Good morning. It’s Monday July 30, 2018 and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:

BET: Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story at 10p

Discovery Channel: Diesel Brothers at 10p

HGTV: House Hunters Family at 10p

History: Bloody Money at 10p

Tonight’s Finales:
Smithsonian Channel: Combat Ships at 8p

IN THE NEWS

AMC announced Saturday at the Television Critics’ Association Press Tour that mini-series The Little Drummer Girl, based on the John le Carre best-seller, will debut in November, and late-nighter AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth’s History o Horror premieres October 14 at midnight. The net also renewed Better Call Saul and Fear the Walking Dead for fifth seasons, and McMafia for a sophomore run….AMC sib SundanceTV’s fall highlights include the season two premiere of Deutschland 86 on Thursday, October 25 at 12a; and two-night special event Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 at 9p. Crime thriller Dead Lucky starts streaming on Sundance Now on Thursday, September 20.

Discovery Inc. had plenty to share at TCA, including the launch on Animal Planet of Amanda to the Rescue, focused on a family that cares for animals in need, on Sunday, October 28 at 9p….HGTV has nine new series slated to premiere in the next six months, featuring re-dos in D.C., Chicago, Arkansas, Montana and more…. Food Network, coming off its highest-rated second quarter in three years, previewed Chopped Grill Masters, bowing Tuesday, July 31, and welcomed Andrew Zimmern in new series Big Food Truck Tip, launching Wednesday, August 29 at 10p….ID is offering three-part event series Pamela Smart: An American Murder Mystery starting Sunday, August 19 at 10p, and teaming with director Barbara Kopple for documentary A Murder in Mansfield, debuting November 17 at 9p….And Science Channel announced the cast of MythBusters Jr., a ten-part series arriving in 4Q18.

At TCA, Hallmark Channel announced the season five renewal of Good Witch….When Calls the Heart will have a spinoff, premiering in 2019, on VOD service Hallmark Movies Now….and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries inked a development deal with soap queen Susan Lucci to star in and exec produce a mystery movie.

“We want to get as many big hits I the pipeline as soon as possible,” said Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke at TCA. To that end, the streamer announced the pickup of Greg Daniels’ sci-fi romance satire Upload; two seasons of horror event series Them, from Lena Waithe; The Expatriates, a drama series based on Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel; as well as “a groundbreaking global television franchise” from AGBO Studios. Salke confirmed that Transparent will have a fifth and final season, and Sneaky Pete was renewed for a third season. As for using audience voting to determine which pilots Amazon should order to series, that strategy/stunt “is not something we’re doing” anymore, said Salke. “We will use our own testing barometers and some audience-driven data to make decisions.”

Sunday at TCA, Netflix announced the premiere date for limited series Maniac, starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, will be September 21; Chuck Lorre comedy The Kominsky Method, starring Michael Douglas, drops November 16; and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina premieres October 26. Mystery drama series White Lines, from Alex Pina(La Casa de Papel) and Left Bank (The Crown) landed series orders, as did food-centered unscripted series The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell and four-part Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.

CBS Corp., as well as top female execs, responded to an article in The New Yorker accusing CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves of sexual misconduct. “The Independent Directors of CBS have committed to investigating claims that violate the Company’s clear policies in that regard,” said the company. “Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the Board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action.” Referring to CBS’s lawsuit aimed at preventing National Amusements’ head Shari Redstone from taking control, the statement added, “The timing of this report comes in the midst of the Company’s very public legal dispute. While that litigation process continues, the CBS management team has the full support of the independent board members.”

Jo Ann Ross, president and chief advertising revenue officer, said her experience with Moonves “has never had any hint of the behavior this story refers to,” while Angelica McDaniel, EVP, daytime programs and syndicated program development, described her relationship with the CEO as “one of respect and support, in an environment where talent and hard work rise to the top.” Moonves’ wife of 14 years, Julie Chen, called Moonves “a good man and loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader.”

But about that reference to a legal dispute…National Amusements followed up CBS’s statement with one of its own, calling the “malicious insinuation” that Redstone was somehow behind the allegations of inappropriate behavior by Les Moonves “false and self-serving.”

The pending $71.3 billion Disney/21^st Century Fox merger was approved by shareholders for both companies on Friday. “We’re incredibly pleased that shareholders of both companies have granted approval for us to move forward, and are confident in our ability to create significant long-term value through this acquisition of Fox’s premier assets,” said Bob Iger, Disney chairman and CEO.

Univision announced Friday it is laying off about 6% of its workforce, or 240 employees. After a company-wide strategic review, the company is implementing a plan that includes reducing the workforce “in various divisions,” and adding resources to strengthen the core business.

Hulu original series Marvel’s Runaways will make its broadcast TV bow Thursday, August 2 on Freeform. The episode, following the season finale of Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, will air as part of the net’s marketing partnership with Hulu.

