Today’s Premieres
Apple TV+: Shrinking
Netflix: The Snow Girl; Lockwood & Co.; Kings of Jo’burg

Saturday’s Premiere
BBC America: Frozen Planet II at 8p

Sunday’s Premieres
TLC: 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way
Travel Channel: Michigan Hell House at 9p

IN THE NEWS

Shortly after dropping right-wing channel Newsmax, DirecTV announced it is adding The First to DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse at no additional cost through a multiyear agreement. The conservative channel, launched on Pluto TV in 2019, features programs such as “No Spin News” with Bill O’Reilly and “I’m Right with Jesse Kelly.” “DirectTV’s launch marks another step forward in an ongoing DirecTV strategy to integrate leading streaming content alongside its more traditional linear channels,” said the pay-TV carrier. Responded Newsmax in a statement, “While we are glad AT&T DirecTV is adding a conservative commentary channel, it is a pathetic attempt to deal with millions of angry viewers who still want Newsmax.”

NBCUniversal announced its One23 Conference lineup. On Wednesday, February 8 in Manhattan, Jimmy Fallon, Andy Cohen and Erin Lim Rhodes will take to the stage and Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak will deliver a keynote fireside chat with Carl Quintanilla, along with discussions surrounding industry innovations, milestones, partnerships and more.

Peacock surpassed 20 million subscribers in 2022, doubling subs over the past 12 months and 5 million over 3Q22 numbers, reported Comcast. The company lost 419,000 cable video subscribers in 4Q22, with subscriber decreases driving video revenue down 5.6% to $5.1 billion. Total cable revenues hit $16.6 billion in the quarter, up 1.4% year-over-year.

The ad market may have “bottomed out,” opined NBCU CEO Jeff Shell, who noted that things haven’t gotten worse since “around late November, early December,” and in fact might have gotten “even a little better.” Shell also said that the company is on the lookout for possible deals, and execs are “more confident” than they were this time last year about Peacock profit investments.

Bill Sullivan will host CNBC’s “Last Call.” The “Worldwide Exchange” anchor is switching to primetime for the new 7p show that replaces “The News with Shepard Smith.” CNBC President KC Sullivan described “Last Call” as a “fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy.”

The Peabody Awards will be handed out in LA this year. After being held in New York, and virtually through the pandemic, the ceremony are set to take place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 11 for the first in-person event in three years. Added categories include digital and interactive storytelling, gaming, virtual reality and social video.

Guest hosts will continue to man “The Daily Show” while the search for a permanent replacement for Trevor Noah continues. The upcoming slate of temporary hosts include: D.L. Hughley (beginning January 30), Chelsea Handler (beginning February 6), Sarah Silverman (beginning February 13), Al Franken, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn and Marlon Wayans.

SeeHer was formed to promote authentic, real-life portrayals of women and girls, and found enthusiastic support from the ANA. But that was just the beginning – Patty Kerr, Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor for the group, talks about another valuable partnership, in Cynsiders.

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PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is expanding her overall deal with Amazon for “Sign Here.” “Fleabag” and “Killing Eve” creator Waller-Bridge is developing the adaptation of Claudia Lux’s darkly comedic novel about a man who works in Hell, where the coffee machine is perpetually out of order, the pens are out of ink, and the drink option is one: Jägermeister. Lux will co-write the pilot and executive produce with Waller-Bridge.

Fox gave “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers” early renewals for two more seasons through 2025. “The Simpsons,” continuing its status as the longest-running scripted series, will have a 35th and 36th season, while “Bob’s Burgers” is headed for seasons 14 and 15, and “Family Guy” for 22 and 23. Michael Thorn, president of scripted programming for Fox Entertainment, said, “Three-plus decades of ‘The Simpsons,’ more than two decades of ‘Family Guy’ and over a decade of ‘Bob’s Burgers’ proves the enduring power of the animation genre on our network and the infinite fan affinity for these outrageously funny comedy classics.”

Netflix greenlit season two of “The Recruit” with Noah Centineo. The CIA comedy drama debuted on December 16 and remained on Netflix’s Top 10 for five weeks, reaching the ranking in 88 countries. Centineo will continue to executive produce and star in the series.

