Actors Stephen Bishop, LeToya Luckett (Greenleaf), and Iyana Halley (This is Us) have signed on to lead the BET+ thriller One Night Stay from Worldwide Entertainment and Media in association with Choice Films.
Developed by Jenna Frank and Zach Hunter under the Beautiful Orchid Media label, the pic was written by Curtis Cardwell. Director is Rick S Mordecon. The film is set for a January 4 release on BET+.
The film’s synopsis reads: Obsessive Jessica (Halley) refuses to be discarded after a one-night stand gone wrong. Instead of leaving Marcus’ (Bishop) luxurious mansion, she finds a quiet place to hide and moves in permanently. Resuming their seemingly perfect lives, power couple Marcus and Milan (Luckett) have no idea Jessica is now living with them.
Bishop is best known for his role in BET’s popular series Being Mary Jane. Luckett, a former musician and member of the RnB group Destiny’s Child,...
Developed by Jenna Frank and Zach Hunter under the Beautiful Orchid Media label, the pic was written by Curtis Cardwell. Director is Rick S Mordecon. The film is set for a January 4 release on BET+.
The film’s synopsis reads: Obsessive Jessica (Halley) refuses to be discarded after a one-night stand gone wrong. Instead of leaving Marcus’ (Bishop) luxurious mansion, she finds a quiet place to hide and moves in permanently. Resuming their seemingly perfect lives, power couple Marcus and Milan (Luckett) have no idea Jessica is now living with them.
Bishop is best known for his role in BET’s popular series Being Mary Jane. Luckett, a former musician and member of the RnB group Destiny’s Child,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Bravo star Kandi Burruss has joined the cast of the BET+ original holiday film Whatever It Takes. Deadline has your exclusive first look at the trailer above.
From writers TuShonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall Brathwaite, Whatever It Takes is set on Thanksgiving weekend as snow is falling, Christmas is on the horizon and the promises of the New Year are near. Navigating careers, life and the nuances of friendship, five women bond over the imperfections in their love lives. The holidays bring some of them their greatest wishes and others their most profound losses.
The film, starring and executive produced by Tami Roman, will premiere on December 21. The cast also includes Brely Evans, Kendrick Cross, Rayan Lawrence, Zuri James, Stevie Baggs Jr, Linda Boston, Monica Robinson and Aj Akua Johnson.
“I’m so excited to be working with this incredibly talented...
From writers TuShonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall Brathwaite, Whatever It Takes is set on Thanksgiving weekend as snow is falling, Christmas is on the horizon and the promises of the New Year are near. Navigating careers, life and the nuances of friendship, five women bond over the imperfections in their love lives. The holidays bring some of them their greatest wishes and others their most profound losses.
The film, starring and executive produced by Tami Roman, will premiere on December 21. The cast also includes Brely Evans, Kendrick Cross, Rayan Lawrence, Zuri James, Stevie Baggs Jr, Linda Boston, Monica Robinson and Aj Akua Johnson.
“I’m so excited to be working with this incredibly talented...
- 12/11/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s your first look at So Fly Christmas, the upcoming BET+ holiday movie starring Tichina Arnold, Tami Roman, Robert Christopher Riley, and newcomer Laurissa Romain.
Written by Clarence Williams IV and directed by Terri Vaughn, the movie is currently set to debut on BET+ on November 23.
Synopsis reads: After being stood up at the altar on Christmas Eve, Wyvetta (Tichina Arnold) loses her love on her favorite holiday. To show solidarity, Wyvetta’s best friend, Dione (Tami Roman), suggests that the two of them renounce love. Things become complicated when Dione falls for a mild-mannered record store owner (Robert Christopher Riley) and tries to keep it under wraps.
The ensemble cast includes Gary Budoff (professor), with Tommy Davidson (Pastor), Jackee Harry, and Michael Colyar playing Wyvetta’s parents.
Written by Clarence Williams IV and directed by Terri Vaughn, the movie is currently set to debut on BET+ on November 23.
Synopsis reads: After being stood up at the altar on Christmas Eve, Wyvetta (Tichina Arnold) loses her love on her favorite holiday. To show solidarity, Wyvetta’s best friend, Dione (Tami Roman), suggests that the two of them renounce love. Things become complicated when Dione falls for a mild-mannered record store owner (Robert Christopher Riley) and tries to keep it under wraps.
The ensemble cast includes Gary Budoff (professor), with Tommy Davidson (Pastor), Jackee Harry, and Michael Colyar playing Wyvetta’s parents.
- 10/10/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Tami Roman will executive produce and star in the BET+ holiday film Whatever It Takes from Swirl Films and Roman Ramsey Productions premiering later this year.
“We wanted to create a film that would not only entertain but also resonate with people during the holiday season,” said Roman. “It’s a story that showcases the beauty of love and the power of forgiveness, even in the face of the most challenging situations.”
From writers TuShonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall Brathwaite, Whatever It Takes focuses on how messy the holidays can be. Sure, it’s typically the time for love and friendship but that’s not what this movie is about.
As per the logline: Santa’s big bag is carrying nothing but folks’ emotional baggage. When it all gets exposed, chaos ensues, and everyone must learn how to navigate unexpected obstacles. This film combines comedy,...
“We wanted to create a film that would not only entertain but also resonate with people during the holiday season,” said Roman. “It’s a story that showcases the beauty of love and the power of forgiveness, even in the face of the most challenging situations.”
From writers TuShonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall Brathwaite, Whatever It Takes focuses on how messy the holidays can be. Sure, it’s typically the time for love and friendship but that’s not what this movie is about.
As per the logline: Santa’s big bag is carrying nothing but folks’ emotional baggage. When it all gets exposed, chaos ensues, and everyone must learn how to navigate unexpected obstacles. This film combines comedy,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Keesha Sharp (Power Book II: Ghost) is set as a lead opposite Taye Diggs in BET+ true crime film series Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy, from Mona Scott-Young of Monami Productions and Eric Tomosunas of Swirl Films. It is set to debut on BET+ later this year.
Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.
Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract?...
Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.
Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract?...
- 4/28/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Taye Diggs is set to star in the true crime film series Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy from Mona Scott-Young of Monami Productions and Eric Tomosunas of Swirl Films. It is set to debut on BET+ later this year.
Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.
Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract? Was it a scorned lover jealous of the...
Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.
Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract? Was it a scorned lover jealous of the...
- 4/26/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Shaquita Smith (Wicked City) will front a Valentine’s Day movie for Paramount Global’s BET+ opposite Travis Cure (The Oval) and Jeff Logan (Double Cross).
My Valentine Crush is a rom-com in which a woman (Smith) makes an unexpected connection with an internet technician (Cure), leading her to have a Valentine’s Day she’ll never forget and evaluate her current relationship with her boyfriend (Logan).
Supporting cast is Dawn Halfkenny (The Family Business), Monti Washington (Bruh), Tiffany Snow (Just As I Am), Jenean Coleman (Merry Switchmas) and Ta’Rhonda Jones (Empire).
Christopher A. Nolen is the director. Cassandra Mann is the writer and executive producers are Devin Griffin and Maureen Guthman. Co-executive producers are Lorisa Bates and Marvin Neil and consulting producers John Baldasare, Noelle Broussard and Rene Rodriguez-Lopez. Nolen and Loretta Edwards Wilson are the producers.
The film forms part of BET+’s Valentine’s Day romcom line-up,...
My Valentine Crush is a rom-com in which a woman (Smith) makes an unexpected connection with an internet technician (Cure), leading her to have a Valentine’s Day she’ll never forget and evaluate her current relationship with her boyfriend (Logan).
Supporting cast is Dawn Halfkenny (The Family Business), Monti Washington (Bruh), Tiffany Snow (Just As I Am), Jenean Coleman (Merry Switchmas) and Ta’Rhonda Jones (Empire).
Christopher A. Nolen is the director. Cassandra Mann is the writer and executive producers are Devin Griffin and Maureen Guthman. Co-executive producers are Lorisa Bates and Marvin Neil and consulting producers John Baldasare, Noelle Broussard and Rene Rodriguez-Lopez. Nolen and Loretta Edwards Wilson are the producers.
The film forms part of BET+’s Valentine’s Day romcom line-up,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Independent has revealed the television nominations for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which this year have gone gender-neutral, just like its film colleagues. As revealed online Tuesday morning by Asia Kate Dillon (“Billions“), the annoncement included a winner: Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” won for best new ensemble cast, including Soji Arai, Jin Ha, Inji Jeong, Minha Kim, Kaho Minami, Lee Minho, Steve Sanghyun Noh, Anna Sawai, Jimmi Simpson and Yuh-jung Youn.
