Friday, May 22, 2020

CBS is "America's Most Watched Network" Again

CBS Will Finish the 2019-2020 Season as America’s Most-Watched Network for 12th Straight Year

Network Wins 18 Out of Season’s 33 Weeks to-Date, Including Last 13 in a Row

Wins Crown for 17th Time in 18 Years

Has Season’s Top Series (NCIS) and Top Comedy (YOUNG SHELDON)

#1 Network Has Reached Almost 224 Million Unique Viewers This Season Across All Dayparts

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CBS will finish the 2019-2020 season as “America’s Most-Watched Network” for the 12th straight season with a lead of over +1 million viewers. This will be the Network’s 17th win in the last 18 years. So far, CBS has won an incredible 18 out of 33 weeks this year, including the last 13 in a row, to take the crown yet again. The feat is even more impressive when considering that the Network did not have the Super Bowl this year. CBS is also #1 in late night and daytime, sweeping all three key dayparts for the fourth consecutive year.

CBS is now averaging 7.74 million viewers, +1.1 million viewers, or +17% ahead of second-place NBC (versus 6.63m), +21% ahead of Fox (6.40m) and +40% ahead of ABC (5.51m). All numbers are according to Nielsen most current ratings through Sunday, May 10.

According to Nielsen NPower (6+ minute qualifier), CBS has reached almost 224 million (223.87m) unique viewers this season across all dayparts, beating its closest competitor (Super Bowl-powered Fox, 223.53m) by +340 thousand viewers.

The following are some additional highlights of CBS’ winning 2019-2020 season:

  •     CBS has 14 of the top 30 “most-watched” broadcast series. More than any other network.
  •     CBS has 11 time-period-winning programs, more than all other networks combined.
  •     Seven CBS series are averaging 10+ million viewers, more than any other network.
  •     CBS has the top five comedies and eight of the top 10 – more than the other networks combined.
  •     CBS has the top three dramas and 10 of the top 20 broadcast dramas – as many as all the other networks combined.
  •     NCIS is the season’s most-watched series and drama averaging 15.3 million viewers per week.
  •     YOUNG SHELDON is season’s most-watched comedy (11.4m), followed directly by MOM (8.5m), THE NEIGHBORHOOD (7.7m) and BOB ♥ ABISHOLA (7.5m). In fact, CBS has had the top comedy since the final season of “Friends” – the past 16 years.
  •     FBI: MOST WANTED is the most-watched new series.
  •     BOB ♥ ABISHOLA is the most-watched new comedy.
  •     60 MINUTES is the most-watched news program.

----------------------

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

ViacomCBS and Google Expand Mutli-Year Deal

ViacomCBS and Google Announce Expanded Distribution Agreement

Comprehensive Deal Introduces 14 Additional ViacomCBS Cable Networks to YouTube TV, Including BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC) and Google announced a comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreement to deliver more content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of news, entertainment and sports networks for YouTube TV subscribers. In addition to featuring continued carriage of CBS broadcast stations, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel, and The CW, the expanded agreement introduces 14 ViacomCBS channels to the live TV and on-demand subscription service.

BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1 will launch on YouTube TV this summer, providing more than two million subscribers with access to some of the most popular cable brands. BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick and MTV Classic will also launch on YouTube TV at a later date.

The deal also includes a continued commitment to distribute ViacomCBS’ premium subscription services, including SHOWTIME, on YouTube TV, as well as an extended partnership on the broader YouTube platforms.

“We are thrilled to have reached an expanded agreement with YouTube TV that recognizes the full power of our newly combined portfolio as ViacomCBS,” said Ray Hopkins, President, U.S. Networks Distribution, ViacomCBS. “Google has been an excellent partner, and we look forward to bringing even more of our entertainment networks to YouTube TV subscribers for the first time.”

"We're excited to launch ViacomCBS' portfolio on YouTube TV this summer, " said Lori Conkling, Global Head of Partnerships at YouTube TV. "Our expanded partnership delivers on our promise to offer a premium portfolio of content to our YouTube TV subscribers, as well as across the YouTube platforms."

YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that lets you watch live and on-demand TV from 70+ top networks through a simple and award-winning experience. It offers live & local sports, news, shows, movies, and more, and can be watched on any screen (phone, tablet, TV, computer). Membership comes with free unlimited cloud DVR storage space to record all your favorites, personalized watch recommendations, and a family plan with 6 accounts per household so the whole family can enjoy.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.


About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, CBS All Access, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.

For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.

About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

---------------------

"Be Prepared to Stop" Documentary Free on YouTube

As Americans Come to Grips With Empty Shelves and Delayed Deliveries, Documentary “Be Prepared to Stop” Examines U.S. Infrastructure Issues, Supply Chain Problems and Trucking Industry Challenges

Documentary released on YouTube for free limited run; film exposes failing highway and freight transportation systems, crumbling roads and bridges, America’s day-to-day dependence on trucking industry

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As millions of Americans contend with empty supermarket shelves and an increased reliance on home deliveries, weaknesses in the U.S. infrastructure continue to plague the trucking industry and have a detrimental impact on manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers and the entire country’s supply chain. “Be Prepared to Stop” is a documentary about every American’s dependence on the overcrowded and decaying U.S. Interstate Highway system and its impact on everyone’s lives and the economy. The film has been released on YouTube for a free limited run.

    “The situation we are all facing now is shining a spotlight on the incredible fragility of the U.S. supply line. We are hanging by a thread and depending on a highway system that was built 60 years ago and has not been consistently maintained or upgraded.”

The 63-minute documentary, which includes interviews with congresspersons, transportation experts, trucking operators, industry leaders and others, is narrated by Yvette Nicole Brown and can be viewed for free on YouTube at https://bit.ly/BPTSdoc

“The COVID-19 pandemic is just another example of how dependent we are on the trucking industry,” said Jennifer Clymer, executive producer and co-director of the film. “The situation we are all facing now is shining a spotlight on the incredible fragility of the U.S. supply line. We are hanging by a thread and depending on a highway system that was built 60 years ago and has not been consistently maintained or upgraded.”

“Be Prepared to Stop” is a documentary about the dependence of the economy and entire supply chain on highways, bridges and other parts of the U.S. infrastructure. The trucking industry is a round-the-clock lifeline that has become so engrained in the country’s daily routines that it goes almost unnoticed by most consumers with very few people even realizing everything they use or consume each day was at one point on a truck. “Be Prepared to Stop” raises awareness about the impact of the infrastructure breakdown, the inability of government to react and how this issue obstructs the U.S. economy and adversely affects the daily lives of all Americans. Facts from the documentary include:

  •     32% of America’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 25% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. $146 billion in capital investment would be needed on an annual basis over the next 20 years to significantly improve conditions.
  •     42% of America’s major urban highways are congested, costing the economy an estimated $101 billion in wasted time and fuel annually.
  •     The trucking industry hauls 10.49 billion tons of freight every year or 70.1% of total U.S. freight tonnage. Rail is next, moving 13.8% of the nation’s freight tonnage.
  •     All goods carried by ship, airplane or train reach their final destination by truck. More than 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities.
  •     One out of every 14 jobs in the United States is created or directly affected by the trucking industry.
  •     54 million tons of freight move across the nation every day. By 2040 that will increase more than 40%.

“Be Prepared to Stop” was produced by Los Angeles-based Delaware Park Productions, Inc. More information is available at BePreparedToStop.org and on social media @bptsdoc (Twitter/Instagram) and /bepreparedtostop (Facebook).

