Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, June 2nd 2025:
THE SADDEST AND MOST INFURIATING STORY YOU'LL READ TODAY
Jonathan Joss -- voice actor of John Redcorn from King Of The Hill, and Ken Hotate from Parks and Recreation -- was killed in an apparent homophobic hate crime Sunday evening in San Antonio, Texas.
Police later arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez and he was charged with murder.
This message was posted on social media by Joss' husband on Monday:
One slight bit of nuanced correction about the message above. The house that burned was a family originally built by Joss's father in the late 1950s. At the time the house caught fire in January, Joss was not living in the home regularly due to damage to the home's electrical system caused by vandals.
But at the time of the fire (which was caused by a propane heater), Joss told local TV station KSAT that he wasn't sure what had caused the fire:
“Mistakes happen, man. And it’s my fault for, I guess, leaving something on,” Joss told KSAT. “Or if somebody came in and did something, who knows?”
Regardless, forget the obligatory "in memorium" message that will no doubt be attached to one of the new episodes of the show. I'd like to think that The Walt Disney Co. has the stones to do something more substantial. Something to definitively illustrate "This is not us, this is not who we are."
If you have been laid off, or have some information about the layoffs, I want to hear from you confidentially at
And speaking of Disney...
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY MARKS TOPPING WALL STREET Q2 ESTIMATES BY LAYING OFF HUNDREDS TODAY
On May 7th, The Walt Disney Co. reported a really strong fiscal Q2. Revenue was $23.62 billion, up 7%, for the quarter ending on March 29th. Disney posted a net income of $3.28 billion versus a net loss of $20 million in the year-ago period, which translated to adjusted earnings per share of $1.41 (up 20%).
And that led the company to....(checks notes to make sure...this can't be right)...reportedly lay off hundreds of people globally across its entertainment divisions today.
It's not clear how many Disney employees have been affected, although I am hearing that marketing, PR, development, accounting and other back-office positions are the primary layoff targets. It makes sense to lay off marketing and PR people, because it's not as if Disney's linear channels or streaming services have struggled to launch new programming.
You might be thinking, "But Rick, maybe they are anticipating rocky financial waters for the rest of the year?" Apparently not:
For fiscal year 2025, Disney expects adjusted earnings per share of $5.75, which would be up 16% year over year. The media conglom forecast cash provided by operations of $17 billion (versus $14 billion in fiscal 2024), up $2 billion from prior guidance driven by a deferral of tax payment. Disney also expects double-digit increases in operating income for its entertainment and sports segments, and 6%-8% growth in operating income for its theme park and consumer products biz.
My guess is that Disney is reducing headcount in an attempt to boost the stock price of the company. And the stock price is an issue, given that the company's shares are trading within $5 per share of the price they were when CEO Bob Iger rejoined the company in November 2022.
While I'm not surprised the ax has come down on PR and marketing at Disney, I'll make the same argument I did a few months ago after Warner Bros. Discovery made a similar move. There are two core drivers for streaming TV success: lots of new programming and the marketing & PR to adequately promote it. As my farmer Grandfather back in Indiana used to say, these media companies are eating their seed corn.
THE PLAN TO MAKE OVER-THE-AIR TELEVISION A SUBSCRIPTION BUSINESS
I've been looking for a way to write about this, but this piece at EFF.org lays it out much better than I could:
The FCC is quietly contemplating a fundamental restructuring of all broadcasting in the United States, via a new DRM-based standard for digital television equipment, enforced by a private “security authority” with control over licensing, encryption, and compliance. This move is confusingly called the “ATSC Transition” (ATSC is the digital TV standard the US switched to in 2009 – the “transition” here is to ATSC 3.0, a new version with built-in DRM).
The “ATSC Transition” is championed by the National Association of Broadcasters, who want to effectively privatize the public airwaves, allowing broadcasters to encrypt over-the-air programming, meaning that you will only be able to receive those encrypted shows if you buy a new TV with built-in DRM keys. It’s a tax on American TV viewers, forcing you to buy a new TV so you can continue to access a public resource you already own.
ODDS AND SODS
* I wrote a review of one of those horrible "My Music" specials so many PBS stations insist on running during their pledge periods.
* The CW has ordered an eighth and final season of All-American. The season will premiere sometime in 2026.
* The Accountant 2 will premiere Thursday, June 5th on Prime Video.
* This isn't TV-related. But I read this piece about Reading Rhythms, a fellowship of bookworms that organizes events all over the NYC where people show up and just read any book they please. I really wish they had this here in the Twin Cities.
* TheDesk.net reported exclusively that Byron Allen is selling his local TV stations in order to raise money to reduce the company's debt.
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
MONDAY, JUNE 2ND, 2025:
American Ninja Warrior Season Premiere (NBC)
Below Deck Season Premiere (Bravo)
Harry Wild Season Four Finale (Acorn TV)
Relative Secrets Series Premiere (Acorn TV/BBC America)
The Quiz With Balls Season Premiere (Fox)
TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD, 2025:
Beyond Skinwalker Ranch Season Premiere (History)
Caught In The Act: Double Life Series Premiere (MTV)
Fatal Destination (Investigation Discovery)
Love Island USA Season Premiere (Peacock)
Next Gen NYC Series Premiere (Bravo)
Sara: Woman In The Shadows (Netflix)
United Gangs Of America (Vice)
The Secret Of Skinwalker Ranch Season Premiere (History)
SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!