Skip a newsletter last week? Then here’s a roundup of the top stories in each of our four daily editions, so you can be up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, sports and kids television. Enjoy!
Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to host the 87th Academy Awards. It’s the How I Met Your Mother star’s first time manning the Oscars, but he’s no stranger to emcee duties, having hosted the Emmys twice and the Tonys four times. Harris shared the news via social media on Wednesday, with a video of him crossing “host the Oscars” off his bucket list. Ceremony airs Sunday, February 22 on ABC.
That NBC Nightly News winning streak broken by ABC World News the week of September 29? Not so broken. Revised Nielsen data, addressing a software glitch, has NBC finishing first for the week with 8.283 million total viewers versus ABC’s 8.113 million. NBC has now been tops in viewers for 265 consecutive weeks. ABC does retain bragging rights in the news demo, 2.065 million to 1.942 million. “World News Tonight is in the tightest evening news race in several years and we’re honored the viewers are responding,” said ABC.
The Southeastern Conference revealed that longtime Commissioner Mike Slive will retire next year after a transforming 13-year run atop the league. He will officially depart on July 31, 2015 and announced that he is beginning treatment for a recurrence of prostate cancer. However, he will remain associated with the conference as a consultant for a period of four years. His run atop the league saw landmark television contracts including the launch of the SEC Network, seven consecutive Bowl Championship Series national titles in football and 67 national championships in 15 of its 21 sponsored sports during his tenure.
“I have been blessed in more ways than I can count and I will have as much passion for this job on my last day as I did on my first,” said Slive. “I consider my health situation a temporary detour in a remarkable road that has allowed me to meet amazing people, experience incredible events and celebrate historic victories. I will relish my final year in this position and look forward to being the biggest fan of the SEC for many years to come.”
CBS will also begin selling web video subscriptions, called CBS All Access, for $6 a month without a pay-TV provider. The service will allow viewers to watch almost any show it airs, live or on demand and for multiple devices. Unlike HBO, all of these programs are technically available to anyone with an antenna for free, and CBS is also already selling this subscription on its site. CBS All Access will also give viewers a library of older shows (without ads) and ones that aired the day prior. However, the service will not show NFL games on Sunday afternoon and Thursday nights. The live shows are currently available in 14 cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. ReCode reports CBS CEO Les Moonves is considering an HBO-like service for its premium network Showtime.
After opening its doors to ad sales and promotional opportunities in the States earlier this year, Turner is re-launching Cartoon Network sibling Boomerang as a global animation network grounded in classic toons (like Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo and Powerpuff Girls) but including for the first time exclusive acquired regional and local series. The network bowed in Latin America Sept. 29 and will kick off in Australia Nov. 3, followed by the U.S., EMEA and APAC regions in 2015. Beyond its availability in more than 250 million homes, Boomerang will be supported via digital and mobile platforms, including a refaced website featuring exclusive content.
In related news, Cartoon rebranded its smartphone offerings under the moniker CN Anything. The app, stocked with short (10-15 seconds short) programming meant to be viewed on the go, is available for both iOS and Andriod devices. The content mix includes ranges from snippets from shows including Adventure Time, Regular Show and Amazing World of Gumball, and games, quizzes and puzzles targeting the net’s core Boys 6-11 audience. McDonald’s has signed on as launch sponsor; the fast fooder initially will have sponsored messaging and banner ads throughout the app. Native ad content is on the horizon for the app, according to Cartoon execs.
And in weather news, DHX Media is bringing the Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs franchise to the small screen. In a new deal with Sony Pictures Animation, DHX will develop and produce 26 22-minute episodes and will have global television and non-U.S. home entertainment exploitation rights to the property; Sony has U.S. rights. DHX also has merchandising for the television series on a worldwide basis. The 2009 comedy and its 2013 sequel, both produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Columbia Pictures, grossed a combined $510 million in theaters. In a new twist, the TV series takes place before food comes raining down on Swallow Falls.
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