Tonight’s Finales
Travel Channel: True Terror with Robert Englund at 10p
truTV: It’s Personal With Amy Hoggart at 10p

IN THE NEWS

WarnerMedia streaming service HBO Max has a launch date: Wednesday, May 27. “Consumers will quickly see that HBO Max is set apart by a foundation of loved brands built over decades but stitched together with a distinctive voice and product experience,” said Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer, HBO Max, President, TNT, TBS, and truTV. “Our team has meticulously selected a world class library catalogue and collaborated with top creators across all genres to offer a monthly cadence of original series and movies that we will program and promote for cultural impact.” Launch day premieres include Anna Kendrick comedy Love Life; underground ballroom series Legendary; Craftopia, hosted by YouTube star LaurDIY; and kids series Looney Tunes and The Not Too Late Show with Elmo, among others, as well as Friends, South Park The Big Bang Theory and more.

In addition to being free to consumers who currently subscribe to HBO through AT&T, HBO Max will also be free to “tens of millions” of other customers of AT&T’s wireless, internet and video services, via promotions that run from one to 12 months. “With AT&T as a key distribution partner, we expect HBO Max to achieve an impressive level of scale and reach at launch,” said Bob Greenblatt, CEO of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer.

Magnolia Network, scheduled to launch October 4, is delaying its debut due to production shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Right now, it’s important that we all continue to look out for one another by upholding the guidelines set forth by the experts, leaders and front-line heroes working tirelessly to get us all through this difficult time,” said Chip and Joanna Gaines, who are partnering with Discovery Inc. for the joint venture. “With this as our top priority, we’ve decided to delay Magnolia Network’s launch until we can safely resume production.” Still, a slate of eight new unscripted shows was announced: Bespoke Kitchens; Andrew Zimmern-hosted Family Dinner; Restoration Road; The Fieldhouse; Super Dad, starring Taylor Calmus; Home Work; The Lost Kitchen; and Inn the Works, about a lodge in California. A sampling of the shows will be available during Magnolia Presents: A Look Back & A Look Ahead, a four-hour special on DIY airing Sunday, April 26 at 5p. Discovery, Inc. will rebrand DIY Network as part of Magnolia Network’s linear launch – DIY Network is distributed to 50 million homes across the country, but currently available to approximately 75 million households as part of Free Preview offerings from some of Discovery Inc.’s video affiliates.

While Charter Communications has avoided furloughs and bucked the COVID-19-induced trend of industry pay cuts – giving wage increases instead – the company is facing criticism from employees for a policy that has thousands of workers stationed in offices and call centers. With over 230 employees testing positive for COVID-19, according to the New York Times, the New York attorney general’s office has opened an inquiry. Charter is considered an essential service because it keeps 29 million people connected.

Michael Moore released documentary Planet of the Humans for free yesterday on his YouTube channel, since “the moment was too urgent to wait” for the film’s planned release later this year. Moore and the film’s director, environmentalist Jeff Gibbs, take part in a live discussion tonight, April 22 at 10p on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

The Weather Channel is working with its distribution partners to offer a free, 60-day preview of its content and Immersive Mixed Reality to subscribers who currently do not subscribe to a tier or level of service that offers the channel. “During these unprecedented times, and as we approach severe weather season, our team wants to be a resource for as many people as possible and we are excited to expand access to The Weather Channel with our distribution partners,” said Tom O’Brien, President of The Weather Channel television network.

ViacomCBS International Studios and Fremantle are teaming for Balcony Stories, featuring user-generated content from people on lockdown that will air on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, BET and Spike internationally. There will be 27 local versions of the series, across 130 countries.

ADVERTISING & AGENCIES

TV ad sales could be down by $10 billion in the first half of 2020, projects eMarketer, due to the cancellation or postponement of live sports during the COVID-19 crisis. In the first half of last year, ad spend was $33.9 billion; this year the forecast is $24-$26.3 billion.

