PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
History commissioned limited documentary series Watergate. Produced and directed by Charles Ferguson (Inside Job), Watergate tells the story of the conspiracy by President Richard Nixon and his White House staff, and how they were brought to justice. “ Hugely compelling, Watergate is at once a sobering, frightening demonstration of the fragility of democracy in the face of the abuse of power, and yet at the same time an inspiring demonstration of how courageous people, many of them young, used America’s institutions to prove that everyone, even the President of the United States, must obey the law,” said Ferguson.
Scott McGillivray returns to DIY Network in new series Buyers Bootcamp with Scott McGillivray, greenlit for 10 episodes. McGillivray will partner with rookie investors to show ‘em how fixer-upping is done.
Coming-of-age thriller Hanna got a straight-to-series order from Amazon. Drama is based on the 2011 film co-written by David Farr (The Night Manager), who will write the adaptation for NBCUniversal International Studios.
Michael Strahan and his producing and business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini inked an exclusive overall production partnership with their company SMAC Entertainment and ITV America calling for them to create a range of unscripted projects for television, OTT and digital platforms, to be produced under the ITV America banner.
BBC America is partnering with Elisabeth Moss (Handmaid’s Tale) and Annapurna Television on developing period drama Fever, based on Mary Beth Keane’s novel of the same name. Limited series is set to star Moss, who additionally holds the rights to the novel and will serve as an executive producer.
Denver-based television production company Dorsey Pictures announced a deal with Matt Assmus and his shingle MTA Media for the expansion of their development and current production team.
Comedy Central ordered 7 more episodes of The President Show, created by and starring Anthony Atamanuik as Donald Trump. That brings the order for the Thursday late nighter to 15 episodes.
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
Flip or Flop Atlanta makes its debut on HGTV Thursday, July 20 at 9p, tackling a bargain-priced split level home with an unsightly exterior. Franchise extender follows Flip or Flop and Flip or Flop Vegas.
Another spin-off, TLC’s 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? is back for season 2 on Sunday, June 25 at 8p, as couples face reality when the honeymoon’s over. New digital series 90 Day Fiance: What Now?, following couples from the franchise that didn’t get past their “I do’s”, will stream on TLC.com and the TLC Go App.
Reno, Set, Go! launches on Discovery Family on Monday, June 19 at 10p. Renovation series rewards families facing tough times with a covert room makeover designed just for them.
Laws of physics are put to the test in new Science Channel series, Outrageous Acts of Danger, launching Wednesday, June 21 at 10p. “These jaw-dropping experiments should not be tried at home!” warns net GM Marc Etkind.
Season 2 of State Plate premieres on INSP Friday, August 11 at 7p, as part of the net’s “Destination Fridays” programming. Season 5 American Idol champ Taylor Hicks returns as host.
COMING UP
Discovery and MLB Network are teaming for the first time for a two-night special that has Discovery’s Diesel Brothers, Heavy D and Diesel Dave, tricking out a Chevy for Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera with an assist from Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and All-Star Carlos Pena. Diesel Brothers: The Doubleheader airs Monday, June 19 at 9p and Thursday, June 22 at 9p on Discovery, and in Spanish on Discovery Espanol on June 19 and 26 at 10p.
Discovery Life ’s 8th annual “Psych Week” programming event, in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, kicks off Monday, May 29 at 8p with Born Schizophrenic: Jani’s Next Chapter.
Who Killed Angie Dodge? Keith Morrison Investigates offers an update on the case of murder suspect Chris Tapp, following his emotional release from prison in March. Two-hour special from Peacock Productions, including an interview with Tapp conducted 3 weeks after he became a free man, airs Monday, May 29 at 8p on ID.
El Rey Network will air all 85 episodes of Incredible Hulk beginning Memorial Day Weekend, hosted for 4 straight days by Lou Ferrigno starting Friday, May 26 at 4p. Beginning on Tuesday, May 30 the series will air every weekday from 1p-4p.
The Red Nose Day party keeps getting bigger. Bryan Cranston, Mindy Kaling, Matt Lauer, Rachel McAdams, Seth Meyers, Bobby Moynihan, Al Roker, Ben Stiller and Kenan Thompson have beed added to the roster of stars participating in NBC’s third annual special to benefit Red Nose Day, an annual charity campaign to help end child poverty, on Thursday, May 25 at 10p. Comedian Chris Hardwick is hosting.
VIDEOS IN SHORT
Smithsonian Earth’ s 6-part short-form series Sea Turtle Rescue follows the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles at the South Carolina Aquarium. Episodes are available to stream on Smithsonian Earth on Apple, Roku, Amazon and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.
