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Today’s Premieres
ID: Body Cam at 9p; The Murder Tapes at 10p
Netflix: Somebody Feed Phil; Unsolved Mysteries
Prime Video: Life After
Telemundo: La Reina del Sur at 9p
VH1: Black Ink Crew New York at 8p

IN THE NEWS

Fox Entertainment handed an early season two renewal to its upcoming animated comedy “Grimsburg,” starring and executive produced by Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”). “Grimsburg is yet another clear example of our strong commitment to, and intense focus on, upholding the high bar of standards any show must exceed in order to reside under the Animation Domination banner,” said Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment, Fox Entertainment. “Everything we’re seeing with ‘Grimsburg’ – from the very first scripts and show bible to animatics and preliminary cuts – makes us believe we have a winner on our hands that beautifully complements our animation brand.”

Rapper Kanye West, recently knocked off his Instagram and Twitter accounts for posting anti-Semitic comments, has agreed to buy “free speech” platform Parler. “In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” said West (now known as Ye). Parler was temporarily removed from Google and Apple app stores following the January 6 attack on the Capitol for content that incited violence. Ye and Parler parent Parlement Technologies anticipate finalizing their agreement during 4Q22.

Comcast is giving up on G4 TV. The game-focused network was relaunched in 2021 following a 2002-2014 run. “Over the past several months, we worked hard to generate that interest in G4, but viewership is low and the network has not achieved sustainable financial results,” wrote Comcast’s Spectacor CEO Dave Scott in a memo. “This is certainly not what we hoped for, and, as a result, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue G4’s operations, effective immediately.”

AI-powered creator platform Triller unveiled Metaverz, a virtual integrated digital, technology, media, and entertainment platform. Inside the Metaverz, fans can attend a virtual concert or make their way past the velvet rope of a virtual nightclub and venture into a VIP room to interact with celebrities, influencers and creators. “We are extremely excited to debut the Metaverz and open up direct access to creators from all corners of the world,” said Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. “We are now on the frontline of the future of creator content – from NFT-backed collectibles and memorabilia to virtual concerts to gaming and shopping, the Metaverz ecosystem will be groundbreaking.”

Soo Kim, founding partner of Standard General, responded to opponents of his company’s proposed purchase of Tegna and its TV stations in a press release on Monday. Criticism from The NewsGuild-CWA, a union that has petitioned to block the deal, is “fact-free” and racist, alleges Kim. “We are confident that our applications are in order, our deal complies with all regulations, and we have been happy to answer forthright any and all questions,” said Kim in a press release. “In full transparency, we have submitted 3 million documents and over 12 million pages of records and have nothing but respect for the regulatory process. We will continue to work collaboratively with FCC staff in their review of the facts of the proposed transaction.”

NBCUniversal announced the launch of the 2022-23 “Creator Accelerator” program, an initiative set to identify and develop the next generation of premium content creators. NBCU’s inaugural Creator Accelerator group includes 11 diverse social-first creators who have a collective following of over 10 million.

Last chance (really!): Cynopsis is producing our annual Holiday Programming Guide. To include holiday programming airing from November 3 through January 1, please send your listing to [email protected] and [email protected] by EOB TODAY with the subject line: Holiday Guide. Programs must be listed by date, title of program, and start times, in the following format: “Thursday, November 19: Network Name: My One Christmas Wish at 9a, Paper Angels at 11a, 12 Days of Giving at 1p”. Holiday-related programs only! A confirmation email will be sent following each submission (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit).

2022 Tempest Awards

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PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

“CSI” creator Anthony Zuiker has inked a broad, multi-platform creative partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group to create content across a range of formats. Working with Sinclair’s news teams, across its 185 owned/operated television stations, Zuiker will highlight stories deemed worthy of a longer, more dynamic format, and develop content that can live adjacent to news programming and across ancillary verticals. Potential programming categories include docuseries, game shows and topical talk.

Bravo ordered an eighth season of “Below Deck Mediterranean” and a fourth for “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” while Peacock renewed “Below Deck Down Under” for a second season. All are set to air next year.

“The Real Housewives of New York City” is also coming back to Bravo, for season 14, with an entirely new cast. Best known among the new crew is Jenna Lyons, former President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew Group.

For more than six years, SeeHer has built the processes, protocols, and marketing tools for a more gender-equal media and marketing ecosystem, proving that the accurate representation of women and girls is as good for business as it is for society. But it’s no longer enough, says Latha Sarathy, Chief Research Officer, ANA and EVP, Analytics, Insights & Measurement, SeeHer. Find out how to get a blueprint for success, in Cynsider.

Martin Short, Shania Twain and David Alan Grier have boarded ABC’s upcoming hybrid live action/animated special “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Anniversary,” premiering Thursday, December 15 at 8p on ABC. Songs from the original animated classic will be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios.

Julianne Moore will star in period drama “Mary & George,” for Sky and AMC. The mini-series from Hera Pictures in association with Sky Studios, begins filming in early 2023.

