In an update to its election policies, Twitter said it will add warning labels to candidate tweets on election results, unless the results come from ABC News, the AP, CBS News, CNN, Decision Desk HQ, Fox News or NBC News, or a state authority. In a blog post updated on Monday, Twitter said, “People on Twitter, including candidates for office, may not claim an election win before it is authoritatively called. To determine the results of an election in the US, we require either an announcement from state election officials, or a public projection from at least two authoritative, national news outlets that make independent election calls. Tweets which include premature claims will be labeled and direct people to our official US election page.” Tweets meant to incite interference with the election process or results will be removed.

Total political ad spending for the 2020 election season has reached $8.15 billion, according to Advertising Analytics. Presidential campaign spending accounts for $2.94 of the total, with $2.16 billion for Democratic Presidential spend and $780 million for Republican.

Most people get their news from traditional media sources, according to a survey from Lucid, with about 57% of respondents citing news outlets, versus 29% saying social media, 8% saying other sources, and 6% saying they get their information from family and friends. But while most people rely on news from traditional media, 52% think the information from media outlets about the election is inaccurate.

YouTube TV subscribers have passed 3 million, reported Alphabet during its 3Q20 earnings call. That’s second only to Hulu (3.4 million), and up from 2 million in February, despite a price hike from $50 to $65 per month. YouTube’s ad revenue was up 32%, to $5 billion.

All children’s categories from the Primetime Emmy Awards are moving to the Daytime Emmy Awards, to help “eliminate confusion and streamline submissions in the category,” said the Television Academy and NATAS. While most children’s categories already fall under the Daytime category, overseen by NATAS, Creative Arts Emmys went to Netflix’s “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” and HBO’s “We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest.”

AMC Networks beat estimates for 3Q20, despite the impact of COVID-19. Total revenue for AMC Networks slipped 9%, to $654 million in 3Q20, with revenue for AMC, WE tv, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV declining 17% versus the year prior. On the bright side, CEO Josh Sapan noted that with the addition of its AMC+ SVOD offering, the company expects to have upwards of 5.5 million total SVOD subscribers by year’s end. “We continue to maintain a strong financial profile, with a solid balance sheet, very good liquidity and healthy levels of free cash flow,” said Sapan. “AMC Networks is fast becoming the global leader in SVOD services for targeted audiences, with our Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC services set to exceed 4 million subscribers by year-end, outperforming our expectations.”

Nielsen completed its agreement to spin off its Nielsen Global Connect unit to Advent International, in partnership with former TransUnion CEO James Peck. The $2.7 billion deal is subject to “working capital cash, debt-like items and other customary adjustments,” said Nielsen. Nielsen will get warrants in the new company, to be renamed NielsenQ in early 2021. Proceeds from the sale will enable Nielsen to reduce debt.

Spotlight the deserving star in your workplace. Cynopsis is searching for young game-changers to celebrate on our annual Rising Star Awards list – young execs whose innovative spirit and determination mark them as tomorrow’s industry leaders. Nominations are due November 19 – click here to learn more.

“The Real” co-host Jeannie Mai is leaving “Dancing With the Stars” after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition. “I am heartbroken that my DWTS journey has to end here,” said the contestant.

Regional sports network NESN, home to Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins games, has struck out on YouTube TV. “Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a new agreement to continue offering this network,” YouTube TV informed customers via email. NESN countered that they offered their “most favorable terms,” but received “no offer in return.” It’s the latest sloughing off of RSNs, after YouTube dropped Sinclair-owned and Fox networks, and Hulu cut Sinclair-owned RSNs.

Eve announced she’s leaving CBS daytimer “The Talk” at the end of December after four seasons as co-host. “I’m so grateful that I’m able to stay here in London and do the show, but I can’t see for me, the foreseeable future of traveling back at the moment,” she said during Monday’s show.

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German procedural “Einstein” is back in development with CBS. The project from Intrigue Entertainment and Studios is written and executive produced by Lauren Gussis (“Insatiable”), and executive produced by Corinne Brinkerhoff (“American Gothic”). The show focuses on a brilliant young physics professor who is the secret, illegitimate great-grandchild of Albert Einstein. In this iteration, she’s his great-granddaughter, not the great-grandson of the German original. NBC developed a version of the show, distributed by Red Arrows Studios International, in 2018, while CBS had a version in the works last season that didn’t make it to series.

