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Tuesday December 14, 2021

Today’s Finale
NBC: The Voice at 9p

IN THE NEWS

Fox Entertainment acquired indie studio MarVista Entertainment in a deal unofficially estimated at $100 million. Notched by Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier and MarVista CEO Fernando Szew, the deal brings Fox strong production capabilities in live-action scripted programming, to sit alongside its Fox Alternative Entertainment and Bento Box divisions. MarVista produces close to 80 titles annually across genres and has a catalog of about 750 titles of content, including a bevy of holiday fare.

Consolidation in the digital realm continues with reports that Vox Media is in advanced talks to acquire Group Nine. Group Nine, whose brands include Thrillist, NowThis and Pop Sugar, is part-owned by Discovery Communications. Vox Media owns digital brands including The Verge, Eater and Polygon, as well as New York magazine.

Longtime syndicated series “The Dr. Oz Show” is set to come to a close Friday, January 14. Distributor Sony Pictures Television said “The Good Dish,” the spinoff of the show that originally had been renewed until mid-2023, will replace it in markets in 90 percent of the US beginning January 17. The fate of “Oz” had been up in the air since host Mehmet Oz announced his candidacy for Senate in Pennsylvania. Oz’s daughter Daphne Oz, Gail Simmons and Jamika Pessoa host “The Good Dish.”

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has seen ties cut by a number of networks and studios, including NBC canceling airing next year’s event, in the wake of criticism over its lack of diversity But the organization announced its 2022 nominations yesterday just the same. Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” from Netflix led all bids on the film side, where Netflix scored 17 noms. HBO/HBO Max tops the TV slate with 10 noms, including five for “Succession.” Best television series noms are “Lupin” (Netflix), “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+), “Pose” (FX), “Squid Game” (Netflix) and “Succession.” Best TV series – musical or comedy noms are “The Great” (Hulu), “Hacks” (HBO/HBO/Max), “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu), “Reservation Dogs” (FX) and “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+).

Disney+ has voted out “Diary of a Future President.” The streamer canceled the coming of age series, loosely based on the life of creator and exec producer Ilana Pena, after two seasons.

Hearst Television is launching a climate impact initiative to address issues Americans face in navigating changing weather patterns and their impact on local communities and economies. “Forecasting Our Future” will include contributions from companywide resources, including Hearst Television’s DC, news bureau, and its national investigative and consumer reporting units, as well as commitments by Hearst’s stations across the country.

Wall Street media research firm MoffettNathanson, led by financial analysts Craig Moffett and Michael Nathanson, has been acquired by SVB Financial, a holding based in Santa Clara and parent of Silicon Valley Bank.

Sherri Shepherd is stepping out of her scheduled guest-hosting gig on “The Wendy Williams Show” because she had to undergo emergency surgery for appendicitis. Michael Rapport will be filling in, and Shephard hopes to return by week’s end.

Discovery Inc. and Samsung are raising awareness for the need to protect tigers in the wild through a content partnership around Discovery’s Project C.A.T. (Conserving Acres for Tigers). Short film “Eye to Eye With the Tiger,” which follows photographer Yashas Narayan as he journeys through India to track, film and photograph a tiger filmed with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, is the first project to arise from the initiative.

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Apple TV+ sweetened the deal and won “Sugar” (working title), the TV series wth Colin Farrell attached to star. Created by Mark Protosevich, the project is said to be a genre-bending drama with a heavy dose of sci-fi. Exec producers include Farrell and Protosevich.

Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of “Reservation Dogs,” inked an overall deal with FX Productions to develop new content for FX. Harjo, who also serves as exec producer, showrunner, writer and director on “Reservation Dogs,” is developing a limited series he’ll co-write with novelist Jonathan Lee and exec-produce alongside Garrett Basch.

Snoop Dogg and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson are developing the story of Snoop Dogg’s 1993 murder trial and the genesis of his hit single “Murder was the Case” as a series for Starz. “A Moment in Time: Murder was the Case” (working title) is in the works from the rapper, nee Calvin Broadus, and Jackson, and marks the second in the Starz anthology series that launched with “A Moment In Time: The Massacre,” about 50 Cent’s rivalry with rapper The Game.

MTV renewed “Ridiculousness” spinoffs “Messyness” for a second season and “Deliciousness” for a third. Hosted by Jersey Shore‘s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, season 1 of “Messyness” will be back beginning for a week at the end of December with new eps running through January. Food-centric “Deliciousness” heads back for season 3 later in 2022.

TV and film adaptations are in the works for “Good Morning, Monster,” the memoir from psychologist Catherine Gildiner, which will also become a podcast series. Dear Media (“The Dissenters,” “Lipstick on the Rim with Molly Sims”) acquired rights and will first launch the podcast adaptation of the book.

Terence Winter, the writer and producer who’s had a hand in “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire,” formed Infamous Media with media and tech veteran Joe Poletto. The indie production house aims to launch multiple streaming channels early in the new year, including one dedicated to Mafia-related shows, movies and documentaries. So far distribution is lined up for Plex, KlowdTV and LG Europe, with additional platform deals to come.

