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.
Merzigo, a premium video monetisation firm, has signed a partnership with Banijay Rights to optimise and monetize select titles from Banijay’s global catalogue, including MasterChef Universe, Mr Bean TV and Survivor Official TV. The collaboration will leverage Merzigo’s data‑driven tools to enhance thumbnails, localisation, dubbing and resolution across YouTube and Facebook. By creating compilations and highlight reels, the deal aims to boost audience discovery, retention and advertising revenue. The agreement reflects a broader shift toward digital‑first strategies for legacy TV formats.
When asks about plans for CNN, Paramount CEO David Ellison tells CNBC that we want to be in the truth business, we want to be in the trust business and that’s not going to change.
After Hollywood turned on David Zaslav for being too much of a bean counter/financier, I’m sure The Town will appreciate David Ellison’s answer to being asked how many layoffs are coming w/ merging w/ WBD: “We absolutely need to rationalize the...
LTN and MediaKind announced a strategic partnership that tightly integrates MediaKind’s MK.IO Beam on‑premise devices with LTN’s global IP transport network. The joint solution delivers redundant, multipath IP delivery and edge video processing, allowing broadcasters to transmit and receive compressed...
CBS' morning show has for years taken pride in its resistance to the softer side of AM news, like cooking segments and lifestyle reporting. But now the program is poised to reverse its stance.... https://t.co/b2KevEZz2g via @variety
European drama producers and distributors are adapting to a tighter financing environment as U.S. co‑production dollars shrink and production costs rise. They are emphasizing well‑packaged deals, flexible windowing, and multi‑territory appeal, often leveraging tax incentives and strategic location budgeting. Known...
More shake-ups at 'CBS This Morning,' where EP Shawna Thomas will leave as the program gets set to pursue some of the lifestyle and soft-news content it previously avoided.... https://t.co/b2KevEZz2g via @variety
This week’s CNBC Sport newsletter is out: *Why TNT Sports’ strategy no longer makes sense if WBD & Paramount come together *Jeff Shell’s future up in the air *There will be no David Ellison/David Zaslav “men in blazers” photo on the...
Lumen Research has teamed up with Netflix to launch an attention‑measurement solution that tracks how viewers engage with ads across Netflix’s ad‑supported CTV, desktop, and mobile platforms. The offering is initially available to advertisers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy,...
Comscore and Yahoo DSP have launched Proximic Political Audiences, a first‑to‑market solution that merges linear TV exposure data with Connected TV (CTV) targeting for political advertising. The partnership leverages Comscore’s local market measurement, Proximic’s activation platform, and Yahoo’s programmatic inventory...
AccuWeather has launched its free, ad‑supported streaming channel AccuWeather NOW on Samsung TV Plus in the United States, adding the service to Samsung’s FAST platform that now exceeds 100 million monthly active users worldwide. The channel delivers 24‑hour weather programming, including forecasts, severe‑weather...
Synamedia teamed with Swiss sports‑tech firm Asport to stream the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi, a hybrid event merging physical sport, esports and digital games. Using Synamedia’s Quortex SaaS platform, Asport delivered over 200 live streams across YouTube,...
MFE‑MediaForEurope has restructured its top management, appointing Pier Silvio Berlusconi as Chairman and Group CEO while retaining Fedele Confalonieri as Statutory Chairperson. The new model replaces a vertical holding‑company layout with a horizontal structure that centralises staff functions at the...
New: The CBS News town hall with @JDVance, which had been slated to air on March 14, has been postponed indefinitely.
LiveU deployed its AI‑driven LiveU IQ (LIQ) technology at the Winter Games, marking the first large‑scale global rollout for a multi‑venue sporting event. Broadcasters used LIQ for roughly 60% of live sessions, achieving a 36% increase in average bitrate and...
Paramount Global, now merged with Warner Bros. Discovery, faces roughly $79 billion of debt and is streamlining operations by moving most film and TV production to Warner Bros.’ Burbank lot. The historic 65‑acre Paramount lot on Melrose Avenue will remain active...
The FCC’s Media Bureau granted a waiver permitting Circle City Broadcasting to acquire Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV, creating a three‑station ownership cluster that exceeds the traditional two‑station limit. Valued at about $83 million, the deal gives the locally‑based, Black‑owned company control...
The CW Network will serve as the exclusive broadcast home for six additional Banana Ball games during the 2026 season, extending its partnership with the Savannah Bananas. The slate includes matchups in Atlanta, Savannah, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Nashville, beginning with...
Cosm announced the opening of its third immersive entertainment venue in downtown Atlanta’s Centennial Yards on June 10, 2026. The 70,000‑square‑foot, three‑level complex features a 12K+ LED dome that blends virtual and physical experiences, and its inaugural event will be Game 4 of...
ITV announced it expects a 2% decline in advertising revenue for the first quarter of 2026, following a 5% year‑on‑year drop in 2025. The broadcaster attributes the slowdown to weaker consumer spending and increased competition from digital platforms. Management signaled...
ITV confirmed it is still negotiating a potential sale of its Media & Entertainment unit to Sky for about £1.6 billion, while reporting a modest decline in ITV Studios profit and a 5% drop in advertising revenue for 2025. Total external...
At AIDC2026, representatives from Australia’s state screen agencies highlighted a tightening of documentary funding eligibility. The South Australian Film Corporation now requires clear evidence of South Australian residency, often through co‑production arrangements. Screen Territory has begun cross‑checking applicants against the...
The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and the 4As released a study revealing a "Paradox of Plenty" for U.S. advertisers: abundant data and sophisticated tools have not translated into higher confidence in media measurement. Surveying 197 senior marketers, the...
