Tonight’s Finales
ABC: Shark Tank at 8p
HGTV: My Lottery Dream Home: Scratch Offs at 9:30p
NBC: The Blacklist at 8p

Saturday’s Premieres
Food Network: Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro at 12:30p
Netflix: The Queen and the Conqueror
OWN: Fear Not With Iyanla Vanzant at 9p, Girlfriends Check In at 10p

Sunday’s Premieres
Smithsonian Channel: An American Aristocrat’s Guide to Great Estates at 9p
Starz: Hightown at 8p
TNT: Snowpiercer at 9p

Sunday’s Finales
ABC: American Idol at 8p
CW: Batwoman at 8p, Supergirl at 9p
Epix: Belgravia at 9p
ESPN: The Last Dance at 10p
Fox: The Simpsons at 8p, Duncanville at 8:30p, Bob’s Burgers at 9p, Family Guy at 9:30p
PBS: Call the Midwife at 8p

IN THE NEWS

On the day that was supposed to be its Upfront presentation, The CW announced it will launch its 2020-21 season in January. Series orders will remain the same; rather than end in May, the season will stretch into July and August, with 2021-22 season premieres returning to the net’s usual October slot. All American and Black Lightning are set for Mondays; The Flash and new show Superman & Lois take up the Tuesday time periods; Riverdale and Nancy Drew team for Wednesdays; new drama Walker and Legacies air Thursdays; Penn & Teller: Fool Us and two episodes of Whose Line Is It Anyway? are paired on a new night, Friday; and Batwoman and relocated-from-Friday Charmed take up Saturdays.

The CW also ordered a second season of anthology series Two Second Horror Stories to run in the fourth quarter along with already filmed acquisitions The Outpost, Pandora, Tell Me a Story, Swamp Thing, Coroner and Dead Pixels. As for advertising, “Timing may be different from years past but people are getting ready,” said Rob Tuck, EVP National Ad Sales. “They’re getting ready to figure out their plans for the 2020-21 season. There will be some clients who need to slow down. There are some clients whose businesses weren’t really that affected and they’re able to move quicker.”

The schedule for the NewFronts has been set, with presentations covering streaming video, lifestyle, news and audio, esports and gaming. “NewFronts is the only marketplace that brings together the entire ecosystem and looks at content, consumers, and technology as equally important,” said Randall Rothenberg, CEO, IAB. “Social distancing isn’t stopping industry leaders from coming together online to develop relationships that ignite collaboration, strategic discussion, and generate unique ideas to set the stage for business to thrive as the economy comes back to life.” To see what’s happening and when, go here.

As networks look to fill scheduling gaps left by the coronavirus production shutdown, NBC headed north to acquire medical series Transplant, a hit on Canada’s CTV network. Since its February 26 premiere, Transplant has become the most-watched Canadian series among total viewers this broadcast year, seeing ongoing week-over-week audience growth. The 13-episode series centers on a Syrian doctor with battle-tested skills in emergency medicine who fled his country with his younger sister.

CBS ordered a fifth season of The Good Fight. The fourth season, intended to be 10 episodes but cut short by the production shutdown, will wrap with episode 7 on Thursday, May 28. “It’s been weird to not be able to finish the fourth season,” said creators Robert and Michelle King. “It left the story in even more absurd a place than usual. So we’re thrilled that CBS All Access wants to bring The Good Fight back for an additional season, and we know what story we’re planning to tell. It’s like getting the answers to the SAT ahead of time.”

The largest pay-TV providers in the US shed nearly 2.1 million video subscribers in 1Q20, the highest level of cord-cutting ever, reported Leichtman Research Group. While the coronavirus pandemic was an issue, cord-cutters didn’t have as big an impact on subscriptions as the increasing number of cord-nevers who aren’t signing up for pay-TV at all. On the flip side, the top eight cable companies added over 1.23 million high-speed internet customers in 1Q20. Charter Communications led the group with 582,000 additional customers, followed by Comcast with 477,000.

