HBO Documentary REOPENING NIGHT Debuts December 20





HBO Documentary REOPENING NIGHT Debuts December 20
Film Explores The Return Of The Public Theater’s Famous “Shakespeare In The Park” Following Its Closure Due To The Global Pandemic

The HBO feature documentary, REOPENING NIGHT, follows the cast, crew and staff of the world-famous Public Theater as they prepare to mount an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives,” at the open-air Delacorte Theater in New York City. Contending with the ever-present threat of COVID-19 and one of the rainiest Julys on record, the production marks the return of live theatre following more than a year of closures in the city. Their pursuit to bring back a longstanding beloved New York City tradition is an audacious gamble for the theater which has served as the creative heartbeat of New York City for almost six decades. The film is directed by Rudy Valdez (HBO’s “The Sentence”) and executive produced by Matthew O’Neil and Perri Peltz (HBO’s “Axios”).

REOPENING NIGHT debuts MONDAY, DECEMBER 20 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

REOPENING NIGHT chronicles the challenging 12-week journey of The Public to navigate an obstacle-filled path to opening night of Shakespeare in The Park in the summer of 2021. Building on the work of founder Joe Papp and the long-held principle of The Public that art and culture belong to — and should be accessible to — everyone, the theater invites playwright Jocelyn Bioh to adapt Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor into a modern retelling set in South Harlem’s eclectic community of West African immigrants with an all-Black cast. In the wake of the pandemic’s on-going toll and the societal reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd, “Merry Wives” centers the Black experience and celebrates Black joy within the universal story of Shakespeare’s play. REOPENING NIGHT presents an honest look at the Black experience in theater, acknowledging the challenges and speaking to the expansive power of art to touch people’s lives, as well as to be at the forefront of change and progress.

With behind-the-scenes access to the creative process, from the casting and rehearsals to the design team to the construction of the all-weather set in Central Park, REOPENING NIGHT takes audiences on a roller-coaster ride as opening night swiftly approaches. Among the many voices contributing to the film are: playwright Jocelyn Bioh; director Saheem Ali; The Public’s artistic director Oskar Eustis; set designer Beowulf Boritt; musician Farai Malianga; assistant director Abigail Jean-Baptiste; the actors in the cast of “Merry Wives”; and many more crew, staff, and theater artists who bring the works of The Public to life.

REOPENING NIGHT weaves together the thrill of watching a behind the scenes look at a unique production and a team of lively characters pulling together to overcome myriad hurdles with the inspirational realization that history is being made on the stage of The Delacorte Theater. REOPENING NIGHT documents a unique challenge as The Public strives to embody its aspiration that everyone should get to see theater, and that everyone should get to make it.

HBO Documentary Films’ presents REOPENING NIGHT directed by Rudy Valdez; executive produced by Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz; Produced by Meghan Schale; and co-produced by Sasha Gay-Lewis. For HBO: senior producer, Sara Rodriguez; executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.



YouTube Originals Kids & Family Invites Viewers Home for the Holidays





YouTube Originals Kids & Family Invites Viewers Home for the Holidays with Festive Slate Packed with New Series Pick-Ups and Premieres
“Buster Saves Christmas” and “Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip” are among the latest additions.
[via press release from YouTube]
YOUTUBE ORIGINALS KIDS & FAMILY INVITES VIEWERS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH FESTIVE SLATE PACKED WITH NEW SERIES PICK-UPS AND PREMIERES

ALL-NEW LINE-UP LAUNCHES TODAY WITH GREENLIGHT OF “BUSTER SAVES CHRISTMAS” AND “COYOTE PETERSON’S WILD FIELD TRIP”

LOS ANGELES, CA, November 30, 2021 — YouTube Originals today announced a robust holiday slate of projects packed with two new series pick-ups and premieres including the new family Christmas special, “Buster Saves Christmas,” from the wildly successful Little Baby Bum in partnership with Moonbug Entertainment. Also greenlit is “Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip,” from the popular Brave Wilderness wildlife educator, Coyote Peterson. The festive line-up kicks off today on the YouTube Originals for Kids & Family Channel and the YouTube Kids app.

