Today’s Finale
HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher at 10p

Saturday’s Premiere
Crunchyroll: Onyx Equinox

Saturday Finale
HGTV: Should I Stay or Go at 9p

Sunday’s Premieres
AwesomenessTV: AwesomenessTV’s Next Influencer at 10a
Food Network: Buddy vs. Christmas at 10p

Sunday’s Finales
AMC: Fear the Walking Dead at 9p
CNN: First Ladies at 10p
Cooking Channel: Carnival Eats at 9p
ID: Killer in Question at 9p
PBS: The Trouble with Maggie Cole at 8p
TV One: Uncensored at 10p

IN THE NEWS

Discovery Inc. is hosting a presentation to discuss the launch of a global streaming service. Taking place Wednesday, December 2 at 12p, the event will include the overarching strategy for the platform. Discovery CEO David Zaslav noted recently that the company has retained rights to much of its library, and not shared rights with other streaming services. “We have been holding our content for this moment for a very long time,” he said.

Not surprisingly, 44% of local ad buyers who hit pause in 2020 said the halt in ad buying was a direct result of COVID-19, according to research from Borrell. But while the pandemic will eventually subside, some other issues are systemic, notes Borrell. 31% of those surveyed said they stopped local advertising because it was too expensive; 27% said they moved to something else; 26% cited the difficulty in measurement; and 17% said there was no data to determine impact. “When the pandemic rebound comes, those who ignored the systemic issues may not feel as much joy,” concluded Borrell.

Casino operator Bally’s and Sinclair Broadcast Group have entered a long-term strategic partnership for a gaming integration and rebranding deal. Bally’s will integrate content across Sinclair’s 190 TV stations and regional sports networks, its STIRR streaming app, Tennis Channel, and Stadium, allowing the companies to deliver “one-of-a-kind online gaming experiences” to local audiences. Sinclair’s RSN portfolio – source of a 3Q20 operating loss – will receive annual naming rights fees and a percentage of Bally’s Interactive’s marketing spend. “Bally’s, with its strong brand name, premier sportsbook technology platform and expansive market access, is the perfect partner to help us change the paradigm of sports viewing across all our assets,” said Sinclair President and CEO Chris Ripley. “By integrating gamification elements that allow audiences a more personalized and interactive game experience, consumers of live sports in the future can look forward to a more dynamic and engaging sports viewing experience.” Bally’s also entered into an agreement to acquire sports betting platform provider Bet.Works, for $125 million.

Warner Bros. Pictures superhero film “Wonder Woman 1984” will be released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in the US on December 25, after debuting theatrically in international markets starting December 16. The movie will be available for a month to HBO Max subscribers at no additional charge. “As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group. “This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the US where theaters are open. We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ via our HBO Max platform.”

A reboot of the classic game show “Name That Tune” is headed to Fox. Hosted by Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) with “American Idol” alum Randy Jackson as band leader, the newest iteration debuts Wednesday, January 6 at 9p, after “The Masked Singer.” “We’re thrilled to bring the iconic musical game show ‘Name That Tune’ back to television with this updated revival,” said Rob Wade, President, Alternative Entertainment & Specials, Fox Entertainment. “It’s been beloved the world over for decades and we can’t wait for a new generation of families to get to play along with the classic series at home.” Launched on radio in 1952, “Name That Tune” most recently aired in syndication during the 1984-85 season. CBS ordered a pilot of a reboot in 2017 that didn’t make it to series.

Also on deck at Fox is a remake of Spanish variety series “Game of Talents,” with Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make a Deal”) hosting and exec producing the Fremantle format. “’Game of Talents’ is a dynamic combination of talent and game shows, and is destined to be the country’s next big family entertainment format,” said Jayson Dinsmore, President of Alternative Programming and Development, Fremantle. The series is in production for a 2021 debut.

T-Mobile is discontinuing down TVision Home on December 30. The IPTV cable service, launched in April 2019 as an “upgraded, rebranded” version of Layer3, required a set-top box and cost subscribers $90/month, versus T-Mobile’s new live streaming service. Launched on November 1, TVision Live works via an app accessible across many platforms, and offers less expensive bundles of channels.

