Today’s Premieres
AMC+, Sundance Now: “The Night Caller”
CMT: “Skyville Live” at 9p
Nat Geo: “Life Below Zero: Next Generation” at 8p
Netflix: “Hello Ninja”
Today’s Finale
DIY: “Grand Designs: Unbelievable Builds” at 9p
IN THE NEWS
The number of US SVOD subscriptions hit 233 million by December 2020, according to Kantar’s Entertainment On Demand. HBO Max had the biggest share of new SVOD subscriptions in the quarter, with 19.2%. “The data suggests the decision to simultaneously release ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ to HBO Max alongside Movie Theaters has been a sound one,” said Dominic Sunnebo, SVP, Kantar’s Worldpanel Division. “41% of new HBO Max subscribers in Q4 cited specific content is their key motivator for signing up, an increase from 32% the previous quarter, with ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ the key title for 1 in 5 of these new content-driven subscribers.”
Fox reality series “Game of Talents” will launch in March, airing Wednesdays at 9p, after “The Masked Singer.” Wayne Brady hosts and executive produces the show, based on Fremantle’s international format that has contestants guessing performers’ hidden talents.
The BBC’s “Peaky Blinders,” which airs on Netflix in the US, will end with upcoming season six – but is it really the end? “We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it,” said creator and writer Steven Knight. “While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.”
Coca-Cola is benching itself for this year’s Super Bowl, to “ensure we are investing in the right resources during these unprecedented times,” said the company. Last year Coca-Cola spent $10 million on ads during Fox’s broadcast of the big game, according to Kantar. PepsiCo earlier said it was not running spots for Coke rival Pepsi, instead “doubling down” on the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Garth Brooks is joining Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez to perform at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ swearing in ceremony tomorrow, January 20 at the Capitol building. “This is not a political statement, this is statement of unity,” said Brooks during a press conference. “This is kind of how I get to serve this country.”
Netflix scored the most nominations for the 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards, with 26, thanks to hefty hauls for “The Crown” and “Ozark.” Nominations for HBO and HBO Max totaled 24. Pop TV’s “Schitt’s Creek,” which swept the comedy categories at the Emmys, landed five nods.
Locast, the nonprofit that provides local broadcast channels to consumers who pay a voluntary donation, reports it has surpassed 2.3 registered users. An expansion into Madison, Wisconsin gives 650,000 homes access to Locast.
The Rocky Mountain Cable Association is rebranding and expanding, reimagining its charter as the Media+Tech Collective. “The Media+Tech Collective was born for those seeking an affordable option to address the need for networking, education and information sharing of best practices for the converged businesses of media and high tech,” said Charlotte Bockstahler, the new President of the Media+Tech Collective. “We are so pleased to have broadened our mission and charter and offer unmatched value for professionals looking for a casual, but professionally-driven and like-minded group.”
CBS News is the latest to revamp its D.C. team leading up to the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. Among the moves: Nancy Cordes will become chief White House correspondent; Ed O’Keefe takes the role of senior White House correspondent and political correspondent, and Weijia Jiang will be senior White House correspondent. “I have taken a fresh look at the needs in D.C. and feel confident that we are putting the right team in place for success,” said CBS News EVP and Washington bureau chief Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews. “Our priorities: to break news, provide the audience with original reporting and context and lead the way among our peers.”
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New Year. New Categories. New Opportunities.
[ ENTER BY 1/27 ]
Due Next Week: Your Cynopsis Sports Media Awards application.
2020 was no easy feat for the industry, and we want to honor the resilience, innovation, and hard work it took for you to come out on top. That’s why this year, we’ve added new category: Innovation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Start your application across 40+ categories, enter before next Wednesday and save $200.
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| PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
A new series based on You author Caroline Kepnes’ book Providence is in development at Peacock. Sera Gamble will write with “You” writer Neil Reynolds; Warner Bros. is the studio.
Into the woods: Bear Grylls has two new Netflix interactive specials in the works. First up is “Animals on the Loose: A You vs. Wild Interactive Movie,” in which viewers determine which actions Grylls takes as he tracks escaped animals, on Tuesday, February 16.
“This Is Us” director and executive producer Ken Olin and one of the NBC drama’s stars, Justin Hartley, have optioned the right to 2019 novel The Never Game. Hartley’s ChangeUp Productions and Olin’s Afterportsmouth Productions will develop and produce the project with their deals at 20th Television.