Overall, leading the nominees were ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” FX’s “The Bear,” Apple TV+’s “Severance” and HBO Max’s “Severance,” all tied with three nods each.
“As the television landscape continues to evolve, and independent artists expand the idea of how stories can be told, we’re proud to be changing with them,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent. “With our new categories and gender-neutral acting awards, we hope to better reflect the diversity of...
Overall, leading the nominees were ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” FX’s “The Bear,” Apple TV+’s “Severance” and HBO Max’s “Severance,” all tied with three nods each.
“As the television landscape continues to evolve, and independent artists expand the idea of how stories can be told, we’re proud to be changing with them,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent. “With our new categories and gender-neutral acting awards, we hope to better reflect the diversity of...
- 12/13/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Film Independent announced the TV nominations for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Tuesday morning, with four shows in particular leading the pack. ABC’s beloved comedy “Abbott Elementary,” FX’s critical darling “The Bear,” the HBO Max limited series “Station Eleven” and the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama “Severance” scored the most nominations of any show with three each.
The Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” won the Best Ensemble award.
New this year, as with the film nominees, is a switch to gender neutral acting awards with the Best Actor and Best Actress categories replaced by a 10-nominee Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series award. In addition to this change, a Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series award has been added to honor performances outside of the leading roles.
The 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on March 4, 2023, in Santa Monica. Check out the film nominees here.
The Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” won the Best Ensemble award.
New this year, as with the film nominees, is a switch to gender neutral acting awards with the Best Actor and Best Actress categories replaced by a 10-nominee Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series award. In addition to this change, a Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series award has been added to honor performances outside of the leading roles.
The 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on March 4, 2023, in Santa Monica. Check out the film nominees here.
- 12/13/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are unveiling their 2023 nominees for television Tuesday morning. The reveal marks a previously announced expansion of the TV categories, as well as a move to gender-neutral acting races this year in both television and film, the latter of which were revealed last month during the Spirits’ film nominations.
The organization has combined both actor and actress in TV’s Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series, and in the new category of Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series.
Related Story Spirit Award Noms 2023: ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Leads & Will Vie For Best Picture With ‘Bones And All’, ‘Our Father, The Devil’, ‘Tár’ & ‘Women Talking’ Related Story Spirit Awards Set 2023 Date, Go Gender-Neutral And Increase Budget Cap Related Story Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Takes Home Best Feature As Netflix Reigns With Six Wins
Billions star Asia Kate Dillon...
The organization has combined both actor and actress in TV’s Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series, and in the new category of Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series.
Related Story Spirit Award Noms 2023: ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Leads & Will Vie For Best Picture With ‘Bones And All’, ‘Our Father, The Devil’, ‘Tár’ & ‘Women Talking’ Related Story Spirit Awards Set 2023 Date, Go Gender-Neutral And Increase Budget Cap Related Story Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Takes Home Best Feature As Netflix Reigns With Six Wins
Billions star Asia Kate Dillon...
- 12/13/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Film Independent has revealed the TV nominees for the 2023 Spirit Awards.
Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Severance and Station Eleven landed three nominations each, the most of any series.
Notable nominees include Emmy winners Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary, who earned Emmys in September for best writing for a comedy series and supporting actress, respectively, for the ABC sitcom. Emmy nominee Janelle James was also honored with a supporting performance nomination. Other nominees from September’s Emmys include Yellowjackets‘ Melanie Lynskey, Station Eleven‘s Himesh Patel and Severance‘s Adam Scott.
While Till star Danielle Deadwyler was not recognized in the film categories for her acclaimed performance in the United Artists drama, she did earn a supporting performance nod for her role in Station Eleven.
While lead actor Jeremy Allen White was not nominated for his performance on The Bear,...
Film Independent has revealed the TV nominees for the 2023 Spirit Awards.
Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Severance and Station Eleven landed three nominations each, the most of any series.
Notable nominees include Emmy winners Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary, who earned Emmys in September for best writing for a comedy series and supporting actress, respectively, for the ABC sitcom. Emmy nominee Janelle James was also honored with a supporting performance nomination. Other nominees from September’s Emmys include Yellowjackets‘ Melanie Lynskey, Station Eleven‘s Himesh Patel and Severance‘s Adam Scott.
While Till star Danielle Deadwyler was not recognized in the film categories for her acclaimed performance in the United Artists drama, she did earn a supporting performance nod for her role in Station Eleven.
While lead actor Jeremy Allen White was not nominated for his performance on The Bear,...
- 12/13/2022
- by Hilary Lewis and Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After debuting eight new original holiday movies in 2021, BET+ is getting even more into the seasonal spirit this year with 10 more titles rolling out beginning Nov. 3, Variety has learned exclusively.
The 2022 slate features films starring Ne-Yo, Sereyah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett and Lala Milan, as well as returning BET+ holiday movie staples like Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson and Dorien Wilson. The titles come from directors and writers including Victoria Rowell (who also appears in “A Christmas Gift”), Robin Givens, Bree West and Patricia Cuffie Jones.
“We’re committed to bringing quality Black stories to the screen and the holidays are no exception,” BET+ executive vice president and general manager Devin Griffin said. “Year after year, our members devour holiday programming; in fact, our original holiday films continue to out-perform, which is why we’re committed to growing our investment in this area of the service. But it’s not just about meeting demand,...
The 2022 slate features films starring Ne-Yo, Sereyah, Romeo Miller, LeToya Luckett and Lala Milan, as well as returning BET+ holiday movie staples like Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson and Dorien Wilson. The titles come from directors and writers including Victoria Rowell (who also appears in “A Christmas Gift”), Robin Givens, Bree West and Patricia Cuffie Jones.
“We’re committed to bringing quality Black stories to the screen and the holidays are no exception,” BET+ executive vice president and general manager Devin Griffin said. “Year after year, our members devour holiday programming; in fact, our original holiday films continue to out-perform, which is why we’re committed to growing our investment in this area of the service. But it’s not just about meeting demand,...
- 10/10/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Every year, Strictly Come Dancing returns to glitz up our Saturday nights... and every year, fans are treated to another movie special.
First introduced in 2014, Strictly’s Movie Week sees the contestants perform a selection of dances inspired by the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, with comedy, action and kids films all being given the Strictly treatment over the years.
But what makes for a really good Movie Week performance? Looking the part is obviously key, and you can always expect this theme to bring out some of the best hair, make-up and costumes that Strictly has to offer.
Ultimately, however, it’s the dancing being marked, with the best performances managing to show off the celebrity’s skill – something they often haven’t quite found yet, with Movie Week usually coming around the third week in the competition – while also featuring choreography that captures the essence of the films they’re paying tribute to.
First introduced in 2014, Strictly’s Movie Week sees the contestants perform a selection of dances inspired by the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, with comedy, action and kids films all being given the Strictly treatment over the years.
But what makes for a really good Movie Week performance? Looking the part is obviously key, and you can always expect this theme to bring out some of the best hair, make-up and costumes that Strictly has to offer.
Ultimately, however, it’s the dancing being marked, with the best performances managing to show off the celebrity’s skill – something they often haven’t quite found yet, with Movie Week usually coming around the third week in the competition – while also featuring choreography that captures the essence of the films they’re paying tribute to.
- 10/2/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Every year, Strictly Come Dancing returns to glitz up our Saturday nights... and every year, fans are treated to another movie special.
First introduced in 2014, Strictly’s Movie Week sees the contestants perform a selection of dances inspired by the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, with comedy, action and kids films all being given the Strictly treatment over the years.
But what makes for a really good Movie Week performance? Looking the part is obviously key, and you can always expect this theme to bring out some of the best hair, make-up and costumes that Strictly has to offer.
Ultimately, however, it’s the dancing being marked, with the best performances managing to show off the celebrity’s skill – something they often haven’t quite found yet, with Movie Week usually coming around the third week in the competition – while also featuring choreography that captures the essence of the films they’re paying tribute to.
First introduced in 2014, Strictly’s Movie Week sees the contestants perform a selection of dances inspired by the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, with comedy, action and kids films all being given the Strictly treatment over the years.
But what makes for a really good Movie Week performance? Looking the part is obviously key, and you can always expect this theme to bring out some of the best hair, make-up and costumes that Strictly has to offer.
Ultimately, however, it’s the dancing being marked, with the best performances managing to show off the celebrity’s skill – something they often haven’t quite found yet, with Movie Week usually coming around the third week in the competition – while also featuring choreography that captures the essence of the films they’re paying tribute to.
