FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (MONDAY 2/24/25)
Fox has renewed “The Quiz with Balls” for a second season.The game show was last summer’s top new series among Adults 18-49. “During its first season, ‘The Quiz with Balls’ really broke through, thanks to a mix of engaging playability, comedic physical stakes, and our terrific host Jay Pharoah, who artfully invites viewers into the fun,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network. “Not to mention, our long-time production partners at Talpa and Eureka have a few new tricks up their sleeves for Season Two, which made renewing this popular game show a must.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Not such good news for “Sticky,” which did not make it to a second season on Prime Video. Season one of the Canadian comedy dropped December 6.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix is drawing backlash for using AI in docuseries “American Murder: Gabby Petito” to recreate the late travel vlogger’s voice – but that was a move approved by her parents, executive producer Michael Gasparro told Us Weekly. “We reached out to the family to get their blessing and then we worked diligently to represent it in exactly how it was written,” said Gasparro. “That allowed you to hear it through her own words….At the end of the day, we wanted to tell the story as much through Gabby as possible.” A disclaimer in the first episode reveals the use of the voice recreation technology.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Reacher” has generated $279 million in global subscriber revenue for Prime Video since its 2022 debut, according to new data from Parrot Analytics, which notes, “The series’ ability to generate substantial revenue and drive both subscriber acquisition and retention solidifies its position as a cornerstone of Prime Video’s programming.” All eight episodes of season one dropped at once, “which generated an immediate audience for the new series,” wrote Parrot analysts. Season two, which had episodes released weekly after the first three, led to the two biggest quarters of revenue generation – $41 million in 4Q23 and $94 million in 1Q24 – for the series to-date, “demonstrating the power of strong IP, strategic release planning, and successful audience engagement in the streaming era,” said Parrot. Season three of the drama premiered February 20.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MSG Networks and Optimum reached an agreement for the relaunch of MSG Networks on Optimum video lineups, just in time for the Rangers/Sabres hockey game on Saturday. “After 52 days in the penalty box, New York sports fans will finally be able to watch the Knicks, Rangers and Islanders again,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement, adding that the agreement came after she had the state Department of Public Service seek hearings “on how consumers are being shortchanged by weeks of corporate bickering.” The multiyear deal gives Optimum the option to sell lower-priced packages without MSG, which was on its basic tier, according to The New York Post. “This deal brings new value and flexibility to Optimum TV, making our efforts over the last two months well worth the wait and capturing a major win for Optimum on behalf of our customers,” said Altice USA Chairman and CEO Dennis Mathew in a memo to employees reviewed by The Post. “I’m pleased to say that after several months of negotiations with MSG Networks, today they have agreed to a deal that we believe sets the stage for a broader change within the TV industry.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
ESPN and Major League Baseball are ending their partnership after the 2025 season, as ESPN opts out of the final three years of its contract. “Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement,” said a statement from the league. ESPN’s take: “We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans. In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN’s industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms. As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025.” ESPN first aired MLB games in 1990.
(Source: Cynopsis)
There are changes afoot at MSNBC, as new network president Rebecca Kutler makes her mark. “The Reid Out,” anchored by Joy Reid since 2020, is being canceled, according to The New York Times, replaced by a panel show featuring “The Weekend” anchors Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez. Alex Wagner, who had been expected to return as host of the 9p show four days a week when Rachal Maddow resumes her Mondays-only schedule, will instead continue as an on-air correspondent. Jen Psaki, who hosts MSNBC shows on Sunday mornings and Mondays at 8p, is considered a front-runner for the spot. The changes come as MSNBC is preparing to split from the NBCUniversal News Group, part of a Comcast spinoff expected to take place by the end of the year.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Rob Corddry (“Bookie”) has joined AMC’s untitled Silicon Valley-set drama from Jonathan Glatzer in a series regular role. Glatzer and Gina Mingacci are executive producers on the series, produced by AMC Studios.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Beyond the Gates” premieres today at 2p on CBS. It’s the first soap opera launched since “Passions” in 1999, and the first Black-led soap since “Generations” (1989-91).
(Source: Cynopsis)
New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animations’ “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrrim” makes its global streaming debut Friday, February 28 on Max. The film lands on linear the following night at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship delivered 9.3 million viewers,ESPN’s largest hockey audience ever. Over four games, the event averaged 4.3 million viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The season three premiere of “Yellowjackets” on Paramount+ with Showtime drew 2.03 million viewers across its first three days on linear and streaming. Paramount Global reports that this is the most-streamed episode in series history, outperforming the Season 2 premiere by 58%.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC’s “Scamanda” grew for the second straight week on linear since its January 30 premiere. The four-part docuseries highs on February 13 and posting gains over the previous week of +6% in Total Viewers (1.63 million vs. 1.53 million), +40% in Adults 18-49 (0.23 rating vs. 0.16 rating) and +14% in Adults 25-54 (0.35 rating vs. 0.30 rating).
