Thania Garcia The search is on for new members of Menudo, the Latin boy band which helped launch the career of Ricky Martin, its most famous graduate. This latest incarnation returns after a 12-year time-out.
18.06.2022 - 00:29 / variety.com
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorThe hottest place to be in TV may not be traditional television, but Paramount Global was able to make the medium seem pretty cool.Paramount Global has largely completed its upfront sales negotiations. And while the company saw its volume of advance advertising commitments rise most significantly for digital venues like Pluto and Paramount Plus, ad dollars committed for the traditional primetime schedule on the CBS broadcast network rose as well, according to a person familiar with current negotiations The company expects at least a 10% rise in volume for its primetime schedule, this person says. In 2021, CBS may have seen its primetime commitments total between $2.03 billion and $2.64 billion, according to Variety estimates, compared with $2.03 billion and $2.51 billion in 2020.
The nation’s big TV networks are trying to lock in ad deals for their next programming season as Madison Avenue keeps its eye on a slumping stock market and worries about the prospect of a recession. NBCUniversal earlier this week said its upfront volume was “comparable” to what it secured next year, while the CW recently wrapped its upfront sales with gains in digital but primetime volume that was flat with 2021.
U.S. TV networks try to sell the bulk of their commercial time for their next programming cycle as part of this annual market.With the economy worrying Madison Avenue, the networks have not pressed too hard for the massive increases in CPMs, or the cost of reaching 1,000 viewers, that they sought last year.
Paramount Global sought CPM increases of between 8% and 9%, according to people familiar with recent discussions, for both broadcast and cable inventory. Last year, with advertisers eager to spend
.Thania Garcia The search is on for new members of Menudo, the Latin boy band which helped launch the career of Ricky Martin, its most famous graduate. This latest incarnation returns after a 12-year time-out.
A star-studded mystery. Everything about the movie Amsterdam is being kept top-secret, but the crime-comedy makes it clear that the cast — which includes Taylor Swift and Chris Rock — is to die for.
A charity has released a stark warning after a 'tsunami' of online grooming crime were reported to Police Scotland.
Chris Rock and Lake Bell were spotted out together on several occasions over the Fourth of July weekend. On Friday night, the 57-year-old comedian and the 43-year-old actress were snapped enjoying each other’s company while they dined at celeb hotspot Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California.For the outing, Rock wore a white shirt with white pants and brown shoes, while Bell sported a black cropped top and black jeans. An eyewitness also tells ET that the two were seen holding hands.A few days later, the pair was spotted out together again. In a photo obtained by , Rock and Bell had a casual brunch at Coast in Santa Monica on Sunday, and both looked relaxed during the meal.This weekend’s outings come after Rock and Bell were spotted in St.
Chris Rock and Lake Bell were spotted out together on multiple outings over the Fourth of July weekend. On Saturday night, the 57-year-old comedian and the 43-year-old actress were snapped enjoying each other’s company while they dined at celeb hotspot Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California. For the outing, Rock wore a white shirt with white pants and brown shoes, while Bell sported a black cropped top and black jeans. On Sunday, the pair were spotted out together again.
Ricky Martin has been issued a restraining order.The Associated Press reported earlier today (July 3) that judge Raiza Cajigas Campbell had signed off on the order on Friday (July 1), although police were unable to discern Martin’s whereabouts until a day later. Police spokesman Axel Valencia refused to tell the publication who requested the restraining order, as the party’s anonymity is secured under Puerto Rico’s domestic violence law.Further details came courtesy of Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero, who reported that, per legal documents obtained from the court, Martin and the petitioner dated for seven months.
Naman Ramachandran The BBC is marking the 30 anniversary of its Ukrainian-speaking service as the Russian invasion of the country continues. On June 1, 1992, the BBC started short- and medium-wave radio broadcasts for then newly independent Ukraine. Today, BBC News Ukraine operates via website bbc.ua, its YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok and Viber.
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorTV networks continue to fare better than expected in the current “upfront” market as they harness streaming video and sports — and a willingness to accept lower rates — in order to keep Madison Avenue’s money flowing.NBCUniversal said it wrapped its upfront negotiations in the annual upfront, and could have seen advance advertising commitments for NBC’s primetime schedule rise by as much as 20%. Variety estimates that upfront commitments for NBC primetime could total between $3.2 billion and $3.4 billion, compared with between $2.68 billion and $2.98 billion for its primetime broadcast inventory in 2021.
