Today’s Premieres
Allblk: Send Help
BET+: The Ms. Pat Show
CW: Bump at 8p; Great Chocolate Showdown at 9p
ESPN+: Why Not Us: Southern Dance
Food Network: It’s CompliPlated at 10p
History: Alone: Frozen at 9p
Hulu/Peacock: Trolls: TrollsTopia

Today’s Finales
WE tv: Brat Loves Judy at 9p; Terror Lake Drive at 10p

IN THE NEWS

Crown Media Family Networks has a new name: Hallmark Media. “The beloved Hallmark brand is associated with positivity, kindness, celebrations, and traditions—all of which are the underpinnings of our content and core values,” said Wonya Lucas, President & CEO. “With these attributes as our foundation, it only makes sense that our company name lead with the Hallmark brand.” Hallmark Media houses Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama, as well as streaming service Hallmark Movies Now.

Disney+ is going AVOD on December 8. A new slate of subscription plans will be made available across Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and the Disney Bundle. “With our new ad-supported Disney+ offering and an expanded lineup of plans across our entire streaming portfolio, we will be providing greater consumer choice at a variety of price points to cater to the diverse needs of our viewers and appeal to an even broader audience,” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ feature unparalleled content and viewing experiences and offer the best value in streaming today, with over 100,000 movie titles, TV episodes, original shows, sports and live events collectively.”

In related news, Disney+ beat analysts’ expectations by adding 14.4 million subscribers, for a total of 152.1 million. Combined, Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu have 221 million subs, beating the 220.7 million for Netflix. “We had an excellent quarter, with … big increases in live-sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services,” said CEO Bob Chapek. “We continue to transform entertainment as we near our second century.”

Fox reported fourth quarter fiscal 2022 revenues of $3.03 billion, up 5%, with a 7% gain in ad sales. Executive Chair and CEO Lachlan Murdoch said the results demonstrate “the strength and durability of our core brands and their ability to deliver consistent audiences across the entirety of Fox. These results validate the strategy we embarked on three years ago – to focus on live news and sports while investing in high growth digital initiatives to create a platform for ongoing growth.”

Political ad spend during the current two-year election cycle is projected to reach close to $9.7 billion, according to AdImpact, topping the $9 billion spent in the 2020 cycle. “An increasingly polarized electorate and easily accessible online fundraising tools have been major factors propelling this surge in spending,” notes the report. “It no longer takes a presidential ticket at the top of the ballot to push a cycle near the $10 billion threshold.”

Both native TikTok ads and repurposed ads drive positive brand favorability (8%), purchase intent (6%) and search intent (7%), according to “Understanding the Strengths of TikTok Ads,” a study MAGNA commissioned in partnership with TikTok as part of MAGNA Media Trials. Some key findings include:
· Authenticity is Key for Native Ads: To optimize the power of TikTok native ads, brands should focus on promoting authenticity through their messaging. Inauthentic ads negatively impact the brand and are 19% less effective in driving purchase intent.
· New Customer Appeal: Not only did non-past brand purchasers watch native ads for a longer period of time, but these ads also prompted them to view these brands as being more creative and fun, regard them more favorably and be more likely to search them up later.”
Entertain and Story Tell with Repurposed: The strongest driver of impact for repurposed ads is creative storytelling. When good storytelling and creative quality are not leveraged, there is potential for significant loss in key metrics.

2022 THAT BIG TV CONFERENCE

Nexstar Digital takes a look at AI

BIG TV is proud to announce Nexstar Digital as one of the sponsors at this year’s conference, with Wil Danielson, Senior Vice President, Digital Sales of Nexstar joining the conference as a speaker for “AI-Powered Audience Solutions,” which will dive into how AI is transforming advertising. Visit our site to learn more and see why you should attend this event.

Learn more now

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Keshet Studios has acquired the television rights to develop Katelyn Monroe Howes’ debut novel, The Awoken, as a drama for the US market. The show, to be adapted for TV by Monroe, centers on a woman with terminal cancer who undergoes cryogenic preservation as her only hope, and wakes up a century later to discover a world where her very life is now a crime.

Sundance Now ordered two new series. Dark comedy “Totally Completely Fine,” created and executive produced by Gretel Vella, is a co-production between Sundance Now and Stan, produced by Fremantle Australia. Vella writes alongside Keir Wilkins and Emme Hoy. Fantasy mystery series “Sanctuary,” based on the novel by V.V. James, is an AMC Studios production in partnership with Monumental Television.

Acorn TV renewed “Harry Wild,” starring Jane Seymor, for a second season, while AMC Networks sib AMC+ did the same for short-form series “Cooper’s Bar.”

