Friday July 30, 2021

Today’s Premieres

Amazon: The Pursuit of Love
Apple TV+: Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson
The CW: Burden of Proof at 8p
Discovery: Dino Hunters at 9p
discovery+: Zoe Bakes
HBO: Back on the Record with Bob Costas at 11p
HGTV: One Week to Sell at 9p
Nat Geo, Nat Geo WILD: Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog at 9p
Netflix: Centaurworld, Glow Up, Myth & Mogul, Outer Banks
Roku: The Demi Lovato Show

Saturday’s Premiere

The Africa Channel: Escape With Nate at 5p

IN THE NEWS

Disney’s decision to release “Black Widow” in theaters and on Disney+ simultaneously has resulted in a lawsuit from Scarlett Johansson, who claims Walt Disney Co. breached her contract and deprived her of potential earnings. In paperwork filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, attorneys for Johansson allege that Disney’s move depressed ticket sales for the Avenger spinoff, affecting their client’s earnings, since much of Johansson’s compensation was tied to box officer performance of Black Widow.

True crime king Henry Schleiff is stepping down from his role at Discovery. Schleiff joined the company in 2009 to run Investigation Discovery, supercharging it into a top 10 cable network. In 2015, Schleiff also took over Travel Channel, Destination America and American Heroes Channel. “It’s been an honor – and, frankly, a lot of fun – to lead my group of networks here at Discovery over the last several years – and, especially, to see the success and unprecedented growth of ID with its informative, entertaining – on occasion, perhaps, inspiring programming. And, of course, those stunts and titles: anything better than “Wives With Knives”?,” he wrote in a note to staff.

Not that Schleiff will be taking it easy. “With my networks now positioned for the next act in their contributions to what will be an even larger and more successful company, I thought year end would be the perfect time to step back from my corporate responsibilities and enjoy the opportunity I will then have to produce for a marketplace that is so clearly growing in demand for new content, in all formats,” he continued. Jason Sarlanis, SVP of Development at TLC, will take over as President, Crime & Investigation Content, Linear and Streaming. Kevin Bennett, GM of ID, is leaving Discovery.

“Schitt’s Creek” 2.0? Lionsgate has partnered with Canadian broadcaster CBC to bring “Son of a Critch” to the U.S. and the world, reports Deadline. The half-hour series hails from “Schitt’s Creek” producer Andrew Barnsley and comedian Mark Critch, and is based on Critch’s book Son of a Critch: A Childish Newfoundland Memoir.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall and the Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker have confirmed they’ll be moving on from “Doctor Who” in a trio of specials. With a six-part season announced for the fall, two specials are already set for 2022. BBC has also asked for an additional final feature-length adventure for the Thirteenth Doctor.

Peacock has reached 54 million signups and 20 million monthly active accounts as of this week, according to an update from Comcast. Speaking to investors during Comcast’s second-quarter conference call with investors, CEO Brian Roberts said NBCU’s year-old streaming service’s results were 50% higher than the company’s last report in the spring. The streaming numbers came as Comcast reported strong financial results that beat Wall Street expectations.

TNT wrapped up Season 3 of drama “Snowpiercer” with the announcement of a fourth season pickup. The show premiered as the #1 new scripted drama on all ad-supported cable in 2020, while reaching 21 million viewers across linear and digital Live+7 viewing in its second season.

Rosie O’Donnell is returning to “A League of Their Own” – the series, that is. The actress, who appeared in the 1992 film as Doris Murphy, has agreed to a guest appearance in Amazon’s upcoming series adaptation of the movie.

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Sweet news for “Sweet Tooth.” Netflix has renewed the fantasy drama series for a second season. The show garnered 60 million viewers in the four weeks following its June 4 launch.

BET+ is moving forward with a six-episode limited series revival of “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” which originally aired on BET. The reality TV parody show, which hails from Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions and Jesse Collins Entertainment, is currently in production in LA.

HGTV has greenlit 11 new series and put three more pilots in production. Among the list of new programming is “First Home Fix” (wt), spotlighting design duo and real-life couple Austin Coleman and Raisa Kuddus as they help creative custom renovations for young newlywed and millennial clients. “Moving for Love” will follow long-distance relationships as couples go through the test of finding their first home together, and “Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?” (wt) follows designer and renovator Kim Wolfe coming to the rescue of homeowners with major buyer’s remorse.

Paper Entertainment is developing “Your Eyes” from “Killing Eve” writer Isis Davis.
The series about family, race and identity is told from the viewpoint of a diverse modern family.

Chris Goldberg and his Winterlight Pictures have struck a first-look agreement with Sister, the independent studio founded by Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone, to develop and produce television and feature content. Under the deal, Goldberg will be based out of Sister Los Angeles.

Mo’Nique has inked a deal with Endemol Shine North America to develop unscripted projects. The “Precious” and “Bessie” star will produce shows through Hicks Media, the production company she created with her husband and manager.

HBO has picked up “If You Lived With Me You’d Be Home By Now.” The half-hour series was inspired by Annabelle Gurwitch’s book, You’re Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility, and explores the life of a recently divorced woman.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Ultimate Rides” debuts a new season on FYI’s DRIVE Block on Thursday, August 12 at 10p. Danny Koker returns to host the magazine-style series featuring outrageous vehicles and the people who create, customize and care for them.

