Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Monday, December 7th, 2020

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, December 7th, 2020. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by industrial levels of caffeine.

WILL HULU BE FOLDED INTO DISNEY+ BECAUSE THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS?
I don't enjoy pointing out bad media journalism, but Collider has been on a streak of cranking out these vague "what if?" stories that get a lot of social media play but aren't especially reality-based. This piece is from Friday, but it's worth pointing out because the premise of the piece is along the lines of "well, *some people* think this makes sense":

Questions remain as to what Disney+ would look like in that scenario, but it wouldn't be too difficult to put parental controls on mature content, or require some kind of passcode to access certain films and TV shows. While some naysayers suggest Disney would never do anything to jeopardize its family-friendly brand, others argue that consumers have become savvy enough to navigate those choppy waters.

Questions remain because combining the two services would be a programming and engineering nightmare. And then there are contractual problems. Plus that one nagging issue that finally gets addressed in the last paragraph of the piece:

Of course, complicating matters is the fact that Hulu offers a Live component that allows ad-ons, so not only are people watching the three major networks via Hulu, but they're also accessing HBO, Showtime and Starz through the streaming service. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about this in the weeks and months to come -- and possibly at Disney's upcoming Investor Day on Dec. 10. Until then, click here to read about WB's decision to release its entire 2021 slate simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters.

Ah, the tease to other content, the true indicator that this is basically just clickbait. Which, as the owner of a website, I have no problem with the concept. But as a reader - and as a media journalist - this type of article is just useless.

YEAH, SMART GUY. BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HULU?
This might sound like an excuse, but I don't think anyone outside of the Disney executive suites knows the answer to that question. We might find out more later this week at Disney's upcoming Investor Day. We do know that outside the U.S.,  Disney will be focusing on Star, a streaming service that can best be described as Hulu for the rest of the world. Disney execs have made a point of saying they don't see Hulu expanding its reach, and then there is that pesky payout to Comcast in a couple of years. So where does that leave it? 

A lot of people have speculated about whether that "Disney 18+" video that was recently circulating on Twitter was real and if it is, what does it mean? 

So when it comes to Hulu, there seem to be three scenarios. One, it stays more of less than same as now, maybe with a rebranding. Some originals, a focus on next-day viewing and on-demand content. The downside is that this limits the growth of Hulu in the long-term and then there are real questions about how much access Hulu will have to Comcast programming beginning in 2024. 

The second scenario is one in which Hulu undergoes a "Disney 18+" type reboot. It becomes the home for Disney's more adult fare, including some of the more adult films that seem likely to slip theaters in the U.S. and go directly to streaming. There is also a place for more of Fox's impressive collection of classic movie titles, most of which aren't streaming anywhere. 

The third option is the extinction-level event for Hulu. Everything is rolled into some version of Disney+, albeit with different subscription tiers. There's the current Disney+, a more adult tier and the Disney+ Premium, which is home for one-off premium events such as "Mulan." This seems to be the option industry pundits are predicting, but it just seems needlessly complex and confusing. 

My guess is that we'll see some version of scenario two at some point, but that's just a guess. It's the option that makes the most sense to me as an outsider, but outsiders aren't the ones that make these kind of decisions. 

2020 PREDICTIONS
I don't usually do "Best of the Year" lists, because they tend to be pretty predictable. Most critics end up selecting a lot of the same shows and there aren't many lists I read where I find myself being surprised at the selections. But I am doing a list of predictions for 2020 and it's in the form of a wish list. I'll outline some things in the media world I'd like to see happen in 2020. Even if some of them are a bit unlikely.

If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you. Send your media world 2020 wish to rick@allyourscreens.com and I'll include them in the piece, which posts next Monday. I'll identify you by the first letter of your first and last name unless you tell me otherwise.

WHAT'S ON TODAY:
Here is a rundown of the new television programs premiering today:

1) Bizarre Foods, Delicious Destinations Season Premiere (Cooking)
Andrew Zimmern explores the driving forces behind the cutting-edge food scene in Chicago. With exotic ingredients and innovative techniques, food suppliers in the Windy City are pushing the limits. Whether it's a fish dish made with ambergris or a world-class charcuterie, Andrew finds that Chicago can feed his appetite for new food experiences!

2) Nurses Series Premiere (NBC)
Filmed and set in Toronto, follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others, while struggling to help themselves.

3) Pickwick Pack Series Premiere (Disney Jr)
Four animal friends work together to deliver magical surprises to the kind citizens of their bustling town.

4) The Santa Squad (Lifetime)
Allie (Rebecca Dalton), an out of work art teacher, has to accept a job with the Santa Squad to help wealthy widower Gordon (Aaron Ashmore) and his two precious daughters rediscover the magic of Christmas. As Allie is lifting the holiday spirits of the family with Christmas decorations, cookies and shopping, her kindness is rewarded with the most unexpected of gifts: love!

This newsletter is called "Too Much TV" because....well, it's hard to keep track of all the new television premiering everyday. To help you prioritize your viewing, click here to see our list of more than 400 upcoming television premieres, movies and finales. You'll find listings from more than 70 networks, as well as streaming services and web shows.

I'll be back with another one tomorrow. If you have any feedback, send it along to Rick@AllYourScreens.com and follow me on Twitter @aysrick.