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PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Talk about a Forever Home: “Property Brothers” superstars Drew and Jonathan Scott will stay with their HGTV family for at least three more years. After a bidding war, the real estate and renovation experts signed a deal with HGTV for current and future projects. “Our long and successful collaboration with Drew and Jonathan is largely built on their endless creativity reserves and their ability to establish deep connections with audiences,” said Kathleen Finch, Chairman and Chief Content Officer, US Networks Group, Warner Bros. Discovery. “These are stars who consistently attract and engage fans, no matter the platform, so this new agreement ensures that together we can continue to develop more fun, innovative content that will excite viewers for years to come.”
Coming-of-age comedy “Most Talkative,” inspired by the best-seller by Andy Cohen, is in development at NBC. Writers Gordon Greenberg and Michael Weiner will EP along with Cohen, with Todd Holland directing and serving as exec producer, along with Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold and Chris Dickie, who will executive produce under Blumhouse Television. “I’m tickled to use my childhood as the jumping off point for what I know will be a hilarious show, and to work with an incredible team,” said Cohen.
CASTING NOTES
Rodrigo Santoro (“Westworld”) will play a lead opposite Sarah Michell Gellar in Paramount+ “Teen Wolf” spin-off “Wolf Pack.” The drama from MTV Entertainment Studios follows teens whose lives are changed after a wildfire awakens a supernatural creature.
Shaun Sipos (“Outer Range”) is sticking with Prime Video with a lead role in season two of the streamer’s “Reacher.” This season will be based on Lee Child novel Bad Luck and Trouble.
Diedrich Bader (“American Housewife”), Sara Amini (“Future Man”), Cedric Yarbrough (“Carol’s Second Act”) and Suzanne Cryer (“Silicon Valley”) landed series regular roles in AMC’s “Straight Man,” starring Bob Odenkirk.
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”) has boarded HBO Max limited series “Full Circle,” following the investigation into a botched kidnapping.
Guest stars on season two of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” will include Leslie Odom Jr. (“One Night in Miami”), Lauren Weedman (“Euphoria”) and Keyla Monterroso Mejia (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”).
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
Romantic anthology drama “Cherish the Day” debuts a new story on Tuesday, October 4 at 9p on OWN. The first season of “Cherish the Day” ranked #1 in its time period across all of cable with Black women, households, and total viewers.
The sophomore run of HBO space comedy “Avenue 5” starts Monday, October 10 at 10p. The season picks up five months after the spacecraft fails to reroute after falling perilously off-course.
The stories of women who pursue wealth and leave death in their wake are told in Oxygen’s “Black Widow Murders,” premiering Sunday September 25 at 7p.
“WOW – Women Of Wrestling” will premiere nationwide in syndication the weekend of September 17. The series has been cleared in 100% of the US, including on station groups CBS stations, Sinclair Communications, Nexstar Broadcasting, Hearst Television, TEGNA Media, Weigel Broadcasting, Gray Media and Cox Television.
Peacock’s “The Amber Ruffin Show” returns for season three on September 30. What to expect? “This time we have more stars and more margaritas!” promises. Ruffin. “It’s gonna be a party!”
Epix docuseries “Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror” will premiere Sunday, October 2 at 10p. The five-parter is a retrospective on the horror genre from the company regarded as a driving force in the horror renaissance.
The schedule for PBS three-parter “The U.S. and the Holocaust” has been adjusted to accommodate programming around the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19. The show’s premiere will still air Sunday, September 18, but episodes two and three will now air the following Tuesday and Wednesday.
AXS TV countdown series “The Top Ten Revealed” resumes season five on Tuesday, October 4 at 8p. The late David A. Arnold is one of the new experts in the season, having taped his commentary this past July. Comedian Arnold (“It Ain’t For The Weak”) passed away on September 7 at the age of 54.
Mexican actor and singer-songwriter Mane de la Parra will be joining Chiquinquirá Delgado as co-host on the new season of Univision’s “Mira Quien Baila All Stars” (Look Who’s Dancing All Stars). The celebrity dance competition premieres Sunday, October 9 at 8p.
