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Brian Steinberg

@bristei.bsky.social

6.3K followers 515 following 2.7K posts

Senior TV Editor at Variety, covering media, advertising, sports TV, late night and much more. Also talk about comics and music. 'Some days are diamonds / Some days are rocks'

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Sunday's telecast of '60 Minutes' marks the first time the program has beat last season's average viewership --a critical benchmark - but CBS execs may not be thrilled by what the show did with an outsized NFL lead-in.... variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

’60 Minutes’ Beats Last Season’s Viewership Bar for First Time, But Football Brings Only Small Boost

'60 Minutes' Beats Last Season's Viewership Bar for First Time, But Football Brings Only Small Boost

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Disney declared sell-out on 2027 Super Bowl commercials back in July, but the company has been trying to create a secondary market in case any of its current sponsors drop out. The price? Up to $12M for a 30-second spot... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

Disney Wants Up to $12 Million for Super Bowl Commercials, Even With Big Game Ads Sold Out

Disney Wants Up to $12 Million for Super Bowl Commercials, Even With Big Game Ads Sold Out

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

David Berson gets oversight of the combined CBS-Warner sports portfolio, elevating his status in the sports-media world -- NFL, Masters, some NHL and MLB, and for the first time in years, NCAA March Madness tourney back under a single company's purview variety.com/2026/tv/news...

David Berson to Take Over Combined Sports Operations at Skydance, Luis Silberwasser to Exit

David Berson to Take Over Combined Sports Operations at Skydance, Luis Silberwasser to Exit

Reposted by Brian Steinberg

Mediagazer @mediagazer.com · 05/10/2026

Sources: despite saying in July that its 2027 Super Bowl ad inventory is sold out, Disney is seeking $10M-$12M per 30-second spot plus matching ad commitments (Brian Steinberg/Variety) Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Disney raised eyebrows earlier this year when it tried to get Super Bowl advertisers to cough up $10M for a 30-second ad Now it wants to line up marketers willing to pay $12M in case a current Big Game sponsor decides to drop out... variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

Disney Wants Up to $12 Million for Super Bowl Commercials, Even With Big Game Ads Sold Out

Disney Wants Up to $12 Million for Super Bowl Commercials, Even With Big Game Ads Sold Out

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Karoline Leavitt, the former Trump press secretary, will join Fox News as a contributor, following a path well trod by other former Trump officials like Larry Kudlow and Kayleigh McEnany variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

Karoline Leavitt is Latest Trump Administration Official to Join Fox News

Karoline Leavitt is Latest Trump Administration Official to Join Fox News

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Mark Thompson will stay in charge of CNN following creation of the new Skydance. Now all he must do is boost ratings, burnish a new digital strategy and find ways to keep the old-school news giant relevant in an era of creators and digital experts variety.com/2026/tv/news...

Mark Thompson to Remain at CNN Following Skydance’s Warner Buy

Mark Thompson to Remain at CNN Following Skydance's Warner Buy

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Exhaustive research tells me that sugar, chocolate and vanilla did not exist during the heyday of the Vikings, and therefore this entire scenario, in which Hagar visits 'Luigi's Italian Bakery,' is completely impossible...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

NYT Metropolitan Diary fights back against the notion that it's no longer relevant by reaching all the way back to 1974 for a short anecdote that is devoid of interest, surprise or color....

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

CBS Sports kicked off a massive industry spending spree when it lured former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to its NFL booth in 2017. Now the sports outlet is likely to tamp down on costs by parting ways with the celebrated color commentator. variety.com/2026/tv/news...

CBS Sports, Tony Romo Break Up Following Pre-Season Intoxication Incident

CBS Sports, Tony Romo Break Up Following Pre-Season Intoxication Incident

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Phantom's newest archenemy....is Elon Musk!?!?

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

'If Ian was sneaking around behind my back, there'd be signs...like the increasing amount of attention I pay to our pet parrots who give me affection and warmth that I fail to command anywhere else...'

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

More palace intrigue at CBS News, where Steven Baker, a former 'Nightline' EP w/reputation for experimentation, joins as a senior consultant to CBS News prexy Tom Cibrowski. He's charged with injecting new energy into CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News variety.com/2026/tv/news...