USA Network, in an ongoing shift from scripted to unscripted and event programming, canceled The Purge after two seasons, and Treadstone after one. A third USA drama, Dare Me, was canceled at the end of April.

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announced the winners of the 45th annual Gracie Awards, recognizing programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, and interactive media. Honorees in TV categories included Alex Duda, showrunner for The Kelly Clarkson Show; Angela King, showrunner for The Walking Dead; actress Catherine Reitman (Workin’ Moms); CNN International reporter Clarissa Ward; Killing Eve director Fiona Shaw; Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon); Niecy Nash (2019 Black Girls Rock); Lifetime movie Patsy & Loretta; and the cast of Superstore, among others.

Are you working from home these days? If so, we want to hear how you’re liking it. Our super quick, 4-question survey won’t take more than a minute of your time, plus a few folks will win Amazon gift cards. Cynopsis thanks you in advance!

Maurice Fayne, who appeared on season 8 of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, has been charged with bank fraud after using money from a COVID-19 relief loan for jewelry. Fayne had certified that loan proceeds would be used to make payments to keep his business afloat, then allegedly spent over $1.5 million of the funds for a Rolex watch and a 5.73 carat diamond ring, among other trinkets. An attorney for Fayne attributed the situation to “considerable confusion” over guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program.

Join Cynopsis for this virtual event where you can interact with your peers as A-list speakers break down the new ways of doing business and how these methods will shape the risks and rewards that lie ahead for all segments of the sports sector. You’ll hear from leaders at: Athletes Unlimited, Learfield IMG College, NASCAR, New Balance, Pac-12 Conference, Riot Games, United States Olympic Committee and more.

REGISTER FOR FREE NOW

Peacock announced its opening slate, available when it launches nationally on July 15. Among the offerings are drama Brave New World, based on the Aldous Huxley novel; conspiracy thriller The Capture; comedies Intelligence, set in the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters, and Psych 2: Lassie Come Home; and sports shows In Deep with Ryan Lochte and Lost Speedways, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Our variety of Peacock Originals at launch demonstrates how we deliver timely and timeless content – no matter the genre or format,” said Bill McGoldrick, President of Original Content. “We’re proud to establish our voice and are excited to build on our strategy to attract a wide audience.”

Cake Boss Buddy Valastro judges some of the country’s best bakers in Big Time Bake, bowing Monday, June 8 at 9p on Food Network.

Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Anne and Marie Antoinette and their roles in historical events are explored in PBS’s Lucy Worsley’s Royal Myths & Secrets, a three-part miniseries launching Sunday, June 21 at 8p (check local listings).

Season five of Roadkill Garage, helping weekend mechanics get wrecks on the road for cheap, premieres Wednesday, May 20 on the MotorTrend app.

HBO Europe’s Czech espionage drama The Sleepers will be available to US viewers starting Monday, May 18 on HBO Go, HBO Now and partners’ streaming platforms. The six-parter is set at the end of 1989 in Czechoslovakia, when the Soviet Empire was crumbling.

Sherman’s Showcase will return on Friday, June 19 with a one-hour “Black History Month Spectacular” premiering at 10p on AMC, followed by an 11p premiere on IFC.

Season five of Netflix’s Queer Eye revival drops Friday, June 5, with the Fab Five lending a hand to the hopelessly unhip.

COMING UP

Pop TV’s animated One Day at a Time special has a debut date – and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The remotely-produced show premieres Tuesday, June 16 at 9:30p, with the Hamilton star joining a family fight over politics.

Bosom Buddies is coming to Decades TV starting Monday, May 18 at 4:30p. The sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari aired on ABC from 1980-82.

The Voice coaches Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend and Blake Shelton will perform in the live two-hour season finale of The Voice on Tuesday, May 19 at 9p. Shelton will be joined by Gwen Stefani, who has served as a coach on four seasons and is Shelton’s real-life partner. Also featured will be the Jonas Brothers with KAROL G, Bon Jovi and Lady Antebellum.