“We have a variety of new, diverse Originals that are perfect for our kids and family holiday slate,” said Nadine Zylstra, Head of Family, Learning and Impact for YouTube Originals. “With themes such as giving, kindness and friendship, we are excited to wrap up the year and celebrate all holidays with content that continues to inspire our community of young viewers along with their families around the world.”

Line-up and further details of YouTube Originals Holiday content follows:

November 30:

“Buster Saves Christmas” Special Premiere at 9am PT / 12pm ET

In this exclusive musical holiday special, the beloved Buster the Bus must step in to save Christmas when Santa is injured and his sleigh goes missing. With the help of Wheelieville’s top mechanic (and former North Pole engineer) Jada, Buster perseveres and overcomes big obstacles to make sure all the Christmas presents are delivered around the world. Packed with songs and festive cheer, “Buster Saves Christmas” is a musical event for the whole family, celebrating the joy of friendship during the upcoming holiday season. Script written by Ann Austen (Emmy winner for “The Snowy Day,” “Barbie Princess Adventure,” “Molly of Denali”, “Power Rangers”). The series is produced by Moonbug Entertainment, the global entertainment company behind popular YouTube channels like Moonbug Kids and Little Baby Bum. Watch the official trailer here.

December 1:

“Tab Time” Series Premiere at at 9am PT / 12pm ET

From Kids at Play and Scale Productions comes “Tab Time,” a preschool series starring Tabitha Brown, an actress and vegan foodie who has become one of the most visible social media personalities today. Tabitha or “Ms. Tab” as the kids call her, taps into her natural capabilities as a cook, story teller, mom and motivational leader, to teach children how to live their best life. In the series premiere, “How Things Grow,” Ms. Tab and Avi the Avocado (Miles Brown) are curious about how things grow, from the smallest seed to the tallest tree. Farmer Seymour Sprout (Lil Rel Howard) teaches us a special lesson with fruit, plus Ms. Tab is joined by her friends Lenny the Lightning Bug (Anna Camp), Burnie the Oven Mitt (John Michael Higgins), Starla the Spatula (Ashley Nicole Black), DJ Khrafty (Jermaine Fowler) and Lovey as she explores how growing and changing makes us feel. So put on your adventure shoes and join in!

December 2:

“Kid Correspondent” New Holiday Episode at 9am PT / 12pm ET

From the team behind the beloved Kid President brand, this fast-paced school-age comedy series centers around the next generation of kid journalists dedicated to making the world a better place. In the new “Unboxing the Holiday Season” episode, anchors Riah and Titus investigate all the different ways to celebrate during the season, while special guest grown-up Wilmer Valderrama stops by to talk about his favorite things to do over the holidays. The kid reporters also uncover the hottest gifts of the year (what’s better than a hug?) and find out from Ned the News Elf if they’ve been naughty or nice. “Kid Correspondent” is produced by SoulPancake, a division of Participant.

December 3:

“Supa Strikas: Rookie Season” Series Premiere at 9am GMT

Go back in time with Shakes to find out how he made the world’s greatest soccer team, the Supa Strikas! This school-age prequel animated series will uncover some earth-shattering revelations for fans of the popular show and the pan-African team. In collaboration with UNICEF, this series aims to teach school kids (ages 6-12) about the importance of perseverance and gender equality. The series is produced by Moonbug Entertainment, the global entertainment company behind popular YouTube channels like Moonbug Kids and Little Baby Bum. In the premiere episode, “Striking Out,” Shakes and his best friend, Skarra, are the stars of their local club but when Super League opportunity knocks, Shakes must decide: prepare on his own or with his friend? Meanwhile his OTHER best friend has a plan for him to train like a Supa Strika… What could go wrong?

