FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 4/13/23)
DISCOVERY: This Is Mark Rober (Premiere) at 10pm
HBO MAX: Titans (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Florida Man (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Obsession (Premiere)
NETFLIX: The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (Premiere)
SHOWTIME EXTREME: Headliners with Rachel Nichols (Premiere) at 10pm
TOPIC: Rough Cut (Premiere)
“This is our rendezvous with destiny,” said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, introducing the company’s new streaming service Max, set to launch May 23. Max will house HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, kids’ content, and programming across food, home, reality, lifestyle and documentaries. “This new brand signals an important change from two narrower products, HBO Max and discovery+, to our broader content offering and consumer proposition,” said JB Perrette, President & CEO, Global Streaming & Games, WBD. “While each product offered something for some people, Max will have a broad array of quality choices for everybody.” The Max Ad-Lite tier will cost $9.99 a month; Max Ad Free, the plan most similar to the old HBO Max subscription, will cost $15.99, and a new Max Ultimate Ad Free tier will cost $19.99.
(Source: Cynopsis)
NPR is retiring its 52 official Twitter feeds, after Twitter tagged the public radio’s main account as “state affiliated” last week. “I would never have our content go anywhere that would risk our credibility,” said NPR CEO John Lansing.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Extra” has made it to season 30. The syndicated entertainment newsmag has been renewed by Fox Television Stations, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, TEGNA, Hearst, CBS, Scripps Broadcasting, Weigel Broadcasting, Sunbeam Television, Draper Media, Entravision, Circle City Broadcasting, McKinnon Broadcasting, News-Press & Gazette Company, Waterman Broadcasting and Marks Radio Group.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) will repeat as host of this year’s Tony Awards. The 76th annual event will air live from NYC’s United Palace on Sunday, June 11 on CBS.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Lots of news from Warner Bros. Discovery, as the company unveiled its streaming service on the Warner Bros. lot in LA. HBO Max and Chuck Lorre are developing a new comedy series derived from “The Big Bang Theory.” The project is in the works at Warner Bros. Television, where Lorre is under an overall deal. The new show would be the second collaboration between Max, Lorre, and WBTV. Lorre and Nick Bakay are currently in production on the new Max Original comedy series “How to Be a Bookie,” starring Sebastian Maniscalco.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HBO Max is also developing a drama series based on the films in New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring Universe.” “The Conjuring” producer Peter Safran will serve as an executive producer on the project, which is in development at Warner Bros. Television. Filmmaker James Wan is in talks to executive produce. The series will continue the story established in the feature films. Wan’s Atomic Monster Productions and Safran’s The Safran Company will produce in association with Warner Bros. Television, where The Safran Company is under an overall deal.
(Source: Cynopsis)
And an HBO Max “Harry Potter” series was announced, with author J.K. Rowling executive producing. “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
HBO gave a series order for “Game of Thrones” prequel “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” written and executive produced by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker. Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis will also executive produce. HBO also shared a teaser for “The Regime,” formerly known as “The Palace,” starring Kate Winslet.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Discovery Channel has greenlit “Survive the Raft,” a nine-episode social experiment inspired by Mexican anthropologist Santiago Genovés’ 1973 behavioral study that observed whether humans from diverse cultures and backgrounds could set aside their differences and work together during a 101-day voyage. Fifty years later, Discovery Channel revisits his groundbreaking work with a new raft hosted by United States Army Green Beret, NFL football player and actor, Nate Boyer; the series is slated to premiere in July.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Max and Cartoon Network have greenlit an animated rendition of “Peter and the Wolf” featuring music and narration by Gavin Friday, and artwork based on original illustrations by Bono. The special transforms Sergei Prokofiev’s symphony into an animated short that touches on themes of growing up, loss, courage, transformation, and nature. The film is scheduled to premiere later this year and is part of an ongoing relationship with Irish Hospice Foundation.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Barbie’s Dreamhouse Challenge,” hosted by supermodel, designer, author and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, will feature eight teams of HGTV stars as they transform a Southern California home into a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse. In the end, one Barbie fan will get the chance to stay in the home. The show will premiere on HGTV this summer.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Disney+ released a lengthy list of guest stars joining the fun for “The Muppets Mayhem,” including Paula Abdul, Sofia Carson, Tommy Chong, Morgan Freeman, Ziggy Marley, Jack McBrayer, Ryan Seacrest, Kevin Smith, “Weird Al” Yankovich, and more. The musical comedy series premieres with all episodes on May 10.