STREAMING SCOOP

Hulu is being accused of throttling the quality of video service on web browsers to push subscribers to other devices. A suit filed in LA Superior Court, reported by Variety, alleges “defendants prefer that users use the Hulu applications because, compared to computer browsers, applications provide more direct access to consumers’ personal data.”

DirecTV has added a free year of HBO Max to its deal for a free year of HBO for new subscribers. HBO Max will also be free for DirecTV subscribers paying for HBO.

Feature film Clouds, directed and produced by Wayfarer Studios co-founder Justin Baldoni (Five Feet Apart) will premiere exclusively on Disney+ this fall. The film tells the true story of a musically gifted 17-year-old living with a rare bone cancer. “I fell in love with Zach’s infectious joy and spirit seven years ago when I made a short documentary about his life. Just before he passed, I made a promise to him that I would do whatever I could to make sure the world heard his music,” said Baldoni. “In the age of COVID-19, with the future of the theatre business up in the air, it was extremely important to me to ensure Zach’s message of hope, faith and triumph in the face of adversity truly had the opportunity to touch as many hearts around the world as possible.”

“We’re on the verge of habit change here,” said Roku’s VP of Programming Rob Holmes at NAB Show Express, noting that consumers had been looking for more value in video products before the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, and current conditions have only accelerated the trend. “We’ve seen ad-supported streaming grow faster than subscription or MVPD or virtual MVPD categories. We see this as a fundamental acceleration of a trend that we already had at hand, but we don’t any signs of its slowing down,” added Holmes.

The deployment of Comcast’s Xfinity devices has surpassed one million. “Flex was designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of our Internet-only customers,” said Dana Strong, President, Xfinity Consumer Services. “It combines access to the top streaming services and the ability to control your home’s Xfinity devices….We are thrilled our customers are quickly embracing this device on such a large scale.”

Court TV, rebooted last May, has arrived on SiriusXM, available on channel 793 through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices and online.

VOD discovery, live distribution and monetization management platform Glewed TV announce its partnership with Crackle Plus to distribute two exclusive series on Crackle’s Homeschool Channel: Elf Learning for Kids and Travel with Kids TV. “During a time when parents have become teachers, they are looking for any and all help they can get with educational content,” said Melody Wolff, Chief Marketing Officer of Glewed TV. “This channel is a great way for us to share our exciting and useful original content with Crackle viewers.”

ADVERTISING

Dentsu Inc. is folding creative agency Dentsu into Mcgarrybowen. The new agency, called Dentsumcgarrybowen, will have 3000 employees across 24 markets (outside of Japan). Merlee Jayme, head of a Dentsu agency in the Philippines, and Jon Dupois, global president of Mcagarrybowen, will serve as co-presidents. Gordon Bowen, founder and global chairman of Mcgarrybowen, is now global chairman of the combined entity.

When asked about their clients’ current approach to advertising, 93% of local and regional buyers said they felt it’s important to keep advertising during the pandemic, though many acknowledged this is only possible if the dollars are available, according to a study from Comcast Advertising examining the impact of COVID-19 events on agency media strategies. Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed said their clients are already incorporating COVID-19 specific messaging into their advertising, with another 14% saying they may in the future. Sixty-five percent said COVID-19 events would have a “large impact” and another 29% said it would have “some impact” on their 2020 advertising plans. Survey respondents were all users of FreeWheel’s Strata platform, and most were specialists in local media planning and buying.