Paramount has outlined a commitment to environmental sustainability with the introduction of a new strategy, Peak Sustainability, comprising seven key climate action pledges. The new commitment is designed to drive collective change across Paramount’s UK business and with its suppliers, partners and audiences.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Rogue Heroes,” a dramatized account of how the Special Air Service was formed in the darkest days of World War, premieres Sunday, November 13 at 9p on Epix. The six-parter is based on the book by Ben Macintyre.

Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality” premieres Monday, November 28 at 9p. The reality show spin-off follows “Southern Charm” boss Leva Bonaparte as she manages a Charleston nightclub.

Also on the way from Bravo is season three of “Family Karma, on Sunday, November 6 at 9p, and season 10 of “Below Deck,” launching Monday, November 21 at 8p.

“Shorty’s Dream Shop,” celebrating Latino’s automotive culture, makes its debut Wednesday, November 16 at 10p on MotorTrend TV. The program features a one-car per one-hour format.

STREAMING

Ninety-three percent of US internet users are reachable by CTV, according to a survey from LG Ads Solutions, and the top three subscription services named by respondents were Netflix (72%), Prime Video (59%) and Disney+ (52%). Ad-supported CTV was the most preferred, with 80% using ad-supported models of CTV and 67% preferring them. Thirty percent of consumers reported removing a subscription CTV service from the household in the last 12 months while 25% have added a free ad-supported CTV service during that time.

TECH TALK

Advanced advertising OpenAP announced an investment from Snowflake Ventures, the venture capital arm of Snowflake, the Data Cloud company. Snowflake is the first non-television publisher to take an ownership stake, joining Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery.

Integral Ad Science has added a post-bid brand safety and suitability measurement solution to its ongoing partnership with TikTok. Through an integration with the IAB Tech Lab’s Open Measurement Software Development Kit, IAS provides advertisers campaign insights into brand safety and brand suitability aligned to Global Alliance for Responsible Media standards on the TikTok platform in select markets.

Yahoo has expanded its partnership with DirecTV Advertising to include set-top box data. The move enables Yahoo’s demand-side platform clients to activate TV usage data from DirecTV households for planning, activation and measurement of campaigns across DirecTV and other inventory.

COMING UP

Allen Media Group’s African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform theGrio will celebrate icons, leaders and legends at TheGrio Awards the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22, with co-hosts comedian Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs. The event will be broadcast on Saturday, November 5 on television stations nationwide, theGrio Television Network and other Allen Media Group television and digital platforms.

A three-part reunion of Bravo’s “Married to Medicine” kicks off Sunday, October 23 at 9p.

AXS TV stunt “Heavy Metal Halloween” launches Saturday, October 29 at 12p, with a programming block that starts with “Rock Legends” episodes.

SPORTS

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports is keeping the band together, locking in all four members of TNT’s Inside the NBA studio show – Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal – to extensions. “Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the Inside the NBA team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” said Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. “Inside the NBA epitomizes the creativity and innovative spirit we’ve established throughout our successful, long-standing partnership with the league.”

NBC Sports and U.S. Ski & Snowboard renewed their media rights agreement through the 2025 season with NBC Sports presenting 19 hours of coverage of all eight domestic FIS World Cup events across multiple platforms. The 2022-23 season includes a record number of U.S.-based alpine events, including the Heroic Killington Cup and Xfinity Birds of Prey and new events at Aspen and Palisades Tahoe.

Speaking of NBC Sports, NBC’s Sunday Night Football delivered its largest Week 6 audience since 2015, averaging a Total Audience Delivery of approximately 22.2 million viewers as the Eagles topped the Cowboys. The bests last year’s number by 28% and also marks the most watched Cowboys-Eagles SNF matchup since 2015.

ESPN announced that all five NBA Christmas Games will air on both ABC and ESPN for the first time. The December 25 presentation, sponsored by State Farm, will open with the 76ers/Knicks at noon on the two networks and include the Lakers/Mavericks at 2:30p, Bucks/Celtics at 5p, Grizzlies/Warriors at 8p and wraps with the Suns/Nuggets at 10:30p.

The NBA and Amazon announced a multiyear agreement to livestream NBA games exclusively on Prime Video in Brazil. Prime Video will livestream up to 87 live regular season NBA games in the country during the 2022-23 NBA season, which tips off today. Prime Video will livestream up to four exclusive NBA games each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the 2022-23 regular season, in addition to up to 24 playoff games and a wide range of original NBA content throughout the season.

FanDuel TV is launching a new NBA-centric show entitled Run it Back that will be hosted by Michelle Beadle and Chandler Parsons, joined frequently by Stadium Insider and writer for The Athletic Shams Charania. Run it Back will air Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10a.

Aaron Judge’s A.L. record setting home run display was a big hit with collectors. The Topps NOW card depicting his historic 62nd blast of the season enticed fans to purchase 91,685 of the base card, the most ever in the seven-year history of Topps NOW, which depicts the greatest moments and milestones from Major League Baseball almost as soon as they happen, with physical cards limited to the number ordered.