Mitch Barnes is leaving his position as CEO of the Nielson Company at the end of 2018. James Attwood, current chairman of the board, has been named executive chairman. The search for a new CEO begins immediately. "Mitch has left an indelible mark on Nielsen - his commitment to integrity, openness, values and engagement will continue to be the heart of this company for years to come," said Attwood.

Nielsen’s progress “was not reflected in our financial results,” said CFO Jamere Jackson after the company cut its profit forecasts. Shares fell as much as 27% when 2Q18 missed analyst estimates, and the retirement of CEO Barnes was announced. “We are addressing the challenges we face with the greatest sense of urgency and remain sharply focused on our key initiatives to drive value in the long term.”

New York has fined Charter Communications $3 million and given it 60 days to arrive at an exit plan for TV and Internet service provider Spectrum. NY’s public service commission says Spectrum failed to deliver on promises to improve internet speeds and get high-speed service to rural communities, among other conditions tied to the state’s approval of Charter’s merger with Time Warner Cable in 2016. Labeling the charges politically motivated, Charter said it will contest the order.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

SAVE THE DATE

The 7^th Annual Cynopsis Imagination Awards

Tuesday, September 25 | 8:15AM – 10:30AM |NYC

The children's media market is innovating at light speed, and the Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards will honor the best of the best as finalists are celebrated and winners are announced. Join your colleagues in kids, tween and teen media for a breakfast, celebration and an awards program like no other! For event and registration info, contact Cathy Pearson.

Sponsored by: pocket.watch

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Norman Lear and his Act III production company inked a two-year first look deal with Sony Pictures Television that includes the option of re-imagined versions of Lear classics. But don't look for Archie Bunker. "I have no intention of doing All in the Family again," Lear told Deadline. And "No Maude." That said, “I couldn’t be prouder and more excited about joining Sony Pictures Television, who has the guts to go with a kid,” joked the 96-year-old icon. It’s not the first collaboration between Lear and Sony Pictures TV, which owns the Norman Lear library and produces Lear reboot One Day at a Time for Netflix.

Kenya Barris is exiting ABC Studios, but will continue as exec producer on ABC’s black-ish and Freeform’s grown-ish and upcoming Besties. Deadline reports that like Shonda Rimes, Barris is headed for Netflix. “Leaving is bittersweet, but between my series on the air and projects currently in development, I know I’ll continue to work with ABC Studios for a long time,” said Barris, whose contract was supposed to end in 2021.

Nickelodeon ordered a 26-episode second season of animated Rise of the Teenage Ninja Turtles, to begin production this fall. Season one launches Monday, September 17, an announcement made during Viacom’s TCA presentation. The net also handed renewals for season five of Henry Danger; season three for Hunter Street and The Dude Perfect Show; and season two of Knight Squad.

Top 10 Weekend Domestic Box Office Estimates: July 27-29, 2018

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Paramount) $61.5 million, opening weekend

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (Universal) $15.0 million (week 2), cume revenue $70.4 million

The Equalizer 2 (Sony) $14.0 (week 2), cume revenue $64.2 million

Hotel Transylvania (Sony) $12.3 million (week 3), cume revenue $119.2 million

TeenTitans Go! To The Movies (Warner Bros.) $10.5 million, opening weekend

Ant-Man and the Wasp (Buena Vista) $8.4 million (week 4), cume revenue $183.1 million

Incredibles 2 (Buena Vista) $7.2 million (week 7), cume revenue $572.8 million

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Universal) $6.8 million (week 6), cume revenue $397.6 million

Skyscraper (Universal) $5.4 million (week 3), cume revenue $59.1 million

The First Purge (Universal) $2.2 million (week 4), cume revenue $65.5 million

Source: comScore

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

AT&T Audience Network shared its upcoming lineup at TCA, including second seasons of Loudermilk (arriving October 16 at 10p) and Condor; fourth and fifth seasons of You Me Her; and documentary Give Us This Day, bowing November 8 at 10p.

Netflix renewed Altered Carbon for an eight-episode second season. This go-round, Anthony Mackie (Captain America) will play Takeshi Kovacs, a role originated by Joel Kinnaman.

MEASUREMENT & DATA

The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement and the 4A’s have launched a study to analyze and compare the top 15 television attribution providers who are incorporating data from smart TVs and set-top boxes. “With granular attribution continuing to emerge as a critical tool for cross-platform measurement and insight into ROAS, the number of vendors in the space has grown dramatically,” Jane Clarke, CEO and Managing Director for CIMM, tells Cynopsis. “We, in conjunction with the 4As, want to take the analysis introduced last year, which compared offerings of providers, further for a more in-depth look at the methodologies and approaches in the space. The study will be an invaluable tool to advertisers, agencies and media companies as they all seek to accurately understand the impact of ad spending for television compared to other media.” To hear the latest thinking on attribution, brand safety and more, register for Thursday’s Cynopsis Measurement & Data Conference.

