CHIP & JO ARE BACK ON TV!
DIY Network is now Magnolia Network

Magnolia Network, Discovery’s joint venture with Chip and Joanna Gaines, is now available on TV. On Wednesday, DIY Network was officially rebranded to Magnolia Network. The network is the home to Magnolia original series, such as Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, Restoration Road and Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines as well as DIY Network favorites such as Barnwood Builders, Restoring Galveston and Bargain Mansions.

TV THAT FEELS LIKE HOME
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Thursday January 6, 2022

Today’s Finale
Paramount+: The Game

IN THE NEWS

NBCUniversal announced the launch of NBCUnified, a first-party consumer data and identity platform. NBCUnified unites the company’s network of consumer touchpoints into a scaled data offering within One Platform. “It all starts with consumer relationships and trust,” said Krishan Bhatia, President and Chief Business Officer, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships. “We understand what engages over 230M adults each month, and with NBCUnified, we can translate these relationships into better consumer experiences, deeper insights for our partners, and a more connected TV world for our industry.”

The Grammy Awards, which had been scheduled to take place in front of a live audience January 31 on CBS, have been postponed due to Covid concerns. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks,” said a statement from CBS and the Recording Academy. “We look forward to celebrating ‘Music’s Biggest Night’ on a future date, which will be announced soon.” Last year’s show was postponed by six weeks amid a spike in Covid cases.

Comscore is launching a new measurement product, Comscore Everywhere, aimed at informing the media transaction marketplace in a way that is accurate and reflective of true consumer behavior. Comscore Everywhere will also create a common comparable “Audience Definition” across media and screens powered by a singular dataset and methodology. “Consumers don’t think in terms of linear versus streaming versus digital – they think of content,” said David Algranati, Chief Product Officer, Comscore. “Measurement must reflect that reality.”

Peacock will be the streaming home of the 2022 Winter Olympics in the US, available on the service’s premium tier. Nothing’s being left out – coverage will include all events airing on broadcast and cable television. “Peacock will offer the ultimate fan experience all in one place,” said Kelly Campbell, President, Peacock. “From every live event and gold medal moment to exclusive daily shows, channels and original documentaries, viewers will be able to easily catch-up and keep up on all the action throughout the Games.” The Opening Ceremony takes place on Friday, February 4, with competition coverage beginning two days prior on Wednesday, February 2. For the Summer Olympics, Peacock only aired certain events live.

AMC Networks has completed the acquisition of anime specialist Sentai Holdings, whose brands include subscription service Hidive. “This acquisition builds on AMC Networks’ already strong IP and franchises, and furthers our targeted streaming strategy of super-serving passionate audience with content depth, curation and community,” said AMC Networks Interim CEO Matt Blank.

With Tegna and Verizon unable to come to terms on a new retrans deal, Tegna stations in several markets went dark on the pay TV operator on Tuesday. The companies had agreed to an extension of their existing contract until January 4.

Fox Sports struck an eight-year deal with the New York Racing Association to televise the Belmont Stakes, starting next year. NBC Sports has held the rights since 2011.

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Docuseries “Phat Tuesdays” grabbed a green light from Prime Video. The three-parter celebrating the comedy showcase at LA’s The Comedy Store comes from show creator and host Guy Torry, Reginald Hudlin (“The Black Godfather”), Amazon Studios, Original Productions, Phat Tuesday Productions and Grammnet Productions.

Netflix has ordered “Bullsh*t The Game Show,” from Nobody’s Hero. Contestants work their way up to the big bucks by either giving correct answers to questions, or convincing others their answers are correct. Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal”) is onboard to host.

Tobias Menzies (“The Crown”) will play Edwin Stanton, War Secretary and friend to President Abraham Lincoln, in Apple’s “Manhunt.” The limited series from Monica Beletsky (“Fargo”) follows Stanton’s desperate search for Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Produced by Apple Studios and co-produced by Lionsgate in association with POV Entertainment, Walden Media and 3 Arts Entertainment, the story is based on the book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”) narrates docuseries “Indivisible: Healing Hate,” starting today, January 6 on Paramount+. The six-parter analyzes the 2021 attack on the Capitol, with interviews with law enforcement, victims of extremism and convicted extremists.

