Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, January 13th, 2025:
PRODUCTION NOTES
Figuring out how to juggle the workflow for paid subscribers vs. free subscribers is still a work in progress. I did want to mention a couple of little changes in what is available to paid subscribers.
My original plan was to provide additional links listings at the bottom of each newsletter for paid subscribers. That turned into a bit of a logistical nightmare, for a variety of unimportant reasons. Although one is that it involved creating two almost identical versions of each newsletter, which has caused no end of issues.
Instead, paid subscribers will begin receiving a separate email on Sunday that lays out the listings for the upcoming week, including links to more information. Creating those links was also more time-consuming than I expected. But beginning with Sunday's email, you should receive more info on 90%+ of the listings.
Also, I am going to add a paid subscriber-only feature I've seen a couple of other Substacks do and it seems like fun. This weekend, you'll receive a link where you can book a 15-minute Zoom call with me. It's no holds-barred and we can talk about anything from Hulu to 1970s soft rock. I think the conversations will be fun and a nice value-added feature for paid subscribers. There is no time limit here, so if you don't get around to booking something for six months, the opportunity won't have expired.
HOW TV VIEWERS FEEL ABOUT AI
Hub Research conducted a survey among 2,540 US consumers with broadband, age 16-74, who watch at least 1 hour of TV per week. Interviews were conducted in November 2024 and explored consumers awareness and attitudes about AI in entertainment.
There are a number of interesting takeaways in the AI In Entertainment survey, which shows that of all the things AI could be used for in the television and streaming business, content discovery is the most popular choice cited by those consumers who were interviewed:
Three-quarters of respondents said they were somewhat or very interested in AI applications to analyze their viewing across platforms to give better recommendations (76%), recommend shows for particular situations like watching with others (77%), or to summarize all the reviews of a show before they decide to watch (74%).
And here are two interesting slides that provide an overall context for the respondent's feelings towards AI being used during their entertainment experience:
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW ANNOUNCES ITS FIVE-CITY TOUR TO FILM SEASON 30
As a lover of both history and thrift stories, I have always been a fan of the PBS series Antiques Roadshow. There is something so delightfully quirky about the show and the stories behind the items being examined. At a time when so many Americans seem so incredibly angry, it's refreshing to watch average people just enjoying the moment and each other's company.
The show has become even more of a favorite in the past couple of years. My teenage son doesn't watch a lot of broadcast television, even on a delayed basis. The bulk of his TV viewing centers around YouTube, live sports (Go Cubs and Rangers!) and anime. But he is also a love of history and after he sat down on the couch and started watching the show with me one night, watching Antiques Roadshow has become that "thing" we watch together. We talk about the items, try and guess the value of the items and truth be told, sometimes make light fun of some of the participants.
He has anxiety issues and watching the show with me has turned into both a way to spend more time with Dad, but to also help his mind to wind down. We have Hulu Live TV, and that includes feeds of both the Twin Cities PBS station as well as one from nearby Wisconsin. I have set the DVR to record every episode the two channels air, which is a lot. But it's nice to always have something to watch together and I suspect these are memories that will last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, none of this season's five season 30 locations are an easy drive from the Twin Cities. The one in Michigan is a nine-hour drive, which is likely more than my son would tolerate. But seeing the show in person is definitely on our bucket list and it's a reminder of how television shows have the ability to connect emotionally with audiences.
Here is the rundown of production tour dates and cities. There will be three episodes produced out of each city's event:
Tuesday, April 29th — Savannah, GA
Tuesday, May 13th — St. Louis, MO
Tuesday, June 3rd — Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday, June 18th — Boothbay, ME
Tuesday, July 1st — Charlevoix, MI
ODDS AND SODS
* On Sunday, I wanted to stream live news coverage of the California wildfires. It was amazingly difficult to find anything "live" on the many live streaming news channels.
* Here is a rundown of Monday's global television news.
* Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1 and Doctor Odyssey are all resuming production on Tuesday, albeit only shooting interior shots.
* NBC's new series The Hunting Party from Monday February 3rd, to after the NFL divisional playoff game on Sunday January 19th. Based on what I've seen of the show, this feels like a smart move. It has the potential to be able to really connect with audiences.
* Is Elon Musk really one of the best Path Of Exile 2 players in the world? You will be shocked to learn that he likely isn't and is paying someone to play for him.
* MSNBC said earlier today that Lawrence O’Donnell has secured an interview with President Joe Biden that will air Thursday on his primetime show The Last Word. The network says the sit-down with Biden in the Oval Office will be his final interview as President of the United States. It'll be interesting to see if he decides to ask some uncomfortable and/or tough questions.
* According to Cord Cutter News, NBC Universal has decided to shut down its linear network Universal Kids. The channel was originally expected to be part of the new Comcast assemblage of random cable channels.
* The American Society of Cinematographers has postponed its 2025 ASC Awards nominations again due to the ongoing wildfires. The group did not set a new date for the announcement.
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
MONDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2025:
Baylen Out Loud Series Premiere (TLC)
Diddy: The Making Of A Bad Boy (Peacock)
Death By Fame Season Premiere (Investigation Discovery)
Moonshiners: Master Distillers Season Premiere (History)
The Curious Case Of.....(Investigation Discovery)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2025:
A French Village Series Premiere (MHz Choice)
Ari Shaffir: America's Sweetheart (Netflix)
Cassandra Series Premiere (MHz Choice)
FBI True Season Six Premiere (Paramount+)
Night Court Spring Premiere (NBC)
Singles Inferno Season Four Premiere (Netflix)
St. Denis Medical Spring Premiere (NBC)
SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!