MIPCOM MENTIONS

Upgrade Productions announced three development projects: Spanish-language family movie “My Teacher, Mr. Kim Remake”; Hindi-language comedy series “Sunny Side Up”; and Italy’s “Untitled 1982 World Cup” (wt)…. Cineflix Rights has closed deals for more than 100 hours of titles from its scripted slate to Nordic platforms….Wag Entertainment struck multiple deals from its science and mystery slate, including “Evidence of the Unexplained.”… GRB Studios’ licensing deals were closed ahead of MIPCOM with broadcasters from Europe, MENA, Africa, and APAC. Genres include movies, investigative true-crime and paranormal series, and celebrity lifestyle and travel programs.

Dandeloo has pre-sold cartoon comedy series “Fantastic Antics” to Da Vinci….ITV Studios secured ten new commissions for new reality dating format, “My Mum, Your Dad.”… Zee Plus announced “The Lion’s Last Roar”, their latest co-production with Talesmith…. Four-part drama “Litvinenko,” starring David Tennant, has been acquired in over 80 international markets ahead of its debut on ITV’s forthcoming UK streaming service ITVX and NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service in the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and Baltics.

MSR Media has four new films: “The Island”; “Ocean Deep”: “Black Noise”; and Strictly Confidential.”…Off The Fence announced a new collaboration with RAPA, the association that represents and promotes the interests of the Korean broadcasting industry. Under the deal, OTF will be granted access to RAPA’s catalogue of factual programming. In turn, RAPA will promote OTF to Korean filmmakers as a potential co-production partner for factual projects.

Rainmaker Content has struck a strategic alliance with Take Two Studios that grants it a first look on all Take Two output…BossaNova Media accomplished a string of sales for its “Border Force” and “Border Patrol” returning franchises, including to CBS Reality and AMC Networks International….Tresor TV has optioned Korean celebrity format “Battle in the Box” from format agency Something Special.

2023 Best of the Best & Rising Star Awards

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Whether you’re up-and-coming or an established presence in the television/media industry, BOTB & Rising Star Awards recognizes excellence in TV programming, innovation, and leaders within the media industry. Enter now for a chance at well-deserved recognition and reputation among your peers- prices increase on October 31st.

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RATINGS

Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of October 10
Show, Platform, Actions, Posts, Actions per Post, Audience
House of the Dragon (HBO Max), 2.3m, 36, 64,687, 2.6m
Game of Thrones (HBO Max), 1.7m, 22, 75,562, 39.2m
Dancing with the Stars (Disney+), 855k, 119, 7,187, 9.1m
The Boys (Prime Video), 558k, 6, 92,974, 3.1m
The Crown (Netflix), 387k, 3, 129,027, 2.0m
The Lord of the Rings (Prime Video), 379k, 45, 8,419, 1.2m
The Summer I Turned Pretty (Netflix), 339k, 4, 84,828, 1.3m
Chainsaw Man (Hulu), 339k, 7, 48,365, 64k
She Hulk (Disney+), 338k, 34, 9,955, 283k
Nanatsu No Taizai (Netflix), 335k, 104, 3,216, 1.1m
Source: Comscore Social Powered by Shareablee

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, October 14
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 3.44 (0.5), 20/20 2.59 (0.4)
CBS: S.W.A.T 4.61 (0.4), Fire Country 5.80 (0.5), Blue Bloods 6.06 (0.4)
CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us 0,55 (0.1), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.45 (0.0), Whose Line Is It Anyway 0.40 (0.0)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.27 (0.5)
NBC: Capital One College Bowl 1.63 (0.2), Dateline 2.29 (0.3)
Telemundo: Billboard VIP 0.65 (0.2), El Fuego del Destino 0.74 (0.2), Infiel: Historia de un Engaño 0.83 (0.2)
Univision: La Herencia 1.42 (0.4), Los Ricos También Lloran 1.30 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television Distribution Jim Packer has signed a long-term extension to his employment agreement. “Jim and his team have built Lionsgate into a global licensing powerhouse whose content touches virtually every platform in the world,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “He is a world-class executive, a respected leader and a trusted partner whose entrepreneurial drive and knowledge of the changing face of the content business will continue to be an important part of moving our company forward.”

Nickelodeon has promoted Makeda Mays Green to Senior Vice President, Cultural and Consumer Insights, and elevated Andrea Strauss to Senior Vice President, Content and Brand Insights.

This Day in History
1922 – The UK’s BBC was founded.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
For which series role was Annie Potts nominated for an Emmy? Dana Palladino, on “Love & War” (1992-95). Kudos to: Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Greg Moloznik-GLM Media/Lakewood Ranch, FL; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Andy Ehlen-Grady Britton/Portland, OR; Mark Prince-dentsu Media Americas/NYC; Joe Lyons-Fox Sports/Florida; Marni C. Gold/Hawthorne, NJ

Today’s Trivia Question
The cast of which miniseries included Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Brendan Fraser? (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