NBCUniversal recruited “Saturday Night Live” duo Colin Jost and Michael Che for the first-ever live comedy special for its streaming service Peacock on Thursday evening. The pair poked fun at the unproven format and distributor of their comedy hour, titled “Colin Jost & Michael Che Present: New York After Dark,” in their opening monologue.
“Tonight’s going to be like group sex. If it goes well, then we can do it again every couple months with our friends. And if it goes really bad and it’s a disaster, we’ll never talk about it again. And either way we’re going to film it.” Jost started, taking the stage at the The Bell House in Brooklyn. “We’re on Peacock! You guys know Peacock right? You know Peacock from the phrase, ‘I can’t believe the NFL made us download fucking Peacock.'”
“The fuck is wrong with you man?...
“Tonight’s going to be like group sex. If it goes well, then we can do it again every couple months with our friends. And if it goes really bad and it’s a disaster, we’ll never talk about it again. And either way we’re going to film it.” Jost started, taking the stage at the The Bell House in Brooklyn. “We’re on Peacock! You guys know Peacock right? You know Peacock from the phrase, ‘I can’t believe the NFL made us download fucking Peacock.'”
“The fuck is wrong with you man?...
- 9/13/2024
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
The long-awaited merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom will officially close late Wednesday, concluding media mogul Shari Redstone’s three-year battle to reunite the two companies.
The entertainment industry’s newest conglomerate owns entities such as Paramount Pictures, Showtime, Bet, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and CBS News. ViacomCBS also controls several streaming services, including CBS All Access and Pluto TV, and jointly operates The CW networks with the AT&T-owned WarnerMedia.
Although the merger put several notable properties under one corporate roof, Wall Street hasn’t taken kindly to the deal. Shares of both companies have declined since the deal, worth approximately $12 billion, was announced in August. The new company, valued at roughly $25 billion, will begin trading Thursday.
Part of the subdued response in the financial markets may be the result of the numerous questions that still remain about the new entity. Though last month ViacomCBS appointed several corporate executives,...
The entertainment industry’s newest conglomerate owns entities such as Paramount Pictures, Showtime, Bet, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and CBS News. ViacomCBS also controls several streaming services, including CBS All Access and Pluto TV, and jointly operates The CW networks with the AT&T-owned WarnerMedia.
Although the merger put several notable properties under one corporate roof, Wall Street hasn’t taken kindly to the deal. Shares of both companies have declined since the deal, worth approximately $12 billion, was announced in August. The new company, valued at roughly $25 billion, will begin trading Thursday.
Part of the subdued response in the financial markets may be the result of the numerous questions that still remain about the new entity. Though last month ViacomCBS appointed several corporate executives,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
Following the path established by their peers in the media business, Comcast and NBCUniversal have scheduled an investor event as they look to detail their strategy for entering the streaming arena. On January 16, executives will present details about Peacock, the NBCU service launching next April. The event will be held at the company’s longtime New York headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Aside from securing rights to The Office, emphasizing the role of advertising and noting the leverage afforded by the cable and satellite footprints of Comcast and Sky, the company has been fairly tight-lipped about Peacock. Earlier this fall, the company put longtime Comcast Cable executive Matt Strauss in charge of Peacock in part of a broader management reshuffle. Bonnie Hammer, the veteran cable exec who had been running Peacock, moved into a newly created content role at NBCU. Investor days dedicated to streaming are becoming more common, but they have achieved mixed results.
- 12/4/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast and NBCUniversal are promising a deeper dive on Peacock, their entry into the streaming-video wars, at a presentation set for next month.
The company announced it will host an investor meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, starting at 4 p.m. Et to discuss NBCU’s plans for the forthcoming Peacock streaming service, “including the overarching strategy for the platform.” The event will be held at NBCU’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with a live webcast to be available on the Comcast investor-relations site.
Peacock is scheduled to launch in April 2020, partly for free — pay-tv subscribers who have cable TV service from parent company Comcast will have access for no additional charge. The service will also be available for a fee to non-cable subscribers, NBCU execs have said.
“We’re not doing the same strategy that Netflix and people chasing Netflix have adopted,” NBCU CEO Steve Burke said on Comcast’s third-quarter 2019 earnings call.
The company announced it will host an investor meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, starting at 4 p.m. Et to discuss NBCU’s plans for the forthcoming Peacock streaming service, “including the overarching strategy for the platform.” The event will be held at NBCU’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with a live webcast to be available on the Comcast investor-relations site.
Peacock is scheduled to launch in April 2020, partly for free — pay-tv subscribers who have cable TV service from parent company Comcast will have access for no additional charge. The service will also be available for a fee to non-cable subscribers, NBCU execs have said.
“We’re not doing the same strategy that Netflix and people chasing Netflix have adopted,” NBCU CEO Steve Burke said on Comcast’s third-quarter 2019 earnings call.
- 12/4/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comfort food TV is all the rage. Despite the glut of new and shiny series dropping seemingly every day, whether its happening episodically on traditional broadcast and cable networks or in full-on binge mode on the streaming services (of which there seems to be a new one entering the fray every time we turn around), there's a reason people can't stop watching Friends, The Office, Seinfeld, Golden Girls, Parks and Recreation, Gilmore Girls, 30 Rock—Ok you get the picture—on Netflix or Hulu. And that's because life is hard, we're inundated with...
- 12/2/2019
- E! Online
Whether you’re Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, one of the primary challenges for streamers is creating a platform that makes it easy for subscribers to find and discover content — and then make sure they stay there. But the discovery problem is about to get even worse as every conglomerate in town is getting in on the streaming wars with their own services. And if you’re the average consumer, how do you avoid spending hours on the couch trying to decide on a movie or track down exactly what you want to watch? How do you avoid the paradox of choice that inevitably ends with watching just another episode of “Friends?” With the launch of Disney+ and Apple TV+ last month and HBO Max and Peacock soon on the horizon, a need is emerging in the marketplace for a way to universally search everything that’s out there and...
- 12/2/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Disney and Amazon are have joined the Cyber Monday deal flow, offering discounts on streaming through Disney+ and Prime.
A full-year subscription to Disney+, which launched November 12, costs $59.99 today, a $10 discount that lowers the average monthly rate to $5. Normally, when purchased on a month-to-month basis, a subscription costs $7 a month. The cheaper price is available only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and only until midnight Et.
Amazon Prime, which includes free shipping on products, discounts at Whole Foods Market along with access to Prime Video film and TV titles, has extended both three-month and 12-month discounts. Today only, a subscription can be had for $35 for three months, $4 less than the normal rate, and $107 for one year, a $12 discount.
The two offers join Hulu’s offer of $2 a month for one year of basic, ad-supported service.
Beyond Cyber Monday, there are numerous incentives being offered by new streaming players.
A full-year subscription to Disney+, which launched November 12, costs $59.99 today, a $10 discount that lowers the average monthly rate to $5. Normally, when purchased on a month-to-month basis, a subscription costs $7 a month. The cheaper price is available only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and only until midnight Et.
Amazon Prime, which includes free shipping on products, discounts at Whole Foods Market along with access to Prime Video film and TV titles, has extended both three-month and 12-month discounts. Today only, a subscription can be had for $35 for three months, $4 less than the normal rate, and $107 for one year, a $12 discount.
