Monday December 20, 2021

Today’s Finale
Food Network: Holiday Baking Championship at 8p

IN THE NEWS

Disney and YouTube TV reached a carriage deal after a two-day blackout. “We appreciate Google’s collaboration to reach fair terms that are consistent with the market,” said Disney in a statement. YouTube TV had lowered its monthly subscription price by $15 to reflect the loss of Disney networks, but gave affected users a one-time discount despite the restored service.

Netflix held on to the top spot in Parks Associates’ latest list of the top paid subscription OTT services, based on the estimated number of subscribers through September 2021. Amazon Prime Video remained in second place, but Disney+ replaced Hulu as number three. “While the Disney+ content portfolio may have allowed it to leapfrog stablemate Hulu in 2021 rankings, its position reaffirms the collective power of the Disney Bundle triumvirate: Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+,” said Paul Erickson, Director of Research, Parks Associates. “ViacomCBS’s successful rebrand and content-fueled reformulation of CBS All Access into Paramount+ have allowed it to leapfrog Apple TV+ into seventh place behind ESPN+, and time will tell if the service will break into the Top 5.”

Comscore has closed a deal to acquire social media analytics company Shareablee. The move is aimed at helping Comscore expand its Media Matrix and Video Matrix currencies. “The future of measurement would not be complete without including the impressions delivered by the social media platforms,” said Comscore CEO Bill Livek. “For marketers, this inclusion into our currencies will present great opportunity to maximize their outcomes on advertising investments.”

Ad spend in November grew 10% compared to the same time a year ago and is up 17% versus 2019, according to data from Standard Media Index. Other highlights from the November 2021 analysis includes:
* Digital investment climbed +17% over last year during November. Digital was the only channel with consistent, double-digit gains across the reflected periods.
* Linear TV expenditure held relatively flat at -1% vs. last November, mainly as Local Cable growth counteracted decline in other TV subtypes.
* OOH investment jumped +84% vs. last November, eclipsing November 2019 as well.

Discovery condemned the passage by Poland’s Parliament of the Lex-TVN legislation banning foreign media ownership in the country – a ban that could lead to Discovery’s loss of control of some of its TVN Group. “The outcome of today’s surprise vote in the Polish Parliament should alarm any enterprise investing in Poland and anyone who cares about democracy and freedom of the press,” said Discovery. “Through this vote, Poland undermines the values that have connected Poland with Europe, and uproots the foundation of the Polish-American relationship.” Discovery is asking the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to veto the legislation.

Fox renewed “Fantasy Island” for a second season. In addition, the net’s “Fantasy Island” holiday special has been moved from Tuesday, December 21 to Thursday, December 23. The shift comes after NFL games slated for Sunday were postponed due to positive Covid-19 test results.

Amid the winter surge of Covid-19, all offices of CNN, Turner Sports and WarnerMedia Studios will be closed to employees who are not required to be there to perform their jobs. “We are doing this out of an abundance of caution,” wrote CNN head Jeff Zucker in a memo to employees on Saturday. “And it will also protect those who will be in the office by minimizing the number of people who are there.” Zucker added that newsgathering teams will be re-evaluating assignments and adjusting travel.

Saturday’s “SNL” was also impacted by Omicron. The NBC sketch comedy had no live audience, Tina Fey sat in for Colin Jost on “Weekend Update,” and musical guest Charli XCX pulled out. (Of Elon Musk being named Person of the Year by Time magazine, Fey said, “You can read more about it on your phone while your Tesla is self-driving you into a lake.”)

Netflix has canceled “Julie and the Phantoms” after one season. The musical dramedy, based on a Brazilian children’s series, launched on Netflix September 10.

Also one and done is HBO Max’s “Head of the Class” reboot. Season one was released November 4.

Rap star DreamDoll has partnered with TNT for an original “Claws”-themed single, “Oh Shhh,” from her forthcoming project (District 18/Warner Records), along with a new “Claws” music video. The song embodies “Claws” female characters and amplifies the show themes of women finding their power, boss ladies taking charge, and fierce nails.

Bravo reports that BravoTV.com has surpassed more than 500k signups since launching its Bravo Insider program, with 54% of those signups coming via editorial content. Access includes first looks, gated content with Bravolebrities, and original digital series.

“Bob’s Burgers” recurring voice cast member Jay Johnston (Jimmy Pesto) has been on indefinite hiatus since the January 6 attack on the Capitol, reports The Daily Beast. Johnston has not been arrested or charged in the attack, but is allegedly seen in multiple photos of the riot taken by the FBI.

Stay tuned as Cynopsis releases its 2022 events calendar! Here’s what’s already been confirmed for next year: OTT Virtual Conference – March 8th, Sports Media Awards, April 19th, Big TV Conference – Sept 20-21st, Esports Business Summit – Nov 1-3rd

VISIT THE OTT CONFERENCE

Actor/writer Ryan Eggold (“New Amsterdam”) has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television, to develop projects across platforms. Kara Frias is onboard as Head of Development for Eggold’s production company, Analog A Productions.

Tahj Mowry (“Baby Daddy”) Rondi Reed (Mike & Molly”), Judy Kain (“Mad Men”), Amanda Perez (“On the Verge”) and Matt McCarthy (“The Other Guys”) landed recurring roles in CBS bowling comedy “How We Roll.”

Carol Mendelsohn (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) is developing a remake of Swedish drama “Heder” for NBC, as well as coroner crime drama “Body Farm” for CBS, via Carol Mendelsohn Productions’ overall deal with Universal Television.

