FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (MONDAY 1/22/24)
ABC: The Bachelor (Premiere) at 8pm
ABC: Bad Romance (Premiere) at 10pm
CW: Ride (Premiere) at 8pm
FOX: America’s Most Wanted (Premiere) at 8pm
FOX: TMZ Investigates (Premiere) at 9pm
HGTV: Battle on the Mountain (Premiere) at 9pm
HULU: Superhot: The Spicy World of Pepper People (Premiere)
ID: Death by Fame (Premiere) at 9pm
ID: The Playboy Murders (Premiere) at 10pm
NETFLIX: Not Quote Narwhal (Premiere)
PRIME VIDEO/ AMAZON FREEVEE: Judy Justice (Premiere)
VH1: The Impact New York (Premiere) at 9pm
WOW PRESENTS PLUS: Hey Qween! (Premiere)
The number of US scripted series ordered in 2023 fell 24% in 2023, to 481, versus the prior two years. That’s according to Ampere Analysis, which noted that while the Hollywood strikes had a significant impact on output, the pullback on content spending was also a factor. “The more terminal decline” comes from SVoD services, said Ampere. Netflix reduced releases from 107 to 68 in 2023, while Peacock had 20 fewer titles, Hulu was down 11, Max down 9, and Paramount+ had four fewer. As for 2024, this year will be “even lighter for almost all the major SvoDs,” predicted the research firm.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“The Flight Attendant” has been grounded after two seasons on Max.“’The Flight Attendant’ was a true passion project and the reception from viewers and critics alike was pretty stunning,” said series creator Steve Yockey. “Our unorthodox spectacle of a show really found people. As we all move on to new projects, those two seasons of television and the incredible team of professionals behind them will always stay at the top of my list.” Said series star Kaley Cuoco, “I always envisioned TFA as a limited series and thanks to an incredible creative team, we were able to deliver two thrilling seasons.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apollo Global Management is among the companies considering making an offer for Paramount Global, reports Bloomberg. Apollo is also an investor in Legendary Television. News of the potential suitor helped nudge Paramount’s stock up 2.3% on Friday.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix made one of the first acquisitions at the Sundance Film Festival, snatching up “Ibelin.” The documentary film from Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree follows the story of Mats Steen, a gamer who died at 25 of degenerative muscle disease. “His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world,” according to the show’s logline.
(Source: Cynopsis)
PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, and KCET, which merged with PBS SoCal in 2018, are consolidating under the PBS SoCal name starting February 6. “This change ensures we are following what the community has requested and aligns the local flagship organization with the trusted values and brand strength associated with the PBS name,” said Dan Ferguson, SVP Marketing and Communications at PBS SoCal. KCET programming will not change, and the call letters will continue to be used during FCC-mandated station breaks.
(Source: Cynopsis)
FOX Entertainment and its in-house studio division, MarVista Entertainment, introduced Tideline Entertainment, focused on creating impactful and meaningful content from differentiated storytellers, under the leadership of Hannah Pillemer, MarVista’s EVP and Head of Creative & Production. The first project under the Tideline banner is “Ponyboi,” exploring the experiences of an intersex character in a project written, produced and starring intersex talent.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A TV series based on post-apocalyptic novel Swan Song, by Robert McCammon, is in the works. Monarch Media and Monster Agency Productions are developing an action/genre series based on the horror novel. “Being a longtime fan of Robert’s novels, his story of survival in a world forever changed by political mistrust and international intrigue intertwined with a supernatural force has always been one of my favorites,” said executive producer Greg Nicotero (“The Walking Dead”). “The time is perfect to delve into this world.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Queens, New York production facility Borden Studios is slated to open this spring, with four sound stages and 220,000 square feet of production space. There will also be 43,000 square feet of offices, 56,000 square feet of support space, and more than 8,800 square feet of outdoor space.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MGM Alternative (“The Voice”) has inked a deal with the Global Esports Foundation to develop linear and streaming content for the Global Esports Games. The Games will take place in China this year, the UAE next year, and the US in 2026.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC News Studios’ investigative docuseries “Truth and Lies” returns Thursday, January 25 at 9p with the first of three new, two-hour episodes. The first chronicles the twists and turns in the decade-long investigation to find the Long Island serial killer.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A new group of survivalists face man-eating crocodiles and toxic frogs, among other challenges, when Discovery’s “Naked and Afraid” returns Sunday, February 18 at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
British series “Absolutely Fabulous” arrives at FAST channel OUTtv Proud on Thursday, February 1. The hit comedy aired on the BBC from 1992-1996 and 2001-04. OUTtv Proud will also begin airing “Cucumber” and “Banana,” two series created by Russell T Davies (“Queer As Folk,” “Doctor Who”). “Cucumber” follows a middle-aged gay male couple, while “Banana” gives peek into the lives some of the younger characters seen in “Cucumber,” offering a different perspective on the same story.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Prime Video’s prequel to “The Terminal List” has a name. The espionage thriller, greenlit last February, has been christened “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.” Chris Pratt, who will reprise his role as James Reece, is executive producing with Taylor Kitsch through Indivisible Productions, along with Antoine Fuqua through Hill District Media; Carr; DiGilio; former Army Ranger Max Adams; and Jared Shaw.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Dakota Johnson (“Persuasion”) takes a second turn as host of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on January 27, alongside Justin Timberlake, making his fifth solo musical guest appearance.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Comedy special “Ready to Sell Out,” starring Mike Epps, premieres Tuesday, February 20 on Netflix. It’s the comedian’s fourth special for Netflix.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“TheGrio Awards Red Carpet Show” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the festivities at theGrio Awards, on Saturday, February 3 at 7p on TheGrio Television Network, while “TheGrio Awards Honorees,” hosted by Touré, recaps the best moments from the event at 10p. The awards ceremony will be rebroadcast on CBS on February 3.
(Source: Cynopsis)
PBS special “Art Happens Here With John Lithgow” premieres Friday, April 26. The Emmy-winning “3rd Rock From the Sun” star joins students and teachers in LA to dive into four different arts disciplines.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Absence made viewers grow fonder of “Law & Order.” Thursday’s season premieres of the three shows in the franchise all returned up in viewers, and steady in A18-49. “Law & Order” drew 5.2 million viewers and 0.5 in the demo; “Law & Order: SVU” delivered 5.6 million/0.6, and Law & Order: Organized Crime” scored 3.9 million/0/4.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The January 14th episode of HGTV’s “Home Town” delivered a .58 Live+3 rating among A25-54 and a .75 rating among W25-54, gains of 115% and 105%, respectively, versus the prior six weeks. Attracting more than three million total viewers, the episode also delivered a .63 Live+3 rating among Upscale Women 25-54.
(Source: Cynopsis)
POWERBALL
Today’s Jackpot is $133 million.
Powerball is played in 43 states.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
Mean Girls – $11.7 million
The Beekeeper – $8.6 million
Wonka – $6.7 million
Migration – $5.5 million
Anyone But You – $5.4 million
(Source: Box Office Mojo)
Keely's Korner 