“The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies” premieres on MTV on Wednesday, August 11 at 8p. This season, the series is going global, premiering in over 190 countries with more international players.

Showtime released the trailer for the upcoming fifth season of “Billions.” The series will return on Sunday, September 5 at 9p with five new episodes.

Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld’s Marvel series “Hawkeye” has a debut date. It will bow on Disney+ on Wednesday, November 24.

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COMING UP

“CMA Summer Jam” airs Thursday, September 2 on ABC. The three-hour special puts the spotlight on individual performances and collaborations from stars in country music. Artists featured in the musical extravaganza include Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and more, all of whom will be performing from Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.

STREAMING

AccuWeather will launch a video streaming product AccuWeather NOW, later this summer. It will feature 24 hours of continuous daily programming, including coverage of extreme and natural events, global forecasts, and climate and weather-related long and short-form documentaries across the US and around the world.

Tubi has struck an exclusive content deal with STXfilms, adding an exclusive free streaming window to “I Feel Pretty,” “The Edge of Seventeen,” “Ugly Dolls,” “Peppermint” and “Den of Thieves,” among other new titles. In addition, beginning August 1, Tubi will become the exclusive AVOD home to adventure documentary “Into the Lost Desert.”

Cinedigm has partnered with Real Madrid to launch a sports streaming channel that will make the global franchise more accessible to fans. Real Madrid TV will feature thousands of hours of fan-centric football content leading up to the 2021-2022 season and two the three matches a week once the season kicks off.

TECH TALK

After kicking HBO off its TV lineups nearly three years ago, Dish Network has finally made a deal with WarnerMedia and is offering HBO Max, HBO and Cinemax to its satellite video subscribers. The agreement doesn’t include HBO Max/HBO distribution to Sling TV, Dish’s OTT pay TV service.

No vaccination, no entry into Google and Facebook offices. The two companies have mandated that staffers receive COVID vaccines before they can return to work. “Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to keep ourselves and our communities healthy in the months ahead,” Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in an email sent out Wednesday.

GOING GLOBAL

After 17 years, Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor” has been cancelled by UK broadcaster ITV. The reality singing competition began airing in 2004. The two parties have switched their attention to a new project, Cowell’s musical quiz show “Walk The Live” for ITV and VOD platform ITV Hub.

Following an option deal with ITV Studios, ProSieben commissioned a local series of MTV reality format “True Love or True Lies?”. Shot on the Spanish island of Mallorca and titled “How Fake Is Your Love?”, it will premiere on Tuesday, September 7.

Drama fans in eight territories across Asia will soon be able to catch Singapore stories on HBO GO. The streamer has acquired Mediacorp titles “The Little Nyonya,” “Last Madame” and “Titoudao.”

Night Train Media secured a major stake in London-based, non-scripted distribution company BossaNova. Under the terms of the deal, BossaNova will have access to an acquisition fund to fulfill its mission to co-create and co-fund projects by matching the right producer with the most relevant platform and broadcaster.

Britain’s Channel 5 enlisted Avalon to produce a fourth season of “Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.” It will include 14 new episodes and a celebrity special.

A second season of Rosie Jones-fronted format “Mission: Accessible” has been commissioned by Channel 4’s digital team in partnership with Visit Britain.

CuriosityStream expanded its European footprint via a partnership with SPIEGEL TV. The deal bolsters the company’s reach and accelerates its growth via the addition of German-dubbed programming to CuriosityStream’s SVOD service as a rebranded linear channel in German-speaking Europe.

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EXECUTIVE MOVES

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s media company, Higher Ground, has added to its executive team. Joe Paulsen was named Head of Business Strategy. Dan Fierman was appointed Head of Audio to lead the company’s podcast projects, with Anne Holmes joining as Creative Director. In addition, Mark R. Wright was appointed Vice President of Film and Television.

Verizon expanded its marketing team, naming Tony Wells as Senior Vice President, Chief Media Officer and Jennifer Gardner as Vice President, Media Platforms. Wells joins from USAA, where he served as Chief Brand Officer. Gardner previously managed customer centric media plans at Unilever.

Laura Ferris Anderson was named Advisory Board Chairman at Revieve. She joins from J.P. Morgan, where she was Managing Director and Head of Multinational Sales, Merchant Services.

Lux Vide appointed Barbara Pavone as Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. She previously served as Senior Vice President Group Marketing at Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia.

IN MEMORIAM

Pianist, composer, arranger and music producer Clarence “Mac” McDonald
died July 21 at the age of 76. The Grammy winner played keyboards on Movin’ on Up, the theme song from “The Jeffersons.”

Friday Fun Fact
The Netherlands is so safe, it imports criminals to fill jails.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
An episode of what talk show featured both Phyllis Diller and the Japanese navy officer who led the attack on Pearl Harbor? “The Merv Griffin Show” (1962-1986) Jeannette Sarpola-CBS/NYC; David Rubinsohn-American Public Television/Boston, MA; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing, Inc./NYC; Douglas Hochstadt-Disney/NYC; Susan Nessanbaum Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/Los Angeles, CA; CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/Los Angeles, CA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University, Playa Vista, CA; David Westberg-SAG AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, CA.

Today’s Trivia Question
What was the name of the originally conceptualized comedy series that turned into drama “Upstairs, Downstairs” (1971-1975)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)