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ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 5/8/25)
NETFLIX: Forever: Blood of Zeus (Premiere)
PRIME VIDEO: Octopus! (Premiere)
Netflix is tackling the content discovery conundrum with a makeover that’s rolling out starting May 19. Updates include simpler navigation, responsive recommendations, and a personal Netflix hub. “Thanks to a combination of new technology and the expansion of our entertainment offerings, we think it’s time to take a giant leap forward,” said Netflix Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim. “Our redesigned TV home page is simpler, more intuitive and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today, and it’s better at the most important thing: helping our members easily find shows, movies, live events and games that they’ll love.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
It’s official: Starz has completed its separation from Lionsgateand returns to being a standalone public company. “This separation comes at a pivotal time for the industry,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO of Starz. “Our strong balance sheet, compelling programming lineup and industry-leading tech stack will enable us to be nimble and capitalize on growth opportunities, while driving long-term success for our partners, audiences, employees and shareholders.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Golden Globes have added a new category: Best Podcast. “As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling,” said Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne. “Podcasts have emerged as a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Rescue: HI-Surf” has been canceled by Fox after one season. The action drama’s final episode – complete with cliffhanger – aired March 31.
(Source: Cynopsis)
CBS has ordered “Yellowstone” sequel “Y: Marshals” (w/t) for its midseason slate, airing Sundays at 9p. Luke Grimes will reprise his role as Kayce Dutton, “combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
On the unscripted front, CBS ordered “Harlen Coben’s Final Twist,” which will have Missing You author Coben “guide audiences through gripping tales of murder, high-profile crimes and life-altering surprises, each meticulously unraveled to reveal hidden truths, deceptions and lies.” Producers are Final Twist Productions, All Rise Films, Triage Entertainment and See It Now Studios.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Robert and Michelle King (“The Good Wife”) are developing “Cupertino,”a Silicon Valley-set legal drama for CBS. “The Kings are some of our most prolific and visionary creators, and not a day goes by that someone doesn’t quote a line from ‘Evil,’ ‘The Good Fight,’ ‘The Good Wife,’ or, of course, reference a recent episode from ‘Elsbeth,’” said CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach. “When we read the script … it was a no-brainer that we wanted to move forward with the show as part of a year-round development strategy.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Dig,” a comedy from “Parks and Rec” alums Amy Poehler and Mike Schur, landed a series order from Peacock. Schur and Poehler will co-write the pilot episode and executive produce the series. Poehler is set to star.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Bravo is adding to its “Housewives” universe with “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.” “With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there’s no escaping your past… or each other,” said the network. Also on the Bravo slate are a reimagined “Ladies of London,” and spinoffs “The Valley: Persian Style” (w/t), and “Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apple TV+ placed an order for “The Wanted Man,” from George Kay (“Hijack”) and his Observatory Pictures and New Pictures. Hugh Laurie (“House”) stars in the action thriller as the head of a notorious crime syndicate.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Allen Media Group has renewed “Funny You Should Ask” for seasons 9 and 10. The syndicated game show is carried in more than 90% of broadcast TV markets on independent and group-owned stations.
(Source: Cynopsis)
AIM-TV’s “Raw Travel” has been renewed for season 13 in over 179 cities representing 95% of the country. The season will utilize the show’s 200-episode library from the last ten seasons. The strategy? “Our library was designed to be evergreen. Even though the world and television have changed dramatically since we first launched in 2013, it’s clear that the episodes are still resonating,” said Robert G. Rose, executive producer and host of the series. “Now that we’re moving to broadcasting the second, more recent half of our library, we are moving the older library online, which creates a symbiotic ecosystem whereby our online fans become TV viewers and vice versa.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Banijay Entertainment announced “Let’s Play Ball,” a co-development from Banijay Benelux label, EndemolShine Nederland, Talpa Studios and Signal.Stream. Commissioned by SBS6, the eight-episode series will make its international debut in the Netherlands this summer, and will be co-produced by EndemolShine Nederland and Signal.Stream. The game show includes a race across regional terrains, with contestants rolling a gigantic ball as they go.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hallmark Media and the Black List announced the selection of Toyi Elizabeth for the Emerging Voices Partnership. Elizabeth has accepted a WGA-minimum open script deal with Hallmark Media to write and develop a TV movie.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apple TV+ drama “Long Way Home” returns tomorrow, May 9. In the new season, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman hit the road to travel from Scotland to England, taking the scenic route through Scandinavia, the Arctic Circle, and continental Europe. The streamer also set a premiere date for season three of “Foundation”: Friday, July 11.
(Source: Cynopsis)
CBS shared a fall slate that includes a Dick Wolf drama block on Mondays from 9p-11p with “FBI” and CIA,” preceded by new comedy “DMV” at 8:30p. An “NCIS” block takes up Tuesdays from 8p-11p. And for Fridays, the network has packaged three dramas from Jerry Bruckheimer Television: “Sheriff Country,” “Fire Country” and “Boston “Blue.” “Coming off another winning season enabled us to make bold scheduling moves and fortify our strong lineup with thematically compatible programs every night of the week for strong viewer flow and to serve as a powerful launch pad for the new shows,” said Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TLC spinoff “90 Day: Hunt for Love” kicks off Monday, May 26 at 8p, followed by the premiere of companion show “Hunt for Love: Between the Sheets” at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The back half of season two of HGTV’s “Holmes Family Rescue” kicks off Wednesday, June 4 at 9p. The renovation series spotlights Mike Holmes’ mission to “make it right” for homeowners who have fallen victim to careless or dishonest contractors.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Telemundo is thinking big. Leading up to the premiere “Velvet El Nuevo Imperi” on May 19, Telemundo Station Group will deliver a series of exclusive reports providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the new adaptation of “Velvet.” “This is one of the most ambitious projects that Telemundo has taken on, and having all of our Telemundo stations be part of the launch with exclusive content was a natural fit,” said Jose Cancela, President of Telemundo Station Group.
(Source: Cynopsis)
LIV Golf unveiled a new identity for its 8th event on the 2025 schedule. LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden will be held June 6-8 at northern Virginia’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Evolving from its former name LIV Golf DC, the tournament was developed in collaboration with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and LIV Golf partner Maaden, the mining and metals company.
(Source: Cynopsis)
TNT Sports’ 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage will continue with up to 14 Second Round games beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, May 9. First up: Game 3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers series at 7p on TNT, truTV and Max. John Forslund will call the action with commentary from Eddie Olczyk and Shane Hnidy.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Dubai Sports Channels has been named the official broadcaster of the Eredivisie in the MENA region through to 2028. The agreement with Dubai Media Incorporated will see the Netherlands’ professional football league return to a free-to-air broadcaster in the region.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Scripps Sports unveiled its broadcast plans for the 2025 WNBA season,where ION will offer weekly coverage for the league with 50 regular season games as part of its State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight series. The new season tips off Friday, May 16, on ION.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Norwegian Cruise Line, the Official Cruise Line of the NHL, and the NHL will make a donation (based off a $100 per goal donation during the Stanley Cup Playoffs up to $75,000) to Honor and Remember, an organization that pays tribute to military lives lost.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Keely's Korner 