 IN THE NEWS |
| With wildfires still raging in LA, the Producers Guild extended voting for this year’s awards until tomorrow, January 11. The nominations announcement is now slated for Sunday, January 12. Also postponed were the release of nominations for the 2025 American Society of Cinematographers Awards and for the WGA Awards, with both announcements shifted to Monday, January 13. The Critics Choice Awards ceremony, which was to have taken place at the Santa Monica Airport this Sunday, has moved to January 26. |
 Live events weren’t the only fire-related cancellations. The two-episode premiere of CBS’ “Hollywood Squares,” scheduled for last night, was moved to January 16. Encores of Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage” and “Ghosts” took the slots.
While TikTok is set to appear before the Supreme Court today to fight a security law that would ban it, US ad spend on the Chines-owned app is expected to increase +57% year-over-year in the first wo months of 2025. That’s according to forward booking data from Guideline. Since 2020, the platform’s first full year of operation, TikTok has grown from 2% of social ad spend in the US to 20%. And, despite claims that TikTok is solely benefiting from declines in X advertising revenue, Guideline data shows TikTok’s growth five times larger than X’s declines. “TikTok has established itself as a cornerstone of digital engagement faster than any other platform we have measured,” said Alberto Leyes, Head of Product Strategy at Guideline. “With its unique social media model, the platform has become a powerful digital community full of content creation and interaction in which brands thrive – leveraging shoppable environments that drive top-of-funnel outcomes and long-lasting impact.” |
 Disney’s purchase of Fubo hasn’t eliminated objections to Venu, the sports streaming service created by Disney, Fox and WBD whose launch was delayed by Fubo’s antitrust lawsuit. DirecTV has joined EchoStar in raising concerns about the dismissal of Fubo’s claims against Venu. “This settlement clears the path for Venu to launch unencumbered by removing the injunction the Court imposed to preliminarily prevent the irreparable harms the JV launch presents,” read DirecTV’s letter to the judge who denied the JV partners’ motion to dismiss the case. “DirecTV is just one of several non-parties that expressed ‘grave concerns’ about the impact Venu would have on competition for sports programming.”
Fox’s attempt to have the $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit by voting machine company Smartmatic dismissed was rejected on Thursday by a five-judge panel of the Appellate Division in Manhattan. Smartmatic is suing Fox over statements made after the 2020 presidential election. “We will be ready to defend this case surrounding extremely newsworthy events when it goes to trial,” said Fox. “As a report prepared by our financial expert shows, Smartmatic’s damages claims are implausible, disconnected from reality, and on their face intended to chill First Amendment freedoms.” |
 Season one of Apple TV+ hit “Severance” will stream for free – on The Roku Channel. The freebie runs through January 19, two days after the show’s season two premiere on Apple TV+. Non-subscribers to Apple TV+ who get hooked on season one will be able to sign up for the service, with the first three months gratis.
Hallmark Media inked a multiyear extension of its distribution agreement with Optimum that will keep Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, and Hallmark Family channels available to Optimum’s subscribers. “This extended agreement with Optimum highlights our shared understanding of the value Hallmark’s signature brand of programming brings to its viewers, as well as the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with distributors, even amidst changing market dynamics,” said Jesse Wallace, SVP of Distribution at Hallmark Media. |
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Sports Media Awards
With the U.S. sports media market projected to grow to $30.8 billion by 2027, the 2025 Sports Media Awards is your chance to showcase your impact. From game-changing campaigns to breakthrough digital content, this is your moment to shine. Enter now and position your brand among the innovators shaping this thriving industry. Prices increase January 29—don’t wait to make your mark!
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| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| “The Fall of Diddy,” offering personal insights into allegations of violent behavior and illegal activity that have shadowed the music mogul, premieres Monday, January 27 at 9p on ID. |
 Ken Burns docuseries “The American Revolution” debuts Sunday, November 16 on PBS, and will air for six consecutive nights through Friday, November 21 at 8p (check local listings). But you’ll hear plenty about the show before then. The series – which has been in productions for eight years – will be preceded by PBS’ largest engagement effort ever, with filmmaker events in 25-plus markets, engagement with 330-plus public television stations across the country, extensive educational materials and partnerships with national and local organizations.
