Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Friday, August 16th, 2024

More layoffs at The Hollywood Reporter

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Friday, August 16th, 2024:

MORE LAYOFFS AT A PENSKE MEDIA OUTLET
Penske Media Corporation might own the lion's share of Hollywood's trade publications, but I suspect it is wrestling with some of the same economic headwinds as its smaller rivals. Although because it's a privately-held company, there is no way to know for sure.

Earlier this month, PMC-owned Variety laid off a small group of employees, most notably associate features editor Sharareh Drury and deputy editor Diane Garrett. The publication also reportedly cut its print budget as well as the budget for freelancers.

And the situation at sister publication The Hollywood Reporter has been just as challenging. Early last month, THR laid off TV editor Lesley Goldberg, who had been with the outlet since 2003. Other layoffs included senior editor of diversity and inclusion Rebecca Sun, THR’s vice president of business development and consumer partnerships Cathy Field, and what was described to me as a "handful" of other editorial and business employees. 

But I also reported that there was an effort by PMC executives and new co-editor-in-chief Maer Roshan to shift the focus of THR in a more entertainment lifestyle direction, which has impacted its coverage of the industry:

There is an overriding concern from people both inside and outside the company about The Hollywood Reporter's ability to continue to produce high-quality reporting on a frequent basis. "I have certainly noticed a change in the quality of their stories, especially since the exit of Lesley (Goldberg)," I was told by a marketing VP at one of the major studios. This person spends a lot of time looking at the news coverage across the industry and helps determine where ad money is placed. "I usually scan through the Penske trades early in the morning when I first get to work," I was told. "It's not uncommon to see almost nothing new on the Hollywood Reporter site since the night before. They do have a really solid European reporter (Scott Roxborough), who frequently posts stories early L.A. time."

The perception that fewer stories were being published throughout the day was a common complaint I heard from people I spoke with on the studio side of the industry, particularly from people who were responsible for marking marketing decisions. "I don't have any real numbers I can point to, but just from watching THR in recent months, it feels as if the stories billed as 'new' are often things are fairly lightweight," one brand manager told me last week. "Interviews done days in advance, articles promoting new trailers and casting information. It's not that the journalism is bad. But it certainly makes THR a less vital daily read for me."

Today, more layoffs took place at THR and while I'm still sorting through the conflicting details, this round also impacted some of the site's top editors. I've reached out to PMC and will update the story if I get an on-the-record response from them. But I know from past discussions they won't comment publicly on any "personnel decisions," which apparently includes confirming whether someone has indeed been laid off.

I haven't been able to get the names I've heard so far confirmed, so I won't be specific here. But I've heard the people being laid-off include an executive managing editor, a deputy editor, a contributing editor and a videographer. There also have apparently been cutbacks in the freelance budget as well. I've also heard that THR has ended its relationship with special correspondent Lachlan Cartwright earlier this week. His name has been removed from the masthead.

And the PMC mothership also reportedly laid off a small number of employees this week on business development side.

If you have any news you can share - either on background or off the record - email me at rick@allyourscreens.com.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT CRITICS ARE AS ORIGINAL AS KATY PERRY'S CURRENT ALBUM

ODDS AND SODS
* The CW has pulled the new spin-off series The Librarians: The Next Chapter off its schedule and there's word on a new date. It was schedule to premiere on October 24th.

* Paramount+ has greenlit a 10th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars alongside its companion series RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked.

* Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, the first installment of an ambitious Civil War epic from Kevin Costner, has been set to begin streaming exclusively on Max on Friday, August 23rd.

* RuPaul’s Drag Race has been picked up for Season 17 on MTV along with its companion series, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked.

* Prime Video has canceled the period romance/fantasy series Lady Jane after one season.

WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND THIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH:
* Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation Season Premiere (Magnolia)
* Bering Sea Gold Season Premiere (Discovery)
* César Millán: Better Human Better Dog Season Premiere (NatGeo)
* Gold Rush: Mine Rescue With Freddy & Juan Season Premiere (Discovery)
* I Can't Live Without You (Netflix)
* RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars Series Premiere (Paramount+)
* Side Hustlers (The Roku Channel)
* The Greatest Show In Sports (Tru TV)
* The Union (Netflix)
* Where We Call Home Season Premiere (Magnolia)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH:
* A Costa Rican Wedding (Hallmark)
* Chef Swap At The Beach Season Premiere (Cooking)
* Disaster Autopsy Series Premiere (NatGeo)
* Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins Season Premiere (Oxygen)
* Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love (Lifetime)
* The Real Murders Of Atlanta Season Premiere (Oxygen)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18TH:
* BBQ High Series Premiere (Magnolia) - [photo gallery] - [first look video]
* Chimp Crazy (HBO) - [first look video]
* Love Next Door Series Premiere (Netflix)
* OceanXplorers (NatGeo)
* Trapped In The Rocky Mountains (Lifetime)

MONDAY, AUGUST 19TH:
* CoComelon Lane (Netflix)
* PBS News Special: Democratic National Convention (PBS)
* The Anonymous Series Premiere (USA)
* Under The Vines (Acorn TV)

SEE YOU ON MONDAY!