- 8/30/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
We talk a lot about history-making Emmy nominations and wins, and it’s always fun to talk about “firsts” — such as “Squid Game” becoming the first non-English-language show to land a series nomination. But one breakthrough that struck me was BET’s significant showing via its streaming service, BET+.
That includes a nod in the directing for a comedy series category, for the freshman series “The Ms. Pat Show,” and choreography for scripted programming via the period drama “The Porter.” It’s the first time BET has received any major scripted series nominations; the company’s previous three nods were for music direction, actress in a short-form series and exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking. BET’s only Emmy to date came from the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which honored it for the public service campaign “Rap-It-Up.”
In other words, it’s about time. Even though...
That includes a nod in the directing for a comedy series category, for the freshman series “The Ms. Pat Show,” and choreography for scripted programming via the period drama “The Porter.” It’s the first time BET has received any major scripted series nominations; the company’s previous three nods were for music direction, actress in a short-form series and exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking. BET’s only Emmy to date came from the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which honored it for the public service campaign “Rap-It-Up.”
In other words, it’s about time. Even though...
- 7/29/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
BET has signed comedian, actress and producer Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams to a multi-genre overall deal under which she will produce, write and perform in new series and other projects—both scripted and unscripted— across BET linear and streaming.
The deal expands her relationship with BET following the success of The Ms. Pat Show, a comedy series based on her life in which she serves are co-creator, executive producer and star. BET+ has greenlighted a third season with production already underway in Atlanta. The show’s 10-episode Season 2 is set to premiere August 11.
Via her namesake production banner, Williams aims to create content both on-screen and behind the camera that inspires conversation through humor and raw honesty.
“One of the first people to tell me to pursue comedy was my welfare care worker. At that moment, I never could have imagined the success of The Ms. Pat Show or that...
The deal expands her relationship with BET following the success of The Ms. Pat Show, a comedy series based on her life in which she serves are co-creator, executive producer and star. BET+ has greenlighted a third season with production already underway in Atlanta. The show’s 10-episode Season 2 is set to premiere August 11.
Via her namesake production banner, Williams aims to create content both on-screen and behind the camera that inspires conversation through humor and raw honesty.
“One of the first people to tell me to pursue comedy was my welfare care worker. At that moment, I never could have imagined the success of The Ms. Pat Show or that...
- 7/6/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Three years is enough time for a comeback… right? (Take note, Ezra Miller.) On Thursday, BET+ announced that it had picked up B-Boy Blues, an LGBTQ film directed and written by Jussie Smollett. It’s his first project since being found guilty of making false reports of a hate crime.
The film is an adaptation of a James Earl Hardy novel of the same name and stars folks such as Timothy Richardson, Brandee Evans, Heater B, Marquise Vilson, and Jabari Reed. Mona Scott-Young is set to be a producer on the film.
The film is an adaptation of a James Earl Hardy novel of the same name and stars folks such as Timothy Richardson, Brandee Evans, Heater B, Marquise Vilson, and Jabari Reed. Mona Scott-Young is set to be a producer on the film.
- 5/26/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: A group of young Atlanta tastemakers – from pop stars to influencers and entrepreneurs – are going under the microscope in a new docuseries for BET+.
The Paramount Global-owned streamer has ordered The Impact Atl from eOne and Quality Films, the film and television arm of Quality Control Music, the label behind artists including Lil Yachty and Migos.
The eight-part series will follow a group of young creatives who helped Atlanta become the ‘The New Influencer Capital of America’, according to the New York Times. These creatives are involved in business, music, beauty, and fashion, and viewers will get a peek inside their creative process, preparation and deal-making.
The young, Black, creative cast members have been chosen by Quality Control’s CEO Pierre ‘P’ Thomas and COO Kevin ‘Coach K’ Lee.
The series is exec produced by Lee, Thomas and Brian Sher for Quality Films, Karam Gill, and eOne’s Tara Long and Gennifer Gardner.
The Paramount Global-owned streamer has ordered The Impact Atl from eOne and Quality Films, the film and television arm of Quality Control Music, the label behind artists including Lil Yachty and Migos.
The eight-part series will follow a group of young creatives who helped Atlanta become the ‘The New Influencer Capital of America’, according to the New York Times. These creatives are involved in business, music, beauty, and fashion, and viewers will get a peek inside their creative process, preparation and deal-making.
The young, Black, creative cast members have been chosen by Quality Control’s CEO Pierre ‘P’ Thomas and COO Kevin ‘Coach K’ Lee.
The series is exec produced by Lee, Thomas and Brian Sher for Quality Films, Karam Gill, and eOne’s Tara Long and Gennifer Gardner.
- 5/26/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s directing debut has finally found a home: BET+ has picked up “B-Boy Blues,” which will debut on the streamer on June 9 in time for Pride Month. As part of the pickup, Mona Scott-Young and her Monami Entertainment has joined the film as a producer and was instrumental in getting the deal done with BET+.
“B-Boy Blues” reps the first project for Smollett since being found guilty of making false reports about what he alleged to be a hate crime. He was later sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, and ordered to pay a fine for making false reports to police, following his report that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.
“B-Boy Blues” is the film adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, and stars Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B...
“B-Boy Blues” reps the first project for Smollett since being found guilty of making false reports about what he alleged to be a hate crime. He was later sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, and ordered to pay a fine for making false reports to police, following his report that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.
“B-Boy Blues” is the film adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, and stars Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B...
- 5/25/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
BET+’s “Martin: The Reunion” has been given a premiere date: The special, which reunites the cast of the iconic 1990s Fox sitcom, will debut June 16 on the streamer.
That’s one of several summer premiere dates BET+ is set to announce on Wednesday, Variety has learned exclusively. According to BET+, the 90-minute reunion brings back original stars Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II to reminisce about the show’s five seasons.
The show even takes place on the iconic “Martin” living room set and is hosted by Affion Crockett. “The cast will look back on the show’s most hilarious moments, revisit the iconic characters Martin made famous and pay an emotional tribute to the late, great Tommy Ford,” the streamer said. “Complete with musical performances and drop-ins by celebrity super fans, ‘Martin: The Reunion’ brings back the wazzup wazzup wazzup passion fans have been waiting for.
That’s one of several summer premiere dates BET+ is set to announce on Wednesday, Variety has learned exclusively. According to BET+, the 90-minute reunion brings back original stars Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II to reminisce about the show’s five seasons.
The show even takes place on the iconic “Martin” living room set and is hosted by Affion Crockett. “The cast will look back on the show’s most hilarious moments, revisit the iconic characters Martin made famous and pay an emotional tribute to the late, great Tommy Ford,” the streamer said. “Complete with musical performances and drop-ins by celebrity super fans, ‘Martin: The Reunion’ brings back the wazzup wazzup wazzup passion fans have been waiting for.
- 5/25/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with latest additions: Additional speakers have been added to the 13th annual Produced By Conference, the Producers Guild’s annual confab that is set for June 11-12 on the Fox studio lot.
Newly announced participants in the weekend of panels, sessions and network events include Peter Friedlander, DanTram Nguyen, Megan Colligan, Mark Resteghini, Devin Griffin, Barry Jossen, Mark Gill, Aaron Hart, Catherine Tait, Chris Thomes, Yvette Nicole Brown and more.
They join previously announced names including Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Seth MacFarlane, Charles D. King, Dan Lin, Stephanie Allain, Betsy Beers, Jason Richman, Mark Kimsey and Aml Ameen.
Here is the full list of participants so far, with a working schedule of events available here.
Stephanie Allain
Aml Ameen
Trevor Baker
Amanda Beggs, Cas
Betsy Beers
Xavier Bernasconi
Alison Brower
Yvette Nicole Brown
Elle Roth-Brunet
Rick Champagne
Kesila Childers
Steven B. Cohen
Megan Colligan
Jesse Collins
Simon Crownshaw
Viola Davis
Dante Di Loreto
Sabrina Ehlert
Mike Farah
Stephen Feder
Erica Fishman
Ashley N. Flores
Peter Friedlander
Mark Gill
Amy Gravitt
Marsha Greene
Devin Griffin (EVP & General Manager of BET+)
Aaron Hart
Melody Hildebrandt
Erica Huggins
Steve Jelley
Valerie Johnson-Redrow
Barry Jossen
Jennifer Kawaja
Mark Kimsey
Charles D. King
Mike Larocca
Karen Baker Landers, Mpse
Dan Lin
Seth MacFarlane
Michael Minkler, Cas
Jordana Mollick
DanTram Nguyen
Arnold Pinnock
Mark Resteghini
Jason Richman
Joel Sloss
Curt Sobel, Mpse
Christina Lee Storm
Rabia Sultana
Catherine Tait
Julius Tennon
Chris Thomes
Nikola Todorovic (Co-founder & CEO at Wonder Dynamics)
Diana Williams
Tonya Williams
Philipp Wolf
David W. Zucker
Previously, May 13 Pm: After being on hiatus for the last two years during Covid, the Producers Guild of America (PGA)’s 12th annual Produced By Conference has announced its first round of speakers. The event is taking place on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 at the Fox Studio Lot in Century City.