Netflix also ordered a sophomore season of “My Lover My Killer.” The British true crime series investigates the psychology behind obsessive relationships.

Syndicated “Dateline” will come back for a seventh season. NBCUniversal Syndication Studios renewed the series, which has grown its audience more than 21% year-over-year and ranks as a Top 5 one-hour weekday show in syndication, according to a report by NBCU and Nielsen.

Larry Wilmore will write, executive produce and star in “Lately,” in development at ABC. The primetime comedy will offer a backstage look at the inner workings of a late-night talk show. The former host of Comedy Central’s “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” and the “Senior Black Correspondent” on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” will largely use his own experiences as material for the upcoming series.

Prime Video announced it will enter the bull ring for “The Ride.” The upcoming eight-episode docuseries from Kinetic Content will tell the story of professional bull riders from the perspective of the sport’s stars and coaches. The series is slated to premiere later this year.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Succession” returns on March 26. The upcoming 10-episode season of Jesse Armstrong’s Emmy-winning HBO Original drama series will center around Lukas Matsson, played by Alexander Skarsgård, a tech visionary who now owns the media conglomerate Waystar Royco. In the upcoming season’s trailer, Kendall (played by Jeremy Strong), described the expected stakes as, “a tightrope walk on a straight razor… 500-foot reputational drop.”

The third season of comedy “Party Down” will premiere February 24 on STARZ. Six new episodes of the series that debuted in 2009 will take place a decade later, when most of the team has moved on but reunites to cater more parties in the Los Angeles area. Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen, Megan Mullally return, with a new roster of added cast members, including James Marsden. The first two seasons are currently available to stream on the network.

Tony Morrison’s “Truth Be Told” returns February 2. Hosted by Morrison, the weekly series with guest appearances from celebrities, newsmakers and changemakers will share stories of motivation for “living life fully in their truth.”

February 22 is the launch date for “The Low Tone Club.” The series, starring Colombian singer Carlos Vives, will follow the story of Amaranto Molina (played by Vives), a music teacher who leads a school band made up of students whose “talents do not meet the school’s standards,” according to the series description. All 10 episodes drop February 22 on Disney+.

HGTV real estate series “The Flipping El Moussas” premieres March 2. Newlyweds Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa will star in the 10-parter that will cover family moments as well as high-end house flips.

“Kiff” launches on Disney Channel on March 10 and March 15 on Disney+. The animated children’s series starring a squirrel and her bunny best friend will feature the voices of Lauren Ash, James Monroe Iglehart, Rhys Darby and more. Kimiko Glenn (“Orange Is the New Black”) stars in the titular role of Kiff, with Barry the bunny voiced by H Michael Croner (“Craig of the Creek”).

Stanley Tucci, Laura Linney, Norah Jones and more will star in “Be My Guest With Ina Garten.” The third season with the Barefoot Contessa will premiere on March 5 on Food Network and discovery+.

COMING UP

Pedro Pascal will host “SNL” with musical guest Coldplay on February 4. This will be the late-night sketch comedy show debut for the “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian” actor, and the seventh appearance by Coldplay.

NBC is celebrating Carol Burnett’s 90th birthday with a special. “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love” will air on Burnett’s birthday, April 26 at 8p. Featuring performances from Billy Porter, Katy Perry, Kristin Chenoweth and more, the two-hour special will showcase memorable moments from Burnett’s career – such as her Broadway debut in “Once Upon a Mattress,” her role as Miss Hannigan in “Annie” and, of course, “The Carol Burnett Show.” Said Burnett, “I’m so excited NBC decided to throw me a birthday party and invited all my closest friends.”

STREAMING

Xumo Play has launched CraftsyTV Channel, featuring tutorials, demonstrations and how-to videos on categories such as baking, painting and woodworking. The channel made its debut as a feature on the Craftsy mobile app in November 2022.

SPORTS

IMG will produce England’s European Qualifiers and UEFA Nations League for Channel 4. The sports education brand will produce a live match feed and highlights show for the remaining 14 games throughout 2023 and 2024, beginning with England’s European Qualifier against defending champion Italy on March 23.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart is taking to the FOX Sports broadcast booth for Daytona 500. FOX Sports will cover the NASCAR season in Los Angeles and Daytona with Stewart serving as an analyst for the second consecutive year, alongside Mike Joy and former racing teammate Clint Bowyer. Stewart, Joy and Bowyer will also team up to call the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum from LA on February 5.

