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Monday December 14, 2020

Today’s Finales
Food Network: “Christmas Cookie Challenge” at 10p
HGTV: “Bargain Mansions” at 10p

IN THE NEWS

The Senate followed the House in passing a veto-proof defense spending bill that does not include a repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects web publishers from liability over posts by users that are unlawful, as well as decisions to suppress posts. President Trump had said he would veto the bill if it did not include the repeal, describing it as a threat to national security and election integrity.

A Miami judge ruled that a class-action labor law and sex and age discrimination suit could proceed against CBS Broadcasting. The case was brought by former WFOR-CBS4 freelance reporter and producer Silva Harapetian, who alleges that while she and other “similarly situated” employees routinely worked 50 or 60 hours a week, they were not paid overtime. Harapetian also claims she was paid less than male and younger female reporters. CBS has called the suit baseless, saying it wasn’t presented in a timely basis, and lacks supporting evidence.

The Country Music Association responded to backlash over the death of Charley Pride from complications from COVID-19, a month after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 CMA Awards, which were held indoors. “Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions,” said a statement from the CMAs and Pride’s reps. “Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the Country Music community are heartbroken by Charley’s passing.” The legendary musician died November 12 at age 86.

“The Wendy Williams Show” is halting production following the death of Williams’ mother. The syndicated talker will air repeats to allow Williams to travel and be with her family. “The show will return with original episodes on Monday, January 4th. Debmar-Mercury extends its deepest condolences to Wendy and her family,” said a show spokesperson.

“Night School” didn’t make the grade at NBC. A pilot for the comedy based on the 2018 movie was filmed, but NBC has passed on the show, reports Variety.

The Southeastern Conference’s afternoon Saturday football game will move to ABC in 2024, ending CBS’s hold on the game since 1996. The change is part of a new 10 year contract between ESPN and the SEC that gives ESPN exclusive media rights to SEC football and men’s basketball.

Support the 2020 Lustgarten Foundation Holiday Bash
A month-long virtual benefit in support of our pancreatic cancer research fund

Click here to donate or learn more

Presented by MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks

100% of your donation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.

Chris Messina (“The Sinner”) landed the lead in HBO Max pilot “Verbatim,” based on Brett Weiner’s New York Times Op-Docs digital series. The anthology series from Weiner, Red Hour Films, Left/Right Productions and the Times centers on actual events, with all dialogue taken from primary sources and presented verbatim.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch,” a new series following the search for gold on a Utah ranch, makes its debt Friday, January 1 at 10p on Discovery Channel. The show will be available on discovery+ starting January 4.

New true crime series “Atlanta Justice” delves into the world of big city detectives starting Monday, December 28 at 9p on ID. Another newcomer, “Fear Thy Roommate,” arrives Thursday, December 31 at 8p, demonstrating the importance of being careful of who you live with.

HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” returns for season 19 on Friday, January 15 at 10p. The talk show is also available on HBO Max.

President Barack Obama and ATTN: have teamed to highlight significant moments and themes from his new book “A Promised Land,” with a five-part social series. Created and produced by ATTN:, formats are custom-made for Instagram, combining original interviews with the former president, his narration in the audio book, and animation in Stories, Posts and Reels.

In the fall of 2019, controversial Youtube star Onision was accused of unconscionable behavior. But after weeks of frantic attention, there was a sudden quiet. What did Onision really do? The question is addressed in limited series, “Onision: In Real Life,” streaming exclusively on discovery+ beginning Monday, January 4.

Nat Geo WILD isn’t elfin’ around with 12 festive days of “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” followed by a new season beginning Saturday, January 2 at 9p. The marathon, running from December 21 to January 3, will a include a mix of favorites, and new behind-the-scenes stories from the vet.

The cream of the “Chopped” crop battle it out in five-part Food Network stunt “Chopped: Grudge Match,” premiering Tuesday, January 5 at 9p. Judges face off against past competitors to create meals from baskets of mystery ingredients.

YouTube Originals announced the rollout and expansion of a new global documentary series, “Creator Spotlights,” capturing the stories of diverse YouTube creators who are pushing the boundaries of creative expression. “YouTube Originals amplify the voices and content of creators from all backgrounds, all over the world,” said Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. “The ‘Creator Spotlights’ series is another way we’re able to highlight our diverse creator community through premium content, and further our creators’ ability to tell their stories and grow their audience.” US-based segments debut today, December 14.

STREAMING

While time spent watching reality and documentary programming on Netflix more than doubled, not surprisingly, during the pandemic, and time spent viewing romances doubled, the streamer also reported a 50% jump in US consumption of foreign-language content, led by Spain’s “The Platform,” Germany’s “Barbarians,” and France’s “Rogue City.” Also not surprising: searches for “home baking” shows rose almost 50% in March versus the month prior.

