FIRST LOOK
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ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 8/1/24)
NETFLIX: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Love Is Blind: Mexico (Premiere)
NETFLIX: From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Unstable (Premiere)
PRIME VIDEO: Batman: Caped Crusader (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Influenced (Premiere)
Paramount Global has a new suitor: Apex Capital Trust has submitted an all-cash offer of up to $43 billion to purchase the company. The offer comes after National Amusements agreed to a deal with Skydance, but before the expiration of its “go-shop” window on August 21. “Paramount and its assets are a national treasure, and we intend to treat them accordingly,” said Tatiana Logan, General Counsel for Apex Trust. “Paramount’s global future is bright, but it requires resources, which we have and are enthusiastic to deploy, making it a win-win situation for all of Paramount’s stakeholders.” Apex’s offer includes a $400 million breakup fee for the Skydance investor group.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix has acknowledged that its hit “true story” series “Baby Reindeer” isn’t so true after all – turns out Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, on whom stalker character Martha is based, was not convicted of stalking, as the character is in the show. While the writer of “Baby Reindeer” endured serious harassment, said Netflix, “the person on whom the show is based — who we have at no point sought to identify — was subject to a court order rather than a conviction.” As reported by Deadline, the admission came in a letter to British Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Layoffs were underway at Disney Entertainment Television yesterday, affecting about 140 people, or 2% of DET’s employees. National Geographic lost about 60 employees, or 13% of staff. The cuts were part of a long-planned streamlining strategy at Disney.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The US Copyright Office released Part 1 of its report on the legal and policy issues related to copyright and artificial intelligence, recommending that Congress enact a new federal law that protects individuals from the knowing distribution of unauthorized digital replicas. “It has become clear that the distribution of unauthorized digital replicas poses a serious threat not only in the entertainment and political arenas but also for private citizens. We believe there is an urgent need for effective nationwide protection against the harms that can be caused to reputations and livelihoods,” said Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the US Copyright Office. “We look forward to working with Congress as they consider our recommendations and evaluate future developments.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Jessica Dean has been named anchor of the primetime weekend edition of “CNN Newsroom,” in addition to serving as a political correspondent. Also earning a promotion at the news net is Donie O’Sullivan, who as senior correspondent will continue to report on the role of disinformation in the 2024 election.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Colin Jost (“Saturday Night Live”) is hosting spinoff “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” for Prime Video. The series from Sony Pictures Television will be executive produced by “Jeopardy” showrunner Michael Davis. “Colin’s sharp wit and intelligence epitomize ‘Pop Culture Jeopardy!’, said Suzanne Prete, President, Game Shows, Sony Pictures Television. “He’s smart and quick, like our contestants, and we know he’ll be able to keep up with them while making this new series his own.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Tomorrow Studios (“Snowpiercer”) has optioned Kara Swisher’s “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story” for development for a TV series. Swisher dropped the news on her “Pivot” podcast.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Prime Video handed a series order to “Every Year After,” based on the novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. Leila Gerstein (“Hart of Dixie”) is attached as writer and showrunner. “Carley Fortune’s wildly successful book is the perfect blend of heartfelt nostalgia and poignant romance,” said Vernon Sanders, Head of Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “With Leila Gerstein’s vision the audience will go through an exploration of this remarkable narrative in a way that captures its essence and emotional depth.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
A new season of HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses” premieres Wednesday, September 4 at 8p. In the 13-episode run, Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis will help more Washington state homeowners sell lackluster properties for top dollar.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apple TV+’s “Before” premieres Friday, October 25 with the first two episodes. The supernatural mystery series stars and is executive produced by Billy Crystal.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Finnish crime drama “Reindeer Mafia” (no relation to “Baby Reindeer”) arrives Tuesday, November 5 on MHz Choice. The darkly comic series follows a family embroiled in a power struggle after the death of their matriarch.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Immersive entertainment app Kaosity is slated to launch with three shows in January: Live dating show “MatchMake Me Live”; cooking competition “Most Liked Meals”; and escape room series “Escape Live.” The app will offer interactive participation, live and on-demand play, brand integrations and viewer rewards.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Maya Rudolph will reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harriswhen “Saturday Night Live” returns in the fall. Rudolph, an “SNL” cast member from 2000-07, also played Harris leading up to the 2020 election.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Six films from streamer Pure Flix are premiering on corporate sib Great American Family on consecutive Saturdays at 8p. Landing on linear are “Mr. Manhattan” (August 3); “God’s Country Song” (August 10); “Nothing Is Impossible” (August 17), “Finding Faith” (August 24), “Divine Influencer” (August 31) and “The Engagement Plan” (September 7).
(Source: Cynopsis)
Allen Media Group’s HBCU GO, the free-streaming digital platform for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, announced expanded nationwide clearance for their 2024-25 sports season, including FOX owned-and-operated stations in Los Angeles (KCOP-TV) and Chicago (WPWR-TV), as well as distribution on the Armed Forces Network. HBCU GO is cleared in over 95 percent of US. television households.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Prime Video and ONE Championship return with “ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart” at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will mark the final stop on the road to ONE 168: Denver – ONE Championship on September 6 at Ball Arena. “ONE Fight Night 24” will be available Friday, August 2 at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
YETI will serve as presenting sponsor of the CrossFit Games telecasts across ESPN and ESPN2 in the US. The 2024 CrossFit Games Brought to You by YETI are set for August 8-11, with live telecasts spanning all four days of the worldwide fitness championships.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The New York Jets announced a multi-year partnership with Choose New Jersey, the state’s non-profit business attraction organization. Under the agreement, the Jets will join Choose New Jersey’s Board of Directors, and Choose NJ will receive sponsorship assets in the US and UK, including stadium signage during Jets home games and B2B digital rights.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Telemundo’s coverage through opening weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 318,000 viewers across Telemundo, Peacock and Telemundo streaming platforms, up +44% vs. Tokyo through the same point in the Games. On linear, more than 12 million viewers have watched Olympic coverage on Telemundo and Universo.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The finale of Telemundo’s “Top Chef VIP” ranked #1 in Spanish-language television during its 7-10p timeslot, delivering 304,000 viewers A18-49 and 1.3 million total viewers, making it the most watched finale in franchise history among total viewers, according to Nielsen.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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