Tonight’s Finales
History: Project Blue Book at 10p
NBC: This Is Us at 9p
TLC: My Big Fat Fabulous Life at 8p

Live TV streaming platform fuboTV has agreed to be acquired by FaceBank Group, a celebrity and sports focused virtual entertainment company. The merged company will be renamed fuboTV Inc., with fuboTV CEO David Gandler in charge. As part of the deal, FaceBank has secured a $100 million line of credit for fuboTV’s use. “With our growing businesses in the US, and recent beta launches in Canada and Europe, fuboTV is well-positioned to achieve its goal of becoming a world-leading live TV streaming platform for premium sports, news and entertainment content,” said Gandler. “In the current COVID-19 environment, stay-at-home stocks make perfect sense – we plan to accelerate our timing to uplist to a major exchange as soon as practicable.”

It looks like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games will be postponed, International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told USA Today on Monday. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know,” said Pound. “We will postpone this and begin to deal with all of the ramifications…which are immense.” Pound’s remarks came after the President if the IOC, Thomas Bach, wrote in a letter to athletes that a decision on whether to postpone the Games because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be made by April 22. The Tokyo Games are scheduled to run July 24-August 9; Canada and Australia have already said they will not be sending athletes.

The Academy of Country Music set a new date for the Country Music Awards: September 16 at 8p, live on CBS. A special, ACM Presents: Our Country, will air on the award show’s original date, April 5.

The View host Meghan McCain will be doing her job from home via satellite, after revealing via Twitter that she’s pregnant. The ABC daytime talker’s Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg have also been weighing in from home.

ViacomCBS video tech conference VidCon, scheduled for June 17-20 in Anaheim, has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. “We are committed to bringing a VidCon US experience to our fans, creators, and the industry in 2020 and are actively working on a plan to do so this fall,” said VidCon in a statemen. “We will have further details to share by June 15, 2020.”

Also called off: The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, scheduled for April 25. The event has been postponed due to COVID-19. Kenan Thomson and Hasan Minaj were slated to entertain.

Going it alone has proven very social for late night hosts. March 16-20, when late night talk shows began taping web shows in isolation, they generated 125% more New Fans on social media, compared to the last normal week of late night talk shows airing new episodes, according to ListenFirst. “In this period of social isolation and with most of the entertainment industry shut down, the social media audience is especially appreciative of late night talk show hosts finding creative ways to deliver new content,” said Tracy David, CMO at ListenFirst. “Additionally, the limitations of hosts having to tape at home with at most having a spouse help with the camera, has broken up the static format of these shows, and led to some viral moments that could have never happened.”

Local ad management company Viamedia inked a deal to represent Northland Communications for ad sales. The partnership adds nine new DMA’s to Viamedia’s portfolio. “Northland Communications has done a great job in serving consumers and businesses in the communities they serve,” said Mark Lieberman, President and CEO, Viamedia. “We are confident that Viamedia’s innovative, cross-media advertising solutions will add even more value to Northland’s offerings and will benefit subscribers and businesses.”

The Entertainment Industry Foundation has launched a fund to provide relief to those impacted by the coronavirus. “As a partner to the entertainment industry, we are here for those in need in a time of crisis, whether it be a natural disaster or a global pandemic,” said EIF President and CEO Nicole Sexton. “Together, we can help to ease the financial pressure that is felt by so many in our community and beyond.”

Paradigm Talent Agency struck a five-year franchise agreement with the Writers Guild of America. It’s the first agency that does major television deals that will be able to resume representation of WGA members. As part of the new agreement, the WGA moved the sunset date by which franchised agencies must eliminate packaging fees to the end of 2021.

The Paley Center for Media announced Paley@Home on YouTube, a curated collection of programming from past PaleyFest LA and PaleyFest NY events. The programs screen for free on the Paley Center’s YouTube channel.

Advertisers and agencies are behind on their bills from production and post-production companies to the tune of about $200 million, according to the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. The trade org polled producers on money owed for work completed before the coronavirus shut-down. “Cash-flow for most live action production companies is, like work, drying up,” said AICP President and CEO Matt Miller, “so it’s more urgent than ever that these payments are made.”

