IN THE NEWS

NBC Sports alum Bob Costas is joining CNN as a contributor, covering sports-related topics. “Bob Costas is a legendary, respected voice across the spectrum of sports and beyond,” said CNN President Jeff Zucker. “As the world continues to change amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are confident that Bob’s insightful analysis will help our viewers better understand what the future holds as the sports and teams we love evolve to meet this moment.” Costas was an NBC Sports commentator from 1980-2019.

Fox News, network hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Howard Kurtz, and former FNC host Ed Henry are named as defendants in a lawsuit from Jennifer Eckhart, a former associate producer on Fox Business Network, and Cathy Areu, a guest on the network, filed in New York federal court on Monday. “Fox News continues to protect and reward perpetrators of sexual harassment and refuses to take accountability for putting such persons in positions of power,” alleges the lawsuit. Henry – fired July 1 for sexual harassment – is accused of raping Eckhart; Carlson, Hannity and Kurtz are accused of sexual misconduct.

Fox News responded to the lawsuit with this statement: “Based on the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, including interviews with numerous eyewitnesses, we have determined that all of Cathy Areu’s claims against Fox News, including its management as well as its hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity & Howard Kurtz and its contributor Gianno Caldwell, are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit. We take all claims of harassment, misconduct and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed – in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations. Ms. Areu and Jennifer Eckhart can pursue their claims against Ed Henry directly with him, as Fox News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckhart’s claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network.” Henry’s lawyer maintains her client’s relationship with Eckhart was consensual.

President Trump told reporters he will resume regular White House briefings on the coronavirus, probably at 5p today. “In the history of cable television there’s never been anything like it,” said Trump, who stopped daily briefings in May. “We had a good slot. A lot of people were watching.”

ABC News promoted Rachel Scott to White House correspondent and D.C correspondent. “She is an exceptional reporter with an unwavering dedication to great journalism, keen ability to handle fast-breaking news and considerable skills for juggling multiple assignments,” said ABC News President James Goldston in a note to staff.

Montel Williams will join long-running syndicated morning show The Balancing Act, produced by BrandStar, this fall. The job expands Williams’ relationship with BrandStar, which began with Military Makeover.

Amazon Prime’s The Bay The Series took home three Daytime Emmys in Digital Drama categories, including for Lead Actor and Actress and Directing Team. The soap had already collected the Best Digital Drama Series during a June telecast. General Hospital alum Tristan Rogers won his first Emmy, for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Studio City. “It took me 50 years to get this,” Rogers quipped.

“Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, we felt it was necessary to create a new vehicle that would provide additional information and insights beyond our daily newsletters and events,” says Cynopsis Publisher Robbie Caploe. “Our membership program is designed to put proprietary, actionable intel at the fingertips of our community, to help them think and plan clearly in what is an unprecedented time in the media space, and all over the globe.” Learn more here

Food Network cooked up a new deal with chef Robert Irvine. The two-year agreement includes new episodes of Restaurant: Impossible, as well as additional content developed by Irvine across the Discovery portfolio, with mid and short-form projects for both linear and digital platforms, including the Food Network Kitchen app.

Epix greenlit docu-series By Whatever Means Necessary: TheTimes of Godfather of Harlem, inspired by the Godfather of Harlem series starring Forest Whitaker. Whitaker and Significant Productions will executive produce with Kasseem “Swizz Beat” Dean and Keith McQuirter for Decoder Media.

New York City issued updated regulations for film crews, upping the number of cast and crew permitted for shoots on public property from 25 to 50. A maximum of two cameras, three lighting stands and five vehicles may be used. Permits are being accepted for on-location shooting from July 27-October 31.

Weta Digital has partnered with Avalon Studios and Streamliner to combine Weta’s VFX expertise with live stage experience from Streamliner and production facilities from Avalon, forming a new LED-stage virtual production service in New Zealand. “LED stages are the latest technique to take advantage of game engine technology to provide virtual production workflows that can greatly expand what is possible on set,” said Weta Digital executive producer David Conley. The workflow features LED panels that can display imagery to augment practical sets, and replace green screen shots for backgrounds and exteriors.

