FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (FRIDAY 4/17/20)
AMC: Friday Night with The Morgans (Premiere) at 10pm
APPLE TV+: Home (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Too Hot To Handle (Premiere)
NETFLIX: BlackAF (Premiere)
CINEMAX: Strike Back (Finale)
(SATURDAY 4/18/20)
CBS, NBC, ABC, BET, MTV, VH1, UNIVISION & MORE: One World: Together at Home (Premiere) at 8pm
NAT. GEO. WILD: Jungle Animal Rescue (Premiere) at 10pm
TRAVEL CHANNEL: Paranormal 911 (Premiere) at 9pm
(SUNDAY 4/19/20)
AXS TV: Top Ten Revealed (Premiere) at 8pm
AXS TV: Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar (Premiere) at 8:30pm
AXS TV: Live From Daryl’s House (Premiere) at 9pm
ESPN: The Last Dance (Premiere) at 9pm
TELEMUNDO: American Ninja Warrior (Premiere) at 7pm
TLC: Dragnificent! (Premiere) at 11pm
TV ONE: Unsung (Finale) at 10pm
With Upfronts canceled, AMC Networks is going virtual with the launch of sales hub “Upfront Connect.” The one-stop source for advertising partners includes “The Screening Room,” an invite-only digital library of AMCN originals for clients to screen full series, preview new content and explore ad opportunities, as well as AMCN’s new branded content studio “The Content Room,” offering creative and production capabilities free to brands that come onboard during this time. “In keeping with our buyers-first approach, we’ve launched ‘Upfront Connect’ to provide comprehensive resources and convenient solutions that address the challenges our clients are facing at this time, including creative and production services at no cost to them,” said Kim Kelleher, president of commercial revenue and partnerships, AMC Networks. “Like everything else, the advertising industry changed virtually overnight, and we are pleased to offer a full suite of resources exclusively for our partners.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
PGA Tour officials announced they plan to hold the Charles Schwab Challenge from June 11-14. The golf tournament, originally scheduled for May, will be televised by CBS, but no fans will be allowed.
(Source: Cynopsis)
National Geographic Documentary Films has a new feature project from director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Documentaries. The upcoming documentary will chronicle chef and humanitarian José Andrés and his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, as they rebuild nations in the wake of disaster. Joining Grazer and Howard as producers is Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein, and Justin Wilkes. The film will be executive produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Michael Rosenberg and Louisa Velis, World Central Kitchen’s Nate Mook and Richard Wolffe, and National Geographic Documentary Films’ Carolyn Bernstein and Ryan Harrington.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HGTV greenlit DIY series Design At Your Door, for homeowners with tired interiors willing to be coached remotely. After an initial virtual consultation with an HGTV expert, homeowners will receive a surprise package of personalized design elements – then have to get to work themselves, recording their own progress. Production begins later this month. “We’re all looking for ways to stay happy and connected, and a series like this feels right, right now,” said Jane Latman, President, HGTV.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Like most of the US, major sports fans are watching more media during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Nielsen, but because their consumption was so great before sports were shut down, the increase isn’t as acute as the rest of the population. For example, from Sunday, March 8 through Sunday, March 29, Heavy Sports Viewers increased their viewing by 10%, while adults increased their viewing by 23%. And sports programming still accounts for 10% of their time on Sundays, even in the absence of live sports.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HBO Max ordered three series from Bad Robot Productions: Overlook, inspired by Stephen King’s The Shining; Duster, centered on a getaway driver for a crime syndicate; and a DC Justice League Dark show. All fall under the deal J.J. Abrams inked with WarnerMedia last fall.
(Source: Cynopsis)
POV grabbed US broadcast and streaming rights for And She Could Be Next, a two-part documentary series directed by Grace Lee (American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs) and Iranian documentary filmmaker Marjan Safinia (Seeds) about women of color who are transforming American politics. It’s the first miniseries to be co-produced by POV, and will air as a two-night special presentation this June on PBS as part of its summer “Trailblazers” initiative. “If ever there was a moment where we need to be reminded of the leadership of women of color, that time is now,” said Ava DuVernay, one of the film’s executive producers. “If you’re an immigrant, a young person, a person of faith, or simply someone who has felt unseen for too long, you will find yourself reflected in this story.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Quibi ordered adult animated comedy Doomlands (wt), from Josh O’Keefe, Josh Bowen (Gary and His Demons) and Look Mom! Productions. Series takes place in a subterranean pub.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Facebook is launching a new feature called “Get the Facts,” with articles that debunk misinformation about the coronavirus. Messages will appear in News Feed to people who previously engaged with harmful misinformation related to COVID-19, connecting them with accurate data. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted in a Thursday post that the tech giant is continuing efforts to reduce misinformation, including working with over 60 fact-checking organizations that review content in over 50 languages.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Cable news is continuing to hold onto its strong gains in viewership relative to network news as the COVID-19 crisis wears on, despite a slight dip over the past two weeks, according to data from Alphonso. “In particular, we are seeing impressive recent growth by CNN and MSNBC since about mid-March. Fox News Channel is holding on to its sizable audience, but their competitors are clearly benefitting from the demand for information,” Raghu Kodige, Chief Product Officer at Alphonso, tells Cynopsis. “Not surprisingly, this is driving revenue increases for the Cable News segment as a whole, with a combined estimated $200 million increase in ad revenue across all three cable news networks in March, compared to January.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Overall, 40% of Americans consider at least one of the broadcast networks to be one of the top three trustworthy sources of information about the coronavirus; 30% consider a center-to-left cable news network (CNN, MSNBC, and BBC) one of the top three trustworthy sources; and 21% of Americans feel Fox News is one of the top three trustworthy media channels, according to a study from Horowitz Research. While 71% of Fox News viewers have a positive perception of how the federal government is handling the crisis, only 39% of those who trust other news sources feel positively. But when it comes to local government handling of the pandemic, both those who trust Fox News and those who trust other TV news sources are equally likely to feel positively.
