11/26/18: ABC passes on The Middle spin-off

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM UNIVISION

ANOTHER

CLEAN SWEEP

For the 25th year, Univision is the

#1 Spanish-language Network

during November Sweeps

UNIVISION

America’s Hispanic Superbrand

For sourcing visit www.univision.net/superbrand

CYNOPSIS

Good morning. It’s Monday November 26, 2018 and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:

ABC: The Great Christmas Light Fight at 8p

Game Show Network: America Says at 9p

VH1: Love & Hip Hop at 8p

Tonight’s Finale:

TLC: Long Island Medium at 8p

IN THE NEWS

Heck no: ABC is not moving forward with the spin-off of The Middle centered on the Sue Heck character. A pilot had been shot for the show, written by The Middle creators DeAnne Heline and Eileen Heisler.

Also at the alphabet net, Take Two won’t make it to a second season. Summer procedural series starring Rachel Bilson and Eddie Cibrian averaged a .6 rating among A18-49.

One show that will be returning for season two is Ugly Delicious (“food is a four-letter word”), renewed by Netflix. Star/producer David Chang tweeted the news on Thanksgiving.

Turner said it will issue refunds to customers who paid $19.99 to watch Friday’s PPV match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on Bleacher Report Live, after a technical glitch prompted the company to make the livestream available for free. “Prior to the start of the event, we experienced a technical issue with the B/R Live paywall page that we tried to quickly resolve. We decided to take down the paywall to ensure that fans who already purchased the event would not miss any action,” said a spokesperson on Saturday. Comcast is issuing a credit to customers who paid for the match on its Xfinity platform.

According to a White House financial disclosure form reviewed by CNBC, former Fox News co-president Bill Shine, now White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, received a $15 million payout from 21^st Century Fox. Seven million dollars, reportedly part of a severance package given after he left amid allegations that he mishandled sexual misconduct claims against others at the company, was received during his White House tenure. Shine left the news net in May 2017 and replaces Hope Hicks in his new role; Hicks will head corporate communications after the Disney/Fox merger.

Disney isn’t immune to the cord-cutting trend impacting media company numbers. ESPN’s U.S. subscriber base is 86 million, according to Disney’s annual report, down two million from the company’s 2017 figures. Disney Channel subscribers fell from 92 million to 89 million, and Freeform dipped two million, to 90 million.

Andie McDowell will guest-star on Hulu’s limited series inspired by Four Weddings and a Funeral, reports Deadline. McDowell, who starred in the 1994 film, will play a new character in the project, written and produced by Mindy Kaling and Matt Warburton. Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) will star, replacing original lead Jessica Williams.

Under fire for data breaches and the spread of misinformation, Facebook is sending an exec to an international hearing in London on Tuesday aimed at investigating fake news, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg won’t be in the hot seat. Instead, Richard Allan, VP of Policy for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, will testify in front of the global gathering. The company said Zuckerberg was “not able to be in London.” Asked by CNN last week if he planned to resign as chairman, Zuckerberg replied, “That’s not the plan.”

The British Parliament invoked their power to confiscate confidential Facebook documents and emails from the founder of an American software company, reported The Guardian on Saturday. Documents seized from Six4Three’s Ted Kramer allegedly contain “significant revelations” about Facebook decisions on data and privacy controls. “We are in uncharted territory,” said Damian Collins, chair of the culture, media and sport select committee. “This is an unprecedented move but it’s an unprecedented situation. We’ve failed to get answers from Facebook and we believe the documents contain information of very high public interest.”

Do you think Mark Zuckerberg should resign as Facebook CEO? Let us know in the Cynopsis poll: www.cynopsis.com/poll/.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

**LAST CHANCE TO JOIN THE PARTY**

The Cynopsis TV Awards

The TV Awards are all about honoring outstanding achievement in content, campaigns and more. We can’t wait to spotlight the work that’s been done over the past year in a variety of categories (55 to be exact!), but the deadline to enter is HOURS away – The portal closes at 11:59PM ET! We hope to see you and our team this February in NYC for our annual TV Awards celebration!

[ ENTER BY 11:59PM ET ]

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Lightbox is producing a six-part docu-series for Netflix investigating a series of murders in a remote area of California. Murder Mountain drops on the streamer on Friday, December 28.