DIGITAL

Viacom Is acquiring Gen Z-targeting digital media site AwsomenessTV. “Awesomeness has done an incredible job building their brand into a digital media powerhouse for today’s most sought-after and hard-to-reach young audiences,” said Viacom Digital Studios President Kelly Day, one-time chief business officer at AwesomenessTV. CEO Jordan Levin, who joined the company a year ago, will leave following a transition period. AwesomenessTV is majority owned by Comcast/NBCUniversal, with Hearst and Verizon minority shareholders.

New shows on YouTube Premium might not have the lavish budgets of programs on Amazon or Netflix, “But I’ve always been a believer that you can make great shows for less money,” said YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels at TCA. But not necessarily shorter. “The feedback we’re getting from subscribers was, ‘Hey, we get short-form content all day long from YouTube. If we’re going to subscribe to Premium, we want something more.” Daniels said Premium’s strategy is to offer a minimum episode length of 20 minutes.

Faceboook suspended InfoWars founder Alex Jones for 30 days for bullying and hate speech violations. “Our community standards make it clear that we prohibit content that encourages physical harm (bullying), or attacks someone based on their religious affiliation or gender identity (hate speech),” said Facebook. Users had objected to videos including one comparing an animated drag queen to Satanism.

Amid efforts to cut out fake accounts that violate its spam policies, Twitter shares dropped 21% on Friday. The company’s 2Q18 revenue beat estimates, up 24% to $711 million, but lost 1 million active users versus the first quarter.

Amazon handily beat analysts’ expectations with 2Q18 earnings of $2.5 billion, an increase that was almost double estimates. Net sales rose to 39% to $52.9 billion.

SundanceNow is expanding its content offerings to include podcasts. First up is Exeter, created by Ronnie Gunter (Lighter) and starring Jeanne Tripplehorn (Big Love) and Ray McKinnon (Rectify). Six-parter premieres in September.

COMING UP

The CMA Fest, hosted by Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, premieres Wednesday, August 8 at 8p on ABC. Three-hour event was filmed in Nashville in June.

CASTING

Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, James McAvoy (X-Men) and Ruth Wilson (The Affair) have joined the cast of the BBC’s His Dark Materials, based on the fantasy novels….Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) will star in BBC One detective drama The Missing….Roberta Colindrez (I Love Dick) is joining the season two cast of Starz’ The Deuce.

A slew of guest stars were announced for Amazon’s The Romanoffs, including Noah Wyle (Falling Skies); Kathryn Hahn (Transparent); Jay R. Ferguson (Mad Men); Mary Kay Place (Big Love); and Griffin Dunne (Imposters), among others.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Have you checked out our new Esports website?

Unveiling our newest endeavor, a new online hub centered on the business of esports: cynopsisesports.com . The destination will serve as a comprehensive source and research tool for anyone in the esports and media community looking to stay one step ahead of this rapidly growing, billion dollar industry.

BOOKMARK THE WEBSITE

RATINGS

Discovery’s “Shark Week” premiere on Sunday, July 22 made the net #1 in primetime in all of television across M25-54, P/M18-49 and P/M18-34 in Nielsen Live+3. In Total Day, Discovery was cable’s number one network across adults, men and women 25-54 and 18=49, with programming reaching 11.5 million viewers.

Season three of Univision’s El Chapo wrapped with two million viewers tuned in to all or part of the finale, and averaging 1.1 million Total Viewers 2+, 458,000 A18-49 and 220,000 A18-34.

Live + Same Day Viewers AA (millions) Thursday, July 26, 2018 time period averages

Source: NTI, Galaxy as dated Live+SD

CBS: 4.88 million

Big Bang Theory 5.75, Young Sheldon 5.40, Big Brother 5.39, SWAT 2.99

NBC: 2.45million

Ellen’s Game of Games 3.48, Trial and Error 2.17, Trial and Error 1.79, Law & Order: SVU 2.36

FOX: 3.11 million

The Four: Battle for Stardom 3.11

ABC: 2.87 million

The Gong Show 2.75, Match Game 3.32, Take Two 2.54

TELE: .98 million

Exatlon .71, Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso 1.05, El Senor de los Cielos 1.18

UNIVISION: .93 million

El Rico y Lazaro 1.08, Bella y las Bestias .91, Bella y las Bestias .78

CW: 1.08 million

Burden of Truth 1.23, Black Lightning .94

Thursday A18-49: CBS .9/5, FOX .9/5, TELE .6/3, ABC .5/2, NBC .5/2, UNI .4/2, CW .1/1

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Paul Buccieri has been named president of A+E Networks Group. Buccieri has served as president, A+E Studios and A+E Networks Portfolio Group since 2016.

