Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Thursday, April 29th, 2021
Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, April 29th, 2021. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by McDonald's coffee and random cut-up fruit.
THE STATE OF STREAMING
Conviva has released a report on the state of streaming during the first quarter of 2021. They analyzed content, social media, advertising, and quality of experience, including 1.8 trillion real-time events per day via 3.3 billion applications streaming on devices in 180 countries. You can download a copy here, but here are a few takeaways:
* Streaming viewership continued to skyrocket with time spent up by 36% as North America saw solid 18% year-over-year growth, but the true streaming explosion occurred internationally, with South America, Africa, and Europe all experiencing triple-digit growth.
* While Roku captured a significant 30% share of global big screen viewing time, this dominance was primarily driven by North America where it commanded 37% share in Q1 2021. In Europe, the second largest market for Roku, Roku only accounted for 8% share of the big screen, and it did not fare any better in other regions, with 4% share or less in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America.
* Streaming on big screens accounted for 73% of global viewing time. While people are streaming more, they are at home on larger screens as smart TVs saw the biggest expansion of viewership with a 115% increase over Q1 of last year. In contrast, mobile phones, tablets, and desktops saw growth in line with the global average.
* Overall growth over the last year was 36%, as on-demand content grew much faster with an almost 45% increase, while live streaming was up 14%. On demand now accounted for more than three quarters of all time spent streaming in Q1 with 76% share to live’s 24% share.
HBO MAX RAMPS UP PRODUCTION IN LATIN AMERICA
HBO Max is launching in Latin America and the Caribbean in June and in anticipation of that expansion, the company announced today it plans to develop more than 100 local productions in Latin America over the next two years, 33 of which are already in production. All of the programs will be exclusive to HBO Max and will launch under the "HBO Max Originals" banner.
Some of the programs now in production include:
* An anthology stop-motion animated series about horror stories for children from Mexico called Frankelda's Book Of Spooks.
* Also from Mexico, the action comedy Bunker and the contemporary family and romantic drama Amarres.
* From Argentina, a four-episode long documentary series that will feature stories from the most relevant figures from Argentine soccer called Bilardo, El Doctor Del Futbol.
* Also from Argentina, a YA musical drama entitled Dias De Gallos.
AD-SUPPORTED HBO MAX TO COST $9.99 PER MONTH
CNBC is reporting that WarnerMedia’s June debut of an ad-supported version of HBO Max will reportedly cost subscribers $9.99 per month, compared to $14.99 for the current ad-free option that launched last May. According to the story, ads will not run on HBO content, but will run on HBO Max programming. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the ad load, etc and so far WarnerMedia has not confirmed (or denied) the accuracy of the story.
PEACOCK MAY OR MAY NOT BE DOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED
Comcast revealed this morning that its streaming service has had 42 million "sign-ups" to date. The sign-ups designation does not mean "subscribers," since Peacock is a hybrid free/paid service. So sign-ups will include people who have signed up for the free service. It also apparently includes customers who have transitioned over from the recently shuttered WWE Network, as well as Comcast and Cox pay-TV subscribers, who receive the premium version of Peacock for free.
THE CW UNVEILS EXPANDED SUMMER SCHEDULE
Everyone's favorite #4 broadcaster announced a number of summer premieres today as it continues to adjust its semi-post COVID schedule. In The Dark season three premieres June 23rd, Wellington Paranormal premieres July 11th, Coroner season three premieres July 15th, Dead Pixels season two premieres July 18th, Roswell, New Mexico season two premieres July 26th, Stargirl season two premieres August 10th, Riverdale season 5b returns on August 11th, Masters Of Illusion premieres on August 13th, the final season of Burden Of Proof premieres on August 19th and the final episodes of Supergirl will premieres on August 24th.
ODDS AND SODS
* In the least surprising media news today, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Verizon is exploring the sale of some or all of its media assets (subscription required)
* HBO is premiering the documentary Revolution Rent on June 15th. The film follows efforts to stage a production of the Broadway musical "Rent" in Cuba, which would be the first Broadway production to premiere in that country in over 50 years.
* BT is confirming that it is in talks that might result in the sale of its sporting arm. BT Sports most notably has the British rights to soccer's Champion's League. The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Amazon, Disney and Dazn were in talks with BT, but that an unnamed British broadcaster might also be in the running to buy the sports business.
* Later this year, Netflix plans to open a Nordic hub in Stockholm, which will serve as a regional production and executive center.Last year, Netflix released Cadaver, its first original film from the region, and the company is planning to bring a wide variety of films to the service soon, including Dancing Queens,”Vinterviken, Against the Ice, Troll, and Black Crab.