December 8:

“Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip” Series Premiere at 8am PT / 11am ET

You name the environment and Coyote Peterson has been there, encountering an amazing variety of animal species around the world. In this thrilling new series, young fans of the Brave Wilderness YouTube channel (19.6 million subscribers) will get the chance to explore a wide range of unique and diverse ecosystems full of animals, adventure, education, and most of all, fun. In each episode, Coyote will guide a young wildlife enthusiast on a field trip that will become the adventure of a lifetime, visiting animal sanctuaries, islands, aquariums and even an alligator farm. Throughout the series, Coyote and his young friends will get unprecedented access to interact with bizarre, cute and creepy animal species, getting up close and personal with alligators, wolves, snakes, sharks, scorpions, stingrays and way more! “Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip” is produced by Brave Wilderness.

December 10:

“Super Sema” New Holiday Special Episode at 9am PT / 12pm ET

The popular STEAM-themed YouTube Originals animated series produced by Kukua with executive producer Lupita Nyong’o is back with a brand new holiday special. As her friends and family prepare for their Day of Dreams celebrations, Sema announces her wish to see snow, something her African-futuristic town of Dunia hasn’t seen in hundreds of years. Will Super Sema be able to “technovate” her dream come true? Or will her nemesis, the artificially intelligent robot tyrant Tobor, be proven right that dreams are just human nonsense?

December 16:

“Kid Correspondent” New Year’s Eve Episode at 9am PT / 12pm ET

Kid Correspondent offers a kid-friendly countdown to the new year with the special episode “New Year, New You!” Anchors Riah and Titus make resolutions and laugh at their mistakes with a hilarious Blooper Reel, but will Daring Reporter Jack gain the courage to drop the ball on time? He’s disappeared because he’s afraid to mess it up again, but Christian is on the case with a dare of his own (and everyone knows Jack can’t refuse a dare!). Special guest grown-up Jerry O’Connell helps Jack realize that everyone makes mistakes, and the whole team reveals who gets the Kid of the Year Award!

December 30:

“The Guava Juice Show” Sneak Peek at 7 am PT / 10 am ET

Fans of the Guava Juice YouTube channel (16.8 million subscribers) will get a sneak peek at the new upcoming animated comedy series “The Guava Juice Show” when the first episode drops on the channel on December 30. The show follows the extraordinary adventures of 14-year old Roi (played by YouTube superstar and Guava Juice’s Roi Fabito) and his best friends, fellow teenager Jenny (Bethany Brown) and the neurotic talking Guava (Adrian Petriw) as they work at a mysterious curio shop and travel to parallel worlds and dimensions throughout the multiverse in a magical bathtub. “The Guava Juice Show” is produced by Studio71 and Mainframe Studios.

Head of Original Content for YouTube. Nadine Zylstra serves as Head of Family, Learning and Impact for YouTube Originals. Craig Hunter oversees “Buster Saves Christmas,” “Tab Time” and “Supa Strikas: Rookie Season” for YouTube Originals. Daniel Haack oversees “Kid Correspondent,” “Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip,” “Super Sema” and “The Guava Juice Show” for YouTube Originals.
About YouTube Kids & Family Originals:

An expanding roster of YouTube Originals focused on kids and family includes the award-winning “Lockdown,” and recent hits such as “Onyx Family Dinner,” “BookTube Jr.,” “Get Curious with Vice President Harris,” “Growing with Lottie Dottie,” “The Workout Badges,” “Kid Correspondent,” “Break the Record,” “Super Sema,” Pinkfong Wonderstar,” “Sherwood,” “We Are Savvy,” “Hyperlinked,” “Fruit Ninja Frenzy Force, “Kings of Atlantis” and “DanTDM Creates A Big Scene.” Shows on the YouTube Originals for Kids & Family channel can be found here.

About YouTube Originals:

YouTube Originals are award-winning series, specials and livestream events for YouTube’s two billion active monthly users that entertain, inspire, connect, and educate audiences through authentic storytelling from YouTube creators, music artists and celebrities. By tapping into the platform’s growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content, YouTube Originals amplify the most popular and unique aspects of YouTube. Fans can experience YouTube Originals content for free through the standard YouTube platform (ad-supported), or through a paid subscription to YouTube Premium, which adds ad-free, bonus/exclusive content, and early binge access to select programming. YouTube Originals are available in over 100 countries worldwide. Keep up with the latest YouTube news by visiting the global platform’s official blog at https://blog.youtube/.



