Friday October 1, 2021

Today’s Finale
CW: Dynasty at 9p

Saturday’s Premieres
A&E: Triple Digit Flip at 12p
discovery+: The Haunted Museum
Epix: NFL Icons at 10p
ID: True Nightmares: Tales of Terror at 10p
NBC: Saturday Night Live at 11:30p
Nickelodeon: Side Hustle at 8p
Ovation TV: Frankie Drake Mysteries
PBS: Austin City Limits at 8p

Sunday’s Premieres
ABC: America’s Funniest Home Videos at 7p
AMC: The Walking Dead: World Beyond at 10:06p
discovery+: The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet
Food Network: Outrageous Pumpkins at 10p
HBO: Axios at 6p
Nat Geo: Storm Rising at 10p
PBS: Call the Midwife at 8p, Grantchester on Masterpiece at 9p

Sunday’s Finales
Bounce: Johnson at 8p
Showtime: Billions at 9p
TNT: Animal Kingdom at 9p

IN THE NEWS

ViacomCBS has acquired CBS drama “FBI” from NBCUniversal, in a multi-year content licensing agreement featuring exclusive domestic streaming rights as well as non-exclusive media rights for its US cable networks. The first three seasons of “FBI” will be available to stream starting today on Paramount+. “CBS is the proud home of Dick Wolf’s signature ‘FBI’ series and we look forward to growing its considerable audience even further with more viewer touch points domestically and globally,” said George Cheeks, President & CEO of CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News & Sports for Paramount+. “We are committed to maximizing the power and impact of one of our most popular franchises by growing the ‘FBI’ brand across the ViacomCBS portfolio.”

“Castle” has found a new cable home on Lifetime. The procedural, which ran from 2009-2016 on ABC and makes its streaming debut October 6 on Hulu, will air Tuesdays beginning October 5 at 2p on Lifetime, go on hiatus during the net’s annual “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday stunt, and return in January 2022. “Castle” reruns previously aired on TNT.

Marc Lasry has resigned as chair of Ozy Media following a NY Times report on Sunday alleging Ozy Media co-founder and COO impersonated a YouTube executive during a call with potential Goldman Sachs investors. “I believe that going forward Ozy requires experience in areas like crisis management and investigations, where I do not have particular expertise. For that reason, I have stepped down from the company’s board. I remain an investor in the company and wish it the best going forward,” said Lasry.

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and the National Hispanic Medical Association have teamed for a year-long partnership to support continued COVID-19 vaccination efforts and advance health-related programs for the Hispanic community. “As a network that reaches millions of Hispanic households who rely on us for timely and accurate information, we are proud to partner with NHMA to provide our community additional information and resources to help them navigate the vaccination process,” said Christina Kolbjornsen, SVP, Corporate and External Affairs, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

Freeform has teamed with Carvel Ice Cream and Ryan Porter Candier to whip up treats for its “31 Nights of Halloween” stunt. The Carvel shakes and Ryan Porter candles created for the event were inspired by the film “Hocus Pocus.”

It’s October and you know what that means… you have one month to tell us about your outstanding colleagues. Nominate these up-and-comers for the Cynopsis Rising Star Awards and then plan to celebrate together in February. Save $150 when you submit by October 29th. Learn more here and get started today!

BET struck a new partnership with lifestyle brand Rock the Bells, founded by LL Cool J, to debut a new award at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, premiering Tuesday, October 5 at 9p. The “Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award” honors the cultural impact hip hop artistry has on popular culture.

The Cynopsis Top Women in Media honorees have been announced! See the full list and join us for a special in-person Awards Gala October 27 in NYC. Secure a table for your team before this event sells out.

REGISTER TODAY
Thanks to our Platinum Sponsors: TurnkeyZRG | Vevo | FOX Sports

Freeform gave a series order for an adaptation of the book Everything’s Trash, by Phoebe Robinson (“2 Dope Queens”). Robinson will star in, write and produce the comedy about a podcast star forced to grow up when her older brother (Jordan Carlos from “First Wives Club”) becomes a leading political candidate. The series is produced by ABC Signature, with Robinson’s Tiny Reparations.

