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A Cynopsis Message From SYFY
SYFY CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH THROUGHOUT MARCH
“We Are Her(oes)” Multiplatform Campaign To Feature
Content Created FOR and BY Women, Including:
-Original Programming & Podcasts
-Marathons & Stunts
-Fresh SYFY WIRE Editorial
-Custom Branding
Click here to check out SYFY’s redesigned bug in honor of Women’s History Month |
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Tonight’s Premiere
FX: Breeders at 10p
Tonight’s Finale
Food Network: Kids Baking Championship at 10p
For streaming TV premieres, go here.
IN THE NEWS
CBS’s Hawaii Five-0 will end this season, its tenth, with a two-hour finale on April 3. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to a hit franchise that carried on the legacy of the original with such distinction while establishing its own signature style,” said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment, of the reboot. “From episode one, Hawaii Five-0 has been a huge success for us. Thanks to the amazing talents of the producers, writers, cast and crew, it has played a key role for a decade on our schedule and helped establish our powerhouse Friday night.”
The clock has been stopped on season 33 of The Amazing Race. “Due to increased concerns and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus around the world, CBS and the producers of The Amazing Race have taken the precautionary measure of temporarily suspending production on the 33rd season of the series,” the network said on Friday. “All contestants and production staff are in the process of returning home.” No one associated with the show, which had filmed three episodes in the UK, had contracted or shown symptoms of the virus, but will continue to be monitored when they return home.
NBC gave three-year pickups for Dick Wolf shows Chicago, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The renewals are part of a new five-year pact Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment signed to remain at Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios, his studio home for the past 36 years. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Dick over the decades and it goes without saying he remains one of the most influential producers in history,” said Bonnie Hammer, Chairman, NBCUniversal Content Studios. “He is a visionary unlike any other whose impact has changed the entire television landscape. We’re beyond thrilled to have Dick and his team remain in the NBCUniversal family for many years to come.”
Superstore will be open for business for a sixth season, but without star and executive producer America Ferrera. “The last five years on Superstore have been some of the most rewarding, enriching and enjoyable years of my career. Producing, directing and acting with this wonderful cast and crew has given me opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller,” Ferrera said. “I’m so grateful to my partners at NBC and Universal Television for the support and belief they have always placed in the show.” Ferrera’s last episode will be the season five finale on Thursday, April 16.
Comscore scored a deal with Comcast that is “a game-changing moment in the history of television measurement,” said Bill Livek, CEO of Comscore. The agreement calls for Comscore to integrate set-top-box viewing data from Comcast homes into its local and national measurement services. Comcast cable systems have over 21 million subscribers. “This agreement is significant because it strengthens Comscore’s already-massive scale and eliminates uncertainty around TV measurement,” said Bret Leece, Global Chief Data & Innovation Officer at Havas Media Group. “For Havas, this combination gives us the confidence to use Comscore as we help grow our client’s business.”
With Modern Family ending its run, Sofia Vergara has joined the judging panel of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. AGT alum Heidi Klum will also take a chair, joining series creator Simon Cowell and Howie Mandell. “I’m so happy to join my new family on AGT,” said Vergara. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show.”
Elliott Management Corp. has taken a stake in Twitter Inc. with plans to replace CEO Jack Dorsey, among other changes to the company’s governance, reports Bloomberg. Twitter co-founder Dorsey does not have voting control of his company’s stock.
We haven’t heard the last from Hillary Clinton. The former presidential candidate and subject of Hulu docu-series Hillary is teaming with iHeartRadio to coproduce an original podcast series, set to arrive ahead of the summer political conventions.
LAST CALL! To be included in the Cynopsis Upfronts Online Navigator, the go-to resource for buyers and planners during the 2020 Upfronts season, please submit the dates/times/locations of upfront events (if no events are planned, include a tagline or up to 25-word mission statement) and logo by today to [email protected]. For sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]. |
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2020 Cable Hall of Fame Celebration
April 30, 2020 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, NYC
2020 Honorees
• Bridget Baker, CEO, Baker Media Inc.
