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| Hello again! New research confirms what we've all likely suspected, that Max/Warner Bros. Discovery has been the most cutthroat about trimming content from their own streaming platforms. Netflix, which also has a reputation for ruthlessness when it comes to renewals (just ask any "Warrior Nun" fans in your immediate area), surprisingly came in fifth place on the list, which took into account all cancellations between 2020 and 2023. Coincidentally, WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels made the case for these cost-cutting moves at a Bank of America conference this week. He argues that streamers were under-charging consumers for years, and now have to both cut back expenses and raise prices to re-establish equilibrium. That very well may be so, but it's still pretty bad -- perception-wise -- to make a name for yourselves as the company that cancels popular shows before audiences are ready to say goodbye. Over a long enough timeline, isn't that likely to impact how many people are willing to press play on a Max pilot? For fear executives will cut the narrative off before it has a chance to wrap everything up? Something to consider... Lon
p/lon-harris | |
| 1 | | The second season of "Thursday Night Football" on Amazon Prime Video debuts tonight at 7 pm ET with the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, the company embarked on an 11-year exclusive rights deal with the NFL for Thursday games, valued at around $13.2 billion. More: - Last season, Amazon streamed 15 total games to an average of around 9.6 million viewers, according to numbers from Nielsen; Amazon's internal data put those figures closer to 11.3 million.
- While those are big numbers for a streaming platform, they're still under the 13.3 million viewers averaged by NFL Network and Fox on Thursday night games in 2021.
- New rules adopted by league and team owners this season will allow for "flex scheduling" of some late-season games; schedules can now be adjusted on the fly to favor the most compelling potential match-ups.
- This season includes the NFL's first-ever Black Friday game, which will stream exclusively on Amazon.
- A new report from the Wall Street Journal discusses the frustration among sports fans attempting to follow their favorite teams on streaming platforms.
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| 2 | | New research from Variety and Luminate investigated which TV networks and streaming platforms cancel the most TV series. The data revealed that Max owners Warner Bros. Discovery were the most cutthroat about pulling shows from their lineups and platforms, with a 26.9% cancellation rate. More: - The data covers all shows, both scripted and unscripted, that aired or streamed between 2020 and August 2023.
- The survey looked at streamers including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Apple TV+, Peacock, and Paramount+, along with broadcast and cable networks.
- Despite its reputation for canceling shows at their peak of popularity, Netflix actually ranked fifth on the list, with a 10.2% cancellation rate during the period.
- These comparisons aren't always 1-to-1, because of the sheer volume of content on some streaming platforms vs. their competitors and especially conventional TV networks; Netflix has so many more shows than, say, Peacock, that more cancellations are inevitable.
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| 3 | | DAILY CALENDAR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Amazon's Week 2 NFL match-up features the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at Philly's Lincoln Financial Field. The stream starts at 7 pm ET. [Amazon] THEATER CAMP: 2023 indie comedy from first-time writer/directors Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, based on their 2020 short film. It's set at an upstate New York theater camp whose long-time director (Amy Sedaris) has slipped into a coma, leaving the enterprise in the hands of her clueless son (Jimmy Tatro). Gordon co-stars with Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, who also contributed to the screenplay. The film debuted at this year's Sundance. [Hulu] DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS: The DreamWorks animated series is spun off from the "How to Train Your Dragon" film franchise, resetting the action in the present day. Season 7 premieres today on Hulu and Peacock. [Hulu and Peacock] COURT CAM: The A&E reality series chronicles real-life legal cases, including emotional footage recorded inside actual courtrooms. Dan Abrams hosts. Season 5 aired earlier this summer and hits Hulu today. [Hulu] PHROGGING: HIDER IN MY HOUSE: True-crime docuseries from Lifetime examining the bizarre phenomenon of "phrogging," when people secretly live within someone else's home. The first season aired last year on cable and hits Hulu today. [Hulu] GIRL IN THE CLOSET: 2023 drama feature produced