FIRST LOOK
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Paramount Skydance confirmed in an SEC filing that it has brought in the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi as investors to support its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The company described the equity syndication agreement as “an important milestone” in the transaction, noting that bringing in the new investors broadens its shareholder base, could open the door to strategic and commercial partnerships, and adds long-term value through the warrants included in the deal. The investors will hold non-voting shares, while the Ellison family and RedBird will remain the largest equity holders in Paramount Skydance.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Queen Latifah is set to host the “52nd American Music Awards” on Monday, May 25 – 30 years after her “AMAs” hosting debut. “I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” said Latifah. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Nominations for the 47th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards were announced by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The awards will be presented in two ceremonies: News categories on Wednesday, May 27, and documentary categories on Thursday, May 28.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Sony Pictures Entertainment has started layoffs. According to CEO Ravi Ahuja, the cuts are focused more on strategy that cost-cutting. “We need to operate with greater focus, speed, and alignment to strengthen our differentiated capabilities,” wrote Ahuja in a memo to staff. “To support our growth, we are aligning our organization with where the business is going – not where it has been. That requires changes to how we are structured and where we invest.” The number of cuts, which are expected to impact television, film and corporate divisions and take place over several months, is estimated to be a few hundred. Among early casualties are John Zaccario, who is transitioning out of his role as President of Game Show Network later this summer, and Colin Davis, EVP Comedy Development at Sony Pictures Television Studios.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou” has started production, as Great American Media continues its expansion into premium unscripted programming. Starring two influential and faith-driven voices, Jep Robertson and Jessica Robertson, the new Original Lifestyle Series follows the couple as they build out not only neighborhoods, but a Comanche Moon Ranch community. “Great American Media’s has become one of the most beloved viewing destinations in just five short years – a credit to our unwavering commitment to quality and purpose-driven storytelling – building a trusted brand and one of the industry’s fastest-growing libraries,” said Kaitlyn Haubrich, Chief Brand Officer & Chief of Staff, Great American Media. “This strength and momentum allows us to invest in new genres of storytelling while staying true to the values that define us.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Hulu’s “Not Suitable for Work” kicks off with three episodes on Tuesday, June 2. The comedy from Mindy Kaling (“Never Have I Ever”) follows five work-obsessed twenty-somethings.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The series premiere of AMC’s tech-driven drama “Audacity” will be simulcast exclusively on Samsung TV Network, on Sunday, April 12 at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Season three of “One Piece,” titled “One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta” – will arrive in 2027. Netflix says the chapter will focus on the Straw Hats as they face a brewing civil war and a powerful warlord to save Vivi’s kingdom.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Apple TV’s sci-fi series “Dark Matter” returns for season two on Friday, August 28, with new episodes dropping weekly through October 30.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Spinoff “In the City,” following former “Summer House” roomies as they transition from partying to adult life, makes its debut Tuesday, May 19 at 9p on Bravo. The premiere follows the season 10 finale of “Summer House.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Another spinoff, “Chopped Castaways” premieres Tuesday, May 12 at 9p on Food Network. The “Chopped” extension strands 12 elite chefs on a remote island, where survival skills are as critical as culinary talent.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MED.TV has two series debuting in June: “Into the Med,” exploring Mediterranean culture, and culinary series “Mediterranean Kitchen.” Both are produced by Malta-based Med Media Services.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Divorced Sistas” kicks off the second half of its freshman season with two episodes on Wednesday, April 15 on Paramount+. The Tyler Perry drama follows five friends as they deal with life and relationship drama.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The season 22 premiere of “Studio C,” featuring guest star Rainn Wilson(“The Office”), airs Thursday April 9 at 9:30p on BYUtv.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox drama “Memory of a Killer,” starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli,has been renewed for a second season. The series premiere ranks as broadcast’s highest-rated drama telecast this season and FOX’s most-streamed series to date.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Paramount+ has ordered a second global season of “Canada Shore.” In its first go-round, the reality series drove more Canadian subscriptions than any other title.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix has opened a new office in Buenos Aires, and announced a new slate of series and films. “Argentina has become a key player in our regional strategy thanks to its audiovisual heritage, creative prowess and ability to tell local stories whose significance and impact make them universal,” said Francisco Ramos, Netflix VP of Content for Latin America. Earlier this year, the streamer opened offices in Mexico City and Brazil.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Writer and comedian Michael Montemayor (“Tangled”) has sold an original feature pitch to Netflix with Berlanti/Schechter Films producing. “Court Date” is a romantic comedy about two young lawyers on opposite sides of a legal case who fall in love.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Go Button Media landed a commission from ZDF Studios for an eight-hour factual series, “Shadows & Dust: Lost History.” In addition to reuniting the partners behind “Into the Universe: The Secrets of the Cosmos Uncovered,” the series once again brings Canadian broadcaster Super Channel on board as the domestic partner. ZDF Studios will handle global distribution for the series outside Canada.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Amazon is being sued by content creators who allege that the company violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by circumventing digital locks on their YouTube videos to scrape them to train the generative artificial intelligence system Nova Reel. “Rather than seek permission or pay a fair price for the audiovisual content hosted on YouTube, defendant harvested content creators’ protected and copyrighted videos for commercial use and at scale without consent or compensation to the content creators,” wrote YouTube channel operator Ted Entertainment, golf video creator Matt Fisher, and Golfholics in a class-action complaint.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ESPN is going places – ESPN on Disney+ is rolling out across Europe and in select Asia-Pacific territories. Programming will vary by region at launch.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Veteran play-by-play announcer Tim Brando is extending his deal with Fox Sports, reports Front Office Sports. The Hall of Famer will call college football and basketball games for Fox and FS1.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is partnering again with Hallmark Media to offer the Make Her Mark Student Scholarship. The recipient will be awarded at the 2026 Gracies Luncheon in NYC on June 16 and participate in a mentorship experience with Make Her Mark founder and Hallmark actor, Ashley Williams.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Return to the Moon,” following the Artemis II mission from launch to splashdown, premieres Wednesday, April 15 at 9p on PBS (check local listings).
(Source: Cynopsis)
Documentary “We Are Jeni,” following the story of a woman who created more than 2500 identities to confront a lifetime of abuse from her father, premieres Thursday, May 7 at 9p on ID.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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