Know What's Happening in Television
Know What's Happening in Television
China regulator cracks down on TV dramas obsessed with beauty
China’s National Radio and Television Administration warned that domestic TV dramas are overly fixated on physical beauty and traffic‑driven popularity, urging producers to prioritize stronger acting and storytelling. The directive was delivered at a conference attended by major streamers including iQIYI, Tencent Video, Mango TV and Youku.
Ray Bradbury walked out of an NBC meeting in the mid‑1980s after executives asked him to tone down his literary style and produce something "like Franz Kafka." The network wanted to adapt his classics such as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and The Illustrated Man, but dismissed his pulp‑writer roots. Bradbury deemed the proposal hopeless and ended any affiliation with NBC. The incident mirrors his earlier, contentious work on The Twilight Zone, highlighting a pattern of creative friction with television studios.
Versant, the NBCUniversal cable spinoff, confirmed it is not looking to sell Golf Channel, emphasizing an acquisition‑focused M&A strategy. The PGA Tour is planning a major schedule overhaul, trimming its calendar to 21‑26 premium events to create scarcity among top...
2029: "This is not a normal Oscars ..." because it will be on @YouTube, not on @Disney's @ABCNetwork
In a recent Disney+ Q&A episode, host Sarah Michelle Gellar addressed why the planned “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” reboot was cancelled. The cancellation stemmed from budget constraints, creative disagreements, and tepid market testing. The session also fielded questions about Disney’s animated slate,...
The Australian Children’s Content Summit returns to Coffs Harbour for its fourth edition, running from 24‑27 August 2026. The four‑day event will host more than 260 delegates from 12 countries, featuring senior executives from ABC, Screen Australia, and global kids‑content...
Disney/Pixar’s animated sequel Hoppers held the weekend box‑office lead with a $28.5 million second‑weekend, pushing its global gross to nearly $165 million and ranking third among all 2026 releases. Universal’s romance Reminders of Him debuted with $18.2 million, while A24’s micro‑budget horror Undertone...
Lone Democrat on the FCC responds to Republican Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats to broadcasters: https://t.co/e9xfRAbUII
Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Fast X, the latest Fast & Furious installment starring Dwayne Johnson, Jason Momoa, Vin Diesel and an all‑star ensemble, has launched on Peacock’s streaming platform. The film earned over $714 million worldwide during its theatrical run and holds...
After Philo's recent price adjustment, is it still worth it? I've updated my review: https://t.co/iYD3gW75wi
The fan in me loves this. The analyst in me is a lot more skeptical about the commercial prospects. Hopefully the budget matches the reality.
The hit crime drama Power is set to leave Netflix on March 31, ending its six‑year streaming run. All six seasons, totaling 63 episodes, remain available for a final binge before the departure. The series, executive‑produced by 50 Cent, boasts an...
Adult Swim has not yet announced whether the critically acclaimed animated series Primal will return for a fourth season. The show, created by Genndy Tartakovsky, concluded Season 3 only weeks ago, leaving renewal prospects uncertain. Tartakovsky told Forbes he would love...
Paramount Global announced a plan to merge its Paramount+ streaming service with BET+ and HBO Max, creating a single super‑streaming platform. The move follows Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and aims to combine libraries, technology and subscriber...
Former Fox broadcaster Piers Morgan has turned his YouTube channel, Uncensored, into a growing media platform. The channel now boasts over 4.3 million subscribers and recently secured $30 million in funding to launch new shows and hire talent, including a former MSNBC...
Sad for those who have lost a job. Daily infotainment really has been eaten alive by YouTube and Tik Tok. Yet, people have a tendency to focus on areas that really can’t be and not the ones that really are...
Talent agency 22 has denied allegations by Australian singer Sophie Monk that it improperly withheld over $500,000 in earnings. Monk is suing for $544,683 in unpaid commissions, interest and fees, while the agency has filed a cross‑claim for $124,000, alleging...
Warner Bros. Discovery investors anticipate a roughly 14% upside if the $111 billion Paramount‑Skydance merger closes by the Sept. 30 deadline. WBD’s stock slipped to $27.14, down from $29, after Netflix withdrew its $83 billion offer, while Paramount has pledged $31 per share...
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr used social media to warn broadcasters that stations spreading what he calls “fake news” about the U.S. bombing of Iran could face license renewal challenges. He emphasized the FCC’s public‑interest mandate and suggested that non‑compliant stations...
Hulu has cancelled its planned *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* reboot starring Sarah Michelle Gellar after the pilot failed to meet internal standards. The project, ordered a year ago and directed by Oscar‑winner Chloé Zhao, featured a script by the Zuckerman sisters and...
Disney+ has rolled out a dedicated “Bluey” collection worldwide, featuring all three seasons and the popular Minisodes. The move arrives just before the streaming debut of “Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show” on March 16 2026. In 2025, the Australian animated series was...
The Los Angeles Angels have bought Main Street Sports Group’s 50 percent stake in FanDuel Sports Network West, gaining full ownership of the regional sports network. The deal eliminates the bankruptcy‑related uncertainty surrounding Main Street and allows the Angels to launch an...
Namita Jadhav has stepped down as vice‑president of corporate communications at JioStar after a 1.5‑year stint, ending a career that includes nearly two decades at Disney and senior roles at Weber Shandwick. Her departure marks the loss of a seasoned media‑industry...
The NFL is demanding a 50‑60 percent increase in its broadcast rights fees, targeting a new minimum of $3 billion per year from Paramount, the CBS parent. A 50 percent hike would push CBS's current $2.1 billion annual fee past the $3 billion...
Comedian Larry David is launching a new sketch comedy series on HBO, officially titled “Larry David’s America”. The show will feature a cameo by former President Barack Obama, marking a rare political figure’s participation in a comedy program. At the...
