Television

The new head of NBCUniversal’s news operations pledged to make the workforce that staffs NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC more diverse, calling for the unit’s employee base to be 50% female and 50% people of color over an undefined period of time. “The demographics of America have been changing for decades… and that change is

In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix announced the premiere date for its upcoming drama series “Away” and Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes announced their new podcast “Smartless” will premiere in July. DATES Netflix has announced “Away” will premiere on Sept. 4. The upcoming drama series follows American astronaut Emma Green (Hilary Swank) as she

ESPN said it would cancel its flagship morning radio program, “Golic & WIngo,” while bringing Mike Greenberg, half of the team that helped the Disney sports-media giant carve a bigger business in the audio world, back to the medium as part of a reworking of its national lineup. Greenberg, who spent 17 years with co-host

Viewers were treated to two different takes on an 18th century Russian empress this season: HBO’s four-part “Catherine the Great,” starring Helen Mirren, and Hulu’s 10-part satirical “The Great,” starring Elle Fanning. The aims were very different, and so were the musical approaches by English composer Rupert Gregson-Williams, who undertook HBO’s serious dramatic adaptation, and

Peter Lenkov’s relationship with CBS has been terminated due to accusations the producer and showrunner created a toxic work environment on his sets, Variety has confirmed. Lenkov developed and was the showrunner on the CBS revivals of “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” but has now been fired from those shows. In addition, his overall deal with CBS

The stars and creators of the HBO Max competition series “Legendary,” including judge Leiomy Maldonado, MC Dashaun Wesley and executive producers Jack Mizrahi, Rob Eric and David Collins, joined the Variety Streaming Room, hosted by Variety’s Caroline Framke, to discuss why it was important to highlight the stories behind the dances. The competition series, inspired

When HBO Max launched on May 27, the television world was introduced to a competition series unlike any seen before on screen. Inspired by the culture of ballroom, “Legendary” follows eight houses as they vogue their way through nine balls to win a cash prize of $100,000. And while it may look like a dance

When social distancing and shelter-in-place regulations took hold earlier this year, the creative team behind Apple TV Plus’s original comedy series “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” took a break from drafting the show’s second season to create a special exploring how the characters would operate under the quarantine. Series star, co-creator and executive producer Rob McElhenney,

The team behind Apple TV Plus’s original series “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” has been working on the outline for the second season since the show premiered on the streamer back in February. In the midst of charting the next episodes of the sitcom, social distancing regulations took hold to combat the coronavirus pandemic, drastically changing

WWE announced Tuesday that Kristina Salen has been hired as chief financial officer. In her new role, she will report directly to WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, effective August 3, 2020. She takes over the role from interim CFO Frank A. Riddick III. Riddick stepped in after WWE co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson

Disney’s “Descendants” is the franchise phenomenon that just won’t stop — look no further than the climbing YouTube numbers for its songs and performers. Its latest and third installment centers around the teenage children of famous villains who return to the Isle of the Lost looking to recruit new kids to join them at their

Matthew Weiner has a new series in the works. Variety has learned exclusively from sources that the “Mad Men” creator is developing a half-hour series at FX. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the series is being described as a mystery dramedy. Weiner is writing the series and will also executive produce and

HBO Max has ordered a 12-episode season of “Young Love,” an animated series based on the characters from Matthew A. Cherry and Sony Pictures Animation’s Oscar-winning animated short, “Hair Love.” Creator Cherry will showrun the series with Carl Jones, the animation creative best known for “The Boondocks” and “Black Dynamite”; Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A.

Universal Content Productions (UCP) is continuing its push into the true crime space with a new limited series starring Elisabeth Moss. Moss has signed on to star in a series titled “Candy” for the studio, based on the true story of Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore. In 1980 Texas, Montgomery (Moss) seemingly had it all

European pay TV operator Sky has taken 100% ownership of Love Productions, the producer behind “The Great British Bake Off.” Sky acquired a 70% stake in the company, led by Richard McKerrow, in 2014. The deal to acquire the remaining stake was sealed in February, but was disclosed Monday in Love’s annual accounts. The acquisition

