A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE HILL

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Today’s Premieres
A&E: Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution
Disney+: Baymax!
Fuse: Sex Sells
History: More Power at 10p
Netflix: Pirate Gold of Adak Island; The Upshaws; Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Paramount+: All Star Shore

Today’s Finales
CW: The Flash at 8p
PBS: Planet California at 10p

IN THE NEWS

CAA closed its $750 acquisition of ICM Partners. The company sealed government approval to create a mega agency, the largest merger since the WMA-Endeavor deal in 2009. Combined, the companies’ assets are valued at around $5 billion. A total of 105 employees are expected to be laid off from ICM, with 435 making the move to CAA. “Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company, positioning us better than ever to deliver extraordinary opportunities for many of the world’s preeminent artists, athletes, thought leaders, brands, and organizations in entertainment, sports, and culture,” said CAA’s Co-Chairmen Kevin Huvane, Bryan Lourd, and Richard Lovett in a statement.

“Stranger Things Season 4 Vol. 1”ended the 28-day window used by Netflix to measure premiere viewership for its TV series and movies on a high note. The first part of the season pulled in 930.3 million hours viewed, the most for any English-language Netflix series ever and the second-largest audience overall behind “Squid Game,” which clocked in 1.6 billion hours viewed during that period. For the week of June 20, “Stranger Things 4” drew 76.9 million additional hours viewed, falling behind the debut weel of “The Umbrella Academy’s” third season, which clocked 124.5 million hours viewed.

NATPE is bidding farewell to Miami. The organization is moving its flagship event from its long-time home to a new base in Nassau, the Bahamas, at the Baha Mar Resort and Conference Center. Next year’s event, the first not to be staged in the US, is scheduled for January 17-19.

For the second year, queer advocacy group Out in Hollywood has released a list of the best unproduced queer-focused TV pilot scripts of the past year.The 2022 Out Loud List was culled from hundreds of nominations submitted and evaluated based on the strength of the writer’s voice, viability of the project to be sold and conceptual freshness, among criteria.

2022 TOP WOMEN IN MEDIA AWARDS

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate your colleagues and peers making a difference in the industry. Registration to attend the ceremony opens July 8th.

Save the date: October 11, 2022, Tribeca 360

FIND OUT MORE

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Issa Lopez, Jodie Foster and Kali Reis will star in “True Detective: Night Country,” which got a formal series order from HBO. Lopez and Foster are also exec-producing the next installment of the “True Detective” franchise. The logline: “When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the six men that operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice.”

In a timely undertaking, Dawn Porter, director of documentaries including “The Way I See It” and “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” will explore the history of the Supreme Court. Showtime has greenlit four-part docuseries “Confirmed,” which will probe everything from the right to privacy, to access to the ballot, and all rights protected by the Constitution based on the decisions of the nine unelected SCOTUS justices. The series, produced by Porter’s Trilogy Films and Sony Pictures Television, will air in 2023.

Veteran showrunner John Wells (“ER,” “The West Wing,” “Shameless”) launched The Showrunner’s Corner, a section of the website for his John Wells Productions’ site dedicated to equipping up-and-coming writers with intel they’ll need to make the transition to showrunners. Among wisdom the former two-time WGA West president is sharing is an Adventures In Showrunning by John Wells section, which includes his first-person experience and advice on handling scheduling, deadlines, delegation and more.

Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” will make its way to Disney streaming platforms in an expanded, reimagined form as a limited series. Titled “Faraway Downs,” the six-ep series will comprise footage captured for the 2008 film, along with a serialized version of the story with a new ending. The series will debut this winter as a Hulu Original in the US, a Star Original on Disney+ and on Star+ in international markets.

A new dino docuseries is in the works at NBC. The network ordered “Surviving Earth,” from the creator of BBC natural history series “Walking with Dinosaurs.” The eight-part project, a co-production between Loud Minds, the UK production company founded by Tim Haines, and Universal Television Alternative Studio, explores the amazing creatures and landscapes of an era gone by.

