Friday January 22, 2021

Saturday’s Premieres
AMC+: “A Wild Year on Earth”
Epix: “The Eisen Hour” at 10p
Oxygen: “Killer Motive” at 6p

Sunday’s Premieres
BYUTV: “Grace Notes” at 12p
CW: “Charmed” at 9p
Epix: “Bridge and Tunnel” at 9p
Science Channel: “If We Built It Today” at 8p

IN THE NEWS

Netflix’s buzzy “Bridgerton” has been renewed for season two. News of a new chapter for the Shondaland period drama came in the form of a letter from the show’s narrator, Lady Whistledown, who wrote, “This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season. I have my pen ready to report on any and all of his romantic activities.” Series creator Chris Van Dusen confirmed Lady Whistledown’s report. “We left [Lord Anthony] at the end of the first season at a bit of a crossroads, so I’m looking forward to jumping in and discovering how he fares in the marriage market,” Van Dusen said on “Today.” As for whether the Duke and Duchess of Hastings, focus of season one, will return, Van Dusen said, “I hope so…I think they will always be a part of the show.” Filming starts this spring in the UK.

Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford in Showtime anthology series “The First Lady” (wt). Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) is executive producing via JuVee Productions, and starring as Michelle Obama. Susanne Bier (“The Undoing”) will direct.

CBS Sports will stream the Super Bowl across multiple platforms, including CBS All Access (rebranding to Paramount+ on March 4). “We’re excited to broaden the availability of our Super Bowl LV stream this year, and we look forward to building on the incredibly strong momentum NFL football is driving on CBS All Access as a cornerstone of the extensive live sports offerings available on the service,” said Jeff Gerttula, EVP and GM, CBS Sports Digital. Kickoff is Sunday, February 7 at 6:30p.

A judge rejected Parler’s request for a preliminary injunction to require Amazon Web Services to reinstate its hosting contract with the app. AWS canceled its services on January 10, citing numerous examples of violent threats after the attack on the Capitol. “The Court is not dismissing Parler’s substantive underlying claims at this time,” ruled the judge. “Parler has fallen far short, however, of demonstrating, as it must, that it has raised serious questions going to the merits of its claims, or that the balance of hardships tips sharply in its favor. It has also failed to demonstrate that it is likely to prevail on the merits of any of its three claims; that the balance of equities tips in its favor, let alone strongly so; or that the public interests lie in granting the injunction.”

When will Donald Trump be allowed back on Facebook? The former president’s suspension on Facebook and Instagram, implemented the day after the January 6 riots at the Capitol, will be reviewed by Facebook’s independent Oversight Board, a panel of experts whose decision is binding. Noting that Facebook has faced criticism both for not enacting the ban soon enough, and for enacting it at all, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s VP of Global Affairs and Communications, said in a blog post, “Whether you believe the decision was justified or not, many people are understandably uncomfortable with the idea that tech companies have the power to ban elected leaders. Many argue private companies like Facebook shouldn’t be making these big decisions on their own. We agree….It would be better if these decisions were made according to frameworks agreed by democratically accountable lawmakers. But in the absence of such laws, there are decisions that we cannot duck.”

The Independent Spirit Awards, which traditionally take place the Saturday before Sunday’s Oscars telecast, this year will be held on Thursday, April 22, ahead of the Oscars on April 25. The ceremony is also moving from a lunch to a 10p timeslot, broadcast on IFC. Nominations, which will include several new television categories, will be announced Tuesday, January 26 at 10a.

With theaters doing scant business, Sony sold worldwide rights to animated feature “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” to Netflix. The film from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller last had an opening date of October 23, which was canceled.

Evening still “reigns supreme” for catching up with news events, said Nielsen in a report about local news viewing, adding that even on January 6, the day of the Capitol riots, which saw widespread spikes in ratings across broadcast and cable networks, “the timeline of viewing looked more traditional in nature, as the ratings were at their highest in the early evening.” In Washington, D.C., local ratings were 43% higher on January 6 compared with January 5, versus the 30% jump that national broadcast news experienced.

