INTRODUCING
THE BEST, NEW STRATEGIC TARGET
IN BUSINESS TODAY: ADULTS 55+

THEY REPRESENT 1/3 OF THE POPULATION AND HAVE
$3.4 TRILLION IN SPENDING POWER…THAT’S A LOT OF REASONS
TO BREAK OUT OF TRADITIONAL DEMOS
We Have the Advanced Tools to Reach This Underserved, Underleveraged Audience

HISTORY | A&E | LIFETIME | LMN | FYI | VICE ON TV
Source

Wednesday February 3, 2021

Today’s Finale
Bravo: “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” at 10p

IN THE NEWS

Univision is all aboard Project OAR, the consortium of media companies created to establish a common technology for dynamic, addressable advertising management for TV. Univision joins AMC Networks, Comcast NBCUniversal, Disney, Discovery, Comcast’s FreeWheel, Fox, Hearst Television, E.W. Scripps, WarnerMedia, ViacomCBS, Xandr as well as smart TV company VIZIO. “As we continue to evolve the company under new leadership, Univision is proud to join Project OAR and to work with such preeminent media companies to meet the needs of brand partners in a changing media landscape,” says Donna Speciale, President of Advertising Sales and Marketing for Univision. “Together as an industry, we are helping to advance addressable TV advertising, deliver relevant experiences for all consumer audiences and present new advertising opportunities for marketers.”

About 50 staffers were let go as part of the reorganization of NBCUniversal’s entertainment content division, consolidated under Chairman, Entertainment Content Susan Rovner. Title changes and promotions include Cara Dellaverson, formerly EVP of Drama Programming for NBC Entertaiment, and Alex Sepiol, previously EVP of Scripted Development for NBCUniversal Entertainment & Lifestyle Group and Direct-to-Consumer, who will co-lead drama development and current across NBCU’s portfolio including NBC, its cable networks and Peacock, as EVPs, Drama Series, Entertainment Content. Jeff Meyerson has been bumped up to EVP, Comedy Series, Entertainment Content; Michael Sluchan, is now EVP, Current Series and Co-Productions, Entertainment Content; Rachel Smith, is now EVP, Unscripted Development, Entertainment Content; and Shari Levine, is now EVP, Unscripted Current Production, Entertainment Content.

NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios announced the inaugural Original Voices, a new fellowship program awarding six diverse documentary filmmakers $45,000 each to fund feature-length nonfiction films highlighting social issues and identities. In addition to the grant, fellows will gain access to the resources at NBC News Studios, including archival research, yearlong mentorship, story and edit consultations, festival and distribution strategy discussions, and marketing and publicity guidance. NBCUniversal News Group will also offer opportunities for fellows to connect and partner with world-renowned NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo journalists and executives. Winners will be announced at the end of next month.

Facebook unveiled a strategy aimed at encouraging iPhone and iPad users to allow online tracking. Before seeing Apple’s upcoming privacy screen, which will enable users to opt out of tracking, Facebook will show a screen explaining that tracking will result in ads that are more personalized. Facebook’s screen will also “provide more information about how we use personalized ads, which support small businesses and keep apps free,” said the company in a blog post. The move follows Apple’s decision to require developers to obtain iPhone and iPad users’ consent before tracking them with Identifiers for Advertisers, which poses a threat to Facebook’s ad revenue.

The first episode of the extended tenth season of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” will debut Sunday, February 21 on AMC+, ahead of its linear premiere February 28 at 9p. All subsequent episodes of the drama will premiere Thursdays on the streamer before landing on AMC.

Netflix scored the most nominations for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards, with 51, but a wide array of broadcast and cable shows are in the running, too. To name a few: Up for Outstanding Comedy Series are Netflix’s “#blackAF,” ABC’s “black-ish,” Freeform’s “grown-ish,” HBO’s “Insecure” and TBS’ “The Last O.G.” Up for Outstanding Drama Series are CBS’s “All Rise,” Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” Starz’ “Power Book II: Ghost,” and NBC’s “This Is Us.”

National CineMedia, the cinema advertising network, and movie exhibitor Harkins Theatres have signed a long-term cinema advertising affiliate agreement to bring NCM’s “Noovie” pre-show entertainment program to movie fans across the Southwest. With the addition of Harkins Theatres, NCM’s national theater network now includes all of the top five exhibitors in the country.