The Jewish non-profit Reboot is getting into the production business. Reboot Studios will provide seed funding for and develop Jewish content across TV, film, podcasts, music, publishing and theater. Reboot’s previously has funded projects including virtual Passover production “Saturday Night Seder,” with Jason Alexander, Billy Porter, Henry Winkler, Pamela Adlon and Cynthia Erivo, which raised more than $2.9 million for the CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. Projects in the works include scripted series “Tribe and Miss Flamingo” (working title); an untitled Lacey Schwartz Delgado doc; and the podcast “The Amtlai Tapes” from “Transparent” creator Joey Soloway.

Melissa Benoist renewed her overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, which also includes her production banner Three Things Productions. With the news, the former “Supergirl” star officially joins HBO Max series “The Girls on the Bus,” starring as journalist Sadie McCarthy.

OddBot Inc., the production company behind Disney Junior’s “Muppet Babies” and Netflix’s “Action Pack,” has optioned three graphic novels it plans to develop as animated series and a special. The titles—”The Cardboard Kingdom,” “Seance Tea Party” and “The Okay Witch”— tackle real-life issues faced by kids as they come of age.

Toonz Media Group is partnering with Leadbelly Productions to co-produce an animation property titled “Creepy Candy.” Developed by Leadbelly president Alan Jude Summa, the series will target kids 4-11. Season 1 will include 26 three-minute eps and is slated to be launched in October.

Peacock is bolstering its children’s content slate. The studio is teaming with WildBrain Ltd. to produce 52 new 11-minute episodes of CGI animated series, “Caillou,” a reboot of the 1997 series. The streamer will also become the home for five previously announced 44-minute Caillou family specials, currently in production. Peacock also added “L’il Stompers” to its toy box. The show centers on a group of plush dinosaurs.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Three-part docuseries“The Great Muslin American Road Trip,” which debuts Tuesday, July 5 on PBS, follows a millennial Muslim American couple on a cross-country journey along Route 66 as they explore Islam’s deep roots in America. Making more than a dozen stops between Chicago and LA, rapper Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins meet with authors, entrepreneurs, medical students, performers and others to better understand the centuries-long Muslim experience in the United States.

Apple TV+ released the trailer for preschool series “Duck & Goose,” premiering Friday, July 8. Inspired by the Tad Hills books, the series celebrates the unique camaraderie of two best feathered friends that don’t always see beak to beak.

Peacock dropped a trailerfor “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem,” the next chapter of the iconic soap, that debuts Monday, July 11. The spinoff features some new faces, and guest appearances from classic “Days” characters. Peacock will air five, 60-minute episodes daily through July 15.

Eight-part doc series “Colosseum,” which brings to life the rise and fall of the Roman Empire through the lens of one of the most brutal arenas in the history, debuts on the History Channel Sunday, July 17 at 9p.

Mayhem and madness continue in season 3 of “Harley Quinn,” which debuts Thursday, July 28 on HBO Max.

A new set of interior and exterior renovations are in the spotlight in season 2 of “Inside Out,” debuting on HGTV on Monday, August 1 at 8p. Southern California home renovators Carmine Sabatella and Mike Pyle are back at work pitching their design plans to clients and ensuring the projects are brought to fruition.

MeTV announced a second season for “Sventoonie,” its 30-minute companion show to the network’s “Svengoolie” Saturday night horror movie franchise. The original series will continue to immediately follow “Svengoolie” at 10p with 16 new eps set to begin on Saturday, October 1.

COMING UP

Start your engines. A+E Networks will broadcast 21 hours of live television coverage from Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas Auction, June 30-July 2 across FYI and The History Channel. The broadcast of the car auction, with longtime Barrett-Jackson on-air talent Mike Joy, Rick DeBruhl and Steve Magnante, will also be accessible in countries outside the US.

