Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, June 16th 2025:
PRODUCTION NOTES
Tonight's newsletter is even later than normal and I apologize for that. Today was my son's 20th birthday and we spent much of the day hanging out with my wife and then spent some quality time tonight watching old episodes of "Vintage" Antiques Roadshow and competing to see which one of us could better predict if the value of an item had went up or down over the years.
So this is late, but it was worth it.
On another note, I've had a few people ask how my health is doing. I've been purposely vague because honestly, half the time I don't have an answer. It's been months of tests and new medicines and days when I just want to curl up. And it's all been complicated by the fact that there are a couple of things going on at the same time. But it's being handled and I feel cautiously optimistic for the future.
Doing this newsletter has helped keep me sane and motivated. And I appreciate all of your concerns. It means a lot.
EVERY DOLLAR A COMPANY SPENDS ON STOCK BUYBACKS HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE
Until the law changed in 1982 under the Reagan Administration, it was illegal for a company to buy back shares of its own stock. It was considered stock manipulation, because the only real reason to buy back stock is in order to reduce the number of publicly traded shares. Which in theory, should increase the price of the company's stock, assuming nothing else changes.
Changes in the law also made it easier for companies to tie the price of its shares to executive compensation and bonuses. So over the years, the result was that many companies spent money that should have gone to things such as product development, marketing and employee pay and used the funds to buy back billions of dollars worth of their outstanding shares. This approach often damaged the company's long-term ability to compete, but that didn't matter much to the executives who earned millions (or tens of millions) in bonuses before they went on to the next company.
As you might imagine, the recent trends in American media have left most big entertainment companies without the free cash flow to spend on stock buybacks. While Netflix has bought back $3.185 billion of its own shares over the past five years, rivals such as Paramount Global have had to show restraint.
Over the past five years, Paramount Global has not engaged in any stock buybacks. And Warner Bros. Discovery has not done any stock buybacks since the merger closed in 2022.
On the other hand, while AMC Networks has been struggling in recent years, that hasn't prevented the company from doing a series of steady buybacks over the past five years. The biggest buyback by far was one in December 2020 for $260,780,000. But in most fiscal quarters since, the company has bought back small amounts of stock, at least some of it from company executives. Overall, the company has done just over $343 million in stock buybacks over the past five years.
Fox Corporation takes a very different approach when it comes to stock buybacks. Since June 2023, it spends $250,000,000 each quarter. No more, no less. However, in March 2023, the company reported it had bought back $1.25 billion worth of stock in the previous quarter. Overall, the company's five-year total is a staggering $6 billion in stock buybacks.
And The Walt Disney Corp. has also invested heavily in stock buybacks, spending $4,777,000,000 over the past five years. To put that into context, you could produce around nine seasons of Andor with that money.
However, no media company has been more aggressive with its stock buyback program than Comcast, which has repurchased 988 million shares for a total expenditure of $40.6 billion. Which is just a staggering sum.
Now none of these companies are doing anything wrong. At least, not legally. But I think it's fair to suggest some of these company's could have put these funds to better use.
TO BE HONEST, I DON'T REMEMBER THIS EPISODE OF 'DOCTOR WHO'
ODDS AND SODS
* Over the years I have seen a LOT of competition shows come and go. It's a tough and unpredictable genre and I am wise enough to know there is no predicting what audiences might like. But there are some ideas that make me think "Hmm. I wonder how this is going to work?" And I certainly have that feeling with the upcoming Netflix series All The Sharks. Here is the premise: 'All the Sharks is a thrilling new competition series where four teams of passionate shark experts embark on the ultimate adventure to find and photograph the most sharks. Racing against time - and each other - teams dive deep into the world's most spectacular shark habitats, all in hopes of winning a $50,000 prize for their chosen marine charity." And here is a first look at the trailer.
* A group of California journalists have filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging unlawful use of force.
* Netflix has announced the latest regional edition of its Love Is Blind dating franchise, this one set in Italy. Here is the official logline of the series: "Falling in love sight unseen: that’s the challenge awaiting the participants of Love is Blind: Italy. Leading them through this unique experiment are two exceptional hosts: Fabio Caressa and Benedetta Parodi. He’s a beloved sports commentator, she’s a popular TV personality — married for over 25 years and still going strong. Now, they're guiding singles on their own journey to find true love. Who will say the fateful “I do”?" And here is a first look at the trailer.
* Tucci In Italy has been renewed for a second season by NatGeo.
* The comedy special Nate Jackson: Super Funny will premiere Tuesday, July 8th on Netflix.
TWEET OF THE DAY
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
TUESDAY, JUNE 17TH:
* Chopper Cops Season Two Premiere (Paramount+)
* Hell Motel (AMC+/Shudder)
* Justin Willman: Magic Lover (Netflix)
* Kaulitz & Kaulitz (Netflix)
* Surviving Ohio State (HBO)
* Trainwreck: Mayor Of Mayhem (Netflix)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH:
* America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season Premiere (Netflix)
* Children Ruin Everything Season Premiere (The CW)
* Expedition Unknown Season Premiere (Discovery)
* Mystery At Blind Frog Ranch Season Premiere (History)
* Outrageous (BritBox)
* Rosario Tijeras (Mexico) (Netflix)
* Somebody Feed Phil Season Eight Premiere (Netflix)
* Sports Gone Wrong Series Premiere (Vice)
* The Buccaneers Season Two Premiere (Apple TV+)
* We Were Liars Series (Prime Video)
* Yolanthe Series Premiere (Netflix)
SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!