Good morning. It’s Tuesday July 31, 2018 and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tonight’s Premieres:

ID: Dark Waters: Murder in the Deep at 10p

Discovery: Hard to Kill at 10p

Food Network: Chopped Grill Masters at 9p

NBC: Making It at 10p

IN THE NEWS

CBS Corp. announced yesterday that its board of directors is in the process of selecting outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct against its chairman and CEO, Leslie Moonves. “No other action was taken on this matter at today’s board meeting,” said the company. Interest in what would transpire at the regularly scheduled meeting was high, following an expose in the New Yorker that outlined six charges of harassment and assault against Moonves. CBS shares dipped 5%, to $51.28.

The Talk host Julie Chen told the audience yesterday that she will stand by the Twitter statement she made about Moonves, her husband of 14 years, “today, tomorrow, forever.” On Friday, Chen called Moonves “a kind, decent and moral human being,” adding, “I fully support my husband.”

It was PBS’s turn to break some programming news yesterday at the Television Critics’ Association summer press tour. Three-hour doc Ken Burns Presents The Gene: An Intimate History will debut in spring 2020; Woodstock will debut in 2019, timed to the 50^th anniversary of the iconic concert; and four-hour film Reconstruction: America After The Civil War (wt), from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., will arrive in spring 2019.

Meredith Vieira, at TCA for her PBS series, The Great American Read, was asked about the CBS sexual harassment scandal. While Vieira said there was sexism “for sure” during her time at the network, where she was a CBS News correspondent and co-anchor of CBS Morning News, “I’ve never experienced harassment as a woman anywhere that I’ve been. Maybe they’re scared of me.”

CNN host Christiane Amanpour, who will also host PBS’s Amanpour & Company starting September 10, said during a panel session she believes both PBS and CNN are non-partisan – and that her goal is to be truthful. “My job is not to preach to the converted, and not preach to the choir,” she said. “If you’re looking to somebody to be neutral, it’s not me.”

With its tour in full swing, the TCA named Rita Moreno as the 2018 Career Achievement honoree and Friends as its Heritage Award winner. The 34^th Annual TCA Awards take place Saturday, August 4 at the Beverly Hilton, with Robin Thede manning the mic as emcee.

With Univision dark since June 30 in a carriage fee dispute, Dish will start offering subscribers a $5/month credit, starting tomorrow. Latino package customers can also get a free over-the-air antenna. “We recommend that [Dish subscribers] choose the brands that support the Hispanic community,” said a Univision spokesman.

Arts net Ovation is partnering with Spectrum for the 2018 Stand for the Arts Awards initiative, aimed at recognizing outstanding local arts, cultural and educational programs. Ovation is set to contribute $120,000 to organizations in twelve Spectrum markets.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

CALLING DIGITAL’S TOP INNOVATORS

We're searching for the most innovative executives in digital media who excel in digital content, marketing, advertising, social media to take their place on Cynopsis Digital's "It List." These are the people who shake up the status quo and are shaping digital media's future. Honorees will be announced in early September and the awards event will take place on Friday, November 9th at ThreeSixty in Manhattan. Questions? Contact Cathy Pearson at 203.899.8470.

Nominate by AUG 1 to save $100

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Lohan Beach Club (wt), a reality show following Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls), is set to premiere on MTV in 2019. Docuseries is shooting in Mykonos, Greece, where the one-time tabloid target is launching an exclusive seaside destination. Lohan is exec producing in partnership with MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions.

MTV also ordered six-part reality series The Royal World, featuring international aristocrats and a “royally connected” American, from Initial. The show will air on MTV international networks outside the U.S. “Expect headline grabbing gossip that’ll leave palaces squirming as we get to know the real people behind the titles,” said Katy Manley, creative director at Endemol Shine-owned Initial.

