FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 8/24/23)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Lost in the Arctic (Premiere) at 10pm
NETFLIX: Who is Erin Carter? (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Ragnarok (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Baki Hanma (Premiere)
WE TV: Toya & Reginae (Premiere) at 9pm
MAX: And Just Like That…(Finale)
Over 2.6 million US subscribers joined Netflix last month, according to Antenna. The streamer saw the highest percentage of new signups for its ad-supported tier since it hit the market last year. Approximately 23% of new subscribers went for the ad tier. The gains in July were a 26% downturn from June’s numbers but show momentum from the introduction of paid password sharing in May.
(Source: Cynopsis)
US streaming consumers are doing a lot of hopping around between premium streaming apps, according to a report from Aluma Insights. Among all streamers, 65% of subscribers hop around to some degree. “Moderate” and “heavy hoppers” are defined as those who drop and add around two services over a 12-month period, while “occasional hoppers” drop and add 1.4 services. Why hop? Of the moderate and heavy hoppers, 90% have the intent to watch specific content in a short period, typically canceling in the first three months. The most common reason for adding and dropping a service was found to be price – signing up for a free trial, and canceling before the big bills came due.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TikTok announced the launch of the Search Ads Toggle, a new feature on TikTok Ads Manager that allows brands to serve ads in TikTok search results. The Search Ads Toggle leverages advertisers’ existing In-Feed Ad creative to serve ads alongside organic search results from relevant user queries. When the Search Ad Toggle is engaged, ads are automatically created using the advertiser’s existing ad content and served against relevant user queries alongside organic search results. The ads are labeled as “Sponsored” content.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hollywood studios proposed new AI, data transparency and residual negotiations to the WGA. The “comprehensive package,” according to the AMPTP, was “an offer that represents the highest wage increase for writers in 35 years.” In a meeting on Tuesday between WGA leadership, AMPTP leadership and studio CEOs, the parties discussed how to move forward to end the strike. Among those in the room were Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Disney’s Bob Iger, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery and Chairman of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Donna Langley. Per the AMPTP’s release, “This increased transparency will enable the WGA to develop proposals to restructure the current SVOD residual regime in the future.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
In response to the studios’ proposal, the union has said the offer failed to address concerns and urged members to continue picketing. “But this was not a meeting to make a deal,” the WGA said in a message to members. “This was a meeting to get us to cave.” According to the union, the offer “failed to sufficiently protect writers from the existential threats that caused us to strike in the first place.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Euphoria” season three will be a “film noir,” according to creator Sam Levinson. In an interview with Elle, the executive producer also teased that Zendaya’s character Rue would “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.” It remains to be seen how the series’ third season will address delays related to the strikes, Barbie Ferreira’s departure and the recent death of Angus Cloud, who played the role of Fez.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Chip and Joanna Gaines are developing a roller-skating dance competition series for Max. Magnolia Network announced the forthcoming untitled project, the first nationwide roller dancing competition series, coming in early 2024. Executive produced by the Gaineses, the series features the top roller-skating crews in America, including teams from Atlanta, Houston, New York, St. Louis and more.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix announced green lights for two new series at the Edinburgh TV Festival. “Einstein and the Bomb” and “World War II: From the Frontlines,” both dramatized historical docuseries, were unveiled at the festival. The “Oppenheimer”-related story traces Einstein’s relationship with Hitler and Germany. Anthony Philipson directs with BBC Studios producing, and James Van Der Pool and Andrew Cohen executive produce. The latter is a John Boyega-narrated six-part docuseries using restored WW2 footage. The streamer also ordered the Jack Whitehall-led series “Fatherhood with My Father,” following Whitehall’s relationship with his own father as he faces his own impending fatherhood.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The second season of “The Gilded Age” premieres on HBO on October 29. The eight-episode season, set in the late 1800s, stars Carrie Coon, Donna Murphy, Morgan Spector and Cynthia Nixon.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HBO makes another splash with “100 Foot Wave.” The show – currently nominated for six Emmys, the most earned by any docuseries this year – centered around professional big wave surfer Garrett McNamara was renewed for a third season, executive produced by Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony winner Joe Lewis (“Fleabag”). “We’re thrilled the search for the legendary 100 foot wave will continue and excited to expand on the incredible universe of surfers and stories in pursuit,” said Lewis.
(Source: Cynopsis)
All nine episodes of “Ask Rory” premiere on August 29. The latest season of the NBC Sports Next series following global golfer Rory McIlroy offers viewers the opportunity to have their game-improvement questions answered with video insights and strategies. In each of the nine episodes, streaming on GolfPass, McIlroy offers tips from tee to green.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Actress Nancy Frangione died on August 18. She was 70. Frangione was best known for her role on soap opera “Another World.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Keely's Korner 