 IN THE NEWS |
 The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC attracted more than 30 million viewers, its largest audience ever. NBC reports the 98th annual event drew 31.3 million viewers Thursday across linear and digital platforms, up 10% from 28.5 million in 2023. About 24 million watched on the NBC broadcast network during the live telecast from 8:30a to 12p, making it the most-watched entertainment show on linear television since the 2020 Academy Awards on ABC.
A group of Canadian news media companies — Torstar, Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, and CBC/Radio-Canada – sued OpenAI in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for breaching copyrights and online terms of use by taking large pieces of their content to help develop products like Chat GPT. “OpenAI is capitalizing and profiting from the use of this content, without getting permission or compensating content owners,” Postmedia said in a statement. OpenAI responded that its “models are trained on publicly available data, grounded in fair use and related international copyright principles that are fair for creators and support innovation. We collaborate closely with news publishers, including in the display, attribution and links to their content in ChatGPT search, and offer them easy ways to opt-out should they so desire.” The media companies are seeking punitive damages and a share of the profits made by OpenAI from using their content and also wants the court to issue an injunction barring OpenAI from future use of their news articles.
Lionsgate took another step in separating itself from premium service Starz, filing documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27. According to the filing, Lionsgate Studios will split from Lionsgate, which will be renamed Starz Entertainment. Current Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice chair Michael Burns will continue those roles at Lionsgate Studios. Starz chief Jeff Hirsh will head Starz Entertainment. The split is expected to be completed by the end of the year. |
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| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT |
 Production is underway in London on Guy Ritchie’s new as yet untitled global crime series, starring Tom Hardy (“Venom: The Last Dance”), Pierce Brosnan (“Die Another Day”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen”). The series, formerly known as “The Associate,” is produced in association with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and will debut globally in 2025 on Paramount+ and the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Plan in the U.S. |
| NEW & RETURNING SERIES |
 Magnolia Network unveiled its lineup of streaming and cable premieres for December, including new season premieres of “Building Outside the Lines,” “In with the Old,” and “Maine Cabin Masters.” In addition, a special holiday episode of “Human vs Hamster” is now available to stream on Max and will air on Magnolia Network December 13 at 9p. Season 2 of “Building Outside the Lines” will premiere on December 26, followed by the Season 7 debut of “In With the Old” on December 27. On December 30, “Maine Cabin Masters” returns for its Season 10 premiere at 9p. |
 Paramount+ with SHOWTIME’s “Dexter: Original Sin,” will premiere December 13 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, before making its on-air US debut on December 15 at 10p. The 10-episode prequel series follows Dexter (Patrick Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. |
 New CBS series “Watson” makes its debut January 26 at 10p, after the AFC Championship Game on the broadcast network, and stream on Paramount+. The series, starring Morris Chestnut, will begin airing in its regular time period beginning February 16 at 10p. “Watson” takes place six months after the death of the titular character’s friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty. The series also stars Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann and Rochelle Aytes. |
| “The Primrose Railway Children,” produced by BBC Studios and starring Kevin McKidd (“Grey’s Anatomy”), arrives December 8 at 6:15p on BYUtv.
OWN has released its December schedule, with new episodes of “Belle Collective” on December 6 and each week after. “Love and Marriage: Huntsville” returns with new episodes on December 7. Also on December 7, “OWN for the Holidays” returns for its sixth year with three original movies – “A Season to Remember” (December 7),
“Mistletoe & Matrimony” (December 14), and “24-Karat Christmas” (December 21). |
Today’s Premieres
TLC: 90 Day: The Last Resort at 8p; Last Resort: Between the Sheets at 10p
HBO: Shaq at 9p
Acorn TV: Dalgliesh
Disney+: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew |
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| SPORTS UPDATE |
| NBC Sports and Peacock will collaborate with the National Football League, EA SPORTS, and Genius Sports to present an “EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast” of the Houston Texans-Kansas City Chiefs game on December 21 at 1p, streaming on Peacock. Blending video game elements and live action, the stream will be an immersive, data-powered live football experience that injects Madden NFL’s brand elements as animated overlays. The live stream will feature a dedicated commentary team with NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister handling play-by-play; former NFL quarterback, YouTuber and “Madden NFL” expert Kurt Benkert utilizing graphic overlays to discuss and predict play options; and Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco serving as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.” Also joining the production will be pro Madden NFL player Henry Leverette, who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring in February. |
| GOING GLOBAL |
 Sphere Abacus has sold “Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy,” a feature-length documentary produced by Sphere Media, to Prime Video, and is set to launch in January 2025. The documentary is an exposé of the criminal activity that took place in the Hare Krishna movement in America in the 1970s and ‘80s, adapted from the New York Times bestselling book by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson. |
 Barcelona-based Titan OS S.L. has partnered with NEW ID to add three channels to its FAST content offering – “BABY SHARK TV,” “NEW KFOOD,” and “World Billiards TV.” Titan OS’s channel lineup is currently accessible on Philips smart TVs powered by its operating system, as well as on select Sony Android TVs, where it offers a curated selection of high-quality channels. They will soon be expanded to JVC and other major TV brands.
