originalseries
Latest
Apple Music redesign will put video in the spotlight
We know all about Apple's plans for Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke, but it looks like the company has bigger things in mind for its music-focused series. Bloomberg reports an Apple Music redesign will accompany the next version of iOS we're likely to hear about at WWDC in June. The new look is said to do a better job of showing off video, a format Apple has big plans for moving forward.
Sony's original series 'Powers' renewed for a second season
Sony has announced it is bringing Powers back for a second season. And, all things considered, it's easy to see why. As an entertainment platform, the future of PlayStation's original programming depends heavily on the success of Powers, a series based on the comic book story from Brian Michael Bendis. Thankfully for Sony, after premiering back in March, Powers quickly became a favorite for viewers and rose to the top of the charts on PlayStation Network. The company says season two is scheduled to debut in the US next year, although it didn't provide a specific time frame. In a statement, President of Programming and Development at Sony Pictures Television, Jamie Erlicht, said the new chapter will "broaden the Powers universe and bring even more of the fan-favorite characters and storylines to life."
Netflix's early-2015 premieres include 'Daredevil' on April 10th
Netflix watchers, check this post and update your calendars accordingly -- the streaming service just announced premiere dates for a bunch of the new shows it will have this year. That list includes its first collaboration with Marvel, (Daredevil, April 10th), the Tina Fey-produced show it snagged from NBC, (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, March 6th), a drama from the producers of Damages, (Bloodline, March 20th), and a new show bringing Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin together again (Grace & Frankie, May 8th). For the kids, Netflix has The Adventures of Puss in Boots on January 16th, Ever After High: Spring Unsprung on February 6th and Mako Mermaids season two on February 13th. Of course, we can't forget House of Cards season three arrives February 27th, and Edward Norton produced documentary My Own Man is slated for March 6th. Whew.
Netflix's next original series is a collaboration with Canada's Rogers
Video-streaming titan Netflix is set to continue its original production efforts with Between, an upcoming six-episode drama series. The story will be produced in partnership with Shomi, a video on-demand service from Canadian wireless carrier Rogers; and City, a television station based out of Toronto. Strangely enough, when Shomi's VOD offering was launched roughly a couple of months ago, it was pegged as a direct competitor to Netflix -- though that's clearly not going to be the case. Plot-wise, Between follows the story of a strange disease in a small town that has abolished everyone under 21 years old, and was created by Canada's own Michael McGowan, director of Still Mine and One Week, among other relatively popular indie films. No definite timing yet, but the series is going to premiere on Shomi and City in Canada, while the rest of the world will be able to catch it on Netflix.
Netflix has a new original series for kids, courtesy of DreamWorks
The relationship between Netflix and DreamWorks is one that just keeps on giving. Accordingly, the video-streaming giant has announced that it is partnering with the studio yet again, this time to bring DreamWorks Dragons to the platform as an original series for kids. Dragons, based on the popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise, will debut next year on Netflix and is said to "bridge the gap" between the first feature film and the sequel that's slated to premiere this summer. Previously, the TV series had made Cartoon Network its home, with a total of 40 episodes split between two seasons.
Fraggle Rock returns from the '80s as Hulu's first original kids show
For video services like Hulu and Netflix, there's no doubt that having a solid lineup of original content is imperative for the future. But, it is also very important to cover as many demographics as possible, whether it be that of people who love a good drama, or kids who need to watch something a little more colorful. With the debut of Doozers on the streaming platform today, Hulu now has a show that a young audience can enjoy and, in the process, continues to grow its portfolio of original series.
Netflix recruits creators of 'Damages' to premiere a psychological thriller original series
No one can deny Netflix is betting big on its original content -- and for very good reasons, mind you. In light of this, the video streaming giant is already preparing to premiere yet another series of its own: a psychological thriller from the brains behind the television show Damages. Netflix announced today it has signed up Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman to create a 13-episode original, with the plot focusing around "a family of adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home." The new series, which will be produced by Sony Pictures Television, is expected to start production in early 2014 -- Netflix hasn't revealed the official name yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we find that out. [Image credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]
Amazon adds Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Cynthia Nixon to 'Alpha House' cast
Amazon Studios clearly isn't messing about. One of the more notable series in its original round of pilots is getting a bit more star power. Comedians Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon are set to join the cast of Alpha House, which already includes the likes of John Goodman. The Garry Trudeau-penned show is shaping up to be the largest of Amazon's first round of five green lit series. The show will premier through the company's streaming service later this year. Billy Steele contributed Photoshopped magic to this report.