CBS News Taps Steven Baker, Former ‘Nightline’ Producer, to Boost ‘Mornings,’ ‘Evening News’

CBS News Taps Steven Baker, Former 'Nightline' Producer, to Boost 'Mornings,' 'Evening News'

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Just in: Farewell Paramount! Goodbye Warner Bros. Discovery! The combination of this company, slated to finally merge next week, will be called Skydance, per a note on social media from CEO David Ellison. No immediate word if the old names will be retained by the co's studios...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Paramount is in the 'early stages' of conversations with CNN CEO Mark Thompson that could have him stay at his post, according to a person familiar with the matter, a sign that CBS News and CNN may operate separately variety.com/2026/tv/news...

Paramount, CNN Chief Mark Thompson in ‘Early Stages’ of Discussions to Keep Him in Post

Paramount, CNN Chief Mark Thompson in 'Early Stages' of Discussions to Keep Him in Post

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Megan Fox's newest role? Playing a super-hero like figure meant to personify erectile dysfunction medication from Ro. The company says she could serve as a brand ambassador of sorts for the next year or two..... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

Megan Fox Commercial for Ro Eases Taboos Around Erectile Dysfunction

Megan Fox Commercial for Ro Eases Taboos Around Erectile Dysfunction

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Just in: Paramount names former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz co-CEO. David Ellison to' lead all strategy, creative and technology while Kreiz to 'oversee the Company's day-to-day operations and integration of the combined businesses'

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

CNN’s Pamela Brown is the latest staffer to launch a new streaming series for the news outlet's 'All Access' subscription service... variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety.com

CNN’s Pamela Brown Launches New Streaming Series, ‘Body Language’

CNN's Pamela Brown Launches New Streaming Series, 'Body Language'

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Slylock Fox has never been the warmest of funnies-page characters, but in today's strip, he diabolically helps arch-nemesis Count Weirdly plan his own demise!

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A new Capital One commercial featuring Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T in their Law & Order: SVU roles marks NBC's latest attempt to win bigger ad packages with tentpole events, like its looming 100th anniversary... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

NBC Taps 100th Anniversary to Hook More Advertisers With Tentpole Events

NBC Taps 100th Anniversary Special to Hook More Advertisers to Tentpole Events

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ha ha! Sluggo's poverty is extreme, but it makes for a heartwarming tale, amirite?

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Here's a word you don't see very often in the funnies...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

We probably don't do this often enough, but let's give thanks for narrators! Narration: Without it, we might think Hank and Yvonne were lost in the woods, which would turn Hank's friendly utterance into an extremely caustic remark....

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

At last, Toby's horrible secret is out! She uses bucatini, a tubed pasta that offers more heft than spaghetti. Too bad the extra carbs will be all but wiped out by the warm sauce that ought to be in the refrigerator to prevent harmful bacteria from killing those who eat it!

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Yes, Disney is grappling with a myriad of issues, including the rise of tech giants that want to dominate entertainment. But the company's defense of its intellectual-property remains formidable!

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Anne and Randy dine on thick slabs of industrial cardboard while poring over some of life's great mysteries...

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Draconian new regulations put into place in whatever town it is the Bumsteads call home mandate alliterative titles for all local eateries -- and now it's causing friction in Blondie's and Dagwood's marriage...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

'Marvin' has been successfully shoveling poop jokes for more than 40 years and still others continue to take up the gauntlet. Congrats on your new effort, 'Insanity Streak.'

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Is the NYT's 'Headliner' feature in trouble? Have never seen it run below the fold before, but perhaps that's what happens when what was meant as a spotlight for celebrity pop-culture picks devolves to 'my sleep mask' and 'my fire pit'...

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Larry Kudlow has been assigned to anchor what was once Maria Bartiromo's 'Sunday Morning Futures' on Fox News Channel through the midterm elections.. variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety.com

Fox News Assigns Larry Kudlow to Anchor Maria Bartiromo’s ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ Through Midterms

Fox News Assigns Larry Kudlow to Anchor 'Sunday Morning Futures' Through Midterms Following Maria Bartiromo

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Proletariat uprising? It starts in the comics panels...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

How bad are things over at 'Rex Morgan M.D.?' Even the ancillary characters are quietly plotting 'vacations' that take them out of this comic's feeble storylines for a prolonged period of time...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The rise in anti-Mary Worth sentiment in her own comic strip these last few days has been shocking!