Those panelists include Oscar winner Viola Davis; veteran producer Julius Tennon (President and Co-Founder of JuVee Productions; The First Lady); animation heavyweight Seth MacFarlane; pioneering producer Charles D. King; tentpole-maker Dan Lin; legendary producer Stephanie Allain; master of television Betsy Beers; comedy leader Mike Farah; IP chief Jason Richman; producing innovator Mark Kimsey (Co-CEO of Electromagnetic Productions); actor and producer Aml Ameen (Executive Producer/ Actor – The Porter; Actor – I May Destroy You; Producer/ Actor – Boxing Day) with more to be announced soon.
Produced By will feature panels, Q&As, a networking reception, its Mentoring Roundtables, and the return of the Pitch Perfect session, during which a handful of pre-selected attendees pitch their projects live in front of an audience of leading producers and executives.
The confirmed participants in the Mentor Roundtables are: Insecure producer Deniese Davis; producing legend Gary Goetzman; Academy Award-nominated producer Fred Berger; Daniels producer Jonathan Wang; James Lopez; and Farah, with more to be announced.
New for this year’s conference is the Producers One-on-One engagement, which connects PGA members with an experienced producer for a one-on-one conversation. This is designed for members to seek thoughtful advice about specific projects they are producing. Additionally, for the first time, PGA Create, the Producers Guild’s program supporting emerging and mid-career creative producers from underrepresented backgrounds, will bring together its 35 PGA Create scripted and documentary fellows for a day-long set of networking opportunities supported by the program’s lead sponsor, Google.
Newly announced participants in the weekend of panels, sessions and network events include Peter Friedlander, DanTram Nguyen, Megan Colligan, Mark Resteghini, Devin Griffin, Barry Jossen, Mark Gill, Aaron Hart, Catherine Tait, Chris Thomes, Yvette Nicole Brown and more.
They join previously announced names including Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Seth MacFarlane, Charles D. King, Dan Lin, Stephanie Allain, Betsy Beers, Jason Richman, Mark Kimsey and Aml Ameen.
Here is the full list of participants so far, with a working schedule of events available here.
Stephanie Allain
Aml Ameen
Trevor Baker
Amanda Beggs, Cas
Betsy Beers
Xavier Bernasconi
Alison Brower
Yvette Nicole Brown
Elle Roth-Brunet
Rick Champagne
Kesila Childers
Steven B. Cohen
Megan Colligan
Jesse Collins
Simon Crownshaw
Viola Davis
Dante Di Loreto
Sabrina Ehlert
Mike Farah
Stephen Feder
Erica Fishman
Ashley N. Flores
Peter Friedlander
Mark Gill
Amy Gravitt
Marsha Greene
Devin Griffin (EVP & General Manager of BET+)
Aaron Hart
Melody Hildebrandt
Erica Huggins
Steve Jelley
Valerie Johnson-Redrow
Barry Jossen
Jennifer Kawaja
Mark Kimsey
Charles D. King
Mike Larocca
Karen Baker Landers, Mpse
Dan Lin
Seth MacFarlane
Michael Minkler, Cas
Jordana Mollick
DanTram Nguyen
Arnold Pinnock
Mark Resteghini
Jason Richman
Joel Sloss
Curt Sobel, Mpse
Christina Lee Storm
Rabia Sultana
Catherine Tait
Julius Tennon
Chris Thomes
Nikola Todorovic (Co-founder & CEO at Wonder Dynamics)
Diana Williams
Tonya Williams
Philipp Wolf
David W. Zucker
Previously, May 13 Pm: After being on hiatus for the last two years during Covid, the Producers Guild of America (PGA)’s 12th annual Produced By Conference has announced its first round of speakers. The event is taking place on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 at the Fox Studio Lot in Century City.
Those panelists include Oscar winner Viola Davis; veteran producer Julius Tennon (President and Co-Founder of JuVee Productions; The First Lady); animation heavyweight Seth MacFarlane; pioneering producer Charles D. King; tentpole-maker Dan Lin; legendary producer Stephanie Allain; master of television Betsy Beers; comedy leader Mike Farah; IP chief Jason Richman; producing innovator Mark Kimsey (Co-CEO of Electromagnetic Productions); actor and producer Aml Ameen (Executive Producer/ Actor – The Porter; Actor – I May Destroy You; Producer/ Actor – Boxing Day) with more to be announced soon.
Produced By will feature panels, Q&As, a networking reception, its Mentoring Roundtables, and the return of the Pitch Perfect session, during which a handful of pre-selected attendees pitch their projects live in front of an audience of leading producers and executives.
The confirmed participants in the Mentor Roundtables are: Insecure producer Deniese Davis; producing legend Gary Goetzman; Academy Award-nominated producer Fred Berger; Daniels producer Jonathan Wang; James Lopez; and Farah, with more to be announced.
New for this year’s conference is the Producers One-on-One engagement, which connects PGA members with an experienced producer for a one-on-one conversation. This is designed for members to seek thoughtful advice about specific projects they are producing. Additionally, for the first time, PGA Create, the Producers Guild’s program supporting emerging and mid-career creative producers from underrepresented backgrounds, will bring together its 35 PGA Create scripted and documentary fellows for a day-long set of networking opportunities supported by the program’s lead sponsor, Google.
- 5/24/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated: After a two-year hiatus, the Producers Guild of America is returning for its 12th annual Produced By Conference — to be held on June 11 and 12 at the Fox Studio Lot in Century City — and has announced a number of prominent speakers and panel sessions.
Recently-added speakers include Peter Friedlander, DanTram Nguyen, Megan Colligan, Mark Resteghini, Devin Griffin, Barry Jossen, Mark Gill, Aaron Hart, Catherine Tait, Chris Thomes and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Also added are conversations with Charles D. King, Dan Lin, Seth MacFarlane & Erica Huggins, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon. Sessions added include Web3 and Meet the Buyers.
Earlier confirmed speakers include Academy Award winner Viola Davis, her husband and producing partner, veteran producer Julius Tennon (“The First Lady”), “Family Guy” creator MacFarlane, television producer Betsy Beers (creative partner at Shondaland) and comedy leader Mike Farah.
The conference will feature a networking reception, panels, Q&As and its signature Mentoring Roundtables.
Recently-added speakers include Peter Friedlander, DanTram Nguyen, Megan Colligan, Mark Resteghini, Devin Griffin, Barry Jossen, Mark Gill, Aaron Hart, Catherine Tait, Chris Thomes and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Also added are conversations with Charles D. King, Dan Lin, Seth MacFarlane & Erica Huggins, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon. Sessions added include Web3 and Meet the Buyers.
Earlier confirmed speakers include Academy Award winner Viola Davis, her husband and producing partner, veteran producer Julius Tennon (“The First Lady”), “Family Guy” creator MacFarlane, television producer Betsy Beers (creative partner at Shondaland) and comedy leader Mike Farah.
The conference will feature a networking reception, panels, Q&As and its signature Mentoring Roundtables.
- 5/24/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Cop Out writer Robb Cullen is working on a dark comedy drama inspired by his own life for BET+.
The streamer has teamed with Cullen and McG on Average Joe.
The project, which has received a cast contingent script-to-series order, is a darkly comedic, one-hour ensemble set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh.
It follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.
Average Joe is written and created by Cullen, who has created series including ABC...
The streamer has teamed with Cullen and McG on Average Joe.
The project, which has received a cast contingent script-to-series order, is a darkly comedic, one-hour ensemble set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh.
It follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.
Average Joe is written and created by Cullen, who has created series including ABC...
- 2/7/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC announced that the first two episodes of the upcoming dark comedy “Kevin Can F**k Himself” will premiere on AMC Plus on June 13 and air on June 20 at 9 p.m. on AMC.
The remaining episodes will continue to debut on AMC Plus one week ahead of the AMC linear airings on Sundays at 9 p.m.
