Skip a newsletter last week? “In Case You Missed It” rounds up the top stories in our daily editions, so you can be up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, and sports television. Enjoy!
Univision is ending its association with the Miss Universe Organization, which is part-owned by Donald Trump, in the wake of Trump’s remarks about Mexican immigrants. “They’re bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They’re rapists,” Trump said June 16 as he launched his Republican presidential campaign. “At Univision, we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country,” said the company. “We will not be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.” Spanish-language coverage of the Miss USA pageant had been slated to air on UniMas.
Via Twitter, Trump responded by saying, among other things, “Univision wants to back out of signed @MissUniverse contract because I exposed the terrible trade deals that the U.S. makes with Mexico.” Trump’s special counsel, Michael Cohen, warned, “We intend to pursue all legal rights and remedies available to Mr. Trump pursuant to the terms of the license agreement as well as a defamation case against Univision.”
Roger Ailes signed a multi-year contract extension keeping him chairman-CEO of Fox News and Fox Business Network and chairman of Fox Television Stations, as Rupert Murdoch prepares to step down as CEO of 21st Century Fox on July 1. Ailes will report to the elder Murdoch as well as new CEO James Murdoch and executive co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch. “Roger and I have always had, and will continue to have, a special relationship,” said Rupert. “Lachlan, James and I are delighted that Roger will be leading key businesses for us and our shareholders for years to come, and he has our unwavering support.”
TV Land unveiled a new logo, reflecting a rebrand that’s more than skin deep. “Our new logo, look and editorial voice are a part of a major overhaul of the TV Land brand itself,” said Kim Rosenblum, EVP of marketing and creative for the net. “The majority of our audience in prime time and weekends are now Gen Xers – vibrant, working adults who grew up on MTV and edgier shows. They demand and deserve a brand that is more connected to where they are today.” Added Keith Cox, EVP of development and original programming, “For the past year, we’ve been taking more risks as a network, committed to bringing in the content that makes us a destination for unique shows that have a distinct voice. The new look and logo signal that this change is officially here.” Coming up: new series The Jim Gaffigan Show, starring the comedian and actor, and dark comedy Impastor on July 15.
Amazon is about to land its first major original feature film, starring Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey. The $4 million deal for the historical drama, titled Elvis + Nixon, will follow the meeting between the infamous artist and president. Amazon Studios will debut the film in theaters and then bring it to Amazon Prime Instant Video in an early window release. Elvis + Nixon is directed by Liza Johnson, produced by Cassian Elwes, Cary Elwes, and Holly Wiersma, and executive produced by Byron Wetzel, Tim Smith, Paul Brett, Johnny Mac, Dave Hansen, Laura Rister, Rob Barnum and Jason Micalef.
On the heels of Showtime‘s new a la carte service offering, the network will add its content to Hulu, the first deal of its kind for a premium cable channel. Nine million paying Hulu subscribers will have the option to add the service starting July 11 before the season premieres of Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex. The major difference between Showtime’s stand-alone service and its partnership with Hulu is price: the Hulu-subscriber version will cost $8.99; it’s $10.99 for the app by itself.
The NHL is open itself up to some new flavors. The league’s Board of Governors, meeting in Las Vegas ahead of last night’s NHL Awards, approved a formal process to evaluate markets and ownership groups interested in launching a new NHL club. Applications will be accepted from July 6 – August 10. While Las Vegas is clearly in the crosshairs, Seattle and Quebec City are other markets expected to express interest in a team. “Over the past several years we have received numerous expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups that have indicated an interest in joining the National Hockey League. The Board decided today to examine those expressions more formally and also to welcome any other groups or markets that may be considering pursuit of an NHL team,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “The fact that we are beginning this process does not necessarily mean that any expansion teams will be granted as a result of this process.”
Microsoft is going deep with NASCAR, inking new multi-year official agreements with both the sanctioning body as well as Hendrick Motorsports that make the company the Official Technology Partner of NASCAR and a major technology partner of Hendrick Motorsports. Through the deal, both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports will adopt the Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Azure to deliver technology solutions while Microsoft will in turn support the upcoming launch of Windows 10 with primary sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway on June 28 and Pocono Raceway on August 2. Windows 10 will be the Official Operating System of Hendrick Motorsports.
