Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, July 17th 2025:
THE ARGUMENT FOR PUBLIC MEDIA THAT DEM LEADERSHIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN MAKING
The recission bill that includes an elimination of previously approved funding for public media is headed to the House, where it is very likely going to be approved. The heads of NPR and PBS have made the only non-partisan argument they can make in this situation - "Hey, we're not partisan and this money will impact all of our stations, but the effects will fall hardest on rural communities and states."
While that is a legitimate argument, it's not one that is going to change any votes. The majority of Republicans are already familiar with this argument. And they either don't believe it or don't care.
You know what would have perhaps killed this bill? A hardball political argument from Democratic leadership:
"This funding was originally approved as part of a bipartisan spending bill we negotiated in good faith back in March. And once that bill was passed and the shutdown of the government was averted, the White House and Republican leadership decided "You know what, we lied. We're going to pass a recissions bill that eliminates all the spending we don't like. Even though we just agreed to it.
So you might be able to pass this bill and cut funding for public media and foreign aid. But you lied. And we're going to continue to remind voters of that every chance we get. Because this formerly bipartisan spending bill expires in September. And we are not going to help you pass it. Because you can't be trusted. And we are going to remind voters every day why the government is shut down. Because Democrats can't negotiate with a party who lies to their face during negotiations."
Is it hardball? Sure. Is it accurate? Absolutely. And I think it would work, but only if Republicans really believe Democratic leadership has the guts to stand their ground.
Instead, House Minority Leader Jeffries is going to stand on the House floor and make another mealy-mouth vague argument that is politically safe and absolutely harmless. And Nancy Pelosi will chime in on cable news, arguing that picking a fight over this bill is a distraction from the economic issues that America cares about - like the rising costs of compression socks.
CBS CANCELS 'THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT'
One rule of messaging is that anytime someone says, "We're making this decision, but not for the reason everyone thinks," it is almost certainly precisely for the reason everyone thinks.
Earlier today, CBS announced it was canceling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, effective next May. And in the press release announcing the move, CBS made a point of stressing the decision has nothing to do with the still ongoing efforts to close the merger between Paramount Global (the parent company of CBS) and Skydance Entertainment, which is still awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission. It also comes at a time when Skydance head David Ellison has apparently been considering adding uber-conservative Bari Weiss to the network's news mix.
This was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” read the statement. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
To be fair, money likely had some impact on the decision. And Paramount Global's executives have certainly made even worse decisions in recent months. But given the Colbert has been whacking away at the Trump Administration like it was an overstuffed pinata, it's difficult to see how the politics didn't figure into this.
One indication where this is headed (or not headed) will come when Paramount decides on the future of The Daily Show, which continues to feature Jon Stewart on Mondays. Comedy Central is enough of a zombie network that there is a financial reason for the company cutting its losses. But given the show is still garnering solid ratings and that it's the only original series of note on the network other than South Park, canceling it would send another troubling message to those of us who worry about the editorial independence of the company.
And let's not even think about 60 Minutes....
PEACOCK TO RAISE PRICE BY $3 A MONTH
Joe Adalian's Vulture newsletter Buffering is reporting that Peacock is set to raise its monthly subscription price:
Starting Wednesday, July 23, the NBCU-owned streamer will begin charging new subscribers $3 more per month, with the cost of the ad-supported plan increasing nearly 40 percent to $10.99, and the price of the ad-free tier rising about 20 percent to $16.99. (Existing subscribers will see the new rates starting with bills on or after August 22.) And while Peacock is also going to be testing out a new slimmed-down version of its offering for $7.99 called Peacock Select — more on that below — this price hike means Peacock’s most popular plan (ad-supported) will cost $1 more per month than Max, Hulu, and Disney+ with ads; $2 more than stand-alone Prime Video; and $3 more than the ad-supported tiers at Netflix and Paramount+. It’s the biggest price jump for Peacock since the platform’s launch five years ago this week, and it means the NBCU service (for now) has the most expensive ad tier of any major streamer.
The primary reason for the increase seems to be what you would expect: sports media rights are expensive and subscribers need to pony up more money to watch them. So I guess how you feel about this price increase depends on how much you enjoy live sports, Bravo programming and the scattering of Peacock originals.
DONALD TRUMP THREATENS TO SUE NEWS CORP, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND RUPERT MURDOCH
From the very beginning of this Trump Administration, I've made two arguments about engaging legally with Donald Trump. He will consider any settlement, even a no-fault one, as proof that he actually "won." And even if you are a friend or a longtime ally, no one is safe from legal threats if he feels as if he has been disrespected or betrayed.
Earlier today, the Wall Street Journal published a recounting of what it says is a bawdy letter that was sent to Jeffrey Epstein by Donald Trump:
The letter bearing Trump’s name, which was reviewed by the Journal, is bawdy—like others in the album. It contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly “Donald” below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.
The letter concludes: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
In an interview with the Journal on Tuesday evening, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture. “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he said.
“I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” he said. “It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
He told the Journal he was preparing to file a lawsuit if it published an article. “I’m gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else,” he said.
