Today’s Finale
History: Lost Gold of World War II at 9p

IN THE NEWS

NBCUniversal’s Linda Yaccarino, Chairman, Advertising and Partnerships, sent a note to partners calling for “radical transformation” of the marketing industry. “Now is the time for marketers to prioritize equity and inclusion, while also committing to a new open marketplace built on trust, radical transparency, and meaningful collaboration,” wrote Yaccarino. “Just imagine how opening up training, technology, and insights across the marketing industry could simultaneously accelerate lasting transformation and real economic recovery.” For its part, Yaccarino said NBCU is creating more marketing training and development resources, and mapping out a new open-source technology structure, “bringing measurement into the 21st century.”

The 2020 Creative Arts Emmys will be celebrated as a multi-night virtual event instead of the in-person ceremonies that had been scheduled for September 12 and 13, announced the Television Academy. The 72nd Primetime Emmys Awards telecast is still slated for Sunday, September 20, though the format is undecided. The Governers Balls have been canceled, “to protect the health and safety of Emmy winners, nominees and guests.”

In another awards show COVID-19 shakeup, the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, originally scheduled for February 28, 2021, has been pushed to April 25. That’s the latest in the year the Oscars have been held since they started broadcasting on TV in 1953. Eligibility requirements have been extended by two months.

CBS will simulcast BET’s 20th BET Awards on Sunday, June 28 at 8p, along with other ViacomCBS nets. Drake is the top nomination-grabber, with six nods, followed by Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch with five each.

USA Network ordered season four of The Sinner, and picked up unscripted series Instant Family (wt), focused on a type-A jetsetter and her quirky husband who open their home to three sisters living on the street, and The Rev (wt), about a Long Island pastor.

HBO is launching a digital Pride celebration on its Human By Orientation platform. Events honoring the LGBTQIA+ community will run from June 18-28. “Black lives matter, Black trans lives matter, Black queer lives matter,” said Jackie Gagne, VP of Multicultural Marketing for HBO. “Our goal of Human By Orientation has always been to help the community celebrate their proudest and queerest selves.”

E! Online started the week with a new look. The mobile-first redesign features improved, interactive photo galleries, videos, and show coverage, with faster load times. Before today’s relaunch, E! Online reports it tested some of the new features and saw mobile growth in time spent per user (up 74% across the site as a whole, with the homepage garnering a 130% increase), and video completion rates across all devices up by 47%.

The mobile phone is becoming an entertainment commodity,
and providers who don’t adopt a mobile-first strategy
will fall behind as the streaming wars continue to inspire a fierce battle.

Don’t get left behind. Get educated.

Jessica Chastain’s Freckle Films, Kristen Campo and Endeavor Content landed TV rights for the Alice Feeney novel, His & Hers. Freckle’s Chastain and Kelly Carmichael will executive produce, along with Campo.

Amazon Studios handed a series order to a series from Jason Katims that follows three roommates who are on the autism spectrum. The show, from True Jack Productions, Universal Television, Israel’s yesStudios and Amazon Studios, is based on an Israeli format.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is not only producing and starring in Genius Brands International children’s series Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, launching next year on Amazon Prime – he’ll be a “significant investor” in Genius Brands. Schwarzenegger said he is “honored to help realize Stan’s vision of creating a children’s cartoon series that not only entertains with superhero adventures, but also imparts valuable lessons about the importance of health, exercise, nutrition, anti-bullying, and diversity.”

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

The new season of Telemundo’s Enemigo Intimo debuts Monday, June 22 at 10p. Mexican stars Fernanda Castillo and Raul Mendez return to reprise their roles in the Super Series.

HGTV announced a summer slate that includes new episodes of Christina on the Coast; a new season of Good Bones; Flipping Across America; and Build Me Up. Additional new titles feature familiar faces Scott McGillivray in Vacation House Rules, and Masters of Home brings back Dave and Kortney Wilson to transform fixer-uppers. New series Beach Around the World follows home buyers and as they explore beach properties. “HGTV has plenty of premiere hours for fans who are uncompromising when it comes to summer viewing options,” said Jane Latman, president, HGTV.

Highlights from a memorable interview with late TV legend Fred Silverman cover the show he says started the reality genre, the comedy he “spent a whole f***ing summer” defending, and how he thinks single-camera comedy encourages lazy writing. Former CBS exec and author Jim McKairnes offers excerpts in Cynsiders.