Top 10 Weekend Domestic Box Office Estimates: November 23-25, 2018

Ralph Breaks the Internet (Buena Vista) $55.7 million, opening weekend

Creed II (MGM) $35.3 million, opening weekend

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (Universal) $30.2 million (week 2), cume revenue $180.4 million

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Warner Bros.) $29.7 million (week 2), cume revenue $117.1 million

Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) $13.9 million (week 3), cume revenue $152.0 million

Instant Family (Paramount) $12.5 million (week 2), cume revenue $35.8 million

Robin Hood (Lionsgate) $9.1 million, opening weekend

Widows (Fox) $8.0 million (week 2), cume revenue $25.9 million

Green Book (Universal) $5.4 million (week 2), cume revenue $7.8 million

A Star Is Born (Warner Bros.) $8.0 million (week 6), cume revenue $178.0 million

Source: comScore

COMING UP

Comedy Central’s first “31 Days of Holiday Survival” stunt will feature movies, specials and event marathons, “to make folks laugh out loud, forget their troubles and celebrate the year ahead.” First up: Adam Sandler movies on Saturday, December 1, from 5p-2a.

In the home stretch to Christmas, TV One will air an Eve marathon on Monday, December 24, from 6a-6p. Immediately following the stunt, viewers can binge-watch a holiday collection of TV One’s Christmas movies during a 32-hour holiday movie marathon from Christmas Eve at 6p through Christmas night at 2a.

DIGITAL DATA

Just before Thanksgiving, Amazon emailed some customers to inform them that their names and emails had been disclosed due to a “technical error.” The issue was fixed, said Amazon, adding, “there is no need for you to change your password or take any other action.”

Smartphones account for 48.3% of visits to retail sites, according to new holiday shopping data from Adobe Analytics. Desktops make up 43.5% of visits; tablets, 8.2%. No matter where they clicked, by 10a on Black Friday, consumers had spent $643 million online, up 27.8% versus 2017.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a blog post that the agency wants to help shield consumers from unwanted contacts on their phones, and to that end deny a petition by mass-texting company Twilio to classify wireless messaging as a telecommunications service. The classification would “dramatically curb the ability of wireless providers to use robotext-blocking, anti-spoofing, and other anti-spam features,” wrote Pai, who said he is circulating a Declaratory Ruling that would instead classify wireless messaging as an information service. “Aside from being a more legally sound approach, this decision would keep the floodgates to a torrent of spam texts closed, remove regulatory uncertainty, and empower providers to continue finding innovative ways to protect consumers from unwanted text messages,” said Pai.

GOING GLOBAL

A+E Networks International has begun development on its first international, scripted co-production, Miss Scarlet and The Duke, a crime drama about the first female detective, set in 19^th-century London. Series stars Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders). A+E Networks is negotiating deals in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S. with the aim of going into production at the end of 1Q19.

Family drama series Butterfly has been acquired by Canada’s CBC in a deal with Fremantle. Red Productions mini-series is set to launch in late winter 2019.

Singapore-based Bomanbridge Media licensed a deal to see Delicacy Hunter: On The Silk Road air on National Geographic Asia. Series premieres in December as a special holiday event.

Globo licensed three telenovelas from its international catalog. Edge of Desire was licensed to pay-TV channel RTV21, from Kosovo; Dubai Media Incorporated acquired the broadcast rights to police romantic comedy The Big Catch; and classic The Clone has been selected by Dori Media Group, a Globo partner in Israel.

KIDS CORNER

Digital kids’ network and studio WildBrain has been appointed to produce original content based on The Irish Fairy Door Company, as well as manage the YouTube and Facebook strategy for the toy brand. The Irish Fairy Door Company is a direct-to-consumer brand based in Ireland.

PODCAST POSTS

The Intercept and Topic Studios announced the release of Murderville, a seven-episode nonfiction crime podcast uncovering a series of unsolved murders and a wrongful conviction in Adel, Georgia. All seven episodes are available on Stitcher Premium.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

JUST ANNOUNCED: 2019 Cynopsis Rising Star Honorees!

Cynopsis is excited to honor stand-out performers, innovators and emerging leaders in the media industry. The experience of these young superstars spans research, sports, digital, content and marketing – join us in congratulating them for jobs well done.

Honorees will be celebrated at the Cynopsis TV Awards, the ultimate gathering of media’s best & brightest, taking place this February in NYC!

[ VIEW HONOREES]

RATINGS

ABC’s The Conners on Tuesday delivered 6.9 million viewers and 1.4 among A18-49, less than half a rating point behind a NBC’s This Is Us (1.8). It was a series low in the demo for the NBC drama, but enough to win the night.