Limited series 81 Words, based on Alix Spiegel’s radio episode of American Life, is in development for FX. The 20th Century Fox project from Steven Canals (Pose) tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who challenged the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.

UK woodworkers will try to make the cut in Channel 4’s six-part factual entertainment series Good With Wood, from Plimsoll Productions. Each episode centers around a “Big Build,” in which contestants will be judged on large and imaginative wooden structures they create.

Yara Shahidi (Grown-ish) and her business partner/mother Keri Shahidi inked an exclusive overall deal with ABC Studios, to develop and produce scripted and alternative TV projects via their production company, 7th Sun. The goal of 7th Sun is “to pursue projects that touch upon themes of history, heritage, culture, and joy.”

NEW AND RETURNING SERIES

Top Gear returns to BBC America with a special Nepal episode on Sunday, August 30 at 8p. The special sees the team embark on a high-altitude voyage from Kathmandu to the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang.

UK docu-series Being Reuben premieres on The CW on Friday, August 7 at 9p. The show focuses on a Welsh teenager juggling social media stardom with family life.

CASTING

Rob Riggle, Natasha Leggerto, Ron Funches, Cleo King and A.D. Miles have joined the voice cast of Netflix’s Hoops. The adult animated series, focused on a foul-mouthed high school basketball coach, debuts Friday, August 21….Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake) landed a lead opposite Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy in Hulu limited series Nine Perfect Strangers.

ADVERTISING

Disney has significantly cut ad spend on Facebook, reports the Wall Street Journal, during an advertiser boycott of the social media giant over its handling of hate speech and misinformation. In the first half of 2020, Disney was Facebook’s top US advertiser, according to Pathmetics Inc., spending about $210 million for ads for Disney+. Now Disney has paused spending for its streaming service and Hulu not just on Facebook, but on Facebook-owned Instagram, a source told the WSJ. Said a Facebook spokerperson, “We invest billions of dollars each year to keep our community safe…We know we have more work to do, and we’ll continue to work with civil rights groups…and other experts to develop even more tools, technology and policies to continue this fight.”

As advertisers criticize Facebook over not being tough enough on hate speech, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Axios he has “no deal of any kind” with President Trump that is causing him to take it easy on the administration. “I do speak with the president from time to time, just like I spoke with our last president and political leaders around the world,” Zuckerberg acknowledged, but pointed out that under Trump’s watch, Facebook has faced record fines and investigation by multiple agencies.

TV data company Alphonso announced that CBS Television Stations has selected Alphonso Local to provide TV attribution for local advertisers in its owned stations, in markets including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, LA, New York, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa. “Over the past three years we worked closely with all of the major station groups and O&Os to understand the challenges they have in demonstrating TV ad efficacy to local clients,” said Ashish Cordia, CEO of Alphonso. “Alphonso Local is built on their input.”

Ad spending across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand sank 28% year-over-year from March-May 2020, according to Standard Media Index. Canada took the biggest hit in Anglo media markets, down 36.2%, while the UK suffered the least damage, with a 21.9% drop.

Ad revenue for national cable networks will drop 17%, to $24 billion this year, estimates MoffettNathanson Research. National broadcast dollars are projected to fall 14%, to $12 billion; syndication will decrease by 33%, to $2 billion; and local TV stations will dip 5%, to $19 billion. Flash forward to 2024, and the research company predicts cable TV nets will decline to $21 billion, while national broadcast holds steady. AVOD is expected to surge $14 billion in 2024, from $3 billion in 2019.

Shanghai-based Eastidea has joined DOOH trade association DPAA. Eastidea facilitates in-elevator advertising with a projection system and a cloud-based platform, Addreality, that encompasses campaign management, creative design and playback opportunities on other media.

New categories… more ways to win. Media leaders and innovators rely on Cynopsis for the news they need to start their day, and digital has become central to that ecosystem. As an advocate for digital communications, we’re delighted to recognize and celebrate these trailblazers for the eighth year running with the Cynopsis Model D Awards. View all categories here and be sure to enter before August 11th.