BuzzFeed is acquiring HuffPost as part of a deal with Verizon Media. While BuzzFeed News and HuffPost will operate separately, Verizon Media and Buzzfeed will syndicate content across one another’s platforms. “We’re excited about our partnership with Verizon Media, and mutual benefits that will come from syndicating content across each other’s properties, collaborating on innovative ad products and the future of commerce, and tapping into the strength and creativity of Verizon Media Immersive,” said BuzzFeed CEO and Founder Jonah Peretti.

AMC Networks is the latest media company to cut staff as it streamlines operations, and focuses on growth areas like streaming. A reorganization is expected to trim 100 jobs, or 10% of the US workforce by the end of the year. NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, ViacomCBS and Disney have also eliminated positions as they restructure operations.

MTV Entertainment Group announced “Culture code,” a diversity, equity and inclusive orientation for its creative community, including staff, talent and production partners. MTV partnered with organizations including The Museum of Tolerance, Color of Change, GLAAD, Anti-Defamation League, The Jed Foundation, MPAC, RAINN, RespectAbility and Storyline Partners to help develop the program. The goal: Constructing a communal set of values, understanding and baseline cultural norms to create a more inclusive and welcoming creative community.

A Latino-led management group headed by Fuse Media CEO Miguel “Mike” Roggero has acquired a majority, controlling interest in Fuse Media, the cross-platform, English-language, entertainment brand serving Latino, multicultural millennial and Gen Z audiences. “At a time when millions of Americans of all races and ethnicities are calling for more representation and servicing of underserved communities, the Fuse Media management team is taking ownership of its collective destiny. Literally,” said Roggero. “Only through ownership can Latino and other minorities reach our true potential.”

Calling all judges. Are you interested in weighing in on the industry’s Best of the Best? Cynopsis’ call for judges is on as we dive into all the amazing entries from this year’s Best of the Best Awards submissions. To join the panel, please fill out this brief application. You will be notified shortly if you are selected.

Nielsen is launching an identity resolution system for cross-media measurement. Based on people-based data sets, the identity graph product will include: Ecosystem connectivity, integrating information from publishers and advertisers “associated” with actual people and the devices they use; Nielsen ID, using current measurement panels to correct biases and combine data across data sources in a “privacy-centric” manner; and proprietary machine-learning models to integrate data across environments for accuracy, comparability and representation. The company is looking at rolling out the system in 1Q21.

Nickelodeon renewed Warner Bros. Television’s “Friends” for its Nick at Nite programming. Also included in the deal were off-network cable rights to “Young Sheldon,” which will debut on Nick at Nite on Monday, November 30.

The Critics Choice Association announced nominees for the new “Critics Choice Super Awards.” HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” landed the most series nods, with six. A presentation for the Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy Horror, Action and Animation categories will air on the CW on Sunday, January 10 at 8p.

Arts net Ovation TV released a series of new PSAs on its channels nationwide, aimed a bringing attention to the arts industry’s financial crisis. The PSAs are part of the company’s $1 million investment during 2020, which also included lobbying and digital campaign efforts, to push Congress to prioritize the struggling arts sector as it eyes a second stimulus package.

We’ve announced the very best pros in digital media who are emulated, one step ahead of the curve, shake up the status quo & have the potential to change the future of the industry.

Join Cynopsis as we celebrate these individuals during the virtual
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HBO Max has ordered four-part limited event series “DMZ,” from Roberto Patino, Ava DuVernay, and Warner Bros. Television. Rosario Dawson (“Briarpatch”) and Benjamin Bratt (“Law & Order”) lead the cast of the futuristic drama, set amid a second American civil war and based on the comic series published by DC. Patino, who will write all episodes and showrun the series, wrote the pilot episode, which was directed by DuVernay. Patino and DuVernay are the executive producers. Production is scheduled to begin in 2021.

Sketch comedy series “The G Word with Adam Conover,” inspired by the Michael Lewis book, The Fifth Risk, landed an order from Netflix. Conover (“Adam Ruins Everything”) exec produces with Fair Point’s Jon Cohen, Jon Wolf and Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan.

Andrew Zimmern’s production company, Intuitive Content, has something cooking at Magnolia Network, Discovery, Inc.’s joint venture with Chip and Joanna Gaines. Magnolia ordered “Zoe Bakes,” which will have baker Zoe Francois breaking down the secrets of pastry chefs, along with “Family Dinner,” in which host Zimmern visits families across the country. Both series are expected to debut around the time of the network’s launch in early 2021.