Starz didn’t wait long to order a second season of “BMF”– just days after the drama debuted as Starz’ top premiere this year, it was renewed for season two. “Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson continues to find and cultivate stories like ‘BMF’ that are culturally relevant, bringing the network important untold stories that are incredibly diverse both in front of and behind the camera,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, president and CEO of Starz. “Following such a strong debut, we’re excited to see what Curtis, Randy and the award-worthy cast deliver in the second season.”

Also scoring season two orders are Netflix animated preschool shows “Ridley Jones” and “Ada Twist, Scientist.” “Ridley Jones” will return in November, while “Ada Twist, Scientist” will be back in 2022.

Netflix and AGBO (“Extraction”) are re-teaming for a heist movie from Noah Hawley (“Fargo”) starring Rege-Jean Page (“Bridgerton”). Hawley will write and direct, in addition to producing for 26 Keys. Page will executive produce with Angela Russo-Otstot.

Amazon inked a first-look deal with Bird Runningwater (“Sovereign”), former director of Sundance Institute’s Indigenous, DEI, and Artist Programs. Runningwater will develop and produce TV and film projects. “For over two decades, Bird Runningwater has been a relentless source of knowledge and advocacy for more racial and cultural diversity in television and film,” said Amazon Studios’ Co-Head of Television, Vernon Sanders. “Bird’s lived experience and deep commitment to Indigenous representation will only enrich the content he produces, and we are elated and immensely lucky to be working with him.”

In more Amazon news, the streamer ordered docuseries “Always Jane,” focused on a transgender teenager in rural New Jersey. The four-parter comes from Amazon Studios, Mutt Film and Union Editorial.

Shudder announced new Original Film “Raging Grace,” written and directed by Paris Zarcilla (“Pommel”), produced by Chi Thai (“The Promise“) and starring Filipina actress Max Eigenmann (“Verdict“) and David Hayman (“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas“). The film, which spotlights the Filipino immigrant experience through a blend of horror and drama, begins production this November in the UK and will debut in 2022.

The Yes And … Laughter Lab, a diversity incubation lab, pitch program, and showcase, has launched YALL Community, an online database featuring 100 of the program’s finalists and winners.

Estrella TV announced the opening of casting and the judges panel for its 1Q22 series “MasterChef Latinos,” produced by Endemol Shine Boomdog. Returning as MasterChef judges are Chef Benito Molina, Chef Adrián Herrera, and Chef Claudia Sandoval.

Casting notes: Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”) has joined the cast of “Tom Jones,” for PBS Masterpiece, Mammoth Screen and ITV…Anna Sawai (“F9: The Final Saga”) landed a lead role in FX limited series “Shogun,” based on the novel by James Clavell…Ginger Gonzaga (“Kidding”), Omar Miller (“Ballers”), Erica Hernandez (“Mission Unstoppable”) and Mike O’Gorman (“Vice Principals”) have boarded CBS drama pilot “True Lies,” based on the 1994 film.

Have you seen the Cynopsis Resource Center? It’s a free hub designed to help you stay informed, educated, and organized with white papers, case studies, trend reports, and so much more. Check it out for yourself.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

In a teaser for her upcoming IMDb show, “Judy Justice,” Judge Judy Sheindlin sports a purple robe, and introduces her new team – including her granddaughter, Sarah Rose. But she doesn’t appear to have mellowed after 25 years on “Judge Judy.” “You talk, I finish, that’s the rule,” JJ snaps to a claimant. The series starts streaming Monday, November 1.

Two-part documentary “Jim Al-Khalili’s Guide to Life, The Universe and Everything,” featuring the theoretical physicist, author and professor, is available on documentary streaming service MagellanTV for free until Monday, October 4, when it will be exclusive to subscribers.

