Today's Television Pulse
Disney vows to fight FCC's early ABC license renewal order
The FCC ordered Disney to file early renewal applications for ABC’s eight broadcast stations, citing possible anti‑discrimination violations. Legal experts note the 1996 Telecommunications Act makes license denial extremely difficult without willful violations. Disney has signaled it will contest the politically‑motivated move.
AMC and Sphere Announce Expanded Seasonal Partnership Opportunities
AMC Global Media and Sphere Entertainment are expanding their seasonal partnership to combine Sphere’s Exosphere holiday celebration “Sphere of Cheer” with AMC’s “Best Christmas Ever” programming in December, while reviving the October “Sphere of Fear” and “FearFest” collaboration. The deal adds branded activations on the world’s largest LED screen and cross‑platform content created by Sphere Studios and AMC’s Content Room. Last year’s holiday event attracted 68 million viewers, and the new arrangement offers advertisers 360‑degree sponsorship opportunities across TV, streaming, and physical venues. The partnership leverages both companies’ fan‑centric platforms to deliver immersive, high‑impact brand experiences during the year’s peak viewing periods.
Disney's Late‑Night TV Under Scrutiny Amid Leadership Test
“It will be very interesting to see how Josh [D’Amaro] navigates this — does he show a willingness to confront some really tough decisions,” said Rich Greenfield, a founder of LightShed Partners... “I hope this catalyzes deeper discussions about what...
South Korea Invests $49M in AI Research to Transform Broadcasting Industry
South Korea’s Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is committing $49.3 million over the next four years to AI‑driven research aimed at modernising its broadcasting and media sector. Eight new projects have already secured $5.36 million to develop core technologies for intelligent media production,...
Amazon Mulls ‘Apprentice’ Reboot with Donald Trump Jr. As Host
Amazon is reportedly exploring a reboot of the reality‑competition series The Apprentice, with Donald Trump Jr. floated as a possible host. Internal discussions are preliminary, and the company has not yet approached the Trump family, prompting both strategic optimism and...
FCC Orders Early Review of Disney’s ABC Licenses After Trump’s Kimmel Critique
The Federal Communications Commission directed Disney’s eight ABC‑owned TV stations to submit broadcast‑license renewal applications by May 28, 2026—more than two years ahead of the scheduled 2028‑2031 window. The move follows President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s public...
YTN Journalists Strike Over Chaebol Shareholder Dispute, Demand Regulator Ruling
The YTN branch of the National Union of Media Workers began its eighth strike, demanding that the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission revoke Eugene Group’s status as the broadcaster’s largest shareholder. The walkout, set to last five days, underscores a...
Holywater Tech's Pocket TV Playbook
Holywater Tech, a six‑year‑old media startup, runs an end‑to‑end pipeline that turns a books platform with over a million monthly users into AI‑generated series in just two weeks, feeding its My Drama streaming service. My Drama now boasts close to...
Following in Fallout's Footsteps, British Post-Apocalyptic Survival Jaunt Atomfall's Now Getting a TV Show Too
Rebellion announced that its post‑apocalyptic survival game Atomfall is being turned into a television series. Two Brothers Pictures, the UK outfit behind Fleabag and The Assassin, will develop the show with Harry and Jack Williams writing and the Kingsley brothers...
Traditional Viewership Metrics Are Now Meaningless for Comparisons
This is exactly why I don’t report viewership & ratings figures as much as I used to. It’s not due to lack of interest—it’s an area I still care about a lot—rather YoY comps are no longer informative given the...
WBD CEO Zaslav’s Compensation Triples to $165 Million
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s Pay More Than Tripled in 2025 to a Staggering $165 Million https://t.co/aQyR5hj1nx via @variety
Goodbye, Showmax
Showmax, Naspers' home‑grown streaming venture launched in August 2015, aimed to outpace Netflix in South Africa with a strong local‑content slate. After an early surge—10 million views in its first year and a projected break‑even at 800,000 subscribers—the service was folded...
