Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Thursday, July 20th, 2023
Everyone has an idea about how to settle the Hollywood strikes...including me.
Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, July 20th, 2023.
EVERYONE HAS AN IDEA ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE THE HOLLYWOOD STRIKES....INCLUDING ME
Like nearly every other person who has even a tangential connection to the television and movie business, I have been trying to figure out how we can get the industry to a point where everyone can reluctantly agree to a contract that no one is particularly happy signing. Which, by the way, is the definition of a successful negotiating process.
The more I speak with people on both sides, the less likely it feels that there is any rational middle ground. The large producers seem to view writers and actors as overhead that needs to be financially optimized. And the writers and actors are so angry that they have little interest in a deal that is some sort of middle ground between the two sides. If you want an indication of how poisoned the atmosphere is right now, read this Twitter thread that recounts how a Netflix executive counseled a showrunner in the best way to scripts written and punched up without the need to put anyone on staff. The process is magnificently clever as well as pure evil.
One of the challenges for the Hollywood unions is figuring out the leverage point in these negotiations. The unions have had a lot of success on the public relations front, from extensive picketing to sharing publicly some of their stories of the studio's alleged bad behavior and financial misconduct. But one indication that public shame is not going to move the dial in these negotiations is that AMPTP representatives were willing to put in a counter-offer note "Yes, we know we often pay late. But get over it." Okay, those weren't the precise words they used. But it was certainly the essence of the sentiment.
If you are willing to commit that principle to paper, you aren't likely to be concerned about the public's perception of your business practices. And as a result, endless public complaints about CEO pay and other financial mismatches aren't going to motivate the studios to come back to the negotiating table and work out a deal.
Do you know what will matter? Money. Or specifically, investor's money.
I have written several things during my career, but I don't think I've received a quicker or more hands-on response from a streamer than I did when I wrote something that was passed around the circle of big investors in the company. The head of PR reached out to me, they made top executives available to me to speak with off the record to brief me in an attempt to change my mind. Why the sudden intense interest? As it turns out, one of the company's biggest investors had a meeting with management. And during the meeting, these investors pulled out a copy of my article and asked the CFO "What about this problem? Why isn't this being addressed by you?" Big media companies can ignore public opinion (at least to a certain extent) and blow off the press. But they always need to keep the company's big investors happy.
And what investors care amount is money. Specifically, the company's stock price and revenue stream. And if writers and actors want to win what they deserve, that is what they need to target.
One way to do that is for writers to talk about how they can help investors make money. I've seen some WGA members argue online that the current production methods at streamers such as Netflix aren't just unfair to writers and actors. Those methods ironically end up costing the company more money in the long run when compared to a more traditional approach.
So I would recommend that a couple of smart people at the WGA and SAG-AFTRA start crunching some numbers and share them with some of the camera-friendly members. A better deal for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA can save everyone money. Then show investors what the company would save by changing production practices. Make the case that improving the pay of writers and actors would not only cut production waste but lead to better financial and editorial outcomes. Make the case to investors that keeping things as they cost the studios money - and that the problems have impacted the bottom line for investors.
It's not even about moving the stock price. It's about convincing investors that the current situation is not a financially wise move to make. Unhappy, motivated investors can move a company's management team in ways they don't want to go. And if you want to win a strike, those are the people you have to target.
ICYMI: ALLYOURSCREENS
Here are the highlights of coverage from late last night and earlier today on AllYourScreeens.com:
* A new study from Whip Media shows subscribers are likely to cancel some SVOD services due to the ongoing writers and actors strikes.
* Linda Martindale has a recap of Wednesday's episode of Riverdale.
* Viaplay is pulling out of the North American and UK markets, and plans to cut spending on original scripted programming.
* Disney+ has quietly opted not to move forward with the original German-produced series Sultan City.
* Here's an updated list of the ways you can support striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA workers.