for the Lifetime network, inspired by actual events, about a girl who discovers that her aunt has been chaining kids up in her basement, as part of a scheme to collect benefit checks. Tami Roman, Daijah Peters, Remy Ma, and Stevie Baggs Jr. co-star. [Hulu] BUDDY GAMES: SPRING AWAKENING: In this sequel to the 2019 comedy "Buddy Games," a group of old pals steal their late friend's ashes and take them along on a free-wheeling Spring Break adventure. Josh Duhamel directed and co-stars alongside Dan Bakkedahl, Kevin Dillon, James Roday Rodriguez, and Nick Swardson. [Paramount+] BUDDY GAMES: Debut CBS game show, inspired by the "Buddy Games" films, in which six teams of four close friends square off in a variety of nostalgic summer camp-inspired challenges. The winners receive a cash prize and the Buddy Games trophy. Josh Duhamel hosts. [Paramount+] A LA CARTE: Romantic comedy-drama series looking at the ups and downs of modern relationships from the perspectives of a group of successful Black millennials. Pauline Dyer, Kendall Kyndall, Jenna Nolen, Jessie Woo, and Courtney Burrell co-star; Meagan Good executive produces. It's back for a second season. [ALLBLK] NO DEMO RENO: The HGTV reality series finds renovation expert and social media influencer Jennifer Todryk reimagining homes via clever, cost-saving solutions while avoiding massive overhauls and complex demolition projects. It's back this week for a third season on both Max and cable. [Max] BARBIE - A TOUCH OF MAGIC: Debut animated series, following up on the movie "Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure," in which Malibu and Brooklyn Barbie discover a magical baby Pegasus on the beach and help her find her way home. [Netflix] EHRENGARD: THE ART OF SEDUCTION (EHRENGARD: FÖRFÖRELSENS KONST): Romantic comedy-drama feature from Denmark, based on the novel by author Karen Blixen. In the fairytale kingdom of Babenhausen, a self-appointed expert on love (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) is hired by a scheming duchess (Sidse Babett Knudsen) to teach the introverted crown prince about romance. Billie August ("Pelle the Conqueror," "A Fortunate Man") directed. [Netflix] ONCE UPON A CRIME: Fantasy-comedy feature from Japan, based on the novel by Aito Aoyagi that parodies popular Western fairy tales. Little Red Riding Hood (Kanna Hashimoto) and Cinderella (Yûko Araki) meet on the way to the Prince's ball, only to get mixed up in an elaborate murder mystery. Yûichi Fukuda ("Black Night Parade") directed. [Netflix] THURSDAY'S WIDOWS (LAS VIUDAS DE LOS JUEVES): Debut Spanish-language thriller series from Mexico, based on a 2009 Argentinian film. A group of grieving wives learn dark secrets about their tony gated community after their husbands are found dead together in a swimming pool. Omar Chaparro, Irene Azuela, Cassandra Ciangherotti and Juan Pablo Medina co-star. [Netflix] | | | |
| 4 | | Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels once more discussed raising the prices of streaming subscriptions at a Bank of America conference this week. Wiedenfels described the initial streaming business model -- in which large media companies were "warehousing content" on their platforms and focusing exclusively on new sign-ups -- as "incomprehensible." More: - Wiedenfels appeared virtually at the conference, because he currently has COVID.
- According to the executive, throughout this history of the streaming business, "an enormously valuable amount of quality content has been given away well below fair market value"; he said this issue is in the process of being "corrected."
- Wiedenfels describes his tenure at WB Discovery as "the most intense 17 months in my career."
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| 5 | | The HBO late night chat series "Real Time with Bill Maher" will return on September 22 without writers. This makes Maher the first and so far only late-night host to resume production during the Hollywood strikes. More: - Drew Barrymore announced the return of her daytime talk show this week; CBS' "The Talk" also plans to resume later this month.
- Maher's show will return without its pre-scripted segments, such as his monologue and "New Rules"; the show will focus on panel discussions between Maher and guests.
- Maher has previously spoken out against the WGA, referring to several of the writers' demands as "kooky" on a recent podcast and suggesting that many guild members believe "that you're owed a living as a writer, and you're not."
- The WGA called Maher's decision "disappointing" and has confirmed plans to picket the show.
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| 6 | | Netflix's behind-the-scenes golf docuseries "Full Swing" won't get full access to team rooms at this year's Ryder Cup. The US team, led by captain Zach Johnson, took a vote and opted to keep certain areas off limits to Netflix's cameras. More: - Season 2 of "Full Swing" is currently in production.