• Jim Blackley, advisor to the CEO, Charter Communications
• Cathy Hughes, founder and chairwoman, Urban One
• Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO, Urban One; chairman and CEO, TV One
• Jeff Marcus, Cable Pioneer
• Dave Watson, president and CEO, Comcast Cable
• Jeff Zucker, chairman, WarnerMedia News & Sports and President, CNN Worldwide
www.cablehalloffame.com, 720-502-7513 |
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| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Steve Blackman inked a multi-year deal with Netflix . Blackman will continue as showrunner and EP on the streamer’s The Umbrella Academy, as well as write and produce new series and projects via his Borderline Entertainment.
Syfy gave straight-to-series orders to Day of the Dead and The Surrealtor. Day of the Dead, from Cartel Entertainment, is based on the classic zombie film, while The Surrealtor, from Blue Ice Pictures, focuses on a realtor working with a team of specialists to handle haunted houses. Both series are slated to debut in 2021.
The Zoo: San Diego has been renewed for season two on Animal Planet, after premiering as the net’s most-watched new series of the calendar year. Sophomore run (spoiler alert: baby hippo!) is set to start this summer.
Leigh Whannel (The Invisible Man) signed a two-year, first-look deal with Blumhouse Productions for TV and film. The players know what they’re getting into – Whannell and Blumhouse have worked together on seven projects in the last ten years, including the Insidious franchise.
Short form platform Quibi ordered comedy talk show Q Talks, featuring celebrities giving “expert” talks on topics they’ve never heard before, from scripts they’ve never seen. Comic James Veitch will host; slated to guest are Lisa Kudrow, Niecy Nash, Regina Hall, Jimmy O. Yang and Kristen Schaal. Quibi launches April 6.
Frantic Films Jamie Brown jumped a sinking ship, inking an agreement to repurchase a 100% stake in the TV and film production company from Kew Media Group, which has owned the company since March 2017. Kew Media Group told investors on Friday is has been placed in receivership under orders of the Ontario Superior Court; the company’s directors all exited. Truist Bank had demanded repayment of all money owed after Kew Media Group defaulted on payments last year.
Netflix added seven episodes to its order of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, for a total of 39. First additional episode of the comedy show drops Sunday, March 29.
Shaftesbury (Murdoch Mysteries) is partnering with UK producer Company Pictures (Wolf Hall) to option Steve Burrows’ book series Birder Murder Mysteries. It’s the first joint venture for the production companies.
Top 10 Weekend Domestic Box Office Estimates: February 28-March 1
This Invisible Man (Universal) $29.0 million, opening weekend
Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount) $16.0 million, cume revenue $128.3 million
The Call of the Wild (Twentieth Century Fox) $13.2 million, cume revenue $45.9 million
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (FUNimation Films) $6.3 million, cume revenue $9.6 million
Bad Boys for Life (Sony) $4.3 million, cume revenue $197.4 million
Birds of Prey (Warner Bros.) $4.1 million, cume revenue $78.8 million
Impractical Jokers: The Movie (Independent) $3.5 million, cume revenue $6.7 million
1917 (Universal) $2.7 million, cume revenue $155.9 million
Brahms: The Boy II (STX) $2.6 million, cume revenue $9.8 million
Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island (Sony Pictures) $2.3, cume revenue $24.1 million
Source: Comscore
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
Masters of motors team for Discovery’s Driven, premiering Monday, March 30 at 9p. Series aims to save automotive history – like a one-of-a-kind Pantera that was hot-rodded for a secret project with Lee Iacocca.
Season two of Disney Channel’s hybrid improv/comedy series Just Roll With It premieres Sunday, March 14 at 8:45p. Comedian J.C. Currais becomes a series regular as Gator, and John Ratzenberger (Cheers) guest stars in a recurring role as Blair’s grandfather.