TWEET OF THE DAY
MORE TURMOIL AT PENSKE MEDIA
No journalist in Hollywood loves highlighting problems at Penske Media more than Sharon Waxman, who runs rival industry publication The Wrap. So it's a not a huge surprise that outlet had a story today recounting the latest problems at the media company, which among other things, owns Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, TV Line and Billboard:
Deadline president Stacey Farish exited the company on Friday after a series of accusations that she has created a hostile work environment and as her top deputy is on leave, multiple individuals with knowledge told TheWrap.
Kasey Champion, Deadline’s publisher who reports to Farish, went on leave earlier this week, TheWrap has learned. That’s a dilemma for PMC as Champion is considered the top choice to replace Farish.
“It feels very dramatic, I’m sure they’re scrambling,” an industry insider who deals directly with Deadline’s sales team told TheWrap. “There’s nobody else there who could take over.”
Additionally, VP of entertainment sales London Blue Sanders unexpectedly resigned on Monday.
ODDS AND SODS
* A series that is a spin-off of the Amazon Prime Video hit The Boys has received an official premiere date. Gen V will debut on September 29th with three new episodes. It will then premiere one new episode a week until the season finale on November 3rd.
* HGTV has picked up new seasons of Christina On The Coast and Christina In The Country.
* The YouTube video is about 45 minutes long, but this is a great look at the iconic Warner Brothers Ranch lot, which is apparently going to be torn down this year and replaced by soundstages.
* Beginning tomorrow through August 17th, the first episodes of Secret Invasion, the latest Marvel original TV series for Disney+, which also be available for streaming on Hulu. I suspect there are two reasons for this: it's an effort to encourage more subscribers to sign on to the Disney bundle package, which includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. The move is also recognition that Secret Invasion has received just absolutely terrible word of mouth. Which is not a great result for a series that cost an estimated $250 million a six-episode season.
* There are a number of dumb and awkward competitive cooking shows on the Food Network. One of the worst - Bobby's Triple Threat - is returning for a second season on Tuesday, August 22nd.
SPEAKING OF READER FEEDBACK
I've heard from a few of you that Warner Bros. Discovery may finally have started to fix the problems with its Watch TCM app:
"Just wanted to let you know that things may be moving in the right direction for us old-timers using the app. It seems that all of the films added in the last 36 hours or so are working. The last 2 titles added ( THUNDER ROAD and THE DAYS OF WINE & ROSES ) are not working yet. Some of the titles don’t have the usual TCM slate extolling it’s available with closed captioning. One movie (OBSESSION) even starts with color bars and title slate before the opening credits. None of the earlier titles added in July are working yet but I’m not complaining."
WHAT'S NEW TODAY AND TOMORROW:
THURSDAY, JULY 20TH:
* Black Sands Series Premiere (Viaplay)
* Don't Kill The Babysitter (LMN)
* Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia (Max)
* My Magic Closet (Além do Guarda-Roupa) (Max)
* Raven Song (Netflix)
* Supa Team 4 (Netflix)
* Superpowered: The DC Story (Max)
* Sweet Magnolias Season Three Premiere (Netflix)
* Tacoma FD Season Premiere (truTV)
* The River Series Premiere (Topic)
FRIDAY, JULY 21ST, 2023:
* Almost Paradise Season Two Premiere (Freevee)
* A Lifelong Love (Hallmark Movies And Mysteries)
* Love During Lockup Season Premiere (WE tv)
* Making Modern With Brooke and Brice Season Premiere (Magnolia)
* Minx Season Two Premiere (Starz)
* Praise Petey Series Premiere (Freevee)
* Reptile Royalty Series Premiere (The Roku Channel)
* Sharksploitation (Shudder)
* Stephen Curry: Underrated (Apple TV+)
* They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
* Zombies: The Re-Animated Series (Disney+)
Click Here to see the list of all of the upcoming premiere dates for the next few months.
SEE YOU THURSDAY!
If you have any feedback, send it along to Rick@AllYourScreens.com and follow me on Twitter @aysrick.