FIRST LOOK
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ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 7/20/23)
MAX: Superpowered: The DC Story (Premiere)
MAX: My Magic Closet (Premiere)
MAX: Sweet Magnolias (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Supa Team 4 (Premiere)
TRU TV: Tacoma FD (Premiere) at 10pm
ABC: The Chase (Finale) at 9pm
PBS: Before We Die (Finale) at 9pm
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino came out swinging after Bloomberg reported a “surge” in harmful content is keeping advertisers from returning to the platform. Not true, tweeted Yaccarino, who maintained, “more than 99% of content users and advertisers see on Twitter is healthy.” As for Bloomberg’s reporting, Yaccarino said the story “pulled together a collection of incorrect, misleading, and outdated metrics, mostly from the period shortly after Twitter’s acquisition. It also lacks extremely important context not to mention critical updates on our progress and actions.” In the next two weeks, ad placement controls will be expanded, she added.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix announced it has added 5.9 million subscribers in the second quarter, hitting 238.2 million. The company also said it will use hours viewed divided by total runtime as the metric for its Top 10 rankings, versus hours viewed. “We think this new approach is more intuitive and it also adjusts for runtime (i.e. longer films or series don’t get an inherent advantage),” said the company, which in addition is expanding the measurement window from 28 days to 91.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Disney CEO Bob Iger met with senior TV execs in an offsite meeting on Tuesday, seeking to calm nerves after an interview with CNBC’s David Faber last week. During the talk, Iger said linear television “may not be core” to Disney’s businesses. Iger answered questions from company leaders, insisting Disney’s production teams are “incredibly valuable to our business.” He also touted the importance of ABC News, saying, “We need to figure out how it makes the transition into streaming. And I happen to believe we will endure. It’s too good, it’s too important, and it’s really fun.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Starz’ “P-Valley” scored three awards at the fifth annual African American Film Critics Association awards. ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” was the only other multiple award winner, with two awards. Winners be celebrated on August 27 in Santa Monica.
(Source: Cynopsis)
What does the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers need to do to end the actors’ strike? In a column in Deadline, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said “concrete action” must include compensation based on economic fairness; protections against actors and performers having their identities and talent taken from them using AI without informed consent and pay; and meaningful sharing in the revenue from streaming platforms “built on actors’ backs.” “Studios and workers can both win. This doesn’t need to be a zero-sum game,” he wrote. “Studio and streamer CEOs: it’s time to step up, get personally involved, and come to the table.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Writers Guild has filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board against NBCUniversal, saying an ongoing construction project that obstructs the sidewalk studio infringes on their right to picket. Responded NBCU, “While we understand the timing of our multi-year construction project has created challenges for demonstrators, we continue to work with public agencies to increase access. We support the unions’ rights to demonstrate safely.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
On-location filming in LA for TV comedies was down 72.8% in 2Q23 versus the same period last year, while filming for dramas was down 63.9%, according to FilmLA. “The last time production levels were this low, we were in the middle of a global pandemic,” said FilmLA President Paul Audley. “Families and businesses affected then are again being tested today, lending urgency to the moment to sustain creative careers.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
NBC has joined ABC and CBS in revising its fall TV schedule as the strikes drag on, but the tweaks leave plenty of scripted programming on the slate. New series “Found,” originally slotted for midseason 2022-23, premieres Tuesday, October 3 at 10p. The second half of season five of “Magnum P.I.”, which has already been shot, has moved from a midseason to fall premiere date, on Wednesday, October 4 at 10p. The relocated reboot will be preceded by “Quantum Leap,” which also has numerous episodes completed, at 9p. “Transplant” returns for season three on Thursday, October 5 at 9p, replacing “Law & Order: SVU.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apple TV+ is getting back to nature with two new docuseries. “Born to be Wild,” following six animals for several years, is co-produced by Tailfeather Productions and Offspring Films for Apple TV+. Also from Offspring Films, “Endangered Planet” captures footage of rare species including the Gobi bear, Malayan tiger, Javan rhino, Caucasian leopard, Cross River gorilla and the North Atlantic right whale.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HGTV’s “Good Bones” kicks off a new season on Tuesday, August 15 at 9p, with mother/daughter team Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen E Lane renovating dilapidated properties.
(Source: Cynopsis)
All seven seasons of AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead” begin streamingtomorrow, July 21 on AMC+, ahead of the “The Walking Dead: Dead City” season finale on Sunday, July 23.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Singers Adam Lambert and Deva Mahal, actor Keiynan Lonsdale, and supermodel Rachel Hunter will be among the guest judges and mentors appearing on season three of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.” Premiere date: Friday, July 28 on WOW Presents Plus.
(Source: Cynopsis)
New reality series “Toya & Reginae” premieres Thursday, August 24 at 9p on WE tv. The one-hour episodes follow a mother/daughter social media power pair.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Animated series “Star Stories” debuts Tuesday, August 1 on TheGrio Podcast Network. The show explores influential figures including Prince, Jay Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dog and more.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Two new series are headed to BritBox this summer. Scottish crime drama “Granite Harbour” arrives Tuesday, August 1, and psychological thriller “The Ex-Wife” drops Thursday, August 10.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The second season of “The Chelsea Detective” premieres Monday, August 28 on Acorn TV.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Food Network’s “Bobby’s Triple Threat” is also back for season two,with chefs Tiffany Derry, Michael Voltaggio and Brooke Williamson taking on competitors starting Tuesday, August 22 at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TV5Monde is honoring the late Jane Birkin’s career tonight with a double feature: “Jane by Charlotte” at 8:30p, and “Jane Birkin – Oh pardon du dormais” at 11:30p. The actress/singer died July 16 at age 76.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix has eliminated its Basic $9.99/month ad-free plan for new or rejoining members, leaving subscribers with the choice of its new $6.99 standard-with-ads plan, its $15.49 standard ad-free plan, and its $19.99 premium plan. Current Basic subscribers can remain on the plan until they change plans or cancel their account.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Philo is filling up. The Chicken Soup for the Soul FAST Channel has launched on Philo, along with Insight TV’s INFAST (lifestyle), INTROUBLE (sports) and INWONDER (sci/tech), and Vevo 80s, Vevo 90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Hip-Hop, and Vevo Pop.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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