Nat Geo goes into deep freeze on Monday, January 18. “Life Below Zero: Next Generation” returns for season four at 8p, followed by the season five launch of “Port Protection Alaska.”

Ten-part “Secrets of Playboy” explores the consequences of Hugh Hefner’s creation beginning Monday, January 24 at 9p on A&E.

“Reframed: Marilyn Monroe” debuts Sunday, January 16 at 9p on CNN. The docuseries, narrated by Jessica Chastain (“Molly’s Game”), features rare archival footage and first person accounts from women close to Monroe.

After growing his cannabis farm into a successful business, Jim Belushi and his team of farmers are on a mission to take it to new heights on season two of “Growing Belushi,” premiering Wednesday, January 19 at 10p on Discovery.

Two-night event “Janet Jackson” airs Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29 at 8p on Lifetime and A&E. Interviewees include Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Q-Tip, Janelle Monae, Teyana Taylor, Tyler Perry, and more.

Animated series “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” gets cooking Wednesday, February 9 at 10:30a an Disney Junior and Disney+. The series is a reimagining of Disney’s 1951 film, “Alice in Wonderland.”

Jillian Bell (“22 Jump Street”), Keith and Kenneth Lucas (“Just for Laughs”), Adam Pally (“Champaign Ill”), Jon Gabrus (“Game Over, Man!”) and Horatio Sanz (“Saturday Night Live”) have been added to the guest cast of “Fast Foodies,” returning to truTV Thursday, January 27 at 10p.

COMING UP

Game Show Network will air an 8-hour marathon of “Match Game” episodes featuring Betty White starting at 9a on Saturday, January 8. The “Golden Girls” star, who died December 31 at age 99, appeared on hundreds of game show episodes over her career.

The 72nd Annual ACE Eddie Awards, celebrating film and television editing, has been moved from February 26 to March 5, taking place in LA with a 50% capacity audience due to the surge in Covid cases. “We are monitoring the situation and should we deem it necessary, we are prepared to make the Eddies completely virtual this year,” said ACE Executive Director Jenni McCormick. “We are also working alongside our counterparts at the Art Directors Guild to avoid any overlap in our ceremonies.”

Special “BET Her Presents…Becoming: Michelle Obama In Conversation” premieres Monday, January 17, on BET and BET Her at 7p. Moderated by Yara Shahidi (“grown-ish”), the discussion with students will cover topics such as mental wellness and diversity and inclusion on college campuses.

STREAMING

Allen Media Digital has launched free-streaming platform Sports.TV. The app aggregates sports, news, and entertainment networks, as well as local broadcast television stations. “After many years, we have successfully combined the world’s two favorite words – sports and free,” said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Allen Media Group. “Advertisers spend more than $50 billion per year to reach this highly-coveted sports demographic, and I’m happy to announce that Sports.TV has already received enormous ad support.”

Firstlight Media is now available on the Google Cloud Marketplace. “With availability on the Google Cloud Marketplace, we’re able to streamline processes for our customers so they can more readily reap the benefits of our agile, scalable, extensible and highly performant platform,” said Eric Goldstein, head of business development for Firstlight Media.

Users of Netflix and Disney+ are the biggest streaming password cheats, suggests data from Kagan Consumer Insights. Eleven percent of the two streamers’ users said they use a shared login to access service, followed by 8% for Hulu, 7% for HBO Max and 5% for Prime Video.

Between them, HBO and HBO Max counted 73.8 million global subscribers by year’s end, beating company projections. Estimates had ranged from 70-73 million.

TECH TALK

Tech company Smartly.io announced the acquisition of Ad-Lib.io, a creative optimization platform. The integration of Ad-Lib’s technology will allow Smartly.io to support brands across YouTube, Display & Video 360, and Google Ads campaigns, in addition to social advertising platforms.

Magnite has acquired Nth Party, a startup developing cryptographic software for secure audience data sharing and analysis. “First party audience data is becoming increasingly important to the future of advertising,” said Adam Soroca, Chief Product Officer at Magnite. “Our teams share the same principles around data compliance and safety.”

