Cynopsis is introducing a new web feature called “In Case You Missed It,” which is a quick roundup of the top stories of the previous week in each of our four daily editions. So if you skipped a newsletter, this is where you want to go to make sure you’re up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, sports, and kids television. Enjoy!
Flagship
July 30th’s scheduled table reading for CBS’s The Big Bang Theory was scuttled as Warner Bros. Television continued in its effort to strike new deals with Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. “Due to ongoing contract negotiations, production on The Big Bang Theory…has been postponed, said WBTV. Earlier this month, CBS chairman Nina Tassler told Cynopsis the net was “feeling pretty bullish” about the contract situation.
The Walking Dead steps back into the AMC lineup for a two-part season five on Sunday, October 12 at 9p. The season premieres of Talking Dead and Comic Book Men follow the zombie drama at 10p and midnight. “Season five is without question the most ambitious and satisfying this amazing team has ever crafted,” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. International premieres air within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast across Fox International Channels markets.
Sports
FOX Sports Digital and Sporting News Media announced a cross-platform content, distribution, and media partnership designed to bolster each company’s “ability to offer the most comprehensive digital sports video and editorial coverage across the web.” The new alliance is projected to reach an estimated 55 million plus digital sports fans every month. As part of the deal, the two companies will share content and traffic across its top sports properties, including FOXSports.com, SportingNews.com and Goal.com. The new comScore entity will be called “FOX Sports Digital – Sporting News Media.”
In addition, the two companies will develop joint digital video programming and editorial content, joint sales offerings, as well as expand upon each party’s native advertising executions. FOX Sports Digital will also distribute FOXSports.com and FOX Sports 1 video content via the Sporting News ePlayer platform, extending the reach of FOX Sports Digital’s exclusive off-network video opportunities.
USA Basketball locked in multiple marketing partnerships with Samsung, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and Diageo. The three companies will serve as official marketing partners of USA Basketball, promoting their brands and products throughout USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s National Team training camp, exhibition games, media, and during several special events taking place this summer in Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York. In addition, other partners will include the Jeep brand, Nike, Las Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas, and BBVA will also conduct activities during the summer as the Men’s National Team prepares for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain from Aug. 30-Sept. 14.
Activations will include a Samsung-built Technology Center in Las Vegas to provide USA Basketball players and staff with Samsung’s latest products to use throughout the summer, including customized tablets, handsets, and wearable devices. HSS’s medical team will offer world class medical care for USA Basketball players throughout training camp and be on the sidelines with the team for all exhibition games and the FIBA World Cup. Diageo will serve as the presenting partner of the USA Basketball Training Camp Celebration in Chicago on Aug. 15 and the USA Basketball Send-Off Celebration in New York City on Aug. 20.
Digital
Twitter reported $312.2 million Q2 earnings yesterday, 81 percent of which came from mobile ad revenue – a big jump over the $283 million predicted by analysts. The social network also reached 271 million users as of June 30, which is a 6.3 percent increase from last year.
Despite its $126 million reported loss, Amazon still plans to spend more than $100 million on pilots for original digital series by the end of the year. Amazon CFO Tom Szkutak said the company is seeing more of its Prime members using the service for streaming content, and that’s why they will continue to heavily invest in programming. Currently, the tech giant has greenlit pilots Hysteria, Really, Hand of God and The Cosmopolitans into series. CNET points out thatNetflix spent $100 million alone on House of Cards’ two seasons. Additionally, Amazon launched a free “snackable” video site last week called Video Shorts. The vids will include movie trailers, actor and book author interviews, music videos and more as a way to boost sales.
Kids
Nickelodeon ordered 26 episodes of new live-action comedy 100 Things To Do Before High School, from Big Time Rush creator and executive producer Scott Fellows. The half-hour eps follow three best friends as they navigate the highs and lows of middle school, with the aid of a bucket list of adventures that help them overcome class cliques, bullies and teachers. The series will begin production this fall in LA. “Crossing the bridge into high school is a milestone and a journey filled with taking chances, expressing yourself and building friendships,” said Russell Hicks, Nick president of content development and production. “Kids will be able to relate to this coming of age comedy, which embodies that crazy and sometimes magical time in their lives.”
Cartoon Network thrilled Comic-Con fans with the news that the net is re-upping five original series: Adventure Time, Regular Show, Uncle Grandpa, Steven Universe and Clarence. It’s season seven for Adventure Time and Regular Show—both nominated for primetime Emmys this year. New episode premieres from Adventure Time’s Season 6-to-date have averaged almost 2.9 million Total Viewers, 1.4 million K2-11 and 1 million K6-11. Regular Show’s new episode premieres to-date have averaged nearly 2.5 million Total Viewers and 1.2 million K2-11.
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