Video advertising platform SpotX announced a strategic investment in SpringServe, the ad serving platform for OTT and CTV. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will work together to provide joint customers with advanced video advertising capabilities, while connecting platform customers to the advertiser ecosystem. “SpringServe’s steadfast approach to enabling seamless, effective ad serving for OTT publishers is something we have followed closely, and our investment in their company is a logical next step to build on our existing partnership while also enhancing our capabilities for partners,” said Sean Buckley, COO at SpotX.

TECH TALK

Companies who adopt data-driven scenario planning drive growth at least 5x greater than companies who do not, according to the latest ROI Genome report from Analytic Partners, Insights to Accelerate Growth: Scenario Plan for Future Success. “Scenario planning is a powerful tool. By demonstrating quantifiable success and showcasing what is achievable – and why – brands can confidently anticipate the future and take actions that will deliver the highest likelihood of success,” said Mike Menkes, SVP, Analytic Partners. “In today’s uncertain environment, accessing those kinds of insights is critical.” The key to scenario planning is to accurately identify relationships between performance and business drivers (including marketing and non-marketing, internal and external) and leverage that knowledge to map out not a single forecast, but a range of possible futures, concludes the report, which says successful scenario planning also requires a data-driven measurement framework, cross-functional alignment as well as integration into overall business planning.

COMING UP

Two-hour documentary Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 75 Years Later, co-produced by A+E Networks International, History U.S. and Hulu Japan, will premiere on Hulu Japan and on History in the United States on Sunday, August 2; and on History Japan on August 30. The documentary will utilize archival footage, color film from the immediate aftermath of the bomb and audio testimony from victims to provide a personal understanding of the devastating event.

CNN Films’ On the Trail: Inside the 2020 Primaries will premiere on corporate sib HBO Max on Thursday, August 6. The feature follows a team of female journalists as they report on the 2020 race. “This is our first CNN Films documentary on the platform and a powerful representation of our commitment to create thought-provoking and deeply meaningful content together,” said Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content for HBO Max.

The first two modules of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications Executive Leadership Development Program are going virtual. The year-round program, presented in partnership with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, prepares middle and upper-middle level executives of color for career advancement into senior ranks of the cable and communications industry. “As we all collectively grapple with the fallout from the pandemic and systemic racism, high quality, proven programs like ELDP are needed more than ever to increase the representation of people of color in the corridors of influence which, ultimately, benefits everyone,” said NAMIC President and CEO A. Shuanise Washington.

Nuno Bettencourt leads an ensemble of music icons and influencers in At Home And Social With Nuno Bettencourt & Friends, airing Monday, August 3 at 8p on AXS TV. The set will benefit the Music Forward Foundation’s Crew Nation initiative

Ride TV’s “Fort Worth Week” kicks off Saturday, July 25, the National Day of the American Cowboy. Sponsored by Dish, the seven-night marathon will include a new documentary on the Fort Worth Stockyards, and programming on past Stockyards rodeos, bullriding and mustang makeovers as well as volunteer effort “Feed the Fort,” which is feeding thousands of area families during the COVID-19 crisis.

Syfy kicks off its week-long, on-air Fan Fest with Syfy Wire original doc Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t on Saturday, July 25 at 11p. The film focuses on the life and career of the comic book creator (Spawn) and entrepreneur. Syfy is also offering “One Last Bite of Summer” – a week of shark-themed programming starts Saturday, August 22 at 8:30a with Last Sharknado: It’s About Time.

STREAMING SCOOP

Recommendation app Likewise TV has been added to the Amazon Fire, Android TV and Apple TV platforms. The number of registered users of the service, which helps viewers discover content across streaming platforms and develop their own personal TV guide, has doubled to over one million over the last three months.

As cord-cutting accelerates, “advertising dollars will flow to AVOD services as linear TV ad buyers look to extend TV’s reach, leverage data targeting capabilities and control CPM inflation in a brand safe, big-screen, ‘TV-like’ way,” wrote MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson in a report to investors focused on Roku. By 2024, forecast Nathason, the total ad market in streaming will more than quadruple, hitting about $14 billion. As for Roku, while it has “built a strong gatekeeper position among streaming media devices,” the marketplace is “incredibly fluid as Alphabet appears interested in re-positioning their floundering efforts.”

