Hollywood isn’t slowing down, and neither is television. From major media shakeups and Taylor Sheridan’s audience-first philosophy to big franchise moves and a stacked July streaming lineup, this special edition of TV Corner Notes has plenty to unpack.
Welcome to a special edition of TV Corner Notes, where the television landscape feels busier than ever. This time around, we’re looking at Comcast’s latest NBCUniversal move and what it could mean for the future of the company, Taylor Sheridan’s blunt take on critics versus viewers, a major behind-the-scenes change for Dutton Ranch, CBS leaning harder into Gibbs on NCIS: Origins, and the July shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Whether it’s corporate strategy, creative shakeups, franchise course corrections, or summer streaming picks, there’s a lot happening across TV right now.
Is Comcast Preparing NBCUniversal for Its Next Chapter?
Comcast insists it isn't putting NBCUniversal up for sale, but its latest restructuring certainly has people talking.
The company has announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal and European broadcaster Sky into a separate publicly traded company in a tax-free transaction expected to close within the next year. Once completed, Comcast shareholders will own stock in both companies, while Comcast itself will focus on its broadband, wireless, and connectivity businesses. The new NBCUniversal will house the company's entertainment portfolio, including NBC, Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Peacock, Universal theme parks, and Sky. Notably, cable networks such as CNBC, USA Network, Syfy, E!, and MS NOW, along with digital brands like Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango, aren't part of the deal—they were already spun off into Versant Media earlier this year.
On paper, Comcast says this is simply about creating two stronger companies with clearer business strategies. But if this sounds familiar, that's because we've seen something similar before. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to separate its streaming and studio business from its cable networks, a move many viewed as positioning parts of the company for greater flexibility. Comcast executives continue to insist this isn't the first step toward selling NBCUniversal, but Wall Street isn't entirely convinced. Analysts have already begun speculating that a standalone NBCUniversal would be a much cleaner acquisition target should a tech giant or streaming company ever come calling. Investors certainly liked the news, sending Comcast shares sharply higher following the announcement. Whether this is truly just a corporate restructuring or the beginning of something much bigger remains to be seen, but it's another sign that the media landscape continues to evolve rapidly.
Taylor Sheridan: "I'm Writing for Viewers, Not Critics"
Love him or hate him, Taylor Sheridan knows exactly who he's making television for, and it isn't the critics. During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, the Yellowstone creator said he has little interest in awards or critical approval, explaining that he'd rather entertain everyday viewers than chase prestige. Sheridan even admitted to intentionally frustrating critics by withholding screener episodes and playing the long game with certain storylines, pointing to Landman as an example. His philosophy is simple: if a show can make audiences laugh, think, cheer, or gasp, then it's doing its job.
It's hard to argue with the results. Sheridan's shows continue to pull in huge audiences, whether fans are tuning in every week or binge-watching entire seasons over a weekend. While critics often have mixed opinions about his work, viewers keep coming back for his blend of family drama, crime, Western action, and larger-than-life storytelling. I fall somewhere in the middle. I genuinely enjoy Sheridan's shows and the themes he explores, especially his ability to build compelling worlds and emotionally invest viewers. If I have one recurring criticism, it's that some of his supporting characters can be frustrating or underdeveloped compared to his leads. Even so, Sheridan has built one of television's most successful creative empires by trusting his audience instead of chasing critical praise. In today's television landscape, that strategy is clearly working.
Dutton Ranch Brings in a New Showrunner for Season 2
Just days before the Season 1 finale, Paramount+ has officially named veteran producer Benjamin Cavell as the new showrunner for Dutton Ranch. Cavell replaces creator Chad Feehan, who exited the series after production wrapped amid reports of creative differences with executive producer Taylor Sheridan and members of the creative team. While behind-the-scenes shakeups can sometimes raise eyebrows, stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser were quick to downplay the change, noting that new showrunners are simply part of the television business. The move comes after Dutton Ranch became Paramount+'s biggest original series launch ever, drawing an impressive 12.9 million viewers during its first week.