Time is running out to get the recognition you deserve.

The search is on for the best and brightest in sports media. This award spans 40+ categories, each spotlighting the most successful work, executives, producers, and sponsors alike. Act fast: applications due 1/27, and you can’t win if you don’t play.

START YOUR APPLICATION

A prequel to “Game of Thrones” is in development at HBO, reports Variety. The series would be adapted from George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk & Egg.” Another GoT prequel, “House of the Dragon,” is expected to premiere in 2022.

Religion of Sports (“Shut Up and Dribble”) has launched a scripted film and television department, headed by Ryan Stowell, most recently SVP of Production at Scott Free Productions. Religion of Sports was founded by filmmaker Gotham Chopra, Michael Strahan and Tom Brady.

Spotify inked a multi-year partnership with filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“Queen Sugar”). DuVernay will produce exclusive scripted and unscripted original audio programming through ARRAY, her multi-platform arts and social impact collective dedicated to narrative change. “Recognizing the undeniable power of voice and sound, I’m thrilled to extend ARRAY’s storytelling into the realm of podcasts,” said DuVernay.

Writer Jaquen Castellanos (“The Affair”) signed an overall deal with Amazon Studios. Castellanos will develop and create content for Prime Video.

ViacomCBS International Studios’ new slate of content was unpacked during VIS President JC Acosta’s NATPE address. Among the highlights: “Electric Years,” set in Europe in 1968 during the student revolution; true crime series “The Gold,” about one of Britain’s most notorious criminal investigations; and “Dr. Balli,” a series based on the life of the murderous doctor who was the inspiration for Hannibal Lecter.

What do you think is in store for the future of traditional spring upfronts? Share your opinions with us and you’ll enter to win an Amazon gift card. Start the survey.

STREAMING

ViacomCBS will introduce Pluto TV in France on February 8, the first FAST service to debut in the country. “The launch of Pluto TV in France marks an important step for the growth of our company’s streaming presence in Europe,” said Olivier Jollet, SVP, Emerging Business at ViacomCBS Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. “Pluto TV has already demonstrated its strong appeal in many markets across the world like the UK, GSA, Latam, and Spain. I’m sure that with its market-centric approach and extensive reach, Pluto TV’s innovative digital model will transform the French streaming and television market, both in terms of consumer experience and ad sales offer.”

Vizio announced the launch of three new sports channels and an all-in-one sports app for SmartCast viewers. The free channels include the NFL Channel, Pac-12 Insider, and beIN SPORTS XTRA, as well as the CBS Sports App.

Also launched on Vizio SmartCast is the CW app. “Vizio is a great partner that will help provide our audience with the viewing experience they’ve come to expect from The CW,” said Hiram Norman, EVP of Digital for the network.

TECH TALK

Tru Optik announced an agreement with Targetspot, a global specialist in digital audio solutions, to offer advertisers audience-based targeting capabilities for streaming audio. Tru Optik’s data management platform will be integrated into Targetspot’s tech stack starting next month. Through the integration, buyers and sellers are able to identify and segment audiences across mobile and streaming audio devices, including smart speakers. In addition, media companies and audio advertisers will be able to leverage Targetspot’s audio supply inventory with data sets of consumer and behavioral insights across streaming audio and podcasts.

TiVo has renewed its patent deal with Chinese electronics company TCL. “This expanded agreement further demonstrates TCL’s commitment and respect for intellectual property as we continue introducing industry-leading features and capabilities for our loyal users,” said Jonathan King, VP of Corporate & Legal Affairs for TCL.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Chad,” a single-camera comedy centered on a 14-year-old pubescent Persian boy as he navigates his first year of high school on a mission to become popular, makes its series debut on TBS Tuesday, April 6 at 10:30p. The net’s animated “American Dad” returns Monday, April 19 at 10p.