GOING GLOBAL

Entertainment Studios announced that seven of its networks – Cars.TV, Comedy.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, Pets.TV, Recipe.TV and Justice Central.TV – now receive distribution in the United Arab Emirates on the du telecom platform, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company. This first deal between Entertainment Studios Networks and SAWA Rights Management is part of an overall arrangement that will soon extend to other Middle East nations.

Fugitive, the content development, financing and executive producing company, has formed a new partnership with Helena Spring, producer of many South African films, to develop its islate of scripted titles for TV, as well as represent them in the international market.

Sinking Ship Entertainment inked a deal with MultiChoice Group SVOD Showmax to bring some of the Canadian company’s series to viewers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Showmax has acquired the new sci-fi conservation series Endlings; Odd Squad; STEM-themed series Annedroids, and the pre-K series Chirp.

Among the June ratings highlights for Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel: Both ranked among the Top 20 basic cable networks in year-over-year growth with M25-54. Sportsman Channel delivered its highest impressions for the month of June during total day since June 2016 with M18-49 and M25-54

Shareablee Top 10 TV Shows for the week of July 13
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
E! News (E!) 16.6M, 624, 26,675, 37.6M
Ellen DeGeneres (Warner Bros. – Syndicated) 4.4M, 32, 138,953, 204.5M
The Daily Show (Comedy Central) 3.9M, 153, 25,723, 25.1M
Hannity (Fox News) 3M, 249, 12,038, 9.3M
Entertainment Tonight (CBSTD/syndicated) 2.8M, 566, 4,911, 9M
Today Show (NBC) 2.4M, 922, 2,552, 13.7M
FRIENDS (Warner Bros. Television Group) 2.3M, 55, 41,966, 30.5M
The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) 1.6M, 55, 29,232, 12.8M
Fox & Friends (Fox News) 1.5M, 167, 8,894, 4.8M
Good Morning America (ABC) 1.4M, 908, 1,560, 13.9M

Shareablee Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of July 13
Program, Platform, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
Umbrella Academy (Netflix) 1.7M, 30, 55,594, 2.2M
Queer Eye (Netflix) 786.6K, 11, 71,509, 2.9M
Lucifer (Netflix) 554K, 21, 26,380, 5.6M
Netflix Is A Joke (Youtube) 445.3K, 52, 8,565, 2M
13 Reasons Why (Netflix) 317.7K, 1, 317,661, 9.9M
Black Clover (Funimation) 284.5K, 18, 15,805, 598.6K
Cursed (Netflix) 246.2K, 48, 5,128, 97.2K
The Boys (Netflix) 228.1K, 19, 12,008, 536.7K
the Politician (Netflix) 185.1K, 13, 14,238, 231.9K
One Piece (Netflix) 156.9K, 7, 22,411, 2.9M

TV Time’s Shows on the Rise for the Week of July 13
Cursed (Netflix) – 99.9%
Brave New World (Peacock) – 99.8%
Gibiate (AT-X) – 98.8%
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) – 88.2%
The Collapse (Canal+) – 85%
The Daily Show (Comedy Central) – 83.3%
Masterchef Brasil (Rede Bandeirantes) – 75.5%
Absentia (AXN) – 72.3%
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) – 66.2%
Nazaré (SIC) – 56.8%
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.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, July 17
Show, P2+ 0000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 2.89 (0.4), 20/20 2.42 (0.4)
CBS: MacGyver 3.44 (0.3), Magnum P.I. 3.74 (0.3), Blue Bloods 3.75 (0.3)
CW: Masters of Illusion 0.72 (0.1), Masters of Illusion 0.66 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.65 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.74 (0.2)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 1.91 (0.5)
NBC: The Wall 2.29 (0.3), Dateline Classic 3.22 (0.4)
Telemundo: Cennet 1.06 (0.3), Cine Telemundo 0.80 (0.2)
Univision: Te Doy la Vida 1.73 (0.5), Medicos Linea di Vida 1.36 (0.4), Como Tu No Hay 1.47 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Beau Ferrari has been promoted from EVP to Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. He replaces Cesar Conde, now Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
How did Desperate Housewives’ (2004-2012) Gabrielle meet her second husband? Victor ordered his chauffer to rear-end Gabby’s car so he could meet her. Kudos to: Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
Who replaced Lynn Redgrave when she was let go from House Calls (1979-1982)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)