The two offers join Hulu’s offer of $2 a month for one year of basic, ad-supported service.
Beyond Cyber Monday, there are numerous incentives being offered by new streaming players.
- 12/2/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
When it comes to television, 2019 felt like a year when nothing made sense. The most popular TV series of the decade ended with fans filing petitions for a redo and the Primetime Emmys handing over its top prize. A reality singing competition where celebrity contestants don extravagant costumes became the year’s No. 1 new show. Impeachment ratings went toe-to-toe with Democratic debates, “The Walking Dead” movies are headed to theaters while “Chinatown” gets the small screen treatment, and last but certainly not least, we can’t buy Baby Yoda dolls this Christmas?
Spurred on by these mind-boggling breakout stories, chaos reigned over the medium itself. This year felt like a tipping point — not in the way John Landgraf promised years ago, when the Mayor of Television predicted our Peak TV bubble would burst; instead, 2019 saw far more television flood the airwaves, cable cords, and streaming services than ever, with no end in sight.
Spurred on by these mind-boggling breakout stories, chaos reigned over the medium itself. This year felt like a tipping point — not in the way John Landgraf promised years ago, when the Mayor of Television predicted our Peak TV bubble would burst; instead, 2019 saw far more television flood the airwaves, cable cords, and streaming services than ever, with no end in sight.
- 12/1/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
It’s no secret that as a content producer, Netflix Originals have contributed heavily to the peak TV era. In fact, earlier this year the streaming behemoth announced a focus on originals to bank new subscribers. But that is far from all the platform does. In fact, in the sea of series on the service, there are more than a few licensed gems. Beloved classic series such as “Friends” and “Frasier” have seen second lives (and picked up quite a few new fans who were too young or — gasp — perhaps not even born yet at all when the shows were on originally), and more modern cult shows have also had a chance to grow their reach.
Here, Variety selects some of the best non-Netflix series streaming on Netflix.
“Breaking Bad”
Original network: AMC
Vince Gilligan’s meth-maker drama featured an antihero at the center of its story, but one that was deeply,...
Here, Variety selects some of the best non-Netflix series streaming on Netflix.
“Breaking Bad”
Original network: AMC
Vince Gilligan’s meth-maker drama featured an antihero at the center of its story, but one that was deeply,...
- 11/29/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Plus has been going gangbusters two weeks after its debut, notwithstanding the technical issues at launch. But the strong interest in the Mouse House’s new streaming service, at this point, isn’t derailing the momentum of Netflix or other services like Amazon Prime Video or HBO, according to new data.
From Nov. 12-24, the Disney Plus mobile app for iOS and Android was downloaded an estimated 15.5 million times, with 86% of those in the U.S., according to app-analytics researcher Apptopia. That’s an average of nearly 1.2 million per day over the 13-day period. Disney Plus has ranked as the No. 1 overall free app in the U.S. on Apple’s App Store and Google Play since launch.
In the past week, Disney Plus has averaged 25.6 million sessions per day — a sign users “have been highly engaged” with the service, says Apptopia VP of insights and global alliances Adam Blacker.
From Nov. 12-24, the Disney Plus mobile app for iOS and Android was downloaded an estimated 15.5 million times, with 86% of those in the U.S., according to app-analytics researcher Apptopia. That’s an average of nearly 1.2 million per day over the 13-day period. Disney Plus has ranked as the No. 1 overall free app in the U.S. on Apple’s App Store and Google Play since launch.
In the past week, Disney Plus has averaged 25.6 million sessions per day — a sign users “have been highly engaged” with the service, says Apptopia VP of insights and global alliances Adam Blacker.
- 11/26/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Politics have been ruining holiday gatherings since the First Thanksgiving it turns out. The First Thanksgiving sketch on tonight’s Saturday Night Live also revealed that homeland walls and political correctness are unexpected leftovers from the pilgrim era, as well.
The sketch was a 17th century variation on Guess Who’ Coming to Dinner with Pochoantas (Melissa Villaseñor) bringing her “illegal immigrant” boyfriend, John Smith (Beck Bennett), back to the teepee to meet her parents (Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen) and her cranky grandfather (Will Ferrell), who gets all his news from Fox (as in the woodland creature) not a liberal-leaning source (like the peacock that keeps his granddaughter informed).
Ferrell’s character bemoans all the negative things that he associates with Smith’s ilkand he frets about the hygiene and honesty of the European newcomer.
The sketch was a 17th century variation on Guess Who’ Coming to Dinner with Pochoantas (Melissa Villaseñor) bringing her “illegal immigrant” boyfriend, John Smith (Beck Bennett), back to the teepee to meet her parents (Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen) and her cranky grandfather (Will Ferrell), who gets all his news from Fox (as in the woodland creature) not a liberal-leaning source (like the peacock that keeps his granddaughter informed).
Ferrell’s character bemoans all the negative things that he associates with Smith’s ilkand he frets about the hygiene and honesty of the European newcomer.
- 11/24/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com
Question: Any early scoop on The Good Fight Season 4 you could share with us? —Ingmar
Ausiello: It appears Audra MacDonald’s Liz will once again be dipping her pen in Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart ink when, come Season 4, she takes a shine to a hot, articulate and charming attorney who is being cast as we speak. This new character also has a military background so I think we can safely add “ripped to within an inch of his life” to his list of attributes.
Question: Any early scoop on The Good Fight Season 4 you could share with us? —Ingmar
Ausiello: It appears Audra MacDonald’s Liz will once again be dipping her pen in Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart ink when, come Season 4, she takes a shine to a hot, articulate and charming attorney who is being cast as we speak. This new character also has a military background so I think we can safely add “ripped to within an inch of his life” to his list of attributes.
- 11/21/2019
- TVLine.com
After sinking to a series low last week, “The Masked Singer” bounced back in the Wednesday night TV ratings.
The Fox show jumped 15% among adults 18-49 from a 1.65 rating to a 1.9, and gained over 1 million total viewers from last time around to end up with 6.7 million. However, it remains to be seen whether it claw its way back to the 2.0 rating and over 7 million viewers it was averaging earlier in season 2. “Almost Family” followed it up steady at a 0.5.
Fox tied with NBC for the top network on the night at a 1.2 average rating. The Peacock’s “Chicago” trifecta was solid once again, with all three ticking up and garnering the first, second and third highest total viewership on the night. “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” came in at a 1.2, with “P.D.” at a 1.1.
CBS came third with “Survivor” leading the way at a 1.2 rating, gaining 600,000 total viewers on last week.
The Fox show jumped 15% among adults 18-49 from a 1.65 rating to a 1.9, and gained over 1 million total viewers from last time around to end up with 6.7 million. However, it remains to be seen whether it claw its way back to the 2.0 rating and over 7 million viewers it was averaging earlier in season 2. “Almost Family” followed it up steady at a 0.5.
Fox tied with NBC for the top network on the night at a 1.2 average rating. The Peacock’s “Chicago” trifecta was solid once again, with all three ticking up and garnering the first, second and third highest total viewership on the night. “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” came in at a 1.2, with “P.D.” at a 1.1.