Four-part prank series “Double Cross With Blake Griffin” airs on truTV Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at 5:30p and 6p. Another newcomer, magic series “Big Trick Energy,” debuts Thursday, April 22 at 10:30p.

TLC set four reality show season premieres: “Sister Wives” on Sunday, February 14 at 10p; “Outdaughtered” on Tuesday, February 23 at 8p; “Seeking Sister Wife” on Sunday, February 28 at 9p; and “Return to Amish” on Monday, March 22 at 9p.

“One Week to Sell,” following a designer who takes on lagging listings and makes them market-ready on a small budget, debuts on discovery+ on Wednesday, February 3. “Aliens in Alaska” premieres on the streamer Monday, February 15, offering new evidence of out-of-this-world activity.

OWN’s “Queen Sugar” is back for season five on Tuesday, February 16 at 8p, with stories touching on the pandemic, Black Lives Matter and the lead-up to the elections.

ABC’s reboot of “To Tell the Truth” returns for a new season Tuesday, January 26 at 8p, with celebrity guests Jimmy Kimmel, Andrea Savage and Sherri Shepherd.

“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” is back for season 27 on HBO Tuesday, January 26 at 10p. A companion podcast, “The Real Sports Podcast,” will be available the week of January 26, hosted by segment producer Max Gershberg.

COMING UP

Discovery+ has acquired “They Call Me Dr. Miami,” about a controversial plastic surgeon who livestreams graphic procedures. The Cargo Film & Releasing documentary, originally produced for Canada’s CBC, will launch Thursday, February 11.

Vice grabbed rights to documentary “The Toxic Pigs of Fukushima,” following the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. The film’s name refers to wild boars, poisoned by radiation from a nuclear accident caused by the earthquake, that roam the streets.

British drama “The Beast Must Die,” commissioned by BritBox, has been acquired by AMC Networks. The revenge thriller will air on AMC and AMC+ later this year.

The AccuWeather TV Network will air “Forecasting Phil: The AccuWeather Spring Preview” on Wednesday, January 27 at 9p. The special features a panel of meteorologists debating whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on February 2. Also on hand: Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Ryerson in 1993 film “Groundhog Day.”

HBO’s “Fake Famous” explores the industry of social media influencers by casting three people with small followings, then buying them fake followers and bots to engage with their social media. The doc debuts Tuesday, February 2 at 9p.

GOING GLOBAL

Player+ has launched NewsPlayer+ in the UK, offering subscribers access to a variety of broadcasters including Al Jazeera, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg’s new channel Quicktake, Euronews and Newsmax, alongside an array of international news networks such as Africanews, Germany’s DW-TV, France 24, China’s CGTN, India’s NDTV 24×7, Israel’s i24, Russia’s RT, Australia’s Ticker, Turkey’s TRT and US network NewsNet. More channels will join later this month.

Abacus Media Rights is set to distribute documentary feature “The Oratorio,” hosted by Martin Scorsese. The film tells the story of a single performance at St Patrick’s Old Cathedral in 1826 that introduced Italian opera to New York City.

START THE SURVEY

The swearing in of President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris on Wednesday drew 40 million viewers across ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, up 29% from the inauguration in 2017. Among news nets, CNN had 9.07 viewers, versus 6.14 for MSNBC and 2.57 million for Fox News.

Ratings for NBC’s broadcast of “Celebrating America” from 8:30-10p on Wednesday averaged 3.85 million viewers and 0.8 among A18-49 in fast affiliate numbers, followed by ABC’s 3.65 million and 0.6. CBS drew 3.06 million viewers and an 0.4 rating for the special, while Fox’s telecast of “The Masked Dancer” at 9p delivered 2.7 million viewers and 0.6 in the demo.

Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of December 14
TV Time’s Binge Report for the Week of January 11
Bridgerton (Netflix) – 2.59%
Lupin (Netflix) – 2.50%
Disenchantment (Netflix) – 2.46%
Attack on Titan (NHK) – 1.97%
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC) – 1.70%
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix) – 1.66%
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 1.55%
Modern Family (ABC) – 1.39%
The Office (NBC) – 1.39%
One Piece (Fuji TV) – 1.34%
The weekly Binge Report ranks shows with the most binge sessions. A binge session is when four or more episodes of a show are watched and tracked in the TV Time app within a given day.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Tuesday, January 19
Show, P2+ millions, (A18-49)
ABC: “Cinderalla” 3.23 (0.5), “Call Your Mother” 1.93 (0.3), “The Conners” 1.57 (0.3)
CBS: “NCIS” 9.63 (0.8), “NCIS” 8.74 (0.8), “FBI: Most Wanted” 5.8 (0.6)
CW: “Two Second Horror Story” 0.61 (0.1), “Two Second Horror Story” 0.44 (0.1), “Trickster” 0.39 (0.1)
FOX: “The Resident” 3.42 (0.6), “The Prodigal Son” 2.37 (0.5)
NBC: “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” 2.41 (0.4), “This Is Us” 1.99 (0.3), “Nurses” 1.86 (0.2)
Telemundo: “Domo del Dinero” 0.89 (0.2), “Todo Por Mi Hija” 1.65 (0.4), “Falsa Identidad” 1.01 (0.4)
Univision: “Vencer el Desamor” 1.84 (0.5), “Imperio de Mentiras” 1.56 (0.5), “Dulce Ambicion” 1.32 (0.4)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

With a wave of the wand, Warner Bros. handed Kids, Young Adult and Classics President Tom Ascheim oversight of the Harry Potter franchise and Wizarding World properties.

Endemol Shine Australia announced a restructuring of its executive management team. Executive Producer, Amelia Fisk, will take on the position of Director of Content, Sydney; “MasterChef Australia” Executive Producer, Marty Benson, will become Director of Content, Melbourne; Commercial Director, Scott Howard, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer; Jane Macaulay, currently Director of Production, has been promoted to Director of Production and Post Production; and Elliot Spencer, Director of Development and Creative Services, has been promoted to Creative Director.

Woodcut Media has appointed Charlotte Johnson to the newly created position of Finance Director, effective February 1. Johnson was previously Finance Director at Beyond Rights Ltd.

Jessica Rosenworcel has been named Acting Chairwoman of the FCC, with the exit of Ajit Pai. Rosenworcel was confirmed to the commission in 2012.

Michael Pack resigned as CEO of the US Agency for Global Media, which runs the Voice of America. “I serve at the pleasure of not one particular president, but the office of the president itself,” Pack said in a letter sent to staff. “The new administration has requested my resignation, and that is why I have tendered it as of 2PM today.” Pack was appointed by President Trump last year to the three-year position.

GroupM’s Wavemeker tapped Dennis Potgraven to serve as Chief Strategy Office US. Potgraven had been Havas Group’s Chief Strategy Officer for Greater China.

Brian Peterson has been named SVP of Communications and Marketing for Newsmax Media. Prior to Newsmax, Peterson was a VP at Bospar.

AccuWeather promoted Stephen Mummey to the position of SVP, Digital Ad Revenue & Technology. Mummey was most recently VP of Programmatic Sales & Operations.

Friday Fun Fact
George Washington’s second inaugural address, in 1793, was the shortest address ever, at 135 words.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which characters on “The Addams Family” (1964-66) were played by the same actor? There are two correct answers: Ted Cassidy played Lurch and Thing, and Carolyn Jones played Morticia and Addams and Ophelia Frump. Kudos to: Pete Hazell-Discovery Communications Europe/London, John Ferlazzo/London, Charles Lore/NYC, Larry Kahn/Orlando, FL, Jane Pook/NYC, John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas, Dennis Maguire-Apple/Tampa, FL, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Kevin Sullivan-Happy Canyon Entertainment/LA, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, and (bonus for getting both answers) Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
What was Jennifer Lopez’s first US series regular acting role? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)