Icelandic film and TV production company Glassriver has optioned the crime thriller book series “Elma” from author Eva Björg Ægisdóttir for a series adaption. The first book in the “Elma” series, “The Creak on the Stairs,” is being adapted by screenwriter Karen Björg Eyfjörð Þorsteinsdóttir. |
 Armenian production house Tale Wind Studio has formed a new distribution agreement with Kartoon Channel, allowing two seasons of kids’ animated series “Turbozaurs” to be available on Kartoon Channel and its streaming platform in the US and more than 60 territories worldwide. |
| RATINGS |
| FOX Business Network delivered record ratings numbers across business day, total day and primetime for the month of November. During the month, FBN attracted 220,000 business day viewers (9:30a-5p), a 15% year-over-year advantage, its highest rated month since 2023. Across total day, FBN drew in 155,000 viewers, delivering its highest rated total day since 2020. In primetime, FBN saw a 58% increase in viewership year-over-year, while the 25-54 demo grew 106% and the 35-54 demo posted a 50% advantage.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day victory over the New York Giants on Fox is projected to be the most-watched NFL game this season on any network with 38.5 million viewers, and was up 14% over last year’s holiday broadcast, according to Nielsen. Viewership peaked with about 41.3 million viewers from 6p to 6:15p. The telecast was projected to be the fourth most-watched Thanksgiving Day game on record and the most-watched telecast on any single network since Super Bowl LVIII. |
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| EXECUTIVE MOVES |
| Karl Holmes has been named SVP, Direct to Consumer & General Manager, Disney+, EMEA and will assume the role in January. He replaces Luke Bradley-Jones, who left the company to become president of “The Economist” earlier this year. Holmes most recently was chief financial officer for Sky in the U.K. and Ireland. |
| IN MEMORIAM |
| Actor Wayne Northrop died November 29 at age 77, six years after being diagnosed with Alzeimer’s. Northrop was best known for roles on “Days of Our Lives” and “Dynasty.” |
This Day in History
1823: US President James Monroe declared the “Monroe Doctrine” opposing European colonialism in the Americas, arguing any European political intervention in the New World would be a hostile act against the United States.
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On “Cheers” (1982-1993), why did Rebecca have cause to be concerned when the owner of Melville’s interrupted the gang’s Thanksgiving dinner at the bar? Rebecca had “borrowed” items from Melville’s for the feast. Kudos to: Tom Moore- Kalt Productions/LA
Today’s Trivia Question
What was Comedy Central’s first original animated series? (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.) |
COUNSEL, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >>
MLB NETWORK/SECAUCUS, NJ: Responsible for a variety of matters, including services agreements, production related agreements, talent agreements, software and other technology related agreements, licensing and programming agreements, third party rights clearances, distribution agreements, contract summaries, confidentiality, and general contract matters. Full info HERE
SENIOR INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN PROJECT MANAGER
BEACON MEDIA GROUP
NY/NJ
Seeking a diligent, organized, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as we manage Integrated Marketing Campaigns for a candy manufacturer. Responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction, managing project timelines, and optimizing campaign effectiveness. If you’re proactive and enjoy collaborating with teams, we want to hear from you! Full info HERE
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Proven track record of monetizing digital assets on various social media platforms. Work closely with our production team in creating content and comprehensive marketing plans to increase market share. Full info HERE
INTERNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Create and execute sales strategies and proposals- generating new sales from past, current and future leads by networking, building relationships and identifying valuable sales opportunities. Manage existing accounts and excel at identifying clients’ needs. Requires a self-driven individual who is passionate about the sports and media industry. Full info HERE
NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
CSI SPORTS
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Looking for another self-motivated, highly disciplined National AD Sales Executive that enjoys the sales process from beginning to close. If you bring the enthusiasm and determination we will supply the opportunity to make this the best position you’ve ever had. Full info HERE
LEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE >>
CASTIFY.AI/HYBRID: Expand our client base in the digital advertising industry and focus on business development, securing new clients and partnerships, and negotiating contracts with leading advertising brands and agencies as well as experience in the digital advertising sector, showcasing a proven track record of achieving targets and excelling in business development. Full info HERE
TV HOST >>
QVC/WESTCHESTER, PA: Credible while entertaining candidate w/exp hosting TV, digital, radio, spokesperson or live events. Masterful storyteller, enthusiastic & a love for products and shopping a must. Must be quick on their feet w/ability to improv & engage as well as have an elevated sense of style. Full info HERE
ACCOUNT REP: MPT NATIONAL CORPORATE SALES
MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION FOUNDATION
REMOTE
Call on current and prospective sponsors, providing high-quality customer service, in a manner consistent with standard industry practice, for the customer/client accounts for which they have cultivated or have been assigned as well as build sustainable, long-lasting relationships with existing clients. Full info HERE
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF AD SALES >>
HAYSTACK NEWS/NYNY, LA, CHICAGO: Responsible for developing large, meaningful partnerships to drive strategic and creative solutions for clients. You relish the opportunity to help advertisers build their brands by supporting the world’s most premium news publishers. Full info HERE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
INTERSECTION
LOS ANGELES, CA
Drive new revenue for our media around Los Angeles and beyond as well as building relationships with prospects and clients. Full info HERE |
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