STREAMING SNIPPETS
Netflix is “an obvious beneficiary” if people stay home because of fears about coronavirus, wrote BMO Capital Market analyst Dan Salmon in a research note. Amid a fierce Wall Street sell-off February 19-27, Netflix shares dipped 3.7%, versus double-digit drops for Facebook (-12.8%), Amazon (-13.2%), Alphabet (-13.8%), Apple (-15.5%) and Microsoft (-15.5%).
YouTube TV reached a temporary agreement with Sinclair Media Group to keep Fox Regional Sports Networks, as well as YES Network, on the air, after warning customers they might lose coverage. Sinclair, which acquired the RSNs from Disney last year for $10 billion, said of carriage negotiations, they offered YouTube TV “the best terms under which their competitors carry our regional sports networks,” while YouTube noted, “You may have noticed several other TV services have also decided to remove Fox Regional Sports Networks from their lineups.”
COMING UP
1960’s variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which has not been shown on TV in almost three decades, will air every Sunday in March on getTV. The controversial show, which premiered on CBS in 1967, was canceled two years later despite strong ratings.
On Monday, March 2 – the eve of Super Tuesday – Fox News will host its first town hall with Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. Also on the schedule: a town hall with President Trump on Thursday, March 5 in Scranton, PA. Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will co-moderate the events, taking place from 6:30-7:30p.
TNT released its line-up of movies for 2020. Among the offerings on tap for Sundays and Mondays are A Star Is Born, Black Panther, Crazy Rich Asians, Thor: Ragnarok and, for International Women’s Day on March 8, Wonder Woman, among others.
“We’re in the business of storytelling, so we should be using those tools to uplift women, and all marginalized parties, across platforms,” says Dyllan McGee, Founder and Executive Producer of MAKERS, Verizon Media’s brand aimed at accelerating the women’s movement. On the heels of the organization’s 2020 conference, McGee shares details on the organization, as well as her take on the media’s responsibility for pushing for change, in Cynsiders.
Kicking off Women’s History Month, Fuse will honor women using their voice to drive positive change. A part of the ongoing Fuse Future History franchise, the Future Women’s History Class of 2020 will include singer Hayley Kiyoko for using her music to share her truth as a queer artist; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for speaking truth to power; actress Angelica Ross for standing up for transgender and queer communities; and writer and artist Chanel Miller (Know My Name).
OZY Media festival experience OZY Fest will be returning to NYC for a one-day event on July 25. The event will take place on the Great Lawn in Central Park, and feature musician Miguel, TV personalities Tan France and Karamo Brown, comedians Dulcé Sloan and Tig Notaro, politicians Andrew Yang, Dan Crenshaw, Julián Castro and John Kasich, and chef Marcus Samuelsson, as well as activist Gloria Steinem, Chelsea Clinton, actress Jameela Jamil, and sports stars Baker Mayfield, Amy Purdy and Alex Rodriguez.
The wait is almost over! In one short week finalists for the 9th Annual Cynopsis Sports Media Awards will be announced and registration will open for the annual awards breakfast.
CASTING
Courteney Cox (Friends) will star in Starz horror/comedy pilot Shining Vale. Half-hour show comes from Jeff Astrof and Sharon Horgan…Sophia Bush (Chicago P.D.) landed the title role in CBS medical drama pilot Good Sam, playing a heart surgeon who works in the same hospital as her overbearing father…Kim Bodnia (Killing Eve) has been cast as Vesemir in season two of Netflix’s The Witcher…Akili McDowell (David Makes Man) will recur in season five of Showtime’s Billions…Coby Bell (The Gifted) is onboard the cast of The CW’s Walker, Texas Ranger reboot, Walker.
Have you seen this star-speaker lineup? Learn how to find and maximize the data you need to tell your brand’s story at the 4th Annual Cynopsis Measurement & Data Conference from the experts. View speakers and register before March 13th.