Jamie Granet-Bederman has been upped to showrunner of NBC’s “Tonight Show,” with Nedaa Sweisss, who had been head writer, as co-showrunner until the new year. Granet-Bederman takes the reins from Gavin Purcell, who stepped down to return to his development deal with Universal Television.

Game Show Network is reviving “Chain Reaction,” based on the Sony Pictures Television format that has teams competing to complete a chain of seven words. Dylan Lane, who hosted GSN’s 2006-2007 version of the show, will host, with Mike Richards (“Wheel of Fortune”) on hand as executive producer. The show first aired in 1980 on NBC, with Bill Cullen as host.

ABC gave a nine-episode series order to UK game show “The Chase,” featuring “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” stars James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Contestants compete against a professional quizzer who tries to prevent them from winning a cash prize. Sara Haines (“The View”) will host.

Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter) has joined the cast of Apple’s “Severance,” directed and executive produced by Ben Stiller. The drama series is set at a company that separates work and out-of-work memories.

On Thursday, November 12, hear from executives representing Canvas Worldwide, News12 & New York Interconnect on harnessing the power of local news. During this 30-min digital event, we’ll discuss why advertisers are returning to the market, how a local news network keeps viewers well-informed, and the ways in which the events of 2020 impacted one major brand’s strategy/spend. It’s free to attend. We hope you’ll join us – register here.

2011 documentary “You’ve Been Trumped,” following resistance to the Trump Organization’s ultimately successful efforts to build a luxury resort in the middle of a Scottish nature preserve, has been optioned for a TV series dramatization by Vertigo Films (“Bulletproof”).

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

HGTV is looking for the next home renovation star with the production of “Design Star: Next Gen.” The new competition series is inspired by “HGTV Design Star,” the most successful franchise in the network’s history. Set to premiere in 2021, the six-episode series will be hosted by Allison Holker Boss and feature eight finalists competing in weekly challenges.

Science Channel’s Unearthed is back for a new season exploring the secrets behind famous monuments on Sunday, November 15 at 9p.

Daniela Romo stars in Univision’s “Vencer el Desamor,” premiering Monday, November 9 at8p. The series follows women of different ages forced to live under the same roof.

Abacus Media Rights announced North American deals for the Canadian supernatural coming of age drama “Trickster,” from Sienna Films. The CBC series has been sold to The CW and AMC Networks’ Sundance Now and Shudder. Trickster premieres January 12 at 9p on The CW, followed by the SVOD release on AMC’s Sundance Now and Shudder, which will air the Director’s Cut of the series after completion of The CW’s broadcast run.

Snap originals debuting this month include Art of the Drop, an interactive show featuring streetwear collabs from celebrities and designers, airing Mondays from November 16-December 14, and Queen of Styles, starring hairstyle slayer Tokyo Stylez, on daily from November 21-28.

As if there wasn’t enough else going wrong in 2020, the Charlie Brown Halloween and Christmas specials were pulled off of broadcast TV for the first time in six decades. The strong viewer pushback – from angry social media posts to petitions – was not so much about content as it was about the role that traditional linear TV plays, says Raghu Kodige, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder, Alphonso. “This is a streaming world, no doubt, but we should not have the strong trends in average watch time for streaming create the belief that it is a signal of traditional linear TV’s demise,” said Kodig. Read more in Cynsiders.

ADVERTISING

While ad spending overall this year will decline 8.7%, ad spend by video entertainment services will decline just 0.2% in 10 key global markets, according to a study from Zenith. “The pandemic instigated an increased demand for digital content. For advertisers that have been slow to incorporate digital video into their marketing mix, now is the time to invest and connect with these audiences,” said Lauren Hanrahan, CEO of Zenith, Moxie and MR. “Digital video is rich with measurement opportunities to help brands better understand their consumers, how they engage and what types of content resonate best.”

Doing even better when it comes to ad spend during the pandemic is pharma. From March-June, pharmaceutical spend across platforms was up 8% – the only category to show growth, according to Standard Media Index. Cable made up 50% of national TV ad spend, with ID grabbing more ($76 million) than any other network. Food Network saw the largest increase ($68 million, +33%) among the top 10 cable networks, followed by TLC ($54 million, +32%).

TECH TALK

DoubleVerify announced the launch of Authentic Brand Safety targeting on Google Marketing Platform’s demand-side platform, Display & Video 360. Authentic Brand Safety enables consistent activation of brand suitability criteria in a pre-bid setting, helping advertisers reduce block rates. “With our proprietary Authentic Brand Safety solution, global brands can create a single quality profile that is centrally deployed, managed and optimized – ensuring seamless brand protection, while making execution far more efficient,” said Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify.

