08/24/23: The WGA says meeting with studios was “to get us to cave”

Thursday August 24, 2023

Today’s Premieres
National Geographic: Lost in the Arctic at 10p
Netflix: Who is Erin Carter?; Ragnarok; Baki Hanma
Wetv: Toya & Reginae at 9p

Today’s Finale
Max: And Just Like That…

IN THE NEWS

Over 2.6 million US subscribers joined Netflix last month, according to Antenna. The streamer saw the highest percentage of new signups for its ad-supported tier since it hit the market last year. Approximately 23% of new subscribers went for the ad tier. The gains in July were a 26% downturn from June’s numbers but show momentum from the introduction of paid password sharing in May.

US streaming consumers are doing a lot of hopping around between premium streaming apps, according to a report from Aluma Insights. Among all streamers, 65% of subscribers hop around to some degree. “Moderate” and “heavy hoppers” are defined as those who drop and add around two services over a 12-month period, while “occasional hoppers” drop and add 1.4 services. Why hop? Of the moderate and heavy hoppers, 90% have the intent to watch specific content in a short period, typically canceling in the first three months. The most common reason for adding and dropping a service was found to be price – signing up for a free trial, and canceling before the big bills came due.

The sports, family/parenting and pets categories showed the greatest growth in programmatic video advertising ad spend in 2Q23, according to PubMatic. The pets category saw the largest spend growth overall in the quarter, and the third-largest YoY growth in video ad spend (up 60%). The family and parenting category had the quarter’s second-largest growth in YoY video ad spend, at 116%. “Some advertising sectors experience seasonality, while others tend to flow with macroeconomic conditions — and some are at the whims of both,” noted the report.

TikTok announced the launch of the Search Ads Toggle, a new feature on TikTok Ads Manager that allows brands to serve ads in TikTok search results. The Search Ads Toggle leverages advertisers’ existing In-Feed Ad creative to serve ads alongside organic search results from relevant user queries. When the Search Ad Toggle is engaged, ads are automatically created using the advertiser’s existing ad content and served against relevant user queries alongside organic search results. The ads are labeled as “Sponsored” content.

STRIKE UPDATES

Hollywood studios proposed new AI, data transparency and residual negotiations to the WGA. The “comprehensive package,” according to the AMPTP, was “an offer that represents the highest wage increase for writers in 35 years.” In a meeting on Tuesday between WGA leadership, AMPTP leadership and studio CEOs, the parties discussed how to move forward to end the strike. Among those in the room were Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Disney’s Bob Iger, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery and Chairman of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Donna Langley. Per the AMPTP’s release, “This increased transparency will enable the WGA to develop proposals to restructure the current SVOD residual regime in the future.”

In response to the studios’ proposal, the union has said the offer failed to address concerns and urged members to continue picketing. “But this was not a meeting to make a deal,” the WGA said in a message to members. “This was a meeting to get us to cave.” According to the union, the offer “failed to sufficiently protect writers from the existential threats that caused us to strike in the first place.”

2023 Esports & Gaming Business Summit

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..to purchase a ticket to the three-day Esports & Gaming Business Summit for $1,195 before the price increases.
Claim your spot at this year’s event on October 22-24 in Las Vegas!

PURCHASE A TICKET NOW

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

“Euphoria” season three will be a “film noir,” according to creator Sam Levinson. In an interview with Elle, the executive producer also teased that Zendaya’s character Rue would “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.” It remains to be seen how the series’ third season will address delays related to the strikes, Barbie Ferreira’s departure and the recent death of Angus Cloud, who played the role of Fez.

Chip and Joanna Gaines are developing a roller-skating dance competition series for Max. Magnolia Network announced the forthcoming untitled project, the first nationwide roller dancing competition series, coming in early 2024. Executive produced by the Gaineses, the series features the top roller-skating crews in America, including teams from Atlanta, Houston, New York, St. Louis and more.