Larry Teng (“Nancy Drew”) inked a new overall deal with CBS Studios, calling for him to direct pilots and series, and create, develop and produce new projects.
Luke James was upped from recurring to series regular on season four of Showtime’s “The Chi.”
COMING UP
“The Vaccine: Conquering Covid” premieres Sunday, February 21 at 8p on Discovery and discovery+, and will air the next night at 9p on Science Channel. The special will feature Dr. Anthony Fauci, among other health experts.
Retired Tennessee Titans football players Brian “Rak” Orakpo and Michael “Griff” Griffin, aka “The Cupcake Guys” – who went viral after a national commercial campaign – star in “Cupcake Guys Training Camp.” The one-hour special is executive produced by Michael Strahan and premieres Saturday, February 6 at 1p on Food Network. “The Cupcake Guys captivated us with their national commercial where the big guys donned pink aprons and decorated little cupcakes – and we’ve been wanting to get an inside look at their business ever since,” said Courtney White, President, Food Network.
CBS’s “Super Bowl Greatest Commercials” is set for Wednesday, February 3 at 8p. The interactive countdown special will also be available on CBS All Access.
An FETV Valentine’s stunt begins with “Cara Mia, Mi Amor! An ‘Addams Family’ Marathon” on Sunday, February 7 from 5-11p, and continues with special sweetheart episodes of “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” and “Perry Mason” the week of February 8. The event concludes on Valentine’s Day, Sunday February 14, with “Our Harts to Yours: A ‘Hart to Hart’ Marathon” from 2-8p.
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
Netflix NASCAR comedy series “The Crew,” starring and executive produced by Kevin James (“The King of Queens”), premieres Monday, February 15.
Docu-series “Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers” makes its debut on Amazon’s free streaming service, IMDb TV, on Friday, February 26. Executive produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, the six-parter follows six players on a high-profile high school basketball team.
Season two of Tyler Perry’s “The Oval” launches on BET on Tuesday, February 16 at 10:30p, following Perry’s “Madea’s Farewell Play” at 8p. “The Oval” moves to its regular 9p time slot the following week.
“Crikey! It’s the Irwins” is back for season three on Sunday February 7 on discovery+. A sneak peek of the premiere episode will air on the show’s original home, Animal Planet, after “Puppy Bowl XVII” on Sunday, February 7 at 5p.
HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” kicks off season eight on Sunday, February 14 at 11:30p. “Let tomorrow be about solutions. Today is about vengeance,” said the host in a trailer for the new season.
GOING GLOBAL
Corus Entertainment announced a partnership with Comscore to provide advertisers with Comscore Branded Content, a measurement tool for planning, transacting and evaluating media across platforms in Canada. Comscore’s third-party measurement will allow advertisers to uncover how brand integrations impact consumers with information on brand recall, consideration and favorability, and help maximize the ROI of a campaign using observations and recommendations from Comscore’s Best Practices normative database.
TV production is no longer exempt from UK coronavirus travel restrictions, so arrivals will have to quarantine for 10 days, according to the government’s new rules. That number can be cut to five days with a negative COVID-19 test.
Toei Animation Europe has re-structured its company into two divisions, a Global Marketing & Content division and a Sales & Business Affairs division dedicated to strategies across the EMEA. The divisions will be overseen by Toei Animation Europe executives Laurent Bianchi, who will serve as Sales & Business Affairs Director, and Isabelle Favre, who is now Global Marketing and Content Director.
Endemol Shine India, Cine1 Studios and 7 Screens have acquired the rights to adapt Tamil film “Master” in Hindi. The film starring Vijay “Thalapathy” and Vijay Sethupathi was released yesterday.
World of Wonder is taking “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to Australia and New Zealand. “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” will air on WOW Presents Plus in the US, on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand.
Content distributor GoQuest Media and Serbia’sTelekom Srbija have signed a distribution deal for Serbian dramas “Civil Servant,” a spy thriller produced by Telekom Srbija and Film Danas, and “Debt to the Sea,” a mystery produced by Telekom Srbija and Monte Royal Pictures International.
Abacus Media Rights has secured international distribution rights for “Best Dog India” from Asia’s Beach House Pictures, a Blue Ant Media production company.
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| RATINGS
Across the first two weeks of 2021, HGTV ranked as the #1 non-news/sports network during Total Day for W25-54, P2+, and P18+ in Live+3 Nielsens. In Prime, HGTV ranked as the #1 non-news/sports network among P2+, fueled by “Home Town,” “Celebrity IOU,” and “Flip or Flop.”
