Today’s Premieres
ABC: Dancing With the Stars at 8p
Black News Channel: AMplified with Aisha Mills at 7p
CBS: The Neighborhood at 8p, Bob Hearts Abishola at 8:30p, NCIS at 9p, NCIS: Hawai’i at 10p
Fox: 9-1-1 at 8p, The Big Leap at 9p
FYI: Smart Home Nation at 10p
NBC: The Voice at 8p, Ordinary Joe at 10p
Univision: Despierta America at 8a

IN THE NEWS

The 73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were handed out on Sunday, in a CBS ceremony hosted by “The Neighborhood” star Cedric the Entertainer from the L.A. Live deck. (“Lock the doors, we’re not leaving till we find a new host for ‘Jeopardy,’” said Cedric.”) Netflix’s “The Crown” took home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series, while Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” landed the prize for Comedy Series. In Lead Actor categories, Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Olivia Coleman (also “The Crown”) won for drama series, while Jason Sudekis (“Ted Lasso”) and Jean Smart (HBO Max’s “Hacks”) were comedy winners. Creative Arts ceremonies took place September 11 and 12; for a complete list of winners, go here.

Holy “Schitt’s,” Dan Levy signed with Netflix for first-look features and overall scripted content. First up is an original romantic comedy film he’ll direct, write, produce and star in. Sister’s Stacey Snider and Kate Fenske will also produce. Levy’s series work for the streamer will begin in July 2022 when his current three-year overall deal with ABC Signature ends. “Netflix offered ‘Schitt’s Creek’ a second home at just the right time and opened the doors to a whole new audience for us,” said Levy, who won four Primetime Emmys for the comedy series.

Levy will be in good company. Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer are headed to Netflix as all 180 episodes of “Seinfeld” will premiere on the service Friday, October 1. A new trailer posted on Friday.

All 19 seasons of “Family Guy,” the animated show’s entire catalog, are available on FXX beginning today (September 20). The network also scored nonexclusive rights to animated series “Futurama,” which will join in November. Hulu continues to be the exclusive streaming home for “Family Guy.”

HBO Max is having a half-off sale. Parent WarnerMedia is offering a 50 percent discount on the streaming service of $7.49/month for those who sign up or reup before September 26, now that HBO is no longer available on Amazon Prime Video Channels. The discount is available to both new and returning subscribers. The Amazon platform removed HBO last week, a move that’s been in motion for nearly two years and is projected to lead to a loss of 5 million subscriptions in the near term. HBO Max, which encompasses all HBO content plus 13,000 hours of additional movie and TV programming, will still be distributed via Amazon Fire TV.

ViacomCBS is the first major television and film company to set January as the return to office date for employees. Everyone headed back to the office during round one of return will have to be fully vaccinated.

Get your tickets today for the Top Women in Media Awards Gala. We’ll see you in person on October 27 in NYC when we celebrate these incredible leaders across the industry and six Distinguished Companies: A + E Networks, Laugh Out Loud, Magical Elves, The E.W Scripps Company, STARZ, and VICE Media Group. Vaccine mandate and all CDC protocols will be followed to gather safely. Get the details and register before Friday! Questions? Contact [email protected]

SAG-AFTRA filed a complaint against the producers of the TV and theatrical productions of Warner Bros.’ DC Universe seeking compensation for their reuse of clips from shows on Warner Bros. Television’s web series “DC Daily.”

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s 46th annual Gracie Awards, which salute exemplary programming created by, for and about women, will take place Tuesday, October 5 in a virtual format. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Lauren Ash will stream on AWM’s Facebook page at 7p and feature performances by Jewel and CeCe Winans.

A possible strike is looming at IATSE if the organization can’t come to terms with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers for a new TV and film contract. The union’s current contract was set to expire July 31 but was extended through September 10. Last week IATSE president Matthew Loeb said negotiations “reached a critical juncture,” and told members the union was awaiting a response from the AMPTP to the its latest proposal as it continues to mobilize for a possible strike.

Demore Barnes, who’s primed to be written out of “Law & Order: SVU” in the upcoming season, reacted with surprise to the news on Instagram. “While I know you were happy that I was here, and that I’m happy that I was here, I also know you’re sad and surprised and I am too,” he penned in a post. “I don’t totally know why this happened.”

Leslie Linka Glatter has been elected President of the DGA, succeeding Thomas Schlamme. Glatter is the second female to hold the position at the guild, which was founded in 1936.

Cynopsis’ That Big TV Virtual Conference

SESSION SPOTLIGHT: Take Control of Television’s Transformation with the Personalization of Linear TV Data
Television is evolving, and more now than ever audiences are connected and it’s important to leverage linear TV audiences churn into personalized re-targeting capabilities.