Am I excited? Cautiously so. Cavell brings an impressive résumé, suggesting Dutton Ranch is in capable hands. He created SEAL Team, co-created Paramount+'s adaptation of The Stand, spent six seasons as a writer and executive producer on the outstanding Justified, and has also worked on Homeland, Sneaky Pete, and Godfather of Harlem. That's a strong track record of character-driven dramas with plenty of action and tension. A showrunner change always brings some uncertainty, but if Paramount+ was looking for someone who understands high-stakes storytelling and ensemble casts, Cavell feels like a solid choice. Now the big question is whether he can build on the momentum of Season 1 and keep Dutton Ranch moving in the right direction.
NCIS: Origins Doubles Down on Gibbs for Season 3
This isn't exactly a shocking surprise. With NCIS: Origins moving to a shorter 10-episode season, CBS seems determined to give the prequel every opportunity to succeed. The network has announced that Mark Harmon will return in a much larger role, appearing on screen in all 10 episodes as present-day Leroy Jethro Gibbs, after previously serving primarily as the show's narrator. Season 3 will also shift to a serialized mystery that connects Gibbs' quiet retirement in Alaska with an unresolved case from his Camp Pendleton days. Behind the scenes, NCIS: Los Angeles favorite Eric Christian Olsen is returning to the franchise as an executive producer, joining the creative team led by showrunner David J. North. The new season will also resolve the major cliffhangers involving young Gibbs, Randy, and Lala, and will move to Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on CBS.
From a creative standpoint, this feels like CBS doing everything it can to keep the prequel moving forward. Bringing Harmon back on screen is an easy way to attract longtime fans, and Olsen's producing experience is another welcome addition. Whether the serialized approach pays off remains to be seen, but it's certainly a different direction for the franchise. That said, I still can't help but think CBS would have been better served by keeping NCIS: Hawaiʻi. That's just my opinion, but the series felt like it still had plenty of stories left to tell. Still, if Origins is going to continue, leaning more heavily into Gibbs and giving the show a stronger identity is probably the right move.
Anticipated Shows to Watch in July
July is bringing one of the strongest streaming lineups of the summer. From long-awaited returning favorites and nostalgic reboots to prestige dramas and comic-book adventures, there's plenty to add to your watchlist. Here are the six shows I'm most excited to check out this month.
1. Elle (Prime Video) — July 1: Before she conquered Harvard Law, Elle Woods was just a teenager finding her confidence. This Legally Blonde prequel stars Lexi Minetree as a young Elle and promises a fun, heartfelt coming-of-age story that explores the experiences that shaped one of pop culture's most beloved characters.
2. Trying – Season 5 (Apple TV) — July 8: One of television's coziest and most underrated comedies returns. Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall) continue to navigate the ups and downs of parenthood when an unexpected visit from their children's biological family complicates their lives once again.
3. The Five-Star Weekend (Peacock) — July 9: Jennifer Garner headlines this adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling novel as a food influencer whose life is turned upside down after a personal tragedy. Equal parts mystery, family drama, and emotional journey, this is one of Peacock's biggest originals of the summer.
4. Little House on the Prairie (Netflix) July 9: This upcoming adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's iconic book series features Alice Halsey as Laura and Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls. A fresh take on a beloved classic, it promises to bring the Ingalls family's frontier story to a new generation.
5. Lucky (Apple TV) — July 15: Anya Taylor-Joy stars as a former con artist forced back into a dangerous world while being hunted by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss. Stylish, suspenseful, and based on Marissa Stapley's bestselling novel, Lucky has all the ingredients for a gripping summer thriller.
6. Batman: Caped Crusader – Season 2 (Prime Video) — July 31: The acclaimed animated noir returns with 10 new episodes as Gotham's Dark Knight continues battling the city's most notorious criminals. Season 1 was a stylish love letter to classic Batman storytelling, making this an easy must-watch to close out the month.
That wraps up this special edition of TV Corner Notes. Between Comcast’s restructuring, Sheridan’s continued dominance, the next chapter for Dutton Ranch, Gibbs stepping further into the spotlight on NCIS: Origins, and a packed July lineup, it’s clear that television is still very much in transition. Some moves feel strategic, some feel risky, and some are simply exciting for viewers looking for their next binge. As always, the fun is in watching how it all plays out.
What are you looking forward to in the month of July? Leave a comment.
As always, until next time,
Adam.
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