Fox’s “The Great North” posted a 2.0 Live+SD rating and 5.9 million total viewers in its post-NFL airing on Sunday, making it this season’s #1 comedy telecast in the demo.
UPtv reports it ended 2020 ahead with W25-54 delivery up +25% and HH delivery +38% versus 2019 with YOY growth in all four quarters of 2020. UPtv’s year-end holiday programming drew 22 million viewers in Live+7 Nielsens, while Christmas movies wrapped 2020 up +11% in W25-54 delivery versus year-ago and +9% in HHs.
Netflix’s “Selena: The Series” was watched by 25 million households globally in its first 28 days, reported the streamer. “Bridgerton” is expected to hit 63 million households in its first month.
Shareablee Top 10 TV Shows for the week of January 11
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
The Daily Show (Comedy Central), 3.9M, 90, 43.881, 27.4M
Today Show (NBC), 2.7M, 982, 2,717, 13.8M
Ellen Degeneres (WB/syndicated), 2.6M, 48, 54,858, 205.4M
Hannity (Fox News) 2.6M, 322, 8,007, 10.2M
Entertainment Tonight (WB/syndicated), 1.7M, 597, 2,830, 9.2M
Fox & Friends (Fox News), 1.4M, 70, 20,115, 4.6M
Good Morning America (ABC), 1.3M, 902, 1,487, 14.2M
World News Tonight with David Muir (ABC), 1.3M, 566, 2,249, 6M
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS), 1.2M, 167, 7,214, 4.7M
PBS Newshour (PBS), 1.1M, 643, 1,710, 3.1M
Shareablee Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of January 11
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix), 1.8M, 31, 59,242, 2.7M
Cobra Kai (Netflix), 1.3M, 47, 27,814, 2.3M
Umbrella Academy (Netflix), 1.1M, 3, 382,953, 4.4M
Get Organized With THe Home Edit (Netflix), 984.5K, 40, 24,614, 5.2M
Black Clover (Funimation), 456K, 15, 30,402, 840.3K
Nanatsu No Taizai (Netflix), 372.3K, 56, 6,648, 688.4K
Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix), 320.3K, 2, 160,127, 852.1K
The Wilds (Amazon Prime), 256.3K, 57, 4,496, 105K
The Grand Tour (Amazon Prime), 236.2K, 6, 39,365, 5.7M
Netflix is a Joke (YouTube), 227.6K, 53, 4,293, 2.3M
Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Thursday, January 14
Show, P2+ millions, (A18-49)
ABC: “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” 7.84 (1.17), “The Chase” 5.45 (0.86), “The Hustler” 3.29 (0.59)
CBS: “Young Sheldon” 4.42 (0.56), “B Positive” 3.12 (0.42), “Mom” 2.95 (0.36), “The Unicorn” 2.25 (0.28), “Star Trek: Discovery” 1.50 (0.16)
CW: “World’s Funniest Animals” 0.74 (0.11), “World’s Funniest Animals” 0.67 (0.09), “Legacies” 0.29 (0.06)
FOX: “Hell’s Kitchen” 2.67 (0.70), “Call Me Kat” 2.84 (0.55), “Last Man Standing” 2.84 (0.49)
NBC: “Mr. Mayor” 3.73 (0.53), “Superstore” 2.51 (0.48), Law & Order: SVU” 3.83 (0.64), “Dateline” 3.29 (0.43)
Telemundo: “Domo del Dinero” 0.86 (0.2), “Todo Por Mi Hija” 1.71 (0.5), “Falsa Identidad” 0.97 (0.3)
Univision: “Vencer al Desamor” 1.66 (0.5), “Imperio de Mentiras” 1.35 (0.4), “Dulce Ambicion” 1.19 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages
EXECUTIVE MOVES
A+E Networks has promoted Liz Soriano to SVP, International Programming. Soriano launched the Lifetime Movie Network channel in Australia this past September, and partnered with HISTORY U.S. on “Hiroshima: 75 Years Later,” an international co-production with Hulu Japan.
AMC Networks has appointed Christina Spade as EVP, Chief Financial Officer. Spade was most recently as EVP, Chief Financial Officer for ViacomCBS.
