| PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
NBC handed a pilot order for “Suits: LA” from Aaron Korsh, creator of “Suits.” In addition to a new location, the series will have different characters than USA Network’s 2011-19 legal drama.
Artificial intelligence is the focus of a docuseries coming from Closer Media, Anonymous Content, filmmaker Alex Gibney, producers Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink, and director Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”). “Mind vs. Machine” will tell the story of AI through the lenses of people who have impacted it.
FX announced limited series “Say Nothing,” an account of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The series from Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson’s Color Force will be available exclusively on Hulu in the US, Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories. Patrick Radden Keefe, the author of the book upon which the series is based, will serve as an executive producer with showrunner Josh Zetumer and Northern Irish director Michael Lennox.
Alison Sweeney (“Love & Jane”) returns as baker-turned-amateur sleuth Hannah Swensen and reunites with her “The Wedding Veil” trilogy co-star Victor Webster for “One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery,” premiering on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries later this year. Sweeney wrote the script, which is based on the novel Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke, and is executive producer on the movie.
Eddie Jackson has signed a new exclusive deal with Food Network. The most recent season of “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” which Jackson co-hosts with Ree Drummond, reached more than 11.4 million P2+ viewers, making Food Network the #2 cable network among W25-54 during the show’s timeslot. He also hosts “Outchef’d,” which reached more than 10.1 million P2+ viewers during its second season.
Crayola Studios’ drive into kids and family entertainment content includes partnerships with Marwar Junction and Moonbug Entertainment to launch a competition format and an animated digital series. The Crayola Studios-Marwar Junction Productions (“Play-Doh Squished”) duo will produce a family competition, “The Great Crayola Showdown” (w/t), while Crayola Studios is joining forces with Moonbug (“CoComelon”) for “Crayola Crew,” a 2D/3D CGI animated series.
“Sesame Street” favorites Big Bird, Elmo and Abby, along with Herb the Dinosaur, will appear in new episodes and music videos heading to the Blippi and Sesame Street YouTube channels beginning tomorrow, February 3. “We are always trying to bring our fans new, interesting and engaging partnerships and Blippi fits that mold,” said Jennifer Gioia, VP of Multimedia Programming & Content Strategy for Sesame Workshop. “We are thrilled to have our beloved Muppet friends Big Bird, Abby, and Elmo join Blippi’s journey of exploring the world around them.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “a couple of unscripted things they’re working on” at Netflix, shared Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria at a Netflix event this week. That includes, in “very early development,” a movie and a TV show in addition to unscripted projects. The couple signed an overall deal with the streamer in 2020.
Allen Media Group has reached a new multi-year agreement with news, sports, and entertainment host Jon Kelley (“Funny You Should Ask”). Kelley will also serve as Executive Producer for programming that is available on numerous AMG television and digital platforms.
Lifetime greenlit original movie “Mommy Meanest,” executive produced and starring “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Lisa Rinna along with Briana Skye and Rinna’s daughter, Delilah Hamlin. Inspired by actual events, the movie tells the story of a teenage girl with a history of emotional trauma who is cyberbullied, only to discover the culprit behind the attacks is her mother. The film is set to premiere later this year.
“The Rookie” star and executive producer Nathan Fillion and producing partner Michelle Chapman have launched production company Collision33, with a first-look deal with Lionsgate. Josh Levy (CBS’ “True Lies”) will head development.
Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”) and Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”) will star as President James Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau, in Netflix’s “Death by Lightning,” based on the novel Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard.
Matt Borlenghi reports he will return for the sixth and final season of Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” as Lyle the Pawnshop Guy.
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
Actress/writer Julia Fox will host and executive produce E!’s “OMG Fashun” with co-host, image architect Law Roach. The design competition tasks contestants with creating boundary-breaking looks. “Julia is a tour de force in the industry and a champion for up-and-coming designers,” said Rachel Smith, EVP of Unscripted Content, Lifestyle and Documentaries, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “This show celebrates fashion’s newest disruptors as they push the boundaries for their ultimate muse, Julia.” The series kicks off with back-to-back episodes on Monday, May 6 at 9p.
Historical psychodrama “Mary & George” premieres Friday, April 5 at 10p on Starz. The seven-part limited series is inspired by the true story of a treacherous mother (played by Julianne Moore) and son who schemed to conquer the Court of England and the bed of King James I.
Max docuseries “The Truth About Jim,” from Investigation Discovery, debuts Thursday, February 15 on the streamer. The four-parter follows women who pursue the truth about a family member who was possible a serial killer.
Teen comedy “Davey & Jonesie’s Locker” follows two besties yanked through the multi-verse via their locker, starting Friday, March 22 on Hulu.
History Channel’s “Lost U-Boats of WWII,” following treasure hunter Darrell Miklos and his team as they attempt to locate missing Nazi U-boats that could be holding billions of dollars in stolen gold, premieres Tuesday, February 27 at 10p.
Season two of Hulu’s “Extraordinary” launches Wednesday, March 6. The UK superhero comedy follows a woman searching for her superpower.
BET+ series “Churchy” makes its debut Thursday, February 15. The show is centered on a man attempting to build his own small-town ministry in Lubbock, TX.