CLASSIFIEDS:
Experience The Stream TV Show
Join the television community this June 15-17 at the largest event covering the biggest trends and topics in the industry today. We'll gather virtually with thousands of peers for keynotes, interviews, panels, case studies, an analyst roundtable, and more during the three day event. We'll have live chat and Q&A for front row access to speakers and sponsors unlike anything you've experienced before. PLUS - our networking feature will connect you for one-to-one meetings with those that share your same interests. Register for free here.
TODAY'S PREMIERES
1) Chasing Ocean Giants (Discovery+)
Chasing Ocean Giants features modern sea explorer Patrick Dykstra who takes his camera to places others don’t dare to reveal the secrets of our ocean’s giants, from blue whales off the coast of Sri Lanka, to the biggest population of Orcas in the world in the Norwegian fjords. Patrick’s takes discovery+ audiences through some of the most difficult and hostile places on Earth with breathtaking rewards: scenery and displays of animal behavior the world has never seen before.
2) Deadhouse Dark (Shudder)
An anthology of six interconnected horror short films, Deadhouse Dark is anchored by a woman who receives a ‘mystery box’ from the dark web, each item within it gradually unveiling a dark and troubling truth. A boxful of dark and chilling tales of terror inspired by frighteningly familiar modern trends including dark web mystery boxes, dash cam footage and Insta-fame hungry vloggers. Deadhouse Dark is a giant mystery box of chocolates – while there is something in there to suit a variety of different tastes, in the end chocolate is still chocolate. And who doesn’t love chocolate?
3) Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time Series Premiere (Discovery+)
Join Duff Goldman in his laboratory kitchen, along with his puppet crew, as they explore the science behind cooking and baking to create some of the most popular foods on this new series from The Jim Henson Company. Each episode is a flavorful adventure that goes beyond food rules and recipes to discover how ingredients work together to create delicious dishes and desserts.
4) Flip Or Flop Season Premiere (HGTV)
The series continue to follow the divorced duo as they co-parent their two children and run a successful SoCal home reno and flipping business.
5) Let's Be Real Series Premiere (Fox)
Executive-produced and written by Robert Smigel (“Triumph The Insult Comic Dog”), the new series will debut new puppets from the worlds of entertainment and politics, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Ted Cruz, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James. Previously featured puppets, such as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald J. Trump, Former Vice President Mike Pence and Kanye West, also will appear, as the satirical comedy series will cover politics and pop culture in 2021 through topical sketches, celebrity cameos and remote pieces.
6) Lucy The Human Chimp (HBO Max)
The documentary feature tells the profound story of Lucy Temerlin, a female chimpanzee raised as human from birth in a domestic environment, and Janis Carter, the woman who took on the seemingly impossible task of giving her a new life in the wild.
7) The Bad Seed (Sundance Now)
Simon Lampton (Matt Minto, Shortland Street, The Blue Rose), a respected obstetrician, has a lovely home in Herne Bay with two daughters and a beautiful wife, Karen (Jodie Hillock, The Inland Road): a well-organized mother and pillar of their community. Older brother Ford Dean O’Gorman, The Hobbit, Trumbo), once estranged and still rough around the edges, is staying in the spare room and appears to be the only outward disruption to Simon’s controlled life. But Simon has a secret-- he’s having an affair with a beautiful young woman from one of Auckland’s seediest suburbs. When Julia Stevens, the Lamptons’ neighbor, is murdered in her own home, Detective Marie Da Silva (Madeleine Sami, Super City) starts focusing on the Lampton household, and Simon’s attempt to cover up his affair begins to unravel his carefully constructed life.
8) The Big Shot With Bethenny Series Premiere (HBO Max)
In each half-hour episode, the next generation of business moguls will compete for a chance to be second-in-command to business tycoon and Skinnygirl founder Frankel, and win a coveted position working on her executive team. In business and in life, Frankel never settles and only accepts excellence. Through a series of real-life tasks and challenges, each aspiring mogul will be tested to see how far they can push their creativity and determination to rise to the top.
9) Things Heard & Seen (Netflix)
A Manhattan couple moves to a historic hamlet in the Hudson Valley and come to discover that their marriage has a sinister darkness, one that rivals their new home’s history. Based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Brundage.
10) Yasuke Series Premiere (Netflix)
He came from Africa and fought alongside a mighty feudal lord in brutal 16th century Japan. They called him the Black Samurai, and he became a legend.
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.