(Source: Cynopsis)
The season finale of ABC freshman drama “High Potential” hit series highs in both Total Viewers (13.2 million – tied) and Adults 18-49 (2.59 rating), after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms. The show also earned a series high on streaming, becoming ABC’s best drama episode ever, based on seven-day views on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The February 16 episode of Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers” averaged a 0.70 P25-54 / 0.80 W25-54 Live+3 rating, growing +4% and +5% respectively vs. last year’s premiere and ranking as Food Network’s highest-rated telecast and night of the year to-date for P25-54.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox has renewed “The Quiz with Balls” for a second season.The game show was last summer’s top new series among Adults 18-49. “During its first season, ‘The Quiz with Balls’ really broke through, thanks to a mix of engaging playability, comedic physical stakes, and our terrific host Jay Pharoah, who artfully invites viewers into the fun,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network. “Not to mention, our long-time production partners at Talpa and Eureka have a few new tricks up their sleeves for Season Two, which made renewing this popular game show a must.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Not such good news for “Sticky,” which did not make it to a second season on Prime Video. Season one of the Canadian comedy dropped December 6.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix is drawing backlash for using AI in docuseries “American Murder: Gabby Petito” to recreate the late travel vlogger’s voice – but that was a move approved by her parents, executive producer Michael Gasparro told Us Weekly. “We reached out to the family to get their blessing and then we worked diligently to represent it in exactly how it was written,” said Gasparro. “That allowed you to hear it through her own words….At the end of the day, we wanted to tell the story as much through Gabby as possible.” A disclaimer in the first episode reveals the use of the voice recreation technology.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Reacher” has generated $279 million in global subscriber revenue for Prime Video since its 2022 debut, according to new data from Parrot Analytics, which notes, “The series’ ability to generate substantial revenue and drive both subscriber acquisition and retention solidifies its position as a cornerstone of Prime Video’s programming.” All eight episodes of season one dropped at once, “which generated an immediate audience for the new series,” wrote Parrot analysts. Season two, which had episodes released weekly after the first three, led to the two biggest quarters of revenue generation – $41 million in 4Q23 and $94 million in 1Q24 – for the series to-date, “demonstrating the power of strong IP, strategic release planning, and successful audience engagement in the streaming era,” said Parrot. Season three of the drama premiered February 20.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MSG Networks and Optimum reached an agreement for the relaunch of MSG Networks on Optimum video lineups, just in time for the Rangers/Sabres hockey game on Saturday. “After 52 days in the penalty box, New York sports fans will finally be able to watch the Knicks, Rangers and Islanders again,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement, adding that the agreement came after she had the state Department of Public Service seek hearings “on how consumers are being shortchanged by weeks of corporate bickering.” The multiyear deal gives Optimum the option to sell lower-priced packages without MSG, which was on its basic tier, according to The New York Post. “This deal brings new value and flexibility to Optimum TV, making our efforts over the last two months well worth the wait and capturing a major win for Optimum on behalf of our customers,” said Altice USA Chairman and CEO Dennis Mathew in a memo to employees reviewed by The Post. “I’m pleased to say that after several months of negotiations with MSG Networks, today they have agreed to a deal that we believe sets the stage for a broader change within the TV industry.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
ESPN and Major League Baseball are ending their partnership after the 2025 season, as ESPN opts out of the final three years of its contract. “Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement,” said a statement from the league. ESPN’s take: “We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans. In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN’s industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms. As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025.” ESPN first aired MLB games in 1990.
(Source: Cynopsis)
There are changes afoot at MSNBC, as new network president Rebecca Kutler makes her mark. “The Reid Out,” anchored by Joy Reid since 2020, is being canceled, according to The New York Times, replaced by a panel show featuring “The Weekend” anchors Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez. Alex Wagner, who had been expected to return as host of the 9p show four days a week when Rachal Maddow resumes her Mondays-only schedule, will instead continue as an on-air correspondent. Jen Psaki, who hosts MSNBC shows on Sunday mornings and Mondays at 8p, is considered a front-runner for the spot. The changes come as MSNBC is preparing to split from the NBCUniversal News Group, part of a Comcast spinoff expected to take place by the end of the year.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Rob Corddry (“Bookie”) has joined AMC’s untitled Silicon Valley-set drama from Jonathan Glatzer in a series regular role. Glatzer and Gina Mingacci are executive producers on the series, produced by AMC Studios.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Beyond the Gates” premieres today at 2p on CBS. It’s the first soap opera launched since “Passions” in 1999, and the first Black-led soap since “Generations” (1989-91).
(Source: Cynopsis)
New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animations’ “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrrim” makes its global streaming debut Friday, February 28 on Max. The film lands on linear the following night at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship delivered 9.3 million viewers,ESPN’s largest hockey audience ever. Over four games, the event averaged 4.3 million viewers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The season three premiere of “Yellowjackets” on Paramount+ with Showtime drew 2.03 million viewers across its first three days on linear and streaming. Paramount Global reports that this is the most-streamed episode in series history, outperforming the Season 2 premiere by 58%.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC’s “Scamanda” grew for the second straight week on linear since its January 30 premiere. The four-part docuseries highs on February 13 and posting gains over the previous week of +6% in Total Viewers (1.63 million vs. 1.53 million), +40% in Adults 18-49 (0.23 rating vs. 0.16 rating) and +14% in Adults 25-54 (0.35 rating vs. 0.30 rating).
(Source: Cynopsis)
The season finale of ABC freshman drama “High Potential” hit series highs in both Total Viewers (13.2 million – tied) and Adults 18-49 (2.59 rating), after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms. The show also earned a series high on streaming, becoming ABC’s best drama episode ever, based on seven-day views on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The February 16 episode of Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers” averaged a 0.70 P25-54 / 0.80 W25-54 Live+3 rating, growing +4% and +5% respectively vs. last year’s premiere and ranking as Food Network’s highest-rated telecast and night of the year to-date for P25-54.
(Source: Cynopsis)
56TH ANNUAL NAACP AWARDS (2025) – COMPLETE WINNERS LIST
https://people.com/naacp-image-awards-2025-winners-list-11682813
31ST ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS (2025) – COMPLETE WINNERS LIST
https://www.eonline.com/news/1413648/sag-awards-2025-complete-list-of-winners-live-updates
POWERBALL
Today’s Jackpot is $230 million.
Powerball is played in 43 states.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
Captain America: Brave New World – $28.2 million
The Monkey – $14.2 million
Paddington in Peru – $6.5 million
Dog Man – $5.9 million
Ne Zha 2 – $4.4 million
(Source: Box Office Mojo)
Keely's Korner 