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AMC Networks has invested in Canadian producer Shaftesbury

, giving it access to Shaftesbury’s slate of programming, including “Murdoch Mysteries” and “Slasher.” “Shaftesbury is an ideal partner for AMC Networks as we expand our focus on sourcing premium content and IP for distribution across our own platforms as well as to third parties,” said Josh Sapan, AMC Networks President and CEO. “In addition, this partnership will give AMC Networks enhanced capabilities to expand our productions in Canada.”

Universal Television and Keshet Studios have renewed their first-look programming partnership deal for the third term. The two studios are currently developing scripts for two US adaptations for NBC: family drama “The A Word,” based on Keren Margalit’s “Yellow Peppers” with Arika Mittman, and a remake of Seven Studios’ “Secret Bridesmaids’ Business” titled “Ties That Bind with Deirdre Shaw,” alongside a series spin-off of Keshet Studios’ second feature “Save Yourselves!”, which is currently in theatrical release and streaming on various platforms.

“Independent Lens,” the PBS docu-series presented by ITVS, is partnering with PBS to bring 20+ documentary films and docu-series to the US through the Stories for Justice public media partnership. Stories for Justice programming is aimed at sparking community conversations and boosting the work of people on the front lines of criminal justice. “Storytellers in this initiative come from the towns they cover and go deep within communities to expose the long-term impacts of our local and national decisions,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer of “Independent Lens.” “The result is an immersive, human story with all the journalistic standards we need to have meaningful conversations that inspire community-led solutions.”

Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) is producer and star of a series in development that is loosely based on his experiences as a practicing Buddhist. Imperioli would write with Alec Berg (“Barry”), with Amy Solomon as an executive producer.

Josh Selig, the former CEO of Little Airplane Productions, announced the launch China Bridge Content. The New York and Beijing-based content and consulting company is committed to building creative and business ties between China and the world in the media sector, and will also be creating and producing their own quality original content across demographics and genres with a focus on cooperation with China. “The goal of China Bridge Content is to help international companies get a foothold in mainland China, and to help Chinese companies expand their reach into the global market,” said Selig.

ABC gave a pilot order to “National Parks,” written by Kevin Costner (“Yellowstone”), Aaron Helbing (“The Flash”) and Jon Baird. The drama following elite national parks service agents comes from Costner’s Territory Pictures Entertainment, 20th Television and A+E Studios.

Crunchyroll is teaming with Idris Elba (“Luther”) and his wife, Sabrina, for an animated fantasy series. “Gens Y and Z have experienced superhero fatigue and are hungry for the new stories and ideas that our creators tell,” said Joanne Waage, Crunchyroll GM. “This development deal with Sabrina and Idris Elba is another example of how we’re working with best-in-class partners to bring in new audiences and tell fresh and compelling stories through a medium that transcends genres and generations.”
Crunchyroll is is in the process of being sold by WarnerMedia to Sony’s Funimation.

Casting notes: Edwin Hodge (“For All Mankind”) has landed the lead opposite Sophia Bush in CBS medical drama pilot “Good Sam”…Beckie Newton (“Divorce”) will star in Netflix’s “Lincoln Lawyer” opposite Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Their parts were played by Kiele Sanchez and Logan Marshall-Green in the pre-Netflix CBS pilot.

NEW SERIES

Original sitcom “Millennials” premieres Thursday, February 25 on AMC Networks’ newly relaunched streaming service, ALLBLK. The comedy is centered on the lives of four 20-something roommates and their neighbors across the hall, as they navigate the chaos of being young and finding success in the City of Angels.

Will Smith will host Netflix docu-series “Amend: The Fight for America.” The six-parter explores the Fourteenth Amendment, which promises liberty and equal protection for all Americans. Executive produced by Smith and Larry Wilmore, the series debuts Wednesday, February 17.

A princess steals the heart of the president of the United States in “Atlantic Crossing on Masterpiece,” a drama based on the World War II relationship of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Norwegian Crown Princess Martha. Kyle MacLachlan stars as Roosevelt opposite Swedish actress Sofia Helin as Martha, who flees the Nazis with her three young children and lives under Roosevelt’s increasingly doting protection. The eight-part series premieres Sunday, April 4 at 9p.

Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot” team reunites for the first time in three years for “Finding Bigfoot: The Search Continues,” premiering on discovery+ on Monday, February 8.

COMING UP

Antenna TV stunt “Love Is In – And Over – The Air” features a Valentine’s Day marathon of romantic episodes from shows including “Family Ties,” “Murphy Brown” and “Diff’rent Strokes,” starting February 14 at 5a.

SNL’s Kenan Thompson will host Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021, airing live on Saturday, March 13, at 7:30p, simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons and Nick Jr.