Docu-series Skindigenous, which airs on APTN, the Aboriginal People’s Television Network, has been licensed by PBS. The 13-episode series exploring Indigenous tattooing traditions around the world is produced by Gatineau’s Nish Media

ADVERTISING

National TV advertising is forecast to slip 13.2% in 2020, and rebound by 4.3% in 2021, according to Magna Global. Digital advertising, meanwhile, is forecast to grow 2.8% in 2020 and 7.3% in 2021. “In contrast with most linear media, digital advertising formats benefit from increased consumption, and will remain more resilient to the drop in advertisers demand. MAGNA anticipates ad spend on digital formats (search, video, social, banners, digital audio) to stabilize in the summer and recover in the second half,” said the report.

Univision’s Upfront presentation is today. What impact has the pandemic had on the company’s Upfront season? “We understand that there has been trepidation, especially early on, in how to proceed for some clients, however, we are seeing more and more of our partners engage with us heading into our Upfront presentation,” says Steve Mandala, President of Advertising Sales and Marketing. “We fully expect more momentum following the presentation to continue and are ready to act when our partners tell us they are ready.” For more from Mandala on Univision, the ad market recovery and the Hispanic TV audience, go to Cynsiders.

Nexstar Digital, a subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, has entered into a multiyear agreement with FreeWheel, A Comcast Company, to use its Strata platform. “FreeWheel is committed to delivering easy access to premium OTT and digital video inventory directly in the user workflow while reducing transactional friction through applied automation in the ordering process,” said Jamie Donnenfeld, VP of Partnership Solutions at FreeWheel.

STREAMING SCOOP

Quibi, launched in April with a subscriber goal of 7.5 million by year’s end, is tracking to wrap 2020 with under 2 million paying subscribers, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. With many of its current 4+ million users downloading the app during a free 90-day trial, it’s uncertain how many will pay $4.99/month for the ad-supported, or $7.99/month for the ad-free, versions.

A new, original digital comic book series, To The Max, published by DC in collaboration with HBO Max, celebrates the launch of the streamer. To The Max features stories about ordinary people achieving their maximum potential when they transform into extraordinary superheroes with the help of another new character, Max the dog. “We are thrilled to partner with the amazing team at DC to present this creative, personification of HBO Max as a team of powerful comic book superheroes,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, Warner Media Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer. “These fun, original stories depict a diverse range of ordinary individuals who are symbolic of the depth and breadth of programming that is available on the platform, driving home the message that HBO Max has something for everyone.”

Documentary Prince William – A Monarch in the Making, debuts July 1 on True Royalty TV, timed to the launch of the streaming network as a featured subscription on The Roku Channel. Also Roku-ready will be the return of The Royal Beat bi-weekly talk show, and the US premiere of Heir We Go Again starting July 1.

TECH TALK

A new study from data intelligence platform Clickagy suggests COVID-19 has caused a major shift in how people consume content online. According to the “COVID-10 Status Report,” a study conducted between December 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020:
* 49% of users used mobile devices and tablets in March, as compared to 70% in December.
* In the remote conference war, Zoom beats out Google Meet (also Hangouts) by volume.
* Alcohol research was over-indexed in most states.

COMING UP

ABC has a special slated for Sunday, June 21 at 9p featuring Martha Raddatz’ exclusive interview with John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security advisor. The sit-down comes ahead of the publication of Bolton’s memoir, in which he claims Trump committed numerous “Ukraine-like transgressions.” Posted Raddatz on Twitter, “He’s the man the president doesn’t want you to hear.”

National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD are taking a bite out of summer with five weeks of shark programming, including 17 original premieres, for the eighth annual Sharkfest. The stunt begins Sunday, July 12, on National Geographic, followed by two weeks of content on Nat Geo WILD starting Sunday, August 2.

TV One is presenting a virtual town hall to explore the history, impact and legacy of Go-go music. The Beat Don’t Stop: Don’t Mute My City will debut of TV One’s Facebook page and WKYS and MAJIC’s digital and social platforms on Wednesday, June 17 at 7p.

Arts network Ovation TV is shining a light on the contributions of Black artists and activists starting Friday, June 19 at 6a. A 24-hour programming block will highlight the works of Beyoncé, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alfre Woodard, Michelle Obama and Pharrell Williams.

TheGrid Network is broadcasting a Father’s Day marathon of Will Smith music videos followed by music videos from DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. The marathon will be hosted by film producer Carl Jackson on June 16 at 8p.

GOING GLOBAL

BBC TWO and AMC announced that Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal, Skyfall, London Spy) will star in the new series This is Going to Hurt, produced by global content company SISTER in association with Terrible Productions.

GaryLico.TV announced two more broadcast partners for Forensic Files. Etv in South Africa renewed the 395-episode library and licensed two new seasons, scheduled to premiere in 2021, and CuriosityStream licensed the show in Latin America and parts of Asia, including Singapore, India and Russia.

UK’s Channel 5 has commissioned history series 1000 Years of History, to be produced by Middlechild, Lambent Productions and Raise the Roof Productions.