Netflix ordered spy drama “Treason,” from Matt Charman (“Bridge of Spies”). The six-parter, described as “The Bodyguard meets John Le Carre,” stars Olga Kurylenko (“Quantum of Solace”), Oona Chaplin (“Game of Thrones”) and Charlie Cox (“Daredevil”).

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Real Husbands of Hollywood – More Kevin, More Problems” launches on BET+ Thursday, February 10. “Real Husbands of Hollywood” original cast members Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, JB Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long reunite, along with newcomers Michele Weaver and Angela Rye and celebrity guest stars. The series – featuring actors playing fictionalized version of themselves – originated as a sketch on the “BET Awards” in 2012, and aired as a series on BET from 2013-16.

Chefs attempt to take down “Iron Chef” Alex Guarnaschelli in “Alex vs. America,” premiering Sunday, January 2 at 10p on Food Network. Each chef hails from a different state, but they all share the same culinary specialty.

Adult adoption – ranging from sincere to sinister – is the focus of A&E docuseries “Adults Adopting Adults,” launching Monday, January 31 at 10p.

OWN gets real(tor) with “Ladies Who List: Atlanta.” The reality series follows a team of Black women breaking up the “old boys club” in the luxury real estate business.

Season four of “Looney Tunes Cartoons” premieres Thursday, January 20 on HBO Max. A new kids’ show, “Mush-Mush & the Mushables,” hits the streamer Friday, January 28.

Also headed back for season four is Freeform’s “grown-ish,” on Thursday, January 27 at 10p. Senior year at Cal U is in full swing – hookups, wild nights and all.

The fifth and final season of FX’s “Better Things” kicks off Monday, February 28 at 10p. The premiere event will feature the first two episodes of the fifth season, followed by a new episode each subsequent week.

Elmo makes his network debut with episodes of “The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo” beginning Sunday, January 23 on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network.

“AEW: Dynamite” moves from TNT to TBS on Wednesday, January 5 at 8p. The following evening comes the season two debut of “Go-Big Show” at 9p, with T Pain added to the judging panel.

TruTV’s “Fast Foodies” is back for season two Thursday, January 27 at 10p.

“King of the Con” features one of the first interviews with master scam artist Barry Minkow, The three-parter drops on discovery+ Friday, January 14.

Oxygen is pumping up 2022 with two new true crime series. “Killer Relationships with Faith Jenkins” premieres Sunday, January 16 at 7p, focused on romances that end in murder. The show is followed by “Real Murders of Atlanta,” exploring the underbelly of the new South, at 8p.

COMING UP

“2021 and Done with Snoop Dogg & Kevin Hart” drops Tuesday, December 28 on Peacock. The special the “Olympic Highlights” duo, who offer their unfiltered takes on life for the streamer.

Hour-long special “AEW: Battle of the Belts” premieres Saturday, January 8 at 8p on TNT.

The Times Square New Year’s Eve pool feed and webcast will include live musical performances by KT Tunstall just before midnight; a Chinese cultural dance performance presented by the Sino-American Friendship Association; and a Military Salute medley by the USO Show Troupe.

TECH

Stagwell Media Network announced a strategic partnership with OOH media specialist Talon to accelerate global growth in OOH advertising. “Our collaboration with Talon will help educate more brands and agencies across the global marketplace on the growing OOH opportunities for tapping into richer behavioral and location insights for quantifying the channel’s true impact across the customer journey,” said Jon Schaaf, Global Chief Investment Officer of Stagwell.

STREAMING

SVOD Cpics is set to launch in the US in 2022. The service promises “content curated and developed by leading independent South Asian creators for the South Asian diaspora.”

We offer hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels & sectors.

The Cynopsis Jobs resource center has brought thousands of job seekers to the site – connect with them today!

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Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Thursday, December 16
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: Station 19 4.69 (0.6), Grey’s Anatomy 4.20 (0.6), Big Sky 2.55 (0.3)
CBS: Young Sheldon 4.43 (0.4), United States of Al 3.26 (0.3), Ghosts 3.12 (0.3), B Positive 2.63 (0.2), Bull 2.65 (0.2)
CW: Dogs of the Year 0.61 (0.1), Legacies 0.37 (0.1)
FOX: Thursday Night Football 17.86 (4.6)
NBC: Women of Worth 1.30 (0.2), Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors 1.84 (0.2)
Telemundo: Hercal: Amor e Venganza 1.11 (0.3), Malverde: El Santo Patron 0.88 (0.3)
Univision: La Rosa de Guadalupe 1.41 (0.5), Vencer el Pasado 1.53 (0.5), La Desalmada 1.60 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Hulu has hired Dougie Cash as VP Drama, Hulu Originals, and promoted Kelci Parker to VP Comedy, Hulu Originals. Cash was most recently VP Development at Overlook.

Susanna Leighton has been promoted to Executive Director of Resource Management and Operations at Team One, and Amy Small to Executive Director of Talent.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which two sitcoms featured episodes, written by the same writer, titled “Christmas and the Hard-luck Kid” and “Christmas and the Hard-luck Kid II”? James L. Brooks wrote the episodes, for “That Girl” (1966-71) and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-77). Kudos to: Charles Lore/NYC; Marni C. Gold/Hawthorne, NJ; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA

Today’s Trivia Question
In which series’ Christmas episode did a robot Santa fly on his sleigh shooting people with a machine gun? (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.)