In the new series, “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy plays Allison McRoberts, a prototypical sitcom wife who wakes up and revolts against the injustices in her life. The series also stars Mary Hollis Inboden, Eric Petersen, Alex Bonifer, Brian Howe and Raymond Lee, and is executive produced by creator Valerie Armstrong, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack and showrunner Craig Digregorio.
Also in today’s TV news roundup…
Dates
BET Plus will stream “Favorite Son” on May 6, Variety learned exclusively. Based on Tiffany L. Warren’s novel of the same name, the film follows a gospel group...
The remaining episodes will continue to debut on AMC Plus one week ahead of the AMC linear airings on Sundays at 9 p.m.
In the new series, “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy plays Allison McRoberts, a prototypical sitcom wife who wakes up and revolts against the injustices in her life. The series also stars Mary Hollis Inboden, Eric Petersen, Alex Bonifer, Brian Howe and Raymond Lee, and is executive produced by creator Valerie Armstrong, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack and showrunner Craig Digregorio.
Also in today’s TV news roundup…
Dates
BET Plus will stream “Favorite Son” on May 6, Variety learned exclusively. Based on Tiffany L. Warren’s novel of the same name, the film follows a gospel group...
- 4/22/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
“American Skin,” the film written, directed by and starring actor Nate Parker, will land on BET+ next week following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2019 and an on-demand run through Vertical Entertainment. The film will debut on the streaming platform April 15.
“American Skin” stars Parker and Omari Hardwick and follows a Black Iraq War veteran, Lincoln Jefferson (Parker), who after being denied a fair trial following the shooting death of his teenage son by a white police officer, desperately seeks justice and accountability for his son’s death.
Parker is the director of “The Birth of a Nation,” which was released at the height of #OscarsSoWhite and won the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 for its depiction of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion. It was bought by Fox Searchlight for a festival record $17.5 million and was expected to be a major Oscar contender.
But the...
“American Skin” stars Parker and Omari Hardwick and follows a Black Iraq War veteran, Lincoln Jefferson (Parker), who after being denied a fair trial following the shooting death of his teenage son by a white police officer, desperately seeks justice and accountability for his son’s death.
Parker is the director of “The Birth of a Nation,” which was released at the height of #OscarsSoWhite and won the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 for its depiction of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion. It was bought by Fox Searchlight for a festival record $17.5 million and was expected to be a major Oscar contender.
But the...
- 4/8/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: American Skin is coming to BET+ next week.
The Nate Parker directed, penned and starring drama will debut on the ViacomCBS-owned streaming service on April 15, I have learned.
This move online for American Skin comes after a lucrative Vertical Entertainment distributed run for the Spike Lee executive produced film on PVOD starting January 15. It also follows a chorus of public support for The Birth of a Nation director Parker’s sophomore feature and its critical focus on the criminal justice system and institutional racism from the likes of LeBron James and Selma star David Oyelowo.
A chorus the Tyler Perry and BET-backed BET+ is clearly adding its voice and platform to.
“While BET+ is a platform for promoting Black stories, it’s also a place for championing Black culture and advocating for our community,” said BET+ EVP and General Manager, Devin Griffin today. “When we first learned of the film’s ambitions,...
The Nate Parker directed, penned and starring drama will debut on the ViacomCBS-owned streaming service on April 15, I have learned.
This move online for American Skin comes after a lucrative Vertical Entertainment distributed run for the Spike Lee executive produced film on PVOD starting January 15. It also follows a chorus of public support for The Birth of a Nation director Parker’s sophomore feature and its critical focus on the criminal justice system and institutional racism from the likes of LeBron James and Selma star David Oyelowo.
A chorus the Tyler Perry and BET-backed BET+ is clearly adding its voice and platform to.
“While BET+ is a platform for promoting Black stories, it’s also a place for championing Black culture and advocating for our community,” said BET+ EVP and General Manager, Devin Griffin today. “When we first learned of the film’s ambitions,...
- 4/8/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
BET Plus has ordered the original series “Birth of Cool” in its first-ever partnership with “Gentefied” producers Macro Television Studios and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and actor Lena Waithe’s production house Hillman Grad Productions.
The 10-episode half-hour dramedy marks Waithe’s third original production with the brand— her other two series with BET are “Twenties” and “Boomerang.”
“Birth of Cool” follows the adventures and misadventures of both students and teachers at Crispus Attucks High, a predominantly black high school in Compton, as they try to make it through the weird, hilarious, stressful, often sobering, and sometimes surreal academic year while hopefully growing a bit in the process on and off-campus.
The show was created by writer-director Juel Taylor and writer Tony Rettenmaier, who both previously worked on the upcoming sci-fi comedy “They Cloned Tyrone” starring John Boyega, Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris. Taylor and Rettenmaier are also attached to executive produce,...
The 10-episode half-hour dramedy marks Waithe’s third original production with the brand— her other two series with BET are “Twenties” and “Boomerang.”
“Birth of Cool” follows the adventures and misadventures of both students and teachers at Crispus Attucks High, a predominantly black high school in Compton, as they try to make it through the weird, hilarious, stressful, often sobering, and sometimes surreal academic year while hopefully growing a bit in the process on and off-campus.
The show was created by writer-director Juel Taylor and writer Tony Rettenmaier, who both previously worked on the upcoming sci-fi comedy “They Cloned Tyrone” starring John Boyega, Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris. Taylor and Rettenmaier are also attached to executive produce,...
- 2/22/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
BET+ has given a 10-episode series order to Birth of Cool, a high school dramedy series from creators Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier (They Cloned Tyrone), Macro Television Studios and Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions.
Written by Taylor, who also will direct the pilot, and Rettenmaier, Birth of Cool revolves around Crispus Attucks High, a predominantly Black high school in Compton. The half-hour dramedy follows the adventures and misadventures of both students and teachers, on campus and off, as they try to make it through the weird, hilarious, stressful, often sobering, sometimes surreal school year, while (hopefully) growing a bit in the process.
Birth of Cool is Macro’s first series with BET+.
“BET+ continues to be the home for best-in-class creatives to tell their original stories about the Black experience,” said Devin Griffin, Executive Vice President and General Manager,...
Written by Taylor, who also will direct the pilot, and Rettenmaier, Birth of Cool revolves around Crispus Attucks High, a predominantly Black high school in Compton. The half-hour dramedy follows the adventures and misadventures of both students and teachers, on campus and off, as they try to make it through the weird, hilarious, stressful, often sobering, sometimes surreal school year, while (hopefully) growing a bit in the process.
Birth of Cool is Macro’s first series with BET+.
“BET+ continues to be the home for best-in-class creatives to tell their original stories about the Black experience,” said Devin Griffin, Executive Vice President and General Manager,...
- 2/22/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, and BET+ have teamed on The Porter (working title), an original drama series about a group of railway workers who unite to form the world’s first Black union, from Winnipeg-based Inferno Pictures and Sphere Media’s Sienna Films.
Created by Arnold Pinnock and Bruce Ramsay with Annmarie Morais, Marsha Greene and Aubrey Nealon, The Porter (wt) has been greenlit for 2021/22.
Set in the 1920s and inspired by real events, The Porter follows the journeys of four ambitious souls who hustle, dream, cross borders and confront barriers in the fight for liberation – on and off the railways that crossed North America.
Morais and Greene are writers/showrunners on the eight-part series, with Charles Officer and R.T. Thorne set to executive produce and direct.
Created by Arnold Pinnock and Bruce Ramsay with Annmarie Morais, Marsha Greene and Aubrey Nealon, The Porter (wt) has been greenlit for 2021/22.
Set in the 1920s and inspired by real events, The Porter follows the journeys of four ambitious souls who hustle, dream, cross borders and confront barriers in the fight for liberation – on and off the railways that crossed North America.
Morais and Greene are writers/showrunners on the eight-part series, with Charles Officer and R.T. Thorne set to executive produce and direct.
- 12/10/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Entertainment professionals overseeing everything from streaming to podcasts and sports broadcasts took part in the virtual Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit presented by City National Bank on Wednesday and Thursday.
The summit’s focus covered the growth of online content consumption and technology’s role in helping entertainment companies survive the Covid-19 pandemic. Below are 10 takeaways pulled from some of the event’s conversations and panels.
Streamable “Comfort Food” Content is Finding Success
During the Breakthrough Streamers Elite Roundtable, presented by FilmTrack, Variety Intelligence Platform’s senior media analyst Gavin Bridge discussed the streaming boom that followed the onset of Covid-19 stay-at-home orders.
Devin Griffin, general manager for BET, said that the network’s streaming site saw patterns in the type of content consumed by its users. Much of the traffic across the board seemed to indicate that shows and movies that tell familiar stories brought a sense of stability to audiences stuck at home.