Teen drama Euphoria, based on the Israeli series and starring Zendaya, has been picked up to series by HBO. Writer Sam Levinson will exec produce with Drake, Future the Prince, Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin.

truTV gave a pilot order for an unscripted, untitled project from entertainment news site Vulture. The weekly comedic awards show will honor stories from the week in pop culture. Attached to the project are executive producers Pam Wasserstein and David Haskell from Vulture's parent company, New York Media, truTV’s SVP of original programming and development Lesley Goldman and VP of original programming and development Bryan Terry, and Jo Honig (The Rundown with Robin Thede).

MGM landed format rights to Secret Audition, a French singing competition series from GroupeM6. MGM’s chairman, worldwide television group Mark Burnett will produce the U.S. version.

Showtime ordered a pilot for drama Queen Fur, created, written and exec produced by Eileen Myers (Masters of Sex) and starring Lily Mae Harrington (Some Freaks). Show centered on an unapologetic high school dropout in Central Florida is a co-production between Showtime and Sony Pictures Television.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

TNT’s The Last Ship returns for its fifth and final season on Sunday, September 9 at 9p.

New baking series Bake it Like Buddy, starring Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, launches Saturday, September 8 at 9p on Discovery Family. Each week, creative baking families face off in Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ.

ADVERTISING & AGENCIES

The per-minute value to advertising and agency execs of engaged consumer attention is a median $1.81, according to a MediaPost poll conducted by Advertiser Perceptions. Marketers averaged 17 cents more per engaged minutes than agency execs.

DIGITAL

After combing through responses to a call for researchers to measure the health of Twitter conversations, the social network has found its scholars. One team, from Leiden University, will explore how echo chambers form and their effect, and the difference between incivility and intolerance. Another team, based at the University of Oxford, will study intergroup conflict.

Under an extension of Snap’s deal with the NFL, the football league will add a new Sunday Publisher Story during the season, and Snapchat will continue to produce and distribute Our Stories combining content from fans in the stands with NFL behind-the-scenes segments. Snapchat is also kicking off a new weekly original show, Premier League: Extra Time, in partnership with NBC Sports Group, offering recaps and spotlighting fans.

MobiTV reports over 50 U.S. pay TV operators are using its MobiTV Connect platform, for a subscriber base of about one million. “It is becoming apparent that app-based TV is the future for delivering Pay services,” said Charlie Nooney, MobiTV CEO and chairman.

Outdoor Sportsman Group’s streaming service, MyOutdoorTV, has launched on Roku. On average, over 100 new program episodes are available to subscribers each month.

COMING UP

The iHeartCountry Festival, hosted by Bobby Bones and Candance Cameron Bure, premieres Sunday, August 5at 8p on Fox. Two-hour country music special was filmed in Austin in May.

Multi-platform music network Music Choice will serve as an official partner for the Billboard Hot 100 Music Festival, held August 18-19 at NY’s Jones Beach. Music Choice will promote the event across its platforms, with music videos and playlists highlighting past and upcoming performers, with Billboard Hot 100 content within the Billboard Video on Demand category. A Hot 100 Fest Pop-Up Video Channel will run from August 4-September 2.

The Weather Channel is airing a special segment at 5:20p today on Weather Underground. “The Power of Zeus” will highlight TWC’s Immersive Mixed Reality technology with an in-studio lighting experience, “creating” a lightning strike outside the studio; meteorologist Mike Bettes will walk viewers through the weather event and demonstrate ways to stay safe when lightning strikes.

Nickelodeon is airing a special episode of Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel on Tuesday, August 28 at 8p, marking the 25^th anniversary of Saban’s Power Rangers. Ninja Steel’s fall premiere is Saturday, August 25 at noon.

CASTING

Timothy Hutton has joined the season five cast of ABC drama How to Get Away With Murder.

DISTRIBUTION

At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal will land at HBO next year. HBO Documentary Films acquired worldwide television and streaming rights to the film about the 2017 sex abuse scandal.

DEALS

Japan’s Nippon TV has established an esports subsidiary, AX Entertainment, that will create esports team AXIZ, comprised of professional gamers from various genres. The company will also launch an esports game show, eGG.

Esports is a booming business – how do you get in the game? At the Esports Business Summit, October 1-3, key execs at brand marketing, TV, sports and technology show how to leverage the passionate global audience esports delivers. Find out more here: https://www.esportsbizsummit.com.

