PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
FOX issued a put pilot order for comedy One Hit Wendy. Julianne Hough (Dancing With the Stars) stars as a singer who peaked at 18 and is now trying to guide her talented niece through the music biz.
ABC is back in business with Castle creator Andrew W. Marlowe on another crime procedural with a male and female lead. The straight-to-series project will star Rachel Bilson (Hart of Dixie) and Eddie Cibrian (CSI: Miami).
In addition, ABC is developing Flight 410. The conspiracy thriller centers on a commercial flight that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean and a disgraced journalist whose wife was on the plane. Project hails from The Last Ship writer-producer Jill Blankenship, American Crime EP Michael McDonald and ABC Studios.
NBC is developing a medical drama from Chris Murphey (Body of Proof), who’s re-teaming with pathologist Kristen Vandewalker. Series centers on a Medical Investigation Crime Unit.
Producer Donna MacLetchie and her Jane Street Entertainment inked an overall deal with All3Media’s Optomen Productions to create, develop and produce unscripted programming with a focus on formats co-produced with Optomen in the U.S. and internationally.
Telemundo began production in Mexico City on the officially authorized series based on the life of international music superstar Luis Miguel, titled Luis Miguel, La Serie. Shoq stars actor-singer Diego Boneta.
The Night Manager producer, The Ink Factory, secured $180 million in funding and plans to step up its development and production capabilities. The company struck deals, including equity investment and a slate financing arrangement, that will allow it to become an independent global studio.
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills return on Tuesday, December 19 at 9p on Bravo. Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave and a returning Camille Grammer join the Season 8 cast.
The CW introduces new superhero series Black Lightning on Tuesday, January 16 at 9p.
Mid-season ABC return dates were set for Shondaland’s TGIT lineup. Grey’s Anatomy is back January 18 at 8p, followed by Scandal at 9p and How to Get Away With Murder at 10p. Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais game show Child Support debuts Friday, January 5 at 8p.
WGN America slotted Monday, February 26 at 10p as the premiere date for eight-part thriller Shoot the Messenger:
Season four of A Craftsman’s Legacy debuts on Create TV on Monday, January 8 at 10:30a and re-airs at 4:30p.
Viewers can explore some of the world’s most breathtaking getaways in Travel Time with Linda on AXS TV starting Saturday, January 6 at 8a. TV personality and travel enthusiast Linda Cooper hosts.
Showtime’s The Chi premiere’s Sunday, January 7 at 10p. Explores the humanity behind the headlines of the South Side of Chicago.
Velocity’s Unique Rides returns Wednesday, December 6 at 9p.
COMING UP
Estrella TV airs the Spanish-language transmission of the Miss World competition on Saturday, November 18 at 7p.
For the third consecutive year, Azteca America returns as the exclusive Spanish-language broadcaster of the 66th Miss Universe competition. Pageant airs Sunday, November 26 at 7p.
Music on the Road debuts Saturday, December 9 at 10p on Fuse. Doc takes viewers on a cross-country trip to meet the next generation of musicians.
The Root 100, a celebration of the Black excellence coming to television, premieres on Fusion Sunday, November 19 at 9p.
Lifetime kicks off 2018 with a trio of movies based on women who made lasting impressions on the world. Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, airs Sunday, January 20 at 8p; Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story, starring Toni Braxton, bows Saturday, January 27 at 8p, and The Simone Biles Story premieres Saturday, February 3 at 8p.
HOLIDAY STUNTS
The $25,000 Pyramid, The Chase and Family Feud are all part of GSN’s Thanksgiving Day marathons. Games begin Thursday, November 23 at 8a and run through Saturday, November 25.
Thanksgiving Family Movie Marathon, featuring Smurfs 2, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and more, airs Thursday, November 23 from 7a to 11p on FX. Meanwhile, FXX debuts Thanksgiving Day Movie Marathon on Thursday, November 23 at 8a, followed by The Simpsons Thanksgiving Feast Marathon at 8p. On Friday, November 24, a Mom Day After Thanksgiving Marathon begins at 12p on FXX.
The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing Thursday, November 23 at 9a, added Gwen Stefani to its all-star lineup. The sometime The Voice coach will perform “White Christmas.” Patti LaBelle will also appear, on The Cranberry Cooperative by Ocean Spray float.
Z Living airs a Dr. Oz Show marathon, kicking off Thursday, November 23 at 12p.
A “New Year Kickoff with Coach” marathon, featuring best episodes of the sitcom, begins at 5a on Monday, January 1 on Antenna TV.
ADVERTISING
Videology is working with Fox Networks Group’s Audience Insights Manager, an optimized linear solution that enables advertising partners to target precision audiences across FNG’s television inventory. In addition to providing linear optimization services for AIM, Videology will also support FNG’s participation in OpenAP, a consortium FNG co-founded with Viacom and Turner to deliver cross-publisher targeting and independent posting for advances audiences.
CASTING
Rachel Bilson, who joined CMT drama Nashville in Season 5, won’t be returning next season…Adam Rothenberg (Ripper Street) landed the male lead opposite Joy Nash and Julianne Margulies in AMC’s Dietland, set to premiere in 2018.
KID STUFF
Cartoon Network and Mojang expanded their partnership around Adventure Time Minecraft Mashup, released earlier this year on console, PC and mobile, with the Cartoon Network producing an original episode that appears in 2018.
DIGITAL DOINGS
Netflix ordered present-day Jesus drama, Messiah, from writer Michael Petroni (The Book Thief) and producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.
Crackle, Sony Pictures Television Networks’ streaming network, greenlit a 10-episode third season of tech-infused thriller StartUp.
YouTube Red’s comedy series Rhett & Link’s Buddy System returns for a second season on Wednesday, November 29.
Discovery Communications’ Discovery VR produced three educational VR experiences: Racing Extinction: Project Conservation, The Hive game and 360 video.
Hallmark Movies Now, the SVOD streaming service from Crown Media Family Networks, debuted on Amazon Channels on Thursday.
After launching Smithsonian Channel in October 2017, Layer3 TV is now the first MVPD to also carry the Channel’s full 4K On Demand Library.
BritBox, the streamer that delivers UK programming to U.S. audiences, is launching over 100 Christmas specials in December and simulcasting a slate of shows for the first time.
GOING GLOBAL
CBS completed its purchase of Australian broadcaster Network Ten. It acquired the main free-to-air channel, spin-offs One and Eleven, and streaming service Tenplay.
Deadline reports that HBO and producer Bad Wolf teamed with Steve Coogan’s BBC Worldwide-backed production company Baby Cow to develop a historical drama for UK broadcaster ITV.