Wildlife channel Love Nature announced its launch on pay-TV platform Les Bouquests Canal+ in more than 25 African countries. The deal further expands the Love Nature brand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

IMPACT Wrestling has renewed its broadcast deal with Mexico City-based MVS Comunicaciones MVStv. IMPACT Wrestling initially debuted on MVStv in 2018.

Media Ranch’s entertainment game show format Watch! is being produced by Talpa Germany and will premiere on ProSieben on July 21. The German edition will feature two celebrity players per team, testing their memory skills.

Top 10 Titles on Quibi in May
Reno 911!
The Stranger
Most Dangerous Game
The Masked Singer
50 States of Fright
Dummy
Flipped
Survive
#Freeayshawn
Cup of Jue
Source: JustWatch. Reno 911! was by far the most popular title on Quibi in May. It was 4 times more popular than The Stranger and 12 times more popular than Most Dangerous Game.

TV Time’s Shows on the Rise for the Week of June 1
Baki (Netflix) – 96.1%
Fuller House (Netflix) – 94.8%
13 Reasons Why (Netflix) – 94.4%
Queer Eye (Netflix) – 92.3%
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (E!) – 87.1%
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (VH1) – 80.5%
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – 72.9%
Dear White People (Netflix) – 72.3%
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (Netflix) – 58.5%
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo) – 57%
Methodology: Every week, millions of viewers around the world use TV Time to track their favorite series. “Shows on the Rise” is calculated by determining the week-over-week growth in episodes watched for a given program.

Shareablee Top 10 TV Shows for the week of June 8
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
E! News (E!) 9M, 478, 18,801, 37.5M
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (WB/syndicated) 5.9M, 52, 114,083, 203.2M
The Daily Show (Comedy Central) 5.4M, 127, 42,504, 24.3M
Hannity (Fox News) 3.1M, 277, 11,190, 9.2M
Today Show (NBC) 1.8M, 879, 2,038, 13.7M
Entertainment Tonight (WB/syndicated) 1.5M, 517, 2,847, 9M
The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) 1.3M, 81, 15,824, 12.8M
Good Morning America (ABC) 1.3M, 939, 1,333, 13.9M
PBS NewsHour (PBS) 860K, 741, 1,160, 2.9M
Fox & Friends (Fox News) 743K, 50, 14,853, 4.8M

Shareablee Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of June 8
Program, Platform, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
Netflix Is A Joke (YouTube) 271K, 10, 27,067, 1.9M
13 Reasons Why (Netflix) 240K, 1, 240,003, 9.8M
Queer Eye (Netflix) 188K, 3, 62,763, 2.8M
Alexa & Katie (Netflix) 106K, 1, 105,580, 326K
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (Netflix) 86K, 5, 17,202, 562K
Trailer Park Boys (Netflix) 77K, 18, 4,269, 2.9M
Orange Is the New Black (Netflix) 65K, 13, 4,986, 11.1M
Gilmore Girls (Netflix) 49K, 4, 12,339, 4.3M
Mr. Iglesias (Netflix) 27K, 11, 2,483, 94K
Star Trek (CBS All Access) 23K, 4, 5,809, 630K

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, June 12
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 2.92 (0.4), 20/20 3.14 (0.4)
CBS: MacGyver 3.81 (0.3), Magnum P.I. 4.08 (0.4), Blue Bloods 3.87 (0.4)
CW: Masters of Illusion 0.75 (0.1), Masters of Illusion 0.67 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.61 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.57 (0.1)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.07 (0.5)
NBC: World of Dance 2.02 (0.3), The Wall 1.97 (0.4), Dateline 2.54 (0.4)
Univision: Te Doy la Vida 1.48 (0.5), Amor Eterno 1.92 (0.6), Como tu no hay 1.48 (0.5)
Telemundo: Cennet 1.06 (0.3), 100 Dias Enamorarnos 0.65 (0.2), La Reina del Sur 0.57 (0.2)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Angela Cannon has been promoted to Vice President and Channel Manager, UP Faith & Family. Cannon had previously been VP, National Accounts, Content Distribution and Marketing for UPtv, UP Faith & Family and AspireTV.

Public House Pictures is bolstering its unscripted division with the additions of Corey Rogers as SVP of Development and Brad Austin as Development Consultant.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which was the final sitcom created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane to air prior to Friends? Family Album (1993). Kudos to: Mike Weaver-Dream Weaver Entertainment/Santa Monica, CA, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, Marni C. Gold/Hawthorne, NJ, Charles Lore/NYC

Today’s Trivia Question
The episodes of which sci-fi series were introduced by a nightclub hostess named Raven? (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.)