Thanksgiving football left Fox and NBC with something to be thankful for. Fox’s Cowboys/Redskins game hit 14.1 in metered market ratings, up 10% versus last year, and NBC’s Saints/Falcons matchup was up 18% with an 11.4 rating.

NIELSEN SOCIAL CONTENT RATINGS: Top Series and Specials by Total Interactions for the week of November 12, 2018

Program, Total Interactions (000), Facebook (000), Instagram (000) Twitter (000)

The 19^th Annual Latin Grammy Awards (Univision) 4242, 277, 3696, 268

WWE Smackdown! (USA) 2053, 160, 1556, 337

WWE Monday Night RAW (USA) 1757, 275, 1168, 313

The 52^nd Annual CMA Awards (ABC) 1187, 208, 497, 481

The Walking Dead (AMC) 952, 4, 844, 103

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 661, 41, 537, 83

Nuestra Belleza Latina (Univision) 551, 42, 503, 5

Riverdale (CW) 542, 3, 220, 319

The Good Place (NBC) 511, 1, 463, 47

The Voice (NBC) 426, 45, 273, 108

Source: Nielsen. Interactions are a measure of total relevant U.S. social media activity grossed across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from three hours before through three hours after broadcast, local time. Series and Specials include those on Broadcast and National Cable with metrics available across social platforms.

Top 10 Shows based on Shareablee’s Video Power Index for the week of November 12, 2018

Show, VPI, Video Actions, Video Views, Total Actions

Riverdale (CW) 2247, 5.1M, 794K, 8.5M

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 682, 827K, 5M, 1.5M

American Horror Story (FX) 540, 499K, 561K, 1.1M

The Walking Dead (AMC) 456, 1.2M, 6.8M, 3.8M

The Flash (CW) 358, 724K, 1.2M, 1.3M

E! News (E!) 355, 2.1M, 2.8M, 17.7M

Jersey Shore (MTV) 345, 338K, 6.2M, 449K

Supernatural (CW) 309, 535K, 1.9M, 1.1M

America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC) 259, 643K, 31.1M, 643K

Keeping Up With the Kardashians (E!) 251, 130K, 811K, 358K

Shareablee’s VPI combines viewing, consumer interactions and audience scale across all active platforms and includes video performance of primetime TV shows.

Live + Same Day Viewers AA (millions) Tuesday, November 20, 2018 time period averages

Source: NTI, Galaxy as dated Live+SD

CBS: 9.44 million

NCIS 11.95, FBI 8.91, NCIS: New Orleans 7.47

NBC: 7.32 million

The Voice 8.22, This Is Us 7.91, New Amsterdam 5.82

ABC: 4.28 million

The Conners 6.86, The Kids Are Alright 4.22, black-ish 3.48, Splitting Up Together 2.73, The Rookie 4.10

FOX: 1.30 million

The GIfted 1.11, Lethal Weapon 1.49

CW: 1.29 million

The Flash 1.60, Black Lightning 0.99

TELEMUNDO: 0.84 million

La Sultana 0.83, Falsa Identidad 0.93, Senora Acero 0.75

Tuesday A18-49: NBC 1.4/6, CBS 1.0/5, ABC 0.9/4, CW 0.4/2, TELE 0.4/2, FOX 0.3/1

EXECUTIVE MOVES

UK-based production company back2back appointed Anna Boronat to the position of Head of Production. Boronat recently served as Production Manager on back2back’s Duran Duran: There’s Something You Should Know.

Sony Pictures Television tapped Holly Comisky to serve as Country Manager for the UK and Ireland. Comisky was previously Head of Acquisitions for Sky Cinema.

Emily Dollman has been named to the new role of Head of Development at Expectation Factual. Dollman joins from Maverick TV, where she was Head of Development.

IN MEMORIAM

Master magician Ricky Jay died November 24. He was 72. In addition to stage and film, Ray’s TV work included Deadwood and a profile on American Masters.

This Day in History: 1789 – America’s first national Thanksgiving took place.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question: On Bewitched (1964-1972), what did Darrin, transported to Plymouth for the first Thanksgiving, do that almost got him burned at the stake for witchcraft? He lit a match. Kudos to: Rev. Mark Wajda/Leesburg, FL, Susan Nessanbaum-Golberg-M and S Entertainment, NYC, Patti Rodriguez-Sinclair Broadcast Group/Colorado Springs, CO, Clare Taricska-Tribune Media/Cleveland, Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton, FL, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/Burbank, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Anthony Salerno-Horizon Media/NYC

Today’s Trivia Question: Which game did George and the bubble boy argue over on Seinfeld (1989-1998)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four correct answers from each time zone will be selected.)