ATTN: and Chime are teaming for social series “Hotline Cha-Ching,” to make financial literacy and day-to-day budgeting advice funny and digestible for a younger generation. The new series is hosted by Tiffany Haddish (“The Last O.G.”) and premieres across ATTN:’s social channels on Monday, October 11. “As someone who came to understand finances a little later in life, through my own false starts and lessons learned, I really believe we can and should make financial literacy approachable and accessible for young people,” said Haddish. “We want young people thinking about their money early, and maybe laughing a little bit too!”

A&E’s “Hoarders” is back for a new season Monday, October 18 at 8p, with 2-hour episodes focused on a single character, offering an in-depth look at hoarding crises.

COMING UP

“The Kennedy Center at 50” airs tonight at 9p on PBS. Filmed September 14 in the Concert Hall, the celebration and re-launch of live, in-person performing arts in America is hosted by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald with special guest Caroline Kennedy, and features the National Symphony Orchestra.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s new video “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” makes its broadcast premiere today at 12p on MTV, MTV Live, MTVU, across MTV’s worldwide network of channels and the ViacomCBS Times Square Billboard. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” is from the duo’s new collaborative album, Love for Sale, which also drops today.

Fox News Channel special “FOX News Channel: 25 Years” celebrates the network’s 25th anniversary on Sunday, October 3 at 10p. FNC’s Bret Baier, Steve Doocy, Lauren Green, Jennifer Griffin, Sean Hannity, Brit Hume and Juan Williams, among others, will take part, as the program looks at the network through the eyes of those who helped launch it.

Call for Submissions: Cynopsis is producing our annual Holiday Programming Guide, which comes out on October 28 and will be sent to all Cynopsis subscribers. If your network has holiday programming airing from October 28 through January 1, please send your listing to [email protected] and [email protected] no later October 15 with the subject line: Holiday Guide. To be included, programs must be listed by date, title of program, and start times, in the following format: “Thursday, November 19: Network Name: My One Christmas Wish at 9a, Paper Angels at 11a, 12 Days of Giving at 1p”. Holiday-related programs only! A confirmation email will be sent following each submission (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit).

Randy Travis will receive the “Artist of a Lifetime” award presented by the Raam Truck Brand at the “CMT Artists of the Year” event airing Wednesday, October 13 at 9p on CMT.

DISTRIBUTION

Hogar de HGTV is now available to subscribers of Verizon Fios. “For Hogar de HGTV, 2021 has been a year of superserving Hispanics through new and original programming and strategic partnerships,” said Eileen Piñeiro, Senior Channel Director, Discovery U.S. Hispanic. “With so much more on the horizon, we are primed to expand our reach, and look forward to entertaining and inspiring new audiences across the United States.”

AccuWeather Now, the new video streaming product from AccuWeather, is joining Plex’s roster of free-to-stream live TV channels. Plex users can access AccuWeather’s forecasts as well as 24/7 daily programming.

STREAMING

Disney+ will surpass Netflix in global subscriptions in 2025, projects Digital TV Research. Disney+ will add 140 million subs by 2026, for a total of 284 million, while Netflix will add 53 million, for a total of 271 million, according to Digital TV’s forecast. Forty-three percent of Disney+ subscribers are expected to be in 13 Asian countries, under the Hotstar brand.

Things are looking up, ad revenue-wise, for Hulu. Advertising revenue from its SVOD services will reach $2.6 billion this year, according to a Moffat Nathanson Research estimate, $662 million for the Hulu Live TV service. Those numbers are projected to rise 18% and 17%, respectively, to $3.1 billion and $781 million, next year. Total revenue is forecast to hit $9.6 billion this year and to rise 19% to $11.4 billion in 2022.

ViacomCBS streamer Pluto TV has agreed to pay a $3.5 million civil penalty for streaming video on some platforms without the required closed captioning, according to the FCC. “All non-exempt, full-length video programming delivered using Internet Protocol must be provided with closed captions if the programming was previously shown on television in the United States with captions or is live programming being shown on television in the United States with captions,” according to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.