Keshet International has acquired an unscripted food series hosted by rocker Gavin Rossdale. Produced by Roundtable Entertainment and Bungalow Media+ Entertainment alongside Gavin Rossdale for VIZIO’s WatchFree+, “Dinner with Gavin Rossdale” will premiere in the US on Thursday, February 13.
Season 55 of “Sesame Street” kicks off Thursday, January 16, for its final new season on Max. While Max will continue to carry the “Sesame Street” library through 2027, the streamer announced last month that it is prioritizing stories for adults and families, so new episodes of “Sesame Street” were “not as core” to its strategy.
Law&Crime acquired production “First on the Scene,” which features raw footage captured in the immediate aftermath of headline-grabbing events, premieres Saturday, January 11 on both Law&Crime’s linear channel and YouTube platform.
Outdoor Channel’s “Dead Meat,” part of the net’s Taste of the Wild Monday programming block, returns Monday, January 13 at 9:30p. English restaurateur Mike Robinson is back Monday, February 10 at 7p with “Fishing the Wild with Mike Robinson,” followed by season four of “WildFed” with host Daniel Vitalis at 7:30p.
Coming back on Sportsman Channel this month are “Night Crew TV” (Mondays at 8p), “Mojo TV” (Mondays at 10p), “Winchester Deadly Passion” (Sundays at 11:30p), and “Pigman: The Series” (Sundays at 8:30p), to name a few. |
Today’s Premieres
Hulu/Disney+: Goosebumps
Nat Geo: My Best Friend’s an Animal at 9p
Netflix: Black Warrant; Alpha Males
Saturday’s Premieres
Disney: StuGo at 8p
Netflix: Sakamoto Days
Sunday’s Premieres
MGM+: Rogue Heroes at 9p
PBS: Miss Scarlet at 8p; All Creatures Great and Small at 9p
UPtv: Heartland at 8p |
| TECH |
| Taking the stage at Disney’s fifth annual Global Tech & Data Showcase, Global Advertising President Rita Ferro shared some numbers: Disney Advertising’s ad-supported monthly active users across the company’s streaming platforms have reached an estimated 157 million globally, including 112 million domestically, on average per month over the last six months. Touting Disney’s advanced solutions, Ferro said, “By combining our unparalleled content with innovative tools, we’re creating opportunities for brands to become part of the cultural conversations that shape our world – and we invite them to push the limits with us.” Among the announcements were the introduction of proprietary data platform Disney Compass; a new certification for live sports and entertainment, guaranteeing brands can advertise when and where they want; the Disney Select AI Engine; and enhanced, user-initiated ad formats. |
| RETAIL MEDIA |
| Heading into next week’s National Retail Federation event, Microsoft Advertising unveiled two retail platforms. Curate for Commerce helps retailers monetize first-party data through non-endemic advertising partnerships, with Microsoft handling advertiser relationships and deal operations, while Sponsored Promotions by Brands, which operates on a cost-per-sale model, enables brands to reach shoppers across Microsoft Edge, Bing, and retail partner sites. Both launched in limited beta with partners Kohl’s and Publicis. |
| COMING UP |
| Antenna TV is celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Jeffersons” (1975-85) with a 50-hour marathon of the sitcom, starting Saturday, January 18 at 8:30p. The stunt will include special guest appearances from Marla Gibbs (“Florence”) and Ernest Harden, Jr. (“Marcus Henderson”). |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| Sports teams didn’t escape the devastating impact of the LA wildfires. Yesterday, the day after the NHL Kings postponed a game against the Calgary Flames, the NBA postponed the LA Lakes home game against the Charlotte Hornets. “The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time,” the league said in a statement. “We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated enormous bravery. Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the wildfires.” While the NFL tentatively planned to proceed with the LA Rams’ wild-card game in SoFi Stadium on Monday night, a contingency plan has been set in place that would relocate the game to State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
Some takeaways from SponsorUnited’s 2024 Year in Review Marketing Partnerships Across North American Sports report, analyzing sponsorship strategies across major pro sports and college athletics:
· Sponsorship revenue for major US pro sports teams reached a record-breaking $7.66 billion, up 12% year-over-year. The MLB led all sports in new sponsorship revenue, with nearly $300 million in new deals for the 2024 season.
· Sponsorship revenue for NCAA Power 5 schools for the 2023-24 collegiate season reached $860 million, up 7%, with $186 million from new deals. Auto, finance and alcohol brands led these investments, accounting for over 25% of new sponsorship spend.