STREAMING
Syncbak is launching Zeam, a free streaming home offering updates on news, sports, and culture from local television stations across the country. Zeam has so far gotten buy-in from nearly 300 stations and 30 groups including Gray, CBS, News Press & Gazette, Hearst and Morgan Murphy. An eight-figure marketing campaign, including localized Super Bowl ads featuring John Stamos, will air across the country in different markets. “As viewers and the industry continue to migrate to streaming, local television stations need to find a way to build a sustainable business that helps them not just survive but thrive in the streaming age,” said Jack Perry, the CEO and founder of Syncbak. “That’s why we are launching Zeam, which not only serves as a master connector between stations, advertisers and viewers, but will also redefine what a successful model for local OTT looks like by breaking down the biggest obstacles local stations face in streaming – cost and complexity.”
Following in the footsteps of Netflix and Disney+, Hulu is cracking down on password sharing. Customers were informed the service is “adding limitations on sharing your account outside of your household.” The terms go into effect on March 14 for existing subscribers.
“Priscilla” starts streaming Friday, February 23 on Max. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, the film is based on the book Elvis and Me by Elvis Presley’s ex, with Sandra Harmon.
Netflix secured a deal for buzzy Sundance documentary “Will & Harper.” The film follows Will Ferrell on a road trip with a lifelong friend who has transitioned.
TECH
Meta reported revenue for 4Q23 of $40.1 billion, up 25% and ahead of analysts’ expectations. After a drive for efficiency that cost the company 22% of its jobs, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “Our communities are growing and our business is back on track.”
Amazon also topped forecasts with ad revenue up 14% year-over-year and revenue of $170 billion. “As we enter 2024, our teams are delivering at a rapid clip, and we have a lot in front of us to be excited about,” said CEO Andy Jassy.
Apple reported a better-than-expected 2% rise in overall fiscal sales for the quarter, after four straight quarters of sales declines. For its fiscal first quarter ended December 30, Apple reported sales of $119.58 billion and profit of $2.18 per share. Sales of iPhones hit $69.70 billion, growing 6%.
COMING UP
CBS Stations announced its Black History Month content, an extension of the stations’ year-round inclusive storytelling. “We invite viewers to join us on a journey of celebration and understanding as they watch our phenomenal Black History Month content, and we want them to know they will continue to see inclusive content celebrating culture throughout the year,” said Adrienne Roark, President of Content Development and Integration for CBS News, Stations and CBS Media Ventures.
Samsung TV Plus is offering dozens of channels featuring exclusive Black History Month content. Throughout the month, “Celebrating Black Excellence” recognizes the contributions of Black creators and influencers.
Spectrum is celebrating Black History Month with an On Demand collection of movies that includes classic titles, modern hits, award winners, historical dramas and new documentaries. The collection includes movies that are available for rent and to watch for free, depending on customers’ level of Spectrum TV service.
Four women stranded in the wilderness after a car crash are the subject of movie “Hunting Housewives,” starring Denise Richards (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), NeNe Leakes (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”), Kym Johnson Herjavec (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Melyssa Ford (“The Joe Budden Podcast”). The thriller premieres Saturday, March 9 at 8p.
Donna Kelce – aka football’s “Mama Kelce” – will appear on “The Price Is Right at Night” Ultimate Super Bowl Party airing Wednesday, February 7 at 8p on CBS. Contestants have the chance to win football-themed prizes, before Donna Kelce jets to Vegas to cheer on her son, Travis, at the big game.
New animated films “Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate” and “Megamind Rules!” premiere Friday, March 1 on Peacock.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Nickelodeon’s alternate telecast of the Super Bowl, “Super Bowl LVIII Live from Bikini Bottom,” will feature enhanced graphics and advanced augmented reality, bringing the telecast to SpongeBob SquarePants’ undersea home on Sunday, February 11 at 6:30p. SpongeBob and Patrick will join CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson and play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle live in the booth to call the game.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and DAZN announced that “Ring of Fire” will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide on Saturday, February 17. WBC and Lineal Champion Tyson ‘The Gypsy King’ Fury faces WBO/IBF/WBA unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in a showdown that will determine boxing’s first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion since Britain’s Lennox Lewis claimed that crown in 1999.
Sports and entertainment company Endeavor announced the integration of its sports betting and data businesses, OpenBet and IMG ARENA, under the OpenBet banner. The integrated entity will marry OpenBet’s betting technology, content and services and IMG ARENA’s data rights and capabilities to create an end-to-end sports data, technology and content ecosystem for betting operators and rightsholders.
Pabst Blue Ribbon has been named “The Official Exclusive Beer Partner” for the worldwide 2024 and 2025 seasons of SlamBall, and the title sponsor of the SlamBall Summer Series Dunk.
Quintar has developed PGA TOUR Vision, the Official Mobile AR and XR Developer of the PGA TOUR. Made for Apple Vision Pro, PGA TOUR Vision will feature the par-3 seventh hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links, home of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Additional holes will be added every week leading up to The Players Championship, where all 18 holes will be available.
GOING GLOBAL
Red Arrow Studios International has secured a deal with Boxfish for a local Spanish version of the smash entertainment format “Beat the Channel.” “López y Leal contra el canal” will be produced by Boxfish for Atresmedia Televisión.
Taiwan Mobile has added Warner Bros. Discovery’s regional streaming service HBO GO. The partnership includes a selection of HBO and Max original series. |