Free streaming platform Fox Soul has forged strategic partnerships with media and companies including The For Us Network, Stellar TV, Black Enterprise and Damon Dash Studios, among others. “On the heels of a successful first year, we want to continue to climb and offer content that speaks to the community – programming that’s entertaining, educational and inspirational,” said General Manager & Head of Programming James DuBose. “Collaborating with these important media platforms will help us evolve our programming as we aim to continue our efforts in lifting others in the culture.” Upcoming series include cooking show “Chopping It Up With Charles Barkley,” launching Thursday, October 7 at 8p, and “Damon Dash Studios,” featuring content from the entrepreneur’s studio, starting Saturday, October 9 at 7p.

TECH TALK

IAB Tech Lab announced the ads.cert 2.0, a standard introduced to enhance security in the digital advertising ecosystem by using industry-standard cryptographic security protocols. Developed by the IAB Tech Lab’s Cryptographic Security Foundations Working Group, ads.cert 2.0 establishes a common framework and guidelines for safe and transparent transactions across ad buying and selling through a number of security protocols. “ads.cert is intended to provide a consistent security framework for all use cases within digital advertising,” said Amit Shetty, Vice President, Programmatic Products & Partnership, IAB Tech Lab. “Ad dollars to CTV continue to accelerate and where the money goes, the fraudsters follow, which is why we have focused on CTV in this release. We recommend that all SSAI providers immediately implement ‘Authenticated Connections’ and all publishers and buyers require authenticated connections for buying CTV media.”

Snap Inc. announced a global partnership WPP to create a lab to test and develop how AR applications can help brands deliver more immersive experiences for consumers. Snap will share its AR technology with WPP and its clients, as well as creative production and measurement resources. “AR has a major role to play in the future of marketing and commerce, from virtual try-on to immersive digital experiences,” said Sanja Partalo, EVP-Strategic Development & Partnerships at WPP. “Snap has built an impressive AR platform and we are delighted to partner with them to ensure our people can access Snap’s latest AR technology and in turn develop richer, more innovative commerce solutions for our clients and their customers.”

DoubleVerify released data showcasing which publisher verticals score the highest with advertisers. The top three are:
? Sports Publishers – As the NFL, NBA and NHL begin their seasons and site traffic grows, sports publications can showcase their inventory is highly compatible for a wide range of advertisers.
? Technology Publishers – Advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation have reinforced the use of everyday technology, providing an opportunity for outlets to highlight their premium advertising space to a broad number of marketers.
? Lifestyle Publishers – With Americans continuing to adapt in different ways to live in the new normal, lifestyle media outlets can reach different advertisers by showcasing the strength of their audience and overall compatibility of their inventory.
That said, while the data shows that advertisers feel most confident advertising with sports, technology and lifestyle publications, “publishers in other areas have advertiser sweet spots that they should be pursuing to maximize the value of their inventory,” notes Mimi Wotring, SVP of Publisher Sales and Client Services at DoubleVerify. “It’s important to remember that almost all content has a set of interested buyers, it’s just a matter of identifying them. Low scores doesn’t mean that publishers can’t sell inventory, it’s just that a narrower set of buyers are going to be their target audience.”

GOING GLOBAL

UK indie SWR Media has rebranded as Dash Pictures, it was announced today by the company’s Founder and Executive Producer, Daniel Sharp. Dash Pictures, along with Abacus Media Rights, also revealed first look images of its new project, “Vikings: The Rise and Fall.”

Banijay Rights announced UK public broadcaster BBC Two has pre-bought new eight-part historical drama “Marie Antionette.” Produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, the acquisition marks the first international deal for the CANAL+ Creation Original.

Armoza Formats announced the international launch of “Dating the Mob,” a format where 25 single women go on a tour of 3 significant stops of the life of a mystery bachelor, to decide if they want to continue on the journey to love before ever seeing him.

Abacus Media Rights has acquired worldwide distribution rights (excluding UK) for Vox Picture’s 90-minute feature length drama “The Trick which,” which was recently announced as being commissioned by BBC One.