The summit’s focus covered the growth of online content consumption and technology’s role in helping entertainment companies survive the Covid-19 pandemic. Below are 10 takeaways pulled from some of the event’s conversations and panels.
Streamable “Comfort Food” Content is Finding Success
During the Breakthrough Streamers Elite Roundtable, presented by FilmTrack, Variety Intelligence Platform’s senior media analyst Gavin Bridge discussed the streaming boom that followed the onset of Covid-19 stay-at-home orders.
Devin Griffin, general manager for BET, said that the network’s streaming site saw patterns in the type of content consumed by its users. Much of the traffic across the board seemed to indicate that shows and movies that tell familiar stories brought a sense of stability to audiences stuck at home.
- 10/16/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Tyler Perry’s Madea will take one last bow on August 27, when a filmed version of the character’s final stage tour premieres on BET+.
The subscription streaming outlet announced the release date Wednesday for Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play, which it bills as the “final stage run” for Madea. A press release said Perry, as Madea, “pulls together some of his audience’s favorite characters for a family gathering” in a performance lasting more than two hours. Perry is executive producer, directed and writer, in addition to his starring role.
Current events, including Covid-19, enter the scene. The live show was filmed in May, judging by a glimpse of the theater marquee in a promo for the special (watch it above). At one point, Madea separates two women who are about to hug each other. “Got that coronavirus going around!” she cracks.
Perry retired the signature character this year on stage,...
The subscription streaming outlet announced the release date Wednesday for Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play, which it bills as the “final stage run” for Madea. A press release said Perry, as Madea, “pulls together some of his audience’s favorite characters for a family gathering” in a performance lasting more than two hours. Perry is executive producer, directed and writer, in addition to his starring role.
Current events, including Covid-19, enter the scene. The live show was filmed in May, judging by a glimpse of the theater marquee in a promo for the special (watch it above). At one point, Madea separates two women who are about to hug each other. “Got that coronavirus going around!” she cracks.
Perry retired the signature character this year on stage,...
- 7/8/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Tyler Perry is officially saying goodbye to Madea.
BET+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS' BET and Tyler Perry Studios, will stream Madea's Farewell Play starting Aug. 27. The play is the 21st and final one in the Madea series, which helped launch Perry toward becoming the mogul he is today.
"Tyler Perry’s Madea burst onto the scene and entered our hearts over 20 years ago, and we are honored to share this final stage performance with BET+ subscribers,” said BET+ general manager Devin Griffin. "Now, more than ever, is the time to celebrate family and unity ...
BET+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS' BET and Tyler Perry Studios, will stream Madea's Farewell Play starting Aug. 27. The play is the 21st and final one in the Madea series, which helped launch Perry toward becoming the mogul he is today.
"Tyler Perry’s Madea burst onto the scene and entered our hearts over 20 years ago, and we are honored to share this final stage performance with BET+ subscribers,” said BET+ general manager Devin Griffin. "Now, more than ever, is the time to celebrate family and unity ...
BET+ has set a premiere date and released a new trailer for the upcoming second season of Carl Weber’s “The Family Business.
Set to debut on Thursday, July 2, the series will make the jump from the BET linear network to the subscription streaming service BET+ for Season 2. Half of the 12-episode season will be available to stream on July 2, with the rest of the episodes to follow.
“We are excited to continue the Duncan’s story in this season of Carl Weber’s “The Family Business” on its new home at BET+” said Devin Griffin, General Manager, BET+. “We look forward to all this season has in store and we are thrilled to bring Carl’s beloved voice to streaming, introducing even more fans to quality entertainment celebrating unique Black stories.”
News that “The Family Business” would move to BET+ came with the series’ renewal last year.
Also Read:...
Set to debut on Thursday, July 2, the series will make the jump from the BET linear network to the subscription streaming service BET+ for Season 2. Half of the 12-episode season will be available to stream on July 2, with the rest of the episodes to follow.
“We are excited to continue the Duncan’s story in this season of Carl Weber’s “The Family Business” on its new home at BET+” said Devin Griffin, General Manager, BET+. “We look forward to all this season has in store and we are thrilled to bring Carl’s beloved voice to streaming, introducing even more fans to quality entertainment celebrating unique Black stories.”
News that “The Family Business” would move to BET+ came with the series’ renewal last year.
Also Read:...
- 6/16/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The BBC is leading nominations for the 2020 Rockie Awards, a juried competition organized by Canada’s Banff World Media Festival to celebrate achievement in television and digital media from around the world.
The BBC was nominated for 27 Rockie Awards, followed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with 13 noms, Sky with eight noms, National Geographic with six noms, HBO with five noms, as well as Arte France and Finland’s Yle with four nominations each. U.K. and U.S. shows are leading the pack with 44 and 43 nominations, respectively.
The comedy series lineup includes BBC’s “Fleabag,” “Motherland,” “This Time With Alan Partridge,” as well as A24’s Ramy and Channel Four’s “This Way Up.” The non-English language comedy shows in the running include Finland’s “Almost True,” Tva’s “Boomerang” and Radio-Canada’s “Freefall,” Arte France’s “Mytho,” and Deutschland’s “Other Parents.”
Drama series nominated include Corus Entertainment’s “Departure,...
The BBC was nominated for 27 Rockie Awards, followed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with 13 noms, Sky with eight noms, National Geographic with six noms, HBO with five noms, as well as Arte France and Finland’s Yle with four nominations each. U.K. and U.S. shows are leading the pack with 44 and 43 nominations, respectively.
The comedy series lineup includes BBC’s “Fleabag,” “Motherland,” “This Time With Alan Partridge,” as well as A24’s Ramy and Channel Four’s “This Way Up.” The non-English language comedy shows in the running include Finland’s “Almost True,” Tva’s “Boomerang” and Radio-Canada’s “Freefall,” Arte France’s “Mytho,” and Deutschland’s “Other Parents.”
Drama series nominated include Corus Entertainment’s “Departure,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Bet+ has picked up a second season of “First Wives Club,” the streamer announced on Wednesday.
Series stars Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jill Scott and Michelle Buteau are all set to return for the second season, which will begin production in the fall. RonReaco Lee and Mark Tallman are also set to return.
“Tracy Oliver’s ‘First Wives Club’ has been hugely successful on Bet+, served as one of our signature originals at launch and helped us quickly become the largest African American focused Svod service,” said Bet+ general manager Devin Griffin. “Our subscribers loved season one and are eagerly awaiting season two.”
Also Read: 'First Wives Club' Star Ryan Michelle Bathe on Getting 'Hot as Fish Grease' for Bet+ Series (Video)
Developed by “Girls Trip” writer Tracy Oliver, Bet’s long-in-development “First Wives Club” adaptation was one of the original series the network used to launch its $9.99/a month streaming service last year.
Series stars Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jill Scott and Michelle Buteau are all set to return for the second season, which will begin production in the fall. RonReaco Lee and Mark Tallman are also set to return.
“Tracy Oliver’s ‘First Wives Club’ has been hugely successful on Bet+, served as one of our signature originals at launch and helped us quickly become the largest African American focused Svod service,” said Bet+ general manager Devin Griffin. “Our subscribers loved season one and are eagerly awaiting season two.”
Also Read: 'First Wives Club' Star Ryan Michelle Bathe on Getting 'Hot as Fish Grease' for Bet+ Series (Video)
Developed by “Girls Trip” writer Tracy Oliver, Bet’s long-in-development “First Wives Club” adaptation was one of the original series the network used to launch its $9.99/a month streaming service last year.
- 2/26/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Bet Plus has renewed “First Wives Club” for a second season.
“Tracy Oliver’s ‘First Wives Club’ has been hugely successful on Bet Plus, served as one of our signature originals at launch and helped us quickly become the largest African American focused Svod service,” said Devin Griffin, general manager of Bet Plus. “Our subscribers loved season one and are eagerly awaiting season two.”
Production is set to begin on the second season in September in Atlanta. The first season followed best friends Ari (Ryan Michelle Bathe), Hazel (Jill Scott), and Bree (Michelle Buteau) as they reunited to help each other through rough patches in their lives. Tired of always being the ones to make sacrifices, they vowed to prioritize their friendship and have more fun. Along the way, the women learned that as long as they have each other, there’s nothing they can’t do.
RonReaco Lee and...
“Tracy Oliver’s ‘First Wives Club’ has been hugely successful on Bet Plus, served as one of our signature originals at launch and helped us quickly become the largest African American focused Svod service,” said Devin Griffin, general manager of Bet Plus. “Our subscribers loved season one and are eagerly awaiting season two.”
