Today’s Premieres
Amazon: Como Sobrevivir Soltero
Disney+: Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2
Netflix: All for Love, Home Game, Twogether

Today’s Finale
WE tv: Mama June: From Not to Hot at 9p

Saturday’s Premieres

Food Network: Giada at Home 2.0 at 12:30p

Sunday’s Premieres
Adult Swim: Robot Chicken at 12:15a
HBO: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark at 10p
Nat Geo: Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks at 8:30p

Sunday’s Finale
Showtime: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels at 10p

Monday, June 29 Premiere
Acorn TV: The Sommerdahl Murders
Outdoor Channel: Farming the Wild at 8:30p
Sportsman Channel: Hoge Wild at 7p

Tuesday, June 30 Premieres
Facebook Watch: Unfiltered: Paris Jackson and Gabriel Glenn at 6a
Netflix: BNA
TLC: Counting On at 9p

Tuesday, June 30 Finales
ABC: The Genetic Detective at 10p
PBS Voices: Prideland
TLC: Outdaughtered at 9p

Wednesday, July 1 Premieres
Fuse: Hype Up at 11:30p
Sportsman Channel: Humanimal at 9p

Wednesday, July 1 Finales
PBS: Prehistoric Road Trip at 10p
Science Channel: Building Giants at 9p

IN THE NEWS

AM Joy anchor Joy Reid is expected to take the seat left vacant by Hardball’s Chris Matthews, who made a sudden on-air exit in March amid accusations of inappropriate remarks toward women, reports the Wall Street Journal. Hardball airs daily at 7p.

The Media Rating Council released an update to guidelines for invalid traffic detection, to address new threats that didn’t exist when the standards were created almost five years ago. Currently accredited services will have a one-year grace period to become fully compliant with the updated standards.

The NFL has canceled its preseason Hall of Fame Game, which would have featured the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 6, and postponed the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, over COVID-19 concerns. A full 2020 season is still set to kick off September 10 – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters on Thursday the league plans on games with fans in (sanitized) stadiums this fall.

Google announced it will license content from some news publishers, to appear in Google News and Discover later this year. “This program will help participating publishers monetize their content through an enhanced storytelling experience that lets people go deeper into more complex stories, stay informed and be exposed to a world of different issues and interests,” said Brad Bender, Google’s VP Product Management of News, in a post.

Kevin Mayer, the new CEO and COO of TikTok parent Bytedance, explained why he left his role as Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer & International at The Walt Disney Company. “There comes a time in everyone’s career where you need to make a choice,” he told digital investor Peter Csathy. “It seemed like the right time. I’m not getting any younger. If you really want to make a big splash, there’s just a timing factor to that. And there aren’t many companies like ByteDance and TikTok.”

HBO announced the finalists who will compete in ABFF’s 23rd annual HBO Short Film Competition. The festival, hosted on ABFF.com from August 21-30, will include the independent Black cinema as well as studio premieres, panels, masterclasses, and virtual networking events. This year’s five finalists include Martina Lee (Black Boy Joy), Letia Solomon (The Cypher), Ethosheia Hylton (Dolapo Is Fine), Darius Dawson (A Rodeo Film) and Lanre Olabisi (A Storybook Ending).

The Cynopsis Digital Model D Awards is looking for: Innovators. Inspirers. Creators of all kinds. For the 8th year in a row, we celebrate those in online video content and advertising who are at the forefront of the industry, elevating it with their state-of-the-art contributions to branded content, technology, ad campaigns, and original content.

ABOUT MODEL D

MTV’s going back the the Shore – the net gave a season four order for Jersey Shore Family Vacation. The June 18 season three ender delivered a 1.1 among A18-49 in Live+SD ratings, the highest in almost two years, and Live+3 viewership of 1.7 million. Tweeted Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, who quit the show during the season three finale last week, “Good luck my fam…can’t wait to watch.”