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Dennis the Menace already had very severe problems paying attention, but now he can blame it all on short-form video and streaming...

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

No one should be subjected to the sight of a character who has been appearing in comic strips for nearly a century in the bath, but damn if that song he's singing couldn't be a holiday commercial jingle for Tyson's, Perdue or any other poultry giant...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Would you watch a holiday special featuring Geico ad characters instead of a stop-motion Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Apparently, it's in the works... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

John Berman has done almost everything an anchor can at CNN. He guides viewers through breaking news on 'CNN News Central,' fills in for Anderson Cooper, and is trained to handle CNN’s 'Magic Wall' Now he must master new digital skills variety.com/2026/tv/news...

CNN’s Interactive ‘Office Hours’ Has John Berman Testing New Skills

CNN's Interactive 'Office Hours' Has John Berman Testing New Skills

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

CNN CEO Mark Thompson says he's 'enthusiastic' about staying with the news giant under Paramount, but also confides he's not sure he'll be allowed to do so... variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

CNN Chief Says He’s ‘Enthusiastic’ About Staying Under Paramount, But Not Sure He Can

CNN Chief Says He's 'Enthusiastic' About Staying Under Paramount, But Not Sure He Can

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The second episode of this season's ’60 Minutes’ notched a gain in viewership vs year-earlier figures, but still shed some of the linear audience it enjoyed for its season debut, when an NFL game buoyed attention... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

’60 Minutes’ Notches Ratings Gain Over Last Year, But Cedes Viewers From Season Premiere

'60 Minutes' Notches Ratings Gain Over Last Year, But Cedes Viewers From Season Premiere

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The mood inside CNN is 'like a funeral' as staffers worry that Paramount will cast new haze on a path forward for streaming, and independent journalism variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

CNN Mood ‘Like a Funeral’ as Paramount’s Warner Bros. Win Casts New Haze on Next Steps

CNN, already jostled by a series of corporate turnovers, faces a hazy future after Paramount won its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Geico, one of TV's biggest ad spenders, is putting a new spotlight on weaving 30 years of ad characters into programming and looking for new ways to entertain consumers. In the works: an alliance with Dairy Queen and a Geico holiday special... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

A Geico Holiday Special? Insurance Giant’s New CMO Widens Spotlight on Entertainment

A Geico Holiday Special? Insurance Giant's New CMO Widens Spotlight on Entertainment

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My understanding is that overall viewership for the second week of 60 Minutes is up compared to the same broadcast last season -- but preliminary data has viewership for this week's broadcast down significantly from last week's season premiere...

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

MS NOW anchor Stephanie Ruhle is among a growing number of traditional TV anchors being asked to embrace live, immediate interaction with audiences both online and in studio.... variety.com/2026/tv/news...

Stephanie Ruhle Tests Live-Audience Show as MS NOW Seeks More Interaction With Crowds

Stephanie Ruhle Tests Live-Audience Show as MS NOW Seeks More Interaction With Crowds

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Just in: Billy Bush slated to join Fox News Media as a contributor, signaling potential new interest in coverage of celebrity and popular culture.... variety.com/2026/tv/news... via @variety

Billy Bush to Join Fox News as Contributor

Billy Bush to Join Fox News as Contributor

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

MS NOW, CNN, Politico Allege White House Violated First Amendment in New Suit variety.com/2026/tv/news...

MS NOW, CNN, Politico Allege White House Violated First Amendment in New Suit

MS NOW, CNN, Politico Allege White House Violated First Amendment in New Suit

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Does it feel like someone in the plot-making department at 'Rex Morgan M.D. Industries' forgot to plan ahead?

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

P.J.'s sudden ability to hold inner monologues, utilize logic and navigate the difference between rational knowledge and behavior is nothing short of stunning. Less surprising: His newfound desire to separate himself from the rest of the family...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Thank goodness Mark Trail is on hand to answer some of the day's more pressing questions...

Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

'KA-CHING,' says smirking ambulance-chaser Rex Morgan, M.D....

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Brian Steinberg @bristei.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

DAMN YOU VULCAMITE BOMB!

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