Skip a newsletter last week? “In Case You Missed It” rounds up the top stories in each of our three daily editions, so you can be up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, sports and kids television. Enjoy!
FLAGSHIP
Retiring Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer announced that he will be replaced by John Dickerson, CBS News political director. Dickerson has been on the show 83 times, said Schieffer, and “sure has the right bloodlines.” Schieffer, 78 and a 46-year CBS vet, leaves this summer.
Participant Media CEO Jim Berk resigned, saying, “After more than eight years at Participant it is the right time for someone else to take the helm.” Founder and chairman Jeff Skoll, who is stepping into the CEO role during the hunt for a replacement, credited Berk with helping the company “span film, television and digital, serving a global audience of socially conscious consumers.”
DIGITAL
Netflix recorded more than 59.6 million subscribers during its Q1 earnings report, ahead of the 57 million originally projected. When including non-paying subscribers, Netflix surpassed 60 million subs, and 62.3 million globally. As for Q1 profit, the streaming service reported $23.7 million, or 38 cents a share, compared with $53.1 million, or 86 cents a share just a year prior. However, revenue increased 24 percent to $1.57 billion.
Crackle made the official jump into the television Upfronts, presenting its new slate and updated TV-like app to advertisers at the Hudson Theatre in New York City. Jerry Seinfeld, star of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, kicked off the event, saying that the platform will continue to carry premium content and stay clear of UGC. “The less user-generated-content, the better…this business is for talent,” Seinfeld teased. New shows include: animated comedy SuperMansion, the platform’s first hour-long scripted series The Art Of More and David Spade’s sequel to the 2001 film Joe Dirt. In addition, Crackle will update the app with the Always On experienced powered by Adobe Primetime, which mimics a dayparting schedule and channel guide that begins playing as soon as a user opens the app. The new design will roll out first on Roku devices starting in May. Check out more coverage of the event (Dennis Quaid! Sliders! Goody bag swag!) in Backstage at the Upfronts, coming to your mailbox tonight at 6pm.
SPORTS
A fresh beverage for the NBA, which announced a multi-year deal with PepsiCo that makes the company an official marketing partner of the league as well as the Women’s National Basketball Association, NBA Development League, and USA Basketball starting next season. The deal will see PepsiCo leverage its Mountain Dew, Aquafina, Brisk, Doritos, and Ruffles brands as part of the deal to engage NBA fans through sports marketing and high-profile activation. The deal also builds upon the league’s relationship with Gatorade. Mountain Dew will serve as the lead brand of this partnership in North America while Aquafina, will support programs around the NBA’s youth, health, and wellness initiatives.
“Uniting the passionate fans of the NBA with the power of PepsiCo’s food and beverage brands is a slam dunk for the league and for our company,” said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi. “The NBA has established itself as one of the most exciting and innovative sports leagues in the world. We look forward to working together to redefine the meaning of sports marketing partnership by taking the fan experience to new heights.”
WME|IMG is getting in the ring with the Professional Bull Riders, announcing the acquisition of the company that boosts its live event portfolio. While the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close in May. The company snagged the PBR from controlling shareholder Spire Capital Partners.
“We’ve worked closely with the PBR for the last several years and share their passion for expanding the sport of bull riding globally,” said WME|IMG co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell in a statement. “The resources across WME|IMG make the partnership a perfect match, combining top quality event production and broadcast rights.”
KIDS
Disney Junior will keep the fires burning under two of its most popular franchises. The network ordered fourth seasons of hits Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins. The series “have resonated with viewers on many levels, but what’s especially gratifying is to hear a parent talking about how their child did something nice for someone or tried something new because that’s what Sofia or Doc would have done. We are looking forward to bringing more stories with those types of aspirational messages to kids and families,” says Nancy Kanter, EVP, original programming/GM, Disney Junior Worldwide.
More new Thomas adventures are chugging to PBS Kids, beginning with the movie Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins on May 11, followed by four new eps during that week. For mobile fans, the Thomas & Friends Watch and Play app is launching on Amazon and Google Play, and new games are headed to the Thomas and Friends website.