Netflix Unveils Genre Series Slate for 2022





Netflix Unveils Genre Series Slate for 2022
Among the highlights: “Archive 81” (January 14), “In from the Cold” (January 28), “Raising Dion” season two (February 1) and “Vikings: Valhalla” (February 25).
[via press release from Netflix]
A Powerful Breadth of Genre Series Is Coming to Netflix in 2022

By Peter Friedlander, Head of Scripted Series, US/Canada

Do you remember the first time you stepped inside the haunted Hill House? Or when you first laid eyes on the members of the Umbrella Academy? Or what about the first time that Black Mirror made you scared of technology? In my ten years at Netflix, it’s been thrilling to see the dropped jaws, the all-caps tweets/the hilarious memes and the passionate theories inspired by these once-in-a-lifetime moments. Genre stories have the power to transport us to new universes like the Upside Down in Stranger Things, teach us new vocabulary like The Witcher and, most importantly, unite us in our shared love of sci-fi, horror, fantasy, anime and everything in between.

Today we’re excited to unveil select premiere dates and new details for our upcoming 2022 genre series slate which has never been stronger or richer in breadth. We have world-beloved fan-favorites such as The Sandman and Resident Evil; new stories that delve into centuries-old sagas likeVikings: Valhalla and The Witcher: Blood Origin; returning favorites including Stranger Things 4, The Umbrella Academy Season 3, Alice in Borderland Season 2, Locke & Key Season 3, and Raising Dion Season 2; animated genre event series like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Magic: The Gathering and Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, the animated series prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead; the return of master storytelling with Mike Flanagan’s The Midnight Club; plus new genre-bending thriller Archive 81.

Brought to life by visionary and iconic creators, as well as the talent you know and love, our slate of genre shows plays across a range of universes and subgenres where one thing is key: variety reigns supreme.

So mark your calendars now, and remember to visit @NetflixGeeked, our editorial destination for all things genre, for the latest news, exclusives, and surprise reveals.
January and February Genre Series Debut Dates

ARCHIVE 81 debuts January 14, 2022.

Archive 81 follows archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building. As the season unfolds across these two timelines, Dan slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering what happened to Melody. When the two characters form a mysterious connection, Dan becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago. An original story loosely inspired by the popular podcast of the same name, Archive 81 is a supernatural horror series executive produced by showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys, The Vampire Diaries), James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster (The Conjuring Universe film franchise and the upcoming Malignant), Rebecca Thomas (Stranger Things, Limetown), Antoine Douaihy (Panic, The Good Cop) and Paul Harris Boardman (Deliver Us from Evil).

IN FROM THE COLD debuts January 28, 2022.

During a European vacation with her daughter, an American single mom’s life is turned upside down when the CIA forces her to confront her long-buried past as a Russian spy who was also the product of a highly classified KGB experiment granting her special abilities. After a mysterious string of manic and murderous incidents suggests someone with her exact abilities is targeting innocent people, Jenny (Margarita Levieva) is forced out of hiding to stop this villain or risk losing the family and new life she has built. Adam Glass (Supernatural, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, The Chi) serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer.

RAISING DION returns for Season 2 on February 1, 2022.

Raising Dion follows the story of Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) and her son Dion (Ja’Siah Young) after Dion starts to manifest several mysterious, superhero-like abilities. Two years after defeating the Crooked Man (Jason Ritter), Season Two follows Dion as he continues honing his powers with the support of his mom and Tevin (Rome Flynn), his Biona trainer who catches Nicole’s eye. After befriending new student Brayden (Griffin Robert Faulkner) – a fellow powered kid – a series of alarming events unfold, and Dion learns that danger is still looming. Navigating twists, turns, and surprise visitors, Dion and Nicole must prevail again — not just to save themselves, but the entire city of Atlanta.

VIKINGS: VALHALLA begins February 25, 2022.

Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived – the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory. VIKINGS: Valhalla, set over a hundred years after the end of the original VIKINGS series, is a new adventure that blends historical authenticity and drama with gritty, immersive action. From showrunner and executive producer Jeb Stuart, Valhalla is also executive produced by Morgan O’Sullivan, Michael Hirst, Sheila Hockin, Steve Stark, James Flynn, John Weber, Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer, Paul Buccieri, and also stars Bradley Freegard, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, David Oakes, Laura Berlin and Caroline Henderson.

Genre Series Highlights Coming in 2022

*Alphabetical order/not by release date*

ALICE IN BORDERLAND SEASON 2

The epic live-action adaptation of the hit manga by Haro Aso -where young people are forced to take on games in order to survive in the mysterious world of the Borderland- is coming back for a second season! In order to unravel the mysteries of the Borderland and return to our world, Arisu, Usagi and their companions have to take on the next stage, where even more gruesome games await them. Will they be able to finally shed light on the mysteries of the Borderland? The unpredictable adventure continues… Alice in Borderland is based on the original graphic novel of the same name by Haro Aso, directed and written by Shinsuke Sato as well as Yoshiki Watabe and Yasuko Kuramitsu.

ALL OF US ARE DEAD

All of Us Are Dead is a story about people who are trapped in a high school where a zombie virus is spreading and those who are trying to save them as extreme situations riddled with surprises unfold.

ARMY OF THE DEAD: LOST VEGAS

The animated series chronicles the origin story of Scott (Dave Bautista) and his rescue crew during the initial fall of Vegas as they confront the mysterious source of the zombie outbreak. The series will be Executive Produced by Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Wesley Coller from The Stone Quarry alongside Jay Olivia and Shay Hatten. Zack Snyder will direct two episodes. Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Trese) will be showrunning as well as directing two episodes of the series. Meduzarts Animation Studio will serve as the animation studio.

THE CUPHEAD SHOW!

The character-driven comedy follows the unique misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his cautious but easily swayed brother Mugman. Through their many misadventures across their surreal home of the Inkwell Isles, they’ve always got one another’s backs. The new series will expand on the characters and world of Cuphead, with an animation style inspired by the classic Fleischer cartoons from the 1930s. For King Features, CJ Kettler will serve as the Executive Producer and creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer will serve as Executive Producers for Studio MDHR. The series will be produced by Netflix Animation and is executive produced by Emmy and Annie Award-winning producer, Dave Wasson (Mickey Mouse Shorts) and Cosmo Segurson (Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling) serves as co-executive producer.

CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS

The animated series tells a standalone, 10-episode story about a street kid trying to survive in a technology and body modification-obsessed city of the future. Having everything to lose, he chooses to stay alive by becoming an edgerunner – a mercenary outlaw also known as a cyberpunk. CD PROJEKT RED, the company behind the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, is producing the series, with a creative team formed of talent from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Cyberpunk 2077. The team at CD PROJEKT RED has been working on this new series since 2018. Acclaimed Japan-based animation company, Studio Trigger, will serve as the animation studio on the series and bring the world of Cyberpunk to life with their signature, vibrant style.

FIRST KILL

When it’s time for teenage vampire Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook) to make her first kill so she can take her place among a powerful vampire family, she sets her sights on a new girl in town named Calliope (Imani Lewis). But much to Juliette’s surprise, Calliope is a vampire hunter, from a family of celebrated slayers. Both find that the other won’t be so easy to kill and, unfortunately, way too easy to fall for. Felicia D. Henderson (The Punisher, Empire, Gossip Girl, Soul Food) is the writer, showrunner, and executive producer for First Kill, which is based on the short story by New York Times best-selling author Victoria “V. E.” Schwab, who is also a writer and executive producer for the series. Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss serve as executive producers through Belletrist Productions.

LOCKE & KEY SEASON 3

The Locke family uncovers more magic within Keyhouse, while a new threat — the most dangerous one yet — looms in Matheson with plans of his own for the keys. From Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) and Meredith Averill (The Haunting of Hill House), Locke & Key is a coming-of-age mystery about love, loss, and the unshakable bonds that define family. Locke and Key on Netflix is the television adaptation of the best-selling comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez for IDW Entertainment.

