Facebook accidentally killed a ton of people on Friday…Well, not literally. But a large number of users – including CEO Mark Zuckerberg – were accidentally added to Facebook’s ‘Memorialized Accounts’ feature for deceased users. Followers and friends were asked to “share and remember and celebrate” the lives of users who were still very much alive. “We are very sorry that this happened, and we worked as quickly as possible to fix it,” said Facebook in a statement. Fortunately, the company has now killed the glitch. Alas, it hasn’t been memorialized.

Audible is getting ready to launch The Comedy Comedy Show, a new audio show hosted by comic actor Will Arnett. In a new trailer, Arnett calls the series “high-concept” comedy. ‘High-concept’ meaning there’s a specific concept or gimmick behind each show,” he clarifies. “And…the creators were probably high or something when they came up with this stuff.” The show will feature stories, impressions, songs, and haikus (of the not-safe-for-work variety). It debuts Friday.

If you have even a cursory knowledge of American history, you know that race and ethnicity have played a historical role in housing and employment discrimination. It seems that Facebook doesn’t want to keep wading into those murky waters. The social media giant announced that it has banned marketers from using “ethnic affinity” targeting in ads offering employment, housing, or credit. “We have decided that we can best guard against discrimination by suspending these types of ads,” said Facebook VP Erin Egan in a blog post. The move comes two weeks after ProPublica reported that Facebook’s targeting tools enable advertisers to prevent their ads from reaching certain ethnicities.
 
Microsoft Research has unveiled its new machine learning tools for advertisers and publishers. The company’s new technology platform, called Decision Service, can analyze the behaviors of website visitors, using the information for real-time optimization of pricing, content and ad-serving.

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Vimeo has reached a new partnership with the OTT channel operator TV4 Entertainment.  TV4 will use VHX, Vimeo’s white label SVOD platform for self-distributors, to launch over 20 genre-specific subscription video on demand channels. The first channel, All Warrior Network, is geared toward military vets and service members. It launched on Veterans Day, November 11. TV4 intends to launch four more channels by the end of 2016, including Motorland (a channel for auto-enthusiasts) and the outdoor-centric channel Gone TV.

PlayOn, a “cloud DVR” service that allows users to record streaming content for offline viewing, is moving beyond desktop. PlayOn Cloud, a new mobile version of PlayOn, enables users to record movies and TV episodes from services like Netflix, HBO Now, and a number of others. (Note that users must actually subscribe to the services for the PlayOn Cloud app to work.) The PlayOn Cloud app charges users 99 cents per download. (It’s worth pointing out that some streamers, like Amazon Prime and YouTube Red, already offer offline playback to subscribers for no extra cost.) If you’re wondering whether streaming services like Netflix have signed off on the PlayOn Cloud service, the answer is actually no. As TechCrunch points out, the app technically may not run afoul of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, but it’s a very murky legal area. The PlayOn Cloud app is only available for iOS, but an Android version is in the works.
 

This month’s Cynopsis Digital Model D Awards honored the best of the best in digital talent. So how does it feel to win? “We’re honored to win three awards at the Cynopsis Model D Awards last week; a testament to the great work our digital and social team does to create engaging content for our global fan base, said Jayar Donlan, Senior Vice President of Digital and Social Content at Model D winner WWE. “With more than 700 million social media followers across WWE’s digital and social platforms, and the number one sports channel on YouTube, we are proud to see our efforts recognized throughout the industry.”