Production is set to begin on the second season in September in Atlanta. The first season followed best friends Ari (Ryan Michelle Bathe), Hazel (Jill Scott), and Bree (Michelle Buteau) as they reunited to help each other through rough patches in their lives. Tired of always being the ones to make sacrifices, they vowed to prioritize their friendship and have more fun. Along the way, the women learned that as long as they have each other, there’s nothing they can’t do.
RonReaco Lee and...
- 2/26/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Bet+ is getting more Bigger. The streamer has handed a Season 2 renewal for the comedy series from executive producer Will Packer and his Will Packer Media. Watch the cast react to the pickup news above.
“I’m so proud of this show,” Packer said. “And I can’t wait for new audiences to follow the shenanigans of this wild and crazy group of black thirtysomethings. Buckle up for Season 2.”
Created by Felischa Marye, the 10-episode first season of Bigger follows single-black-woman Layne (Tanisha Long) and her close-knit group of friends as they navigate love, friendships, career ambitions and the journey to getting bigger, together. When a college acquaintance suddenly dies, the group is forced to take a deeper look at their messy lives, while asking themselves— is this it or is there something bigger and better?
Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Chase Anthony and Tristen Winger also star in the comedy,...
“I’m so proud of this show,” Packer said. “And I can’t wait for new audiences to follow the shenanigans of this wild and crazy group of black thirtysomethings. Buckle up for Season 2.”
Created by Felischa Marye, the 10-episode first season of Bigger follows single-black-woman Layne (Tanisha Long) and her close-knit group of friends as they navigate love, friendships, career ambitions and the journey to getting bigger, together. When a college acquaintance suddenly dies, the group is forced to take a deeper look at their messy lives, while asking themselves— is this it or is there something bigger and better?
Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Chase Anthony and Tristen Winger also star in the comedy,...
- 2/18/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: British drama Dark Money has been snapped up by streaming service Bet+.
The ViacomCBS-owned digital platform will air the four-part drama, which originally aired on the BBC, from January 16.
Created by Youngers co-creator Levi David Addai and directed by Lewis Arnold, the series follows an ordinary London family decide to accept a substantial pay-off from a renowned filmmaker to keep silent about the abuse of their youngest son after finishing filming a major Hollywood movie.
Youngster Max Fincham plays Isaac, who, upon returning home from filming a major Hollywood movie, shatters the family’s world when he reveals he was abused by a renowned filmmaker while abroad.
Into The Badlands star Babou Ceesay, who has also starred in Rogue One and Eye In The Sky, and Humans’ Jill Halfpenny play his parents.
The cast also includes Rebecca Front (War and Peace), Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum), Olive Gray (Home from Home...
The ViacomCBS-owned digital platform will air the four-part drama, which originally aired on the BBC, from January 16.
Created by Youngers co-creator Levi David Addai and directed by Lewis Arnold, the series follows an ordinary London family decide to accept a substantial pay-off from a renowned filmmaker to keep silent about the abuse of their youngest son after finishing filming a major Hollywood movie.
Youngster Max Fincham plays Isaac, who, upon returning home from filming a major Hollywood movie, shatters the family’s world when he reveals he was abused by a renowned filmmaker while abroad.
Into The Badlands star Babou Ceesay, who has also starred in Rogue One and Eye In The Sky, and Humans’ Jill Halfpenny play his parents.
The cast also includes Rebecca Front (War and Peace), Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum), Olive Gray (Home from Home...
- 1/16/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Carl Weber’s “The Family Business” has been picked up for a second season by Bet+, the Viacom streaming service announced Thursday.
The series, based on the bestselling series of crime drama novels, aired its first season on the Bet linear network last fall. The series centers on the Duncans, an upstanding tight-knit family that owns and operates an exotic car dealership by day and conducts more illicit business activities by night.
The 12-episode second season recently began production in Los Angeles and is slated to launch on Bet+ in 2020.
Also Read: Why Netflix Is Betting You'll Want 'The Witcher' Season 2 - Before You've Seen Season 1
Series stars Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, Miguel A. Nunez, Arrington Foster, Kj Smith, Dylan Weber, Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera are all slated to return for the second season. Guest stars for Season 2 include Michael Jai White,...
The series, based on the bestselling series of crime drama novels, aired its first season on the Bet linear network last fall. The series centers on the Duncans, an upstanding tight-knit family that owns and operates an exotic car dealership by day and conducts more illicit business activities by night.
The 12-episode second season recently began production in Los Angeles and is slated to launch on Bet+ in 2020.
Also Read: Why Netflix Is Betting You'll Want 'The Witcher' Season 2 - Before You've Seen Season 1
Series stars Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, Miguel A. Nunez, Arrington Foster, Kj Smith, Dylan Weber, Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera are all slated to return for the second season. Guest stars for Season 2 include Michael Jai White,...
- 12/19/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Bet+ has ordered a second season of Carl Weber’s The Family Business, based on his bestselling crime drama book series. The 12-episode season 2, up from season 1’s eight-episode order, recently started production under the helm of The Family Business Productions in Los Angeles. It’s slated to launch on the streaming service in 2020.
The Family Business follows the Duncans, an upstanding tight knit family that, by day, owns and operates an exotic car dealership in New York. By night, their business activities are more illicit in nature. Returning for season 2 are cast members Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, Miguel A. Nunez, Arrington Foster, Kj Smith, Dylan Weber, Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera. Special guest appearances include Michael Jai White, Christian Keyes, Eva La Rue, Robert Picardo, Anthony Montgomery, and Franky G.
Season 2 will pick up where Season 1 left off, with the...
The Family Business follows the Duncans, an upstanding tight knit family that, by day, owns and operates an exotic car dealership in New York. By night, their business activities are more illicit in nature. Returning for season 2 are cast members Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, Miguel A. Nunez, Arrington Foster, Kj Smith, Dylan Weber, Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera. Special guest appearances include Michael Jai White, Christian Keyes, Eva La Rue, Robert Picardo, Anthony Montgomery, and Franky G.
Season 2 will pick up where Season 1 left off, with the...
- 12/19/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: A major media company is set to launch a streaming service in an effort to follow viewers increasingly thumbing their noses at traditional television.
On Thursday, Viacom will launch Bet+, a streaming service centered around the 40-year-old African-American cable network in partnership with Tyler Perry. That comes two months before Apple and Disney jump into the arena, and five months ahead of NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia.
“We really wanted to be thoughtful about meeting viewers and meeting audiences where they are, and planting a flag for folks who are ‘cable nevers’ and ‘cable cutters,'” Devin Griffin, who will run Bet+ as general manager, told TheWrap. “We want to fish where the fish are and make sure we mount our presence in every corner.”
Griffin said Viacom’s decision to use Bet as the focal point for a new streaming service — when...
On Thursday, Viacom will launch Bet+, a streaming service centered around the 40-year-old African-American cable network in partnership with Tyler Perry. That comes two months before Apple and Disney jump into the arena, and five months ahead of NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia.
“We really wanted to be thoughtful about meeting viewers and meeting audiences where they are, and planting a flag for folks who are ‘cable nevers’ and ‘cable cutters,'” Devin Griffin, who will run Bet+ as general manager, told TheWrap. “We want to fish where the fish are and make sure we mount our presence in every corner.”
Griffin said Viacom’s decision to use Bet as the focal point for a new streaming service — when...
- 9/18/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios will launch the joint venture Bet+ in the U.S. on Thursday, September 19. The ad-free Svod service, which will cost $9.99 per month, will feature more than 1,000 hours of premium content, including exclusive new original programming and fan favorite series, movies, and specials, produced by a host of leading African American content creators, including Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer and more.
The streaming wars have only intensified in recent weeks with news that Apple’s service would launch November 1, roughly two weeks before Disney launches its own. NBCUniversal announced its streaming service, called Peacock, will launch in April 2020. There’s also HBO Max on the horizon. These newcomers and Bet+ will join a landscape populated by heavyweights such as Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and Hulu. Can the market support all these different services?
Piloting the Bet+ ship will be recently hired general manager Devin Griffin,...
The streaming wars have only intensified in recent weeks with news that Apple’s service would launch November 1, roughly two weeks before Disney launches its own. NBCUniversal announced its streaming service, called Peacock, will launch in April 2020. There’s also HBO Max on the horizon. These newcomers and Bet+ will join a landscape populated by heavyweights such as Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and Hulu. Can the market support all these different services?
Piloting the Bet+ ship will be recently hired general manager Devin Griffin,...
- 9/18/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
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
Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Monday, September 9, 2019.
