Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Wednesday, January 28th, 2026:
CABLE NEWS COMES TO MINNESOTA
Both CNN and MSNOW have sent anchors to report from Minneapolis about the fallout from the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and it's interesting to see the differing approaches between the two news organizations.
CNN's live coverage feels very much like an old-school cable news network. Anchor Anderson Cooper is doing live wraparound shots, but from what looks to be a balcony. And his interviews have for the most part been inside and almost look like 60 Minutes outtakes. I think part of that is just Cooper's style, he tends to be more formal and restrained than even the average cable news anchor. The problem for CNN is that other parts of the primetime lineup are almost unwatchable, particularly the panel segments. But the network has scored some exclusive interviews, including with Stella Carlson, who was known as the "woman in the pink coat" who filmed the Alex Pretti killing on her phone.
And tonight, CNN is hosting a town hall with Minnesota officials and community leaders tonight, hosted by Cooper and moderated by Sara Sidner.
MSNOW's primetime coverage Tuesday night took a very different tack, with the very underrated Chris Hayes hosting All In With Chris Hayes live from a street in Minneapolis. There was a taped segment from earlier in the day during which Hayes rode around with a couple of local ICE observers. And he did live interviews with a city councilman, a local organizer, as well as several MSNOW reporters, including Alex Wagner.
To be honest, I preferred the MSNOW approach to the story. It felt more authentic and while “street” is not the proper description, it was less like a carefully scripted hour of news. Although honestly, it was obviously very scripted. Hayes is exceptionally gifted in live situations, and I miss the days when he doing occasional hours of his program with a live audience. I'd be interested in speaking with someone at the network at how they put the logistics of the coverage together and the ways they decided to lean into Hayes' strengths as an interviewer.
I also wanted to mention Alex Wagner, who continues to do good work for the network after she was shifted out of her primetime slot. It still feels as if the network hasn't quite figured out the best role for her, but her podcast is consistently excellent and I am glad to see they kept her on. With the network spin-off, I hope MSNOW can build out some more digital news roles for her.
Tonight, Chris Hayes has an interview with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (who spoke with Anderson Cooper Tuesday night), as well as Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey.
One thing I wish both networks would do is take better advantage of the local news coverage and the journalists covering this story every day. The Twin Cities have two daily newspapers, as well as at least a half dozen solid local independent news outlets. All of whom deserve a bit more attention and who could also provide an expanded vision of what is going on in Minnesota.
APPLE'S TIM COOK CALLS FOR 'DEESCALATION' IN MINNEAPOLIS
Tim Cook responded to ICE killings in Minneapolis in internal memo sent to employees Tuesday. Here is the complete text of the memo:
Team,
I am heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis, and my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families, with the communities, and with everyone who has been affected.
This is a time for deescalation. I believe America is strongest when we live up to our highest ideals, when we treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they’re from, and when we embrace our shared humanity. This is something Apple has always advocated for. I had a good conversation with the president this week and shared my views, and I appreciate his openness to engaging on issues that matter to us all.
I know this is very emotional and challenging for so many. I am proud of how deeply our team cares about the world beyond our walls. That empathy is one of Apple's greatest strengths and it something I believe we all cherish.
Thank you for all that you do,
Tim
There is LOT that wasn't said in the memo. Cook mentions he spoke with President Trump, but he neglects to mention that he did so while attending the White House premiere for the Prime Video sorta-documentary Melania.
That mention of "how deeply our team cares about the world outside our walls," refers to the substantial criticism he has faced internally from employees that felt the photos of Cook hanging out with the President's team as well as CEO's such as Sam Altman while events are unfolding in Minneapolis is incredibly bad optics and it doesn't reflect what they think of as Apple's
ODDS AND SODS
* I heard from several readers that Blossoms Shanghai, the debut TV series from acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, is available in the U.S. on The Criterion Channel, despite what Mubi says. I should pay more attention to the Criterion Channel, even though it is primarily streaming movies. I've been trying to figure out which smaller streamers I can add to my budget for 2026 and Criterion is towards the top of the list.
* The Money Heist spin-off Berlin And The Lady With An Ermine premieres Friday, May 15th on Netflix.
* Season two of Criminal Record will premiere on Wednesday, April 22nd.
* Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole premieres Thursday, March 26th on Netflix. Here is the official logline: "Created by one of the greatest storytellers in crime fiction, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole. Underneath the surface, this series is a nuanced character drama about two police officers – and supposed colleagues – operating on opposite sides of the law. Throughout the season, Harry goes head-to-head with his long-time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late."
* The day before The Super Bowl, YouTube and the NFL will host a flag football game. YouTube Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game will stream on YouTube on Saturday, February 7th at 10 p.m. ET. Druski and J. Balvin will be team captains, and others confirmed for the game include quarterbacks Cam Newton and Michael Vick, coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, musicians Benson Boone and Kane Brown, flag football stars Diana Flores and Ashlea Klam, and YouTube creators Deestroying, Jay Cinco, Jesser, Marlon Garcia, Pierson Wodzynski, Ross Smith, and more. I don't know, this would have been a good time to bring in Colin Kaepernick for a little flag football action.
* Amazon is laying off an additional 16,000 employees across a number of divisions. The company hasn't confirmed the numbers of layoffs in any specific part of the company, although I am hearing there have been some layoffs in Prime Video. If anyone has any additional info, you can email me confidentially at
FINALLY, THE GLOBAL TV AWARDS ARE ON THE WAY
It's taken a lot more wrangling this time to get this launched, but voting on the 2nd Annual Global TV Awards will launch Monday morning, February 2nd on a brand new stand-alone website.
There will be a comprehensive list of eligible titles - more than 200, at last count - along with links to additional information on the titles, photos, video and reviews. Last year, more than 60,000 people voted for their favorite titles and I hopeful we'll add substantially to those numbers this year.
One of the reasons I launched this was to help with content discovery for non-English foreign titles released in the U.S. Despite the growing popularity in America, even the major streamers have an often frustrating lack of interest in promoting their original programming.
Forget getting screeners for review in most cases. Often, there is little or no information about the show before its released here. And its not unusual for there to be no notice at all. The shows just magically appear on the relevant streamer.
So I am doing what I can to help with this effort by promoting these awards. And I plan to ramp up my review schedule in 2026 to cover as many of these titles as I can.
If you are working at an American streamer and have something you want to put on my radar, please reach out. That is also the case if you are one of the creatives who worked on a non-English language show or movie you thinks deserves more attention. I'll give it as much attention as I can and provide a fair review of your work.
More about this Monday morning.
WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH:
* Nova: Angkor Wat: Hidden Jungle Empire (PBS)
* School Spirits Season Three Premiere (Paramount+)
* Shrinking Season Three Premiere (Apple TV)
* The Wrecking Crew (Prime Video)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29TH:
* Bridgerton Season Four Premiere (Netflix)
* Next Level Chef Season Premiere (Fox)
* Scenes After A Marriage Series Premiere (Viaplay)
SEE YOU THIS THURSDAY!