A+E Studios is in active development on “Blood Brothers“ (wt), exploring the friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. The project is a collaboration with Shelby Stone and Derek Dudley’s Narrative Film Group, Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann’s Creative 7, and Charles Murray’s (“Luke Cage”) Raising Kane Films, written and executive produced by Murray.

Amazon is developing animated comedy “Oaklandia,” with Snoop Dogg set to voice. The project is being produced by Amazon Studios, Snoop Dogg and business partner Ted Chung, Vince Vaugh, Victoria Vaughn, Peter Billingsley for Wild West Picture Show Productions, Daniel Dominguez, who is writing, and Chris Powell (“Detroiters”).

Lifetime greenlit a new movie for its Ripped From the Headlines slate. Thriller “Death Saved My Life” stars Meagan Good (“The Intruder”), Chiké Okonkwo (“Being Mary Jane”) and La’Myia Good (“The Wood”). Real-life sisters Meagan and La’Myia Good portray siblings in the film, which is inspired by true events and tells the story of a woman who faked her own death in order to trap her husband after he hires a hitman to kill her. Produced by Jarrett Creative and debuting in early 2021, the film is executive produced Meagan Good, Julie Insogna Jarrett and Seth Jarrett.

Joining the cast of Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop”: Geoff Stults (“Little Fires Everywhere”), Tamara Tunie (“Dietland”), Mason Alexander Park (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”), Rachel House (“Thor: Ragnarok”), Ann Truong (“Strikeback!”) and Hoa Xuande (“Top of the Lake”) . The series is a a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series, from Tomorrow Studios, Midnight Radio, writer Chris Yost and Sunrise.

TECH TALK

DoubleVerify announced a new solution, Video Complete, aimed at holistic campaign quality measurement and maximum brand protection across video environments. Video Complete offers three layers of protection, including pre-bid avoidance, post-bid blocking and Video Filtering, a DV innovation that lets advertisers reduce quality infractions and associated wasted investment across video environments and devices, even where blocking is not supported. Video Filtering is estimated to reduce the delivery of non-compliant inventory by 40% on average.

Self-service CTV ad platform BidMind by Fiksu is partnering with The ViewPoint, an ad monetization platform for CTV and OTT publishers and broadcasters, to expand its presence in the digital media buying market. BidMind by Fiksu will obtain access to the exclusive partner’s inventory of TheViewPoint, giving the company’s clients an opportunity to broaden the outreach and target the relevant audience through holistic ad display based on the audiences’ interests and needs. “In 2020, we witnessed skyrocketing CTV popularity. The channel’s immense growth has brought in a pool of tremendous opportunities for all players,” said The ViewPoint CSO Daniel Elad. “So, now supply significantly outweighs demand. However, it’s crucial to understand that not only profit but also brand safety and transparency are critical for companies in the digital TV world. With a rich portfolio of premium publishers, we can ensure that ads will land next to top quality, brand-safe content.”

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NEW & RETURNING SERIES

MTV’s “Catfish: The TV Show” will return on a new night beginning Tuesday, December 1 at 9p with eight new episodes, continuing the show’s virtual season. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original documentary, MTV will kick off premiere day with The 10 Years of Catfish-athon at 11a, starting with the film debuted at Sundance in 2010, and the most outrageous episodes of the past eight seasons.

ABC set its midseason schedule. “The Rookie,” delayed from a fall debut date, takes its place on the schedule on Sunday, January 3 at 10p. New comedy “Call Your Mother,” also delayed, kicks off Wednesday, January 13 at 9:30p. And Black-ish moves to a new date and time on Tuesday, January 26 at 9p, followed by the season premiere of Mixed-ish at 9:30p.

“Undercover Billionaire” is back for a second season on Discovery starting Wednesday, January 6 at 8p, when three entrepreneurs bet $1 million they can start their own business with just $100, and top the million-dollar mark in 90 days. Following the premiere is new series “Undercover Billionaire: Comeback City” at 10p, featuring last season’s Billionaire, Glenn Stearns, working to turn around struggling businesses.

Apple TV+ original series “Losing Alice” premieres Friday, January 22 with the first three episodes. New episodes of the psychological thriller will premiere weekly, on Fridays. The streamer also shared a season two premiere date for space drama “For All Mankind”: Friday, February 19. Added to the cast are Cynthy Wu (“Holidate”), Coral Pena (“The Post”), and Casey W. Johnson (“GLOW”).