GOING GLOBAL
Channel 5’s Cruising with Jane McDonald is coming to an end, with the announcement that its star is leaving “to concentrate on music and exciting new projects.” The Viacom International Studios-produced show had a spin-off, Holidaying with Jane McDonald, that will also come to a close.
44 Cats, from Rainbow, is set to debut on March 2 on Italian Rai Yoyo. The two main pay TV partners Discovery Kids (Latin America) and Nickelodeon (rest of the world) will follow with exclusive launches in Q2 and Q3, and the show will later land on free to air broadcasters from fall 2020. |
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Cynopsis Sports Awards Breakfast
April 23, NYAC-NYC | Sponsored by: Twitch
As your go-to source for sports media news, we look forward to hosting the ultimate sports industry breakfast!
Join your peers as we raise a glass to a year marked with intense competition, historic telecasts and exciting new ways to cover/view the games. Finalists will be announced next week (stay tuned), but we are excited to announced a few of our luminary honorees:
BRAND OF THE YEAR AWARD: Doritos
NAVIGATOR AWARD: Mark Silverman – Fox Sports |
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| RATINGS
Univision’s broadcast of Combate Americas world championship event on February 21 delivered a total of 511,000 P2+ viewers, including 274,000 A18-49 viewers, in its midnight slot.
The winter premiere of ABC’s The Rookie grew over its last telecast in December by 14% in total viewers (to 8.2 million) for its biggest audience since its series debut in 2018. Among A18-49, the procedural delivered a season-high 1.3/7.
FOX News Channel’s town hall with Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (6:30-7:30p) on Thursday was the most-watched cable news program in its timeslot, according Nielsen. FNC’s second town hall with the candidate was up nearly 10% in total viewers and nearly 50% in the key demo versus the net’s May 2019 town hall with the senator.
The season seven debut of Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart on Sunday had its highest-rated season premiere since the program launched in 2014. The episode delivered a 3.0 HH rating, 2.9 million total viewers, and 427,000 W25-54 in Live+3 Nielsens, making Hallmark Channel the #2 entertainment cable network for the week. Spinoff series When Hope Calls made its freshman debut as the #3 scripted series of the week among W18+, helping boost Hallmark Channel to rank as the highest-rated entertainment cable network in weekend Total Day, averaging a 2.0 HH rating, 2 million total viewers, and 248,000 W25-54.
The season finale of Univision’s Rubi on Thursday reached 3.5 million total viewers 2+ who tuned in to all or part of the 90-minute telecast, averaging 2.0 million total viewers 2+, 883,000 A18-49 and 373,000 A18-34, the third and fifth most-watched program on broadcast television for the night in the A8-34 and A18-49 demos, respectively.
Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Thursday, February 27
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Station 19 6.59 (1.1), Grey’s Anatomy 6.00 (1.1), A Million Little Things 3.68 (0.6)
CBS: Young Sheldon 6.02 (0.7), The Unicorn 4.15 (0.5), Mom 4.39 (0.5), Carol’s Second Act 3.71 (0.4), Tommy 4.65 (0.5)
CW: Katy Keene 0.45 (0.1), Legacies 0.30 (0.1)
FOX: Last Man Standing 4.10 (0.7), Outmatched 2.47 (0.5), Deputy 3.65 (0.6)
NBC: Superstore 2.57 (0.6), Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1.74 (0.5), Will & Grace 2.06 (0.4), Indebted 1.48 (0.4), Law and Order: SVU 3.30 (0.6)
TELEMUNDO: Exatlon Estados Unidos 1.39 (0.4), La Dona 1.03 (0.3), Operacion Pacifico 1.00 (0.4)
UNIVISION: Ringo 1.71 (0.6), Rubi 1.99 (0.7), Rubi, El After Show 1.46 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages
EXECUTIVE MOVES
ViacomCBS upped Eduardo Lebrija to Executive Vice President and the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer at ViacomCBS Networks Americas. Lebrija, will be responsible for all business lines of revenue in the Americas for ViacomCBS and will oversee all commercial strategies and business planning including the areas of Ad Sales, Marketing, Content and Channel Distribution, as well as Consumer Products for the Americas cluster.