CBS came third with “Survivor” leading the way at a 1.2 rating, gaining 600,000 total viewers on last week.
- 11/21/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
A week after Disney+ launched to great fanfare and amid claims of security breaches, Kevin Mayer today pulled back the Mouse ears a bit on the subscriber tsunami that hit the streaming service on Day 1 and the resulting widespread technical glitches.
“We were very surprised by the size and the magnitude,” the head of Disney’s Direct to Consumer and International division admitted of the reaction inside the Bob Iger-run media giant to the initial subscriber numbers of 10 million in the first few hours. It was “a lot larger than we thought,” added the exec, now widely pinned as the potential heir to Iger when the CEO exits in a couple of years (if he doesn’t ink another contract).
Mayer might have not taken the bait for unveiling more sub results to the crowd during Tuesday’s Recode conference appearance in Hollywood, but the corporate hardman came out swinging...
“We were very surprised by the size and the magnitude,” the head of Disney’s Direct to Consumer and International division admitted of the reaction inside the Bob Iger-run media giant to the initial subscriber numbers of 10 million in the first few hours. It was “a lot larger than we thought,” added the exec, now widely pinned as the potential heir to Iger when the CEO exits in a couple of years (if he doesn’t ink another contract).
Mayer might have not taken the bait for unveiling more sub results to the crowd during Tuesday’s Recode conference appearance in Hollywood, but the corporate hardman came out swinging...
- 11/20/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sierra Teller Ornelas, co-creator of Peacock’s upcoming comedy Rutherford Falls, is expanding her relationship with the studio behind the series starring Ed Helms, which she co-created and executive produces with him and Mike Schur.
Ornelas has signed a multi-year overall producing deal with Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios. Under the pact, Ornelas will develop and create new projects for broadcast, streaming and cable outlets.
“Sierra has been a valued member of the Utv family for as long as I’ve been here, and we’re thrilled to make the relationship official,” said Jim Donnelly, Evp, Comedy, Universal TV. “She’s a singular talent, and we’re excited she chose us as a home for this next phase of her career.”
Ornelas is co-creator, writer and executive producer of the recently announced scripted comedy series Rutherford Falls set to debut on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s newly named streaming service.
Ornelas has signed a multi-year overall producing deal with Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios. Under the pact, Ornelas will develop and create new projects for broadcast, streaming and cable outlets.
“Sierra has been a valued member of the Utv family for as long as I’ve been here, and we’re thrilled to make the relationship official,” said Jim Donnelly, Evp, Comedy, Universal TV. “She’s a singular talent, and we’re excited she chose us as a home for this next phase of her career.”
Ornelas is co-creator, writer and executive producer of the recently announced scripted comedy series Rutherford Falls set to debut on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s newly named streaming service.
- 11/20/2019
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Mayer had a fairly simple reason for the technical problems that Disney+ experienced shortly after it launched: It was a coding issue within their own platform.
“Some limits to the architecture that we had in place were made apparent to us,” Mayer, chairman of Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international business, told Recode’s Peter Kafka during the Code Conference in Hollywood on Tuesday. “It had to do with a way we architected a piece of the app.”
Disney’s new streaming service ran into tech issues for many customers soon after launching early last Tuesday morning, delaying their ability to watch their favorite shows and movies after months of anticipation. Eager customers shared several different error messages on Twitter, with some users being met with an “unable to connect” alert. Others were greeted with: “Error. Sorry something went wrong. Please try again later.” And that was for the customers...
“Some limits to the architecture that we had in place were made apparent to us,” Mayer, chairman of Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international business, told Recode’s Peter Kafka during the Code Conference in Hollywood on Tuesday. “It had to do with a way we architected a piece of the app.”
Disney’s new streaming service ran into tech issues for many customers soon after launching early last Tuesday morning, delaying their ability to watch their favorite shows and movies after months of anticipation. Eager customers shared several different error messages on Twitter, with some users being met with an “unable to connect” alert. Others were greeted with: “Error. Sorry something went wrong. Please try again later.” And that was for the customers...
- 11/20/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
NBC’s Tokyo Olympics has a new contestant.
Molly Solomon, a veteran sports producer who has been with NBC since 1990, has been tapped as the new executive producer of NBCUniversal’s Olympics broadcast, one of the most important production jobs at the Comcast-owned media conglomerate. She begins her new role immediately, with just months to go before NBCU telecast the 2020 Olympics from Tokyo.
She will oversee all day-to-day editorial production of NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Games, as well as the company’s Olympic Channel cable outlet. She will continue to oversee production of NBC Sports Group’s Golf Channel as well, a position she has held since 2012. She replaces Jim Bell, the longtime NBC news and sports producer, who recently departed.
Solomon will keep her current role at the company’s Golf Channel, where she oversees production, a role she has held since 2012.
“We are excited to put...
Molly Solomon, a veteran sports producer who has been with NBC since 1990, has been tapped as the new executive producer of NBCUniversal’s Olympics broadcast, one of the most important production jobs at the Comcast-owned media conglomerate. She begins her new role immediately, with just months to go before NBCU telecast the 2020 Olympics from Tokyo.
She will oversee all day-to-day editorial production of NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Games, as well as the company’s Olympic Channel cable outlet. She will continue to oversee production of NBC Sports Group’s Golf Channel as well, a position she has held since 2012. She replaces Jim Bell, the longtime NBC news and sports producer, who recently departed.
Solomon will keep her current role at the company’s Golf Channel, where she oversees production, a role she has held since 2012.
“We are excited to put...
- 11/19/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Three weeks after leading WarnerMedia’s HBO Max dog and pony show before investors, AT&T COO John Stankey was back on stage today in Hollywood talking streaming – past present and future.
The first stop for the exec, who still also serves as WarnerMedia CEO, was the November 12 launch of Disney+.
“They did a good job, they are off to a good start,” admitted Stankey as the House of Mouse claimed 10 million subscribers in its first somewhat glitchy day – which he said the big numbers of Game of Thrones attracted over the years for HBO has taught “We liked very much to see as many of our HBO subscribers migrate over to HBO Max,” he added of the May 2020 launch of the multi-pronged streaming service that aims to build on the success of HBO with declared hopes of 50 million subscribers by 2024.
“Let’s be cognizant that the goal here is to...
The first stop for the exec, who still also serves as WarnerMedia CEO, was the November 12 launch of Disney+.
“They did a good job, they are off to a good start,” admitted Stankey as the House of Mouse claimed 10 million subscribers in its first somewhat glitchy day – which he said the big numbers of Game of Thrones attracted over the years for HBO has taught “We liked very much to see as many of our HBO subscribers migrate over to HBO Max,” he added of the May 2020 launch of the multi-pronged streaming service that aims to build on the success of HBO with declared hopes of 50 million subscribers by 2024.
“Let’s be cognizant that the goal here is to...
- 11/18/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The advent of streaming changed the television landscape forever.
It offered entertainment at the tip of your fingers. For a culture who liked to wait for nothing, it was like a dream come true.
At one point, the dream for most also meant that they could "cut the cord" and save hundreds of dollars annually by switching from traditional cable to online viewing.
But if the streaming wars have proved anything, it's that we are still at the beginning of this process to eliminating traditional viewing, and the price is anything but cheap.