New Line snagged “The Naughty One,” from writer Zach Helm, to develop for HBO Max. Helm will pen the film, an action comedy set around Christmas, with Berlanti/Schechter Films‘ Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter producing and Michael McGrath serving as exec producer.

Shinfield Studios, a film and TV facility 50 miles from London, got the green light for construction of 18 sound stages. Disney is on board as the studio’s first client; an unnamed d production will be housed at Shinfield in 2022.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Telemundo’s sports reality competition “Exatlon Estados Unidos” is back for a new season on Tuesday, January 11 at 7p. “Aside from the amazing new circuits and obstacles we will be introducing, viewers will witness the drama and emotional journey of each of the participating athletes,” said Ronald Day, President, Entertainment and Content, Telemundo.

TV One docuseries “One Stage To The Next,” starring R&B singer, actress and TV host Syleena Johnson debuts tonight (December 14) at 10p. The series will follow Johnson as she navigates life and the entertainment industry.

Sundance Now will bow “Close to Me” on Thursday, December 16 on Sundance Now and AMC+. Based on Amanda Reynolds’ novel of the same name, the series follows Jo Harding (“Connie Nielsen”), a woman who thought she had it all until she loses a year of her memory after a fall and learns things were far from perfect. Christopher Eccleston penned the script by Angela Pell; Michael Samuels directs and All3Media is producer.

Season 4 of “The Real Housewives of Miami,” Peacock’s first-ever original Housewives “city” series, debuts on the streamer Thursday, December 16.

All five episodes of multiholiday romantic comedy “With Love” debut on Amazon on Friday, December 17. Each ep follows the Diaz family as they navigate the highs and lows of love during a different holiday throughout the year.

“Yellowstone” prequel “1883” arrives on Paramount+ on Sunday, December 19. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the series follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America.

The official trailer for season 2 of TBS’ “Go-Big Show” is here. The sophomore run of the extreme competition show debuts Thursday, January 6 at 9p, hosted by Bert Kreischer with judges T-Pain, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes.

“Vienna Blood,” the cerebral crime drama set in glittering 1900s Vienna, returns to PBS for a second season Sunday, January 9 at 10p. The series is based on the novels by Frank Tallis.

Peacock debuted a trailer for “True Story With Ed and Randall,” its hybrid scripted/unscripted comedy series debuting Thursday, January 20. Hosted by Ed Helms (“The Office”) and Randall Park (“WandaVision”), the series highlights everyday Americans as they share their most extraordinary true stories with surprising twists along the way.

COMING UP

“California Dreaming,” a scripted musical from creator, producer and manager Simon Fuller and Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Ryan Tedder, debuts on Nickelodeon Thursday, December 16, at 7p. The hourlong movie follows a group of young musicians auditioning to attend an esteemed performing arts boarding school.

“Insecure: The End” will debut on HBO Max Sunday, December 26 in advance of its HBO premiere Monday, December 27 at 10p. The special is an intimate look at the making of the final season and the cultural impact of the Issa Rae-starring series “Insecure.”

Family Entertainment Television acquired a selection of films starring John Wayne that will begin airing on both FETV and FMC beginning in January. Titles include “Big Jake,” Rio Bravo” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” “We are thrilled to bring these beloved films to our audience and to feature them in not one, but two programming blocks,” said Jaclyn Rann Cohen, EVP of content acquisitions and strategy for FETV and FMC.

Universal’s Jennifer Lopez-Owen Wilson romantic comedy “Marry Me” will stream on Peacock the same weekend the movie hits theaters, February 11-13. Directed by Kat Coiro, the film follows a musical superstar who’s about to be proposed to by her fellow music supernova (Maluma, in his feature film debut) before a global audience when she learns he’s been cheating and decides instead to marry a stranger in the crowd.

“Benjamin Franklin,” a new two-part documentary directed by Ken Burns, will air on PBS April 4 and 5, 8-10p. Written by Dayton Duncan (“Country Music”) and produced by David Schmidt (“The Vietnam War”) and Burns, the film explores the life and work of one of the most consequential figures in American history, with Mandy Patinkin providing the voice of Franklin.

STREAMING

Peacock’s premium tier is available at no extra cost for 12 months for most Spectrum TV customers and for 90 days for Spectrum Internet customers starting this week. The offer was announced by Charter Communications and NBCU.

Redbox signed a distribution agreement with LG Electronics to include its branded FAST channels as part of LG Channels, available on 2016-2021 LG Smart TVs. Redbox Free Movies is live now on LG Channels, and will be joined by Redbox Free Movies, Redbox War and Westerns, Redbox Holiday, Redbox Rewind and Redbox Romance.

Tubi is launching its “12 Days of Tubi” promo this week, offering audiences the chance to win streaming devices from Amazon Fire TV, GoogleTV and TiVo, plus swag from Tubi, Fox and Fox X Sports. Viewers can follow Tubi’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter handles each day for a chance at the prizes, which will be given through Friday, December 24.