NBC’s 46th annual “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” is returning this year as are its co-hosts, “Today” anchors Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer. The event will air Monday, July 4 at 8p and feature music artists 5 Seconds of Summer, Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce and Pitbull with Filmore. Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Monroe Iglehart, Kaila Mullady, Dizzy Senze and Anthony Veneziale from the cast of “Freestyle Love Supreme” will unite for a performance, as will “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” cast members.

It’s hot marathon summer at Antenna TV, which has a slate set for July and August. “The Sunday Special: I Dream of Jeannie” is set for Sunday, July 10; “Norman Lear’s 100th Birthday Party” rolls on Wednesday, July 27; “The Sunday Special: Barney Miller” debuts Sunday, August 7; and a Crossover Marathon featuring Antenna TV stars in cameo or guest star appearances is planned for late August.

The eighth annual Sports Humanitarian Awards, which celebrate the impact made by athletes, teams and sports industry professionals using sports to make a difference, will combine with the 2022 “ESPYS” presented by Capitol One for a week of inspirational programming that showcases service, character and achievement in sports. The ESPYS will air live on ABC on July 20 at 8p.

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reunite in the new trailer for Disney+ original movie “Hocus Pocus 2.” The live-action sequel to the perennial Halloween classic brings the wicked Sanderson sisters back to the screen after 29 years for more mischief on Friday, September 30.

STREAMING NEWS

Eight local NBC stations are now available as free offerings on the Roku Channel. It’s the first time local stations—from NY, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington DC, Hartford, CT and South Florida—will be on the Roku Channel, which the company says has reach to households with 80 million people.

Diverse audiences are a key driver behind the growth of OTT streaming TV and media in the US, accounting for more than 40 percent of wifi-enabled households watching OTT, according to new data from Comscore. The study, from March 2019-March 2022, examines the use and impact of diverse audiences on the OTT industry. Key findings include:
* During the time period, African American OTT users increased 35 percent, Hispanic OTT viewers increased 41 percent, Asian OTT viewers increased 69 percent, and American Indian OTT viewers increased 66 percent.
* In OTT hours watched per household, African Americans saw a 66 percent increase, and American Indians an 88 percent increase during the time period. These two audiences are watching the most hours per household out of the diverse audiences.
* African-American households are using 6.3 streaming services, more than the national average of 5.5 services.
* Hispanic households are using slightly above average at 5.6 services, and
Asian households are using less than average at 4.9 services

TECH TALK

To celebrate the newest HBO drama in the “Game of Thrones” franchise, “House of the Dragon” ahead of its August 21 premiere, HBO Max will transport Comic-Con fans to a Targaryen-ruled Westeros with the immersive experience, House of the Dragon: The Dragon’s Den. The immersive activation will be open July 21-24.

CASTING

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell will co-host CBS’ dating show “The Real Love Boat,” which premieres October 5 at 9p… Cathy Bui (“All I Ever Wanted”), Lynn Kim Do (“FBI: Most Wanted”) and Jazelle Villanueva will topline the “AZNBBGRL” pilot for Freeform and 20th Television.

Amazon added former NFL stars Aqib Talib and Andrew Whitworth to Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage. The two former Super Bowl champs are expected to be part of the studio team.

GOING GLOBAL

The BBC unveiled a slate of five documentaries at Sheffield Doc Fest, including “Family 23” (working title), which follows a family from the Midlands who found themselves in the middle of one of the biggest breakthroughs in research into Alzheimer’s Disease. “Inside AA” (working title) will mark the 75th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in the UK, exploring the origins of the well-known organization, its religious foundations and what brings so many people through its doors. Other titles include “Christine McGuinness: The Secret World of Autistic Women and Girls” (working title), “Body on the Beach” (working title) and “Paranormal.”

2022 TEMPEST ESPORTS BUSINESS AWARDS

Save up to $250!

From networks, teams, and leagues, to video game developers/producers, licensing companies, and marketing companies, there’s a category for you!

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RATINGS

“Wendy Williams” aired its final frame of original eps after a 13-year run in the week ended June 19. Although down 33 percent from the same week last year, it still managed to tie both a heavily preempted “Tamron Hall” and “Steve Wilkos” for seventh place on the talk show chart. Sherri Shepherd, who will premiere her own show in September, was the “Wendy” guest host all week.