Lionsgate bringing 'Deadbeat' original series to Hulu next year
It's not the first original series to hit the streaming site, but Lionsgate is delivering some seasoned vets for its upcoming Hulu show, Deadbeat. Co-created by Cody Heller and Brett Konner of FX's talking dog show, Wilfred, the "supernatural comedy" series will be produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment and directed / executive produced by Flight of the Conchords / Arrested Development's Troy Miller. The first ten episodes are set to begin production in the fall and will begin airing next year.
Five Amazon pilots get the green light
Well, it seems that you, the web video watching public, has spoken. Amazon announced today that it has whittled its robust list of pilots down to five titles, thanks to viewers like you. Winners will be turned into series available to users of Amazon Prime Instant Video and Lovefilm later this year and in early 2014. That list includes the John Goodman political comedy Alpha House, the startup-centric Betas and the kids series Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleleaf. For the full press release and quotes from the folks behind the series being various states of "thrilled," click on through the break.
Yahoo announces six original shows, WWE streaming partnership
It's been just under a week since Yahoo scored exclusive rights to stream Saturday Night Live clips, but the old guard of search has just divulged more of its video plans at its Digital Content NewFront event. Taking a page from Netflix's playbook, the firm announced its original comedy lineup will be released in a "binge-viewing" style á la House of Cards this fall, and added Tiny Commando, We Need Help and Losing Your Virginity with John Stamos to its humor roster. Mayer and Co. also revealed a trio of lifestyle programs called Fashion Recipe, Cinema & Spice and Grill Girls, which are headed online at some point later this year. In addition to its in-house programming, Yahoo's partnered with the WWE to create an online wrestling hub starting this summer, which will include clips, a 30-minute Monday Night Raw pre-show, two original weekly shows with 50 episodes per year, an archive of full historic matches and more. The folks in Sunnyvale are also set to stream video content from Conde Nast Entertainment, and expand their relationship with ABC News thanks to World News Behind the Headlines, Nightline: Online and GMA Live. News junkies will also be able to tune into the CNBC's Talking Numbers. For descriptions of the outfit's original shows -- and how it'd like to catch your attention with ads -- hit the jump for the full press release. [Image credit: Yodel Anecdotal, Flickr]
Twitter rumored to be pitching in-feed video shows to studios
Twitter has been making a giant push for expanded tweets from content providers. It's only a short logical leap from that to Twitter providing the content itself, and that's exactly what AdWeek claims may well happen. Its unconfirmed tipsters have the microblog taking a page from YouTube by pitching Hollywood movie and TV studios on "several" original shows that would live in followers' feeds, including the seemingly inescapable reality show. While Twitter wouldn't have someone in the director's chair, it might still play a role by letting viewers affect the show as it's happening -- and of course, running ads. Silence is the only official response to the rumor from Twitter so far; don't plan your viewing schedule just yet, but do brace yourself in case Twitter breaks out a Horse ebooks cameo to boost ratings in mid-season.
Starz Entertainment producing first original series: "Crash"
With DirecTV churning out a respectable amount of original content for its exclusive The 101 channel, Starz Entertainment is looking to do the same for a wider audience. Dennis Hopper has been signed on to act in the company's first-ever original drama, which will be based on the Academy Award-winning picture Crash and will (very unimaginatively) be titled "Crash." The show, which will be co-produced with Lionsgate, has already begun production in New Mexico, and if all goes to plan, the premiere episode will air in October. [Image courtesy of StarPulse]
Odyssey: Driving Around the World to make US debut in HD on DirecTV's The 101
DirecTV has been queuing up series for its exclusive The 101 channel for some time now, but if you were curious as to when the next would arrive, here's your sign. Defiance Entertainment's Odyssey: Driving Around the World is all set to make its US debut on said network, as it ventures to take viewers across "four continents and two oceans, all to raise money and awareness for Parkinson's disease." The show attempts to integrate "extreme adventure travel with social responsibility," and will touch down in places such as Costa Rica, Macchu Picchu, Argentina, Australia and Myanmar (just to name a few). Travel junkies, set your HD DVRs -- the 13-episode series takes off on June 5th at 8:00PM ET.
DirecTV queues up another HD series on The 101
For DirecTV subscribers worried that The 101 would go to waste by broadcasting content solely in SD, we've excellent news. Just weeks after announcing its first HD series on the channel and boasting that it would be covering the South by Southwest Music Festival in high-def, along comes news that yet another series is on deck. Hometown Heroes will reportedly hone in on everyday people "who make a difference in their community," and will seek to inspire viewers throughout the ten-part series to take action in their own neighborhoods. Things get kicked off on April 6th at 9:00PM ET /PT, and we have all ideas we'll be seeing a lot more content where this came from.