(Source: Cynopsis)
90 Day Fiancee spinoff The Other Way arrives this summer, following six Americans as they uproot their lives and head to foreign countries for true love. Season two of the reality show premieres Monday, June 1 at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Live and interactive Anidom Beyond Show, hosted by Andy Richter, premieres Sunday, April 19 at 10p on social broadcasting platform Caffeine. The hour-long after-show will offer recaps and interviews tied to Fox’s Animation Domination comedy block. “Fans of Animation Domination are incredibly engaged with every aspect of each show and Caffeine gives them a way to engage in a new, interactive format,” said Ben Keighran, Caffeine’s founder and CEO. “On the Anidom Beyond Show fans can hang out with their friends, learn about behind the scenes details, and ask Andy and his guests the questions that they’ve always wanted to ask but had never been able to.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Among the series coming up on Acorn TV next month are season three of Australian drama Seachange on Monday, May 11 and season five of UK dramedy Mount Pleasant on Monday, May 25.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Perry Mason makes its debut on HBO on Sunday, June 21 at 9p. The drama stars Matthew Rhys as the legendary detective in 1930s LA.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HITN TV kicks off Earth Day with a marathon of the first season of original nature show Mundo Salvaje Con Ron Magill, starting Wednesday, April 22 at 5p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Four new episodes of PBS Kids math series Cyberchase premiere April 17-19. Kids can explore environmental science topics like water conservation, underground ecosystems, and protecting forests – all with a math twist – in time for Earth Day.
(Source: Cynopsis)
American Ninja Warrior comes to Spanish-language television for the first time on Sunday, April 19 at 7p on Telemundo, kicking off with Season 7. “We are thrilled to bring Hispanic families such a successful and entertaining format,” said Ronald Day, EVP of Entertainment for Telemundo. “Our audience loves this type of action-packed reality show they can enjoy with the whole family.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox 5 New York is airing a special tonight, April 17 to benefit City Harvest, as the food rescue organization responds to the pandemic. The Great New York Foodathon, produced and hosted by chef Geoffrey Zakarian, will feature John Legend, Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Flay, Whoopi Goldberg, Eric Ripert, Dr. Oz, Chelsea Clinton, and air commercial-free on Fox 5 and My 9 at 7p, as well as stream on Fox5NY.com and CityHarvest.org.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Circle is airing a live broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, April 18 at 8p, with Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent – and no audience.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox Business Network will present a virtual town hall, “America Works Together,” on Thursday, April 2 at 2p. Making Money host Charles Payne will interview billionaire investor/ Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on financial tips for consumers, personal finance, unemployment and more.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Streaming service Shudder acquired rights to Z, the horror film from director Brandon Christensen (Still/Born). The film tells the story of a young mother who begins to fear her introverted son’s imaginary friend, Z, may be terrifyingly real. Shudder will release Z as a Shudder Original on May 7.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Spanish-language Climate Change / Cambio Climatico, produced by Telemundo 39 / KXTX, will air across Telemundo owned and affiliate stations on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 (check local listings). Hosted by AMS and Certified Broadcast Chief Meteorologist Néstor Flecha (KXTX), the 30-minute special takes audiences across various cities to chronicle how climate changes are affecting local ecosystems and industries.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Add Roku to broadcasters and streamers joining with Global Citizen to air special One World Together At Home on Saturday, April 18 at 8p. The multi-hour digital broadcast ahead of the event will also be available for Roku users to stream.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MotorTrend TV is celebrating the 100th episode of Dirt Every Day with a live watch party at 8p on the MotorTrend App Facebook page today at 8p. Hosts Fred Williams and David Chappelle will also be on hand at 8:30p for a screening on the MotorTrend YouTube Channel to answer questions from fans.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TLC has launched “Everyone Needs A Little TLC,” oriented around TLC’s Give A Little initiative, which promotes mental health awareness and provides comfort and positivity. The campaign will include self-shot messages from network stars, urging viewers to stay home, sharing their social distance coping mechanisms, and expressing gratitude for members of the medical community. TLC is also joining forces with longtime partner The Jed Foundation to support the launch of their #LoveisLouder Action Center, to provide tips, tools and other resources to support emotional health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Source: Cynopsis)
GLAAD-hosted livestream event Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone will air on GLAAD’s YouTube channel and Facebook Live on Sunday, April 26 at 8p, to raise money for LGBTQ community centers hit by the coronavirus. Among those onboard: performers Kesha and Melissa Etheridge as well as Billy Eichner, Matt Bomer, Adam Lambert, Lilly Singh, Bebe Rexha, Dan Levy, Mj Rodriguez, Wilson Cruz, Gigi Gorgeous, Nats Getty, Michelle Visage, Javier Muñoz, Sean Hayes, Sharon Stone and Tatiana Maslany.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC affiliates belonging to Standard Media Group are adding additional news coverage, as well as tools and solutions to help advertisers, viewers, online users and students adapt to new ways of conducting business and learning. Efforts include “Who’s Hiring” on WLNE.com in Providence, R.I. and KLKNTV.com in Lincoln, Nebraska, an interactive, free portal providing an online clearing house of job openings in those markets.
