CNN on Max / Charting Paramount revenue / Actors' message to SAG-AFTRA / "The Bear" S2 a hit for Hulu

Plus today's calendar, "Silo" premiere for free, "The Witcher" S3 split in two, Hulu losing extra shows, and more

Inside Streaming For June 28, 2023

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Today we've got big stories about WB Discovery's plans for CNN (put it on Max!) and actors' message to SAG-AFTRA leadership (don't give up so easy!) But I really want to highlight FX and Hulu's "The Bear," which is having big success with its new second season, and is just one of the best shows on TV right now. It's about a fine dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop after a personal tragedy but really it's about all the big things TV dramas can tackle: navigating relationships with your family and your co-workers, dealing with stress, setting priorities in your life, and all that good stuff. Highly recommended. Enjoy today's issue! See you back here tomorrow. Lon p/lon-harris

1 According to a new report from Bloomberg, Warner Bros. Discovery plans to add live CNN programming to the Max streaming service. The move could happen as soon as this year. More: There will be organizational and rights issues to overcome in order to realize WBD's plan; currently, pay-TV providers such as Comcast and DirecTV contractually retain the right to offer exclusive content on cable networks. The Bloomberg report notes that internal teams at Max are already working on the technical considerations. When launching the Max platform -- which brought together HBO Max and Discovery+ content -- WBD CEO David Zaslav teased future announcements regarding news and sports.

2 Paramount+ with Showtime: This week, Paramount Global joins its two largest streaming services -- Paramount+ and Showtime -- into one combined offering. The move comes at a pivotal moment for the company, which has seen significant growth for both its Paramount+ and Pluto TV ad-supported streaming services, but -- as with so many other digital and media companies -- has struggled with revenue over the past several quarters. (Paramount Global's overall revenue was down 8% in Q1 vs. 2022.) As Streaming Rises, Cable Declines: Despite major growth on Pluto TV and Paramount+ -- and expected revenue jumps, particularly on the streaming side -- Paramount was simultaneously hit by a significant drop in TV revenue, particularly from its cable networks (including MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon). CBS continued to lead broadcast networks in Q1, while the company had a theatrical hit with "Scream VI," but even this wasn't enough to offset the cable losses. Everything Else: Other than its streaming and TV businesses, Paramount makes the bulk of its revenue via theatrical film releases and licensing. These numbers were also down in Q1, reflecting just the overall timing of the global box office and a dip in consumer product licensing revenues. According to CEO Bob Bakish, the company will focus on "continuing to drive market-leading streaming growth" moving forward.

