Skip a newsletter last week? “In Case You Missed It” rounds up the top stories in each of our three daily editions, so you can be up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, sports and kids television. Enjoy!
Flagship
South African comedian Trevor Noah will take over as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show when Jon Stewart exits. Calling Noah, who joined the late nighter as a correspondent in December, “wickedly funny,” net president Michele Ganeless said, “We set out to find a fresh voice who can speak to our audience with a keen take on the events of the day, and we found that in Trevor. He has a huge international following and is poised to explode here in America.”
NBC gave a straight-to-series order for Coach, a sequel to its 1989-1997 sitcom. The original’s creator, Barry Kemp, will write and exec produce, while Craig T. Nelson, who just wrapped the net’s Parenthood, reprises his starring role as Hayden Fox.
Digital
YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan launched a new lifestyle network with Endemol Shine Group (part of its Endemol Beyond Premium Content Network). Called ICON, the net will host original series and more from up-and-coming digital influencers and lifestyle experts for programming in beauty, fashion, wellness, DIY, food, and travel stories. In addition to Phan, others premiering new series on ICON make up 2.4 billion YT views, and include talent such as Ann Le (AnneorShine), Cassey Ho (Blogilates), Promise Phan(Dope2111), Charis Lincoln (CharismaStarTV), Anisa Noor and beauty vlogger Rae from The Raeviewer. The first eight original series to debut are: Pretty Little Pranksters, Trash to Fab,Fascinating Women, a Q&A series with ICON influencers called The FAQs, beauty problem solver series She’s Gotta Have It, diet and beauty show Skinside Out, Everyday LUXE (out in June) andDecade Beauty (launching in September). Eventually, content will live on native Facebook video, but for now it will land first on YouTube. “Wherever our viewers are is where we will be,” said Phan, “but we do love Mother Google. I wouldn’t be here without YouTube.” Endemol Beyond will unveil additional ICON U.S. and UK original content at its NewFront on Thursday, May 7.
Dish Network’s Sling TV snagged HBO for its slate of OTT offerings. After consumers sign up for the $20/month Best of Live TV service, an extra $15 will buy them the ability to watch a live HBO channel and a VOD library similar to what’s on HBO Go and the upcoming HBO Now app. Sling partners include ESPN, Disney Channel and Food Network and programming from networks such as AMC and Epix.
Sports
The NHL is officially on the clock for its post-season, with NBC Spots Group detailing its coverage plans for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For the fourth straight year, every NHL Stanley Cup Playoff game will be presented nationally with as many as 105 playoff games and potentially more than 260 hours of programming starting April 15. As previously reported, USA Network gets in on the action this year, joining NBC, NBCSN, CNBC and NHL Network marking the first time USA Network will carry NHL Stanley Cup Playoff coverage since 1985. USA Network will provide game coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as needed, throughout the playoffs.
NBCSN serves as the primary home of the playoffs, offering coverage of one or two games on most nights during the first round. NBC offers up seven exclusive first-round broadcasts during the weekends of April 18-19 and April 25-26, including two Saturday primetime broadcasts on April 18 and April 25 at 8p. Skipping ahead to the Conference Finals, NBC and NBCSN will become the exclusive carriers, with NBC slated to broadcast afternoon games on May 16-17, and a primetime game on Saturday, May 23, at 8p. The Stanley Cup Final will see NBC will showcse Game 1, Game 4, and Games 5-7 (if necessary), with NBCSN televising Games 2-3. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Pierre McGuire will call the series.
There’s a new partner for FOX Sports, with AOL announcing a video content partnership with the company to distribute video that includes content from @TheBuzzer, Garbage Time, various FOX Sports Digital Originals, and select game highlights. As part of this deal, AOL and FOX Sports will work to co-develop content experiences tied to major sporting events throughout the year, and provide sponsors with new opportunities to garner extended reach and high engagement across screens.
Kids
Genius Brands International is teaming with Comcast for Kid Genius, a new channel on Xfinity On Demand in fall 2015. The launch builds on the success of GBI’s Baby Genius series on Xfinity. Kid Genius will offer a variety of programming for toddlers through age 12, including original GBI programming including Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, as well as shows from other program creators. Andy Berman, GBI’s SVP of global distribution sales, will head the Kid Genius operation. “In addition to our own unique original programming, the new Kid Genius channel will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase new independently produced programs and terrific acquired programming for kids,” he says.
If Julie Andrews is involved, it’s gotta be good. Nelvana Enterprises is partnering with Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton to develop an animated preschool TV series based on their bestselling book series, The Very Fairy Princess. The soon-to-be nine-title book franchise is part of The Julie Andrews Collection published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Launched in 2010, it chronicles the adventures of Geraldine, who knows deep down that she is a very fairy princess, despite all evidence to the contrary. The series is slated to debut in 2016 and will be jointly developed with Andrews and Walton Hamilton and produced at Nelvana Studio in Toronto. Says Andrews, “The books are all about celebrating individuality. We hope to encourage kids to rejoice in their own unique passions and talents–even if they’re different from that of their family or friends.”