Cynopsis 2021-2022 Best of the Best Awards
and Rising Star Nominations

Best of the Best Category List

Rising Star Information

Early birds save $150 before October 29th.

<<GET STARTED TODAY>>

The Season Five premiere of Fox’s “The Resident” on Tuesday, September 21 posted a 0.9/6 A18-49 Live +7 Day rating, its highest rating in nearly four months, up +13% vs. its season finale in May.

Streaming Nielsen Rankings for the week of August 30
Show, # episodes, minutes (millions)
Clickbait (Netflix), 8. 1460
Manifest (Netflix), 42, 1114
Cruella (Disney+), 1, 757
Cocomelon (Netflix), 12, 745
Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix) 376, 685
Criminal Minds (Netflix), 316, 593
NCIS (Netflix), 353, 580
Chicago Med (Netflix), 100, 457
Heartland (Netflix), 215, 455
Money Heist (Netflix), 41, 452

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Wednesday, September 29
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: The Goldbergs 3.17 (0.6), The Wonder Years 2.69 (0.5), The Conners 3.47 (0.5) Home Economics 2.14 (0.4), A Million Little Things 2.05 (0.3)
CBS: Survivor 5.90 (1.0), Big Brother 3.57 (0.9)
CW: Riverdale 0.25 (0.1), In the Dark 0.28 (0.0)
FOX: The Masked Singer 4.55 (1.01), Alter Ego 2.46 (0.5)
ION: Blue Blood 1.14 (0.2), Blue Bloods 1.05 (0.2), Blue Bloods 0.87 (0.1)
NBC: Chicago Med 6.71 (0.7), Chicago Fire 7.36 (0.9), Chicago PD 6.22 (0.8)
Univision: Campeones Cup 0.95 (3), Las Desalmada 1.40 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Group Black is expanding its leadership team with four new hires. Mark Larkin, former CNT President, joins as COO & President; Marchelle Johnson Wright, former SVP of HR at ViacomCBS is Chief People Officer; Susan Kilkenny, former SVP of Integrated Sales & Marketing at MAXIM, is now SVP of Partnerships; and Ryan Robertson, former Head of Global Marketing at Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is Head of Growth.

Sean Gupta, who was named SVP of Strategy and Business Operations for BET Networks in 2019, has moved to the role of SVP of Streaming Strategy for ViacomCBS.

UK indie Woodcut Media has hired Jo Enyori for the newly created position of Head of Development. Enyori joines from Attaboy TV, where she served as Head of Development.

BossaNova has appointed Olivia Morgan to the newly created role of acquisitions and co-production executive. Morgan was previously at NENT Studios, where she worked as a sales and acquisitions coordinator.

Roland Hamilton, former director of media sales at Shutterstock, has been tapped to serve as SVP of Licensing for Jukin Media.

WarnerMedia has upped Brian Robillard to Assistant GM and VP of Business Operations for its Kids & Family and Adult Swim properties. Michael “Kiko” Akiko has joined as executive director, music for Kids, Young Adults, and Classics, reporting into Robillard.

Jack Randall and Dan Thomas have joined Octopus Interactive, both as Vice President of Business Development. Randall was most recently EVP Business Development at Univision, while Thomas came to Octopus Interactive last year from Active Media, where he was SVP Strategic Development.

IN MEMORIAM

Actor Michael Tylo died Tuesday, September 28, following an illness. He was 73. Tylo appeared on numerous soap operas, perhaps most memorably “Guiding Light” and “All My Children.” In recent years, Tylo was a film professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

This Day in History

1968 – Zombie film “Night of the Living Dead” premiered.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was Kristy McNichols’ first series regular role? Patricia Apple in “Apple’s Way” (1974-75). Kudos to: Louis Lewow-FITE/Atlanta; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NYC; Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX; Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta; Charles Lore/NYC; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Susan Nessanbaum Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA David Westberg-SAG AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question
Which actor played Abraham Lincoln in two unrelated miniseries? (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.)