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.

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.

“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.

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.”

The FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule, requiring an easy way for consumers to end subscriptions, is too broad, argue the IAB, NCTA and other challengers in papers filed with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The organizations contend the FTC may only issue rules that “target well-defined unlawful practices in particular industries,” as opposed to rules that limit commerce across the economy. The regulation was passed in October by a 3-2, with both Republicans on the commission voting against it.

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.

CTV and social media platforms are the channels where advertisers are most likely to say they will be spending more in 2025, with 45% planning to increase spending on each. That’s according to Advertiser Perceptions’ U.S. Macroeconomic Effects and Perceptions Study, which examines how larger market influences impact budgeting and spending optimism for advertisers. CTV and social media, along with general search, are also most likely to be considered “must buys” for advertisers. Each of the three highest-priority channels tends to fulfill a different role, with advertisers most likely to say CTV is important to achieving upper-funnel goals, general search is most important to achieving lower-funnel goals, and social media is most important to achieving full-funnel goals.

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.

The attorney for alleged killer Luigi Mangione told reporters outside of Manhattan’s State Supreme Court on Friday that there were “very serious issues” with evidence in the case, some if which involve HBO’s documentary, “Who Is Luigi Mangione?”. It was “shocking” to see the NYPD’s chief of detectives and New York City Mayor Eric Adams give an interview in the doc, “talking about police paperwork” that Mangione’s lawyers had not yet received, said attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. “It’s outrageous that they have time to go and prejudice Mr. Mangione’s ability to receive a fair trial and go out and make these statements, but not give this to us.” In addition, an actor playing Mangione read from a journal that Friedman Agnifilo said his lawyers have not yet received. Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4.

Fuse Media has partnered with the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship to launch ProfitHub, a new media brand rooted in the creator economy, geared towards educating Next Gen audiences about money matters. “Millennials and Gen Z are facing a financial literacy crisis,” said Fuse Media’s Chairman & CEO Mike Roggero. “By working with trusted creators, we can break through the noise and deliver actionable, solution-based entertainment that inspires confidence and drives real-world financial progress.”

Personas – data-driven audience profiles that represent key customer segments – were supposed to offer a structured way to understand audiences beyond generic segmentation. But for years, they’ve been more of a theoretical exercise than a true driver of business outcomes. Noah Kershaw, Head of Product, Kip at Kepler, explains how that’s changing, in Cynsiders.

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%.

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+.

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.

Today’s Trivia Question
Which soap opera was a spinoff of “Loving” (1983-95)? (Email answers to [email protected] and include your name, company and city. Answers limited to four per time zone.)