This Day in History: 1935 – Penguin published the first paperback book of substance.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question: What were the names of Phoebe’s brother’s triplets on Friends (1994-2004)? Frank Jr. Jr., Leslie and Chandler. Kudos to: Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX, Tom Celia-JE Talent/San Francisco, Len Klatt-The Winning Run/LA, Gerardo Orlando-The Walt Disney Company/London, Mark Wajda/Leesburg, FL, Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals, Joan Edhlund/Menahga, MN, Anjali S. Desai-ITV America/NYC, Danna Castiglia-CBS Corp./NYC, Elizabeth Wendorf-Blackwood Seven/LA, Jordan Buster-Reelz/Albuquerque, Ashley Tuma-Zimmerman/Downers Grove, IL, Deena Fuchs-Endeavor/NYC

Today’s Trivia Question: What was the only primetime series to run in consecutive years on ABC, CBS and NBC? (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four correct answers from each time zone will be selected.)

Answer to Friday’s Anagram: Aw She Rug Brawl = Wahlburgers (but without the Aw – apologies!). Kudos to: Charlene White-A+E Networks/Stamford

Real Estate Series Anagram: An Unthinkable Frog Rat (Email trivia@cynopsis.comwith your answer; first three respondents with the correct answer who aren’t in trivia will be posted in tomorrow’s newsletter.)

Lynn Leahey Editorial Director @Lynn_Leahey
Roberta Caploe Publisher @robertacaploe	Diane K Schwartz Senior Vice President Media Communications Group	Cynopsis Ad Sales Mike Farina \| 203-218-6480 VP, Sales	Cynopsis Job Listings Sales Trish Pihonak \| 203-899-8459 Director of Operations

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JOB OF THE DAY

VP, CLIENT SERVICES
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JOB OPENING: PRODUCT MGR/EPIX/NYC: Create powerful, customer-focused video exp’s w/strong focus on e-comm & analytics. Provide our users w/best video exp that reflects the great content our brand carries. 3+ yrs exp mnging tech projects, 4+yrs exp w/Agile or Lean methodologies. Full info/apply HERE (8/3)

JOB OPENING: WRITER(CONTRACTOR)/E! ONLINE/CA: Pitch & write daily articles/features/photo galleries w/focus on People’s Choice Awards content. Prepare & manage voting categories. Extensive day-of & weekend coverage w/some off-hours. FT, temp position. To apply email eonline@nbcuni.com w/subject line “Writer, E! Online” (8/2)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH SUPERVISOR/TVB/NYC: With strong analytical skills to translate secondary research data into compelling stories that advocate for local TV. Interact with TVB stations, agencies and assess measurement changes in industry. Min 5-7 years agency or TV experience. Full info/apply HERE (8/2)

JOB OPENING: VP, CLIENT SERVICES/Direct Avenue Inc/San Diego: Own/manage client satisfaction & retention, billing & performance targets & dvlp/execute on strategies that will exceed targets. Min 15 yrs exp client services in agency envir, pref TV media. Proven exp in setting goals. Core Direct & Tableau exp. Full info/apply HERE(8/2)

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/NBC/PHL: Lead all research efforts for stations w/primary goal of helping drive rev through creative use of all of our qualitative/quantitative rsrch tools. Create daily, persuasive ratings & ad non-linear aud stories for sales team to use w/clients. Full info/apply HERE (8/1)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR/Discovery/LA: Coordinate overall development process and provide admin support for Discovery Channel and development team. Field calls, maintain database, schedule meetings + travel. 3+ yrs exp in general entertainment, nonfiction or doc TV needed. Apply. (8/1)

JOB OPENING: SEGMENT PRODUCER/MSNBC THE BEAT/NYC: Contribute to the show’s daily production by writing and researching compelling segments about the day’s biggest stories. 4 yrs of exp in live TV (i.e. morning shows, cable shows, broadcast TV, etc.) Full info/apply HERE (8/1)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER, RACHEL MADDOW/NBCU/NYC: Segment producer to contribute daily by pitching/writing/producing exceptional, compelling stories about politics, current affairs, public policy, foreign news. 4+ yrs exp in live TV(i.e. morning shows, cable shows, broadcast TV, etc.) Full info/apply HERE (7/31)

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WHAT'S ON TONIGHT - MONDAY JULY 30

ABC: The Bachelorette, The Proposal

CBS: Mom [r], Life in Pieces [r], Salvation, Elementary

CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Whose Line Is It Anyway [r]

FOX: So You Think You Can Dance, 9-1-1 [r]

NBC: American Ninja Warrior, Dateline NBC

PBS: Antiques Roadshow, Antiques Roadshow [r], POV

TELEMUNDO: Exatlon, Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso, El Señor de los Cielos

UNIVISION: El Rico y Lazaro, La Bella y Las Bestias, La Piloto