J.J. Abrams Behind BBC Christmas Adaptation; Idris Elba, Tom Hollander Aboard
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorTelevisaUnivision had something to sell in this year’s TV upfront market that many of its English-language counterparts did not: growing linear audiences.The Spanish-language media giant has finished its upfront negotiations and expects to see rising volume of advance commitments for its advertising, according to a person familiar with the matter. This person says TelevisaUnivision anticipates a double-digit-percentage increase in volume, with CPMs, or the cost of reaching 1,000 viewers, rising as much as 8% to 9%.Like other TV networks in the midst of selling upfront inventory this year, TelevisaUnivision noted significant advertiser interest in sports and streaming. Advertisers proved interested in the company’s soccer broadcasts, and saw ad investment in its streaming-video outlet, ViX more than double.
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorSome people gird for battle by putting on armor. Tony Dokoupil just bought a second pair of dress shoes.“I’ve had the same pair of brown, beat-up, nasty dress shoes — my good shoes.
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorMadison Avenue’s growing interest in sports and streaming video helped Fox Corp. nab new ad dollars amid a softening market.The owner of the Fox broadcast network, Fox Sports and Fox News Channel expects an uptick in advertising commitments made in advance of its next programming schedule, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the company becomes the latest media outlet to wrap negotiations in the industry’s annual “upfront.”Advertisers were interested in Tubi, Fox’s ad-supported streaming hub; the company’s sports events; and its Fox News programming, this person said, among other offerings.The company could see an uptick of volume committed to its primetime broadcast schedule in the mid-single-digit percentage range.
Selome Hailu Robert J. Ross, who oversaw East Coast operations and engineering at CBS Broadcasting from 1998 until retiring in 2017, died on Sunday.“The CBS family was saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Robert Ross,” CBS said in a statement. “Over his illustrious career, his incredible skill and accomplishments kept the network at the forefront of technology and a leader in the broadcast business.
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterParamount’s blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” is still flying at sky-high altitudes, surpassing $900 million at the global box office.With $901.8 million in the bank, the sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1986 action flick “Top Gun” stands as the year’s second-highest grossing movie worldwide behind Disney’s Marvel adventure “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” ($943 million). At this rate, “Maverick” is poised to overtake the crown in the coming weeks.Even without playing in China or Russia, the $1 billion mark looks to be within reach.
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorSir Nick Faldo, who has helped call golf tournaments for CBS Sports alongside Jim Nantz for years, plans to step down from his role as CBS Sports’ lead golf analyst in August.Faldo, who has held the role of CBS Sports’ lead golf analyst since 2007, will be replaced by Trevor Immelman, who joined CBS Sports’ golf team in 2019. His new multi-year deal with CBS Sports will begin with its 2023 coverage, when he sits with Nantz for the Farmers Insurance Open.“Sir Nick has had a remarkable career on Network television for nearly 20 years and is one of the most accomplished commentators to ever sit in the 18th tower,” said Sean McManus, chairman, of CBS Sports, in a statement. “Nick brought the same passion and dedication that propelled him to the world’s number one golfer to our broadcasts.
The Television Academy is looking to nab either Chris Rock or The Rock as host for this year’s Emmy Awards.
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorTV’s dollars are migrating to digital, just like its viewers.The CW has wrapped upfront negotiations, according to a person familiar with the matter, and expects a rise in advance ad commitments for its digital venues, but sees its primetime broadcast schedule take in similar volume to last year’s market.Variety estimates that CW may have seen primetime volume come in between $440.8 million and $626.9 million, in 2021, compared with $440.8 million and $$597.1 million in 2020More to come….
Paramount+ has handed a series order to School Spirits (w/t), a YA drama based on Nate & Megan Trinrud and Maria Nguyen’s upcoming graphic novel, with Peyton List (Cobra Kai) attached to star. The series order is part of Paramount’s push to expand its YA content. School Spirits (w/t) will be produced by Awesomeness Studio.
Paramount Global’s International CEO Raffaele Annecchino has been placed “on leave,” according to an internal note seen by Deadline.