Hallmark Media is launching a female-focused initiative to create opportunities for aspiring filmmakers, the company announced during the summer TCA Event. The Make Her Mark reciprocal director mentor initiative, conceived as a passion project by Ashley Williams (“Amber Brown”), was developed as a result of her collaboration with executives at Hallmark, and will continue Hallmark’s commitment to inclusive storytelling and embracing the female perspective in its slate of movies and series.

Sonay Hoffman has joined new NBC drama “Found” as EP and co-showrunner. Hoffman will be busy – she also holds EP and showrunner duties on “All American” and “All American: Homecoming.”

Production started this week on action-drama “Spinners” in Cape Town, South Africa. The Canal+ series is a co-production between African streaming service Showmax and Canal+.

Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) is joining season three of Apple TV+ drama “The Morning Show” as a corporate titan. Which means to Apple TV+ will have to update its “Everyone but Jon Hamm” commercial, in which the actor complains that he’s never starred in an Apple show.

Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”) will star in and executive produce AMC Networks’ “Invitation to a Bonfire,” a psychological thriller set in the 1930s at an all-girls boarding school, and set to debut in 2023.

More casting notes: Glynn Turman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Sonita Henry “(Krypton”) are joining the cast of Hulu drama “Black Cake.”…Lauren Ash (“Superstore”) landed a lead role on ABC’s new workplace comedy “Not Dead Yet.”…Max Martini (“The Tender Bar”) will recur on season two of Freevee’s “Bosch: Legacy.”

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Mina Starsiak Hawk (“Good Bones”) will take on the biggest renovation challenge of her career in spin-off series “Good Bones: Risky Business,” premiering Tuesday, September 6, at 9p on HGTV and discovery+.

Season three of DC series “Pennyworth,” renamed “Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler,” debuts this October on HBO Max as a Max Original. The first two seasons of the series aired on Epix.

Season two of HBO’s “Hard Knocks In Season” will follow the Arizona Cardinals, starting Wednesday, November 9. All-access coverage will document the NFL team’s season I real time.

“House of Hammer,” a docuseries exploring the accusations of rape and abuse against Armie Hammer and the “dysfunctional dynasty” that may have contributed to the disgraced actor’s downfall, premieres September 2 on discovery+.

Karreuche Tran has joined Fuse’s reimagined design competition “Upcycle Nation” as host and executive producer. The series began production this month for a late 2022 debut.

COMING UP

“The 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors” will air Tuesday, September 13 at 8p on Fox, marking its return to television and the first time the special will air on the network. The event will recognize several special honorees, including Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen and “Yellowstone.”

STREAMING

The Hill has launched streaming channel The Hill TV, available on the Plex platform. “The Hill’s objective is to bring free, trusted, and non-biased information about politics and policy to more Americans,” said Jason Jedlinski, GM of The Hill, which is part of Nexstar Digital. “In a time of increasing polarization and diminishing trust in media, we’re proud to provide a clear alternative for news and information to viewers, and a powerful opportunity to advertisers.”

Apple Original Films has landed the new untitled two-part documentary film from A24 and Tremolo Productions exploring the life and career of Steve Martin. The films are directed and produced by Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom,” “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”).

TECH TALK

Elon Musk sold about 8 million shares of Tesla stock, worth close to $7 billion, this month, ahead of the court battle over his reneging on his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter. “In the (hopefully unlikely) event that Twitter forces this deal to close and some equity partners don’t come through, it is important to avoid an emergency sale of Tesla stock,” tweeted Musk.

SPORTS

Las Vegas will once again serve as host of the NFL Pro Bowl in 2023, with the league locking in a return trip to Allegiant Stadium for a second straight year. The game, according to reports, could take place on Feb. 5. “Building on the incredible success of the 2022 Pro Bowl and 2022 Draft in Las Vegas, we are thrilled to bring the 2023 Pro Bowl back to the city for the second year and continue our partnership with the LVCVA and the Las Vegas Raiders,” an NFL spokesperson said in a statement, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Exciting Pro Bowl changes are ahead, and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks.”

Speaking of the NFL, Amazon could soon receive a Black Friday game as part of its TNF package, per SBJ. According to the report, the Black Friday game, which comes a day after the NFL’s traditional three-game Thanksgiving lineup, will most likely begin in 2023 but could be pushed to ’24.

ESPN inked a multi-year deal with Liz Loza, who will work for ESPN as a fantasy and sports betting analyst, joining the ESPN fantasy and betting teams. She will be a regular contributor focusing on fantasy rankings, developing weekly columns and picks, with appearances on Fantasy Football Now, Fantasy Focus Football, Daily Wager, and other studio shows.