VH1 wish-fulfillment special, My Celebrity Dream Wedding, makes its debut on Tuesday, February 9 ar 9p. The show follows three wedding planners as they compete to give one deserving bride on a budget the celebrity-inspired wedding of her dreams.

This Black History Month, Hulu is showcasing Black voices, stories and creators with new collections in the Black Stories hub on the platform, premieres of TV hits like “Moesha,” “Being Mary Jane,” “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” and the streaming film premiere of 2020’s “Antebellum,” starring Janelle Monae. Additional highlights include the upcoming Hulu Original film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” and FX on Hulu premieres of docu-series “Hip Hop Uncovered” and the season 4 premiere of “Snowfall.”

“Believe: The Barack Obama Story” traces the life story of President Barack Obama, and features interviews with Barack and Michelle Obama, among others. Over 80 stations are onboard for the special, airing this month.

The AccuWeather TV Network and accuweather.com are highlighting inspiring stories for Black History Month throughout February during the 7:40a and 6:40p live show blocks. Coverage includes Tuskeegee Airmen Meteorologists; June Bacon-Bercey, the first African-American woman broadcast meteorologist; the Jackson State Met Program; Buffalo Soldiers in Sequoia Nat Park, some of the first “forest rangers”: and Gladys May West, creator of the GPS.

Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City”) and Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) will reveal the nominees for the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards today, February 3 at 8:35 on NBC’s “Today.” The telecast airs live on Sunday, February 28 at 8p.

MeTV remembers Dustin Diamond with a special presentation of episodes of “Saved by the Bell” featuring his character, Screech, on Sunday, February 7 from 7a-10a. Diamond died of lung cancer on February 1 at age 44.

National Geographic Documentary Films acquired feature documentary “Playing with Sharks,” documenting the life of Australian icon, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor. “I can’t think of a more perfect film premiering at Sundance this year for our Nat Geo Docs Film banner than ‘Playing with Sharks,’” said Carolyn Bernstein, EVP, Global Scripted Content & Documentary Films for National Geographic. “We see it as a coming home of sorts for Valerie, after she first appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine in June 1973.”

STREAMING

The Disney Bundle with Hulu No Ads is now widely available to consumers for $18.99/month. A bundle with ad-supported Hulu is still available for $12.99/month.

Pluto TV is launching five new channels: CBSN New York, CBSN Los Angeles, Leverage, Pluto TV Boxing and Pluto TV Pro Wrestling. Pluto TV users will have free, 24/7 access to local news from New York and Los Angeles, along with all episodes of “Leverage,” starring Timothy Hutton.

Wheelhouse is establishing new division, Wheelhouse DNA – “digital ‘n audio” – to develop, produce and distribute content from creators and influencers. DNA launches with deals to create original content for digital-native talent across all platforms, including YouTube, Snap, Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as longform TV with linear networks and streamers. Original projects are already set up at Netflix and Discovery+. “DNA will be a one-stop shop for the best talent, essentially connecting the influencer and content worlds to each other, and to Wheelhouse’s wider production and investment capabilities, and our relationships with established, progressive brands,” said Ed Simpson, Chief Strategy Officer.

TECH TALK

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced he is stepping down in the third quarter of 2021 and transitioning to executive chair, where he intends to focus on “new products and early initiatives.” The CEO role will be taken by Andy Jassy, who has led Amazon Web Services. The company reported stellar fourth quarter results, with revenue of $125.56 billion and earnings of $14.09 per share, exceeding expectations.

Alphabet also reported a rosy quarter, as sales jumped to $56.9 billion in 4Q20, versus $46 billion the year prior, handily beating expectations. YouTube ad revenue hit $6.9 billion, up from $4.7 billion in 4Q19, and Google search and other ad revenue jumped to $31.9 billion, from $27.2 billion.

Magnite, the independent sell-side advertising platform, launched the open beta of Unified Decisioning, a solution that empowers CTV and OTT publishers to maximize yield by removing the need to manage direct sold and programmatic demand channels independently and allowing them to compete side by side. “We’ve designed and built Unified Decisioning to address the barriers between unifying direct sold and programmatic demand with the specific needs of CTV publishers in mind,” said Paige Bilins, VP of Video Product Management. “Publishers are eager to tap into the efficiencies that programmatic provides without relinquishing the control they are used to when selling directly to buyers.”