And as he promised, earlier this evening Donald Trump posted this note on Truth Social, claiming that he planned to sue The Wall Street Journal, News Corp. and Rupert Murdoch:
You'll notice that the post claims he "beat" ABC and CBS. It also claims he won three elections, in case you are concerned that he might have forgotten about the 2020 election. I also enjoyed his claim that "Mr. Murdoch said he will take care of it."
I'll be interested in seeing if he does indeed file a lawsuit. And if he does, will it impact the Fox News Channel coverage of his administration?
ABC ANNOUNCES ITS FALL PREMIERE DATES
ABC is the latest broadcast network to announce its fall primetime schedule:
Saturday, August 23rd:
7:30 PM - College Football (North Carolina Central Eagles at Southern University Jaguars)
Monday, September 8th:
8 PM - Monday Night Football (Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears)
Tuesday, September 16th:
8 PM - Dancing With The Stars (simulcast on Disney+)
10 PM - High Potential
Wednesday, September 24th:
8 PM - The Golden Bachelor (two-hour premiere)
10:01 PM - Shark Tank
Friday, September 26th:
8 PM - Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune
9:01 PM - 20/20
Sunday, September 28th:
7 PM - America’s Funniest Home Videos
8:01 PM - The Wonderful World Of Disney
Wednesday, October 1st:
8 PM - Shifting Gears
8:30 PM - Abbott Elementary
9:02 PM - The Golden Bachelor (regular timeslot)
Thursday, October 16th:
8 PM - 9-1-1
9 PM - 9-1-1: Nashville (new series)
10 PM - Grey’s Anatomy
New seasons of American Idol, The Bachelor, Celebrity Jeopardy!, The Rookie and Will Trent as well as the new Scrubs reboot will premiere in 2026.
ODDS AND SODS
* Season two of the Chris Hemsworth series Limitless is premiering Friday, August 15th on Disney+/Hulu and Monday, August 25th on NatGeo. Here is a first look at the season. And here is the official logline: "Filmed across six countries over two years, Chris tests his limits by drawing from cutting-edge science and the wisdom of elders to push himself like never before. With no previous experience, he learns to play the drums for a live performance with GRAMMY Award-winner Ed Sheeran in front of 70,000 fans; scales a dizzying 600-foot climbing wall in the Swiss Alps to break out of his comfort zone and embrace risk; and takes part in South Korean Special Forces training, enduring electrocution and pepper spray to confront his long struggle with chronic pain and reconfigure his response to it — all to uncover tools we can use today to live healthier, happier lives."
* Prime Video has renewed the adult-animated series Invincible for a fifth season ahead of its season four premiere.
* The four-part true crime docuseries The Yogurt Shop Murders premieres Sunday, August 3rd on HBO. Here is first video look at the show. And here is the official logline: "In 1991, four teenage girls were brutally murdered at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. What happened that night forever shook the Austin community and continues to mystify the police and haunt the families left in the wake of unthinkable loss. Including interviews with the investigative teams, the victims’ parents and siblings, and the two men who served time for the crime, the series explores law enforcement practices and raises complex questions about press coverage and the power of suggestion on memory. The series offers a unique window into the lasting effects of grief and the enduring impact of unrelenting crime coverage in mainstream media through poignant interviews with those closest to the crime and investigation."
* Netflix has greenlit a live-action adaptation of Assassin’s Creed. Emmy nominees Roberto Patino (DMZ, Westworld, Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (Halo, Homecoming, The Killing) will serve as creators, showrunners, and executive producers.
* Why do I care about Netflix's Tudum? Well, because according to this blog from the streamer's tech staff, Tudum attracts "over 20 million members each month."
* A federal judge in Washington State has dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Amazon for putting ads on Prime Video.
* Season two of Platonic premieres Wednesday, August 6th on Apple TV+. Here is a first video look at the premiere. And here is the official logline: "Season two picks up with everyone’s favorite pair of best friends (played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) as they contend with new mid-life hurdles including work, weddings and partners in crises. The duo tries their best to be each other’s rock — but sometimes rocks break things. The season two cast also includes Luke Macfarlane and Carla Gallo, and introduces Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett and Milo Manheim as guest stars."
* Tristan Rogers, best known for playing Robert Scorpio on ABC’s General Hospital, has been diagnosed with cancer. He has played Scorpio on and off since 1980.
CHART OF THE DAY
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
FRIDAY, JULY 18TH, 2025:
* Almost Family (Netflix)
* Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO)
* Delirium (Netflix)
* Follow [Juegos de Seducción] (Prime Video)
* I'm Still A Superstar (Netflix)
* My Lottery Dream Home Season Premiere (HGTV)
* Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (Apple TV+)
* Superstar (Netflix)
* The Fixer Series Premiere (Fox)
* Vir Das: Fool Volume (Netflix)
* Wall To Wall (Netflix)
* What Hides In Silence (LMN)
* Would I Lie To You? Season Premiere (BritBox)
* Zarna Garg: Practical People Win (Hulu)
* Zillow Gone Wild Season Premiere (HGTV)
SATURDAY, JULY 19TH:
* Faith In The Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story (Lifetime)
* Kaiju No. 8 (Crunchyroll)
* Love & Marriage: Huntsville Season Premiere (OWN)
* Trafficked With Mariana Von Zeller Season Five Premiere (NatGeo)
SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!