The US Supreme Court tossed out a lower court’s ruling that would allow Entertainment Studios Networks to press a racial discrimination suit against Comcast. The $20 billion discrimination suit from Byron Allen’s company claims Comcast refused to license channels due to racial animus. “To prevail, a plaintiff must initially plead and ultimately prove that, but for race, it would not have suffered,” wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch. Now, the lawsuit goes back to the lower court. “We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously restored certainty on the standard to bring and prove civil rights claims,” said a rep for Comcast.

Add Charter and AT&T customers to the list of viewers getting freebies. Charter is offering Spectrum TV customers Showtime and Epix for no additional charge through Sunday, April 19, while AT&T is giving DirectTV and U-verse video subscribers Showtime until March 26; Starz from March 26-April 2; Epix from April 2-16; and HBO from April 17-20.

Over at WWE, a large portion of the WWE Network library has been unlocked for a limited time. Housebound viewers will have free access to thousands of hours of on-demand content, including every WrestleMania in history, pay-per-view events, original documentaries and more.

AccuWeather is donating warnings for severe weather to hospitals, medical institutions and public health agencies battling the coronavirus pandemic, to reduce risk for vulnerable, temporary structures that healthcare workers are using for testing and triage. The service will provide a specialized version of AccuWeather’s SkyGuard warning service, including advanced warnings for the threat of lightning, wind gusts, flash flooding and tornadoes impacting temporary outdoor hospital sites.

A livestream special hosted by Rosie O’Donnell on Sunday raised over $600,000 for The Actors Fund. Guests included Patti LuPone, Neil Patrick Harris, Katherine McPhee, Barry Manilow, Billy Porter and Gloria Estefan, among others.

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Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch: Bloodline launches Tuesday, April 14 at 10p. Spin-off explores fishing in Hawaii. After the first week, episodes will air at 9p.

TBS’s Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, on hiatus since March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will return Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30p, with the host working from home. “Doctors, nurses, and grocery store clerks are fighting on the front lines, and the least the rest of us can do is stay home,” said Bee. “Even if that means my husband just became both my cameraman and makeup artist.”

Season three of Freeform’s Siren premieres on Thursday, April 2 at 9p. In the opener, a new mermaid arrives to stir things up.

Bounce’s In the Cut kicks off season six on Wednesday, April 1 at 8p. Comedy focuses on a couple who balance their marriage and a barbershop.

A new series starring a cannabis artist “who brings new meaning to the phrase ‘high art’,” Let’s Roll With Tony Greenberg, is headed to Quibi. Short-form platform launches April 6.

Comedian and political science professor Andrea Jones-Rooy, host of NYC live political analysis and comedy show Political Circus, has brought her comedy and commentary online with Ask A Political Scientist. The free, weekly, livestream show launched March 19.

LOCAL UPDATES

Hearst Television launched a second series for Facebook Watch, Field Notes, showcasing coronavirus reporting from the Hearst Television stations. Each episode, built around a particular theme in the local markets’ coverage, will combine elements from Hearst TV station reports with further commentary. “Local reporting is never more critical than in the times when our communities are most in need of reliable and accurate information,” said Andrew Fitzgerald, Hearst Television VP and chief digital content officer.

Fifty-one percent of consumers are increasing their consumption of news amid the coronavirus outbreak, with 49% checking on the news multiple times a day, according to a new survey from Magid. For those looking for local information, social media is their go-to source, at 34%, followed closely by a local newscast, at 33%. The next top sources for local media were network TV (28%), network cable (20%) and a network TV website (18%).

Local television stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Company launched a public service campaign, “We’re Open,” to support local business owners and their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a multiplatform campaign, Scripps’ stations are encouraging viewers to help local small businesses stay afloat through this challenging period. As part of the campaign, the stations are promoting #TakeoutTuesday every week to encourage takeout and delivery on a normally slow day for the restaurant business. “As journalists, our role is first and foremost about public service – and that’s more true than ever right now as we cover how the COVID-19 pandemic affects local communities,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Local Media.

