Tonight’s Finales
TBS: Miracle Workers at 10:30p
USA: The Biggest Loser at 9p

IN THE NEWS

The COVID-19 pandemic put an end to TEGNA’s discussions with corporate suitors. Out of four unsolicited acquisition proposals in recent weeks, TEGNA and its advisors engaged “substantially” with two of the parties – Apollo Global Management and Gray Television – who made their proposals shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Both subsequently informed TEGNA that they were ceasing discussions. “Like every other company, TEGNA is operating in uncharted waters due to COVID-19 as we focus on ensuring the health and safety of our employees while continuing to create and preserve value,” said Dave Lougee, President and CEO. “High-quality local news has never been more important, and we are fortunate to have significant contractual subscription revenues and a strong balance sheet with minimal near-term debt maturities.”

Disney Executive Chairman and former CEO Bob Iger will take no salary and new CEO Bob Chapek will take a 50% pay cut as part of the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis is having “a devastating impact on the global and U.S. economies, and it’s hitting businesses like ours particularly hard,” wrote Chapek in a memo to employees. “In a matter of weeks, we’ve experienced widespread disruption across our company, with our domestic parks and hotels closed indefinitely, our cruise line suspended, our film and TV production halted and theatrical distribution delayed both domestically and internationally, and our retail stores shut down. While I am confident we will get through this challenging period together and emerge even stronger, we must take necessary steps to manage the short- and long-term financial impact on our company.” Company VPs will have salaries reduced by 20%, SVPs by 25%, and EVP and above by 30%.

The premiere of Nat Geo limited series Genius: Aretha, focused on Aretha Franklin, has been postponed due to production delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “It has become clear that the series will not be completed in time for our previously announced Memorial Day airdate,” said the network. “We look forward to resuming work as soon as is possible and safe, and at that time will announce a new premiere date for later this year.”

Netflix renewed Locke and Key for a second season. Series based on the graphic novel premiered in February. On the flip side, it’s one-and-done for the streamer’s V-Wars, starring Ian Somerhalder as an infectious disease specialist, and monster-hunting drama October Faction.

Sixty percent of consumers say they are less inclined to use a product if the brand uses their data for any purpose, according to a GroupM survey, “Consumer Trust in Digital Marketing.” The report also said 37% of consumers feel digital ads are too intrusive, and are increasingly deleting cookies and browser history. “Marketers need to focus on using the right digital platforms to reach consumers, to be transparent about how data is gathered and used, and to think holistically about the many media venues where they can build consumer relationships,” concluded the report.

The Media Rating Council sent a notice reminding measurement services of the importance of having “objective criteria in place to guide their determinations concerning the quality of data that is collected and reported under unusual circumstances that potentially could impair data quality,” as the industry grapples with COVID-19 disruptions. “It is understandable that in the current environment measurement services may want to adjust controls to maintain operations,” said George W. Ivie, Executive Director and CEO of the MRC. “Additionally, we recognize the unprecedented challenges these companies are facing, which may include workforce reductions, as well as forced transitions to remote workforce arrangements; the curtailment of field activity related to in-person research and panels; and the need to place greater reliance on automation for certain processes that might otherwise be done with enhanced manual oversight. However, now more than ever, the industry needs transparent and reliable data with which to make critical decisions.” For the full notice, go here.

This. Is. Big. On September 23rd & 24th in New York City, the leading industry experts will convene to discuss the critical challenges transforming the television industry. View speakers and agenda details here and make plans to join us for Cynopsis’ That Big TV Conference.

The Summer Olympics in Tokyo will take place July 23-August 8, 2021, the International Olympic Committee confirmed. “These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the IOC. “The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum, in the interests of the athletes and the international federations.”

Also postponed: ABC spin-off The Bachelor Summer Games. The show (never formally announced) was intended as counter-programming to the Olympics, a la 2018’s The Bachelor Winter Games. Still moving forward is The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart, a romance reality competition with a musical twist, launching Monday, April 13.

Facebook is investing $100 million in news reporting during the COVID-19 crisis, including a $25 million emergency relief fund for local news via the Facebook Journalism Project, and $75 million in marketing spend with news organizations globally. “If people needed more proof that local journalism is a vital public service, they’re getting it now,” said a Facebook post. “And while almost all businesses are facing adverse financial effects from this crisis, we recognize we’re in a more privileged position than most, and we want to help.”

Trioscope Studios, the new studio dedicated to next-generation enhanced hybrid animation, announced a partnership with Truly*Adventurous to adapt co-founder Greg Nichols’ article The Havana Job as a TV series. The Havana Job follows three CIA agents as they bungle their way into Fidel Castro’s clutches while attempting to bug diplomatic offices in Havana. Michael LeSieur (Keeping Up With The Joneses) will write the adaptation; executive producers for Trioscope include L.C. Crowley, Brandon Barr, Greg Jonkajtys and Brian Lavin as well as Greg Nichols and Matthew Pearl for Truly*Adventurous.