The Content Group, Asylum Entertainment Group’s content collective, announced the rebrand of Collins Avenue Entertainment to Story Street Entertainment. Story Street will build on Collins Avenue’s success in lifestyle shows, and expand into new genres, from true-crime programming to shiny floor formats. The company will also target third party formats to be adapted stateside.

HBO Max inked an overall deal with Marlon Wayans, which includes a number of projects in the works. The deal includes a stand-up special from Wayans along with a multi-act special in which he will serve as host. In addition, HBO Max will have a first look deal at his scripted and unscripted projects. The first identified scripted project is a half-hour comedy, Book of Marlon, based on the trials of his real life. The series is co-created by Rick Alvarez, who will also co-write the pilot with Wayans.

Hulu gave a straight to series order for a 12-episode drama based on Sally Rooney’s novel Conversations with Friends. The show will be produced by Element Pictures, in association with BBC Three.

Cream Films announced a co-production partnership with Indian-Canadian director, photographer and activist Indrani and producer, multidisciplinary artist and social justice advocate GK Reid. Under the deal, Cream, Indrani and Reid will create, develop, and produce feature documentaries with a focus on social justice. Indrani and Reid will work closely alongside Kate Harrison Karman, President of Cream, as well as Corey Russell, veteran documentary producer (The Go-Go’s) and Cream Films EVP.

TECH TALK

Programmatic research technology platform Lucid released Impact Measurement Dashboard, a real-time insights and analytics product for brand lift measurement. With an API-first development approach, Impact Measurement Dashboard uses a proprietary survey-based methodology to get responses from real people. The dashboard displays daily survey results and brand lift metrics across a range of KPIs. “Lucid saw a need in the ecosystem for a brand lift product that is actionable, API driven, and cost effective. Impact Measurement Dashboard provides a brand lift solution that really scales,” said Lindsay Fordham, Lucid Senior Director, Audience Products.

Analytics company EDO is aiming to provide real-time insights into engagement and interest levels in streaming originals and celebrities with Entertainment EnGage, launched in beta. “As competition among streaming services and studios ratchets up the stakes, these entertainment companies continue to seek innovative data solutions,” said Kevin Krim, President and CEO of EDO. “Actionable insights into true consumer intent have never been more critical. In our beta pilots, we have seen clients utilize EEG to monitor their new titles, make decisions with more confidence, and ultimately achieve greater results.”

Tiger King star Carole Baskin has launched a free virtual reality game that has players tracking tigers. Big Cat Rescue VR Tiger Game, available in the Oculus store, helps players “learn about the plight of the tiger in the wild and how the lucrative cub petting industry is fueling the demand for poached wild tigers,” said Baskin.

STREAMING SCOOP

When it comes to the most common way viewers discover new shows or movies, “Commercials or ads that run during other TV shows” (55%) surpassed “word of mouth” (49%), according to TiVo’s new Video Trends Report. Other highlights include:
* Pay-TV subscribers generally use seven video services while broadband-only subscribers use about five video services.
* 46 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with their free/AVOD services; the number of respondents indicating they were “very satisfied” with their free/AVOD services increased 11% from 4Q19.
* 84% of survey respondents are interested in viewing, browsing and searching content from every available source – from broadcast television to subscription streaming services – unified in a single experience or interface.
* Respondents said they engage with recommended content 40% of the time across both streaming and pay-TV services.

NEWFRONTS

Mobile video app TikTok announced TikTok for Business, housing its all of its marketing solutions for brands including access to TikTok ad formats, TopView, Brand Takeovers, In-Feed Videos, Hashtag Challenges and Branded Effects. New AR effect Brand Scan has also been added. TikTok is also launching an e-learning center to advise marketers about ad options, with product guides and resources to help launch campaigns. “We’ve seen more and more brands embrace the unique and creative ways the TikTok community expresses themselves through video,” said Blake Chandlee, VP of Global Business Solutions. “The experience is real, light-hearted and fun, and as we’ve seen over the course of these dynamic times, users and brands have the ability to make a meaningful and positive impact on their communities.”