Advanced TV platform company Cadent announced an expansion of its agreement with Premion, the CTV/OTT advertising platform for regional and local advertisers. Under the terms of the new agreement, Cadent Viewer Graph, Cadent’s proprietary and cookieless matching technology, will unify audiences across Premion’s inventory of branded networks and providers so that advertisers can activate cross-screen campaigns against custom segments. “True audience-based targeting tied to real-world business outcomes is critical for marketers today,” said Tom Cox, President, Premion. “Our agreement with Cadent allows us to better understand the value of our audiences so that we can provide best-in-class solutions to advertisers.”

TVSquared announced the launch of ADvantage XP, the premier tier of its ADvantage analytics platform, built to provide scalable, uniform measurement across channels, platforms, devices and identity partners. “ADvantage XP serves the entire TV landscape with immediate results of creative performance, frequency caps and conversions, and covers every channel, platform, device and identity partner,” said Jo Kinsella, President, TVSquared.

Centro, a provider of advertising technology, announced a free and expanded virtual curriculum for digital advertising available through its Centro Certified learning programs. Centro Certified’s Essentials is a series of self-guided classes for mastering key elements of digital advertising. Newly available are Search Essentials and Social Media Essentials, with additional courses for Programmatic 2.0, TV Buying, Data, and more, to be released in 2021.

GOING GLOBAL

Spacetoon announced a partnership with Moonbug Entertainment to bring “CoComelon,” along with five additional Moonbug titles, to MENA.

Red Arrow Studios International has secured the global distribution rights to the new international thriller “Blackout – Tomorrow Is Too Late .” The series is produced by W&B Television for Joyn and SAT.1 in Germany.

London-based Eye Present, Helsinki-based Gigglebug Entertainment and Toronto-based Nelvana, a producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, are partnering on Nickelodeon International bound animated comedy “Best & Bester.”

See who’s leading the charge in media excellence.

The Cynopsis Best Of The Best Awards Luncheon

Featuring Media’s Rising Stars
Thursday, February 25 at 1 PM ET

VIEW THE FINALISTS REGISTER NOW

HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous” ended its sophomore season with its Tuesday, January 26 episode garnering a .79 Live+3 rating among P25-54 and 1.06 among W25-54. The highest-rated episode of the series, it attracted more than 4.5 million total viewers and ranked as a top 5 cable premiere in prime among W25-54, M25-54, upscale W25-54, upscale M25-54 and P2+, and a top 10 cable premiere in prime among P25-54.

The January 2 premiere of Hallmark Channel’s “Taking a Shot at Love” was the net’s second highest-rated original premiere during the month of January in network history, delivering a 3.2 Household rating.

BET’s Wednesday lineup continues to score: 3.7 Million Total viewers P2+ (Live+3) tuned in during last Wednesday’s premieres of “Tyler Perry’s Sistas,” “First Wives Club” and “Bigger” (simulcast across BET and BET Her on 01/27/21). “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” was the #1 program in its timeslot (9p-10p) for African Americans P18-49, 25-54, and P2+; and the three series ranked #1, #2, and #3 for the night for African Americans 18-49, 25-54, and 2+ among cable (excluding News and Sports).

In syndication, In its second week without long-time host Alex Trebek, “Jeopardy!” (5.9 Live+SD national Nielsen rating, down 5% from the week before) continued to decline but held onto the game show lead by a narrow margin the week ending January 24. With star contestant Ken Jennings filling in as the first in a series of guest hosts, the show has now slipped 11% from Trebek’s final episode. “Wheel of Fortune” (5.7, down 2%) also weakened in second place, although third-ranked “Family Feud” (5.6, up 4%) jumped into close contention.

CNN started the year off right, averaging 2.74 million total viewers in primetime in January, up 125% from the same period in 2020. MSNBC averaged 2.66 million, up 51%, while Fox News averaged 2.62 million, down 14%.

Fox News Channel marked its 19th consecutive year as the number one cable news network in total day and primetime, according to Nielsen (January 2020 – January 2021). Since January 2002, FNC remained the most-watched cable news network across both dayparts with total viewers and among A25-54.