Fox News Channel wrapped 2Q22 as cable’s most-watched network in primetime and total day viewers, according to Nielsen. FNC ranked number one in all of basic cable in total day viewers for the fifth quarter in a row, winning every weekday hour with double and triple-digit percent advantages while delivering 96 of the top 100 telecasts in cable news.

HGTV’s “No Demo Reno” delivered a strong season 2 premiere on Thursday, June 23 at 9p. The episode garnered a 0.51 Live+3 rating among A25-54 and a 0.72 Live+3 rating among W25-54. The season premiere attracted more than 3.2 million total viewers.

“Mad God,” the stop-motion project Phil Tippett spent three decades creating, debuted June 16 on Shudder and became the streamer’s most-watched movie premiere of 2022.

Last Thursday’s “Restaurant: Impossible” on Food Network ranked as the No. 1 non-news/sports in its timeslot among A18+ and W18+.

Nielsen Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of June 12 ranked in order by HH Rtg
Jeopardy (CMV) 5.0 AA
Family Feud (CMV) 4.9 AA
Judge Judy (CMV) 4.4 AA
Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 4.3 AA
Inside Edition (CMV) 2.0 AA
Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 1.9 AA
The Big Bang Theory (WB) 1.8 AA
Live With Kelly and Ryan (DAD) 1.5 AA
The Dr. Phil Show (CMV) 1.5 AA
Hot Bench (AT) 1.2 AA

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Monday, June 27
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: “Celebrity Family Feud” 3.31 (0.5), “Celebrity Family Feud” 3.34 (0.5), “Celebrity Family Feud” 2.63 (0.4)
CBS: “The Neighborhood” 3.22 (0.4), “Bob Hearts Abishola” 2.85 (0.3), “NCIS” 3.32 (0.2), “NCIS: Hawaii” 3.06 (0.3)
CW: “Roswell: New Mexico” 0.45 (0.1), “In the Dark” 0.31 (0.0)
FOX: “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” 1.82 (0.3), “Beat Shazam” 1.81 (0.3)
NBC: “American Ninja Warrior” 2.77 (0.4), “Weakest Link” 2.40 (0.3)
Telemundo: “Casa de Famosos” 1.44 (0.4), “Amor Valiente” 0.90 (0.2), “Infiel” 1.01 (0.3)
Univision: “Mexicana Y El Guero” 1.17 (0.3), “Mi Fortuna es Amarte” 1.78 (0.5), “Ultimo Rey” 1.27 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Ukonwa Ojo is exiting her post as CMO at Amazon Studios and Prime Video after almost two years. In a memo to staff, Mike Hopkins, SVP Prime Video & Amazon Studios, said he will be “reaching out to senior marketing team members in the coming days on how we best move forward.”

Allen Media Group hired Mike Nemetz as director of content distribution and partnerships. Nemetz has held positions with media companies including Fox Cable Networks, Turner Broadcasting and Cox Media Group.

Lionsgate onboarded PR executive Laurel Pecchia as VP, corporate communications. She previously handled corporate and client media relations at WME.

After a 10-year stint building animation studio Cosmos-Maya in India, Anish Mehta is stepping down from his role as CEO.

This Day in History
2007 – The first generation Apple iPhone went on sale.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which series focused on a high school student who was 46? “Strangers With Candy” (1999-2000). Kudos to: Heather Allen-WWE Corporation/Stamford, CT; Kathryn Moore-ViacomCBS/Jersey City, NJ; Ed Goode-Connelly Partners/Boston; Craig Killan-PwC/Orlando; John Kukla-KDFW/Dallas; Jean Nadeau-American Spirit Media/Wilmington, NC; Erin Beggan-Warner Bros. Discovery/NYC; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Karen Yaldoo-Effectv/Southfield, MI; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom’s main character was born in 64 BC? (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.)

Cynopsis Team