Programming

Fox sats it will be holding its upfront presentation on May 17 and that, in addition to its entertainment and sports programming, this year’s event will showcase Tubi, the ad supported streaming service it bought last year.

Former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial last week featured explicit language rarely heard on American airwaves, particularly during a dramatic 13-minute video presented by House managers that showed scenes from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the enraged, violent mob that caused it. Why was hearing that language on network television unusual? And what might it mean for the future when it comes to broadcast standards?

Chris Harrison is “stepping aside” as host of ABC’s The Bachelor after excusing a contestant’s racism. “Just as I taught my children to stand up, and to own their actions, I will do the same,” Harrison says in a statement posted on Instagram.

The juggernaut that is ABC’s Shark Tank continues to dominate the Friday night ratings. This week was no exception, as the business entrepreneur competition pulled in an 0.7 to win the night. That strong showing by Shark Tank was a perfect lead-in for ABC’s 20/20, which featured a TV producer who was duped by her fiancee’s phony claims.

The final five-time champion of Jeopardy while Alex Trebek was still host died unexpectedly last week, according to a statement from his mother. Brayden Smith, of Las Vegas, was 24 years old when he died on Feb. 5. The family did not release the cause of death.

Bridgerton jumped back in front of Cobra Kai to retake the top spot in Nielsen’s U.S. streaming rankings for the week of Jan. 11-17, with sci-fi movie Outside the Wire helping Netflix sweep the top 10. The Shonda Rhimes-produced period romance drew just shy of 1.4 billion total minutes of viewing, outpacing Cobra Kai, which had 1 billion.

CSI, one of the most successful TV franchises ever, is inching closer to a formal return at CBS. Stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox are closing in on deals to return for the limited series revival from the franchise’s original creative team, Anthony Zuiker and Jerry Bruckheimer. Additionally, the rumored series has also enlisted Matt Lauria, Paula Newsome and Mel Rodriguez to the cast that is expected to bring back legacy characters and new faces for the short-order entry.

CBS’s Clarice debuted to 4 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating — right on par with what Evil averaged (3.6M/0.5) in the Thursday time slot last season. Opening the Eye’s night, Young Sheldon (7.3M/0.8) and B Positive (5.1M/0.6) returned steady, with the former leading Thursday in both measures.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine will conclude with a 10-episode final season next year, NBC announced Thursday. The Andy Samberg-led comedy won’t return for its last hurrah until the 2021-22 TV season, a departure from previously announced plans to begin airing Season 8 last fall.

CBS’s Tough as Nails opened Season 2 on Wednesday night with 3.4 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating — which is right on par with its freshman average. On NBC, Chicago Fire held steady to lead the night both in total audience (with 7.3 million viewers) and in the demo (with a 1.0 rating).

The Super Bowl is complete, and the National Football League is wasting no time shifting attention to its top revenue stream: media rights. The NFL is looking to finalize frameworks of new TV rights agreements in the next few weeks and wants to do so before setting the 2021 salary cap figure in March, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

A TVNewsCheck webinar featuring executives from CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Game Creek Video, Vizrt and CP Communications will look to advances in sports production emerging later this year and next as remote workflows continuously improve. Register here.

Lucasfilm, the producers of Disney+’s flagship series, The Mandalorian, have parted ways with original cast member Gina Carano, who plays Rebel shock trooper-turned-New Republic marshal Cara Dune on the Star Wars spinoff. Formerly a mixed martial artist, Carano has been under fire from many fans for quite a while now, due to problematic things she has said/opinions she has supported across social media.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has announced that the U.S. streaming giant will open a new office in Canada and hire a content chief dedicated to commissioning local originals. In a blog post, Sarandos said Netflix has spent CAD $2.5 billion (US$2 billion) in Canada since 2017 and it’s time to double down on its presence in the country, which has provided members with shows including Anne With An E and Workin’ Moms.

Amazon Studios has restructured its television development team under studio chief Jennifer Salke. Amazon is reforming its TV development to focus on three areas: development, series and IP/talent management.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has responded to the allegations that Joss Whedon abused his power on the sets of Buffy, its spin-off Angel, and the DC Films feature Justice League. “While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon,” Gellar wrote in a statement to Instagram, adding: “I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”

Connor Schell will serve as CEO of the still-unnamed studio which will “produce high quality, culturally relevant, non-fiction storytelling both inside and outside of the sports world,” according to the company.

Specific plans have yet to be unveiled for the show, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is “determined to present an Oscars like none other, while prioritizing the public health and safety of all those who will participate,” a spokesperson said.

NBC’s This Is Us returned (once again) to 5 million viewers and a 1.0 rating, holding steady in the demo (and leading Tuesday in that measure) while dipping to an audience low. On CBS, An oddly eventful NCIS (9.5M/0.9) dipped in both measures but still dominated Tuesday in total audience.