While warning in a new report that “this will get bumpy,” MoffattNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson said the hit the economy is taking from the pandemic won’t necessarily prompt clients to cut agencies. “Especially given a dynamically changing marketplace, with the rise of OTT TV offerings, new digital ad platforms like Amazon, and changing regulations around consumer privacy and data, it may in fact be more efficient to outsource marketing functions to agencies especially if they are not core competencies for the client,” wrote Nathanson. “We do not anticipate clients will be itching to set up their own in-house teams and add more fixed costs to their operating models.”

During a time when in-person events have been cancelled, the adtech community is helping to preserve revenue for media owners using breakthrough approaches and solutions. Adtech providers are a group that lives on the cutting edge of innovation, which is why we are celebrating their platforms, campaigns, and strategies with the Cynopsis Adtech Awards. Check out categories here.

TV data and analytics company TVadSync announced a new campaign attribution platform that provides automated attribution reports based on Smart TV data within 24 hours of the live campaign. “With automated attribution, media buyers are able to measure business outcomes in near-real time, which represents a significant improvement over the market standard,” said John McNicholas, Head of Product at TVadSync. The solution is based on a Smart TV data set representing over 80% of US market share.

STREAMING SCOOP

Netflix added 15.8 million subscribers in 1Q20, versus an estimate of 7 million. Revenue was in line with expectations, at $5.7 billion. The streamer’s shares are up about 30% year to date. In a letter to investors, CEO Reed Hastings said the streamer’s Tiger King was watched by 64 million households over its first month of release.

Haystack TV has launched an interactive COVID-19 tracker map that finds news about the spread of the virus from local TV stations, and introduced a widget that gives users access to daily state-by-state data on confirmed cases and deaths. “Haystack TV is dedicated to making it easy to find updated information and improve accessibility to the breadth of our local TV news content,” said Haystack TV CEO and co-founder Daniel Barreto. “Now more than ever local news is critical and these features bring our users closer to the latest data and coverage from across the country.” Haystack launched a coronavirus streaming news channel earlier this year.

CBSN Chicago, the ninth of ViacomCBS’ 13 local direct-to-consumer streaming news services in major markets, has made its debut. CBSN Chicago features anchored programming and coverage of live breaking news events in the region. “Today marks the beginning of a terrific new chapter in CBS Chicago’s history,” said Derek Dalton, President and General Manager, WBBM-TV. “Based on the success of the other CBSN Local services that have previously launched, it is clear the demand for streaming news is strong and growing.”

Local news is more important now than ever. Jack Perry, CEO of Syncbak, offers five reasons why in the latest Cynsiders.

Are sports-less coronavirus lockdowns accelerating cord-cutting, as households stream TV to keep busy? According to a survey from the Trade Desk and YouGov, of households that pay for cable, 11% reported being likely to switch to streaming exclusively by the end of the year, up from the 3% predicted last year. “With only a quarter of young adults having any long-term interest in traditional cable TV, in a few years, we won’t be talking about linear or cable TV at all,” said The Trade Desk’s Chief Strategy Officer, Brian Stempeck. “It will all be online and streaming. For broadcasters and advertisers, it’s now all about how quickly they can pivot to where the eyeballs are moving and many of them are already investing heavily in order to succeed in a world of connected TV.”

Wurl, provider of streaming video distribution and ad services for connected TV, announced it is powering the delivery of Fashion TV’s content to viewers of Samsung TV Plus. Fashion TV broadcasts more than 100 hours of new programming each month, showcasing style and beauty trends, major fashion shows, designer events and news from the fashion industry.

TECH TALK

TV measurement and analytics company 605 has made a strategic investment in AdScribe, a London and Dublin-based advertising technology, measurement and services business. 605 and AdScribe partnered to develop 605 PLATF0RM, a self-service, web-based application that reports TV viewership of programming and advertising by advanced, custom-defined audiences. “PLATF0RM has been a remarkable success for 605, and our strategic investment in the AdScribe business will allow us to develop new measurement solutions for our current clients and extend our reach into Europe,” said Kristin Dolan, CEO and founder of 605. “We are seeing tremendous momentum in our business – even amid this uncertain time – as television and video content consumption grows quickly and in new ways. Sophisticated measurement and analytics matter now more than ever.”