(Source: Cynopsis)
DPAA, the global organization for advertising and content outside the home, has introduced “DPAA Short Connects,” a series of short video news interviews with advertising, media and marketing leaders aimed at keeping homebound workers informed, engaged and connected. “We want to help keep connections alive and give our members and others an opportunity to hear from the leaders of our industry,” said DPAA President and CEO Barry Frey, who is doing the interviews from his home via video conference.“
(Source: Cynopsis)
AXS TV virtual benefit concert event At Home With Farm Aid, on April 11, raised over $500,000 for family farmers impacted by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The hour-long event was hosted by Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The MTV Staying Alive Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations’ Every Woman Every Child Partnership and Unitaid: supporting innovation for global health, ViacomCBS Africa, and MTV International, announced a 60-part mini-series of MTV Shuga to raise awareness in the global fight to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Produced remotely, the self-shot series will be available for streaming on Monday, April 20.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Urban One unveiled a new “We Are One” PSA campaign designed to provide hope and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign features celebrities, Reach Media Syndicated Radio Personalities, talent from TV One and Radio One, Urban One executives and staff sharing uplifting expressions of unity and strength.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Wonder Media Network is launching three new originals in the next few months: As She Rises, focused on climate change; She Votes!, an audio-documentary on Suffrage; and Beyond Belief, taking a look at how different people believe. New seasons have been greenlit for three originals: season three of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics; season three of The 43 Percent, about women thinking through work and family decisions; and season two of daily show Encyclopedia Womannica.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Glass Entertainment Group is releasing Dating Diaries: Quarantine Confessions on Wednesday, April 22 on iTunes and Spotify, addressing the isolation millennials and Gen Z’s are experiencing and how they are pursuing romantic relationships while abiding by (and sometimes ignoring) self-quarantine orders. “For singles, we’re all worried about getting sick and protecting our extended families. But on the other hand, we’re starving for some companionship being alone 24/7,” said show host Andrea Gunning. “We’re still getting excited about the next text and fearing the next rejection. All while realizing the world is completely upended.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Cadence13 will be directing and producing Hope, Through History, a limited-run documentary podcast series written and narrated by historian and bestselling author Jon Meacham. HISTORY will be providing archival material and multi-faceted marketing support as a partner in the franchise.
(Source: Cynopsis)
New Audible podcast Locked Together features two social-distancing performers connecting with each another for conversations about how they’re doing. Among the guests are Simon Pegg, Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan chatting from their homes. The podcast is free to anyone with an Amazon or Audible account.
(Source: Cynopsis)
NBC’s Chicago Fire had to end its season early due to COVID-19, but it wrapped on a high note. The drama earned an all-time high 9.46 million viewers, and held a 1.2 rating among A18-49.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Game Show Network has seen double-digit ratings growth in both Prime and Total Day, gaining 127,000 and 87,000 viewers, respectively. Prime ratings increased 34% versus quarter-to-date, while Total Day ratings are up 30%.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Two-time Tony-winning actor Brian Dennehy died April 15 of natural causes. He was 81. In addition to extensive theater and film work, Dennehy appeared on TV series including The Fighting Fitzgerald, Birdland, Hap and Leonard and The Blacklist, among others, earning six Emmy nominations.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MEGA MILLIONS
Today’s Jackpot is $159 million
You can now play in 43 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
POWERBALL
Saturday’s Jackpot is $24 million.
Powerball is played in 43 states.
Keely's Korner 