And the "watch it now" phase is slowly getting replaced with the "watch it all" phase as the larger conversation includes content from so many different platforms that if you like to remain current on the latest pop culture phenomenon, then you need to be willing to shell out a lot of money and time to do it.
It offered entertainment at the tip of your fingers. For a culture who liked to wait for nothing, it was like a dream come true.
At one point, the dream for most also meant that they could "cut the cord" and save hundreds of dollars annually by switching from traditional cable to online viewing.
But if the streaming wars have proved anything, it's that we are still at the beginning of this process to eliminating traditional viewing, and the price is anything but cheap.
And the "watch it now" phase is slowly getting replaced with the "watch it all" phase as the larger conversation includes content from so many different platforms that if you like to remain current on the latest pop culture phenomenon, then you need to be willing to shell out a lot of money and time to do it.
- 11/18/2019
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
“The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” reruns will continue to air on Viacom linear networks for the foreseeable future.
The company announced that it has reached a new deal with NBCUniversal to keep “The Office” on Comedy Central through 2021. The series will then air in a non-exclusive window on Viacom Media Networks through 2025. “Parks and Recreation” will continue airing on Comedy Central through 2024.
“Keeping the exclusive rights to ‘The Office’ through 2021 is a coup for Comedy Central and Viacom,” said Tanya Giles, general manager of Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and TV Land. “Since acquiring it, we’ve reinvigorated the franchise on linear, drawing big audiences throughout our full day schedule. It’s also been a key lead-in to help drive viewers to our own original, acclaimed comedies. We’re so excited to keep it on our air that we wouldn’t even trade it for an iPod.”
For Viacom, the...
The company announced that it has reached a new deal with NBCUniversal to keep “The Office” on Comedy Central through 2021. The series will then air in a non-exclusive window on Viacom Media Networks through 2025. “Parks and Recreation” will continue airing on Comedy Central through 2024.
“Keeping the exclusive rights to ‘The Office’ through 2021 is a coup for Comedy Central and Viacom,” said Tanya Giles, general manager of Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and TV Land. “Since acquiring it, we’ve reinvigorated the franchise on linear, drawing big audiences throughout our full day schedule. It’s also been a key lead-in to help drive viewers to our own original, acclaimed comedies. We’re so excited to keep it on our air that we wouldn’t even trade it for an iPod.”
For Viacom, the...
- 11/15/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom has renewed its cable license deals for NBCUniversal’s Parks and Recreation and The Office through 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Comedy Central will keep exclusive cable rights to The Office through 2021. Parks will on Comedy Central through 2024. The pacts come two months after Viacom secured cable rights to Seinfeld.
The news is the latest testament to the enduring power of vintage content to power TV networks and streaming services. The Office has been among the most viewed shows on Netflix, as was the case with an even older show, Friends, which is headed to HBO Max after its 2020 launch.
The Office and Parks, which aired back to back during their original linear runs on NBC, are both headed to Peacock, the forthcoming NBCU streaming service. NBCU shelled out more than $500 million to have The Office on Peacock by January 2021, a few months after it launched in April 2020. It also paid a...
Comedy Central will keep exclusive cable rights to The Office through 2021. Parks will on Comedy Central through 2024. The pacts come two months after Viacom secured cable rights to Seinfeld.
The news is the latest testament to the enduring power of vintage content to power TV networks and streaming services. The Office has been among the most viewed shows on Netflix, as was the case with an even older show, Friends, which is headed to HBO Max after its 2020 launch.
The Office and Parks, which aired back to back during their original linear runs on NBC, are both headed to Peacock, the forthcoming NBCU streaming service. NBCU shelled out more than $500 million to have The Office on Peacock by January 2021, a few months after it launched in April 2020. It also paid a...
- 11/15/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Mandalorian.’
Disney Australia/New Zealand is using its social media platforms to promote a raft of original shows including the $120 million Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian which will premiere on Disney+ when the direct-to-consumer service launches next Tuesday.
The company will be hoping for a similar response to the North American launch last Tuesday when 10 million people signed up – but without the technical glitches.
Many users reported they had trouble either finding the service, downloading it or getting it to work at all.
“The consumer demand for Disney+ has exceeded our highest expectations. While we are pleased by this incredible response, we are aware of the current user issues and are working to swiftly resolve them. We appreciate your patience,” said a Us Disney rep.
In Australia Disney+ will cost $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, undercutting Netflix, which charges $9.99 a month for the standard feed and $13.95 for HD, and...
Disney Australia/New Zealand is using its social media platforms to promote a raft of original shows including the $120 million Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian which will premiere on Disney+ when the direct-to-consumer service launches next Tuesday.
The company will be hoping for a similar response to the North American launch last Tuesday when 10 million people signed up – but without the technical glitches.
Many users reported they had trouble either finding the service, downloading it or getting it to work at all.
“The consumer demand for Disney+ has exceeded our highest expectations. While we are pleased by this incredible response, we are aware of the current user issues and are working to swiftly resolve them. We appreciate your patience,” said a Us Disney rep.
In Australia Disney+ will cost $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, undercutting Netflix, which charges $9.99 a month for the standard feed and $13.95 for HD, and...
- 11/14/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Every year, Variety seeks to identify the next generation of leaders in the entertainment business, looking for representatives in the creative community, film, TV, music and digital. This year’s group has a heavy New York focus: We selected executives from forward thinking companies such as Spotify, Group Nine and Endeavor Audio, as well as writers and producers in late night comedy, plus agents and managers who help put the deals together that keep the entertainment business humming.
Hasan Minhaj
Comedian, 34
“The Daily Show” alum isn’t afraid to say something that’s going to tick people off, but also might make them laugh a little bit. Minhaj, who has already won two Peabody awards, brings a global perspective to “Patriot Act,” his weekly Netflix series. “We’re living in a time where art is starting to reflect the reality of the country,” Minhaj says. “A lot of unheard voices...
Hasan Minhaj
Comedian, 34
“The Daily Show” alum isn’t afraid to say something that’s going to tick people off, but also might make them laugh a little bit. Minhaj, who has already won two Peabody awards, brings a global perspective to “Patriot Act,” his weekly Netflix series. “We’re living in a time where art is starting to reflect the reality of the country,” Minhaj says. “A lot of unheard voices...
- 11/14/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with closing stock price, analyst comments: Disney stock soared more than 6% to an all-time high after the company revealed Wednesday that its new streaming service, Disney+, has already drawn 10 million sign-ups.
That number, which the company ascribed in a press release to “extraordinary consumer demand,” may help explain why the service experienced widespread outages after launching early Tuesday. The glitches, which the company attributed to unexpectedly high interest that overloaded its technological infrastructure, diminished over the course of the opening day.
While 10 million sign-ups does not equal 10 million subscribers given that Disney has offered promotions including a free 7-day trial, Cowen & Co. analyst Doug Creutz called it a “very strong start” in a note to clients. Disney stock rose to just shy of $150 a share before closing Wednesday at $148.72 on five times its normal trading volume. Netflix, meanwhile, dropped 3% to $283.11. Stock movement overall was generally modest, with the Dow...
