 IN THE NEWS |
 RIP, Venu Sports. On Friday, ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery announced they have decided not to move forward with their proposed bundled sports streamer. “After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service,” they said in a statement. “In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.” While Disney’s recent deal with Fubo ended the lawsuit that was delaying Venu’s launch, DirecTV and EchoStar continued the argument that the service could violate antitrust rules. In a statement after the Venu news dropped, DirecTV said, “We look forward to working with our programming partners – including Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery – to compete on a level playing field to deliver sports fans more choice, control, and value all-in-one experience. ”
Optimum’s content was removed from 63 Nextstar TV stations at 5p on Friday, when the companies failed to reach a carriage agreement. Optimum accused Nextstar of using “an anti-consumer negotiation tactic, tying local channels to less popular ones – requiring Optimum and its customers to pay for channels like NewsNation, which has essentially no viewership, in order to continue carrying Nexstar broadcast stations in various markets across the country.” Added Optimum in a statement. “Optimum values local programming and understands that viewers in New York do not watch the same content or have the same interests as viewers in Texas, Arkansas, or California, so it is unreasonable, anti-local, detrimental to customers, and unfair for Nexstar to demand unrelated and contrasting content carriage.” It’s getting ugly on both sides, as these things do. “[Optimum owner] Altice has consistently made unreasonable and unprecedented demands of Nexstar, culminating with their decision to walk away from the negotiations,” stated Nexstar President and COO Michael Biard. “We understand the difficulty of Altice’s financial situation, burdened as it is by billions in debt, but the solution isn’t to force Optimum subscribers to continually pay more while getting less.”
Disney is donating $15 million for “initial and immediate” rebuilding efforts in response to the LA wildfires. “Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with little more than his limitless imagination, and it was here that he chose to make his home, pursue his dreams, and create extraordinary storytelling that means so much to so many people around the world,” said CEO Bob Iger. “We are proud to provide assistance to this resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.” Among numerous other companies jumping in to help, Paramount is donating $1 million, spread across the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen and Best Friends Animal Society, and Sinclair and Tennis Channel have launched fundraising initiative Sinclair Cares: California Wildfires Relief, in partnership with the Salvation Army. |
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CTV Connect
The CTV Revolution Starts Here – Are You In?
March 12-13, Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC. With Connected TV ad spending expected to grow to $42.4 billion by 2027, this is your chance to stay ahead. Join us for groundbreaking insights and high-level networking.
Register today to be part of the conversation! |
| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
| Caroline Flack, the former presenter for UK’s “Love Island” who took her own life in 2020, will be the subject of a feature documentary on Disney+. Curious Films, which produced 2021 documentary “Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death,” returns to the subject for this project. “I still have so many questions about what happened to Caroline in her final months, and it’s something I feel deeply compelled to explore, even though I know it will be challenging,” said Caroline’s mother, Christine Flack. “I’m pleased to be working with the team at Curious Films once again, in the hope of bringing clarity and understanding to Carrie’s story – not just for her, but for everyone who cared about her.” |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
| Korean medical drama “Hyper Knife” drops Wednesday, March 19 on Disney+. The series follows a formerly successful neurosurgeon who works as a shadow doctor in an underground surgery clinic.
Swedish limited series “The Fighter,” following a determined boxer with a checkered past, premieres Tuesday, February 4 on MHz Choice. A week later comes France’s “Sex (re)Education,” about a man whose affair in a retirement home wreaks havoc. |
Today’s Premieres
ID: Death by Fame at 9p; The Curious Case Of… at 10p
NBC: Today with Jenna & Friends at 10a
TLC: Baylen Out Loud at 9p |
| RETAIL MEDIA |
| Hightouch, the composable CDP, announced the launch of Hightouch for Offsite Media Networks, a self-service audience management platform developed in partnership with Databricks. The solution empowers retailers to build and activate AI-enhanced custom audiences across 50+ media channels, including DSPs, CTV platforms, and walled gardens, to secure premium brand dollars faster and more efficiently. “Partnering with major retailers, we identified a growing and unmet need for solutions to deliver fast, flexible, and scalable custom audiences for offsite campaigns,” said Tejas Manohar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Hightouch. “By layering Hightouch’s self-service tools on top of the Databricks foundation, retailers can build and monetize differentiated custom audiences faster than ever before.” |
| COMING UP |
 Puppy Bowl returns for the 21st year on Sunday, February 9 at 2p, simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+. The annual three-hour event will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries as they compete for cuteness.
Speaking of dogs, Snoop Dogg will host “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” on Thursday, February 6 at 9p on Fox and NFL Network. The primetime awards special recognizes the NFL’s best players, performances and plays from the 2024 season. |
| Cynopsis Awards and Events
Give your company the gift of recognition
From awards to networking events, Cynopsis helps you celebrate success in style. Award-winning companies often see a boost in brand reputation and employee satisfaction. Save up to $2,500 on the events and honors that elevate your brand. Offer ends January 20th!
Save today! |
| SPORTS REPORT |
| The NFC’s fifth seed Minnesota Vikings take on the four-seed, NFC West Champion Los Angeles Rams tonight, January 13 at 8p at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The game was moved from California due to the calamitous wildfires. “Monday Night Football’s” Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge will have the call for ESPN’s traditional telecast on ESPN and ABC. “Monday Night Football with Peyton and El” returns to ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes will showcase the Spanish-language presentation. |
| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Warner Bros. Discovery has named Priya Aiyar Chief Legal Officer. Aiyar joins WBD from American Airlines, where she served as Chief Legal Officer since 2022. |
This Day in History
1938 – The Church of England accepted the theory of evolution.
Answer to Our Last 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? “Falcone.” Kudos to: Aaron Paquette-AccelerateSG/Fort Worth, TX; Wendy Holmes/Denver; Andrew Goldman-Phanes Funding Group/NYC; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
On which series did Edie Falco, Kristen Wiig and Fred Armison guest star in the same episode? (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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