Katey Sagal will be returning to The Conners for Season 2, according to TV Line.
The actress, who played Louise, an ex-rock drummer who now manages Casita Bonita, will be back for a 10-episode arc.
Her character is slated to make her return in the third episode of the sophomore season.
Sagal's return is no surprise. Her character goes way back with Dan, so it was just a matter of making things official.
Related: The Conners Renewed for Season 2
The Conners was a big success for ABC last season, debuting as the network's number one comedy.
The show became a reality months after ABC canceled Roseanne following its leading lady's racist remarks on Twitter.
The sophomore run will get underway Tuesday, September 24 at 8/7c.
Meanwhile, John Goodman's other series, The Righteous Gemstones, has scored an...
Katey Sagal will be returning to The Conners for Season 2, according to TV Line.
The actress, who played Louise, an ex-rock drummer who now manages Casita Bonita, will be back for a 10-episode arc.
Her character is slated to make her return in the third episode of the sophomore season.
Sagal's return is no surprise. Her character goes way back with Dan, so it was just a matter of making things official.
Related: The Conners Renewed for Season 2
The Conners was a big success for ABC last season, debuting as the network's number one comedy.
The show became a reality months after ABC canceled Roseanne following its leading lady's racist remarks on Twitter.
The sophomore run will get underway Tuesday, September 24 at 8/7c.
Meanwhile, John Goodman's other series, The Righteous Gemstones, has scored an...
- 9/9/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
First Wives Club and Bigger among original series at launch.
Adding another competitor to this autumn’s field of new streaming services, Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios have confirmed that their Bet+ joint venture will launch in the Us on September 19.
The Svod service, first revealed in June, will include original series First Wives Club and Bigger in its initial line-up and be offered to subscribers for $9.99 a month. No international launch plans were announced.
Based on the 1996 feature, First Wives Club is a nine-episode drama with Girls Trip screenwriter Tracy Oliver serving as executive producer. Ten-episode...
Adding another competitor to this autumn’s field of new streaming services, Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios have confirmed that their Bet+ joint venture will launch in the Us on September 19.
The Svod service, first revealed in June, will include original series First Wives Club and Bigger in its initial line-up and be offered to subscribers for $9.99 a month. No international launch plans were announced.
Based on the 1996 feature, First Wives Club is a nine-episode drama with Girls Trip screenwriter Tracy Oliver serving as executive producer. Ten-episode...
- 9/9/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Bet and Tyler Perry Studios have set a launch date and price for their new streaming service, Bet+.
Starting Sept. 19, the subscription video on demand service will be available for $9.99 a month, featuring exclusive new programming and existing movies, series and specials from leading African American creators including Tyler Perry, Will Packer, “Girl’s Trip” screenwriter Tracy Oliver and others.
New series to premiere exclusively at the platform’s launch include Oliver’s nine-episode scripted drama “First Wives Club” and Will Packer’s ten-episode series “Bigger.” You can watch a teaser video for “First Wives Club” below.
Also Read: Tyler Perry Forms New Production Company With Former Lionsgate Executive Tim Palen
Tyler Perry’s collected works across film, television and stage will also be available to stream on the platform at launch, with a yet-unnamed new original series coming to Bet+ sometime in the next year.
“We are thrilled to...
Starting Sept. 19, the subscription video on demand service will be available for $9.99 a month, featuring exclusive new programming and existing movies, series and specials from leading African American creators including Tyler Perry, Will Packer, “Girl’s Trip” screenwriter Tracy Oliver and others.
New series to premiere exclusively at the platform’s launch include Oliver’s nine-episode scripted drama “First Wives Club” and Will Packer’s ten-episode series “Bigger.” You can watch a teaser video for “First Wives Club” below.
Also Read: Tyler Perry Forms New Production Company With Former Lionsgate Executive Tim Palen
Tyler Perry’s collected works across film, television and stage will also be available to stream on the platform at launch, with a yet-unnamed new original series coming to Bet+ sometime in the next year.
“We are thrilled to...
- 9/9/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios today announced a September 19 U.S. launch date for Bet+, their joint venture and premier subscription video-on demand service.
Priced at $9.99 per month, Bet+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of content, including exclusive new original programming, series, movies, and specials from Bet Networks and creators, including Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer, and others.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet+. African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet+ is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades,” said Scott Mills, President of Bet Networks.
“In our first year, we will release a Bet+ original project almost every month, adding to our lineup of deep and diverse content,...
Priced at $9.99 per month, Bet+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of content, including exclusive new original programming, series, movies, and specials from Bet Networks and creators, including Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer, and others.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet+. African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet+ is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades,” said Scott Mills, President of Bet Networks.
“In our first year, we will release a Bet+ original project almost every month, adding to our lineup of deep and diverse content,...
- 9/9/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Make way for another new streaming service.
Bet Plus, a joint venture between Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios, will launch domestically on Thursday, Sept. 19. The ad-free subscription video-on-demand service, priced at $9.99 a month, will kick off with more than 1,000 hours of shows, movies and stand-up specials, including content from Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer and other African American content creators.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet [Plus],” said Bet Networks president Scott Mills. “African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet [Plus] is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades.”
Bet Plus’ general manager Devin Griffin added, via release, that the service will launch a Bet Plus...
Bet Plus, a joint venture between Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios, will launch domestically on Thursday, Sept. 19. The ad-free subscription video-on-demand service, priced at $9.99 a month, will kick off with more than 1,000 hours of shows, movies and stand-up specials, including content from Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer and other African American content creators.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet [Plus],” said Bet Networks president Scott Mills. “African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet [Plus] is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades.”
Bet Plus’ general manager Devin Griffin added, via release, that the service will launch a Bet Plus...
- 9/9/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Bet has announced the cast for “Bigger,” one of the first original series that will air on Bet+, the network’s upcoming streaming service.
The series, from executive producer Will Packer, will star Tanisha Long, Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Chase Anthony and Tristen Winger. Warren Burke and Terrence T. Terrell will also appear in recurring roles.
The 30-minute, 10-episode series follows a single black woman who is dealing with the threat of marriage to a boring-in-bed boyfriend and the sudden, random death of a college acquaintance. The tragedy drives her ambitious group of friends to take a deeper look at their stagnant lives, asking themselves: is there something bigger and better in life?
Also Read: Bet to Launch Streaming Service With Tyler Perry's Backing
“Bigger” was created by Felischa Marye and executive produced by Packer and Devon Shepard who also served as the showrunner.
“Bigger” recently wrapped production this summer in Atlanta.
The series, from executive producer Will Packer, will star Tanisha Long, Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Chase Anthony and Tristen Winger. Warren Burke and Terrence T. Terrell will also appear in recurring roles.
The 30-minute, 10-episode series follows a single black woman who is dealing with the threat of marriage to a boring-in-bed boyfriend and the sudden, random death of a college acquaintance. The tragedy drives her ambitious group of friends to take a deeper look at their stagnant lives, asking themselves: is there something bigger and better in life?
Also Read: Bet to Launch Streaming Service With Tyler Perry's Backing
“Bigger” was created by Felischa Marye and executive produced by Packer and Devon Shepard who also served as the showrunner.
“Bigger” recently wrapped production this summer in Atlanta.
- 7/30/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page have been cast as the leads of the Shonda Rhimes-executive produced “Bridgerton” series at Netflix, the streaming service said Wednesday.
Ten other stars have been added to the cast of the eight-episode, one-hour drama, created by “Scandal” alum Chris Van Dussen, including Golda Rosheuvel, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh and Polly Walker.
As TheWrap previously reported, Julie Andrews will voice Lady Whistledown, a “mysterious, sharp-tongued gossip writer” who acts as narrator for the series.
Also Read: Julie Andrews to Voice Lady Whistledown in Netflix's Upcoming 'Bridgerton' Series
Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of novels, “Bridgerton” is set in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. From the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the aristocratic palaces of Park Lane and beyond, the series unveils a seductive, sumptuous world...
Ten other stars have been added to the cast of the eight-episode, one-hour drama, created by “Scandal” alum Chris Van Dussen, including Golda Rosheuvel, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh and Polly Walker.
As TheWrap previously reported, Julie Andrews will voice Lady Whistledown, a “mysterious, sharp-tongued gossip writer” who acts as narrator for the series.
Also Read: Julie Andrews to Voice Lady Whistledown in Netflix's Upcoming 'Bridgerton' Series
Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of novels, “Bridgerton” is set in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. From the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the aristocratic palaces of Park Lane and beyond, the series unveils a seductive, sumptuous world...
- 7/10/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
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