Michael Bologna, former President of GroupM’s Modi Media, and Joanna Drews, previously Director of Product Management and Emerging Assets at Comscore, have teamed to launch HyphaMetrics. The media metrics company plans to track all TV screens and devices into a single-source data stream for licensing to TV networks, media agencies, digital media platforms, MVPDs, and other research companies.

COMING UP

Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) is set as host for the “2020 American Music Awards,” airing Sunday, November 22 at 8p on ABC. The show will broadcast live from LA.

Griswold alert: AMC’s annual “Best Christmas Ever” programming event is back, with a slate of 835 hours of holiday-themed programming now through December 25. This year, premium streaming bundle AMC+ will also feature select holiday film titles and exclusive specials. Among the movies and specials are “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “The Polar Express,” IFC’s “Joe’s Pub Presents: A Holiday Special” and cult classics like “Christmas Evil.”

Circle Network is gearing up for “The 54th Annual CMA Awards” with two days of programming from November 7-8 as a part of “Circle Celebrates the CMA Awards presented by GEICO.” The awards show airs Wednesday, November 11 at 8p on ABC.

It’s a West Coast/East Coast showdown when Ian Lara and Chris Estrada face off in HBO Latino’s comedy special “Entre Nos: LA Meets NY,” debuting Friday, November 13 at 9:30p on HBO Latino and HBO Max.

STREAMING SCOOP

Haystack News has added ABC News Live and CBSN, in addition to Al Jazeera, Euronews, Newsmax, Yahoo Finance and select live local news broadcast stations across the US. “Haystack News is now available on every major Smart TV brand and streaming device,” said Daniel Barreto, Co-Founder and CEO of Haystack TV. “We have added more news partners, approaching 350 total partners and have extended our lead in providing streaming’s largest portfolio of local, national and world news.”

Wurl, a provider of streaming video distribution and advertising services for CTV, announced accelerating ad impressions served via the Wurl Network by 129% compared to 2Q20, as well as 98% year-over-year hours of viewing across the Wurl Network. With nearly 160 new channels, the overall network counts over 500 channels.

CJC Network signed an agreement to be distributed on the new Atari VCS game console. With the expansion, the network will broadcast a weekly 4-hour block of programming for children every Saturday morning starting November 7, under the banner CJC Kids.

VUit, the AVOD built in partnership with local TV station groups, will be presenting a special esports themed election night special on its VUit eSports channel. “VUit Esports – Decision 2020” starts at 7p tonight, November 3.

Vudu will launch on Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S starting on November 10. The on-demand streaming service, acquired by Comcast’s Fandango unit from Walmart in July, delivers over 150,000 new releases, catalog films and TV shows upon their launch on digital.

GOING GLOBAL

Gutsy Animations’ animated series Moominvalley has been recommissioned for a third season by anchor broadcasters Yle in Finland and Sky in the UK.

Stockholm-based Dramacorp is in development on a Cold War mini-series, “Whiskey On The Rocks,” based on a notorious incident in 1981, when a Soviet submarine ran aground on rocks inside Swedish territorial waters. This extreme breach of sovereignty led to a Cold War stand-off between Sweden and the USSR that took 11 days of high-stakes negotiation to resolve.

Japan’s Nippon TV announced that Turkish production companies Medyapim and MF Yapim have acquired the scripted format rights to drama series “I’m Mita, Your Housekeeper,” and will be remaking the series in Turkish.

NENT Studios UK struck international deals for “The Last Journey of the Vikings” with Rai in Italy, GEO Television in Germany, Discovery in Spain and SBS in Australia.

OTT/CTV have transformed the way audiences watch tv, with consumers increasingly watching programming across both linear and OTT platforms.
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The annual Treehouse of Terror episode of “The Simpsons” brought Fox a season high 6.5 million viewers and 2.2 among A18-49, leading out of an NFL game. Bless the Harts (2.6 million/0.9) also hit season highs.

Food Network posted its highest-rated Monday in Prime since December 2018 and ranked as the #1 non-sports/non-news network for the night, averaging a .9 P25-54/1.1 W25-54 (Live+3). The “Halloween Baking Championship” finale led the network’s night, posting a 1.0 P25-5 /1.4 W25-54 L3 rating, up +42% within its timeslot versus year-ago.