International distribution and media agency Quintus Media unveiled a new name, Quintus Studios, to reflect its evolution to an unscripted content agency. “Over the years, Quintus has become way more than simply a distributor,” said Gerrit Kemming, Managing Director of Quintus Studios. “We also develop, help with project fundings, consult, have a very close production collaboration with our partner MAXIMUS…. and the journey is not at its end yet.” Quintus is expanding the digital side of its business with plans to grow channel operations, invest in license content, strengthen production ambitions and finance its own shows.

Michael Bay (Transformers) and his Bay Films inked a first look deal with Sony Pictures to produce film and television projects, reports TheWrap. Bay most recently directed Netflix’s 6 Underground.

Join Cynopsis Sports from 8:30AM – 10:30AM on August 12th in New York City as we honor the best of the best at the eighth annual Cynopsis Sports Media Awards Breakfast. With over 80 companies represented, this is the perfect opportunity to meet and share insights about the past year’s success stories. Click here to see who made the cut.

Montreal-based format production and distribution company Media Ranch has signed with ICM Partners for US representation. In 4Q19, Media Ranch inked 10 deals in three weeks for their new entertainment game-show format, Watch!, which is in series production in Germany.

CONNECTING IN A COVID-19 WORLD

Fuse Media has launched Be Change, a call-to-action, social responsibility initiative for its multicultural millennial and Gen Z audience. The campaign includes a series of on-air interstitials, graphics, and digital support and social media messaging aimed at keeping Fuse’s audience informed, active and mentally stimulated in their communities while remaining socially isolated during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Be Change is specifically designed to encourage participation, giving our audience both the ‘why’ and the ‘where’ their involvement can make a real difference on the issues that matter most to them,” said Mark McIntire, Head of Marketing.

Children’s author Dav Pilkey (Dog Man) is collaborating with the Library of Congress to entertain children and families online during the coronavirus pandemic. Dav Pilkey at Home will feature new video content on Friday mornings at 8a on social media channels and the websites of the Library and Scholastic. Beginning April 1, free activities will be available online including how-to-draw demonstrations, engaging read-a-louds and resources from the Library’s collections.

FOX News Media has launched a new editorial feature, “America Together,” on the network’s linear and digital platforms. The feature will highlight daily inspiring stories involving volunteerism, charitable efforts and everyday heroism in the face of all the coronavirus pandemic.

Hallmark Channel talent is helping celebrate heroes in the COVID-19 crisis, from doctors and nurses to people stocking grocery shelves, in a series of videos and social media posts. The announcement follows Hallmark’s pledge on Friday to donate two million cards encouraging people to connect with loved ones in a time of social distancing.

Freeform has launched a multiplatform social distancing campaign, #StayTheFFHome, featuring network talent in out-of-home, on-air and social PSAs. As part of the campaign, the network is airing a special marathon of Everything’s Gonna Be Okay on Friday, April 3, starting at 5:30p, featuring a live social talkback with the series’ talent on Twitter and Instagram Live.

Ovation TV is celebrating a virtual Arts Advocacy Day (the annual in-person event, set to take place today, March 31, was canceled), by making select arts programming available to all on Ovation NOW, and its web site. Content lives in a new section called “Art House,” including original Ovation titles The Art Of, The Method and Young Marvels, along with classic episodes of Inside the Actors Studio.

The Fab Lab has launched a new live stream experience called The Fab Lab Digital Daycare. Four hours of live daily “virtual childcare” includes supplementary educational programming for children K-5 with a science DIY, kids’ workout, snack ideas, storytime, and more.

Estrella Media, the Spanish-language media company, launched the music video Cuidate (Take Care of Yourself), as part of its #SiSePuede (Yes We Can) community empowerment campaign for COVID-19 prevention.

BET is informing and empowering fans with a daily curated content series, #BETHouseParty, a BET Digital live series with programming ranging from musical performances and DJ sets to master classes, lifestyle hacks and more. #BETHouseParty joins ViacomCBS’ social distancing campaign #AloneTogether in partnership with the Ad Council and the US government to support fans during the global pandemic.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Nickelodeon dives into the monsterverse with action-comedy series Ollie’s Pack, premiering Monday, April 6 at 4p. Series combines the struggles of tween life with the responsibility of controlling a dimension of monsters.

Remy & Boo premieres on Universal Kids on Friday, May 1 at 10a. Preschool series explores the friendship between a six-year-old girl and her pink robot.

The first edition of new ID series ID Breaking Now focuses on disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. “Weinstein was a monster, masked as a mogul, and as we developed this series which will investigate society’s most heinous criminals, he was at the top of our list,” said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, American Heroes Channel and Destination America. “Using a unique breaking news style, our team will share unseen documents, forensic evidence and heartbreaking personal accounts that further expose Weinstein’s reign of terror in Hollywood.”