Verizon Media added new advertising and livestreaming capabilities to help broadcasters, content owners, and service providers grow audiences and monetize content in new ways. They include Verizon Media Smartplay Pre-Bid, a server-side integration, and Channel Scheduling, which allows content owners to create virtual live linear experiences using assets from their VOD library, a live feed, or a live event.

Imagine Communications, a provider of end-to-end ad tech solutions for broadcasters, content owners, MVPDs, and vMVPDs, announced an alliance with Innovar Media Solutions to accelerate the adoption of next-gen ad tech solutions. The companies will integrate Innovar’s ad automation solutions and consulting services to help Imagine customers migrate to feature-rich platforms for inventory management and optimization, traffic and billing.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

As production shutdowns scramble network schedules, AMC announced some changes: Horror anthology series Creepshow, borrowed from corporate sib Shudder, will now air over six weeks instead of three, starting Monday, May 4 at 10p, while the season two premiere of NOS4A2 moves to Sunday, June 21 at 9p, from June 1. New anthology series Soulmates is slated for a fall debut.

Before the season debut of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible (Thursday, May 14 at 9p), host Robert Irvine checks in remotely to see how past restaurants are faring in the pandemic, on Thursday, April 30a t 9p. The following week (May 7), quarantined Irvine and his wife Gail watch the very first episode of the long-running series to see how much has changed over the years.

Apple TV+ is launching Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, mini-episodes of a Muppets show shot on iPhones from the artist and production team. The series focuses on staying connected through friendship in the age of social distancing.

Allen Media Group digital news division The Grio announced a new show for Facebook Watch, Staying in Business. The video series features interviews and profiles of African-American business owners who reveal how they are adapting to unprecedented times in America.

COMING UP

CNN and Sesame Street are teaming for a town hall on Saturday, April 25 at 9a. The ABC’s of Covid 19: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Parents will tackle issues including education, anxiety, screen time and playdates, featuring experts like CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, as well as Big Bird and Grover.

ID is offering a marathon of its anthology series, Who Killed…?, beginning Friday, April 24 at 8p. First up: Who Killed Natalie Wood?. Encore specials will run through Sunday, April 26 at 3a.

MTV is airing a musical event on Saturday, April 25 at 10p, simulcast on VH1 and MTV2 and livestreamed on Pluto. Club MTV Presents #DanceTogether with D-Nice will encourage donations to Save the Music Foundation, to benefit students in underserved communities impacted by COVID-19.

CTD’s Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time, which aired on ABC in January, will have an encore in syndication, from Monday, May 4-Friday, May 15. Included will be Ken Jennings’ first appearance on the show, in 2004, as well as the GOAT tournament featuring pro poker player James Holzhauer.

Canal 22 Internacional, Mexico’s cultural channel in the US, is joining the initiative Contigo en la distancia (With You at a Distance) campaign, putting materials and content on a free digital cultural site for Spanish-speaking families as they quarantine at home.

GOING GLOBAL

APC Kids has secured three broadcast deals for CTC Media’s Kid-E-Cats with Brazil’s TV Cultura, Taiwan’s Eastern Broadcasting Asia for its l children’s channel YoYo TV, and Radio Canada, which picked up the SVOD rights for its service Extra/ICI TOU.TV.

India’s streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar has commissioned 234 episodes of Cosmos-Maya’s animated series Selfie With Bajrangi.

UYoung, China’s children’s and family entertainment media company, announced Ukids, a service for Chinese families aimed at enlightening children through high-quality developmental content. Available via SVOD, the dedicated kids’ app contains curated content chosen for its educational value.

As live sports/esports events and TV productions are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s critical for marketers and rights holders to be on top of their game in strengthening their connections with audiences in our “new normal.” Listen in as experts from the TV, sports media and esports communities share both their best practices as well as new methods of engendering audience loyalty through new form content.

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Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On which crime drama did Sammy Davis Jr. play different roles on three different episodes? The Mod Squad (1968-1973). Kudos to: Andrew Goldman-Fathom Events/NYC, Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
In the series finale of M*A*S*H (1972-1983), what word did B.J. spell on the ground with stones? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four per time zone.