AMC Networks has agreed to acquire RLJ Entertainment (Acorn TV, UMC) in a going-private merger. Upon completion of the transaction, RLJ will become an indirect subsidiary of AMC Networks, with a minority stake held by Robert L. Johnson. “This acquisition furthers AMC Networks’ digital strategy by meaningfully accelerating our interests in direct-to-consumer ad-free subscription services that we own and control, in addition to providing us with access to strong IP as we continue to diversify our revenue opportunities,” said Josh Sapan, president and CEO of AMC Networks.

GOING GLOBAL

Paramount sold miniseries Catch 22 to France’s Canal+. George Clooney is exec producing, directing and co-starring in the six-parter, set to air in the U.S. on Hulu.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

The Cynopsis Measurement & Data Conference

AUG 2 | 9AM – 3:30PM | NYC

Be there to gain advice, strategy and insights from measurement experts at 605, 4A's, A+E Networks, Amobee, Blue 449, Del Monte, Discovery, Facebook, Google, GroupM, Hulu, IAB, Marvel, Nielsen, Oath, Shareablee, Starcom, The ARF, Ultimate Data, Univision Communications Inc., the VAB, Horizon and many more .

Sponsored by: GroupM / Ultimate Data, a division of Wiland / Discovery / DataPlusMath / TV Time / News Corp / 605 / Nielsen / The Ad Club of NY

RATINGS

Comedy Central’s roast of Bruce Willis delivered 3.2 million total viewers, up 17% versus 2016’s Rob Lowe skewering, and a 2.1 rating among A18-49, up 21%. Airing immediately afterward, the season three debut of Jeff Ross Presents: Roast Battle scored a series-high 810,000 total viewers and .51 rating, up 63% and 45%, respectively, versus its sophomore season launch.

SHAREABLEE SOCIAL TV RATINGS: Top U.S. Shows Overall by Engagement for the week of July 23, 2018

Program, Total Actions (000), Total Content, Actions per Content (000), Fans/Followers (000)

E! News (E!) 14250, 638, 22, 33429

TMZ (Warner Bros./synd.) 1893, 1051, 2, 14924

The Originals (CW) 1790, 60, 30, 10945

World of Dance (NBC) 1286, 274, 5, 2402

The Four (Fox) 1065, 226, 5, 1689

Today (NBC) 999, 548, 2, 12699

Fox & Friends (Fox News) 944, 396, 2, 4092

The Late Show (CBS) 754, 209, 4, 2948

America’s Got Talent (NBC) 742, 188, 4, 13153

World News Tonight (ABC) 725, 872, 1, 4874

Based on Total Actions (reactions, comments, shares and retweets)

Live + Same Day Viewers AA (millions) Friday, July 27, 2018 time period averages

Source: Nielsen, Live+SD

CBS: 3.61 million

Whistleblower 3.16, Hawaii Five-0 3.4, Blue Bloods 4.27

NBC: 2.72 million

American Ninja Warrior 2.59, Dateline 2.96

ABC: 2.69 million

Quantico 2.68, What Would You Do? 2.62, 20/20 2.76

FOX: 1.40 million

The Resident 1.66, The Orville 1.14

CW: .88 million

Masters of Illusion .93, Penn & Teller: Fool Us .86

TELEMUNDO: .88 million

Exatlon .58, Sin Senos SI Hay Paraiso .93, Senor de los Cielos 1.14

UNIVISION: .84 million

Rico y Lazaro .98, Bella y las Bestias .84, Bella y las Bestias .67

Friday A18-49: NBC .5.3, TELE .5/3, ABC .5/3, CBS .4/2, UNI .4/2, FOX .3/1, CW .2/1

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Perry Simon has been tapped to serve as the Programming Chief at PBS. Most recently, Simon was Managing Director at Vulcan Productions.

Index Exchange hired Neil Dorken as Chief Financial Officer and Jason Cicchetti as General Counsel. Dorken was previously SVP of Air Methods, while Cicchetti had served as Index’s external counsel.

