Sunday’s Premieres
Epix: Pennyworth at 9p
TLC Go: “Baby Bumps” at 9p
Reelz: “Life, Death & Money” at 10p

Sunday’s Finales
CW: “Pandora” at 8p
Food Network: “Buddy vs. Christmas” at 10p
TLC: “I Love a Mama’s Boy” at 10p

IN THE NEWS

NBCUniversal is expanding its available digital and streaming inventory for local advertisers via its NBC Spot On program. Launched in February 2020, NBC Spot On was designed to give local, regional CTV and OTT access to premium, brand-safe video inventory from the company’s portfolio as well as from a marketplace of select premium video partners. NBCUniversal will now open up these opportunities across Peacock, YouTube, and Apple News to local marketers, and more digital and streaming inventory will be made available through NBCU’s OneApp, encompassing NBC, Bravo, E!, USA, Oxygen, MSNBC, and SYFY.

“By opening up more of our owned and third-party digital inventory to local advertisers, we’ve transformed NBC Spot On into a supercharged local digital sales offering,” said Krishan Bhatia, EVP, Business Operations & Strategy, NBCUniversal. “Small and medium businesses have long turned to NBCUniversal for their local advertising needs, and the sales team has always delivered premium content alongside geo-targeted audiences. Now, we’re bringing even more must-watch content on dozens of platforms to advertisers who want to reach audiences at scale in a specific region.”

The 2021 IAB NewFronts, held the week of May 3, will provide buyers and sellers a holistic video marketplace inclusive of video across every screen – including linear. “Buyers could not have been more clear coming out of the 2020 NewFronts: they want to move the video marketplaces closer together to make it easier to buy. As the definitive marketplace for digital video, we are committed to facilitating the buying process, and will expand the NewFronts so that all participants can come together if they choose,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. “Buyers are tired of incompatible measurement structures, differing currencies, technological complexities and the intricate negotiation that inevitably follows,” said Cohen. “We’re confident that the next year or two will see major advancements in how video is bought and sold, and how the industry measures outcomes. There’s a lot of work ahead, but the time is now and having a more unified marketplace is a step in the right direction.” IAB’s Podcast Upfront has been scheduled for May 10.

Ellen DeGeneres halted production on her daytime talker after testing positive for COVID-19. DeGeneres informed her staff of her diagnosis in a letter, and tweeted that she’s “feeling fine right now” while following CDC guidelines. Production will resume after the holidays.

The House of Representatives passed a bill reaffirming its commitment to media diversity, pledging to “work with media entities and stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to eliminate barriers to media diversity.” Over the past year, “We have heard the growing calls for diversity in positions of power and listened to the millions of Americans who know, as we do, that representation matters,” said Energy & Commerce Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and Communications & Technology Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) in a joint statement. “We must eliminate barriers to media diversity and provide all Americans the opportunity to engage with more independent and local media outlets that reflect the people of our diverse nation. Today’s resolution reaffirms our commitment to seeing that done, and we thank our colleagues for their strong, bipartisan support.”

HBO renewed “Industry” for a second season. The drama from first-time creators Mickey Down and Konrad Katy launched its eight-episode first season on November 9.

AT&T has agreed to sell its Crunchyroll anime business to Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) subsidiary, Aniplex Inc. “We are excited to embark on this new journey,” said Joanne Waage, GM of Crunchyroll. “Combining the strength of the Crunchyroll brand and the expertise of our global team with Funimation is an exciting prospect and a win for the incredible art form of anime.”

WE tv acquired two series from SVOD Zeus Network. Season one of “The Real Blac Chyna,” centered on the reality star, premieres Thursday, January 7 at 10p, followed later in the year by season one of “Joseline’s Cabaret,” starring “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” alum Joseline Hernandez. “Zeus is constantly pushing the envelope with authentic, raw, and provocative, original content,” said Zeus founder and CEO Lemuel Plummer. “Both shows were critical hits when they premiered on the Zeus network and have had tremendous success with our audience…We are confident this partnership will bring new audiences to our networks.”

Charter Communications inked a deal to launch the AccuWeather TV Network in January for Spectrum TV Select and higher video tier subscribers across Charter markets. “Our agreement to launch AccuWeather will give Spectrum customers access to even more timely and reliable weather news and information from a trusted brand,” said Tom Montemagno, EVP of Programming Acquisition for Charter. “AccuWeather’s programs are 100 percent focused on weather, and the combination of the network’s national forecasts and reliable local weather reporting directly aligns with our goal to provide programming that meets the interests of our customers and the communities we serve.”

Spectrum Networks’ format for hyperlocal community news, politics, weather and original content has launched to Spectrum video and internet customers across the North Carolina Mountain regions. With the expansion, Spectrum News 1 is now available to customers across the state, serving Asheville and the North Carolina Mountain regions, in addition to existing coverage of Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, Charlotte, Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, Wilmington and the coastal regions.

Another Hollywood A-lister, Emma Stone (“La La Land”), will star in Showtime comedy “The Curse,” alongside series creators Nathan Fiedler (“Nathan For You”) and Benny Safdie (“Uncut Gems”). Safdie and his brother, Josh Safdie, will EP via their Elara Pictures banner, with Fielder and Stone, who exec produces through her Fruit Tree banner. A24 is producing.

Peacock ordered 10 more episodes of “The Amber Ruffin Show,” set to start dropping on Fridays starting January 8. “We are thrilled to get the chance to bring you more episodes, because each episode is a new opportunity to have another margarita,” said Ruffin. The final two episodes from the late-nighter’s first run air December 11 and December 18.