Join Tivo’s VP of Data & Monetization Sales, Fariba Zamniyan and David Finkelstein, CEO of BDEX on September 21, to learn how to drive incremental reach and frequency across channels.

REGISTER NOW

PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Endeavor Content signed “I Know This Much Is True” exec producer Lynette Howell Taylor and her 51 Entertainment production company to a first-look TV deal. Howell Taylor recently produced the “92nd Academy Awards” and her other credits include “A Star Is Born” and “The Accountant.” The new deal will see 51 Entertainment develop and produce scripted and unscripted series for streaming platforms and cable nets.

Call for Submissions: Cynopsis is producing our annual Holiday Programming Guide, which comes out on October 28 and will be sent to all Cynopsis subscribers. If your network has holiday programming airing from October 28 through January 1, please send your listing to [email protected] and [email protected] no later October 15 with the subject line: Holiday Guide. To be included, programs must be listed by date, title of program, and start times, in the following format: “Thursday, November 19: Network Name: My One Christmas Wish at 9a, Paper Angels at 11a, 12 Days of Giving at 1p”. Holiday-related programs only! A confirmation email will be sent following each submission (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit).

Matthew Fox (“Lost”) will star alongside Joanne Froggatt (“Downton Abbey”) in Peacock’s five-ep series “Last Light,” an adaptation of the Alex Scarrow thriller novel. Fox is also exec-producing the series, from MGM International TV Productions in association with Nordic Entertainment Group’s Viaplay. Action revolves around a family fighting to survive in an apocalyptic world.

StarzPlay, Pantaya, Fremantle and Fabula are collaborating on a new Spanish-language production, sci-fi miniseries “El Refugio.” The six-episode series is based on the original idea by Julio Rojas (“La Vida de los Peses”), who also co-wrote the series, known internationally as “The Shelter.”

Netflix is headed into production on Elena Ferrante’s adaptation of “The Lying Life Of Adults,” one of a host of Italian series for the streamer. Series will star Valeria Golino.

Chelsea Frei is joining season 2 of Hulu’s “Dollface” as a recurring guest.

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

“Dancing With the Stars” twirls back for season 30 on ABC today (September 20) at 8p. Fifteen celebs, including Spice Girl Melanie C, Matt James of “The Bachelor” fame, WWE superstar The Miz, Peloton guru Cody Rigsby and pop star JoJo Siwa, are on tap to compete for judges in the new season, hosted again by Tyra Banks.

Black News Channel today (September 20) at 7p launches “AMplified with Aisha Mills,” a show that will feature the political strategist examining policies affecting Black America and LGBTQ+ communities. Topics will include social justice, structural reform, voting rights and corporate accountability.

Have you taken advantage of the Resource Center? It’s Cynopsis’ free hub designed to help you stay informed, educated, and organized with white papers, case studies, trend reports, and so much more. Check it out for yourself.

Prince William’s Earshot Prize is getting the spotlight on Discovery. Five-part series “The Earshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet” debuts on discovery+ on Sunday, October 3 and also premieres on Discovery on Saturday, October 16, followed by a broadcast of the ceremony October 17. Launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in October 2020, the global environment prize aims to discover, celebrate and scale innovative solutions to the greatest environmental challenges facing our planet. Series features Prince William and Sir David Attenborough.

History returns to Vancouver Island with the season 2 premiere of “Big Timber” Thursday, October 14 at 10p. Series follows the dangerous work of logger and sawmill owner Kevin Wenstob as he and his crew go to extremes to keep the family sawmill, and their way of life, alive.

Can serial killers feel fear? Looks like the answer’s yes – Penn Badgley is more scared than ever before in the first trailer for season 3 of Netflix’s “You,” which returns Friday, October 15.

HBO dropped the trailer for season 3 of “Succession” in preparation for its Sunday, October 17 premiere. The nine-ep season finds Logan Roy (Brian Cox) in a perilous position, scrambling to secure familial, political and financial alliances after being ambushed by son Kendall.

HBO’s sports reality franchise “Hard Knocks” will take the field for its first in-season edition this fall. “Hard Knocks In Season: The Indianapolis Colts” bows Wednesday, November 17 at 10p and will follow the Colts as they navigate the challenges of an NFL season.

COMING UP

It’s a different kind of ‘70s show. The original casts of TV classics “The Waltons” and “Little House on the Prairie” will face off Tuesday, September 21 at 8p in a game night contest on “Stars In The House.” Streaming on the show’s website and YouTube channel, the show will feature “Little House” alums Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Matthew Laborteaux (Albert Quinn Ingalls) and Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) squaring off against OG “Waltons” cast members Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton), Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton), Eric Scott (Ben Walton) and Leslie Winston (Cindy Brunson Walton).