Ariff Sidi, former SVP of Digital Products and Platforms at Fox, has joined Verizon Digital Media Services as Chief Product Officer.

Portfolio Entertainment named Donnie MacIntyre as Vice President of Sales & Business Development. MacIntire previously held positions at Distribution360/marblemedia, SK Films and Wind Mobile.

Troy Carter is leaving his role as global head of creator services at Spotify and transitioning to an advisory role. “I came to this company to help bridge the gap between Spotify and the creative community,” said Carter. “Over time, that goal evolved from fixing a challenge to building a global team focused on changing the game for artists around the world, partnering with them to help bring their creative visions to life in new and innovative ways. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved but with so much accomplished, it was the right time to move out of the day-to-day.”

On This Day: 768 – Antipope Philip was pope for one day.

Answer to the Last Trivia Question: What was the only primetime series to run in consecutive years on ABC, CBS and NBC? Bachelor Father (1957-1962). Kudos to: Holly Hearn-H2 Concierge Marketing/Sarasota, FL, Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station, TX, Charles Lore/NYC, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/Burbank, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Dennis Amino-ABC/LA

Today’s Trivia Question: Which show won the first Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program? (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 yesterday’s Anagram: An Unthinkable Frog Rat = Lakefront Bargain Hunt.

Talk Show Host Anagram: Glib Man In Lunch (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with 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

CYNOPSISJOBS - For More jobs, please visit Cynopsis.com

JOB OF THE DAY

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

JOB OPENING: GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ Female Quotient/LA: Fine-tune an existing color pallet and brand guide to build & evolve our organization both digitally and experientially. 3-5 yrs visual design experience, Mac proficient, expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote and Mailchimp. Full info/apply HERE (8/7)

JOB OPENING: FREE-LANCE EDITOR (PART-TIME)/CharmTV/Baltimore: CharmTV is seeking a free-lance Editor to work on editing projects and produced content. Candidates should have experience with Final Cut X and Adobe After Effects. Resumes and portfolios should be sent to charmtv@baltimorecity.gov (8/7)

JOB OPENING: ANIMATION GRAPHIC DESIGNER (PART-TIME)/CharmTV/Baltimore: CharmTV is seeking a free-lance Animation Graphic Designer for opens and on-screen graphics. Candidates should have experience with Motion and Adobe After Effects. Resumes and portfolios should be sent to charmtv@baltimorecity.gov (8/7)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PRODUCT ANALYTICS/MUSIC CHOICE TV/NYC: Resp for product analysis & consumer insights to the organization & will partner in support of consumer product & sales initiatives. 5+ yrs product analysis experience preferably w/in music industry or cable industry. Full info HERE (8/7)

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 e.online@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)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR, INTEGRATED SALES MKTG/ION MEDIA/NYC: Support sales team by dvlpng/executing creative on-air/digital sponsorships & branded content to leverage incremental revenue and new business from ntwrk advertisers. 3-4 yrs of mktg/Partnerships exp for a brdcst or cable network. 1-2 yrs exp TV prod. Full info/apply HERE (8/2)

JOB OPENING: SR SALES PLANNER/ION MEDIA/Clearwater FL: Anchor a newly created dept & dvlp policies and procedures to ensure financial integrity of the organization. 4-yr degree w/5+ yrs Local Ad Sales exp in Pricing & Inventory ad sales plan’g and/or systems admin strongly pref'd. Full info/apply HERE (8/1)

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)

WHAT'S ON TONIGHT - TUESDAY JULY 31

ABC: Splitting Up Together [r], Splitting Up Together [r], Splitting Up Together [r], Splitting Up Together [r], Splitting Up Together [r], Splitting Up Together [r]

CBS: NCIS [r], Bull [r], NCIS: New Orleans [r]

CW: The 100, The Outpost

FOX: Beat Shazam, Love Connection

NBC: America’s Got Talent, Making It [p]

PBS: 10 Homes That Changed America, No Passport Required, Frontline

TELEMUNDO: Exatlon, Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso, El Senor de los Cielos

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