· Signage assets accounted for more than half of all college sponsorship revenue, compared to the 37% seen in major pro sports.
“The 2023–24 season has redefined the sports sponsorship landscape,” said Bob Lynch, Founder and CEO of SponsorUnited. “This surge isn’t just in numbers but in the nature of partnerships, with nearly 200 brands investing over $1 million each in new deals. Star power continues to be a revenue multiplier, with athletes like Shohei Ohtani transforming team and brand exposure to new audiences, driving sponsorship dollars to unprecedented levels. Content has become the new stadium, with brands and teams leveraging storytelling to scale revenue far beyond the physical confines of arenas. The data and pricing insights within the report reveal the innovative strategies driving deeper connections and reshaping the sponsorship landscape in today’s competitive, data-driven market.”
Tennis Channel’s app and website will cover the Australian Open for the 18th year, beginning Saturday, January 11, at 5p with “Tennis Channel Live at the Australian Open.” The show will air at nightly throughout the two-week tournament.
FAST channel Willow Sports and add-on subscription Willow.tv are now available on Prime Video, offering access to cricket content. Willow Sports will stream a majority of matches from the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, which runs from January 17 to February 2. |
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CTV Connect
Unlock the Future of CTV: Join Us at CTV Connect in March – Prices Increase TONIGHT!
As Connected TV (CTV) viewership continues to soar, with average daily viewing set to reach 123.4 minutes per U.S. adult in 2024, the CTV landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these trends and more at the CTV Connect conference this March. With prices increasing at midnight, now is the perfect time to secure your spot and connect with industry leaders shaping the future of CTV.
Register today to be part of the conversation! |
| GOING GLOBAL |
| European streaming platform Rakuten TV has launched FAST channel Nordic Films, offering viewers in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark a curated selection of Scandinavian movies. |
| BY THE NUMBERS |
| The debut of “Monday Night RAW” on Netflix averaged 2.6 million US households, according to Live+SD numbers from VideoAmp. That beats the 1.2 million viewers the show averaged on its previous home, USA Network, last year, though it’s not apples to apples, since USA’s figure was calculated by Nielsen. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Mark Lazarus, who will serve as CEO of SpinCo (w/t), the cable network company being spun off from Comcast/NBCUniversal, and upcoming CFO and COO Anand Kini, announced the first batch of execs set for their team. Onboard are Val Boreland, President of Entertainment; Keith Cocozza, Chief Communications Officer; Brian Dorfler, Chief Human Resources Officer; Jeff Mayzurk, President, Operations & Technology; Kristin Newkirk, Chief Financial Officer, TV Networks; David Pietrycha, Chief Revenue and Business Officer; and Greg Wright as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. “This team was handpicked because of their expertise within each of their function areas,” said Kini. “I am confident that with and under the leadership of Mark, we will design and build a modern media company with the scale to compete and the right strategy to unlock organic and external growth opportunities.”
VDX.tv has promoted Penelope Lima to Head of Sales strategy and Solutions. Lima most recently held the role of Head of Supply Strategy Global. |
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This Day in History
1999 – “The Sopranos” premiered on HBO.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On “Seinfeld” (1989-98), what kind of (fictional) fruit did Kramer love that was only ripe for two weeks a year? Mackinaw peaches. Kudos to: Michael Nassar-Paramount+ with Showtime/NYC; Corey Sherman-Tubi.tv/NYC; Eric Dunefsky-Crossmedia/NYC; Brad Clough-Premion/NYC; Wendy Holmes/Denver; Craig Waldschmidt-Tower Media Advertising/Chicago; Rosemary Cunningham-MeTV/Chicago; Dory Petsrillo-Locality/Dallas; Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA; Maggie Takei-Moore Media/Sherman Oaks, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
The premiere of which short-lived CBS drama, slated to air in fall of 1999, was postponed for several months due to concerns over its violent content following the tragic Columbine High School massacre? (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.) |
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
VICE PRESIDENT, POLITICAL SALES >>
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC./WASHINGTON, DC: Lead the company’s political advertising revenue across its dynamic portfolio of broadcast stations. Responsible for developing sales strategies tailored to the fast-paced, high-stakes political advertising market. You will possess an understanding of the political advertising landscape, and the ability to forge strong relationships with campaigns. Full info HERE
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
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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