That number, which the company ascribed in a press release to “extraordinary consumer demand,” may help explain why the service experienced widespread outages after launching early Tuesday. The glitches, which the company attributed to unexpectedly high interest that overloaded its technological infrastructure, diminished over the course of the opening day.
While 10 million sign-ups does not equal 10 million subscribers given that Disney has offered promotions including a free 7-day trial, Cowen & Co. analyst Doug Creutz called it a “very strong start” in a note to clients. Disney stock rose to just shy of $150 a share before closing Wednesday at $148.72 on five times its normal trading volume. Netflix, meanwhile, dropped 3% to $283.11. Stock movement overall was generally modest, with the Dow...
- 11/13/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
A bunch of scripted shows were scared off by “Thursday Night Football” on Halloween night, with “Grey’s Anatomy” leading the non-football shows in the TV ratings.
The ABC shows dipped almost 20% from last week among adults 18-49 to a 1.1 rating and around 5.7 million total viewers. ABC managed to be the top network other than Fox, with “A Million Little Things” posting a 0.7 and “How to Get Away With Murder” a 0.4.
A couple of NBC shows fared better week-to-week, with “The Good Place” growing to a season high 0.7 and 2.2 million total viewers, its highest tally since the final season premiere. Freshman comedy “Perfect Harmony” was also up a little from last week at a 0.5, as was the final season of “Will & Grace” which grew to a 0.6 and gained around 400,000 total viewers from its premiere last week. “Law & Order: Svu” came in with a 0.7 rating, while “Superstore” was the only...
The ABC shows dipped almost 20% from last week among adults 18-49 to a 1.1 rating and around 5.7 million total viewers. ABC managed to be the top network other than Fox, with “A Million Little Things” posting a 0.7 and “How to Get Away With Murder” a 0.4.
A couple of NBC shows fared better week-to-week, with “The Good Place” growing to a season high 0.7 and 2.2 million total viewers, its highest tally since the final season premiere. Freshman comedy “Perfect Harmony” was also up a little from last week at a 0.5, as was the final season of “Will & Grace” which grew to a 0.6 and gained around 400,000 total viewers from its premiere last week. “Law & Order: Svu” came in with a 0.7 rating, while “Superstore” was the only...
- 11/1/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy delivered 5.7 million total viewers and a 1.1 demo rating on Halloween night, slipping to new series lows. A Million Little Things (4.1 mil/0.7) similarly tied its own demo low and drew its smallest Thursday audience thus far, while How to Get Away With Murder (2.23 mil/0.4) matched its demo low and equaled its second smallest audience.
The news was far better over on NBC, where Perfect Harmony (2.5 mil/0.5), The Good Place (2.3 mil/0.7), Will & Grace (2.6 mil/0.6) and Svu (3.9 mil/0.7) all rose a tenth in the demo. Opening the Peacock’s night, Superstore (3.1 mil/0.7) was down a tenth in the demo.
The news was far better over on NBC, where Perfect Harmony (2.5 mil/0.5), The Good Place (2.3 mil/0.7), Will & Grace (2.6 mil/0.6) and Svu (3.9 mil/0.7) all rose a tenth in the demo. Opening the Peacock’s night, Superstore (3.1 mil/0.7) was down a tenth in the demo.
- 11/1/2019
- TVLine.com
If you’re pulling your hair out in agony over who’s hiding behind the final 11 costumes on “The Masked Singer,” this news is just for you. Fox has made it easier than ever to look for clues you may have missed by releasing all of the Season 2 episodes that have aired so far on its YouTube channel. That’s right, you can re-watch the initial handful of episodes right now while the show is on a painful hiatus thanks to the World Series.
SEEPaul Shaffer says his experience as ‘The Masked Singer’ Skeleton was ‘the most fun I’ve ever had in my life’ [Watch]
Season 2 of Fox’s wild and wacky reality TV show welcomes back Nick Cannon as host and Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke as judges. Each week a group of costumed celebrities performs for the votes of the panelists and the in-studio audience,...
SEEPaul Shaffer says his experience as ‘The Masked Singer’ Skeleton was ‘the most fun I’ve ever had in my life’ [Watch]
Season 2 of Fox’s wild and wacky reality TV show welcomes back Nick Cannon as host and Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke as judges. Each week a group of costumed celebrities performs for the votes of the panelists and the in-studio audience,...
- 10/25/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Netflix will soon be faced with competition from lower-priced rivals offering tantalizing content: Apple TV+ will be $5 a month, or free for a year if you buy an iPhone. The franchise-packed Disney+ will cost $7, or you can bundle your subscription with ESPN+ and Hulu for just $13 total — the same as Netflix’s standard plan. But if you ask the streaming giant’s content chief Ted Sarandos, Netflix won’t need to cut prices in the face of new competition because it simply offers the best value of all.
Sarandos laid out his case Wednesday morning during an interview with Katie Couric at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit in Los Angeles. And that case is that Netflix is essential — for anyone who wants to be part of cultural conversations, for cinephiles searching for the kinds of movies studios don’t make anymore, or the masses seeking to be entertained.
“It’s not about the price,...
Sarandos laid out his case Wednesday morning during an interview with Katie Couric at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit in Los Angeles. And that case is that Netflix is essential — for anyone who wants to be part of cultural conversations, for cinephiles searching for the kinds of movies studios don’t make anymore, or the masses seeking to be entertained.
“It’s not about the price,...
- 10/23/2019
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Seth Meyers on Tuesday let Late Night writer Amber Ruffin have the floor to respond to President Donald Trump, who earlier that day likened the ongoing impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives to a lynching. During the segment, Ruffin rebuked the “raggedy bastard” for comparing his legal predicament to the racist killings of African Americans, and scoffed at the idea that this particular tweet is just another “distraction.”
“You’re not being lynched. You know how I know? Because people who are being lynched don’t sit in a mansion tweeting about bulls–t,” she said. “Look, the reason...
“You’re not being lynched. You know how I know? Because people who are being lynched don’t sit in a mansion tweeting about bulls–t,” she said. “Look, the reason...
- 10/23/2019
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: The traveling event Together Live is in the works for the small screen. Ucp is adapting the event as a television series, with founders Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Glennon Doyle set to executive produce.
According to the official description, Together Live is a traveling event that brings diverse storytellers together for an epic evening of laughter, music and hard-won wisdom. Thought leaders, musicians, celebrities and comedians share the stage and tell their own raw, inspiring stories of finding purpose and community.
Together Live will host its latest event tonight at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles with guests Sophia Bush, Austin Channing Brown, Patti Harrison, Sabrina Jalees, Milck, Abby Wambach and Doyle. Past guests include Reese Witherspoon, Connie Britton, Ciara, Geena Rocero, Cleo Wade, Brené Brown, Nicole Byer, Khalida Brohi, Gina Rodriguez and Sonequa Martin-Green.
Following L.A., Together Live will head to Houston, TX; Fayetteville, Ar; Indianapolis, In; Minneapolis,...
According to the official description, Together Live is a traveling event that brings diverse storytellers together for an epic evening of laughter, music and hard-won wisdom. Thought leaders, musicians, celebrities and comedians share the stage and tell their own raw, inspiring stories of finding purpose and community.