IN MEMORIAM
Editor/producer Neil Mahoney died suddenly on January 7. He was 43. Mahoney’s credits include “Drunk History,” “Funny or Die Presents” and “Portlandia,” among others.
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This Day in History
Happy 75th birthday, Dolly Parton!
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
How many cast members from the movie “Fame” appeared in the 1982-1987 TV show? Four: Lee Curreri, Debbie Allen, Gene Anthony Ray and Albert Hague. Kudos to: Anderson Angad-Publicis Media/NYC, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Eric Litt-Nextstar/Chicago, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta
Today’s Trivia Question
For which series has Jane Lynch won Primetime Emmy Awards? (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.)
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MEDIA EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT
AROUND ROBIN PRODUCTION COMPANY
WASHINGTON, DC
Looking for a Media Executive Consultant who can connect a content creator with distribution partners. Will be tasked with consulting production company on strategy of selling content. Must have experience in sales, traditional and digital media, and distribution strategy Full info HERE (1/30)
KEY ART DESIGNER/SENIOR DESIGNER
SJI ASSOCIATE /REMOTE: Looking for a passionate designer, enthusiastic about working on creative and conceptual design projects. The designer will work within a team of Art Directors and Designers to create high impact key art, and streaming platform product art. Candidates should be well versed in design principles for both print and digital deliverables. 7+ years agency experience, background in entertainment design preferred. Full info HERE. (1/30)
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NY, NY: Directs, co-develops/delivers locally prod programs and PSA for nat and inter’l audiences. Also oversees prod crew that produces regular, special and live shows related to various political, historical and other appropriate topics. Min 3 yrs exp in directing Live television news, studio-based programming or similarly related professional media productions. Full info HERE (1/27)
VIDEO ENGINEER & ROBOTIC CAMERA OPERATOR >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NY, NY: Exp in configuring and setting up all broadcast studio cameras both manned and robotic for daily use. Maintains network-level camera blocking and composition. Monitors/adjusts video signals including cameras, monitors, playback sources, color correction equip/incoming feeds. Min 4 yrs exp. Full info HERE (1/27)
FEEDS MANAGER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NY, NY: Resp for managing tech/logistical traffic supporting live news shows. Full knwldge of video and tech workflow throughout all locations. Provide tech guidance to help create better video workflows. Ensure all broadcast feeds are meeting specific tech quality standards. Min 3 yrs tech managing, or equivalent knwldge. 5 yrs in live TV prod. Full info HERE (1/27)
GFX Op >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NY, NY: Must be able to set up and play out all graphic elements which are included in pre-recorded or live programming. Mnge graphic content as it corresponds to live and pre-recorded programs. Satisfy all production req for live and pre-recorded programming under the supervision of the show’s director and technical operations mngmt. Min 3 yrs of exp in graphic and character generation, plus 1yr exp with Ross Xpression. Full info HERE (1/27)
AUDIO TECHNICIAN >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NY, NY: Operate/executes audio mixing/creation for live and taped broadcasts, in the context of orig produced programs and PSAs. Collaborate with News depart and prod crew that produce regular, special and live shows. Generate timely and pertinent broadcast material. Min 2 yrs exp in graphic and character gen in television news, creative services, studio-based prog or related profession. Full info HERE (1/27)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NYC: Responsible for designing and building shows, managing show hosts and production team, identifying and integrating guests, overseeing and executing the production of key video & graphic elements. 3+ yrs EP exp or political news & talk programming. Full info HERE (1/27)
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NYC: Write for fast paced news and opinion show. You are an exceptional storyteller with a command of political news and cultural trends. At least 3 years of national or large market local news experience. Full info HERE (1/27)
SENIOR LINE PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NYC: Responsible for the production and execution of live political news programming, and recorded video segments for television, and digital platforms. 3+ yrs experience line producing. Full info HERE (1/27)
PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA/NYC: Responsible for the production of live news & talk show, and recorded video segments for television, and digital platforms. 3+ yrs in TV news and/or talk production. Full info HERE (1/27)
SENIOR DIRECTOR, DATA SCIENCE >>