Hip‑hop entrepreneur Dame Dash has secured a partnership with BET to launch a new talk‑docuseries titled “OG Stories.” The series, which he will produce and host, will spotlight “OGs,” cultural architects, street legends, and self‑made bosses, debuting in the spring...
Netflix offers two contrasting subscription tiers: Premium at $25 per month delivers 4K HDR video, spatial audio, and four simultaneous streams, while the ad‑supported Standard plan costs $8 per month, limits streaming to two devices and caps video at 1080p....
NBCUniversal announced the cancellation of Access Hollywood after its 30‑season run, simultaneously pulling the plug on The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo. The moves mark the studio’s complete exit from first‑run syndication, following the earlier decision to end The Kelly...
Psyop has named Dotti Sinnott executive vice president of studio, adding a seasoned production and studio‑management leader to its senior team. Sinnott will direct studio operations, production pipelines, and creative development while overseeing Psyop’s global network of partner studios. Her...
Blumhouse Television, under new chief Melissa Aouate, is expanding its horror portfolio beyond traditional monsters and slashers to embrace a full spectrum of sub‑genres. The strategy is exemplified by the Amazon series "Scarpetta," a forensic procedural infused with creepy elements,...
NBCUniversal announced it will cease first‑run syndication of four long‑running shows—Access Hollywood, Access Live, The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo—signaling a retreat from a shrinking daytime market. At the same time, Peacock unveiled an AI‑generated version of Andy Cohen to...
The NFL has begun talking to Paramount/CBS Sports about a new deal. I'm told the current bid-ask spread midpoint is about 50-60% higher, and in return, the NFL would simply lift its current 2029-30 opt out and keep the CBS deal...
John Rice, CEO of JAM Media, warned that the traditional broadcaster‑centric model for preschool animation is becoming obsolete as platforms cut budgets and demand more audience ownership. He highlighted the need for studios to build direct relationships with children and...
At Streaming Media Connect 2026, Philo and Roku executives discussed how contextual data drives brand‑safe CTV advertising. Philo, a lean MVPD with just 11 ad‑operations staff, relies on programmatic workflows and granular tone signals—such as happy versus sad moments—to match...
Fox Sports shattered World Baseball Classic pool‑play viewership records, delivering an average 3.17 million viewers – a 183% increase over 2023 – with the Italy‑USA upset becoming the most‑watched telecast on FS1. ESPN posted its strongest men’s college basketball season in...
Marc Allera, chair of CVC Capital Partners' Global Sport Group (GSG), said streaming platforms have made the sports media rights market healthier and that data‑driven revenue streams will drive future growth. GSG, which consolidates over €4.6 billion of CVC’s sports investments,...
Shorties Studios, the premium vertical‑series producer founded by OGM Pictures’ Onur Güvenatam, has debuted a new micro‑drama titled “The Prince and the Royal Wedding Planner” on the GammaTime streaming app. The five‑episode romance stars Toby Elliot, Emily Gateley, Kayleigh Foster,...
We're writing to let you know that on April 10, 2026, Prime Video Ad Free will become Prime Video Ultra with enhanced viewing features, and your subscription price will increase to $4.99/month. If you are a Prime Annual plan member,...
Paramount Skydance Buying Out Tyler Perry’s Stake in BET+; Streaming Service to Be Phased Out and Content Merged With Paramount+ https://t.co/Q19beETCv4 via @variety
Simulmedia announced two senior hires to boost its commercial and product capabilities. Justin Nesci, formerly iHeartMedia’s EVP of Advanced Audio and Data Revenue, joins as chief commercial officer to steer global sales, marketing and brand partnerships. Adam Gaynor, with a track record...
Netflix was going to cancel the show and Phil wanted to keep doing it. Ergo, YouTube. https://t.co/S6fVQvk4QH
Chalamet or Jordan? Oscars Betting Becoming a $100 Million-Plus Business With Kalshi and Polymarket https://t.co/lfGEXU4RM5 via @variety
Netflix’s romance series "Virgin River" has become one of the platform’s most reliable hits since its 2019 debut, despite modest budgets and a cast without A‑list names. Filmed largely in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, the show leverages authentic small‑town scenery...
Nielsen Will Delay March ‘Gauge’ Report After Streamers Fret Over Audience Declines https://t.co/2GLpF6AZCD via @variety
🚨🏈 CNBC reporting BIG increases coming to existing NFL broadcasters as we talked about last week on The LightShed Podcast https://t.co/xVYAmLvGDq
Higgsfield has introduced a content‑scoring feature for its Team Plan that automatically scans AI‑generated video and images for visual similarities to celebrities, copyrighted characters, brand logos, and even a director’s signature style. The tool assigns a similarity score, flags potential...
New: NBC is ending "Access Hollywood" after 30 years, as it stops producing first-run syndicated TV. "Karamo," "Steve Wilkos" also canceled.
Food Influencer Keith Lee to Launch Video Podcast With Vox Media Delving Into How His Family Does Business Together https://t.co/roBxFgOhPe via @variety
American Ninja Warrior’s seventeenth season is under close Nielsen scrutiny as NBC evaluates its future. The article notes that season 16 delivered a 0.30 rating in the key 18‑49 demographic and attracted 2.71 million viewers, setting a benchmark for renewal decisions. Season 17’s...
Amazon to Hike Fee for Prime Video Ad-Free Tier to $5 per Month in U.S. https://t.co/FVjZZ5ziiF via @variety
YouTube TV introduced a $65‑per‑month sports‑focused plan that delivers every men’s and women’s NCAA tournament game across CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN, and has expanded multiview functionality for simultaneous viewing. The service still lacks ESPN+ integration, requiring an extra subscription...