Together Live will host its latest event tonight at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles with guests Sophia Bush, Austin Channing Brown, Patti Harrison, Sabrina Jalees, Milck, Abby Wambach and Doyle. Past guests include Reese Witherspoon, Connie Britton, Ciara, Geena Rocero, Cleo Wade, Brené Brown, Nicole Byer, Khalida Brohi, Gina Rodriguez and Sonequa Martin-Green.
Following L.A., Together Live will head to Houston, TX; Fayetteville, Ar; Indianapolis, In; Minneapolis,...
- 10/14/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
For people involved in broadcast television, it was quite a rude awakening the morning of Premiere Tuesday when the fast nationals for the first night of the 2019-20 season came out. New series across the board were opening at Live+Same Day levels that even a year ago would have had networks sharpening the cancellation axe.
By Friday morning, those initially seeming paltry Monday ratings started looking pretty good as the threshold of what is considered acceptable Live+Dame Day ratings performance kept sliding down as the week went on amid a sea of L+Sd 18-49 ratings in the 0.6-0.8 range and viewership in the ballpark of 4 million.
Indeed, in Live+Same Day, Monday produced the top new series debuts of Premiere Week, Fox’s Prodigal Son in adults 18-49 (1.0 rating) and CBS’ All Rise in total viewers (6 million).
On the other end of the spectrum was new NBC Thursday comedy Sunnyside,...
By Friday morning, those initially seeming paltry Monday ratings started looking pretty good as the threshold of what is considered acceptable Live+Dame Day ratings performance kept sliding down as the week went on amid a sea of L+Sd 18-49 ratings in the 0.6-0.8 range and viewership in the ballpark of 4 million.
Indeed, in Live+Same Day, Monday produced the top new series debuts of Premiere Week, Fox’s Prodigal Son in adults 18-49 (1.0 rating) and CBS’ All Rise in total viewers (6 million).
On the other end of the spectrum was new NBC Thursday comedy Sunnyside,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Less than two weeks after her late night NBC show debuted, Lilly Singh has already found something NBC-related to make fun of: the network’s upcoming “Peacock” streaming service.
“Now, I’m part of the NBC family, but I gotta say, Peacock is an insane name for a streaming service,” Singh joked on her new show, “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” which aired in the very early hours Thursday.
“I guess it’s a good thing they didn’t call it Peagina or Peavulva,” she added.
Also Read: Colbert's Audience Gives Standing Ovation to News of Trump Impeachment Inquiry (Video)
NBC recently revealed that Peacock will be available next April, but a price point was not shared. Peacock will feature reboots of TV series “Battlestar Galactica,” “Saved By the Bell” and “Punky Brewster,” along with new comedies from Mike Schur, Rashida Jones and an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.
“Now, I’m part of the NBC family, but I gotta say, Peacock is an insane name for a streaming service,” Singh joked on her new show, “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” which aired in the very early hours Thursday.
“I guess it’s a good thing they didn’t call it Peagina or Peavulva,” she added.
Also Read: Colbert's Audience Gives Standing Ovation to News of Trump Impeachment Inquiry (Video)
NBC recently revealed that Peacock will be available next April, but a price point was not shared. Peacock will feature reboots of TV series “Battlestar Galactica,” “Saved By the Bell” and “Punky Brewster,” along with new comedies from Mike Schur, Rashida Jones and an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.
- 9/26/2019
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
“Roseanne” is long gone, but is “The Conners” here to stay? That’s the question ABC looks to answer with a definitive yes when its “No. 1 new comedy” returns for what will officially be its second season. Unofficially, of course, this is the third season featuring the Conner clan, including the 2017 “Roseanne” revival (which was a massive success until Roseanne Barr tweeted herself out of millions). The 2018 patch-job kept everyone but Barr, killing off her matriarch in the hopes of saving a high-rated show, and it worked — kind of. Total viewers hit upwards of 13 million when “The Conners” first premiered, but dipped to just under 9 million by season’s end. Even the low-end of those numbers tops the average for ABC’s next highest-rated series, so here we are: Season 2(ish)!
But a funny thing has been happening to recent sitcom revivals. While plenty are still being made, developed, and considered,...
But a funny thing has been happening to recent sitcom revivals. While plenty are still being made, developed, and considered,...
- 9/24/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Netflix. Amazon Prime Video. Hulu. DC Universe. Shudder. The Criterion Channel. Vudu. CBS All Access. We’re already practically drowning in streaming services, and we haven’t even seen the official launches of AppleTV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Quibi, or Peacock yet. But now yet another streaming service is entering the fray, and it’s an unexpected player in […]
The post Even Tinder is a Streaming Service Now; Get Details About the App’s First Original Series appeared first on /Film.
The post Even Tinder is a Streaming Service Now; Get Details About the App’s First Original Series appeared first on /Film.
- 9/18/2019
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
NBC Universal is hoping to use the public’s nostalgic love for old TV shows to help launch their new streaming service. The platform, entitled “Peacock,” will feature many classic shows from NBC’s expansive catalogue, as well as several reboots of some of the more popular series.
Battlestar Galactica, Saved By The Bell and Punky Brewster will all be revamped for longtime fans and a new generation of audiences. NBCU’s Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises Bonnie Hammer doesn’t want to stop there, though. She says that a reboot of The Office is definitely something they want to try their hand at.
“It is my hope and goal that we do an Office reboot,” Hammer said. “The Office comes back to us in January 2021… It is my hope that we can figure what that great reboot would be. We are having conversations.”
This would be the perfect...
Battlestar Galactica, Saved By The Bell and Punky Brewster will all be revamped for longtime fans and a new generation of audiences. NBCU’s Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises Bonnie Hammer doesn’t want to stop there, though. She says that a reboot of The Office is definitely something they want to try their hand at.
“It is my hope and goal that we do an Office reboot,” Hammer said. “The Office comes back to us in January 2021… It is my hope that we can figure what that great reboot would be. We are having conversations.”
This would be the perfect...
- 9/18/2019
- by Evan Lewis
- We Got This Covered
As Disney, WarnerMedia and Comcast all prepare to challenge Netflix for its streaming throne, their success or failure could be decided by shows that existed long before anyone knew the phrase “binge-viewing.” Netflix paid handsomely for “Seinfeld,” while WarnerMedia is dipping into its bank account so “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” can bolster HBO Max when it debuts next year. NBCU’s newly-named streaming service Peacock is built around reruns of “The Office,” and other classic NBC sitcoms, such as “Parks & Recreation,” “Cheers” and “30 Rock.” These are strategic, savvy moves, according to analysts and entertainment executives who spoke to TheWrap. While original content may be the lure that gets subscribers to bite, streaming services — by next spring, the field will have at least five newcomers — can’t rely only on those subscribers liking every new show. “In streaming, there’s a lot of unknowns,” Devin Griffin, general manager for Bet+,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Tim Baysinger and Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Service will launch with original drama including a reboot of Battlestar Galactica and an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
NBCUniversal has christened its upcoming streaming service Peacock and unveiled a slate of original drama projects for the service including a reboot of Battlestar Galactica from Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail and an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World with Solo: A Star Wars Story star Alden Ehrenreich and Demi Moore.
The Comcast-owned media giant also revealed that its Universal Pictures studio is developing original films and animated series to debut on the streaming service...