GSTV struck a new partnership with journalist and AfterBuzz TV co-founder Maria Menounos, who was on hand for the company’s NewFront presentation. Menounos will produce short-form videos based on her podcast and daytime talk series, Better Together with Maria Menounos.

YouTube announced new and returning projects at its ninth-annual NewFront event, Brandcast Delivered. Among the highlights: a new, four-part docuseries following Demi Lovato as she continues her personal and musical journey; and renewals of YouTube Originals Instant Influencer with James Charles, The Creator Games Presented by MrBeast, A Heist With Markiplier, and Retro Tech. Throughout the reimagined virtual event, YouTube featured appearances from creators like Lilly Singh, Tones and I, Kristopher London and Alex Rodriguez, and constructed a “personal primetime” for each attendee.

YouTube’s message: A deep connection to people’s lives means better results, from reach and awareness to action. Announcements also included solutions that can help advertisers drive results throughout the funnel, reach people across every screen and inspire people to take action.

ADVERTISING

Dentsu Aegis Network and TV Vision are teaming to develop “attention planning capabilities,” an agreement DAN said will enable it to leverage TVision’s data in parallel with proprietary insights tools to plan TV/OTT based on attention metrics. “This is a big step for the network as this means we will be prioritizing broad adoption of our attention metrics,” said DAN. Advertising works when people pay attention to it, noted Luke McGuinness, President of TVision, adding that, “Dentsu’s Attention Economy initiative illustrates their clear understanding of this fact. We are pleased to partner with them on this initiative, and to help Dentsu utilize our data to create campaigns that deliver more value for their clients.”

The #StopHateForProfit advertising boycott of Facebook, organized by civil rights groups and joined by T-Mobile, Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, and The North Face, among others, got attention at the top. Business Insider reports CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg talked this week with members of Facebook’s client council, and said they are reviewing their policies about content and ads, including political ads.

COMING UP

Adventurer, survivalist and military veteran, Cliff Simon dives into the world of the paranormal in Travel Channel’s new six-part series, Into the Unknown, premiering Monday, July 27 at 11 p.

National Geographic Documentary Films announced the release of Rebuilding Paradise, from director Ron Howard and Imagine Documentaries, in select theaters (physical and digital) on July 31. For every ticket sold, $1 will go to charities supporting the town of Paradise, California.

OWN Spotlight: Oprah and 100 Black Fathers will explore the emotional toll Black fathers endure, on Tuesday, June 30 at 10p. “We are proud to continue curating programming that talks openly about important issues affecting Black lives,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “In this special, Black fathers will share their personal stories and feelings in this moment and the hope they have for their families’ futures.”

Earlier that night, OWN will air a one-hour reunion special with the cast of Tyler Perry’s If Loving You Is Wrong. During If Loving You Is Wrong: Oh So Right, hosted by Edwina Findley Dickerson and starting at 8p, cast members will relive moments from the series, in addition to dishing on behind-the-scenes stories and answering fans’ questions

The Dodo’s first long-form family special, remotely-produced Summer at Home with Toby the Toad, has jumped to The Dodo’s YouTube channel. The 30-minute, live-action special is sponsored by Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

Showbiz Kids, a film looking at the high risk, high reward business of working as a child actor, debuts on HBO on Tuesday, July 14 at 9p.

Late legends Kobe Bryant and Little Richard will be honored at the 2020 BET Awards by Lil’ Wayne and Wayne Brady, respectively, on Sunday, June 28 on BET and CBS. Beyonce will receive the Humanitarian Award.

HQ Trivia has launched HQ Movie Trivia Night, a game show for film buffs airing on Wednesdays, with a $5,000 prize. HQ Movie Trivia night will air live every Wednesday at 9p.

