Thursday July 29, 2021

Today’s Finale
Paramount+: Why Women Kill

IN THE NEWS

Crown Media Family Networks is expanding the Hallmark “Mahogany” card brand, starting with a quarterly slate of original movies on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. “This launch marks a pivotal moment in our evolution as we continue to bring the Hallmark brand to life in new ways,” said Crown Media President & CEO, Wonya Lucas. “In addition, it’s a huge step forward in our mission to deliver more diverse, inclusive content representing various cultures and perspectives that resonates with our current audience and attracts new viewers.” Plans call for eventual extensions into podcasts, scripted series and more.

Talks about a possible business partnership between ViacomCBS and Comcast have slowed down, according to Forbes. The companies are waiting to see how the Biden administration’s regulators react to the proposed Discovery/WarnerMedia merger, a source told the publication.

“Arthur,” the longest-running animated children’s series ever, will wrap with its upcoming season 25 on PBS Kids. But it’s not the end of the bespectabled aardvark. In addition to the show continuing to air PBS Kids “for years to come,” said the show’s EP, Carol Greenwald, producer GBH and PBS Kids are “continuing to work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways.”

NBC will air the “People’s Choice Awards” for the first time, along with corporate sib E!, which first ran the show in 2018. CBS was home to the event from1975, when it was created, until 2017. The 2021 ceremony airs Tuesday, December 7 at 9p.

Univision has acquired a “significant equity stake” in Hispanic mixed martial arts franchise Combate Global. The companies recently signed a five-year media rights deal that features 30 live television events airing annually. “Since teaming up in 2018 Univision and Combate Global have created an entirely new audience for MMA,” said Combate Global CEO Campbell McLaren. “Today, those content hungry fans, combined with our dynamic athletes, represent the future of the sport.”

Google reported record sales of $61.9 billion in 2Q21, up 62% from last year, besting analysts’ estimates of $56 billion. “In Q2, there was a rising tide of online activity in many parts of the world, and we’re proud that our services helped so many consumers and businesses,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a letter to shareholders. “Our long-term investments in AI and Google Cloud are helping us drive significant improvements in everyone’s digital experience.”

Entertainment is the #1 way people want to spend their post-pandemic free time, with 58% of survey respondents saying they are planning to spend more time with their favorite content, according to a new WarnerMedia report, “Welcome the the Age of Intentionalism.” Fifty-five percent of the consumers surveyed said they are more thoughtful about the entertainment they watch and 21% said they are reevaluating the type of entertainment they are watching. When it comes to ads, 65% of consumers reported thinking more favorably of a brand when they provide fewer commercial interruptions during content.

The African American Film Association named OWN’s “Queen Sugar” as Best Drama, and HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” as Best Comedy. HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” scored both Best Actress (Jurnee Smollett) and Best Actor (Jonathan Majors), and Amazon’s “The Underground” was name Best Limited Series. An in-person celebration takes place August 21.

The newest matching donation grant for the ARF Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence comes from ARF President and CEO, Scott McDonald, PhD. McDonald will match dollar-for-dollar all donations raised up to $125,000 through September 6.

Do you tend to procrastinate? According to a 2020 study, more than 84% of the population has experience putting off must-do tasks. But don’t worry, there’s still time to submit your nominations for the Cynopsis’ 9th Annual Model D + It List awards. Submissions are due August 3 (this Tuesday!) to save $150. Start your entry now>>

This year’s “Stand Up to Cancer” fundraising special will air Saturday, August 21 at 8p on over 60 media platforms. Anthony Anderson, Sofia Vergara, Ken Jeong and Tran Ho are set to host.

News and gossip site Gawker was relaunched on Wednesday by Bustle Digital Group. BDG founder Bryan Goldberg bought the assets of Gawker in 2018 after a lawsuit by former wrester Hulk Hogan forced it out of business.

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HGTV issued a 13-episode order for season seven of home renovation series “Good Bones.” Season six has delivered 12 million viewers since its June 29 launch. “The great thing about signing off on a mid-season pick up is that we know we’ve got a good thing, a proven performer,” said Jane Latman, President, HGTV. Companion series “Good Bones: Risky Business” is slated to premiere in summer 2022 on discovery+.

Also coming up on HGTV: “Ugliest House in America.” Hosted by Retta (“Good Girls”), the show tours unsightly properties nominated by homeowners; the worst of the worst will get a $150,000 renovation. The series is expected to debut in early 2022.

“Stupid Pet Tricks” is back. The popular segment on David Letterman’s various talk shows is being reborn as a comedy variety series on TBS, hosted by Sarah Silverman. Executive producers include Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh of The Jay & Tony Show with Worldwide Pants (“The Late Show with David Letterman”) for TBS. David Letterman, Sarah Silverman and Amy Zvi are executive producers. Merrill Markoe serves as a consulting producer.

Rapper Big Boi is partnering with Trailblazer Studios to develop a music mentorship and DIY makeover series inspired by the recent purchase and remodeling of a recording studio. Big Boi Little Boi Productions and Trailblazer Studios will produce in association with DirectFire Media. Executive producers include Big Boi, Adam Harrison as well as Trailblazer’s Senior Vice President of Development Ashleigh DiTonto and President and COO Jeff Lanter.