Speaking of the Model D’s, Jeremy Parsons did a fantastic job hosting the ceremony earlier this month. But his day job is hosting People Now, People’s five-day-a-week digital talk show. Cynopsis asked Parsons about what goes into making People Now, and about what’s in store for the show next year. You can check out some of his answers below. And take a look at the full Q&A here.
What have you got planned for the show in 2017?
Jeremy Parsons:  We are so excited for 2017! As our platforms have expanded, so have our opportunities to create more content. In 2016 we had our first ever People Now Concert Series sponsored by Toyota. It was a hit, and we obviously hope to bring our audience more of those types of experiences. Awareness is growing about our show and our platform – we keep seeing that stars are excited to come back to be part of it again and again!
What sets People Now apart from other online entertainment shows?
Jeremy Parsons:  One of the most powerful distinctions between People Now and other online entertainment shows is the authority of People as a brand. We are fortunate to have exceptional, exclusive access to celebrities and their stories. Plus, our audience knows if we say it, it’s reliable.  
Just how important is it for a (traditionally print) publication to expand into the digital space?
Jeremy Parsons:  Expanding into the digital space is an important and exciting transition, especially for a brand like People, because the audience is there, it already knows us, and as we’ve seen, the audience is ready and willing to quickly grab our content wherever they find it.
In terms of resources and support, does being a Time Inc. subsidiary help you in any way – especially as the company as a whole has made wide-ranging efforts to expand its video efforts?
Jeremy Parsons:  The resources of Time Inc. brands like People and Entertainment Weekly are truly impressive. People Now has benefited tremendously from our teams’ abilities to cross over with resources to create even better content.
In terms of format, questions, etc., in how does the show different from a linear interview show – and why?
Jeremy Parsons:  Our content, like celebrity interviews, is uniquely produced to fit into our full episodes of People Now, but also catered to live as individual pieces that populate correlating articles on People.com. One of the advantages we’ve seen when it comes to booking guests is they get a lot of exposure from one interview – the Live streaming full show, the individual segments, and now even more play on the new People/Entertainment Weekly Network (People.com/PEN).
 

Which YouTube vlogger and comedian goes by the username IISuperwomanII? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
 
Our Last Trivia Question: One early Facebook exec only had his “co-founder” title permanently affirmed after a lawsuit. Which one? Answer: Eduardo Saverin. Kudos to Luke Watson-Roker Labs/NY, Christine Allen-McGee Media/NY, Lorrie Shilling/CA, Julie Stowell-Gracenote/NY, Matt Zagha-A+E Networks/CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, and Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment, Inc./CA
 

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Amazon reportedly paid an arm and a leg to land the Top Gear guys for its new automotive series. Called The Grand Tour, it debuts this Friday, November 18. Check out the trailer here.
 
Watcheroo Premieres and Tune-in Alerts for the week of November 14-November 20
–People Now at People.com, Monday-Friday at 8:30a ET and 11:30a ET: Guests include actor Colin Farrell (Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), musician Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons), and TV personality Todd Hoffman (Discovery’s Gold Rush)
– Acorn TV: The U.K. drama series Close to the Enemy makes its exclusive U.S. premiere on the Anglophile friendly streaming service today, November 14
– Verizon’s go90: Season 2 of AwesomenessTV’s ‘Guidance’ debuts today, November 14
– Verizon’s go90: Rated Red’s ‘Top Grier’ debuts today, November 14
– Verizon’s go90: izo’s ‘Dance Showdown’ debuts today, November 14
– Verizon’s go90: Machinima’s Happy Wheels debuts Tuesday, November 15
– Verizon’s go90: Mandalay Sports’ ‘Here’s the Rub’ debuts Wednesday, November 16
– Verizon’s go90: Seriously.TV’s ‘Thanksgiving’ debuts Wednesday, November 16
– Crackle: The Art of More makes its season 2 debut Wednesday, November 16
– Seeso: The one-hour mockumentary special Alan Partridge: Scissored Isle debuts Thursday, November 17
– Seeso: Dan Levy: Lion, a new comedy special, debuts Thursday, November 17
– Netflix: The U.K. comedy Lovesick (formerly called Scrotal Recall) moves to Netflix for its second season, debuting Thursday, November 17. 
– Netflix: The animated series Beat Bugs returns for its second season Friday, November 18
– Netflix: Colin Quinn: The New York Story, a new comedy special, debuts Friday, November 18
– Netflix: Divines, a new French-language drama film, debuts Friday, November 18
– Amazon Video: The Grand Tour, a new automotive series hosted by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, debuts Friday, November 18.
Watcheroo is Cynopsis Digital‘s tune-in guide, categorized alphabetically by platform or network. Programming includes digital premieres, ongoing shows, live-streamed events and linear TV digital integrated series.

See you on tomorrow,
David Teich
11.14.16

Roberta Caploe: Publisher @robertacaploe
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

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