Hereโs everything you need to know about the world of television for Friday, January 9th, 2026:
THE YEAR OF THE CONFERENCES
One of my goals for 2026 is to make it to more conferences, particularly since the twice-a-year TCA press gatherings are no more.
I plan to focus more on the streaming and TV industry conferences than the more TV critic-friendly events such as the Penske media-owned SXSW and the Austin TV Festival. I really want to dive into the world of streaming advertising, FAST channels, streaming platforms and other similar topics.
Assuming the press credentials are approved, one event Iโll be attending is the StreamTV Show, which takes place mid-June in Denver. I did some really interesting interviews with industry leaders who attended last year (even though I didnโt go), so I think being there in person this year is a must.
I mention all of this because Iโm looking for more events to cover and there is just a dizzying list of conferences, and itโs not always clear how useful they might be for a reporter. So if you have any thoughts/experiences along these lines, please pass them along to rick@allyourscreens.com
OKAY, โSUCKSโ IS A HARSH DESCRIPTION OF HGTV IN 2026. โDISAPPOINTING?โ
I have been watching HGTV since its earliest days and it has undergone a number of programming changes over the decades. The earliest days of the network focused on designer-centric shows that were a bit crafty: The Carol Duvall Show, Curb Appeal, and Room By Room. There was a phase where the network launched a number of home buying shows that ended up defining the network for years: House Hunters, International House Hunters, Island Hunters, Hawaii Life, Beachfront Bargain Hunt. And while some of the those shows never went away, they were mostly replaced by those duo designer/carpenter teams looking to emulate the success of the Property Brothers. There was Good Bones, The Flipping El Moussas, Property Virgins, Home Town, and many more.
But like its sister…