In October, Cooking Channel matched its highest-ever October rating in Prime for P25-54, as well as delivering its highest-rated October for P25-54 in Total Day with time spent viewing up over 8 minutes versus last year among P25-54 in Prime.

Fox News Channel’s pre-election coverage on Sunday, November 1 delivered the highest-rated average for a pre-election Sunday in network history in Total Day and primetime, according to early Nielsens. FNC’s special editions of “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “Hannity” and “The Ingraham Angle” led the network to its most-watched Sunday primetime of 2020, averaging 3.9 million viewers (up 58% versus 2016) and 768,000 among A25-54 (up 32% versus 2016)

Shareablee Top 10 TV Shows for the week of October 26
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers

Ellen Degeneres (Warner Bros, Syndicated), 3.9M, 75, 51,893, 204M
The Daily Show (Comedy Central), 2.8M, 146, 19,466, 26.4M
Fox & Friends (Fox News), 2.5M, 126, 19,931, 4.8M
Hannity (Fox News), 2.5M, 266, 9,436, 9.9M
The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC), 2.3M, 123, 18,407, 13M
Today Show (NBC), 2M, 968, 2,019, 13.7M
Entertainment Tonight (CBSTD, Syndicated), 1.7M, 579, 2,950, 9.1M
Saturday Night Live (NBC), 1.5M, 58, 25,689, 13.7M
This is Us (NBC), 1.4M, 109, 12,709, 6M
Good Morning America (ABC), 955K, 885, 1,079, 14M

Shareablee Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of October 26
Program, Network, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
Stranger Things (Netflix), 2.1M, 5, 428,819, 26.2M
The Mandalorian (Disney+), 1.4M, 32, 42,392, 1.5M
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix), 898K, 7, 128,246, 2.6M
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix), 810K, 57, 14,219, 959K
Lucifer (Netflix), 480K, 8, 60,050, 6.9M
Black Clover on Funimation (Funimation), 365K, 19, 19,203, 742K
The Boys (Amazon Prime), 345K, 18, 19,182, 1.2M
Netflix is a Joke (YouTube), 320K, 71, 4,510, 2.2M
Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch), 283K, 22, 12,849, 5.6M
Trailer Park Boys (Netflix), 196K, 25, 7,832, 2.9M

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, October 30
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Shark Tank 4.42 (0.7), 20/20 3.49 (0.5)
CBS: Greatest #AtHome Videos 3.20 (0.4), Deciders 1.84 (0.3), Blue Bloods 2.70 (0.2)
CW: 13 Scariest Movies 0.73 (0.1), World’s Funniest Animals 0.74 (0.1), World’s Funniest Animals 0.70 (0.1)
FOX: WWE Friday Night Smackdown 2.29 (0.7)
NBC: American Ninja Warrior 1.95 (0.3), NBC Dateline 2.69 (0.4)
Telemundo: El Domo del Dinero 0.63 (0.1), Todo Por Mi Hija 1.29 (0.3), Falsa Identidad 0.75 (0.2)
Univision: Medicos Linea de Vida 1.41 (0.4), Imperio de Mentiras 1.21 (0.4), Dulce Ambicion 1.03 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Dawn Olmstead is exiting as President of Universal Cable Productions to join Anonymous Content as CEO. David Levine has been promoted to Anonymous Content Chief Creative Officer, reporting to Olmstead.

Crown Media Family Networks has tapped Hilary Silverboard to serve as SVP, Brand Strategy. Silverboard was previously Chief Marketing and Development Officer, Public Broadcasting Atlanta.

Disney promoted Debra O’Connell to head its network division, including ESPN. O’Connell had been President and GM of WABC-TV.

Banijay has split Creative Networks, with James Townley and Lucas Green shifting to roles as Global Head of Content Development and Global Head of Content Operations, respectively.

Captify announced that Brendan Condon has been named Global Chief Revenue Officer. Condon was most recently Chief Revenue Officer for Effectv.

The State of the Media & TV/Video Production Industry Study analyzes how leading media entertainment + TV/Video production companies are approaching today’s challenges, issues & opportunities.

The PDF report is only available to our members (join here), but the free webinar on 11/5 is available for all and will provide a high-level look at the findings.

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Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On Veep (2012-19), which state’s electoral college vote made Selina Meyers’ presidential contest with Bill O’Brien a tie? Virginia. Kudos to: Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
What did Scandal’s (2012-18) Olivia find out about Fitz that caused her to decline his offer to serve as campaign officer for his re-election effort, and go to work for a rival, Josie Marcus, instead? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)