Welcome back to TV Corner Notes, your friendly weekly guide to all things TV and streaming! This week is truly exciting, with a major shake-up in the entertainment world, a heartfelt standout episode of Landman, and a exciting lineup of finales, premieres, and binge-worthy shows to keep you cozy through mid-December. Let’s dive in.
Netflix Buys Warner Brothers Discovery
The news that Netflix entered and won the bidding war to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for over $82 billion this week sent shockwaves through the global entertainment industry.
This acquisition marks a significant change in the media landscape. A legendary Hollywood production company with over 100 years of history, responsible for iconic films and television, will now be fully integrated into the streaming world under Netflix within the next year or so.
Netflix has stated its intention to continue showing WBD movies in theaters, suggesting a hybrid approach. However, many industry observers and fans remain skeptical about how long this commitment to the cinematic experience will last under a company primarily focused on streaming growth.
The bidding war involved Paramount and Comcast, with Netflix winning, which creates uncertainty: Comcast would have been a better owner, given Netflix's track record of keeping WB films in theaters. And merging HBO Max with Peacock would be beneficial for a streaming service.
There's disappointment with recent mergers, such as Skydance's acquisition of Paramount, which have led to unpopular decisions, like ending The Late Show, fueling skepticism about media consolidation. This deal will significantly alter global content production, distribution, and consumption. And let's face it, they have a connection with the current administration.
Landman “Dancing Rainbows”
This week’s Landman delivers one of its richest and most emotional hours yet. On the day Tommy lays his mother to rest, a mysterious death unfolds at an M-Tex rig, threading quiet suspense through a deeply personal story.
The episode digs into Tommy’s painful childhood, including the heartbreaking reveal of his sister’s death, and begins healing old wounds as he reconnects with T.L., who ultimately joins Tommy and Angela’s home. Meanwhile, Cami closes in on a major drilling deal, and Rebecca’s investigation takes an unexpected detour.
Tender, grounded, and anchored by a standout performance from Billy Bob Thornton, “Dancing Rainbows” earns a 9/10.
Read the full review.
What to Watch This Week
From fall finales, premieres, and series finales, here's what to look forward to this week.
Monday, Dec. 8
Bel-Air series finale (Peacock, three episodes)
Elmo & Mark Rober's Merry Giftmas (Netflix): Emo and his Sesame Street friends team up with former NASA engineer turned YouTube star Mark Rober to make special presents for a Merry Giftmas exchange.
Midsomer Murders Season 25 (AcronTV)
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Season 3 (Disney+, eight-episode binge)
8/7c DMV fall finale (CBS, next day on Paramount+)
9/8c Celebrity Weakest Link Season 1 finale (Fox, next day on Hulu)
10/9c Password Holiday Special (NBC, next day on Peacock): Jonathan Groff spreads good cheer, pairing up with contestants to compete against Fallon, and is a teammate in a festive edition of the iconic celebrity word game.
Predators (Paramount+ documentary): The film dives deep into an unnerving investigation of the Dateline offshoot 'To Catch a Predator,' pulling back the curtain on the show's complicated legacy.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
All's Fair Season 1 finale (Hulu, two episodes)
8/7c Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas (ABC, next day on Hulu): Costner hosts the special exploring the extraordinary history of Mary and Joseph as they navigate the hardships, trials, and triumphs surrounding Jesus Christ's birth.
9/8c NCIS: Origins fall finale (CBS, next day on Paramount+)
9/8c Wipeout series finale (TBS)
Roofman (Paramount+)
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Down Cemetery Road Season 1 finale (Apple TV)
Loot Season 3 finale (Apple TV)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 (Disney+, two-episode premiere_
Simon Cowell's Next Act (Netflix, six-episode binge: Cameras follow the music mogul as he sets out to create the next global boyband sensation.
8/7c Shifting Gears fall finale (ABC, next day on Hulu)
8/7c Tournament of Champions All-Star Christmas Season 1 finale (Food Network)
8:30/7:30c Abbott Elementary fall finale (ABC, next day on Hulu)
9/8c 99 to Beat Season 1 finale (Fox, next day on Hulu)
9/8c Shark Tank fall finale (ABC, next day on Hulu)
The Amazing Race Season 38 finale (CBS, next day on Paramount+)
10/9c South Park Season 28 finale (Comedy Central)
Thursday, Dec. 11
Little Disasters (Paramount+, six-episode binge): Diane Kruger anchors this psychological thriller about a group of new mothers who are torn apart when one is accused of injuring her baby.
Man Vs. Baby (Netflix, four-episode binge): Heartfelt mishaps and Christmas capers abound as comedy legend Rowan Atkinson returns for another chaotic house-sitting experience.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft final season (Netflix, eight-episode binge)
8/7c Celebrity Wheel of Fortune fall finale (ABC, next day on Hulu)
8/7c The Game Awards (Prime Video)
8/7c Hell's Kitchen fall finale (Fox, next day on Hulu)
9/8c Matlock fall finale (CBS, next day on Paramount+)
Friday, Dec. 12
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 2 (Paramount+)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour-The End of an Era (Disney+, two-episode premiere): Releasing over three consecutive Fridays, the six-part docuseries offers an intimate look at Taylor's life as her tour made deadlines and thrilled fans around the world. (Episode 1 airs on ABC at 8 pm).
8/7c Happy's Place fall finale (NBC, next day on Peacock)
8:30/7:30c Stumble fall finale (NBC, next day on Peacock)
F1: The Movie (Apple TV)
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (HBO Max)
Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out Mystery (Netflix movie): Detective Benoit Blanc teams up with an earnest young priest to investigate a perfectly impossible crime at a small-town church with a dark history.
9/8c American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke (PBS Documentary): The film features rare and never-before-seen footage and performance clips, as well as new interviews with Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, Ted Danson, Steve Martin, Conan O'Brien, and Martin Short, and archival interviews with Van Dyke's former co-stars and colleageues, including Walter Cronkite, Sheldon Leondar, Rose Marie, Mary Tyler Moore and Carl Reiner.
Saturday, Dec. 13
11/10am The Kitchen series finale (Food Network)
8/7c CBS News Presents: A Town Hall with Erika Kirk (CBS, moderated by Bari Weiss)
8/7c A Suite Holiday Romance (Hallmark Channel Movie): A struggling writer (Jessy Schram) hired to ghostwrite a memoir about a famed New York hotel falls for a British visitor (Dominic Sherwood).
That's all for this edition of TV Corner Notes! Whether you're tuning in to finales, exploring new shows, or staying updated on Hollywood’s latest buzz. What have you been watching, and what are you planning to watch this week? Leave a comment.
Until next time,
Adam
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