(Source: Cynopsis)
FilmRise is expanding its relationship with Woodcut Media with two true crime co-productions, including a second season order for “Murdered at First Sight,” and the eighth season of “World’s Most Evil Killers.” “We have seen tremendous interest and a continual increase in viewership with each new season of ‘World’s Most Evil Killers,’ our initial true crime collaboration with Woodcut Media,” said Max Einhorn, SVP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, FilmRise. “Growing a fruitful partnership with Woodcut is a perfect example of how FilmRise likes to work with other independents. We build value for each other’s businesses.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Falcon’s Beyond announced its first animated series is now in development. The preschool show features Boro the Yeti, one of the breakout characters first introduced at the original Katmandu theme park in Mallorca, Spain, and a group of young yetis. In this mission-oriented show, the young yetis go on adventures across Katmandu.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Frank Grillo, David Harbour, Maria Bakalova, Indira Varma, Zoe Chao, Alan Tudyk, Sean Gunn and Steve Agee have joined the voice cast of DC’s animated series “Creature Commandos.” The seven-parter focuses on the creation of a black ops team out of prisoners.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Magnolia Network’s “Fixer Upper: The Hotel” opens its doors in November, following Chip and Joanna Gaines as they renovate a hotel in downtown Waco. The news was revealed during Warner Bros. Discovery’s unveiling of the Max streaming service.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” premieres Tuesday, May 23 on HBO Max. The voice cast for the animated family adventure includes Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong, Matthew Rhys, Izaac Wang, AJ LoCascio, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Female-driven comedy “The Drop” starts streaming Friday, May 5 on Narcity’s YouTube channel. The social satire follows a pair of top line waiters in Toronto.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Cyberchase” returns to PBS for a new season beginning Friday, April 21 during PBS KIDS Family Night at 7p. Season 14 will feature four new environment-themed adventures.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Cindy Williams’ final TV project, “Sami,” is set to premiere on Prime Video on April 23. Kerry O’Malley (“Why Women Kill”, “Snowpiercer”) and newcomer Sami Staitman also star in the 10-episode short form comedy/musical series. “Sami” was created by producer Bruce Kimmel, whose friendship with the late actress lasted close to 60 years. Williams died January 25 at age 75.
(Source: Cynopsis)
In partnership with Liberty Global, SeriesFest will celebrate with an International Spotlight featuring eight original works making their US or world debut. Several of the titles’ stars and showrunners will be in attendance, including “Elle’s Kitchen” (France) showrunner Lucie Moreau and star Annabelle Lengronne and Grace Dove from “Bones of Crows” (Canada). SeriesFest takes place May 5-10 in Denver.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“County Line: No Fear” will debut on INSP on Saturday, May 27 at 8p. This will be the exclusive television premiere for the third installment in the “County Line” film series.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HITN and EDYE have extended the celebration of Earth Day throughout April with their Festival de la Tierra to emphasize the importance of caring for the planet and its inhabitants.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Music video network Vevo has launched “Vevo In-Show Trivia,” a question-and-answer feature for its FAST channels. Appearing within the programming of Vevo’s linear channels, including Vevo Pop and Vevo Hip-Hop, the feature gives advertisers a new way to connect with music fans. “Music videos are drivers of culture and social change. As custodians of this highly influential art form, Vevo is giving its TV audience a fun way to test their knowledge and learn more about their favorite artists and music videos,” said JP Evangelista, SVP, Content, Programming & Marketing, Vevo. “Participating advertisers can work directly with the Vevo team in the creation and selection process of the trivia questions for more strategic alignment between the surrounding music videos and brand.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Dan Dakich has inked a new, multi-year contract with OutKick. The radio host and ESPN college basketball analyst has hosted “Don’t @ Me!” on OutKick since 2021, and will continue with that. “Don’t @ Me!” is broadcast from Monday through Friday from 9a-11a on OutKick platforms.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Infront has struck a new five-year agreement with Handbollsligan and SHE, the Swedish Handball Leagues for men and women, which will see it provide a new, fully digital ecosystem solution to grow the game of handball in Sweden.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Pixellot, provider of AI-automated sports production, and Torneo Dell REgioni, the annual Italian football tournament for youth teams, have signed an agreement by which Pixellot will provide the systems to enable the broadcast of all the upcoming tournament games that are not televised. After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tournament will feature under-19, under-17, under-15, and female categories and will be held in Piedmont for the 59th time.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Keely's Korner 