Coming back to the CW lineup with new episodes are Nancy Drew on Sunday, April 8; Riverdale on Wednesday, April 15; Katy Keene on Thursday, April 16, along with the season debut of In the Dark; The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow on Tuesday, April 21; and Batwoman and Supergirl on Sunday, April 26.

TECH NEWS

Alphabet health sciences subsidiary Verily is growing its California-based coronavirus drive-up testing initiative, and is now offering guidelines and resources for anyone else looking to set up a community-based initiative. Their documents can be downloaded here: https://www.projectbaseline.com/covid-19-guide/.

Business conference apps are doing a booming business in this time of social distancing and working from home. The week of March 14, they topped a record 62 million worldwide, according to a report from App Annie, up 45% from the week prior, and up 90% from the weekly average of Business app downloads in 2019.

WeWork is selling a subsidiary, social networking platform Meetup, to AlleyCorp and other private investors. Meetup, which has 49 million registered members, in November announced cost-cutting measures that included layoffs. “This acquisition provides the long-term capital to ensure that Meetup focuses on what is most important: the organizers who make Meetup successful, our passionate members, and our dedicated employees,” said David Siegel, CEO of Meetup. “We are excited to continue on our mission of empowering personal growth through real human connections.”

STREAMING SNIPPETS

The Paley Center for Media announced a new schedule of weekly curated programming collections on its Paley@Home on YouTube channel, screening for free. The upcoming schedule includes PaleyFest LA events with the casts and creative teams from black-ish and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a PaleyLive event with Schitt’s Creek, and Lead, Invest, Inspire, a conversation from the Paley International Council Summit featuring ViacomCBS Chair Shari Redstone and LionTree Founder & CEO Aryeh Bourkoff. Additionally, the Paley Center will offer support to teachers and students guided by the Paley Center’s education team.

Frndly TV, the streaming service tailored to traditional American families, is adding INSP to the service in late April as its 15th channel. This follows the recent addition of CuriosityStream. “We’ve listened to what our customers have been asking for, and the number one request has been INSP,” said Bassil El-Khatib, CEO, Frndly TV.

Digital Media Rights, distributor of movies and television programs and publisher of OTT channels, has launched RetroCrush, a new digital channel devoted to streaming classic anime TV and movies. Over 100 series and 40 features are available at launch, via VOD apps on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and smart TVs, and on desktop.

COMING UP

Discovery Channel is giving viewers an early taste of its annual Shark Week summer stunt. “Shark Week in a Weekend,” running Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, will tell shark stories with innovative research technology, as well as include the event’s first scripted feature-length film, Capsized: Blood in the Water.

Tonight at 9p, National Lampoon is hosting another National Lampoon Quarantine Live with Harrison Greenbaum and special guests, Sarah Dooley, Joe Devito, Joe Larson. Yesterday, National Lampoon released an original pilot, Max Riddle, on YouTube.

Starz is starting off next month with “April Fools Fun,” with movies including Patch Adams, The Truman Show, Napoleon Dynamite and more.

TNT is saying “Let’s Get Foolish” on Wednesday, April 1, starting at 11a with Ted. Also in the lineup of comedies are Get Hard, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Dumb & Dumber.

Due to post production delays, the 2020 Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina, taped February 29 and scheduled to air Sunday, April 5 on NBC, will now air at a later date to be announced. In its original timeslot, NBC will broadcast the 2019 Beverly Hills Dog Show, featuring Best in Show winner Bono, the most-winning Havanese in history.

HGTV is running marathons of fan favorite shows this week, starting each day at 6a. Today’s offering kicks off with Good Bones until noon, followed by Love It or List It until 9p.

USA Network is running a fan-driven, farewell marathon of Modern Family on Saturday, April 4 from 1p-2a. The comedy has aired in syndication on USA since September 2013; series finale airs on ABC on April 8.

GOING GLOBAL

DRG acquired the rights to two docu-series from ZCZ Films. Handmade in Bolton tells the story of an art forger, and The Art Mysteries follows forensic investigations into four great paintings.

Entertainment One’ Ricky Zoom debuts on Channel 5’s multiplatform pre-school brand, Milkshake! on April 20. The show will air Monday-Friday.

Konami Cross Media NY has partnered with Ameba TV to bring all three seasons of Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL to its streaming service. Ameba TV will acquire the show worldwide, except in Asia.

PODCAST POST

Vice President Joe Biden has launched a podcast, Here’s the Deal. Episodes feature in-depth conversations with experts, “paired with the heart, compassion and wisdom only Joe can deliver,” said Biden’s web site. New episodes will be available weekly.

The Carl Jackson Podcast debuts on CJC Television Network starting April 7, airing Tuesdays at 10p. The podcast can currently be heard on Spotify.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the first major television series to feature Sir David Attenborough? Zoo Quest. Kudos to: Ken DuBow-Bob’s Your Uncle/LA, Rev. Mark Wajda/Lakeland, FL, Pete Hazell-Discovery Inc./London, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
Who starred as a supervisor of student nurses in a short-lived Aaron Spelling medical drama? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)