FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 6/29/23)
ABC: Generation Gap at 9p
ALLBLK: Lace
CIRCLE NETWORK: Big Kenny’s Crank It Up Garage at 10:30p
HGTV: Christina on the Coast at 9p; Revealed at 10p
HULU: Secret Chef
MAX: Ten-Year-Old Tom; Warrior
NETFLIX: Ooku: The Inner Chambers; The Witcher
INSP: Wild West Chronicles (Finale) at 10pm
WE TV: Brat Loves Judy (Finale) at 9p
Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorcese and Paul Thomas Anderson will collaborate with the team at TCM, after layoffs at the network prompted them to meet with WDB head David Zaslav. The three will work with Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who were given control of the network in response to concerns about its future, as well as longtime programmer Charlie Tabesh, whose pink slip was rescinded. “We have already begun working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community,” Spielberg, Scorsese and Anderson said in a statement. “This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honoring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
While SAG-AFTRA leaders have expressed optimism that a deal can be reached as they negotiate with the AMPTP for a new contract, many in the guild say this “is not a moment to meet in the middle.” A letter signed by over 300 members, including the likes of Meryl Streep, Quinta Bronsen, Jennifer Lawrence and Ben Stiller, reads in part, “We ask that you push for all the change we need and protections we deserve and make history doing it. If you are not able to get all the way there, we ask that you use the power given to you by us, the membership, and join the WGA on the picket lines. For our union and its future, this is our moment. We hope that, on our behalf, you will meet that moment and not miss it.” The union’s current contract ends June 30.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Ryan Seacrest isn’t the only one making “Wheel of Fortune” news. While the “American Idol” host prepares to take over for retiring Pat Sajak after next season, UK’s ITV is reviving the game show across the pond with Graham Norton (“The Graham Norton Show”) at the helm. The series aired from 1988-2001 on ITV.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hulu is pulling more series from its service as part of Disney’s plan to cut streaming costs. in addition to one-and-done ABC series “Alaska Daily” and “The Company You Keep,” licensed content including “Blindspot,” “The Last Ship,” “The Detour” and more will leave Hulu on July 1.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A+E Networks released its annual Diversity Report 2023, focused on the company’s continued DEI efforts. Among the highlights: in 2022, A+E reported that 49% of US hires were BIPOC, a number that rose to 62% this year. “At A+E Networks, we take DEI initiatives seriously, and infuse them into every part our company, beginning with our recruitment processes,” said Fang Xu, VP, Talent Acquisition and Diversity. “Building a diverse workplace full of talented employees from a range of backgrounds and cultures positively impacts business results and corporate values.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
OUTtv Proud, the FAST channel created by OUTtv and Fuse Media, launched on Pluto TV on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, June 28. “This Pride Month, we’re seeing the rights of LGBTQ+ people challenged if not threatened around the world. We’re thankful that our partnership with Pluto TV will greatly expand access to the people and their stories that reflect the authenticity and full diversity of this amazing global LGBTQ+ community,” said Brad Danks, CEO, OUTtv.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Two-thirds of advertisers say viewer experience is either “important” or “very important” when planning TV and video ad campaigns, according to FreeWheel’s new State of TV Advertising Report, aimed at exploring the issue of viewer experience. Yet the report found that 34% of mid-roll ad breaks are longer than 3 minutes; only 54% of campaigns have frequency caps; and up to 25% of ad avails are not filled on FAST channels – adding up to underutilized inventory for programmers. “As advertisers and programmers focus on extracting the greatest return on investment possible from streaming audiences, we must prioritize the person seeing the final ad,” said the report. “We must focus on the viewer.” The report is part of a larger industry initiative in collaboration with MediaScience.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Space Nation, a franchise that will kick off with an online game and branch out into TV and animated shorts, is slated to launch in beta in August. “The landscape of entertainment is evolving rapidly, and we see an incredible opportunity to redefine its boundaries,” said Jerome Wu, CEO and co-creator of Space Nation. “With our collaborative efforts, we aim to transform the way content is consumed, shared, and experienced.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Exile Content Studio is partnering with Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell and director Gaz Alazraki (“Father of the Bride”) to produce a scripted feature about the story of the four children, including a baby, that survived a plane crash and 40 days in the Amazon Rainforest before being rescued by the Colombian special forces. “With Coronell’s exceptional journalistic prowess and Gaz’ ability to captivate audiences in his films, we know that together we can deliver a compelling and captivating film that honors this inspiring story,” said Nando Vila, Head of Exile’s Studio.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Gillian Anderson (“Sex Education”) has joined the cast of Netflix western drama “The Abandons, from Kurt Sutter. Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”) also stars.
(Source: Cynopsis)
FX’s “Breeders” will end with season four. The final run of the dark comedy premieres Monday, July 31 at 10p with two episodes, picking up five years after the events of last season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Season 17 of “Barnwood Builders” premieres Thursday, July 6 at 9p on Magnolia Network, followed on July 8 by the season two launch of “Capturing Home” at 1p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hairspray and spandex and leather, oh my! Docuseries “I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream” debuts Tuesday, July 18 on Paramount+.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Among Journy’s Africa-themed stunt programming in July comes “Journeys in Africa,” starting Saturday, July 1. The travel series features wildlife sequences as well as human interest stories.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Paramount+ YA film “Love in Taipei,” based on the best-selling novelLoveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen, premieres Thursday, August 10. The story follows a young American woman sent by her parents to a cultural immersion program in Taipei, where she begins a journey of self-discovery and romance.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The two-episode season three debut of “The Righteous Gemstones” has drawn 2.85 million viewers across HBO and Max, up 30% from season two numbers during the same period. Sunday’s episode three grew 19% in same-day audience versus the premiere episodes, with 643,000 viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The BET Awards delivered 1.8 million viewers to BET, up 2% from last year, and 2.8 million across BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Pop, Nick at Nite, TV Land and VH1, according to Nielsen Live+SD data.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hallmark Channel’s annual June Weddings programming event helped boost the network to be the #1 most-watched across entertainment cable in Weekend Prime among key demographics, and the #1 most-watched of the month in Total Day among Households, and #2 among W18+ and Total Viewers. Throughout the stunt, Hallmark Channel reached 20 million unduplicated Total Viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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