Online membership-based Thrive Market has inked a deal with lifestyle entertainment company Kin on a marketing partnership featuring former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe’s new show, 9 to Wine. The collaboration will include content integrations, social cross-promotion, and other marketing executions. Integrations will be featured in three of the first eight episodes of Bristowe’s series, which runs across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

TECH TALK

TikTok is being accused of failing to abide by commitments it made to the Federal Trade Commission to protect children’s privacy. To settle charges last year, the video-sharing app agreed to get parents’ permission before collecting kids’ data, as well as to delete personal information and videos of any child under 13. Now, in a complaint filed with the F.T.C., consumer groups including the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy say TikTok continues to flout the law. “We take privacy seriously and are committed to helping ensure that TikTok continues to be a safe and entertaining community for our users,” said TikTok in a statement.

GOING GLOBAL

A+E Networks International increased its presence in Belgium via a deal with DPG Media, which picked up all English-speaking seasons of Seven Year Switch, Marrying Millions, and Bride & Prejudice to air on its Vitaya channel, as well as all five TV movies including the adaptation of V.C. Andrews’ Casteel Family series. It’s A+E’s biggest deal with DPG to date.

The BBC will resume filming on Top Gear and EastEnders by the end of June, Director of Content Charlotte Moore shared in a blog post. The BBC will be “working within government guidelines,” added Moore.

Armoza Formats announced the commission of dating show Date in Reverse in South Africa for Afrikaans-language lifestyle channel VIA. Each week, two singles looking for love will get to know each other by experiencing a relationship’s most meaningful milestones – but in reverse.

UK-based Magnify Media reported the sixth major format deal for RTÉ’s reality show Fittest Family, produced by Kite Entertainment, with Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Canada’s Global announced the first round of new and returning series for its summer primetime lineup. New series include comedic game show Game On, and reality series Tough as Nails and Titan Games.

Amazon Prime Video India acquired Hindi-language comedy Gulabo Sitabo, launching June 12 in 200 countries. The film had been slated to debut in theaters before the coronavirus pandemic scuttled those plans.

The Cynopsis Adtech Awards
Enter By May 28th

During a time when in-person events have been cancelled, the adtech community is stepping up. They’re helping to guarantee marketers upfront inventory and preserve revenue for media owners by 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 in more than 20 categories. View them all

here.

CBS’s Survivor hit a 2 ½ year high 1.6 rating among A18-49 and 7.95 million viewers on Wednesday’s season finale.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Wednesday, May 13
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: The Goldbergs 4.13(0.8), Schooled 3.21 (0.7), American Housewife 3.05 (0.6), Single Parents 2.26 (0.5), Shark Tank 2.27 (0.5)
CBS: Survivor 7.94 (1.6)
CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us 0.71 (0.1), Bulletproof 0.32 (0.1)
FOX: The Masked Singer 7.24 (1.8), After the Mask 3.58 (0.8)
NBC: Chicago Med 3.82 (0.5), Chicago Fire 4.18 (0.5), Chicago P.D. 3.99 (0.5)
UNIVISION: Te Doy la Vida 1.66(0.5), Amor Eterno 2.12 (0.6), Como tu no hay dos 1.72 (0.6)
TELEMUNDO: Cennet 1.22 (0.4), 100 Dias Enamorarnos 0.85 (0.3), La Reina del Sur 0.67 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

DoubleVerify appointed Takashi Takeda to launch and lead its business in Japan. Takeda was formerly a director at Google in Japan, heading its Creative Solutions and Partnerships business unit.

Francis Roberts has joined Snap Inc. as Senior Manager of Digital Talent on the Talent Partnerships team. Roberts joins Snap from YouTube, where he served as the Strategic Partner Manager for Top Creators.

Read Cynopsis’ 2020 Workplace Satisfaction Survey report to find out what soft benefits matter most to employees, the top four factors that contribute to employee happiness & more.

https://www.cynopsis.com/2020-workplace-satisfaction-survey/

Friday Fun Fact
The official state sport in Maryland is jousting.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which western series did the mothers of Sally Field and Candice Bergen have roles? Yancy Derringer (1958-59). Kudos to: Charles Lore/NYC, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, Susan Nessanbaum-Golberg-M and S Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
How many things was the title character in Monk (2002-2009), who suffered from OCD, afraid of? (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.)