Monday Anagram: Highwaymen Loot Gold (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. First three responses will be included.)

Lynn Leahey Editorial Director @Lynn_Leahey
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JOB OF THE DAY

VP–TAX COUNSEL
A+E Networks
NY

Lead tax planner for dom/int’l tax issues. In-depth legal research/analysis of tax issues. 6-8 yrs of corp tax plng with a law firm or in-house tax counsel at a media co. Strong int’l tax experience. LLM grad prffd.

Info/Apply HERE

JOB OPENING: VP–TAX COUNSEL/A+E Networks/NY: Lead tax planner for dom/int’l tax issues. In-depth legal research/analysis of tax issues. 6-8 yrs of corp tax plng with a law firm or in-house tax counsel at a media co. Strong int’l tax experience. LLM grad prffd. Info/Apply HERE (11/30)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, BUSINESS AFFAIRS/Eko/NYC: Media/tech co. pioneering a new medium seeks Dir, Bus. Affairs to play a key role in shaping our relationships w/our key content partners. Oversee deal structure/negotiation w/prod partners. Min 5-7yrs exp prod partnerships at a film/TVmedia co. Full info/apply HERE (11/29)

JOB OPENING: Sr. ACCT. DIRECTOR/Quartz/NYC: Drive & grow revenue for various brands across diff. verticals; Finance exp. w/agency & client relationships; Passion for global business & digital media. Apply HERE (11/29)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA ENGINEER/Crown Media Family Networks/LA: Oversee the processing of digital audio/visual and photographic assets. Designs and implements workflows. Provides tier two technical support for Media Ops systems. Min 2 years post production digital asset mgmt. req. Apply HERE (11/29)

JOB OPENING: TEMP PROJECT MGR, ON-AIR PROMO/Crown Media Family Networks/LA: Track creative asset delivery between Crown Media and W Network in Canada. Serve as logistical liaison. Mng master tracking doc, create/deliver presentations, req & deliver assets. Min 4 yrs cable or network TV on-air promo or mktg. Apply HERE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: UX/UI DEVELOPER/WIDEORBIT/VANCOUVER WA: Lending your UI/UX skills to help create new user exp. Partner w/dvlpmnt, product support, QA & other Streaming/On Demand teams to make the best product we can. 5+ yrs relevant working exp. Experience writing modern web apps in ES6 React/Redux. Full info/apply HERE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAM RSRCH/BRAVO & OXYGEN/NYC: Leverage multiplatform data to dvlp data-driven strategies for optimizing viewership & monetization. Min 7 yrs exp in media rsrch w/prev exp in ntwrk or cable or w/an agency or vendor. Mng exp w/direct reports pref’d. Full info/apply HERE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR/NBC & Telemundo/Chicago: Driven/results-oriented sales professional to lead/ mng local digital sales efforts to achieve & exceed dig. revenue targets. Mng/dvlp/oversee, WMAQ (NBC) & WSNS (Telemundo) website & mobile platform revenue. Min 5 yrs relevant sales exp. Full info/apply HERE (11/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Crown Media Family Networks/ATL: Provide sales and support to the Ad Sales team for Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama. Maintain media schedules, build sales plans, manage added value. BS and minimum 1 year exp. req. Apply HERE (11/27)

JOB OPENING: Sr. MEDIA SOFTWARE ENGINEER/A+E/Stamford, CT&NYC: Lead software dev for media tech & infrastructure; Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl or JavaScript; Exp Microsoft SQL server. Full info/apply HERE (11/27)

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – MONDAY NOVEMBER 26

ABC: The Great Christmas Light Fight [p], The Good Doctor

CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], The Neighborhood [r], Magnum P.I.[r], Bull [r]

CW: Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

FOX: The Resident, 9-1-1

NBC: The Voice, Manifest

PBS: Antiques Roadshow[r], Nature [r], Independent Lens [r]

TELEMUNDO: La Sultana, Falsa Identidad, Senora Acero

UNIVISION: Jesus, Mi Marido Tiene Mas Familia, Amar a Muerte

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11/26/18: ABC passes on The Middle spin-off

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