Amazon Confirms No ‘Apprentice’ Reboot in Development
Amazon sources say a reboot of ‘The Apprentice’ is currently “not in development” and there have not been “any discussions with anyone outside the company” about producing it https://t.co/0Xxna1idib
First-Time Watches of Classic Shows Now More Valuable
Who remembers NBC's famous 1997 mantra 'If you haven't seen it, it's new to you'? Now in 2026, AMC suggests NBC may have been ahead of its time, and is making the case that first views of even older shows...
AMC Has No Big-League Deals, But Media Company Still Wants to Slide Into Sports
AMC Global Media, best known for premium dramas, is expanding into sports‑focused scripted and documentary series despite lacking any major league broadcast rights. The company has greenlit the NASCAR‑backed drama “Thunder Road” and renewed the documentary series “Rise,” which examines...
Amazon Mulls Don Jr.-Hosted ‘Apprentice’ Reboot
Wow. An actual choice that would finally force me to stop using Amazon. A line I didn’t expect to be crossed. Amazon Discusses ‘Apprentice’ Reboot—With Don Jr. as a Potential Host https://t.co/1zOZrAxqxl
First-Time TV Series View Is Premium Inventory
Many fans don’t watch TV series when they are first available, soAMC Global Networks has suggested to advertisers that the first view of a series is worth more, and should be seen as a premium piece of inventory — even...
AMC Sees Second Chance to Win Ad Dollars for First Views of Long-Lasting Series
AMC Global Networks is rolling out a "first streamer" ad product that lets brands purchase the first ad slot in a viewer's initial watch of any series, even if the show is several seasons old. The offering treats a first‑time...
AMC Shifts From Prestige Dramas to Sports Programming
AMC Global Media is known for high-level dramas such as “Mad Men,” “Dark Winds” and “Better Call Saul.” Now the peak-TV purveyor thinks it can make a scene by playing sports.... https://t.co/7AjcbSe4FC
AMC Development Updates: ‘Bannerman’ Spy Drama Advances To Writers Room, ‘Point Break’ Reboot Eyes Greenlight, ‘Grapes Of Wrath’ Gets Co-Writer
AMC Studios announced three major projects at its 2026 upfront: a spy drama called "Bannerman" has moved into a writers’ room with Craig Silverstein as showrunner and Shane Black attached to direct; a TV reboot of the 1991 film "Point Break"...
‘Thunder Road’ Starring Dennis Quaid Greenlit At AMC
AMC has green‑lit "Thunder Road," a NASCAR‑themed drama starring Dennis Quaid as racing legend Duane Whitlock. The series, created by John Fusco and run by Taylor Elmore, will be produced in partnership with NASCAR, marking the network’s first long‑form drama...
Hudson Williams’ ‘Heated Rivalry’ Followup Series, Crave’s ‘Yaga’, To Stream On AMC+ In U.S.
AMC+ has secured exclusive U.S. streaming rights to Crave’s eight‑episode series *Yaga*, starring Hudson Williams in his first post‑*Heated Rivalry* role. The show reimagines the Slavic Baba Yaga legend as a contemporary mystery thriller and will debut on AMC+ later...
Netflix Leads Gotham TV Awards 2026 Nominations with 22 Nod Count
The Gotham TV Awards announced its 2026 nominations on April 28, with Netflix securing a leading 22 nods and its series 'Big Mistakes' and 'Death by Lightning' each earning four nominations. HBO Max follows with 19 nominations, while Hulu and...
TV Land Debuts 1996, Showcasing Classic Paramount Series
📺 April 29, 1996: Cable network TV Land launched. Owned by MTV Networks and promoted as an extension of Nick At Nite, the original emphasis was on classic television shows from the Paramount library. https://t.co/Kr6qN9w1TS https://t.co/kmvlWH2GBJ
Opening‑Weekend Obsession Damages Film Revenue
Hollywood’s hyper-fixation on opening weekend isn’t just bad for discourse. It’s actively hurting film financials.