TECH NEWS

Twitter is withdrawing its revenue and operating income guidance for 1Q20, as COVID-19 continues to ravage the economy. While Twitter got off to a strong start, the pandemic “has impacted Twitter’s advertising more significantly in the last few weeks,” said CFO Ned Segal. Nevertheless, he added, “We have made solid progress on our consumer and revenue product priorities and we remain confident in our opportunity and strategy.”

In reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer insights company Cuebiq announced the release of its insights into mobility and store visitation patterns free of charge. The insights are aimed at helping brands and agencies monitor their business performance, inform or modify their national and local strategies, and support the brick-and-mortar locations that are remaining open, as well as those that are converting to online transactions. They can also be used by public and emergency agencies to understand the impact of lockdown measures. For more, go here.

STREAMING SNIPPETS

Amazon is making popular kids programming free during COVID-19 lockdown. Titles including Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and Just Add Magic are available to users signed into their Amazon account.

Streaming media company Loop TV, focused on short-form video, is launching its free channel of premium music videos on Amazon Fire Stick and Fire-Stick-enabled Samsung TV. Viewers can watch a “loop” of music videos today – much like MTV and VH1 used to offer – as well as purchase additional streaming videos that include viral videos, movie trailers and sports highlights.

Ballet Hispánico announced a new Instagram video series, B Unidos. Series features videos posted each weekday from the professional dance company, the School of Dance and the Community Arts Partnership.

CuriosityStream has launched a “Stay in, Stay Curious” campaign, including an enhanced “Kids’ Mode” space in its library of documentary films and series. The service is also temporarily cutting its price to $12 for a year’s subscription. “As our world has entered uncharted waters over the past weeks, we have pushed ourselves to accelerate projects like ‘Kids’ Mode’ that we hope will make it a bit easier for parents to keep their kids entertained and learning,” said Devin Emery, Head of Growth.

COMING UP

Lifetime has two new movies on tap for Easter weekend. The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, from executive producers Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott, premieres Saturday, April 11 at 8p, followed on Easter Sunday by A Question of Faith, centered on a tragedy that links three families together, at 8p.

GOING GLOBAL

All3media international acquired global rights for health doc Coronavirus: How to Self Isolate, produced by independent production company Parable. One-hour feature, focused on how best to manage self-isolation, aired on Channel 4 in the UK as the best rated show of the day.

Genius Brands International has launched its animated preschool series, ?Rainbow Rangers on CCTV’s (China Central Television) kid’s channel. Series is also available on the region’s service, iQiyi.

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Two cable news shows made the cut in Shareablee’s top 10 most social shows for the week of March 16. Fox News’ Hannity was #6, and MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show ranked ninth. For the complete list, go here.

The #1 “Show on the Rise” in TV Time’s rankings for the week of March 16 was Netflix’s Greenhouse Academy, followed by HBO’s Westworld and Fuji TV’s Japanese manga series, Beastars. For more, go here.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, March 20
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 5.99 (1.1), 20/20 4.58 (0.8)
CBS: MacGyver 5.34 (0.7), Hawaii Five-0 4.54 (0.7), Blue Bloods 5.06 (0.5)
CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us 0.86 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway? 0.63 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway? 0.67 (0.1)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.57 (0.8)
NBC: The Blacklist 5.38 (0.8), Dateline 4.01 (0.7)
UNIVISION: Ringo 1.96 (0.6), Amor Eterno 1.84 (0.6), Sin Miedo a la Verdad 1.24 (0.4)
TELEMUNDO: Exatlon Estas Unidos 1.22 (0.4), La Dona 1.00 (0.4), Operacion Pacifico 1.01 (0.4)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the superpower of Milo Ventimiglia’s character on Heroes (2006-2010)? Peter Petrelli could mimic the abilities of other people. Kudos to: Sydney Walker/Bungalow Media/NYC, Stephanie Ann/Baltimore, Cathy Russo-ViacomCBS/NYC, Jordan Bienstock-EW Scripps/Atlanta, Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX, Travis Seppala/LA, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA, Elizabeth Wendorf-Juice Media/LA,

Today’s Trivia Question
During the fourth season of which legal drama does the main character get pregnant after a one-night-stand with her ex-husband? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)