Jeff Medders has been named President and General Manager of The Cowboy Channel. Medders has been Executive Producer of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Owner of Geronimo Productions.
MELS Studios appointed Christina Wise as Director of Visual Effects. Wise has experience at Cinesite, BLUF Canada, Fox, MGM, Disney and New Regency. |
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This Day in History
1819 – The US passed its first immigration law.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the name of the library on the PCA campus in Zoey 101 (2005-08), and why? The Harry Schneider Library was named after the father of show creator, Dan Schneider. Kudos to: Susan Nessanbaum-Golberg-M and S Entertainment, LA, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Linda Walker-Smith-Comcast, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Paul Blutter-General American Group/Burbank, David Westberg-SAG*AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
For which TV show did Felicity Huffman earn her first Golden Globes nomination? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.) |
EMAIL MARKETING MGR
UNC-TV
RTP NC
Resp for managing UNC-TV’s email marketing channel incl communicating the brand through email campaigns, promoting shows and other station priorities. BA deg in mktg. Full info apply HERE (3/13)
WEBSITE MGR >>
UNC-TV/RTP NC: Resp for mngng website platform including development/execution of web strategy designed to communicate the brand, promote shows and other station priorities and engage audiences and more. BA Deg 2 yrs relevant exp. Full info apply HERE (3/13)
LEGAL COUNCIL (IN-HOUSE) >>
Glass Entertainment Group/Bala Cynwyd PA: Track and complete all contracts w/networks, talent and clients. Supervise all release materials & prod contracts w/third parties involved in our productions. 5yrs legal exp as well as 1yr of entertainment law experience req’d. Full info/apply HERE (3/13)
SR ANALYST >>
Endeavor/Beverly Hills CA: Using the research from analyzing TV (brdcst, cable, OTT) content, digital & social media to dvlp sales, mktg & prgrmng strategies & materials. 2+yrs work exp @ media co. (TV network, studio, SVOD service or ad agency) or research supplier. Solid knwldg of ad-supported TV. Full info HERE (3/13)
SR RESEARCH ANALYST >>
Sesame Workshop/NY: Resp for focusing on domestic initiatives, incl video, digital & outreach projects for Sesame Street & other properties. Social science rsrch lab & working directly w/preschool-age children exp. 3 yrs exp at non-profit, academic or educationally-oriented institution. Full info HERE (3/12)
VP, COMMUNICATIONS >>
BBC Studios/LA: Design/implement wide-ranging communications plan for BBC Studios production unit. Raise our profile of the business and its executives thru industry PR activities & publicity – incl trade press and award campaigns. Min 6-8 yrs exp in industry and/or field. Full info HERE (3/11)
PAID MEDIA STRATEGIST >>
DISCOVERY/NYC: Proven media strategist to develop plans that are both strategic and data-driven, with the goal of acquiring consumers to watch the various Discovery networks on our emerging direct-to-consumer platforms. 2+ yrs media planning experience required. Full info HERE (3/11)
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DR >>
Marathon Ventures/NYC: Maintain/develop our DR acct business while working in collaboration w/internal depts to minimize risk & maximize revenue on current & future business transactions. Success record selling TV inventory to nat’l advertisers in the branding & DR marketplace. Full info HERE (3/11)
CHANNEL BRANDING SYSTEMS COORDINATOR >>
ION/CLW: Assist with design and scheduling of graphics for real-time play-out. 3-5 yrs. exp. in Graphic Design. Organization skills req. Knowledge of After Effects, Photoshop a must, SQL Database a plus. Click HERE to apply. EOE (3/11)