Jennifer Garner (“Alias”) inked a multi-picture deal with Netflix that includes a sequel to “Yes Day.” “She approaches every aspect of her work with such detail and preparation, which makes her an extremely valuable partner and producer,” said Scott Stuber, Head of Global Film at the streamer.

HBO ordered a pilot script for a project based on the Octavia Butler novel Fledgling. Sonya Winton-Odamtten and Jonathan Kidd (“Lovecraft Country”) will write and exec produce; studio is Warner Bros. Television.

Redbox Entertainment is partnering with Command Films on a multi-picture slate of programming. Redbox will distribute six films over the next three years that support Command’s mandate to create content amplifying Black voices and experiences within commercial genres.

Casting notes: Amazon’s “Anansi Boys,” adapted from the fantasy novel series by Neil Gaiman, will star Delroy Lindo (“The Good Fight”) …Joe Manganiello (“Justice League”) landed a lead role in AMC suspense thriller “Moonhaven. The series is slated to debut next year…DeWanda Wise (“She’s Gotta Have It”) will star in Showtime’s “Three Women,” with Shailene Woodley (“Big Little Lies”)…Isaac Powell (“Modern Love”) has been added to the cast of HBO’s “And Just Like That…” as a student at FIT.

Whether you’re an esports titan or a start-up setting out to reinvent the industry—The Tempest Awards has a category for you. The deadline clock strikes at midnight, don’t miss out on making a name for yourself in esports! READY.SET. ENTER.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“The Drew Barrymore Show” is planning to start production on season two with a full capacity, fully-vaccinated audience on August 26. The daytime talker launched last year with a virtual audience.

“Escape With Nate” premieres Saturday, July 31 at 5p on The Africa Channel. The reality show kicks off with entrepreneur and travel expert Rond Holder sharing how results from a DNA test led him on a journey to connect with his African ancestry.

“La Casa de los Famosos,” Telemundo’s new reality competition, makes its debut Tuesday, August 24 at 7p. The show features a house full of popular Hispanic figures living together in isolation – no cell phones, social media or TV allowed.

Ten former inmates have their relationships tested in “Life After Lockup,” returning for season three on WE tv Friday, August 27 at 9p.

TECH TALK

Facebook announced changes aimed at making young people safer on Instagram, including defaulting those under 16 into private accounts; making it harder for potentially suspicious accounts to find young people; and limiting the options advertisers have to reach young people with ads. “We want young people to enjoy using Instagram while making sure we never compromise on their privacy and safety,” said Facebook in a blog post. “We’ll continue listening to young people, parents, lawmakers and other experts to build an Instagram that works for young people and is trusted by parents.”

STREAMING

Fox Nation struck a licensing deal with Warner Bros. for six classic Clint Eastwood films. The movies, including 1971’s “Dirty Harry,” will air during the month of August, along with two original documentary specials. In January 2022 the platform will also feature five Warner Bros. films in a “Who Can Forget The ‘80s” package.

CJC and TheGrid Networks) will be available on ad supported multimedia platform Local Now, owned by Byron Allen. CJC and TheGrid networks are owned and curated by Carl Jackson Media Broadcasting.

Law&Crime Network is launching on Samsung TV Plus in Canada. The announcement comes on the heels of the network’s launch on The Roku Channel and River TV.

To stay competitive, streaming services need to think more long-term, rather than rely on short-term boosts around content, says Kris Tait, Managing Director of Croud. Tait outlines the steps needed to create a lifetime value strategy, in Cynsiders.

GOING GLOBAL

Banijay France announced the addition of DMLS TV to its footprint, taking the group’s offering in the region up to 11 labels.

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EXECUTIVE MOVES

Al Ortiz will serve as interim executive producer of “CBS Evening News,” replacing Jay Shaylor, who stepped down in mid-July. Ortiz was executive producer of the network’s news show from 1998-2001, and has been serving as VP of standards and practices.

EDO has appointed Charlie Weiss as Head of Strategy and Business Development, and Mark Berner as VP, Engineering. Weiss joins EDO from Xandr, where he served as the Group VP, Business Development; Berner was most recently VP, Engineering at MobiTV.

Weigel Broadcasting Co. has hired Donna D’Alessandro as EVP, Head of Content. D’Alessandro was most recently SVP of Factual Programming for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel.

IN MEMORIAM

Director David Von Ancken died July 26 after battling stomach cancer. He was 56. Among his dozens of credits were “Oz,” “Gossip Girl,” “House of Lies,” and “Code Black.” Tributes for “DVA” poured in. “Boundless energy, can-do attitude, always finding the joy in the work! I like the world a little less without him in it,” said Jeremy Gold, President of Production at Blumhouse.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
At what school was Ken Reeves the head basketball coach on “The White Shadow” (1978-1981)? Carver High School. Kudos to: Eric Dunefsky-Crossmedia/NYC; Marc Mondry-MSG Networks/NYC; Ric Ramage-UTA/NYC; Steven Piluso-OMD/NYC; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Les Stipp/Chicago; Ken DuBow-Access Entertainment/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA

Today’s Trivia Question
An episode of which talk show featured both Phyllis Diller and the Japanese navy officer who led the attack on Pearl Harbor? (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.)