Animation directors Jorge R. Gutierrez (“The Book of Life”) and Kris Pearn (“The Willoughbys”) will discuss their craft in the VIEW Conference’s second free PreVIEW online event Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m. PT. Gutierrez, who is currently working on the Netflix animated series “Maya and the Three,” and Pearn, whose hit animated feature “The

Patrick Stewart returned to Starfleet this spring in “Star Trek: Picard,” reviving his iconic character Captain Jean-Luc Picard from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” for new adventures. Picking up 20 years after the events of the 2002 film “Star Trek: Nemesis,” the series begins with Picard in a mournful retirement. Such a grave introduction begets

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched the “Chapter Three,” the third episode of HBO’s “Perry Mason.” In the third episode of HBO’s “Perry Mason,” Sister Alice, played by Tatiana Maslany, leads a rousing sermon, which includes a skit where Maslany dons an oversized sailor’s outfit while being manually rocked back-and-forth

Broadway may still be shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but fans hoping to catch the hit musical Hamilton can stream it online now on Disney+. The streaming service has released a a special filmed version of the original Broadway production of Hamilton, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Thomas Kail. Originally filmed at

In today’s TV news roundup, Quibi released the trailer for Kevin Hart’s upcoming series “Die Hart,” and Spotify announced its new podcast “An Oral History of The Office” will premiere on July 14. FIRST LOOKS Quibi has released the trailer of “Die Hart.” In the series, Kevin Hart plays a fictionalized version of himself who’s

It’s not quite the “Gravity Falls” reboot/reunion that fans are hoping for, but it’s close: Creator Alex Hirsch will guest star on a Season 2 episode of Disney Channel’s “Amphibia” that pays homage to the animated cult fave. In the “Amphibia” episode titled “Wax Museum,” the show’s family travels to a mysterious roadside oddities museum

Apple TV Plus announced Monday that it has inked a multi-year overall deal with the Maurice Sendak Foundation, through which it will develop new projects based on Sendak’s books and illustrations. The streaming deal marks a first for the non-profit charitable foundation, which supports the artistic legacy of the late Sendak, who authored and illustrated

“The Batman” director Matt Reeves is expanding his relationship with Warner Bros. Reeves and his 6th & Idaho production company have signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. The multi-year deal will make WB home for all of 6th & Idaho’s future TV projects. The deal encompasses all platforms, including broadcast, cabel, and

U.K. broadcasters BBC, ITV and Sky, in association with actors’ union Equity, are drafting enhanced guidance around COVID-19 testing and new standards for close contact among actors, Variety has learned. Equity has confirmed it is working with the broadcasters to update guidelines around increased coronavirus testing and “arrangements for limited interaction within close contact cohorts.”

Nearly two decades ago, Trista Sutter was the runner-up on the first season of “The Bachelor,” a new reality show that would go on to become one of the most successful franchises in television history. Little did Sutter — then, Trista Rehn — know, she would become the very first star of “The Bachelorette,” ABC’s

“Dead to Me” has been renewed for Season 3 at Netflix, which will also serve as the dark comedy’s last. The news comes about two months since the release of Season 2 back in May. With the renewal, Netflix also announced that it has inked a multi-year deal with series creator Liz Feldman for original

“Stargirl” has been renewed for a second season at The CW. With the renewal, The CW and its digital platforms will be the exclusive in-season home of the series starting with its second season. Season 2 will not stream on the show’s original home at DC Universe. It was announced ahead of the series premiere

Imagine Entertainment and Warner Music Group have cut a deal to co-produce and co-finance a slate of music-themed projects for a range of film, TV and digital outlets. The deal is an outgrowth of the pair’s partnership on the upcoming Nat Geo limited series “Genius: Aretha,” revolving around the life of legendary musician Aretha Franklin,

Genius Brands International and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment are collaborating on a deal to create the “Stan Lee Universe” for properties that were made by Lee outside of Marvel Entertainment. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement, announced on Monday, will create a joint venture for over 100 original Stan Lee creations. Lee,

AT&T’s WarnerMedia has promoted Priya Dogra to president for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific. Dogra replaces Giorgio Stock, who stepped down at the end of June. Dogra will report into Gerhard Zeiler, chief revenue officer for WarnerMedia and president for WarnerMedia International Networks. She will continue her existing