Diamond Sports Group may be heading towards bankruptcy. The subsidiary behind Sinclair Broadcast Group’s 19 Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks will most likely skip a $140 million interest-only payment for a $8.6 billion debut, according to Bloomberg. Under a restructuring plan, debt could turn into equity, and the company’s creditors – including Prudential Financial, Fidelity, Hein Park Capital Management and Mudrick Capital Management – would thereby take ownership of the Bally Sports RSNs.

CASTING

Disney+ cast Lance Reddick and Toby Stephens in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series. Reddick and Stephens will play Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon, alongside Walker Scobell as Percy.

GOING GLOBAL

Television and Film facility Aria Studios opened a new space in North Wales. Rondo Media and Welsh broadcasters S4C Digital Media Limited, with the support of the Welsh government through Creative Wales, established the studio to produce international productions out of the 20,000 square foot, $2 million space.

Portugal will develop a second season of the CGI game show “Family Piggy Bank.” The new season will feature 100 episodes, produced by Fremantle Portugal.

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RATINGS

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Wednesday, January 25
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: The Conners 2.87 (0.42), The Goldbergs 1.90 (0.30), Abbott Elementary 1.78 (0.26), Abbott Elementary 1.61 (0.27), Will Trent 1.54 (0.22)
CBS: The Price Is Right At Night 5.30 (0.64), Lingo 3.05 (0.47), Tough as Nails 2.15 (0.34)
ION: Blue Bloods 0.86 (0.1), Blue Bloods 0.91 (0.1), Blue Bloods 0.82 (0.1)
FOX: Name That Tune 1.71 (0.35), Special Forces 1.73 (0.33)
NBC: Chicago Med 3.97 (0.35), Chicago Fire 3.71 (0.32), Chicago PD 3.18 (0.34)
Telemundo: La Casa de los Famosos 1.17 (0.30), El Señor de los Cielos 1.71 (0.66), Amor y Traición 1.09 (0.32)
Univision: Vencer la Ausencia 1.57 (0.46), Mi Camino es Amarte 1.65 (0.45), Cabo 1.38 (0.39)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

American Public Television named Rob Dunlop to its board of trustees. The Cascade Public Media president and CEO will serve a three-year term, working with fellow Trustees and the APT leadership team, led by chair and Vegas PBS president and general manager Mare Mazur.

Warner Bros.’ Kevin Fortson will retire after three decades. The executive VP of production and administration for Warner Bros. unscripted TV was a founding senior executive of Warner Horizon, senior VP of studio operations for Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, and senior VP of production and administration at Telepictures. “For the past 30 years, Kevin has been an indelible part of Warner Bros,” said Mike Darnell, president of Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. “His name has literally become synonymous with the company and the lot itself.”

CEO David Smyth will exit Beyond Rights before the Banijay merger. Smyth first joined the company in December 2021.

WME promoted Amanda Hacohen and Abe Cohen Hoffing to Partner in its scripted TV department.

Jeron Hernandez was named VP of client development at Big Village. Hernandez will report to General Manager of Insights David Albert at the global ad, tech and data company.

Universal International Studios’ David O’Donoghue will step down. O’Donoghue worked for 15 years at the company, rebranded from NBCUniversal International Studios in November 2021, and served less than a year as the London-based studio head.

This Day in History
1956 – RCA Records released Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” his first million-seller.

Friday Fun Fact
The international telephone area code for Antarctica is 672

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and Hugh Hefner guest starred as themselves on which sitcom? “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96). Kudos to: Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./New York, Luke Watson-Bright Moments/LA, Mark Prince-dentsu Media Americas/New York, Enrico Bolognino-MLB Network/Secaucus, NJ, Dan Whitford-WTTW Chicago/Chicago, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA, Linda Walker-Smith-Comcast Cable/Orlando, FL, Melissa Friedman/LA,

Today’s Trivia Question
What color is the teddy bear that appears throughout season 2 of “Breaking Bad” (2008-2013)? (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.)

Cynopsis Team