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3 DAILY CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 HIJACK: Limited thriller series from the UK, starring Idris Elba as a business negotiator who must re-apply his skills when his flight from Dubai to London is hijacked. The story unfolds in real time over the course of the seven-hour journey. Archie Panjabi, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, and Eve Myles co-star; "Criminal" vets George Kay and Jim Field Smith co-created. [Apple TV+] ROCK HUDSON: ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWED: Documentary profile of the legendary Hollywood leading man, who kept his homosexuality a secret for most of his life and career, and became one of the first celebrities to publicly disclose their AIDS diagnosis in the mid-1980s. Stephen Kijak ("Shoplifters of the World") directs. [Max] ANTHEM: Original music documentary in which composer Kris Bowers and DJ Dahi travel across the US investigating the history and significance of the US national anthem, and experimenting with new ways to reimagine and reinvent its sound. Peter Nicks ("Homeroom") directed. [Hulu] MUSCLES & MAYHEM: AN UNAUTHORIZED STORY OF AMERICAN GLADIATORS: Five-part docuseries looking back at the rise and fall of the popular 1990s TV franchise, in which everyday contestants faced off in a string of physical challenges against a line-up of professional competitors. A number of former Gladiators participated in the series, including Dan Clark (Nitro), Debbie Clark (Storm), Erika Andersch Bunker (Diamond), and Jim Kalafat (Laser). [Netflix] RUN RABBIT RUN: 2023 Australian psychological horror film, starring Sarah Snook as a single mom whose young daughter claims to have memories of a past life. Lily LaTorre, Damon Herriman, and Greta Scacchi co-star; Daina Reid ("The Handmaid's Tale") directed. [Netflix] HOARDERS: The A&E reality series profiles people who suffer from obsessive hoarding, and follows along as they receive aid from family, friends, and professionals to let go of some of their possessions and declutter their living spaces. New episodes from the show's 13th season hit Netflix today. [Netflix] DELETE: Debut thriller series from Thailand about a couple carrying on an extramarital affair who discover a supernatural phone, which grants them the ability to erase other people from existence. Ice-Natara Nopparatayapon, Nat Kitcharit, and Fah-Sarika Sartsilpsupa co-star; this is the first TV project from filmmaker Parkpoom Wongpoom ("Phobia"). [Netflix] ELDORADO: EVERYTHING THE NAZIS HATE (ALLES, WAS DIE NAZIS HASSEN): German-language historical documentary looking back at Berlin in the 1920s, and the legendary nightclub Eldorado, a gathering place for the city's gay, lesbian, and trans communities. The film combines documentary segments with scripted reenactments, to bring the Eldorado to life. [Netflix] HOME IN THE WILD: Debut reality series from National Geographic in which professional adventurers Jim and Tori Baird embark on an educational overnight canoe trip with their two young kids. [Disney+] DISNEY GALLERY: STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN - THE MAKING OF SEASON 3: The behind-the-scenes series returns with a look at the production process for Season 3 of "The Mandalorian," including contributions from legendary VFX artist Phil Tippett. [Disney+] ALICE'S WONDERLAND BAKERY: Animated Disney Junior series in which the great-granddaughter of the original 1950s Disney Alice opens up an enchanted bakery in Wonderland. Seven new episodes from the show's second season hit Disney+ today. [Disney+] WEEK-END FAMILY: The French-language family comedy series returns this week for a second season. Eric Judor stars as the father of three very different daughters who also maintains strong relationships with all of their moms. [Disney+] FREEKS: Spanish-language musical mystery-drama series from Argentina. Guido Pennelli stars as Gaspar, who gets kicked out of his band FreeKs after being accused of a crime he didn't commit. As Gaspar searches for clues to clear his name, the group starts climbing the musical charts. Malena Ratner, Agustina Cabo, Julia Tozzi, and Julián Cerati co-star. [Disney+] VH1 FAMILY REUNION: LOVE & HIP HOP: In Season 2 of the VH1 reality series, former cast members from across the "Love & Hip Hop" franchise gather for a vacation together in Jamaica. Cast members include Paris Phillips, Mimi Faust, Jonathan Fernandez, Brooke Valentine, Cyn Santana, Peter Gunz, and Rich Dollaz. [Paramount+] SIDE HUSTLE: The live-action Nickelodeon sitcom stars Jules LeBlanc and Jayden Bartels as best friends who take on a variety of odd jobs in order to pay off a fireworks-related debt. The second and final season aired in 2022 and hits Paramount+ today. [Paramount+]

4 A group of more than 400 actors -- including a number of prominent A-listers -- sent an internal letter to the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, urging them to take a hard line in negotiations with the streamers and studios. The letter noted that SAG-AFTRA members are "prepared to strike if it comes to that," and urged negotiators to settle for nothing less than a "transformative deal." More: Signatories included Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek, Glenn Close, Liam Neeson, Ben Stiller, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Elliot Page, and Quinta Brunson. In a video posted over the weekend, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland seemed optimistic about reaching a deal with the studios, and called negotiations so far "extremely productive"; the video was met with some pushback.

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5 Season 2 of "The Bear" had the most-watched debut weekend of any FX series in Hulu's history. The show made significant gains over its first season, increasing viewership by 70% over its first four days on the platform. More: Season 1 of "The Bear" already holds the record for the most-streamed season of any comedy series in FX history; Season 2 now seems poised to break that record. Jeremy Allen White stars in the critically acclaimed series as Carmy Berzatto, a fine dining chef who returns home to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop. Also this week, Paramount announced "The Bear" creator Christopher Storer has signed on to direct the film "The Winter of Frankie Machine," based on the 2006 Don Winslow novel; the deal was made prior to the WGA strike.

6 Apple released the series premiere of the sci-fi mystery "Silo" for free across all of its social media accounts. The Season 1 premiere streams this coming Sunday; the show has already been renewed for Season 2. More: Apple posted the full series premiere to their main TV+ Twitter account; site owner Elon Musk called it a "great move" and noted Twitter users can use Airplay from their iPhones to watch the show on TV. "Silo" is set in a dystopian future in which humans live underground in a massive bunker; Rebecca Ferguson stars as the newly-appointed "sheriff" who's investigating a string of murders. The series is based on stories by author Hugh Howey.