Ten-week competition Kids Baking Championship is back on Food Network starting Monday, December 28 at 9p. For the first time, the bakers’ parents will be backstage, watching and reacting.

The Walking Dead’s extended 10th season of six new episodes launch Sunday, February 28 at 9p. The episodes premiere early on streamer AMC+, on Thursdays ahead of their Sunday linear premiere.

COMING UP

CNN Films has acquired documentary feature “President in Waiting” from director Jeffrey Roth (“41”). In the film, premiering Saturday, December 5 at 9p on CNN, now-President-Elect Joe Biden discusses his deliberation in accepting his nomination of Vice President, and explores his relationship with President Barack Obama.

iHeartRadio and poverty-fighting organization Robin Hood are teaming for “Heroes of New York,” with appearances from Al Pacino, Andra Day, Andy Cohen, Eli Manning, Ice T, John McEnroe, Jon Stewart, Justin Tuck, Kelly Ripa, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mariano Rivera, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Che, Michael Strahan, Ryan Seacrest, Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan, as well as stories that show the impact of the generosity of New Yorkers. The special will air across New York area TV and radio stations on Tuesday, December 1 at 7p.

Upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer The Weeknd has been added to the lineup for the (virtual) 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, streaming December 10 and airing as a TV special on the CW on Monday, December 14. The CW has also slated a special, “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Greatest Moments,” for Thursday, December 3 at 8p.

Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change, featuring Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley competing against Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning, airs Friday, November 27, at 3p on TNT. Live companion content leading up to and during the event will be available through Bleacher Report and the B/R app.

Latin stars Patricia Manterola, Vanessa Villela and Tony Garza join Telemundo reality competition “El Domo del Dinero” starting Monday, November 23 at 7p, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Streamer Fox Nation will host its second annual Patriot Awards tonight, November 20 at 8p, honoring patriots in categories like The Everyday Patriot, Patriot Award for Service to Veterans, and Patriot Award for Courage. On Sunday, November 22, Fox News and Fox Business Network will present a one-hour program dedicated to the special event at 10p and 11p, respectively.

Academy Award winning film “1917,” telling the story of two WWI soldiers in a race against time, will have its television premiere on Showtime on Thanksgiving Day, November 26 at 9p.

Celebrity Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will produce and host a one-hour Thanksgiving television special airing Wednesday, November 25, to raise money for City Harvest and No Kid Hungry. “The Great American Foodathon Presented by Citi” will feature performances by John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, JoJo, and Dennis Quaid, and air commercial-free on select Fox-owned stations.

“Super Spy Ryan,” a hybrid live-action and animation special starring YouTube star Ryan Kaji, executive produced by pocket.watch and created by Sunlight Entertainment, the Kaji family’s production company, will be available exclusively on Amazon Kids+ starting Friday, November 27 in the US UK and Canada; and in Germany and Japan in December.

Stand-up special “Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time” premieres on Comedy Central on Friday, December 4 at 8p.

STREAMING SCOOP

What happens when 90 Day Fiance fans run out of spin-offs (as if!)? TLC is launching 90 Fiance: The Podcast on Tuesday, December 1. “We have continued to feed the 90 Day superfan appetite with franchise expanders, yet there was one platform left untapped, until now,” said Cameron Curtis, VP, Multi-Platform Strategy & Digital Media, TLC. “We’re excited to bring viewers even further under the 90 Day tent, up-close and personal with our 90 Day couples as they share their international love stories in this intimate, unvarnished way.”

Crown Media Family Networks SVOD service, “Hallmark Movies Now,” has launched on YouTube TV. The service is an add-on option for $5.99 a month, following a 7-day free trial. The offer comes just in time for Hallmark Movies Now’s annual programming event, “Movies & Mistletoe,” offering holiday films from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ libraries of seasonal content.

Short-form OTT service VideoElephant TV has added new digital channels, among them Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Us Weekly, Bossip, Reader’s Digest, Hollyscoop and CampusLore, among others.

Team Whistle’s sports lifestyle and entertainment OTT channel Whistle TV is coming to Roku in partnership with Cinedigm. “Whistle TV fills a void in the market by combining brand safe sports, entertainment and lifestyle content for young viewers,” said Griffin Gmelich, EVP of OTT and Content at Team Whistle. “Our OTT channel expands the reach of Team Whistle’s content to new viewers in the formats and on the platforms they like best.”

