IT’S HAPPENING THIS OCTOBER
If there’s one place to be this year, it’s NAB Show this October

New tech. New tools. New dates. Get in on exclusive opportunities to multiply your following.
NAB Show Past Attendee Sentiment Survey: 86% say in-person events are irreplaceable.

Where Content Comes to Life
Join brands like ABC, CBS, Dreamworks, Disney, Fox, iHeartMedia, MGM Studios, NBC, Paramount Studios, SK Films, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers Studio.
For more, visit NABShow.com.

Tuesday August 10, 2021

IN THE NEWS

With its agreement with Dish Network set to expire August 16, Sinclair Broadcast Group is girding for a blackout next week. “We have tried unsuccessfully to reach fair and customary terms with Dish Network for the renegotiation of our retransmission consent,” said Sinclair General Counsel David Gibber. “Given the status of these negotiations, we feel it is important to alert Dish Network subscribers to the real risk that some of their favorite stations will no longer be available through Dish Network.” A total of 112 broadcast TV stations, including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliates, are expected to be dropped.

In an earnings call on Monday, Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen addressed the stalled Sinclair negotiations. “At the end of the day, it’s about money,” he said. “It’s about economics. That hasn’t changed in any programming negotiation that I’ve been involved with….We’re happy to talk about anything that creative and doesn’t harm our customers.”

New media is not so new anymore, noted the IATSE in a warning shot before the union resumes negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. In 2009, IATSE and the Studios “mutually recognized that the economics of New Media were ‘uncertain’ and that greater flexibility in terms of conditions of employment were ‘mutually beneficial’,” said union. “That is simply no longer the case.” The two sides are scheduled to go back to the table August 17.

Trust in TV news brands is declining, according to a survey from Brand Keys, with one exception: Fox News. Versus February 2021, trust in CNN dipped from 92% to 87%, top-scoring MSNBC slipped from 93% to 90%, and FNC rose from 86% to 89%.

Scripps Networks wrapped its first upfronts since adding ION TV to its portfolio boasting strong year-over-year dollar growth from past ION/Katz group upfronts, with volume up more than 20% and meaningful increases in CPMs. New business on all networks priced at new highs with new-to-Scripps advertisers representing about 25% of upfront dollars this year, while ION posted double-digit growth in dollars and mid-teens growth in CPM’s.

Mike Richards, executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and recently a front-runner to take over as permanent host of the show, responded to complaints from ten years ago alleging pregnancy discrimination with former “Price Is Right” models. “These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show,” said Richards in a memo to staff. “I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on ‘The Price Is Right.’” As for him taking the job of “Jeopardy!” host, Richards said discussions with him as well as other potential hosts are ongoing.

“HouseBroken” was renewed for a second season on Fox. The animated comedy stars Lisa Kudrow as a poodle who opens her living room to fellow pets.

Netflix is going deeper into unscripted territory. The streamer renewed “The Circle” for seasons 4 and 5 and “Indian Matchmaking” and “The American Barbecue Showdown” for second seasons, and ordered Austin, Texas-set “Roaring Twenties.” To feed the reality show beast, Netflix as opened “the largest reality casting call ever” to search for contestants.

Bravo has canceled its three-day fan event, BravoCon, over concerns about the increase in COVID-19 cases. “We are just as disappointed as our loyal fans to have to cancel this year’s event, but health and safety are our top priorities,” said the network. We look forward to celebrating BravoCon 2022 together.” The event was slated to take place October 15-17 in NYC.

Get actionable insights from the biggest brands & agencies in media at That Big TV Virtual Conference on September 21-23. This year’s program is stacking up to be our best year yet, with content featuring some of the world’s biggest brands like American Express, Dentsu, GroupM, Havas Media, KFC, Lowes, Spotify, and more! Lock in the lowest rates available by registering now.