Netflix announced green lights for two new series at the Edinburgh TV Festival. “Einstein and the Bomb” and “World War II: From the Frontlines,” both dramatized historical docuseries, were unveiled at the festival. The “Oppenheimer”-related story traces Einstein’s relationship with Hitler and Germany. Anthony Philipson directs with BBC Studios producing, and James Van Der Pool and Andrew Cohen executive produce. The latter is a John Boyega-narrated six-part docuseries using restored WW2 footage. The streamer also ordered the Jack Whitehall-led series “Fatherhood with My Father,” following Whitehall’s relationship with his own father as he faces his own impending fatherhood.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

The second season of “The Gilded Age” premieres on HBO on October 29. The eight-episode season, set in the late 1800s, stars Carrie Coon, Donna Murphy, Morgan Spector and Cynthia Nixon.

HBO makes another splash with “100 Foot Wave.” The show – currently nominated for six Emmys, the most earned by any docuseries this year – centered around professional big wave surfer Garrett McNamara was renewed for a third season, executive produced by Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony winner Joe Lewis (“Fleabag”). “We’re thrilled the search for the legendary 100 foot wave will continue and excited to expand on the incredible universe of surfers and stories in pursuit,” said Lewis.

STREAMING

New NBCUniversal FAST channels are now streaming on Google TV and Android TV devices. The four additions include Murder, She Wrote; Universal Crime; Lo Mejor de Telemundo; and Historias de Amor.

“Kaala” from Bollywood production house T-Series, is coming to Disney+ Hotstar. The crime thriller created and directed by Bejoy Nambiar stars Avinash Tiwary, Rohan Vinod Mehra, Nivetha Pethuraj and more, with Nambiar producing. The story centers on an Intelligence Bureau officer solving a case involving criminals, revenge and the action that ensues. The series will stream on Disney+ Hotstar later this year.

All nine episodes of “Ask Rory” premiere on August 29. The latest season of the NBC Sports Next series following global golfer Rory McIlroy offers viewers the opportunity to have their game-improvement questions answered with video insights and strategies. In each of the nine episodes, streaming on GolfPass, McIlroy offers tips from tee to green.

“Bollywed” premieres on Fuse and Fuse+ on September 6. Following two generations of the Singh family as they navigate the world of Indian weddings from their bridal shop, the series is led by Kuki Singh and his wife Sarab, as well as their children Chandan, Chandni and daughter-in-law Roop.

GOING GLOBAL

Former Paramount UK Content Chief Ben Frow said he resigned last year due to burnout. “I felt like I was being pecked alive, eaten alive… so I resigned,” Frow told the audience of UK TV executives at the Edinburgh TV Festival. “The lesson I learned was that I shouldn’t have let it go that far,” adding that executives should take the time to “love yourself.”

WildBrain partnered with Tencent Video and Miaow’s House as the exclusive distributor of “Pet Hotel.” The new animated series is aimed at kids aged 7-9. Said Caroline Tyre, VP of global sales and rights strategy at WildBrain, “This exciting partnership with Tencent Video and Miaow’s House represents the continued expansion of our business in China and underscores WildBrain’s international reach as we introduce audiences around the world to ‘Pet Hotel.’”

On the heels of the Licensing Expo, when BBC Studios Kids & Family announced 30 new licensing deals for “Bluey,” a slate of new partners is coming on board. The new licensees mark the debut offerings in food and beverage, as well as a growing footprint in infant and toddler, and more, beginning this fall.

Top Women in Media Awards

2023 Honorees Announced!

Congratulations to this year’s Top Women in Media Honorees! Please join us in congratulating these amazing women and their accomplishments. Celebrate with them on October 11th in NYC at the Lighthouse at Pier 60.

VIEW ALL HONOREES & REGISTER TO ATTEND

IN MEMORIAM

Actress Nancy Frangione died on August 18. She was 70. Frangione was best known for her role on soap opera “Another World.”