“The Bridge,” adapted from Danish-Swedish crime drama “Bron/Broen,” premieres Wednesday, October 12 at 11p on Ovation TV. The series was originally slated to kick off October 15.
Author/mother of seven/lawyer Stacy Lyn Harris is taking over as host of Outdoor Channel’s “The Sporting Chef,” which starts a new season on September 19 at 8:30p. Harris is replacing game chef and executive producer Scott Leysath.
SPORTS
NASCAR revealed the 2023 schedules for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The 2023 Cup season will get underway with “round two” of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, which will take place on Feb. 5 on FOX. Two weeks later, on February 19, the 65th annual DAYTONA 500 will unfold live on FOX from Daytona International Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will once again begin at Darlington Raceway on September 3, with the NASCAR Championship Race set for Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 5. As for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a pair of road courses join the schedule for the first time in its four-decade history, as Names Will Be Made at Sonoma Raceway (June 10) and the Chicago Street Race (July 1).
Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson announced his decision to step down from the role effective December 31, following nearly 24 years at the helm of the Conference. “My one remaining priority was expansion of the College Football Playoff and viable access for the Mountain West,” said Thompson. “I take considerable pride in my committed engagement to this effort over the past two-and-a-half decades and look forward to the finalization of those details in the coming months. With CFP expansion accomplished and having invested almost a third of my life in the Mountain West, the time is now right for me to conclude my tenure and allow the Conference to continue its momentum under new leadership.”
ESPN saw its most-watched Monday Night Football game since 2009 and its third best Monday game in the current era as 19,845,000 viewers – across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes – turned in for the Seahawks’ victory over the Broncos this week. The showdown marked the debut of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the MNF broadcast booth.
Speaking of the NFL, ahead of Prime Video’s inaugural Thursday Night Football coverage tonight, the company is plotting a takeover to drive awareness. The TNF takeover of Amazon.com including a new countdown clock feature at the top right, while the Chargers/Chiefs official landing page will feature how-to-watch information, alternative feed broadcasts and the new NFL x Prime Video sports comedy show, The Pile On.
Jay Croucher, head of trading for PointsBet, has joined NBC Sports full time as a betting analyst. There he will share his expertise on all things sports betting, from futures to finding value in the daily and weekly markets across all sports. Additionally, Croucher will contribute to written content for NBC Sports EDGE’s website and social platforms.
MLB Network will exclusively air the entire 2022 American League Division Series and American League Championship Series in Spanish-language this Postseason. The two AL Division Series are scheduled to begin on October 11, with a potential Game Five on October 17. The ALCS is set to start on October 19. Announcers for MLB Network’s Spanish-language ALDS and ALCS telecasts will be released in the coming weeks.
Athletes First Partners were retained by the Edmonton Oilers to handle the exclusive sale of the Oilers’ jersey patch. “There are few North American clubs that
have the deep history, including the glorious past of five Stanley Cup championships, the vibrant social media presence of today, and the young stars of tomorrow like the Oilers do,” said Jim O’Connell, President Athletes First Partner.
STREAMING
Fuse Media FAST channel Fuse Beat has rebranded to Shades of Black. “The rebrand to Shades of Black aligns the channel more closely with its brand mission, which is to celebrate the multifaceted Black experience and impact on our culture,” said Fuse Media Chairman & CEO, Miguel Roggero. “In little more than a year since its launch, the channel has connected strongly with audiences, growing each month to its highest viewership yet this past August.”
Netflix will feature “news, never-before-seen footage, trailers, and first looks” at Tudum, its second annual free virtual fan event on September 24. In addition to previewing shows from Korea, India, Japan and more, there will be peeks at hits like “The Crown,” “Bridgerton.”