SESSION SPOTLIGHT | Made to Measure: Exploring the New Cross Platform Measurement Solutions
Audience measurement capabilities continue to advance as consumers increasingly migrate across multiple platforms. Marketers can no longer take a siloed approach to their video plans, but in a fast-evolving landscape, which solutions are most effective right now… and what’s next?

On Wednesday, September 22, gain insights from executives representing A+E Networks, Discovery, Spectrum & the VAB.

REGISTER NOW

Discovery+ and OWN handed a straight-to-series order for “Justice, USA,” an insider view of the criminal justice system. The docu-series comes from artist and activist Common, Marshall Goldberg (“Life Goes On”), and executive producer Mike Tollin (“The Last Dance”), with Think Common Entertainment’s Tamara Brown also executive producing. OWN will oversee production for discovery+.

Vince Vaughn (“Wedding Crashers”) will star in and exec produce “Bad Monkey” for Apple TV+. Bill Lawrence (“Ted Lasso”) will write and EP the 10-episode crime drama, focused on a demoted detective, from Warner Bros. Television.

HGTV ordered 20 new episodes of “Home Town,” for a second season slated to launch in 2022. Discovery+ spin-off “Home Town: Ben’s Workshop” will also be back, with ten new installments.

Catherine Zeta-Jones will play Morticia Addams in Netflix coming-of-age comedy series “Wednesday.” Tim Burton is directing.

Netflix and Faraway Productions have renewed their overall deal, calling for the “Fauda” producer to develop and produce original programming.

Finding and vetting the most proficient resources for your business doesn’t have to be time consuming. Get the latest in tech, streaming, network offerings, and tools. Work smarter, not harder: visit the Cynopsis Resource Center.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Season two of Showtime’s “Back to Life” kicks off Monday, September 13 at 10p. The comedy picks up three weeks after the season finale, and six weeks after Miri leaves prison.

UK drama “Call the Midwife” is back for season ten on PBS starting October 3 at 8p (check local listings). The seven-parter airs as part of PBS’ Sunday night drama lineup.

Another European import is headed to HBO, which has acquired the North American television and streaming rights to six-episode French limited series “Laetitia.” The drama, based on the true story of the disappearance of an 18-year-old and the repercussions that follow her twin sister, debuts Monday, August 30 at 10p.

School will soon be back in session at Peacock. Season four of “A.P. Bio” launches Thursday, August 2. The first two seasons of the comedy aired on NBC.

Rakuten Viki, the streaming service for Asian content, announced that K-drama “Lovers of the Red Sky” will debut on the platform exclusively on August 30. The show is based on the novel Hong Chun Gi by South Korean author Jung Eun Gwol.

BY THE NUMBERS

Tegna’s 2Q21 financial results included total revenue of $733 million, a 27% year-over-year rise, driven by record second quarter subscription revenue ($375 million, up 16%), and advertising and marketing services revenue ($341 million, up 49%). “As you’d expect, given the emergency from pandemic lockdowns this year, the underlying advertising industry continues to rebound, with AMS third quarter also pacing significantly over last year and all categories, again, up year-over-year,” said EVP/CFO Victoria Harker on a call with analysts. “When compared to the third quarter of 2019, AMS is up on a pro-forma basis as well, even before the positive impact of the Olympics.”

Dish wrapped its recently-concluded quarter with 10.99 million pay TV subscribers – 8.55 million for Dish TV and 2.44 million for Sling TV – down 96,000 net pay TV subscribers versus the same quarter last year. Average revenue per user for its pay TV subscribers rose from $92.17 one year ago to $96.32, and streamer Sling TV added 65,000 net subscribers during the second quarter, helping offset declines for the satellite TV business.

COMING UP

As it did for the first time last year, The CW will simulcast MTV’s VMA Awards on Sunday, September 12 at 8p. The week leading up to the show, MTV will take part in service-oriented activities tied to the observance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

TECH TALK

Video software provider Synamedia has acquired ContentArmor, developer of forensic watermarking solutions for the media and entertainment industry. In addition to enabling Synamedia to meet video service providers’ edge and 5G security demands, the deal boosts Synamedia’s anti-piracy capabilities for movie studios and sports rightsholders across OTT and direct-to-consumer services.