KIDS CORNER

Disney Channel is tuning up for a night of entertainment for kids and families, with two music specials featuring Disney Channel stars, past and present, along with celebrity guests. Disney Channel Summer Sing-Along and Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist premiere back to back on Friday, July 10 beginning at 8p. Following ARDYs, Descendants star Sarah Jeffery’s new Disney Channel Voices music video, “Even the Stars,” will make its Disney Channel debut.

As part of its “Read-Along” initiative on Facebook and YouTube, PBS KIDS has partnered with Little Free Library for a collection of story-time videos this summer designed to encourage reading for kids and parents. Each guest will read a children’s book and designate a location in the US where a Little Free Library will be installed with a supply of diverse books. Story time kicks off Monday, June 29 at noon, with NBA legend and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade reading Gabrielle Union’s children’s book, “Welcome to the Party.”

Scholastic Entertainment, the TV and film division of publisher Scholastic, is joining forces with Elizabeth Banks’ Brownstone Productions (Pitch Perfect), Marc Platt Productions (Legally Blonde) and Universal Pictures to develop a feature-length, live-action hybrid film that will bring The Magic School Bus to the big screen. Banks is set to portray teacher Ms. Frizzle.

Nickelodeon greenlit animated preschool series Baby Shark’s Big Show! (wt), based on the popular Baby Shark character. Nickelodeon Animations Studios and SmartStudy are co-producing 26 half-hour episodes, rolling out in 2021 after a holiday special in December.

GOING GLOBAL

Disney is shuttering Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior in the UK at the end of September, with Disney+ becoming the exclusive home for the kids’ channels.

UK’s Royal Television Society has launched the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2020. The awards are accepting entries until September 1, with the winners set to be celebrated in November.

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Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Wednesday, June 24
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Taking the Stage 3.10 (0.4), Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1.37 (0.2)
CBS: Game On! 2.94 (0.4), SEAL Team 2.29 (0.3), S.W.A.T. 2.39 (0.3)
CW: The Hundred 0.57 (0.1), Bulletproof 0.32 (0.1)
FOX: MasterChef 1.50 (0.4), Ultimate Tag 1.58 (0.5)
NBC: Chicago Med 3.75 (0.4), Chicago Fire 3.65 (0.4), Chicago P.D. 3.66 (0.4)
Univision: Te Doy la Vida 1.97 (0.6), Amor Eterno 2.06 (0.6), Como tu no hay dos 1.61 (0.5)
Telemundo: Cennet 1.32 (0.4), 100 Dias Enamorarnos 0.85 (0.3), Enemigo Intimo 0,90 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

ViacomCBS Networks International announced that Monde Twala, SVP of ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Editorial and General Manager, has also been appointed Peer Lead for BET International.

CHEQ appointed Eyal Tocker as General Manager of APAC and EMEA. Tocker joins from Sisense where, he was VP of EMEA and APAC.

Magid hired Marissa Nelson as Senior Consultant, Local Media. Nelson most recently served as Senior Managing Director for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

IN MEMORIAM

Les Crystal died June 24 after battling brain cancer. He was 85. Crystal was President of NBC News from 1977-1979, before serving as executive producer of PBS’s NewsHour from 1983-2005.

Friday Fun Fact
Three US presidents have died on July 4 – Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Monroe – and one, Calvin Calvin Coolidge, was born on that date.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
One of the lead actors in which 1970s series died suddenly during season two, and the character was recast with an actor who had narrated the theme sequence? Alias Smith and Jones (1971-1973). Kudos to: Joe Leydon-Cowboys & Indians Magazine/Houston, Gigi Taylor-WEDU/Tampa, John Kukla-KDFW-Fox 4/Dallas, Ed Goode-Connelly Partners/Boston, Len Klatt-The Winning Run/LA, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, Dan Haberer-Creo Entertainment/Playa del Rey, CA, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Beth Leverett-40/29/Rogers, AR, Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks NYC, Judy Margolis-The Back Room/Dallas

Today’s Trivia Question
The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) was a spin-off from which show? (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.)