Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, October 16th, 2025:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?
This is not a political newsletter and I am conscious of the fact that I have readers from all parts of the political spectrum. Still, Saturday's "No Kings" protests are likely to be the biggest protest in the modern history of the country and I suspect many of you will be there.
If you are planning to attend and would like to share a photo for a piece I'm writing for Sunday, send me a photo to
THE PERPLEXING NEW CNN ALL ACCESS
After months of vaguely promising it, CNN announced on Thursday that it will launch the subscription streaming service CNN ALL ACCESS on Tuesday, October 28th.
I haven't been able to get an early look at it yet, but I'll review it once it launches. But considering what is riding on the success of this venture, the official press release didn't offer up much in the way of details other than the cost:
Available for $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually, the new tier will deliver the most complete way to experience CNN within its existing suite of digital products across web, mobile and connected TV apps. Subscribers who sign up for the annual plan option by January 5, 2026 can subscribe for a special introductory price of $41.99 for the first year.
And I am not exaggerating when I say there aren't many details about what subscribers will be paying for:
“No one covers the world like CNN. With this new subscription offering, our audience will now have access to the best of CNN across platforms, including multiple live stream channels, our signature video-led journalism and all articles on CNN.com and in the mobile app,” said Alex MacCallum, Executive Vice President, Digital Products and Services, CNN Worldwide. “It’s an essential step in CNN’s evolution as we work to give audiences the complete CNN experience in a format that reflects how audiences engage with the news today.”
Subscribers of the All Access tier will have the ability to stream a selection of CNN’s live US and International programming; the award-winning CNN Originals library of more than 1,000 hours of content as well as the latest CNN Original Series and CNN Films, available the day after their television airing; exclusive new video-on-demand programming and special features from CNN’s award-winning journalists; exclusive live events and all CNN.com articles and subscriber-only content. The full schedule and content offering will be available at launch.
At launch? Why not provide some details ten days out from the launch? What kind of "special features?" What kind of "subscriber-only content?" Multiple live streams? Which ones? Is it the mix of CNN and CNN International that until recently was available on HBO Max? Or is a full US linear-style channel going to be available?
Will CNN All Access be worth the money? I have no idea at this point, because I have no idea what will be available.
APPLE TV AND PEACOCK ROLL OUT A BUNDLE
Apple TV and Peacock will launch a new bundle on Monday, October 20th, just ahead of the NBA tipoff on NBC and Peacock.
The bundle will cost $14.99 per month for the Apple TV and Peacock Premium tier, or $19.99 for Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus bundle, representing a discount of over 30 percent (Apple TV is currently $12.99 per month, while Peacock Premium and Premium Plus are $10.99 and $16.99, respectively).
The difference between Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus is that the latter has very few ads and also includes a live feed of your local NBC affiliate.
Apple is also offering select Apple One subscribers a subscription to Peacock Premium Plus for a 35 percent discount.
As part of the bundle, each service will be providing limited episodes of some of its original programming to the other service. Apple TV users will receive access to three episodes of shows like Bel-Air, Twisted Metal and Happy’s Place, while Peacock users will get up to three episodes of shows like Palm Royale, Stick and Slow Horses.
So why are the two streamers bundling up? There are likely a few reasons. Subscriber churn is an issue for both streamers and users typically are less likely to cancel a bundled subscription than a stand-alone one. This also provides some cross-promotion for both streamers and helps with content discovery. Peacock has had success in the past offering limited Hallmark content as a test as well as a limited time deal with AMC that highlighted some of its programming.
The other advantage goes back to what I wrote yesterday about Apple TV's ambitions to increase its live sports programming. In the interim, this bundle allows Apple TV to share customers with Peacock, which has a substantial amount of live sports programming. The bundle provides live sports fan another option apart from the ESPN/Fox Sports bundle, which is currently the guerilla for live streaming sports.
To be honest, rather than pursuing a merger, Paramount Skydance should just pursue a similar bundle with HBO Max, which provide many of the same advantages for those struggling streamers.
ODDS AND SODS
* The Pendragon Cycle: Rise Of The Merlin will premiere Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 on Daily Wire+. Here is a first video look at the series. And here is the official logline: "The Pendragon Cycle: Rise Of The Merlin is based on the multi-award winning novels written by Stephen R. Lawhead. Recognized as Lawhead’s most acclaimed works, The Pendragon Cycle is a unique retelling of the Arthurian legend, set not in the high Medieval age of knights in shining armor, but in the wake of a Roman-occupied Britain, where the seeds of Christianity are beginning to take root in the face of spiritual and physical darkness. As barbarian invaders threaten to lay claim to the Island of the Mighty, only those with faith in the true God will prevail."
* Earlier this year, Penske Media Corporation announced that it was putting a "return to the office" policy in place, which would force employees of their numerous trade outlets to either move to New York or Los Angeles (without any moving expenses) or lose their jobs. The policy was seen as a way to shed some staff without officially having another round of layoffs and we are beginning to see that happen in real time. Longtime Rolling Stone reporter Tim Dickinson declined to relocate and just announced he is joining the staff of The Contrarian as a senior politics writer and editor.
* The documentary Don't Date Brandon will premiere Tuesday, October 28th on Paramount+. Here is a first video look at the documentary. And here is the official logline: "Brandon seemed like the perfect boyfriend, but when Amber reaches out to his ex-wife Athena, the truth begins to unravel, revealing a disturbing history of lies, restraining orders, and a criminal past. Don’t Date Brandon is a gripping Paramount+ documentary that follows two women who joined forces to expose the truth. Through raw interviews, personal footage, and expert insight, it’s a story of survival, sisterhood, and the hidden dangers of modern dating."
* I was a big fan of Noel Fielding's Apple TV series The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, which mysteriously shut down last year in the middle of production on season two. Months later, it's still not clear exactly what happened, but Apple TV has now unexpectedly released a stand-alone episode fashioned out of some of the season two footage.
* Kyle Schwarber's four-homer game was featured in episode of Abbott Elementary.
WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH:
* An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally (HBO)
* Art & Science Collide (PBS)
* Boston Blue Series Premiere (CBS)
* Downey Wrote That (Peacock)
* Fire Country Season Four Premiere (CBS)
* Good News (Netflix)
* Her Life Is On The Line (LMN)
* Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam (Prime Video)
* Mare Branca: The Surreal Story Of Rabo de Peixe (Netflix)
* Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV+)
* Other (Shudder)
* R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead (Tubi)
* She Walks In Darkness (Netflix)
* Sheriff Country Series Premiere (CBS)
* The Chosen Adventures Series Premiere (Prime Video)
* The Guest Series Premiere (Paramount+)
* The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)
* The Rainmaker Season One Finale (USA)
* The Thaw (HBO Max)
* The Twits (Netflix)
* Turn Of The Tide (Netflix)
* Turn Of The Tide: The Surreal Story Of Rabo de Peixe (Netflix)
* 27 Nights (Netflix)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH:
* A Christmas Prayer (Great American Family)
* Anything But Gray Series Premiere
* A Royal Montana Christmas (Hallmark)
* Molly-Mae: Behind It All (Prime Video)
* The Widow's Payback (Lifetime)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH:
* A Christmas Angel Match (Hallmark)
* Five Date Rule (UP tv)
* Haha You Clowns Series Premiere (Adult Swim)
* Hal & Harper Series Premiere (Mubi)
* The Prep School Disappearance (Lifetime)
* The Road Series Premiere (CBS)
* Tracker Season Three Premiere (CBS)
* 2025 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (Shudder)
SEE YOU EARLY SUNDAY MORNING!