Influencer marketing, branding, and social media platform Takumi announced their acquisition content and strategic media-buying agency Unieed. The acquisition of Unieed will build out the paid media team in Takumi’s London and New York offices, including the addition of Joe Adsett, Founder and Managing Director of Unieed, as Paid Media Director.

Facebook has added a new feature that allows users to create a prayer post in Facebook Groups. Other users can share a comment, click an “I prayed” button or send a private message.

STREAMING

Comscore struck a deal to include YouTube and YouTube TV measurement into its cross-platform service, Comscore Campaign Ratings, helping advertisers and agencies better understand combined co-viewing for YouTube and YouTube TV across OTT/CTV as well as incremental reach to their linear TV buys.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and AT&T announced that SPE has completed its acquisition of AT&T’s Crunchyroll anime business through Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between SPE and Sony Music Entertainment Inc.’s subsidiary, Aniplex Inc. The agreement was first announced in December 2020.

GOING GLOBAL

Blue Ant International has acquired the international licensing rights to documentary “Spirit to Soar,” following Anishinaabe storyteller and journalist Tanya Talaga as she explores the systemic racism facing Indigenous peoples in the Northern Canadian town of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Ánima has launched a YA division and will produce series for the demo. The first project of the division will be “El Santos,” a 2D animated sitcom based on the comic strip character of the same name.

Beyond Rights has concluded deals with broadcasters across the Middle East and Africa. Among them: OSN has acquired a 190-hour package of factual titles, including recent obs-docs “Maternity 24/7” and “Hitched in Vegas,” and “Love it or List It.” Discovery MENA has picked up season five of “Abandoned Engineering” for the Middle East and Africa.

The Cynopsis Top Women in Media honorees have been announced! See the full list and join us for a special in-person Awards Gala October 27 in NYC. Secure a table for your team before this event sells out.

REGISTER TODAY
(Platinum Sponsors: TurnkeyZRG and Vevo)

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, August 6
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 2.30 (0.3), 20/20 2.30 (0.3),
CBS: Secret Celebrity Renovation 2.09 (0.2), Love Island 1.54 (0.3), Blue Bloods 1.70 (0.1)
CW: Burden of Truth 0.35 (0.0), Dynasty 0.25 (0.0)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.05 (0.6)
ION: Hawaii Five-0 1.13 (0.2), Hawaii Five-0 1.25 (0.2), Hawaii Five-0 1.02 (0.1)
NBC: Tokyo Olympics 9.02 (1.9)
Telemundo: Exatlon Estados Unidos 0.88 (0.2), Hercal: Armor y Venganza 1.24 (0.3), Cafe Aroma du Mujer 0.84 (0.3)
Univision: Disenando Tu Amor 1.36 (0.43), Si Nos Dejan 1.470 (0.4), Hija del Embajador 1.47 (0.4)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Cara Conte has been tapped to serve in the newly-created role of SVP Affiliate Sales at FETV. Conte previously served as SVP National Accounts and Multichannel Distribution at ION.

Vanessa Vining has been named Chief Diversity Officer at VaynerX. Vining was most recently Senior Director, Cross-Cultural Strategy and Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Hearts & Science.

Claudia Milne has been tapped to serve as SVP of Standards and Practices across CBS News and stations. Milne joined the network in 2019.

IN MEMORIAM

Actress Jane Withers died August 7. She was 95. The former child star was best known to TV audiences as Josephine the Plumber in ads for Comet cleanser.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On “The Simpsons,” what is Bart’s full name? Bartholomew Jojo SImpson. Kudos to: Marni C. Gold/Hawthorne, NJ; Rev. Mark Wajda/Clermont, FL; Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Santos Lopez-Univision/Miami; Luke Watson-Entertaining Concepts/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
No Googling Week: What kind of store did Howard Cunningham own on “Happy Days”(1974-84)? (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.)