The Prine Family presents “Souvenirs: Celebrating the Life and Songs of John Prine with Family and Friends,” a livestream tribute to the music icon, who died in April 2020. Broadcasting from Galway’s The Mick Lally Theatre on Monday, October 4 at 7:30p via the theater’s website, the show will feature performances from a variety of Prine’s musical peers and friends.

The latest installment of Blumhouse’s Paranormal Activity franchise, “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” debuts Friday, October 29 on Paramount.

Showtime will premiere “The Humans” on Wednesday November 24, after the film debuts in theaters next month. From A24 and writer/director Stephen Karam, and starring Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein and Richard Jenkins, the project explores the hidden dread of a family and the love that binds them together as manifested at a multigenerational Thanksgiving gathering.

STREAMING NEWS

ChaiFlicks snapped up North American rights to three Israeli series from Yes Studios, the outfit behind “Shtisel” and “Fauda.” The SVOD service, which specializes in Jewish and Israeli entertainment, will release “Checkout,” “Significant Other” and “Asylum City” this fall.

Redbox Entertainment acquired US distribution rights to the action thriller “Vendetta,” with plans to premiere the film in 2022. Starring Bruce Willis and Clive Standen, film centers on a father who takes the law into his own hands after his daughter is murdered.

Be there for a special evening of celebrations at
Cynopsis’ Top Women in Media Awards Gala

When: In person on October 27th 6pm at TRIBECA 360° in NYC
Who: See the full list of honorees and Distinguished Companies
Why: This event will sell out. Secure your table today.
What else: All attendees must show proof of vaccination. See more details about safety protocols.

REGISTER NOW
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RATINGS

Last week, Discovery had the No. 1 cable network in Total Day for W25-54 (HGTV) and the top cable network in Prime for W25-54/18-49 (TLC). Unscripted series “Love & Marriage: Huntsville” and “Family or Fiance” also drove OWN’s most-watched Saturday night in 93 weeks, as the network’s Primetime average (503,000 P2+) grew 22 percent over the prior six-week average.

Broadcast Nielsen Ratings for Thursday, September 16
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: “Holey Moley” 2.34 (0.3), “When Nature Calls With Helen Mirren” 1.26 (0.2), “The Hustler” 1.53 (0.2)
CBS: “Big Brother” 3.77 (0.9), “Bull” 1.71 (0.2), “48 Hours” 1.95 (0.2)
CW: “Coroner” 0.73 (0.1), “The Outpost” 0.42 (0.1)
ION: “Chicago PD” 1.00 (0.1), “Chicago PD” 1.04 (0.1), “Chicago PD” 1.01 (0.1)
FOX: “MasterChef” 3.47 (0.4), “Call Me Kat” 1.56 (0.4)
NBC: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” 2.17 (0.5), “Law & Order: SVU” 2.46 (0.5), “Law & Order: SVU” 2.40 (0.5)
Telemundo: “Casa de los Famosos” 1.14 (0.3), “Hercal: Armor y Venganza 1.24 (0.3), “Cafe Aroma du Mujer” 0.99 (0.3)
Univision: “Disenando Tu Amor” 1.48 (0.4), “Si Nos Dejan” 1.77 (0.6), “Desalamada” 1.79 (0.6)
Source: Nielsen live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Morgan Thompson has been elevated to VP, branded entertainment, at Bunim/Murray Productions. Thompson previously served as director of branded entertainment at the company.

MRC appointed Kristin Robinson as SVP of communications, reporting to Emily Spence, who’s been elevated to chief communications officer. Robinson formerly was VP of brand marketing and communications at Shondaland.

DNEG Animation appointed former DreamWorks exec Kara Oropalla as
VP, training, outreach and artistic development.

This Day in History
1946 – The first Cannes Film Festival premiered; the original premiere was delayed in 1939 due to World War II.

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
In which sitcom did “Kenan & Kel” co-stars Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell recur as Junior and Vincent? “The Steve Harvey Show” (1996-2002). Kudos to: Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing Inc./NY; Marni C. Gold/Hawthorne NJ; Louis Lewow-FITE/Atlanta; Charles Lore/NY; Rev. Mark Wajda/Clermont, FL; Paul Blutter-Walk and Talk Production Rentals/Burbank; Randall Bosley-Studio Talent Group/Santa Monica; Sidney Clifton-The Jim Henson Company/LA; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Who gave Daryl Dragon, of ‘70s variety show “The Captain and Tennille,” his Captain nickname? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.)

Cynopsis Team