NBCUNIVERSAL/NYC: Lead and manage a team of Data Scientists in the development of high-impact tools for ad hoc projects and on-going operational analytic platforms, partner with business leaders across NBCUniversal to identify, build, and implement capabilities to leverage advanced data science. Advanced Degree (PhD strongly preferred) with a specialization in Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or other equivalent quantitative fields. Full info HERE (1/25)
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, AD SALES RESEARCH, INSIGHTS AND INNOVATION >>
THE WEATHER GROUP/ATLANTA: Create effective sales positioning, develop a strategic plan to leverage research and insights. 8-10 years’ experience in TV, Digital and Social media ad sales research required. Full info HERE (1/21)
SALES PLANNER >>
UPTV/NYC: Work with advertising agency contacts and other advertising sales personnel to ensure that administration aspects of accounts are in order, build, revise and maintain all sales proposals for AEs. Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; at least 1+ years related cable experience preferred. Full info HERE (1/21)
MANAGER, DIGITAL MARKETING >>
A+E NETWORKS/NYC: Dynamic digital marketer to drive growth in A+E’s Digital business by acquiring OTT, mobile, and website video streamers for A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime brands. Leverage owned, earned, and paid marketing tactics. 5 years’ experience with direct response digital marketing. Full info HERE (1/21)
DIRECTOR, VENDOR & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT >>
A+E NETWORKS/NYC: Critical role in media acquisition team as tech liaison for suppliers/production teams to intake content and shepherd through to air. Project leadership + Media Supply Chain tech exp (camera technology/NLE workflows/content acquisition/QC). Act as technical consultant on prod/post prod. workflows across all A+E formats-scripted/non-scripted/live/movies/episodic series. 4+ yrs hands-on technical exp.(Post-Prod Sup./Online/Finishing Prod. Full info HERE (1/20)
SR PRODUCER/WRITER, ORIGINAL CONTENT MARKETING >>
NBCUNIVERSAL/NYC: Concept, write, produce and execute best-in-class creative launch campaigns for Peacock Originals for use on all platforms. Minimum 7 years of experience in writing, producing and video editing, experience leading 360° Originals creative campaigns in television or entertainment and Expert in digital video file formats. Full info HERE (1/19)
SR DATA ENGINEER >>
NBCUNIVERSAL/NYC: Looking for a Data Engineer who will be directly responsible for developing efficient data ingestion processes and automated management; develop and operationalize of machine learning models; and building robust data platforms to enable scaling of our products. 4+ years’ experience processing large amounts of structured and unstructured data in a cluster-computing environment required or similar experience in academia. Full Info HERE (1/19)
CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR >>
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY/LA: Collect and track pertinent data and information from production, talent, and license contracts, assist with negotiating terms and conditions of contracts and draft initial contracts and revise as needed. Minimum of two years’ experience in a law firm, network, or studio. Experience with guild agreements and/or Paralegal training and certification a plus. Full info HERE (1/19)
EVP, GENERAL COUNSEL >>
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS/STUDIO CITY, CA
Provide strategic legal counsel to Crown Media executives, on matters of the highest profile, impact, complexity or sensitivity and leads the attorney and legal specialist team members. Substantive experience handling and advising on entertainment network legal issues within a broadcast/cable/digital in-house environment is sought. HERE (1/18)
SR. MANAGER, COMMERCIAL CLEARANCE >>
A+E NETWORKS/NYC: Ensure Ads are compliant with A+E’s policies and federal guidelines during content and advertising review. Liaise with internal Ad Sales executives and external Ad Agencies. 5+ years experience, preferably at a network working in Ad Standards & Practices/Commercial Clearance. Strong familiarity with rules including FDA, FTC and FCC regulations, indecency and trade libel. Full info HERE (1/17)
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR >>
A+E NETWORKS/NYC: Creative point in print, promotion, and marketing from concept to development across A&E, History & Lifetime projects. Must be well versed in managing design principles for both print and digital deliverables. Demonstrated hands-on ability to create key art and design projects from conception to completion. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite software and industry standard programs and software. 5 years experience working for network, film or other entertainment outlets. Full info HERE (1/17)
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TUESDAY JANUARY 19
ABC: “Cinderella,” “Call Your Mother”
CBS: “NCIS,” “NCIS,” “FBI: Most Wanted”
CW: “Two Sentence Horror Stories,” “Two Sentence Horror Stories,” “Trickster”
FOX: “The Resident,” “Prodigal Son”
NBC: “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “This Is Us,” “Nurses”
PBS: “Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” [p], “PBS American Portrait,” “Frontline”
Telemundo: “El Domo Del Dinero,” “Todo Por Mi Hija,” “Falsa Identidad”
Univision: “Vencer el Desamor,” “Imperio de Mentiras,” “Dulce Ambicion” |
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