Nordic streaming service Viaplay will launch in the US on Wednesday, December 15. Viaplay offers a lineup of original fare plus acquired Nordic films and series. The service initially will be available on Comcast devices including Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and XClass TV as an add-on subscription, priced at $4.99 per month.

All the feels: “And Just Like That… The Writers Room Podcast” debuts this week to complement HBO Max’s “Sex and the City” spinoff. Each week writer/director Michael Patrick King and exec producers Elisa Zuritsky and Julie Rottenberg will be joined by writers and guests to unpack the latest eps. Produced by HBO Max in conjunction with Pineapple Street Studios, podcast is available on podcast platforms and HBO Max.

GOING GLOBAL

AMC Networks International and M7 Group, owned by Canal+, expanded their long-standing partnership in Central and Eastern Europe. Subscribers of M7 Group’s TV platforms in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania will now have access to video on-demand content related to the flagship channels of AMC, JimJam, Minimax, Spektrum and TV Paprika.

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The season 3 finale of “Succession” on Sunday, December 12 marked a series-high for the series. According to HBO, the plot-twisting episode earned 1.7 million viewers across all platforms, including HBO proper and HBO Max.

Shareablee Top 10 Streaming Shows for the week of December 6
Program, Platform, Total Actions, Total Content, Actions per Content, Fans & Followers
Outer Banks (Netflix), 4.9m, 3, 1,647,695, 5.2m
The Witcher (Netflix), 1.2m, 44, 26,983, 1.9m
And Just Like That (HBO Max), 527k, 34, 15,512, 220k
Hawkeye (Disney+), 512k, 38, 13,467, 117k
Cobra Kai (Netflix), 392k, 6, 65,404, 3.3m
Nanatsu No Taizai (Netflix), 335k, 84, 3,988, 1m
Get Organized With The Home Edit (Netflix), 318k, 25, 12,726, 5.9m
Lucifer (Netflix), 285k, 3, 94,939, 7.9m
Sex Education (Netflix), 279k, 2, 139,296, 5m
The Boys (Prime Video), 274k, 20, 13,705, 1.5m

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Friday, December 10
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: “Shark Tank” 3.43 (0.5), “20/20” 2.38 (0.3)
CBS: “SWAT” 5.10 (0.5), “Magnum P.I.” 5.26 (0.5), “Blue Bloods” 5.90 (0.5)
CW: “Penn & Teller: Fool Us Merry Fool Us” 0.72 (0.1), “Nancy Drew” 0.34 (0.1)
ION: “NCIS: LA” 0.79 (0.1), “NCIS: LA” 0.70 (0.1), “NCIS: LA ” 0.68 (0.1)
FOX: “WWE Friday Night Smackdown” 2.17 (0.5)
NBC: “The Wall” 2.54 (0.4), ”Dateline NBC” 3.10 (0.3)
Telemundo: “Por Amor o Por Dinero” 0.76 (0.2), “Hercal: Amor” 1.05 (0.3), “Malverde: Santo” 0.77 (0.2)
Univision: “Rosa de Guadelupe” 1.27 (0.4), “Vencer El Pasado” 1.55 (0.5), “Desalamada” 1.63 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

ABC News promoted Eman Varoqua to executive producer of “Nightline.” Varoqua joined ABC News in 2018 as a senior producer for “Nightline” and a year later became senior broadcast producer.

Keisha Taylor Starr joins Scripps Networks as CMO, based in Atlanta. Most recently, she served as SVP of marketing and public relations for the digital news outlet The Recount.

After 12 years of running TV production company Secret Hideout and its predecessor, Heather Kadin is exiting to pursue other opportunities. Aaron Baiers has been named president of Television for the Alex Kurtzman-helmed CBS Studios-based production company. Baiers most recently was SVP of television.

Genius Brands International appointed Zrinka Dekic as CFO, and head of strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Dekic most recently was an executive at The Walt Disney Co., and before that at Goldman Sachs.

Common Sense Networks, parent company of streaming service Sensical, appointed Jeff Skaggs as head of sales & brand partnerships and Michelle Kim as head of growth marketing. Skaggs joins from BroadbandTV, where he was head of entertainment & gaming. Kim was senior marketing manager at Match Group.

Mediaocean appointed David Berkowitz SVP of corporate marketing and communications. Prior to this role, Berkowitz founded and ran his own consultancy, Serial Marketer, and operated as the head of marketing at Storyhunter.

Digital intelligence platform Scuba named Hacer Demiroers SVP of operations and finance. Hacer most recently served as VP of sales operations at Datadog.

Sanjay Das has been promoted to CEO of Tippett Studio, as co-founder and president Jules Roman looking seeks retire from her post at the effects company. Das is a current partner at the studio.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which sitcom couple had a lawyer named Joe Delicious? Nate and Robin, in “The Detour” (2016-19). Kudos to: Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NY; Synda Kollman/Deerfield Beach, FL; Charles Lore/NY; Andy Pittman-TAMU-College Station, TX; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; David Westberg-SAG*AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
Which US daytime drama aired the first gay male wedding, in 2014? 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.)