- According to PGA CEO Seth Waugh, the series is already having a positive impact on golf fandom in the US; Nielsen research indicates that 63% of "Full Swing" viewers also watched a PGA Tour event within two months of the show's debut.
- The Ryder Cup begins the week of September 25 outside Rome.
- Team rooms are available for players at both the golf course and the host hotel during Ryder Cup events; traditionally, these areas are off-limits to the press and even other VIP attendees.
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| 7 | | According to a new report in Deadline, Amazon plans to renew the British reality series "Clarkson's Farm" for a new season. The company had previously distanced itself from the former "Top Gear" host following his publication of a negative column about Meghan Markle in The Sun tabloid in early 2023. More: - According to unnamed sources who spoke to Deadline, Amazon's relationship with Clarkson has improved, and there are active discussions about bringing "Clarkson's Farm" back for a fourth season.
- The reality series follows Clarkson as he moves to the English countryside and opens a farm, despite a complete lack of relevant experience; it's Amazon's best-performing UK original series.
- In his controversial column, Clarkson wrote that he hated Markle on a "cellular level" and fantasized about publicly shaming her in the style of Queen Cersei from "Game of Thrones"; he has apologized on social media.
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| 8 | | Paramount+ released a full trailer for the upcoming "Frasier" revival series. The trailer declares "Frasier is back... and he's basically the same." More: - The series finds the former "Cheers" regular, played by Kelsey Grammer, moving back to Boston to reconnect with his now-adult son, Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott).
- Nicholas Lyndhurst, Toks Olagundoye, Jess Salgueiro, and Anders Keith co-star; Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin, who both co-starred on the previous "Frasier" series, will make guest appearances.
- "Frasier" once held the record for most Emmy wins by a single series, with 37; "Game of Thrones" took over the #1 spot in 2016, though "Frasier" still holds the record for any comedy series.
- The full run of "Frasier" is now streaming on Paramount+; the new 10-episode season debuts on October 17.
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- Netflix dropped a trailer for the Wes Anderson short film "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar"; the first of four planned Roald Dahl adaptations from the acclaimed writer/director debuts on September 27.
- Apple released a trailer for "Lessons in Chemistry," a limited series based on the bestselling novel by Bonnie Garmus; the series, starring Brie Larson as a scientist in the '50s who embarks on a new career as a cooking show host, debuts on October 13.
- Singer-songwriter Rita Ora will step in for panelist Nicole Scherzinger next season on Fox's "The Masked Singer"; Scherzinger is taking time away from the franchie to star as Grizabella in a new West End revival of "Cats."
- In a new interview with Deadline, "One Piece" producers Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements suggest that the live-action series could run for 6 or even up to 12 seasons.
- Disney+ released a new trailer for the latest live-action "Goosebumps" series, based on the R.L. Stine books; the first five episodes land on October 13.
- Amazon pushed the Prime Video premiere of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" from November to early 2024, due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes; Donald Glover and Maya Erskine co-star in the series, which is based on the 2005 Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie action-comedy film.
- Gamespot suggests that Netflix may announce a new animated "Tomb Raider" series during this month's Drop 01 virtual event.
- The two-hour documentary special "Saving the Gorillas: Ellen's Next Adventure" follows Ellen DeGeneres as she travels to Rwanda and opens a new conservationist training facility; the special debuts on both Discovery+ and Max on September 23.
- Bravo announced the cast line-up for Season 3 of "Winter House," including veterans from "Summer House," "Vanderpump Rules," "Below Deck," and "Family Karma."
- MTV revealed the cast for the new season of "The Surreal Life," including Macy Gray, Chet Hanks, Ally Brooke, O.T. Genasis, Kim Zolciak, Johnny Weir, and Josie Conseco.
- Seattle, Washington's independently owned Scarecrow Video announced its own "Rent by Mail" service inspired by classic Netflix.
- Paramount+ Australia commissioned the thriller series "Fake" from producer and co-star Asher Keddie; the series is based on a book by Stephanie Wood, and stars Keddie as a writer who meets a mysterious man (David Wenham) on a dating app.
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INSIDE STREAMING LEADERBOARD (ALL-TIME) |
 | 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 Lon Harris | |
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