ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places TV Streaming rise Networks ‘bank’ on reboots, franchises By David Bauder and Lynn Elber verything old is new again on network television, Eand without apology. As the TV industry rushes into the future with streaming services, traditional broadcasters unveiled 2021-22 schedules that rely heavily on familiar series brands and reboots of decades-old shows. There’s even a two-fer based on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” the Las Vegas-set forensics drama that dazzled viewers when it arrived in 2000. Get ready for “CSI: Vegas,” a CBS remake complete with original stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox and, in a sign of diversity progress, Black actor Paula Newsome as the lead investigator. The annual network tradition of wooing potential ad buyers with lavish New York City presentations of up- coming shows and their stars was reduced by COVID to a virtual presentation for the sec- ond year. But a deeper disruption came with the announcement that Discovery and Warner- Media plan to merge, adding yet another media behemoth with streaming services — Discovery+ and HBO Max Kimmel — to the fray that began with Netflix. The broadcast networks aren’t merely on the sidelines. Most are aligned with streaming services through their corporate owners, such as Disney’s ABC and Disney+, which means they’re both competing and cooperating. The strategy to double-down on standard network fare comes as lavish streamed shows including “The Crown” draw critical acclaim, Emmy Awards and subscribers. But it’s ad dollars that the networks need, and they’re uniquely positioned to provide the mass Maneskin from Italy celebrate with the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 22. (AP) audiences that justify them. Here are the key takeaways from last week’s an- nouncements by ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Rough Waters Music Tuning in to some of the broadcast network’s on- line presentations felt like watching a phone company show off its new collection of landlines. With rotary dialers! It’s interesting. Maybe even helpful. But it doesn’t CMA board limits Wallen’s award eligibility refl ect the world of today, or tomorrow. Streaming un- deniably draws the buzz now — the hot programs that get critical attention or awards, and the format is what business leaders concentrate on. Italy’s rock band wins Eurovision During the 1995-96 television season, 56% of peo- ple watching television in the evening were seeing the ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, May try. The band, which honed its musi- Ahead of the show, crowds gathered live output of network affi liates — primarily CBS, 23, (AP): A four-piece band of Italian cal style busking in Rome, won with a outside the arena in the Dutch city of NBC, ABC and Fox. This year, that was down to 26%, rockers won the Eurovision Song Con- total of 529 points from second-placed Rotterdam. Drag queens mingled with according to the Nielsen company. test in the early hours of Sunday, giv- France. Switzerland, which led af- families as a man in a gold suit waited The always caustic Jimmy Kimmel referred to ing one of the countries hit hardest in ter national juries had voted, finished to get into the venue. ABC as “Disney minus.” He torpedoed the network’s Europe by the coronavirus pandemic third. Milo Mateo and Carlo Sossa, wear- show “Big Sky” as “the #1 new drama that no one has reason to cheer. United Kingdom singer James New- ing matching sequin-covered hats and ever heard of or seen.” Maneskin’s win was only Italy’s man’s song, “Embers,” failed to ig- draped in Italian flags, came from It- The unveiling of a new fall schedule at CBS - for two third victory in the immensely popular nite any love at all and did not score a aly for the show and were hoping for decades generally America’s most-watched television contest and the first since Toto Cutug- single point, finishing last, just as the a Maneskin victory since that would network - used to be the week’s centerpiece. This year Senhit, (left), from San Marino per- no took the honor in 1990. UK did at the previous Eurovision two bring next year’s contest to Italy. it was rushed through, almost an afterthought. Instead, forms Adrenalina with rapper Flo Rida The music festival was cancelled years ago. “If we win, it will be very, very nice, CBS and its Viacom corporate partners emphasized at the Grand Final of the Eurovision last year amid the pandemic but this US rapper Flo Rida didn’t manage because the next year will be in Italy. all of the content available on multiple platforms. Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rot- year’s event in Rotterdam’s Ahoy are- to translate his star power into points That’s very good. Let’s hope. Fingers “We talk about literally looking at our company terdam, Netherlands, May 22. (AP) na with its regime of testing and strict for tiny San Marino’s entry that was crossed,” Mateo said as he waited to holistically, and where these shows end up, where hygiene protocols was seen as a step get into the arena. they seem to fit best,” said CBS entertainment chief sung by Senhit. They finished with just toward a post-COVID-19 return to live 50 points. The popular Icelandic band Dadi Kelly Kahl in an interview. “That’s the goal of what og Gagnamagnid, known for its kitsch we’re trying to do. We’re trying to get the best entertainment. “We think that the whole event was Victory dance moves and green leisurewear shows in front of viewers, however they decide to costumes, could not perform live be- watch.” a relief. We think that we were really For lovers of kitsch, German singer thankful ... to have had the chance to Jendrik played a sparkling ukulele and cause one member tested positive for Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier sounded the virus earlier in the week. Instead, almost plaintive in talking to advertisers about his be part of this huge event,” Maneskin danced with a woman dressed in a gi- lead singer Damiano David said. ant hand costume optimistically show- viewers saw a recording of one of the network’s shows: “These are not built for subscribers, band’s dress rehearsals. they’re built for you, to help your brand.” “This Eurovision means a lot, I ing the victory sign. He finished close That’s as close as you’ll get a television executive think, to the whole of Europe. It’s go- to last. Also: ing to be a lighthouse. So thank you, Lithuanian band The Roop danced to saying they’re making material to be played in be- NASHVILLE, Tenn: Country singer tween commercials. everybody. Really,” he added. in bright yellow costumes in a tongue- Italy, the bookmakers’ favorite, in-cheek homage to 1980s synth pop. Morgan Wallen will be eligible for It’s a business. And while executives may be on Hawkins Cuomo multiple awards at this year’s CMA their heels, advertisers committed to some $18.6 trailed Switzerland, France and Malta Pravi’s song. “Voilà,” was a re- Awards but not the show’s top prize, a billion in spending for commercials last year on after the national juries delivered their strained ballad that built to a swirling sign of the continuing fallout after he broadcast and cable networks after hearing their votes but were propelled to victory by crescendo on a largely darkened stage, was caught on camera using a racial plans, even with uncertainty caused by the pandem- Variety votes from the viewing public. but there was still plenty of the over- slur. ic, according to Media Dynamics, Inc. Ad spending “The audience is the most important the-top spectacle that has become Eu- The Country Music Association’s hasn’t dropped the way viewership has, since the thing, of course,” said bassist Victoria rovision’s trademark. Board of Directors voted that Wallen programming is still among the few opportunities MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala: Roger Hawk- De Angelis. Norwegian singer Andreas Hauke- will not be eligible for individual art- to reach a large audience. ins, the original drummer for the studio “So the fact that so many people land, whose stage name TIX is a refer- ist categories, such as entertainer of So while the rise of streaming makes this feel like a band immortalized as “The Swampers” vote for us, it’s the most meaningful, ence to growing up with Tourette syn- the year and male vocalist of the year, business in transition, it’s not entirely clear what lies in the rock hit “Sweet Home Alabama,” because that means that those people drome, sang “Fallen Angel” in a pair according to Catharine McNelly, a ahead. died. are coming to our gigs, they are listen- of giant white wings while chained to CMA spokeswoman. Hawkins, who was 75, died after an ing to our music. And this has much four prancing devils. The board decided that Wallen could Want Fries With That? extended illness, said Ana Hyde, studio more value than a jury” At the other end of the spectrum — still be nominated for awards that rec- The term “franchise” applies to the fast-food indus- and operations manager at Muscle Shoals A crowd of 3,500 fans, who all Finland’s hard-rocking Blind Channel ognize an artistic work, such as album try and to TV, with some networks making the adapt- Sound Studio.