MotorTrend’s automotive series and specials are now available to customers in the U.S. in the Apple TV app. “The availability of MotorTrend in the Apple TV app is the latest step in our distribution goal of making MotorTrend’s premium streaming video content catalog available to fans on all major platforms, said Mark Jocson, Vice President, Digital Partnerships and Distribution.
Insight TV announced the launch of the recently rebranded Insight TV lifestyle channel, INFAST, on PLEX. “Plex is a fantastic platform as it allows viewers to access INFAST online and from most devices, making it ideal for our Millennial and Gen-Z audiences who value convenience,” said Natalie Boot, VP Media Sales & Insight TV Studios US.
Tubi has announced the launch of its FIFA World Cup FAST Channel, featuring highlights and analysis from this year’s competition as well as content from past FIFA World Cup tournaments. Every FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match will be available for free on-demand and programmed into the channel as replays. Special FOX Sports Digital content will also appear on the channel in the lead-up to the tournament.
Cinedigm has struck a new deal with college sports, news and entertainment streamer, Vidgo. Vidgo becomes the first virtual MVPD to agree to distribute Cinedigm’s flagship streaming service, Cineverse, which will feature a lineup of FAST channels plus films and TV series on demand. Vidgo plans to launch Cineverse this Fall.
COMING UP
Made-for-TV movie “The Waltons Thanksgiving” will premiere November 20 on The CW. The film, narrated by original John-Boy Richard Thomas, follows the net’s most-watched special of the 2021-22 season, “The Waltons Homecoming.”
ABC has announced additional celebrity attendees set to appear in “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter,” airing Thursday, September 22 at 9p. Added to the lineup are Asante Blackk, George Clooney, Laverne Cox, Isabella Gomez, Emily Hampshire, Tom Hanks, Rita Moreno, Ms. Pat, Jay Pharoah, Rob Reiner, Aida Rodriguez and George Wallace.
Travel Channel has viewers covered for Halloween. In addition to tonight’s premiere of “Ghost Adventures” is two-hour special “Ghost Adventures: Devil’s Den” on Thursday, September 29, and special “The Haunted Museum: 3 Ring Inferno” on Monday, October 31.
HBO documentary “Mama’s Boy” debuts Tuesday, October 18 at 9p during LGBTQ history month. The film centers on the upbringing of the screenwriter of “Milk,” Dustin Lance Black. Traveling back to the places where he grew up, Black explores his childhood roots, gay identity and close relationship with his mother, who became Black’s emotional rock and ultimately, the inspiration for his activism.
Turner Classic Movies has two new original docs on tap: “High Noon on the Waterfront” (October 13) and “By Design: The Joe Caroff Story” (October 18), as part of curated nights of classic films about the 75th anniversary of the Hollywood Blacklist and of films with movie posters designed by Joe Caroff, respectively.
GOING GLOBAL
Paramount+ launches in Italy today, September 15 with more than 8,000 hours of entertainment. In addition to offering blockbuster movies and global series, the service is investing in local content and talent, with a line-up of Italian originals, such as “Francesco Il Cantico,” an immersive reading of one of the most iconic texts dedicated to love, hosted by Italian star Roberto Benigni.
All3Media International has confirmed presales for Drama Republic’s western “The English” with Canal+ in France, Disney+ covering The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, Amazon Video in the Nordics, HBO Max for the CEE region, Spain and Portugal, Deutsche Telekom / Magenta TV for Germany and Cosmote in Greece.
In September, Genius Brands will launch a FAST Kartoon Channel! on Waipu, the OTT platform in Germany. The company also recently debuted Kartoon Channel! in New Zealand on Samsung TV Plus, and in the Philippines on Tapp Digital. Kartoon Channel! branded blocks are currently available in 65 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Headlining the MIPCOM slate for DFW International is new sci-fi drama series “Long Gone,” produced by Dingie with co-production partners Interstellar Pictures and RTL Nederland.
Love Nature has launched in Poland on CANAL+ Polska. Love Nature’s linear 4K channel is now available, fully localized in Polish, to CANAL+ Polska subscribers with 4K set top boxes.
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