Skydance Television has signed an exclusive first-look agreement with Exile Content Studio to develop and produce premium scripted, English-language series for a global audience. Under the deal, Skydance Television will have first consideration across Exile Content Studio’s portfolio of English-language television projects. The arrangement aligns with Skydance Media’s strategy to exploit IP across multiple platforms, genres and territories.

Canada’s CBC and streamer BET+ are partnering on original series “The Porter” (wt) from Inferno Pictures and Sienna Films, focused on railway workers who form the first Black union. Annmarie Morais (“Ransom”) and Marsha Greene (“Private Eyes”) are writers/showrunners on the eight-parter, with Charles Officer (“Ransom”) and R.T. Thorne (“Blindspot”) onboard to executive produce and direct.

CNN Films and BBC have commissioned a feature documentary film following the global quest to develop, trial, manufacture, and distribute effective vaccines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. “Race for the Vaccine” on CNN in the US, and the same film under the working title “Vaccine: The Inside Story” on BBC Two in the UK, will be produced and directed British filmmaker and former virologist Catherine Gale and co-directed by American medical journalist and independent filmmaker Caleb Hellerman. CNN has linear TV rights in the US and Canada.

Andrea McClew (“Strong Black Woman Vol.2”) will star in Carl Jackson Studios drama “Carl Jackson’s LAX.” The movie will debut in select theaters in late spring 2021, and on CJC Network and Tubi shortly afterward.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Two HGTV series return with new episodes next month. “100 Day Dream Home,” which attracted over 22.6 million total viewers its first season, is back Monday, January 4 at 8p, while “House in a Hurry” launches ten new episodes on Wednesday, January 6, at 8p and 8:30p.

A new season of “Monster Garage” launches on discovery+ on Monday, January 4. The series, hosted by Jesse James, first aired on Discovery Channel from 2002-2006. “We always knew we would eventually bring it back,” said James. “I also knew when that day came, I needed to be ready. More skills in my toolbox and a clear mind and schedule. Ready to put my head down and work as hard as possible to push the limits of TV again.”

The first two episodes of horror series “30 Coins” debut on HBO on Monday, January 4 at 9p. Produced by HBO Europe in Spain, the show focuses on an exorcist sent to a remote community that starts experiencing demonic events.

A&E promises “jaw-dropping footage” of extreme encounters with nature in “Nature Goes Wild,” as explorer Greg Aiello captures videos of everything from animal attacks to natural disasters. The series launches Wednesday, January 6 at 10p with back-to-back episodes.

HBO’s “Painting With John,” written, directed by and starring musician/actor/director/painter John Lurie (“Oz”), debuts Friday, January 22 at 11p. The unscripted series is described as “part meditative tutorial, part fireside chat.”

Exile Content Studio and Spanish company Newtral teamed for a four-episode docuseries following a group of women who became part of one of the most legendary soccer clubs in history. Issues around gender equality, discrimination, misogyny, motherhood and sexual diversity play a major role in “Un Sueno Real,” premiering on HBO España on Monday, December 28.

Season eight of “High Stakes Poker” premieres Wednesday, December 16 at 8p on PokerGo. AJ Benza and Gabe Kaplan, who hosted the show during part of its seven-season run on GSN from 2006-11, will be back for the new iteration.

Epix drama “Godfather of Harlem” will klck off season two in April 2021, with Forest Whitaker back as star and executive producer.

COMING UP

Reunion special “12 Dates of Christmas: Unwrapped” has the cast of the dating series gather for a holiday party hosted by D.J. “Shangela” Pierce (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”) to reveal what has happened since last Christmas.

Oxygen special “The Jane Doe Murders” follows Yolanda McClary, a forensic specialist and former Las Vegas crime investigator who has made it her mission to help give Jane Does their names back using new forensic technology and DNA databases. The two-hour special airs Sunday, January 3 at 7p.

A special Christmas episode of Disney Junior show “Bluey” premieres today, December 11. The compilation episode includes a new story, “Christmas Swim,” which will introduce two new characters.

STREAMING

Disney+ is reaching for the stars, with plans for about 10 “Star Wars” series, 10 Marvel series and 15 live-action, animation and Pixar series over the next few years. During Disney’s investor day, Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Media and Entertainment Distribution for The Disney Company, said, “With these Disney+ originals, along with theatrical releases and library titles, we will be adding something new to the service every week.”

During the Disney presentation, CEO Bob Chapek said the company’s streamer has reached 86.8 million subscribers, up from 73 million+ globally as of September 30. The numbers include recent launches in Latin America, but the rollout hasn’t reached Eastern Europe, South Korea and Hong Kong.

ShowBiz Stories (SBS), founded by Marion J. Caffey (“Apollo Amateur Night”), launched yesterday, December 10. The website features personal stories submitted via video by artists across theatre, music, television and film.

GOING GLOBAL

all3media International has secured a new deal with producer Blackfella Films. The agreement will see all3media International managing worldwide sales of the Australian producer’s political thriller “Total Control.” Keshet International maintains tape and format rights in North America.

Trioscope Studios has partnered with Polish visual effects and sound studio Juice to launch joint venture Trioscope Europe. The two produced the World War II animated drama series “The Liberator” for Netflix.

AXS TV is now available in Canada. The music-themed net is an a la carte option on Bell Fibe TV, Alt TV and Virgin TV.

Friday Fun Fact
Astronauts can grow up to three percent taller during time spent in space. Their height returns to normal after a few months back home.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which Christmas special was a future Santa a reporter for a Chicago newspaper before being persuaded to take the reindeer reins? “In the Nick of Time” (1991). Kudos to: Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
What was the name of Jeannie’s evil twin sister on “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four.)