Basic Cable Top 5 for the week of January 25
Primetime (P2+)
Fox News (2,622,000)
MSNBC (2,302,000)
CNN (1,814,000)
HGTV (1,316,000)
History (1,041,000)
Total Day (P2+)
MSNBC (1,381,000)
Fox News (1,323,000)
CNN (1,287,000
HGTV (771,000)
Hallmark Channel (571,000)

TV Time’s Shows on the Rise for the week of January 25
“Big Brother Brazil” (Rede Globo) – 99.3%
“BONDiNG” (Netflix) – 98.1%
“Big Sky” (ABC) – 88.7%
“Snowpiercer” (TNT) – 85.7%Squeezie (YouTube) – 84.7%
“Squeezie” (YouTube) – 84.7%
“FBI” (CBS) – 80.6%
“Charmed” (The CW) – 76.8%
“Winx Club” (Rai Gulp) – 68.8%
“Euphoria” (HBO) – 52.4%
“black-ish” (ABC) – 50.9%
Methodology: Every week, millions of viewers around the world use TV Time to track their favorite series. “Shows on the Rise” is calculated by determining the week-over-week growth in episodes watched for a given program.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of January 18 ranked in order by HH Rtg
“Jeopardy!” (CMV) 5.9 AA
“Wheel of Fortune” (CMV) 5.70 AA
“Family Feud” (CMV) 5.6 AA
“Judge Judy” (CMV) 5.1 AA
“The Big Bang Theory” (WB) 2.8 AA
“Inside Edition” (CMV) 2.5 AA
“Entertainment Tonight” (CMV) 2.3 AA
“Last Man Standing” (DAD) 2.0 AA
“Live With Kelly and Ryan” (DAD) 1.9 AA
“Dr. Phil” (CMV) 1.7 AA

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Monday, February 1
Show, P2+ millions, (A18-49)
ABC: “The Bachelor” 5.49 (1.5), “The Good Doctor” 2.45 (0.4)
CBS: “The Neighborhood” 4.32 (0.5), “Bob Hearts Abishola” 3.54 (0.4), “All Rise” 2.27 (0.3), “Bull” 2.90 (0.2)
CW: “All American” 0.66 (0.2), “Batwoman” 0.31 (0.8)
FOX: “9-1-1” 6.77 (1.0), “9-1-1: Lone Star” 6.14 (1.0)
NBC: “Ellen’s Game of Games” 3.33 (0.6), “The Wall” 3.26 (0.6), “Weakest Link” 3.11 (0.6)
Telemundo: “Exatlon Estados Unidos” 1.16 (0.4), “La Suerta de Loli” 1.14 (0.3), “Buscando a Frida” 1.05 (0.4)
Univision: “Vencer el Desamor” 1.86 (0.6), “Imperio de Mentiras” 1.55 (0.4), “Dulce Ambicion” 1.36 (0.3)
Univ Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Havas Media Group has expanded the role of Greg Walsh, Global Chief Commercial Officer, to include oversight of operations, commercial, investment, data, technology, and talent, adding Chief Operations Officer, Havas Media NA, to his remit. Amy Ginsberg has been named Chief Investment Officer. Ginsberg joins from Canvas Worldwide, where she led all investment efforts.

Blue Ant Media announced the promotion of Julie Chang to EVP, International Co-Productions. In her new role, Chang will initiate and lead co-productions for Blue Ant Media across the company’s core integrated business units.

The E.W. Scripps Company has appointed Jodi Chisarick as General Sales Manager for its national television networks business. Chisarick joins Scripps from 20th Television, where she was most recently SVP, General Sales Manager.

EDO, Inc., the advertising data, measurement, and analytics software company, has added four new hires. Dr. John Cripps joins as SVP of Convergent Measurement; Dr. Peter Foley as Head of Data Science; Diane Staffan as Head of Product Strategy; and Gowtham Prakash as Manager of Data Engineering. The team will assist in building a Convergent TV Ad Measurement platform.

Sesame Workshop announced the promotion of Ed Wells to EVP and Head of Global Media and Education. Wells is now responsible for developing and implementing the Workshop’s long-term strategic vision for media and education in the US, in addition to retaining his international portfolio.

IN MEMORIAM

Actor Hal Holbrook died January 23. He was 95. In addition to substantial film and theater roles, Holbrook won Emmys for roles on “The Bold Ones: The Senator” (1971), “ABC Theatre” (1974), “Sandberg’s Lincoln” (1976), and “Portrait of America” (1988 and 1989).

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On which series did David Schwimmer first land a recurring role? “The Wonder Years” (1988-93). Kudos to: John Ferlazzo/London, Amy Eppolito-Warner Bros./NYC, Karen Kelly-SPUH/New Brunswick, NJ, Dan Whitford-WTTW/Chicago, Eric Dunefsky-Crossmedia/NYC, Charles Lore/NYC, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Melissa Friedman/LA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Which “Friends” star had roles in two other series where the last names of her characters rhymed? (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.)