NBCUniversal has christened its upcoming streaming service Peacock and unveiled a slate of original drama projects for the service including a reboot of Battlestar Galactica from Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail and an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World with Solo: A Star Wars Story star Alden Ehrenreich and Demi Moore.
The Comcast-owned media giant also revealed that its Universal Pictures studio is developing original films and animated series to debut on the streaming service...
- 9/17/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Bad news for Netflix subscribers: In addition to losing Friends and The Office in the near future, Netflix will also lose the streaming rights to Parks and Recreation. On Tuesday, NBCUniversal announced that its upcoming streaming service, Peacock, will become the exclusive home for the beloved
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Other Links From TVGuide.com Parks and RecreationAmy PoehlerNick OffermanMike SchurGreg Daniels...
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Read More >
Other Links From TVGuide.com Parks and RecreationAmy PoehlerNick OffermanMike SchurGreg Daniels...
- 9/17/2019
- by Sadie Gennis
- TVGuide - Breaking News
NBC Universal has lifted the lid on its forthcoming streaming service, while also revealing some of the shows in the works.
Let's talk about the name first. It will be titled Peacock, which is very much in line with NBC's brand.
It will launch in April 2020, and will seemingly be filled with reboots.
Saved by the Bell is getting the revival treatment, with original cast members Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley reprising their roles as well as executive producing.
Also of note is that a reboot of Battlestar Galactica is in the works with Mr. Robot creator, Sam Esmail attached as executive producer.
This means this will be the third iteration of the series to hit the air. The original aired for just one season in 1978, before being followed up by Galactica 1980, which did not resonate with viewers.
Syfy rebooted the series in 2003 with a three-hour miniseries, which...
Let's talk about the name first. It will be titled Peacock, which is very much in line with NBC's brand.
It will launch in April 2020, and will seemingly be filled with reboots.
Saved by the Bell is getting the revival treatment, with original cast members Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley reprising their roles as well as executive producing.
Also of note is that a reboot of Battlestar Galactica is in the works with Mr. Robot creator, Sam Esmail attached as executive producer.
This means this will be the third iteration of the series to hit the air. The original aired for just one season in 1978, before being followed up by Galactica 1980, which did not resonate with viewers.
Syfy rebooted the series in 2003 with a three-hour miniseries, which...
- 9/17/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
John Saavedra Sep 19, 2019
Battlestar Galactica is getting a new series from Mr. Robot's Sam Esmail for NBCU's new Peacock streaming service!
Our favorite space-faring warship is being put back in commission by NBCUniversal, which has set a new Battlestar Galactica series for its upcoming Peacock streaming service. According to Deadline, the new series comes from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.
We don't know anything about the series itself except that it won't be a remake, according to Esmail, who confirmed as much on Twitter: "BSG fans, this will Not be a remake of the amazing series [Ron Moore] launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar. So say we all!"
Esmail didn't go into further detail about what that "new story within the mythology" might be, but we hope it at least features Starbuck.
Battlestar Galactica is getting a new series from Mr. Robot's Sam Esmail for NBCU's new Peacock streaming service!
Our favorite space-faring warship is being put back in commission by NBCUniversal, which has set a new Battlestar Galactica series for its upcoming Peacock streaming service. According to Deadline, the new series comes from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.
We don't know anything about the series itself except that it won't be a remake, according to Esmail, who confirmed as much on Twitter: "BSG fans, this will Not be a remake of the amazing series [Ron Moore] launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar. So say we all!"
Esmail didn't go into further detail about what that "new story within the mythology" might be, but we hope it at least features Starbuck.
- 9/17/2019
- Den of Geek
Talks for a potential reboot of The Office have been going on for so long, the topic has started to become a running joke and was spoofed in star Steve Carell’s opening monologue on Saturday Night Live last fall.
But fans’ long wait for a new Office series may be coming to an end. The upcoming NBCUniversal streaming platform today unveiled its name, Peacock, and its initial slate of original series, which includes reboots of three NBCU series, Battlestar Galactica, Saved By the Bell and Punky Brewster. They could soon be joined by a new incarnation of The Office.
“It is my hope and goal that we do an Office reboot,” NBCU’s Bonnie Hammer, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises, told Deadline.
NBCU recently acquired streaming rights to NBC’s The Office for $500+ million, taking it away from Netflix where the series starring Carell has flourished. “The Office...
But fans’ long wait for a new Office series may be coming to an end. The upcoming NBCUniversal streaming platform today unveiled its name, Peacock, and its initial slate of original series, which includes reboots of three NBCU series, Battlestar Galactica, Saved By the Bell and Punky Brewster. They could soon be joined by a new incarnation of The Office.
“It is my hope and goal that we do an Office reboot,” NBCU’s Bonnie Hammer, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises, told Deadline.
NBCU recently acquired streaming rights to NBC’s The Office for $500+ million, taking it away from Netflix where the series starring Carell has flourished. “The Office...
- 9/17/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Psych fans will have to wait a little longer for the second movie sequel. Originally slated to premiere in 2019, the film will not debut until at least spring 2020. That is because the movie is moving from USA Network, home of the original Psych series and Psych: The Movie, to Peacock, NBCU’s upcoming streaming service, which launches in April 2020.
The sequel, fka Psych: The Movie 2, has been given a cheeky new title, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, named after one of the show’s main characters, Santa Barbara Police Chief Carlton Lassiter, played by Tim Omundson.
Moving the film from a linear cable network to a streaming platform makes sense. Movies are one of the hardest business proposition for an ad-supported linear network because they are expensive, difficult to justify a major promotional push because they are one-offs, and they have very limited shelf life. Meanwhile, original movies have been thriving on streaming platforms,...
The sequel, fka Psych: The Movie 2, has been given a cheeky new title, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, named after one of the show’s main characters, Santa Barbara Police Chief Carlton Lassiter, played by Tim Omundson.
Moving the film from a linear cable network to a streaming platform makes sense. Movies are one of the hardest business proposition for an ad-supported linear network because they are expensive, difficult to justify a major promotional push because they are one-offs, and they have very limited shelf life. Meanwhile, original movies have been thriving on streaming platforms,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The fall season is soon in session.
There will be a lot of new and returning series hitting the air, and we're assessing the likelihood of their success.
What are the networks plans to dominate Monday nights this fall?
Let's start with NBC, which is trying something new in the 10/9c slot. They're following The Voice with Bluff City Law, a brand new legal thriller led by Jimmy Smitts.
That means Manifest, which last season led the night with 12.6 million total viewers and a 2.8 rating will return at midseason. It's risky for the Peacock network to keep Manifest off the air for that long.
They may want to run Manifest Season 2 uninterrupted, but they will need a healthy promotional campaign to let viewers know when it is back on the air.
Related: Bluff City Law Ordered to Series at NBC
What was most surprising about Manifest was how its ratings...
There will be a lot of new and returning series hitting the air, and we're assessing the likelihood of their success.
What are the networks plans to dominate Monday nights this fall?
Let's start with NBC, which is trying something new in the 10/9c slot. They're following The Voice with Bluff City Law, a brand new legal thriller led by Jimmy Smitts.