7 "The Witcher" is the latest Netflix series to release a season in multiple parts, seeming to contradict the platform's signature "binge viewing" model. Executive producer Steve Gaub explained to The Verge that Season 3 had a natural midpoint that made the "two volume" model work particularly well. More: According to Gaub, the mid-season pause wasn't written into the Season 3 scripts, but came up organically while editing the episodes together. Gaub added that, in streaming, "cliffhangers don't really exist," so it was appealing to try and drive online discussion by taking a mid-season break in the action. Season 3 will be the final "Witcher" run to feature Henry Cavill in the lead role as monster hunter Geralt of Rivia; Liam Hemsworth will step into the role in Season 4. Season 3 also apparently introduces a number of new characters who will carry the show into its next era. "The Witcher" Season 3, Volume 1, arrives this Thursday, June 29; Volume 2 will debut in July.

8 Hulu announced plans to pull more shows from its platform as part of a larger Disney-wide cost-cutting strategy. The drama series "Alaska Daily" and "The Company You Keep" will exit the platform as part of the company's $1.5-$1.8 billion in streaming-related write-downs. More: Both shows were canceled by ABC after a single season; normally, they would have remained on Hulu through at least September, but instead, they will exit in July. According to Deadline, most ABC shows that are canceled after a single season -- along with one-off TV specials -- will follow a similar strategy. Both shows will remain available for purchase on VOD platforms, such as iTunes and Amazon. Some licensed shows will also leave Hulu early on July 1, including the comedy series "Angie Tribeca," the NBC crime drama "Blindspot," and the TNT drama "The Last Ship."

9 QUICK HITS Kubernetes doesn't need to be complex. Join us for a conversation about how to increase developer productivity & reduce your pull request time by 75%.* On Tuesday night, "Warrior Nun" creator Simon Barry tweeted that the canceled Netflix YA fantasy show will return in some form, though he declined to provide further details. Showtime dropped a trailer for the seventh and final season of "Billions," featuring the return of Damian Lewis as Wall Street legend Bobby Axelrod.  Netflix executive Vernā Myers -- who implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies over the past five years -- will exit the company in September; she'll be replaced by VP of Inclusion Strategy Wade Davis. Max released a trailer for "Full Circle," the new mystery thriller series from filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, debuting on July 13; Zazie Beetz stars as a New York detective investigating a botched kidnapping. Google's Android TV is getting a new "Shop" tab featuring films available for rent or purchase on VOD. The FX and Sky comedy series "Breeders" -- starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard as the struggling parents of teenagers -- will end after its upcoming fourth season. "Futurama" returns on Hulu with new episodes on July 24. Netflix posted a trailer for the next film in the "Bird Box" franchise, arriving on July 14. Paramount+ announced the three-part docuseries "I Wanna Rock: The '80s Metal Dream," featuring reminiscences from members of Winger, Twisted Sister, Skid Row, and more. Disney ordered a first season for "Playdate," a British thriller series based on the Alex Dahl novel; French filmmaker Eva Husson ("Mothering Sunday") will direct. The European VOD Coalition -- a group made up of major European media companies, including Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Roku, and Viaplay -- cautioned the Danish government against a proposed new levy on international streaming platforms. Prime Video announced a new slate of Indian shows and films, including the horror series "Adhura" and a Telugu take on the YA drama "Hostel Days." "Live PD" and "On Patrol: Live" vet Sean "Sticks" Larkin will host the unscripted series "Crime Cam 24/7" for Fox Nation; the 12-part series examines real crimes recorded across the US on surveillance cameras. It's never been easier for your sales organization to accelerate growth. Learn how AI, and more, can help you sell in a whole new way.*  *This is sponsored content

Upcoming Events JUN 28 Dev Talk: Run apps at scale without K8 expertise* Virtual Register Here JUN 29 Inside.com Book Club - Automate Your Busywork (June 2023) Virtual Register Here JUL 12 Monthly Meditation guided by Nicholas Whitaker Virtual Register Here * This is a sponsored event

Knowledge Hub Term of the Day Gamification: Gamification is the addition of fun, addictive, game-like elements in non-gaming services such as websites, online communities and digital products. Read More Question of the Week How do you feel about the phrase "The customer is always right"? Join the conversation

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Lon Harris Writer Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia

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