FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (WEDNESDAY 12/21/16)
CBS: Undercover Boss (Premiere) at 8pm
ABC: Game Changers with Robin Roberts (Premiere) at 10pm
IFC: Joe’s Pub Presents (Premiere) at 10pm
RLTV: Style In Steel (Premiere) at 10pm
SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL: Polar Bear Town (Premiere) at 8pm
LIFETIME: Little Women: Dallas (Finale) at 10pm
NFLN: The Timeline (Finale) at 8pm
TRU TV: Jon Glaser Loves Gear (Finale) at 10pm
Nielsen is buying media and entertainment metadata provider Gracenote from the Tribune Media Company for approximately $560 million, a deal that gives Nielsen data and technology that underpins the programming guides and personalized user experience for major video, music, audio and sports content. Gracenote’s global content database spans across platforms including multichannel video programming distributors, smart televisions, streaming music services, connected devices, media players and in-car infotainment systems.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The announcement of A&E docuseries Generation KKK, which examines the recent resurgence of the hate group in the United States, is stirring controversy. While some have expressed concern that the doc’s depiction of the Ku Klux Klan might “normalize” hatred – Wendell Pierce (The Wire) went so far as to ask for a boycott – the eight-parter, which bows Tuesday, January 10, received a “proud” endorsement from Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, and civil rights activist Shaun King, who saw a preview of the series’ first episode, posted to Twitter, “It was clear that it was NOT them normalizing racism & bigotry, but exposing it.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
After two seasons Starz pulled the plug on Blunt Talk, the comedy from Seth McFarlane, Jonathan Ames (Bored to Death) and MRC and starring Patrick Stewart. “We are grateful to Jonathan and Patrick for the tirades and laughs that Walter Blunt delivered to fans with such aplomb,” said Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming at Starz. “While Walter may not be returning to the airwaves, we are incredibly proud of the work that was done these past two seasons.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
NBC and Esquire Network’s American Ninja Warrior announced the cities across the U.S. that will be home to the action for its summer 2017 season. The series will make stops in Los Angeles, CA (March 7-8); San Antonio, TX (March 26-27); Daytona, FL (April 7-8); Kansas City, MO (April 24-25); Cleveland, OH (May 8-9); and Denver, CO (May 23-24). Finals take place in Las Vegas, NV (June 19-24).
(Source: Cynopsis)
NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns surprises four special students at Oakland, NJ’s Reed Academy with tickets to a Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks basketball game and a special meet-and-greet with him after the game. The Pop Up Santa surprise airs Saturday, December 24 during the movie Elf at 7:40p on Freeform and on 25DaysofChristmasTV.com.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TBS comedy The Detour returns with back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, February 21 at 9p. Among the special guests to be featured on the show’s sophomore season, are EP and co-creator Samantha Bee.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Kevin Delaney leaves his lab to hit the streets for unusual experiments on Street Science. New series premieres Wednesday, January 11 at 10p on Science Channel.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Game of Dating offers a new take on a classic dating show, starting Tuesday, January 31 at 8p on TV One. Comedian Tony Rock hosts.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Tia Mowry serves up easy-to-make recipes when Tia Mowry at Home bows Sunday, January 8 at 8:30p on Food Network. Joining her on the new season are Naya Rivera, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Kelly Rowland and more.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Bobby Hamilton, his friend Jim Lansdale, and their team of monster hunters, Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization star in Killing Bigfoot premiering Saturday, February 4 at 10p on Destination America.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Discovery’s Killing Fields returns Tuesday, January 3 at 10p. Shot in real time, the true crime series picks up from last season as Detectives Rodie, Aubrey and the team zero in on the 1997 homicide of former Louisiana State University student Eugenie Boisfontaine.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Portlandia returns to IFC for a seventh season on Thursday, January 5 at 10p. Stars and creators Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein make their directorial debuts this go-round. Among the actors set to appear on the series are Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live, Inside Amy Schumer), Judy Greer (Archer, Married), Ryan Hansen (2 Broke Girls, Central Intelligence) and Sam Richardson (Veep, The Office).
(Source: Cynopsis)
One-hour special Vanishing America debuts Wednesday, December 21 at 9p on The Weather Channel, exploring the places across the world that are in danger of disappearing due to extreme climate change.
(Source: Cynopsis)
World’s Toughest Mudder debuts Sunday, December 25 at 2p on CBS. From the creative minds behind Tough Mudder events, the special is an extreme 24-hour race set on a grueling five-mile looped course, featuring over 1,500 athletes.
(Source: Cynopsis)
NBC airs PGA Tour 2016: Must-See Moments of the Year sponsored by Myrbetriq on Sunday, December 25 at 2:30p. The hour-long special examines the incredible moments, biggest events and breakout stars of the 2015-2016 PGA Tour season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
All-Around Performance Horse returns to RFD-TV with several prime-time specials in 2017. The series features behind-the-scenes stories and interviews focused on western sports, along with coverage of the top ranch rodeos held around the country.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fusion documents the journey of five girls from The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls inaugural class as they mark new milestones in their lives in O Girls, bowing Sunday, January 15 at 8p on Fusion. Kimberly Brooks hosts the one-hour doc.