This Day in History
2008 – The Summer Olympics in Beijing became the most-watched event on TV ever – nearly 5 billion viewers (70% of the world’s population) tuned in.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which series was spun off from a season three episode of “The Rookies” (1972-76)? “S.W.A.T.” (1975-76). Kudos to: Justin Pierce-JP Consulting Group/LA, Andrew Goldman-CampNova TV/New York, Craig Kallin-Schellman/Orlando, FL, Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/New York, Dan Whitford-WTTW Chicago/Chicago, John Kukla-KDFW FOX 4/Dallas, TX, Kyle Krebs-FOX13 Memphis/Memphis, Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./New York, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank, CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
How much did Lucille Bluth guess a banana cost on “Arrested Development” (2003-2006, 2013-2019)? (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.)

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A+E NETWORKS
HYBRID NYC
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SENIOR DIRECTOR, DIGITAL CONTENT LICENSING
A+E NETWORKS
REMOTE
Negotiate, draft & review agreements for owned & operated platforms/services, third-party platform. Exp. in digital media, content licensing (domestic/international), linear & on-demand rights & distribution, Privacy & Data Security preferred. Min 5 yrs of exp. supporting digital media at media company or streaming platform. Full info HERE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FETV
NYC
Represent FETV & FMC to media community via ongoing communications & relationship building. Maintain & develop strong working relationships w/both agencies & internal departments in support of sales efforts. Work w/sales management, pricing & planning to achieve quarterly revenue goals. 5+ yrs media sales exp. preferably in cable TV- agency exp. +. Full info HERE

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SENIOR MANAGER, AD SALES MARKETING
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NYC
Manage the pre-sale client facing pitch process and post-sale activation of cross-platform television, streaming, digital & social media integrated marketing programs. Write & create compelling sales presentations, one-sheets & cross-platform sponsorship opportunities. 5+ yrs exp. with ad sales marketing, integrated marketing, brand advertising. Full info HERE

DIRECTOR, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
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NYC or LOS ANGELES
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HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR >>
BIG FISH ENTERTAINMENT/NYC/NJ: Coordinating onboarding for all new hires.
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DIRECTOR, MEDIA SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS >>
PBS DISTRIBUTION/ARLINGTON VA, Hybrid: Oversee media systems operations, including daily operations as well as development and implementation of overall media supply chain. Work with external vendors and internal stakeholders on design and implementation of hardware and software solutions for media systems. 7+ yrs of work exp. in the areas of television, media, or consumer products. Full info HERE

TV/VIDEO SPONSORSHIP-PRODUCT INTEGRATION SALES REPRESENTATIVE >>
GAME ON MEDIA SOLUTIONS/Remote: Game On Media Solutions is looking for an independent business development oriented sponsorship sales representative. Focus will be on TV/Streaming project opportunities for brands that include product integration and placement. This is an Independent Contractor performance compensated opening. Attractive fees can be earned for closed deals. Full info HERE

BRAND ASSISTANT >>
THE LEDE COMPANY/NYC: Full-service communication, strategy, and social impact consulting firm, specializing in corporate, brand, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, is seeking a Brand Assistant to join the Brand team in our New York office. The Assistant will play an integral role in supporting accounts for a wide variety of Fashion, Beauty, CPG and Lifestyle clients. Full info HERE

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AD SALES PLANNER >>
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THURSDAY AUGUST 24
ABC: Generation Gap, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Endless Summer Vacation: Continued
CBS: Young Sheldon, Ghosts, Big Brother, The Challenge: USA
CW: Fight to Survive, FBoy Island
FOX: TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: Divorce and Despair, Name That Tune
NBC: Password, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order
PBS: This Old House, Ask This Old House, Great Performances, How Saba Kept Singing
Telemundo: Los 50, Secretos de Sangre
Univision: Eternamente Amándonos, Tierra de Esperanza, Mujer

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