Category: The TV Biz

Disney Plus is looking Mighty Fine

Who’d a’thunk that Disney’s upcoming streaming service would appear so darned inviting? The way this TVWriter™ minion sees it, if Disney+ fulfills a quarter of its potential, it could – and should – put half the cable networks in the world out of business.

by Peter Sciretta

Today, the Walt Disney Company rolled-out their plans for their upcoming streaming service Disney+ during an Investors Meeting. Now that we finally know more of the details for this service, here’s a round-up of all the original television series announced and rumored for the service. read article

Which Came First, Network Ratings Drop or Cord Cutting?

Today’s adventure in “correlation vs. causation.” Sigh:

As Cord Cutting Grows Network Ratings Continue to Drop
by Luke Bouma

As cord cutting opens Americans up to new content they can’t get with cable TV, it is no surprise that TV ratings are continuing to drop. BTIG, a research group focused on topics like TV, has reported that network ratings are down on average 18% in 2019 compared to 2018. The biggest drop is ABC, which is seeing its viewing down 22% in the ever important 18-49 demographic. read article

Google Decides Not to Go Up Against the Big Bad Boys of Streaming

A tragic tale as YouTube (owned by Google) “bows out of Hollywood Arms Race with Netflix and Amazon.

Wusses!

by Lucas Shaw

YouTube has canceled plans for high-end dramas and comedies, people with knowledge of the matter said, a pullback from its grand ambitions for a paid service with Hollywood-quality shows. read article

The WGA and the ATA are Negotiating…sorta

The War Between TV and Film Writers and the Association of Talent Agents was scheduled to escalate at midnight, April 6th, but that’s on hold right now because – OMG! Be still our beating hearts! – further talks on what the Guild has named the “Agency Code of Contact” have been scheduled.

Here’s the latest letter of explanation from the Writers Guild of America West: read article

WGAW April 2019 Calendar

If ever there was a busy – and momentous – month at the Writers Guild of America West it’s this one. Here’s what going on, socially and professionally,  this month:

April 2019

Events listed are current at time of publication. Dates and details are subject to change during the month. To see the live calendar, click here. (Member Login required for that, sorry.)