☀️Austerity hits Broadcast TV as more talent is asked to take Fall $$ cuts
Glen Powell gets big role at UNI / LIONSGATE lays off some Films staffers / COMCAST invests in INDIA Streaming
Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect here on LINKED IN if ya like) and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on FRIDAY April 14, 2023.
Where I have bad news for my fellow high falootin’ Americans - Tim McGraw’s new production company’s shows are not for you.
He’s partnered with SKYDANCE (and his management co EM.Co) to create DOWN HOME - a Nashville-based media company, with a social content studio run by SHAREABILITY, and a division producing TV Series and Movies with “relatable stories” of “everyday Americans” 🤔 #realquote (I’ve always fancied myself a “Summer Fridays American” tbh).
You know, like the kind of folks musicians with a net worth of over $200 Million (if a basic Google search is correct), former $35 Million private BAHAMA island estates, and 22,000 sq ft TN homes probably hang out with right? Can’t wait for Tim’s Everyday Americans Christmas special.
PLUS: A farewell to Ryan Seacrest, at least from morning TV - today is his last day on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan.
ALSO: Pete Davidson is hosting SNL on May 6. His new PEACOCK show Bupkis premieres May 4.
AND: The world’s largest Music Label, UNIVERSAL MUSIC, has asked the major streaming services to block AI access to their music according to the Financial Times.
Variety also wraps up all the legal actions the music biz is taking against the AI movement at present.
OH: Enjoy COACHELLA this weekend! Before the bots take over. BLINK 182 got the memo and is now doing a surprise set tonight.
Wakeup Box Office Poll results:
I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that this crowd chose the Vampire over the Priest… but yeah - 82% of you see Renfield coming out on top of The Pope’s Exorcist this weekend - see you Monday AM!
🙋♂️ AND SINCE YOU LOVE TO VOTE: Let’s keep the spirit going - how about a vote for The Ankler crew in our WEBBY AWARD category! It takes a few seconds to vote here.
IN TODAY’S EDITION:
Broadcast TV Networks are the latest group to hit austerity… as more talent gets asked to take less $$ next season to get renewals.
APPLE TV+ sets big deal with CANAL+ to up exposure for their series.
Glen Powell gets big role at UNI.
LIONSGATE lays off folks in the Films group.
Huge change in investment for VIACOM18 in INDIA, as COMCAST also enters the fray.
NETFLIX keeps in prestige film game with new project.
The weekend preview of all new things to stream & see, and more.
AND… I took a little stroll down GOOGLE lane last night to the HBOMAX debut in May of 2020. While it didn’t happen in time, I kinda forgot that the Friends reunion was the iconic event planned for the May 2020 HBOMAX launch.
Which makes it interesting that there was no new signature programming premiere set for the MAX debut on Tue May 23 to go with all the hoopla (all due respect to Shazam! 2 and the new Gremlins animated series).
Also just a couple of fun 2020 headlines that came up during my GOOGLE stroll ☺️.
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