GOING GLOBAL

Cloudco Entertainment has launched its new “Care Bears: Unlock The Magic” animated series on China’s CCTV14 public broadcasting network and French free-to-air television channel, Gulli.

CBC is launching a national pilot program for Deaf and disabled creators. AccessCBC: A CBC Initiative for Creators with a Disability will provide training, mentorship and, on certain selected projects, financing support, to create scripted and documentary content. CBC is partnering with the ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto.

Production in Israel has commenced for the A+E Studios and Ananey Studios eight-part supernatural thriller “The Malevolent Bride,” which will air on KAN 11, Israel’s Public Broadcasting Network. It’s the first collaboration between A+E Studios and Israel-based Ananey Studios. A+E Studios co-produces and will secure global distribution for all territories outside of Israel.

Hear from Nascar, Rumble League Studios, Super League Gaming and other industry leaders paving the way in this untapped universe.

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“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” averaged 19.6 million total viewers and a 5.8 rating among A18-49 from 11:30p-12:31p, a four-year high for the ABC special.

TLC wrapped 2021 as the #1 ad-supported cable network in primetime with W25-54 and W18-49, and the #1 non-sports network in primetime with W18-34. TLC also claimed the #1 non-news/sports unscripted primetime show on cable among key adult and women demos in 2021 with the “90 Day Fiance.”

The season four finale of “Yellowstone,” simulcast on Paramount Network and CMT, drew series highs of 1.9 million viewers A18-49 (p 95% versus season three) and 2.6 million A25-54 (up 100%). “We’ve hit a cultural nerve – from the center of the country to each of the coasts – and still have lots of room to grow on linear,” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO, ViacomCBS Media Networks. “Our strategy to franchise ‘Yellowstone’ into a universe of series to fuel growth for Paramount+ is already exceeding expectations with ‘1883’ and ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ proving to be two of the top titles.”

Newsmax’s M-F Total Day P2+ Audience for Q3-Q4 2021 grew 23% year-over-year (to 117,000 viewers), according to Nielsen data. In primetime, the cable news net saw a 20% bump, to 148,000.

Basic Cable Top 5 for the week of December 27
Primetime P2+ AA (000)
ESPN 8458
Fox News 1749
Paramount 1526
Hallmark Channel 1311
HGTV 1070
Total Day P2+ AA (000)
ESPN 3137
Fox News 1225
Hallmark Channel 783
Paramount 686
HGTV 634
Source: Nielsen

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Tuesday, January 4
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: The Bachelor 3.54 (0.8), Abbott Elementary 1.68 (0.4), black-ish 1.31 (0.2)
CBS: The Neighborhood 5.46 (0.5), Bob Hearts Abishola 5.21 (0.5), NCIS 6.94 (0.5), NCIS: Hawai’I 4.91 (0.4)
CW: All American 0.36 (0.1), 4400 0.31 (0.0)
FOX: 9-1-1: Lone Star 5.50 (0.8), The Cleaning Lady 3.65 (0.5)
NBC: Kenan 2.28 (0.3), Kenan 1.65 (0.3), That’s My Jam 2.12 (0.4), Ordinary Joe 1.41 (0.2)
Telemundo: Hercai: Amor y Venganza 1.09 (0.3), Malverde: Santo 0.74 (0.2)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Jeff Nash is taking on a newly created role as Managing Editor for the upcoming “CNBC Investing Club” with Jim Cramer. Nash will be responsible for driving the editorial strategy for the Club. Kamelia Angelova will assume Nash’s responsibilities and serve as Executive Producer for CNBC Digital Video and Audience Growth.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer announced Klaudia Bermudez-Key has been named Senior Vice President, International TV Distribution, Latin America & US Hispanic. Most recently, Bermudez-Key served as GM for Latin America at WWE.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
Which performer won his third Primetime Emmy nomination at age 92? Ernest Borgnine, for “ER.” Kudos to: Rory Rosegarten-The Conversation Company/Manhasset, NY; Charles Lore/NYC; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Kathryn Tesoriero-GroupM/NYC; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
On which short-lived sitcom did Valerie Bertinelli and Matthew Perry play siblings? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.)