Revenues for Tubi have doubled since the AVOD’s acquisition by Fox Corp. in May – and is expected to soon eclipse broadcast network revenue, shared Fox CFO Steve Tomsic at the UBS investor’s conference last week. “When we look at all the new launches of D2C, they’re really corralled around entertainment programming,” Tomsic said, adding that Netflix’s success with binge, on-demand viewing has proven that “the restrictions of a linear schedule is not what consumers want.”

Disney plans to raise the price of streaming service Disney+ by $1, to $7.99, in March. For all of its DTC services (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Plus), Disney told investors it expects to have between 300-350 million global subscribers by the end of 2024, up from 137 million on December 2, with Disney+ accounting for 230-260 million of the total.

Sports-first fuboTV has continued its expansion into general entertainment programming with the addition of Epix to its live TV streaming platform. “Adding Epix allows fuboTV to further expand our entertainment offering, providing even more value to our users,” said Ben Grad, Head of Content Strategy and Acquisition, fuboTV. “Epix has a robust lineup that spans across a variety of genres, providing entertainment the whole family can enjoy.”

Nextstar Media Group’s WGN America has also inked a deal with fuboTV, which will start carrying the cable channel in February. The agreement comes amid Nextstar’s carriage dispute with Dish Network, leaving Nextstar stations and WGN America dark on Dish and its streaming bundle, Sling TV. “This agreement with FuboTV is another significant step forward in the strategic expansion of WGN America,” said Sean Compton, President of the Nexstar’s networks division. “We are excited to be adding FuboTV’s customers to the reach of the network.”

GOING GLOBAL

all3media International has reunited with Company Pictures and ARD Degeto in Germany, along with co-producers Masterpiece in the US and ITV in the UK, for a second season of detective drama “Van Der Valk,” produced by all3media group’s Company Pictures with NL Film & TV B.V. co-producing. Dutch public broadcaster NPO is also onboard, with additional financing by Netherlands Film Production Incentive. NPO will take broadcast rights for the Netherlands.

Channel 5 announced two new dramas from Clapperboard, set to air in 2021: noir thriller “Deadline,” produced in association with Night Train Media with distribution by Abacus Media Rights, and psychological thriller “Teacher,” created by Barunka O’Shaughnessy ad Mike Benson.

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Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Thursday, December 10
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: “Station 19” 5.58 (0.8), “Grey’s Anatomy” 5.69 (1.2), “A Million Little Things” 3.57 (0.5)
CBS: “Young Sheldon” 4.25 (0.4), “B Positive” 2.89 (0.3), “Mom” 2.77 (0.3), “Mom” 2.56 (0.3), “Star Trek: Discovery” 1/59 (0.2)
CW: “Silent Night – A Song for the World” 0.63 (0.1)
Fox: “NFL Pregame” 9.07 (2.2), “Thursday Night Football 13.64 (3.6)
NBC: “One Night Only: The Best of Broadway” 3.68 (0.5), “Time Person of the Year” 2.31 (0.3)
Telemundo: “Domo del Dinero” 0.84, “Todo por mi Hija” 1.43, “Falsa Identidad” 0.95
Univision: “Vencer el Desamor” 1.53 (0.5), “Futbol Central” 1.13 (0.4), LGA MX 1.68 (0.7)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

AVOD VUit, launched in September, appointed Chris Brooks as EVP of Programming and Development. Previously, Brooks was EVP and Head of Network Distribution for The CW.

CTV/OTT advertising platform Premion announced the addition of two new regional sales leaders. Amanda Dunlap, most recently West Coast Regional Sales Director for NBCU’s NBC Spot On and Digital Sales Director for NBC and Telemundo broadcast properties, will serve as Southwest Regional Sales Director. Tracy Kalfas, formerly Group Director of Investments in the Chicago office of Initiative, is joining as Midwest Regional Sales Director.

IN MEMORIAM

Actress Carol Sutton died December 10 of complications from COVID-19. She was 76. In addition to theater and film roles, Sutton appeared on TV series including “Treme,” “True Detective” and “Lovecraft Country.”

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was the name of Jeannie’s evil twin sister on “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70)? Jeannie’s twin was also named Jeannie. Kudos to: Ken Nice-TeamPeople/Falls Church, VA, Adam Sumrall-FETV/South Bend, IN, Luke Watson-Entertaining Concepts/NYC, Anthony Salerno-Horizon Media/NYC, Eric Litt-Nextstar/Chicago, Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX, Richard Quan-Heat/San Francisco, David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA, Jerry Jones/Walnut Creek, CA, Richard MacDonald-Curve Media/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Which TV character invented the holiday, “Festivus”? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.)