Tribeca Film Festival is adding Tribeca Podcasts, a new vertical dedicated to audio storytelling. This festival section, taking place June 9-20, 2021, will include world premieres and sneak peeks of podcasts, talks with audio creators, and live recordings.

GOING GLOBAL

Quintus Studios has acquired factual programs for its on demand channels Free Documentary and Free Documentary Nature. From ZDF Enterprises, Quintus Studios landed the rights to “Megastructures – The World’s Most Extreme Railway,” “Terra X Pioneers – The Battle for Steel Supremacy,” and “Just Animals – Just Big Cats.”

NL Film confirmed the sale of Dutch dramas Commandos, The Columnist, Floor Rules and Remy and Juliyat to international streamers and broadcasters.

New dates were announced for Series Mania’s 2021 edition. Taking place in Lille, France, and the Hauts-de-France region, the festival will take place May 28-June 5, and the Series Mania Forum will be held in the Lille Grand Palais from June 1-3.

all3media International has announced pre-sales for “It’s A Sin.” The show will debut on Channel 4 in the UK and play exclusively with co-producer HBO Max in the US. The five-part is also headed to Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and Australasia in early pre-sale deals.

Insight TV has launched three of its digital services on Pluto TV in the UK and Germany. Lifestyle channel Insight TV, action-focused channel InTrouble and science/technology/knowledge channel InWonder are now available on Pluto TV in the UK and Germany.

Love Nature has launched on StarTV in Mexico, granting Spanish-speaking subscribers access to programming including “Malawi Wildlife Rescue” and “Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs.

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The launch of Nickelodeon’s “The Astronauts” won the day

with Kids 6-11 across all TV in Live+SD and Live+3. The premiere posted a +31% increase with Kids 6-11, up from 1.3 (Live+SD) to 1.7 (Live+3). The show also delivered a strong co-viewing audience, with 40% of A18-49 watching the series premiere with a Kid 6-11.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Wednesday, November 18
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: The Goldbergs 3.72 (0.7), American Housewife 2.90 (0.6), The Conners 3.65 (0.6), Black-ish 2.39 (0.4), For Life 1.96 (0.4)
CBS Amazing Race 3.90 (0.7), Amazing Race 3.18 (0.6), S.W.A.T. 2.25 (0.3)
CW: Devils 0.30 (0.1), Coroner 0.55 (0.1)
FOX: The Masked Singer 6.42 (1.7), I Can See Your Voice 3.76 (1.0)
NBC: Chicago Med 7.87 (1.0), Chicago Fire 7.77 (1.0), Chicago PD 6.38 (0.8)
Telemundo: Domo del Dinero 0.66 (0.2), Todo Por Mi Hija 1.40 (0.4), Falsa Identidad 0.80 (0.2)
Univision: Vencer el Desamor 1.71 (0.6), Imperio de Mentiras 1.32 (0.4), Dulce Ambicion 1.06 (0.3)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Mattel has named Catherine Frymark as EVP of Corporate Communications. Frymark will oversee external and internal corporate communications globally as well as the Company’s philanthropic efforts, including the Mattel Children’s Foundation.
Frymark was most recently Group SVP, Communications at Discovery Inc.

Bunim/Murray Productions CEO Gil Goldschein is leaving the reality production company he has led since 2015, and worked for for 20 years. “At heart, I am an entrepreneur with a passion for taking on new challenges, which is why I feel the time is right to leave what has been my home for so long,” said Goldshein. “I believe the future of our industry will continue to exist at the intersection of technology and entertainment, which is where I believe my future will be as well.”

Banijay elevated Cris Abrego to the role of Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings. Abrego previously served as CEO, Endemol Shine North America and Chairman, Endemol Shine Americas.

AccuWeather Media Group hired Emmilyne Victor as multi-media journalist, and Bryan Conyers as video producer. Victor most recently freelanced for HILL-TV,while Conyers spent 6+ years at WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.

Friday Fun Fact
Mr. Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on TV.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was boxing champ Rocky Graziano’s first series regular TV job? The Henny and Rocky Show (1955), with Henny Youngman. Kudos to: Mark Wajda/Clermont, FL, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
What was the occupation of Paul Lynde’s character in “The Paul Lynde Show” (1972-73)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)