anniversary on December 19. The original show opened with host Mark Haines on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and featured co-hosts Erin Burnett and David Faber. |
| STREAMING |
 Apple TV’s all-new wildlife series “Born to be Wild” premieres December 19, narrated by Hugh Bonneville (“Paddington,” “Downton Abbey,” “The Secret Lives of Animals”), following six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs.
Season 3 of “Gangs of London” premieres January 15 on AMC+. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Joe Cole reprise their starring roles as Elliot Carter and Sean Wallace in the eight-episode season, produced by VICE Studios.
Hemisphere Media Group has launched “Todo Novelas, Más Pasiones” on Vizio’s steaming service WatchFree+. Spanish-language FAST channel “Todo Novelas, Más Pasiones” delivers programming from Brazil, Turkey, Korea, and beyond.
Four-part mystery thriller series “Vanished,” will premiere on MGM+ February 1 in the U.S., Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Latin America with a weekly release. Additionally, all four episodes of “Vanished” will premiere February 27 on Prime Video in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| MediaCo Holding Inc. has formed a partnership with Katz Television Group, where Katz will serve as national media sales representative for MediaCo’s owned-and- operated EstrellaTV stations, exclusive for political advertising and preferred for Direct Response (DR) and Paid advertising sales across the portfolio.
With its retransmission consent deal set to expire at the end of the month, Optimum fired the first shot in what could be a protracted battle, claiming that broadcaster Tegna is demanding a 30% price increase to carry its channels, a demand the cable company says it “forcefully rejects.” Tegna owns stations in Optimum territory that are affiliates of the Big Four broadcast networks – ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox – as well as the CW. Optimum claims Tegna is pursuing a 50% price increase for its CW stations and says the rate hikes are connected to the pending merger between Tegna and Nexstar. “Tegna is attempting to lock in skyrocketing rates now, effectively forcing Optimum’s constituents to pre-pay for a merger that will only reduce their choices,” Optimum said in a statement. “Optimum is taking this stand not just for today, but to stop a trend where broadcasters use the threat of blackouts to fund their takeover sprees.” |
| TECH REPORT |
| According to a survey of more than 50 brands by Tatari, “dual channel” planning has returned for TV advertisers, with half of respondents claiming they intend to invest in both linear and streaming. The study also found that 92% of respondents say incremental reach plus measurable performance will drive the most value; 77% expect their TV budgets to rise; holiday programming, news, and live sports ranked as the top breakthrough environments. In addition, only 2% plan to use AI to create full TV ads, with most wanting to use the technology for workflow acceleration, not creative replacement.
Gracenote, the content data business of Nielsen, said it has made enhancements to its On Sports solution, making sports documentaries, event highlights, game analyses and other related content accessible through unified sports hubs. According to Gracenote, the enhancements help streaming platforms, CE device-makers and pay TV services adapt to the ways people want to experience sports and stay connected to competitions, teams and athletes. On Sports also links live games to related content like scripted and documentary TV shows and movies focusing on sports leagues, teams or general sports topics; as well as shoulder content that complements or extends a live sporting event.
According to a report by LG Ad Solutions Home Screen promos give a much-needed nudge to spur the vast majority of viewers to rent or purchase new movies at home. In its “Silver Screen & Home Screen: How Movies are Watched in 2025” report, LG found that 86% of viewers said a Home Screen promotion reminded them that a new movie is available to rent or purchase at home, and 67% followed through by actually renting or buying the movie. |
| RATINGS |
| Sinclair’s free, over-the-air multicast networks Charge, Comet and Roar delivered strong ratings performance throughout November, driven by a combination of programming, franchise expansions, broadened national distribution, upgraded channel positions, and increased household reach across key DMAs. Charge’s 6p – 1a line-up of “Criminal Minds,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Homicide: Life on The Street” delivered a 13% month over month increase among P25-54. Since launch, Comet has grown household coverage by more than 80%8, strengthened its footprint through channel upgrades on CBS O&Os, and expanded national distribution through its inclusion on YouTube TV and Hulu+ Live TV. At Roar, game shows like “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Weakest Link,” helped drive the channel’s highest rated month ever in Daytime P50+9, with growth of +41% month-over-month and year-over-year. “This has been a breakout month for our multicast networks, which continue to demonstrate the strength of focused, fan-driven programming. The growth we’re seeing across demos underscores the power of our genre-driven strategy and the value it’s delivering right now for audiences and advertisers,” said Adam Ware, Senior Vice President of Growth Networks.
Top 10 Basic Cable for the Week of December 8
P2+ AA (000)
Primetime
ESPN 2072
Fox News 2003
MS NOW 975
Hallmark Channel 660
CNN 527
HGTV 503
Food Network 474
TBS 432
History 416
FX 412
Total Day
Fox News 1311
ESPN 727
MS NOW 598
Hallmark Channe 424
CNN 412
HGTV 275
TBS 256
Food Network 240
Freeform 229
Hallmark Mystery 229
History 205
Source: Nielsen |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| OutKick has signed All-American collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines to a new multi-year deal in conjunction with Fox News Media’s new media expansion where she will relaunch OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast as “The Riley Gaines Show” on January 7. As part of the new deal under the new media expansion, “The Riley Gaines Show” will align with the division’s suite of podcasts including “Ruthless” and “Will Cain Country.”
Amazon DSP will be a DSP partner offering programmatic access to advertising inventory across the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, NBC said, making premium Olympics inventory available through Amazon Ads for the first time. Advertisers will save with low fees—1% for programmatic guaranteed (PG) deals— and receive insights and audience targeting capabilities at no cost. |
| GOING GLOBAL |
| ITVx has acquired the holiday event series “Twelve Dates ‘til Christmas” for exclusive streaming in the UK. All six episodes of the romantic comedy will debut on ITVx December 20.
Video software provider Synamedia is extending its with Israeli telco Bezeq’s pay TV subsidiary YES, and is supporting YES’s collaboration agreement with Partner Communications. YES will deliver a version of its Sting+ app – based on Synamedia OTT, cloud and SaaS technologies – and will purchase content for Partner. Partner Communications TV subscribers will be upgraded to the PartnerTV+ app with fresh Partner branding and new viewer experiences. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Knowledge platform 1440 named Dina Fine Maron as its new Health & Medicine section editor. In this newly created role, Maron will lead the creation of 1440’s Health & Medicine Topic, including the launch of a vertical-specific newsletter and the development of new resources, findings, and curated content. A veteran health and science journalist, Maron has held staff positions at “National Geographic” and “Scientific American,” and most recently at NASA where she served as team lead and senior communications strategist for the human research program. |
| IN MEMORIAM |
| Actor Gil Gerard, star of sci-fi series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1979-81), died December 16. He was 82. Gerard starred in several TV series and independent movies over the years, including “E.A.R.T.H. Force” (1990) “Days of Our Lives” in 1997 and opposite Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in 2016’s “The Nice Guys,” but was best known for the space epic. |
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This Day in History
1917: The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, was approved by the US congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What short-lived sitcom featured a wise-cracking Genie named Shabu who fell into the hands of a reluctant TV reporter, and featured cameos by stars like Roy Orbison and Wink Martindale? “Just Our Luck” (1983). Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; C.J. Bottitta-Big Picture Productions/Apex, NC; Kathryn Tesoriero-WPP Media/NYC; John Kukla- KDFW/KDFI/Dallas; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; Joe Marrone / Kurator / NYC; Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago.
Today’s Trivia Question
What comedy/drama starred the Smothers Brothers (Dick and Tom) as an aggressive investigative TV reporter and his somewhat inept TV cameraman? (Email your answer to trivia@cynopsis.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
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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