-------------------

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

FEB201298    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #14 CVR A MAIN LOPEZ    $3.99
FEB201299    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #14 CVR B SAUVAGE SPOT VAR    $3.99
FEB201300    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #14 CVR C TAYLOR ROF VAR    $3.99
FEB201331    GHOSTED IN LA #10 (OF 12) CVR A KEENAN    $3.99
FEB201332    GHOSTED IN LA #10 (OF 12) CVR B GRACE VAR    $3.99
FEB201326    JIM HENSON STORYTELLER GHOSTS #2 (OF 4) CVR A WALSH    $3.99
FEB201327    JIM HENSON STORYTELLER GHOSTS #2 (OF 4) CVR B ROSTOWSKY VAR    $3.99
JAN209131    JIM HENSON STORYTELLER GHOSTS #2 (OF 4) FOC STRIPS BONVILLAI    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC190265    EC ARCHIVES IMPACT HC (C: 0-1-2)    $49.99
FEB200281    KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #5 (OF 5) CVR A PEARSON (MR)    $3.99
FEB200282    KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #5 (OF 5) CVR B BARAHONA (MR)    $3.99
DEC190316    VAMPIRE HUNTER D TP VOL 29 NOBLE FRONT (C: 0-1-2)    $11.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

DC COMICS

FEB200544    ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN BY GEORGE PEREZ HC    $49.99
JAN200634    BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 03 GREETINGS FROM GOTHAM    $24.99
JAN200641    BATMAN SUPERMAN HC VOL 01 WHO ARE THE SECRET SIX    $24.99
JAN200647    DC FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL HC    $39.99
FEB200421    DCEASED UNKILLABLES #3 (OF 3)    $4.99
FEB200422    DCEASED UNKILLABLES #3 (OF 3) CARD STOCK F MATTINA VAR ED    $5.99
FEB200423    DCEASED UNKILLABLES #3 (OF 3) CARD STOCK HORROR  TASIA MS VA    $5.99
FEB200514    DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #6 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
FEB200515    DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #6 (OF 6) JAY ANACLETO VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
NOV190542    GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE DELUXE EDITION HC    $39.99
AUG190663    HELLBLAZER BY GARTH ENNIS OMNIBUS HC (MR)    $150.00
FEB200563    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK TP VOL 03 THE WITCHING WAR    $16.99
DEC190526    LOST CARNIVAL A DICK GRAYSON GRAPHIC NOVEL TP    $16.99
OCT190687    OMEGA MEN BY TOM KING DLX ED HC    $49.99
FEB200518    PLUNGE #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
FEB200519    PLUNGE #3 (OF 6) GARY FRANK VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
FEB200483    RED HOOD OUTLAW #45    $3.99
FEB200484    RED HOOD OUTLAW #45 PHILIP TAN VAR ED    $3.99
AUG190679    ROBIN THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC    $125.00
JAN200662    SHAZAM THE WORLDS MIGHTIEST MORTAL HC VOL 02    $49.99
FEB200576    SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 03 LEVIATHAN HUNT    $24.99
JAN200630    SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN TP    $16.99
JAN200664    SUPERMAN UP IN THE SKY HC    $24.99
FEB200495    SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN #10 (OF 12)    $3.99
FEB200496    SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN #10 (OF 12) BEN OLIVER VAR ED    $3.99
MAY190513    SWAMP THING BY NANCY A COLLINS OMNIBUS HC (MR)    $125.00
JAN200659    TALES OF THE BATMAN STEVE ENGLEHART HC    $49.99
JAN200668    TEEN TITANS TP VOL 03 SEEK AND DESTROY    $19.99
NOV190566    WEIRD WESTERN TALES JONAH HEX HC VOL 01 (RES)    $75.00
FEB200582    WONDER WOMAN & JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK WITCHING HOUR TP    $16.99
OCT190698    WORLDS FINEST GUARDIANS OF THE EARTH HC    $59.99
JAN200678    YOUNG JUSTICE TP VOL 01 GEMWORLD    $17.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

DYNAMITE

FEB201193    RED SONJA #15 CVR A LEE    $3.99
FEB201194    RED SONJA #15 CVR B LINSNER    $3.99
FEB201195    RED SONJA #15 CVR C BOB Q    $3.99
FEB201196    RED SONJA #15 CVR D LAMING    $3.99
FEB201197    RED SONJA #15 CVR E DECOBRAY COSPLAY    $3.99