Scandal, Loyalty & ‘Summer House’: Frances Berwick’s Bravo Playbook
Frances Berwick, now chairman of Bravo and Peacock unscripted, has turned the network into a growth engine despite a shrinking unscripted market. Over the last six months Bravo’s shows lifted their monthly reach on Peacock by 45%, with flagship series...
Tube Trends: Now Creators Are Taking Over The NFL Draft
The NFL is leaning heavily into creator‑driven coverage, with YouTube emerging as the primary platform for the Draft. Tubular Labs data shows creators accounted for 58% of YouTube views from April 23‑29, and 21 individual creators each surpassed one million views....
YouTube Rolls Out Multiview Option to More Subscribers
YouTube has expanded its Multiview feature, allowing Premium and YouTube TV subscribers to watch up to four streams simultaneously and customize each screen. The new Multiview builder lets users pick any live content, including mix‑and‑match bundles like NFL Sunday Ticket...
AMC Comes Into Upfront With Bite, New Ways to Work With Advertisers
AMC has rebranded from AMC Networks to AMC Global Media, emphasizing a worldwide footprint. At its New York upfront, the company unveiled fresh advertising formats tied to sports, franchise content, and live events such as a Vampire Lestat showcase. The holiday‑season...
Hulu Launches Four‑Part Malcolm in the Middle Reunion, Boosting Legacy Content Drive
Hulu released the four‑episode revival "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair," reuniting most of the original cast. The move underscores streaming platforms' bet on legacy content to attract and retain subscribers amid fierce competition.
Peacock Rolls Out May 2026 Lineup with New Crime Thriller, Reality Finale and Full‑length Kill Bill
Peacock unveiled its May 2026 programming slate, adding four headline exclusives – the season‑2 finale of "Love Island: Beyond the Villa," the crime thriller "M.I.A.," the drama "Another Man’s Wife" and a full‑length "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair" –...
Winemiller Scores A Three Rivers LPTV Deal
Jeff Winemiller’s Lowcountry 34 Media, a fast‑growing operator of low‑power TV stations, has secured a broadcast property in Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers market. The acquisition expands the company’s over‑the‑air portfolio after a high‑visibility appearance at the 2026 NAB Show in Las...
NAB Criticizes FCC for Calling in ABC Television Licenses Early
The FCC’s Media Bureau ordered Disney to file early renewal applications for eight ABC‑owned TV stations in major markets, citing the 1930s Communications Act and a DEI investigation. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) condemned the move as unprecedented, warning...
DPP Media Supply Festival 2026
The DPP Media Supply Festival will take place June 9‑10, 2026 in New York, gathering media executives to explore the evolving supply chain from ideas to streaming content. Organizers highlight AI’s dual role in adding complexity and unlocking efficiency across...
ABC Can Beat Trump FCC's License Threat if Owner Disney Is Willing to Fight
The FCC ordered Disney to file early renewal applications for ABC’s eight broadcast stations, citing possible violations of anti‑discrimination rules. Legal experts note that the 1996 Telecommunications Act makes license denial extremely difficult unless a broadcaster commits willful or repeated...
Unchosen Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date
Netflix’s thriller *Unchosen* surged to the top of global charts with 10.4 million weekly views, becoming the most‑watched English‑language series in 40 countries. The six‑episode first season has drawn praise for its unsettling cult premise and strong performances, especially from Fra Fee...
Apple TV Debuts Two New Original F1 Series
Apple TV launches two new original F1 series. Circuits in Focus puts Nico Rosberg & Emelia Hartford on track preview duty. After the race, The POV, with ex-Red Bull technician Calum Nicholas & engineer-creator Christina Roki break down key moments.
New Roku Home Screen Could Boost Q1 Growth
Five Strategic Questions for Roku's Q1 2026 Earnings Call $ROKU #1 How Will New Home Screen Accelerate Growth? Roku has been actively beta testing a new home screen that it plans to launch widely later this year... https://t.co/zh5OcdbwBL
The Streaming Audience Is Getting Narrower, Not Bigger
The streaming landscape is undergoing a demographic contraction, with audiences concentrating around older, female, and lower‑income viewers. Nielsen reports a 19% YoY rise in U.S. TV‑screen streaming for 2025, yet Greenlight Analytics shows the 25‑34 cohort dropping from 49% to...