Movistar Plus has signed a deal to broadcast Spain’s premier mixed‑martial‑arts promotion, WOW, beginning with the WOW 27 Madrid event on March 7. The agreement provides full coverage on the Deportes por M+ channel, with the main card also airing on Vamos por M+ for...
Free TV Australia has struck a deal with PacificAus TV to deliver live National Rugby League matches across its Pacific partner broadcasters. The arrangement gives 18 free‑to‑air stations in 12 nations access to two live NRL games and one delayed match...
Sarah J. Maas announced she has reclaimed the master rights to her works, giving her full control over any television adaptation of the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. She emphasized that future adaptations will reflect her vision and...
Sony Pictures Television is selling its 30% share in The Whisper Group after five years of partnership. The divestiture returns Whisper to private ownership, with external financing to fund its strategy and an employee equity plan. During Sony’s tenure, Whisper’s...
Fremantle announced Ben Crompton as its new Global Head of Entertainment, effective March 2026. Crompton arrives from NBCUniversal, where he oversaw International Unscripted, developing formats and IP worldwide. He previously launched Lime Pictures US, delivering hit shows for Netflix, MTV,...
British streaming platforms are abandoning the traditional subscriber‑growth model in favor of targeting high‑net‑worth viewers. Executives now prioritize Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by offering premium tiers that promise seamless, personalized experiences. Data‑driven curation, early‑release access, and 8K streaming are...
Monday, March 2, 2026, saw a full slate of new episodes across major broadcast and cable networks, including American Idol, The Rookie, The Voice, and the sci‑fi drama Wild Cards. Ratings were compiled using Fast Affiliate Numbers, showing percentage changes...
Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann told investors that the company walked away from the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) acquisition solely because the price was unacceptable, not due to political pressure or antitrust concerns. Netflix had an $82.7 billion offer on the table...
In the inaugural episode of "In The Vicinity," Tim Hanlon interviews Madhive CEO Jim Wilson about the future of local media. Wilson argues that broadcasters must reinvest linear TV cash flow into digital and streaming capabilities to stay competitive. He...
Chicago PD’s thirteenth season has not been officially renewed or cancelled, but industry indicators suggest a renewal is probable. Season 12 averaged a 0.35 rating in the 18‑49 demographic and attracted 4.63 million live + same‑day viewers, making it the lowest‑rated series in NBC’s Chicago...
ABC announced a $1,000 per‑head bonus and a revised pay package for roughly 4,500 staff in a bid to avert a strike. The offer includes annual wage increases of 3.5%, 3.25% and 3.25% over three years, progression to band six,...
David Ellison’s Skydance is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a $111 billion transaction priced at $31 per share, representing roughly a five‑times multiple to the pre‑deal market price. The deal awards CEO David Zaslav about $800 million in proceeds and...
Tennis Channel’s direct‑to‑consumer streaming service, launched in 2024, is now available through Amazon Prime Video Channels at $11.99 per month. The partnership expands the network’s reach beyond its own platform and follows similar moves by smaller streamers like Fox One....
Screen Producers Australia announced that four senior overseas executives will attend SCREEN FOREVER 40, the country’s flagship screen industry conference on the Gold Coast from 28‑30 April 2026. The delegation includes Sophie Green of Bankside Films, Antoine Nugou of Mediawan...
The 2026 SVG GFX Forum convened over 250 sports‑graphics leaders in New York to explore AI‑driven workflows, XR studio tech, and the future of live‑sports visual storytelling. Highlights included ESPN’s data‑rich MNF Playbook alt‑cast, a massive new college‑football graphics suite...
MTV announced the final season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation, wrapping up a 17‑year reality franchise with an 18‑episode ninth season. ABC gave Abbott Elementary an early renewal for a sixth season, continuing its comedy dominance. HBO Max introduced a...
The E.W. Scripps Company agreed to buy Lexington’s ABC affiliate WTVQ for $15.8 million, creating a duopoly with its existing NBC station WLEX pending regulatory clearance. Scripps CEO Adam Symson said the deal will deepen market scale and fund more neighborhood...
Status Scoop: Former “GMA” host Josh Elliott has eyed as a possible new host on “CBS Mornings.” I’m told in the coming weeks, several special guests will be rotating on the show, and Josh will likely be one of those...
Netflix, After Walking Away From Warner Bros. Deal, Will ‘Move Forward’ With ‘$2.8 Billion in Our Pocket That We Didn’t Have a Few Weeks Ago,’ CFO Says https://t.co/ztTl2wiPxD via @variety
OffBall and Togethxr announced a strategic partnership that merges OffBall’s sports‑culture coverage with Togethxr’s women’s‑sports focus. Togethxr reported $30 million in 2025 revenue and profitability, while OffBall has more than doubled its revenue to approach mid‑seven figures. The deal gives each...
Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann throws some cold water on idea of wanting full season rights to a sport such as NFL. Of course they also said not interested in big deals before going after Warner so....
"We're also pro-human." - Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann at Morgan Stanley conference while talking about importance of AI.
"We had high confidence" of getting through regulatory, says Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann on pursuit of Warner's studios and streaming operations.
Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann says at Morgan Stanley conference that the streaming company "is small" with a runway for organic growth.
Why is the @NFL, the Most Broadcast Friendly League, Under Attack by Broadcast TV Advocates? "the overwhelming majority of NFL games ARE ON broadcast and, more importantly, EVERY single NFL game is available over-the-air in each team’s local market [for free]" $CMCSA...
A pretty stunning rebuke of the CAA leadership by the arbitrators overseeing its fight with defectors who started Range Media. Details via @eriqgardner ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/BXxjGwkXt1
Did not have President Trump buying Netflix debt on my bingo card. How long until he is taking direct stakes in the media business? Remember Jared's Affinity Partners "pulled out" of part the Paramount investor group in December. $PSKY $WBD...
