YouTube is launching a new foray into the premium-streaming game. The Google-owned video giant announced the launch of Primetime Channels, a storefront stocked with 34 streaming services, available for any YouTube user to subscribe to. The lineup includes Paramount Global’s Paramount+ and Showtime, Lionsgate’s Starz, MGM’s Epix, AMC+ and TelevisaUnivision’s ViX+, along with more than
Television
Nexstar has made a new exec hire in its revamp of the CW network: Google’s Rebekah Dopp has joined the broadcaster as executive vice president of distribution, strategy and affiliate relations. Most recently global head of diversity, equity and inclusion, brand and reputation for Google, Dopp will now lead negotiating and managing the CW’s distribution
Disney wants to see how well it can convert binge-watchers into buyers. In a test launching Nov. 1 — timed for the holiday-shopping season — Disney+ customers in the U.S. will get exclusive early access to certain Mouse House merchandise on the company’s shopDisney ecommerce site. The toys, collectibles, apparel and other products will include
Former U.K. health secretary Matt Hancock has been suspended as a Conservative Party member of parliament for signing up to hit ITV reality show “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” Conservative Party chief whip Simon Hart, who is in charge of party discipline, said: “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered
Politics appear to be fueling the corporate engines at Fox Corporation. The owner of the Fox News Channel and Fox broadcast network said revenue in its fiscal first quarter was boosted by political advertising at its local stations and subscription revenues to its streaming Fox Nation service, which incorporates content tailored to aficionados of Fox
Matthew Perry has been open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol, but goes much deeper in his new memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” which is now available. Not only does the actor recount memories of his time on “Friends” — both sober and not — but he also details the many relapses
Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles in Netflix’s hit series “The Crown,” offered to quit his position as ambassador of The Prince’s Trust in case of a conflict of interest, but it was turned down. The Prince’s Trust is a charity of which King Charles is the president. West has met the King several times.
Mika Brzezinski had been about as close to Jewel, the folk singer known for her hit “Who Will Save Your Soul” as Coca-Cola is to mayonnaise. But the two recently struck a connection that will have the musician appearing on one of the most distinctive broadcasts of Brzezinski’s long-running MSNBC program, “Morning Joe.” On Wednesday,
Banijay Asia and Keshet International have struck a format adaptation deal for India. Under the terms of the deal, Banijay Asia will option scripted formats from Keshet’s library and adapt them for the Indian audience. Banijay Asia has adapted several international formats for India, both scripted and unscripted, including Keshet’s “Hatufim” as “P.O.W. – Bandi
Halloween week on “Dancing With the Stars” was a difficult one for many pairs, as many faced some unfortunate circumstances. Val Chmerkovskiy tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Monday’s show, so Alan Bersten had to step in to dance a very fast Argentine Tango with Gabby Windey. While it was a bit ahead of the
Fans of and the creator behind Netflix series “Heartstopper” are rallying around series star Kit Connor after the actor shared that he was “forced” to come out as bisexual. The 18-year-old actor made a rare appearance on Twitter Monday, writing: “Back for a minute. I’m bi. Congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out
Disney+ announced that new original special “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” with an introduction by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will launch Wednesday, Dec. 28, on the streamer. The two-night concert event will take place at the Hollywood Bowl on November 11 and 12. The special comes from Disney Branded Television and will be produced by Fulwell 73
Warner Bros. alum Sue Kroll has been named head of marketing for Amazon Studios after serving as lead consultant on the streamer’s extensive rollout campaign for the first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” As part of her new role, multiple series and films in production and development at Kroll’s
Poorna Jagannathan has been cast in “Deli Boys,” Abdullah Saeed’s comedy pilot for the Onyx Collective on Hulu. The series will follow a pair of pair of pampered Pakistani-American brothers named Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj Dar (Saagar Shaikh) who lose everything when their convenience-store magnate father suddenly dies. They and are forced to reckon
Fox has added five new cast members to its upcoming comedy “Animal Control.” Michael Rowland (“This Week at the Comedy Cellar,” “Pause with Sam Jay”), Grace Palmer (“Good Grief,” “The Dead Lands”), Gerry Dee (“Mr. D,” “The Moodys”), Kelli Ogmundson (“Cavendish,” “Phantom Pups”), and Alvina August (“Nancy Drew,” “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) have all joined
Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to a “Friday the 13th” prequel currently titled “Crystal Lake,” Variety has learned. Exact plot details are being kept under wraps, although it is described as an “expanded prequel.” The show will be written by Bryan Fuller, who is also the showrunner and an executive producer. Victor Miller, who
Raise a glass! The Season 2 premiere of “The White Lotus” drew in 1.5 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max after premiering with one episode on Sunday, according to Warner Bros. Discovery. This number includes those who watched the episode during its airings on HBO’s cable channel, as well as streams on HBO Max
Marvel Studios has its Wonder Man. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is set to join the Disney+ series “Wonder Man” as Simon Williams, who transforms into the titular superhero. It will be Abdul-Mateen’s third major comic book character, after playing the villain Black Manta in 2018’s “Aquaman” and Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s 2019 series “Watchmen,” for which
The hosts of ABC’s “The View” celebrated Halloween this year by dressing as famous female television characters (Whoopi Goldberg was June from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Joy Behar was Peggy Bundy from “Married… with Children,” etc.), but it’s a different costume on the show that is courting the most attention. During a segment in which kids
Just in time for holiday movie binge season, Peacock has cut a deal with Hallmark Media that calls for the NBCUniversal streamer to carry some live linear programming as well as on-demand options for Hallmark’s signature movies. The deal reflects Peacock’s efforts to broaden its scope under the new management regime led by president Kelly
“Severance” has added eight new cast members for Season 2. The Apple series has cast: Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones,” “The Sandman”), Alia Shawkat (“Arrested Development,” “Search Party”), Bob Balaban (“The Chair,” “The French Dispatch”), Merrit Wever (“Unbelievable,” “Godless”), Robby Benson (“Beauty and The Beast,” “One To One”), Stefano Carannante (“Mirabilia”), John Noble (“Fringe,” “Elementary,”
Cristin Milioti is joining Colin Farrell in “The Batman” spinoff series centered on The Penguin at HBO Max, Variety has learned. Exact plot details for the series, which is currently titled “The Penguin,” are under wraps. It is believed to take place in the immediate aftermath of the events of “The Batman.” Farrell will reprise
There’s no better day than Halloween to survey the top screenplays, pilots and short stories in the horror and genre space. Variety can exclusively reveals the 2022 BloodList — an annual accounting of the best unproduced content designed to make us scream. Celebrating its 14th year, the list is presented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and
ARCHIVE Netflix will be the first streamer in the world to have its series and films preserved in the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive collection. Over the next five years, hundreds of Netflix U.K. productions deemed to be culturally significant and selected by BFI curators will be preserved in the BFI National Archive’s digital
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” cast members Cynthia Addai-Robinson, who plays Queen Regent Miriel; Ismael Cruz Córdova, the warrior elf Arondir; and Sophia Nomvete, Princess Disa, who is the first Black female dwarf in Middle-earth, made the trek Sunday to Lucca Comics & Games, the unique event dedicated to pop culture,
“Dangerous Liaisons” is one of the great modern classic films — emphasis on modern. Though it was released more than 30 years ago, and concerns characters living their lives in 18th-century France, its interrogation of the carefully constructed performances people use to cover their basest desires and impulses feels as present-day as an Instagram filter.
“Saturday Night Live”‘s cold open focused on the national drama surrounding hard-fought elections in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Arizona in the opening sketch of Season 48’s fourth episode. Portraying Dr. Mehmet Oz, cast member Mikey Day, donned a Phillies hat and awkwardly spoke of having a delicious “Philadelphia Cheese and Steak.” Day, as Oz, referred to his
Although Evan Peters and Ryan Murphy have worked together for years, Peters was “terrified” to take on Netflix’s “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” “I really went back and forth on whether I should do it or not. I knew it was going to be incredibly dark and an incredible challenge,” Peters said during
Shirley Baskin Familian, a founder of the public television station KCET, died Oct. 23. She was 101 years old. Working with her first husband, Burton Baskin, Baskin Familian co-founded the public television station KCET in Los Angeles. In 1964, KCET became an affiliate of the National Educational Television network. Baskin Familian served as a board
“The Witcher” has been renewed for a fourth season by Netflix, though the hit fantasy series will be missing one familiar face. Henry Cavill will exit the production after the upcoming third season debuts, with Liam Hemsworth set to take over the lead role of Geralt of Rivia. The streamer announced the renewal and casting