John Strong, Stu Holden to Lead Fox's World Cup Coverage
Fox announced its World Cup Broadcast teams today, with John Strong and Stu Holden once again as the lead team. That means they call the Final and the U.S. games. Story: https://t.co/DfHZKAfKqj
Peacock Launches Ad‑Free Premium Plus on Roku Channel at $17/Month
NBCUniversal’s Peacock service now offers its ad‑free Premium Plus plan directly through the Roku Channel, priced at $17 per month or $170 annually. The move lets Roku users consolidate subscriptions and adds cloud DVR features, tightening the competition among streaming...
FCC Accelerates ABC License Review, Demanding Early Renewal by May 28
The Federal Communications Commission announced on April 28 that it will fast‑track the renewal review of Disney’s eight ABC local TV stations, citing concerns over the network’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices. ABC must file for renewal by May 28,...
Study: Roku's Low-Cost, Ad-Free Howdy Streamer Hits 1 Million Subs
Roku’s ad‑free streaming service Howdy, priced at $2.99 per month, has surpassed 1 million subscribers since its August 2025 launch. The Antenna study shows the service added roughly 300 K users in its first month and continues to attract over 100 K new subscribers...
‘Running Point’ Season 3 on Netflix: 43% Viewership Drop for S2 & What We Know So Far
Netflix’s sports comedy Running Point returned with season 3 after a 14‑month hiatus, but its second season opened with a steep 43% viewership decline, delivering only 5.3 million streams in the first week despite ranking #2 globally. The series, co‑created by Mindy...
"American Idol" Scores 5.3 Million Total Viewers with Biggest Audience in Over 2 Months During Taylor Swift Night
American Idol aired a Taylor Swift‑themed episode on April 27, 2026, drawing 5.34 million total viewers and a 0.42 rating in the coveted Adults 18‑49 demo. The broadcast topped all entertainment programs that night and posted a 5% week‑over‑week gain, its strongest audience since...
Not So FAST
In this episode, host John Gingek chats with industry veteran Gavin Bridge—formerly a researcher, Variety analyst, and head of fast channels at Amazon MGM—about the structural flaws in today’s streaming model. Bridge argues that the industry’s focus on binge‑worthy tentpole...
‘CW Sports’ Gets Streaming Boost With ESPN App Deal
The CW Network’s sports division, CW Sports, will begin streaming its live events on the ESPN app through the ESPN Unlimited subscription, with a launch targeted for summer 2026. The partnership adds more than 800 hours of college football, basketball, NASCAR,...
Ted Lasso: Season Four — Has the Apple TV+ Series Been Renewed or Cancelled Yet?
Apple TV+ has not confirmed whether Ted Lasso will return for a fourth season. The critically acclaimed sports comedy‑drama, starring Jason Sudeikis, wrapped its third season amid hints it could be the series’ end. The platform’s habit of keeping viewership...
Apple TV Unveils Ted Lasso Season 4 Trailer, Showcases Richmond Women
Via @justwsports: Apple TV Drops ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Trailer, Spotlights Richmond Women’s Team https://t.co/4TSUPmDzHq
CBS Ratings Plunge Below Four‑million Viewers
FAFO, fascist media. Weeks below 4 million. Schadenfreude, thine abbreviation is Bari. CBS’ Ratings Calamity https://t.co/mAhYeV8hrm
Sports Bundles Split Across Three Streaming Platforms
The sports bundle is being rebuilt. The problem is it's being built in 3 places. ESPN: NFL Network, https://t.co/8Jco4DeBci, CW Amazon Prime: NBA League Pass, Peacock, Paramount+ YouTube TV: Easy channel-flipping, smaller networks https://t.co/5hmzyDiIBo