In new digital series James Corden’s Next James Corden, debuting as a Snapchat Show on Snap Inc.’s Snapchat Discover platform this fall, the Late Late Show host will oversee a fictional reality competition to find a successor. (Repeat, fictional – Corden’s not going anywhere.) Ben Winston and Rob Crabbe will serve as executive producers of the series, from CBS Interactive in partnership with Fulwell 73, and in association with CBS Productions.
Snapchat is also launching its first daily news show this fall. NBC News will produce the segments, 4-5 minutes in length.
KIDS CORNER
Special Wild Kratts Alaska: Hero’s Journey premieres on PBS Kids stations and the 24/7 channel on Wednesday, July 26, part of PBS’ Summer of Adventure. Three-night live natural history event Wild Alaska Live airs Sundays, July 23-30 and Wednesday, July 26 at 8p.
Production has begun on DC Super Hero Girls, an animated action-comedy series from Warner Bros. Animation based on characters from DC Entertainment. Series premieres on Cartoon Network next year.
Nickelodeon gave the greenlight for season 12 of SpongeBob SquarePants. New episodes arrive in 2019, just in time for the series’ 20th anniversary year. The Bikini Bottom crew make up the number one animated show for kids 2-11 and 6-11.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Kelsea Ballerini will guest on new Blaze and the Monster Machines “Wild Wheels” specials on Nickelodeon. “Animal Island” premieres Monday, May 29 at 12p, followed by “Toucan Do It!” on Wednesday, May 31 at 12p.
ADVERTISING
Broadcast upfront volumes and pricing will be up slightly, while total cable dollars could decline as premium online video snatches share from niche cable nets, projects a report from BMO Capital Markets. General entertainment cable networks like TNT and TBS “should continue to do fine,” says the report, “as they have major sports supporting their pitches, while a broad range of original programming helps these networks deliver mainstream reach across multiple key demos.” At risk: youth-oriented niche networks whose viewers turn to the likes of YouTube and Hulu.
Altice announced a new global and multi-local branding strategy that transforms if from a holding company with a collection of different assets and brands, to one unified global group with one single brand, Altice. The Altice name, brand and new logo will replace the current brands at each of Altice’s operating companies by the end of 2Q18; B2B brands will transition to Altice Business. Altice is “entering a new era, following its transformation into a global leader in telecoms, content and advertising,” said Michael Combes, Altice CEO.
Azteca America ’s Atlanta affiliate WUVM Channel 4 has formed a sales and marketing partnership with Atlanta’s WAZX 101.9 FM, “La Que Buena Radio.” The partnership allows WAZX 101.9 FM to sell advertising packages on WUVM Channel 4 Azteca to local advertisers in the market. The two stations also will cross-promote joint initiatives and work together to promote and participate in local community events.
DIGITAL DOINGS
People/Entertainment Network original series Dirty Laundry starts streaming tomorrow, May 25. InStyle editor-in-chief Laura Brown hosts the bi-weekly chatfest set in a laundry room.
The trailer for CBS’s upcoming Big Bang Theory spin-off Young Sheldon has been viewed over 22 million times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube since its debut May 17. The comedy premieres in a special time period Monday, September 25 at 8:30p, moving to Thursdays at 8:30p on November 2.
The Starz app is now available on Samsung Smart TVs, allowing Starz subscribers access to original series, as well as movies and first-run films.
GLOBAL DESTINATIONS
Entertainment One secured a licensing partnership with new internet-based SVOD service ShowMax for the Polish streaming rights for Hell on Wheels, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Welcome to Sweden, The Firm, Halt and Catch Fire and Haven.
AMC Networks International – UK and Multichoice inked a deal to launch SundanceTV in South Africa on DStv. Launch date: June 1.
Barcroft Productions has been commissioned by UK’s Channel 5 to produce three hour-long films for the broadcaster’s Extraordinary People. World’s Heaviest Child, The Solar Boys (wt) and The Butterfly Boys (wt) feature accounts of young people battling extraordinary medical anomalies.
Insight TV ordered sports reality show Lost in Europe, starring global social influencers the F2 Freestylers. Series from Renowned Films will launch in 4K UHD in October.
Discovery Networks UK and Amazon signed a streaming partnership bringing series including Gold Rush, Fast N’ Loud, Wheeler Dealers and major sporting events including the Olympic Games, the French Open, Giro d’Italia and Tour de France to Amazon Prime customers in the UK via Amazon Channels, which launched in the UK yesterday. Digital nets from ITV, NBCUniversal and RTL are also offered.
UK’s Channel 5 and CBS Studios International struck a licensing agreement for the exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights to Bull. The drama will premiere on 5USA this summer.
Spanish-language Estrella TV is making its original content catalogue available in international markets via an agreement with Sabbatical Entertainment. Library includes reality TV, game shows, comedy, talent competitions and more.