That means Manifest, which last season led the night with 12.6 million total viewers and a 2.8 rating will return at midseason. It's risky for the Peacock network to keep Manifest off the air for that long.
They may want to run Manifest Season 2 uninterrupted, but they will need a healthy promotional campaign to let viewers know when it is back on the air.
Related: Bluff City Law Ordered to Series at NBC
What was most surprising about Manifest was how its ratings...
- 9/4/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
NBC is getting the 2019-20 TV season started early: The network has handed series orders to the Jimmy Smits-led legal drama Bluff City Law and the Kal Penn immigration comedy Sunnyside ahead of next week’s upfronts, TVLine has learned.
Bluff City Law stars Smits as famed Memphis lawyer Elijah Strait, who asks his daughter Sydney (Grey’s Anatomy‘s Caitlin McGee) to return home and work at his firm after her philanthropist mother passes away. They haven’t spoken in years, but “she agrees because, despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father...
Bluff City Law stars Smits as famed Memphis lawyer Elijah Strait, who asks his daughter Sydney (Grey’s Anatomy‘s Caitlin McGee) to return home and work at his firm after her philanthropist mother passes away. They haven’t spoken in years, but “she agrees because, despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father...
- 5/7/2019
- TVLine.com
To quote a classic line uttered often by Saturday Night Live troop member/The Masked Singer guest panelist Kenan Thompson: What up with that?!
The Fox competition’s Bee, Monster and Peacock spent Wednesday’s two-hour season finale in a last-ditch effort to stump the guessing panel, which consisted of the usuals (Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg) as well as repeat guest Thompson.
And Bee was the third-place finisher. Seriously?! Given who she was revealed to be, that’s a travesty.
To find out how everything shook out — including who was in the other costumes,...
The Fox competition’s Bee, Monster and Peacock spent Wednesday’s two-hour season finale in a last-ditch effort to stump the guessing panel, which consisted of the usuals (Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg) as well as repeat guest Thompson.
And Bee was the third-place finisher. Seriously?! Given who she was revealed to be, that’s a travesty.
To find out how everything shook out — including who was in the other costumes,...
- 2/28/2019
- TVLine.com
Here! We! Go! Just eight weeks ago Fox debuted its new reality TV show “The Masked Singer,” a singing competition unlike any other. Twelve celebrities dressed up in elaborate costumes and performed for the votes of the in-studio audience and judges Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy and Robin Thicke. Week after week, one was eliminated and forced to unmask in front of America, leaving only three still in the running for the golden mask: Monster, Bee and Peacock. Who ended up winning the Season 1 finale and who was hiding behind the final trio of masks?
See‘The Masked Singer’ secrets exposed: Audience members ‘sign contracts,’ celebs have ‘more security than the President’ [Watch]
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “The Masked Singer” recap of Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10, titled “Road to the Finals / Season Finale: The Final Mask is Lifted,” to find out what happened Wednesday, February 27 at 8/7c. Then be sure...
See‘The Masked Singer’ secrets exposed: Audience members ‘sign contracts,’ celebs have ‘more security than the President’ [Watch]
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “The Masked Singer” recap of Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10, titled “Road to the Finals / Season Finale: The Final Mask is Lifted,” to find out what happened Wednesday, February 27 at 8/7c. Then be sure...
- 2/28/2019
- by Denton Davidson and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The votes are in! In our recent poll that asked for Your final guesses for who’s hiding inside the Bee costume on Fox’s reality TV show “The Masked Singer,” a whopping 70% said Gladys Knight. She’s long been the pick of judge Robin Thicke, but of course, not all of the panelists are on board. Rounding out our poll results, 12% said Patti Labelle is actually the Bee while 18% said it’s someone else entirely. Find out Bee’s true identity when the two-hour season finale of “The Masked Singer” airs Wednesday, February 27 at 8/7c.
SEE4 reasons why ‘The Masked Singer’ needs to air Live in Season 2: Hey Fox, are you paying attention?
In last week’s semi-finals episode, Bee performed Aretha Franklin‘s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and was voted into the top three along with Monster and Peacock. Robin once again proclaimed...
SEE4 reasons why ‘The Masked Singer’ needs to air Live in Season 2: Hey Fox, are you paying attention?
In last week’s semi-finals episode, Bee performed Aretha Franklin‘s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and was voted into the top three along with Monster and Peacock. Robin once again proclaimed...
- 2/27/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The Masked Singer sent not one but two competitors home this week, leaving just three in the running to be the season’s big, sweaty-under-that-heavy-costume winner.
The final five contestants — Lion, Monster, Peacock, Bee and Rabbit — gave it their all in an hour that ultimately removed two cloaked crooners from the running. Meanwhile, on the guessing panel, Saturday Night Live‘s Kenan Thompson joined Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke in trying to suss out the singers’ true identities.
Read on to find out which two soloists were sent home (and who they truly were!).
Peacock...
The final five contestants — Lion, Monster, Peacock, Bee and Rabbit — gave it their all in an hour that ultimately removed two cloaked crooners from the running. Meanwhile, on the guessing panel, Saturday Night Live‘s Kenan Thompson joined Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke in trying to suss out the singers’ true identities.
Read on to find out which two soloists were sent home (and who they truly were!).
Peacock...
- 2/21/2019
- TVLine.com
Of the five costumed celebrities who still remain on Fox’s reality TV show “The Masked Singer,” who do You think will win Season 1: Bee, Lion, Monster, Peacock or Rabbit? As a reminder, two contestants will be eliminated in next week’s February 20 semifinals episode, with the final three competing for the trophy in the two-hour finale on February 27. Now you can make your predictions at Gold Derby for who you think will be eliminated next and who will ultimately win. It’s fun and easy, so get started now.
See‘The Masked Singer’ producers come clean: Are celebrity contestants singing live or lip-syncing?
The following seven questions are now available for you to predict for the next episode, titled “Semi Finals: Double Unmasking.” To make your predictions, grab a contender from the left column and add it to the right column by clicking on the green + symbol. Make...
See‘The Masked Singer’ producers come clean: Are celebrity contestants singing live or lip-syncing?
The following seven questions are now available for you to predict for the next episode, titled “Semi Finals: Double Unmasking.” To make your predictions, grab a contender from the left column and add it to the right column by clicking on the green + symbol. Make...
- 2/15/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
[This story contains the identity of the celebrity eliminated from Tuesday's episode of Fox's The Masked Singer.]
Two different groups of celebrities have been competing every week on Fox's The Masked Singer, but the show's seventh episode brought the final six singers together for a faceoff between the Rabbit, Alien, Lion, Bee, Peacock and Monster.
The unmasked celebrity in the first combined episode saw the Alien sent home. It turns out that fans at home (who were extremely vocal about their guesses on social media) were correct: The red bodysuit-clad Alien is La Toya Jackson.
In an exclusive ...
Two different groups of celebrities have been competing every week on Fox's The Masked Singer, but the show's seventh episode brought the final six singers together for a faceoff between the Rabbit, Alien, Lion, Bee, Peacock and Monster.
The unmasked celebrity in the first combined episode saw the Alien sent home. It turns out that fans at home (who were extremely vocal about their guesses on social media) were correct: The red bodysuit-clad Alien is La Toya Jackson.
In an exclusive ...
- 2/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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