MEDIA DISTRIBUTION DEALS & PARTNER MANAGEMENT >>
NBA/NYC: Focus on deal support & acct mngmnt for numerous NBA media partners. Ability to handle rsrch & analysis of media landscape independently to provide support to team for more complex negotiations. Min 4-6yrs supporting negotiation of media dist deals. Full info HERE (3/11)
TRAFFIC COORDINATOR >>
Ovation/NYC: FT/freelance. Tech-savvy person w/willingness to learn responsible for seeing that all commercials on Ovation air have correct continuity and are dubbed correctly and in time for airing deadlines. Full info/apply HERE (3/11)
CURRENT AFFAIRS PRODUCER >>
HITN/Brooklyn NY: Producer to Write engaging/accurate copy quickly. High-level knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud Editing Suite, After Effects, file-based prod workflows, on camera interview techniques, well as camera technology, lighting & audio. 2-3 yrs exp in brdcst journalism. Full info HERE (3/10)
PRODUCER, MARKETING & PROMOTION >>
NBC Sports/Stamford CT: Collaborate on the creation of promotional content for NBC Sports. Candidate should bring an exciting, vibrant approach to the content creation team. Highly qualified story tell w/min 5 yrs brdcst or cable network prod exp. Full info HERE (3/10)
TRAFFIC ASSISTANT >>
NBCU TLM KVDA/San Antonio TX: Maintain accurate local program schedule & formatting in WideOrbit. Min 1-3 yrs exp in Broadcast Traffic and working exp in Broadcast Traffic systems (WideOrbit, OSI etc.) Strong verbal & written communication skills. Full info HERE (3/10)
SR DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MARKETING >>
INSP/Charlotte NC: Support VP & EVP w/dvlpmnt of strategic positioning for new & returning series and films: determine the target audience, and establish marketing objectives and strategies. 7-10 yrs exp entertainment, brand mktg, advertising cable/streaming. Full info HERE (3/10)
ASSISTANT, SUPPORTING 2 VP’S >>
9 Story Media Group/NYC: Assistant to support two VPs in Consumer Products division. Candidate w/take charge attitude, great communication skills and ability to work fast paced envir working w/mult depts. Full info HERE (3/6)
SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST >>
VENN/LA: New 24/7 post-cable network aimed at gaming, esports and entertainment audiences seeks candidate who is fan of gaming & pop culture to develop, plan and execute VENN socials. 3+yrs running brand socials w/exp in paid/organic and editing/photography skills pref’d. Full info HERE (3/6)
SR DIRECTOR, PROGRAM PLANNING >>
HGTV/NYC. Looking for an energetic strong leader with a background in network research, scheduling and programming strategy to develop and execute network strategies. 7-10 years exp. APPLY HERE (3/6)
MGR, PROCUREMENT & ANALYTICS >>
A+E/NY: Provide analytical, coordination & project mgmt support, incl strategic sourcing, category mgmt, supplier relationship mgmt, contract mgmt, compliance & transaction procurement in building a best-in-class procurement function. YOU NEED: Degree in Bus, Finance or Engineering, min 3 yrs relevant exp in procurement, strong PM skills. Full info HERE (3/6)
MGR, DIGITAL AUDIENCE DVLPMNT >>
A + E Networks/NYC: Manage day-to-day push notifications, email acquisition, CRM experiences, Social advertising and other digital marketing efforts. 3 – 5yr exp in a CRM development/execution role or a direct marketing / customer acquisition role with a proven track record of success. Full info HERE (3/4) |
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Monday March 2, 2020
ABC: The Bachelor, The Good Doctor
CBS: The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola, All Rise, Bull
CW: All American, Black Lightning
FOX: 9-1-1: Lonestar, Prodigal Son
NBC: The Voice, Manifest
PBS: Antiques Roadshow, Antiques Roadshow, Independent Lens
Telemundo: Exatlon Estados Unidos, La Dona, Operacion Pacifico |
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