ESPN+, ABC and ESPN Deportes are on deck to offer English and Spanish-language coverage of the opening weekend of LaLiga’s 92nd season, launching Friday. Content will include live match commentary, studio shows, and more – originating from FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. To kick off the season, ESPN debuted a new promotional spot featuring the track “Hot” by Daddy Yankee in collaboration with Pitbull. ESPN+ will stream all 10 opening week matches in English and Spanish.

Electronic Arts and the NFL cemented a new multi-year partnership renewal for the EA SPORTS Madden NFL Championship Series. The recently announced MCS 23 calendar will closely align with the NFL season, culminating with the Ultimate Madden NFL 23 Bowl during the week of Super Bowl LVII, as $1.7 million in total prize money is up for grabs throughout the season.

KIDS’ CONTENT

Sandbox Kinds, provider of digital subscription content services for children and families, has announced the launch of the Alcatel Joy Tab Kids 2 that is preloaded with its entertainment learning app, Kidomi.

Moonbug Entertainment struck a new agreement with the BBC that includes the relicense and new episodes of the show “CoComelon” as well as “Digley and Dazey.” It also includes new IPs to the BBC including “Blippi Wonders,” “Little Baby Bum,” “Gecko’s Garage,” and “Lellobee City Farm.”

Spin Master, a children’s entertainment company, announced the acquisition of Nørdlight, a digital game studio based in Stockholm, Sweden.

GOING GLOBAL

Channel 4 has commissioned Curious Films (“Reclaiming Amy”) to produce a documentary about Operation Yewtree, a British police investigation into entertainers’ sex crimes, and its lasting impact on the country’s values, attitudes and culture.

China’s Legend Media struck a new package deal with Banijay Rights calling for Legend Media tol distribute five Banijay Rights titles exclusively across China including factual series “Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty” and “The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick Specials.”

A+E Networks EMEA will launch a dedicated direct-to-consumer destination for true crime, Crime+Investigation Play, on September 5 in the UK. Crime+Investigation Play will include over 1000 hours of programming.

2022 Model D + It List Awards

The biggest and best yet!

With more categories than ever before, the 2022 Model D + It List Awards is shaping up to be one of Cynopsis Media’s best events of the year, attracting top tier innovators and creators of the digital media world. Some new categories we are proud to introduce include “Best New Measurement Tool” and “Best VR Innovation.” Why wait — entries now open!

Enter Today

RATINGS

The finale of Telemundo’s “La Casa de los Famosos” delivered 605,000 viewers A18-49 and over 1.6 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. The reality competition drove Telemundo to rank as the #2 broadcast network, regardless of language, among adults 18-49 for the night.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Tuesday, August 9
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune 2.83 (0.4), Generation Gap 1.78 (0.3), Celebrity Family Feud 1.61 (0.3)
CBS: FBI 3.57 (0.3), FBI: International 2.88 (0.2), FBI: Most Wanted 2.67 (0.2)
CW: Superman & Lois 0.29 (0.1), Mysteries Decoded 0.25 (0.0)
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance 0.81 (0.2), Fantasy Island 0.82 (0.2)
NBC: America’s Got Talent 6.45 (0.7), Password 4.21 (0.5)
Telemundo: Top Chef 1.11 (0.3), Amor Valiente 0.84 (0.2), Infiel: Historia de un Engaño 0.94 (0.2)
Univision: La Mexicana y el Güero 0.88 (0.3), La Herencia un Legado de Amor 1.20 (0.3), Mujer de Nadie 0.92 (0.2)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Patrick Jones has joined Compadre as Executive Creative Director. Jones was previously Group Creative Director for Growth & Innovation at Known.

Shayna Kossove, formerly CRO of Who What Wear, will lead a newly formed Fashion, Beauty, and Homes revenue team at Future Publishing as Commercial President, and will oversee direct sales and custom partnerships across Future’s Women and Home Interest portfolio of brands.

Legends announced the appointment of two sports and entertainment industry executives to oversee marketing, creative, content, communications and events for the global data-intelligence fueled premium experiences company. Melvin Lenzy has joined as Chief Brand & Innovation Officer and Matt O’Neil as Chief Content & Experience Officer.

This Day in History
1896 – Harvey Hubbell won a patent for an electric light bulb socket with a pull chain.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What is Tokyo’s real name on “Money Heist” (2017-2021)? Silene Oliveira. Kudos to: Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
On which series did people across the world lose consciousness for 137 seconds? (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