(Source: Cynopsis)
In other Fusion news, the net honors the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali on Thursday, December 22 with two half-hour specials. Fightin’ Talk: Muhammad Ali airs at 7p, followed by 2016 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, which celebrate individuals around the world who are passionate in their dedication to innovative social justice issues in local and global communities, at 7:30p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
American Masters: By Sidney Lumet premieres An interview with Treat Williams, who starred in Lumet’s Prince of the City, follows. Film is available on digital video on demand and DVD/Blu-ray from FilmRise on January 9.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Forest Whitaker, who stars as Rebel freedom fighter Saw Gerrera in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, joins the cast of animated series Star Wars Rebels. Whitaker reprise his role as Gerrera, providing the voice of the character. Show bows Saturday, January 7 at 8:30p on Disney XD.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fargo added to the cast of its third installment. David Thewlis (Harry Potter, Wonder Woman) portrays a mysterious loner and true capitalist, Michael Stuhlbarg (Boardwalk Empire) plays Emmit’s right hand man and consigliere, and Jim Gaffigan (The Bleeder) portrays Gloria’s deputy at the local police department. Production begins in Calgary in January for a 2017 premiere on FX.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The ZhuZhus returns with new adventures featuring Frankie and pet pals Pipsqueak, Num Nums, Chunk and Mr. Squiggles on Saturday, January 7 at 9:30a on Disney Channel.
(Source: Cynopsis)
First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell to The White House: An Oprah Winfrey Special won its time period with 9.39 million viewers, according to Nielsen Live+SD for Monday, December 19. The special delivered CBS’ largest audience in the Monday 8p to 9p time period since October 17. OWN airs the second showing of the special on Wednesday, December 21 at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Ho ho ho! Hallmark Channel original movie premieres My Christmas Love and Sleigh Bells Ring held the net’s place as the #1 network among W25-54 ratings and delivery for the eighth consecutive weekend and the fifth consecutive week. Saturday’s My Christmas Love averaged a 4.0 HH rating and 4.6 million Total Viewers, tying as the network’s highest-rated telecast of 2016, while Sunday’s Sleigh Bells Ring earned a 3.5 HH rating and 4.1 million Total Viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Food Network‘s Sunday night finale of Holiday Baking Championship posted a .8 rating (730,000 IMP) among A25-54, a gain of 11 percent over last year’s season two finale. Show ranked sixth in the 9p timeslot across ad-supported cable networks.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Empire’s winter finale on FOX was up 6 percent among A18-49 (3.7/14 Live+3) and up 8 percent in 3-day Total Multi-Platform Audience (11.4 million viewers) from last week, ranking as the #1 program of the night. The premiere of Star (2.6/9 L+3) was television’s highest-rated debut since the October 3, 2016 (NBC’s Timeless, 2.7/10 L+3). Among programming last Monday through Wednesday, the series was the #2 drama behind only Empire, posting a 3-day Total Multi-Platform Audience of 8.3 million viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Last Man Standing hit an all-time ratings high in syndication, including Households (2.0 HH, up 5 percent over last week), Total Viewers (3.06 million, up 11 percent) and W25-54 (1.2, up 9 percent). The sitcom also matched its all-time highs among A18-49 (0.8, up 14 percent over last week) and A25-54 (1.1, up 10 percent).
(Source: Cynopsis)
Univision finished the week of December 12 as the #5 broadcast network among Total Viewers 2+. For the entire week, the network averaged 1.7 million Total Viewers 2+, 714,000 A18-49 and 331,000 A18-34.
(Source: Cynopsis)
UP announced that 2016 is the network’s best ratings year ever in W18-49, P18-49, W18-34 and P18-34, and the youngest year ever with the median age at 49 years. The net has also had four consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth in all key demos. Additionally, Christmas 2016 is Up’s strongest and youngest ever in all key demos with a median age of 51.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Despite some repeats for part of the week, most of syndication’s top tier held on to recent gains in the session ending December 11. Dr. Phil (3.5 L+SD national Nielsen rating, down 3 percent from the week before) dominated the talk shows for the 14th straight frame, surging 21 percent from last year at this time. Ellen DeGeneres (2.6, unchanged) dropped 4 percent from last year, but held on to second place.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Entertainment Tonight (3.4, steady) cruised to its 19th consecutive victory in the magazine race, maintaining its season high and improving 10 percent year-to-year, the biggest annual advance in the genre. Top court show Judge Judy (7.2, down 1 percent) was in repeats for part of the week and finished in a dead heat for first place in syndication overall with Family Feud (new season high 7.2, up 1 percent).
(Source: Cynopsis)
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