MAGIC: THE GATHERING

Coming soon in 2022 is Magic: The Gathering, an all-new animated event series from Entertainment One (eOne) Hasbro’s global entertainment studio. Magic: The Gathering’s compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deep strategic gameplay have entertained and delighted fans for more than 25 years. Fans can currently experience Magic through the tabletop trading card game, Magic: The Gathering Arena on PC and mobile, and published fiction across the web, comics, and a New York Times bestselling novel. With over 50 million fans to date, MAGIC is a worldwide phenomenon published in eleven languages in over 70 countries. Magic is published by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB

A new horror series from Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) based on the creative works of bestselling author Christopher Pike. Cast includes Iman Benson, Adia, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd, Aya Furukawa, Annarah Cymone, William Chris Sumpter, Sauriyan Sapkota, Zach Gilford, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, Larsen Thompson, William B. Davis, Crystal Balint, Patricia Drake and Heather Langenkamp.

RESIDENT EVIL

Resident Evil is a live action, scripted series that will tell a brand new story building on Capcom’s legendary video game franchise. Nearly three decades after the discovery of the T-virus, an outbreak reveals the Umbrella Corporation’s dark secrets. Stars Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker, along with Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, Adeline Rudolph and Paola Nuñez.

THE SANDMAN

A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic – and human – mistakes he’s made during his vast existence. The Sandman is a new dark fantasy series based on the comic book series created for DC by Neil Gaiman (Good Omens, Coraline). Gaiman is Executive Producer and Co-Writer. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey’s Anatomy) is EP/ Showrunner. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Terminator: Dark Fate, Foundation) is EP. Goyer and Heinberg are also Co-Writers.

STRANGER THINGS 4 (SUMMER 2022)

A love letter to the ’80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world – forever.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY S3

On the same day in 1989, 43 infants are born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates ‘The Umbrella Academy.’ In 2019, the estranged family reunites upon the news of their father’s mysterious passing, but begin to fracture due to their divergent personalities and abilities, not to mention the imminent threat of a global apocalypse. After failing to save the world, the siblings travel back in time to escape, but it goes awry and scatters them across different periods in 1960s Dallas. Five is the last to land, smack dab in the middle of a nuclear doomsday, which turns out to be a result of the group’s timeline disruption — yet again. Upon finally reuniting and putting a stop to the 1960s doomsday, the Umbrella Academy returns home to 2019, convinced they fixed the timeline and therefore prevented the initial apocalypse from ever happening. But after a brief moment of celebration, they realize things aren’t exactly how they left them… Welcome to the Sparrow Academy.

THE WITCHER: BLOOD ORIGIN

Set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of The Witcher, Blood Origin will tell a story lost to time – the creation of the first prototype Witcher, and the events that lead to the pivotal “conjunction of the spheres,” when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.

…and more.



Video: “Word Party Presents: Math!” Sneak Peek – Netflix Jr





Video: “Word Party Presents: Math!” Sneak Peek – Netflix Jr
Count numbers, compare shapes, and find patterns with baby animals Franny, Bailey, Kip, Lulu, and Tilly as they use math and sing songs to solve problems.
[via press release from Netflix]
Word Party Presents: Math! Sneak Peek | Netflix Jr

Count numbers, compare shapes, and find patterns with baby animals Franny, Bailey, Kip, Lulu, and Tilly as they use math and sing songs to solve problems. Word Party Presents: Math! is available on Netflix December 28!



Hallmark Channel Announces: “New Year New Movies” for 2022 in the Month of January





Hallmark Channel Announces: “New Year New Movies” for 2022 in the Month of January
As part of the TV event, Hallmark Channel unveils five movie premieres: “The Perfect Pairing,” “Wedding Veil,” “Love is Trending,” “Butlers in Love,” and “Romancing the Birthday Girl.”
[via press release from The Hallmark Channel]
HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES: “NEW YEAR NEW MOVIES” FOR 2022 IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY

Five All-New Movies Debut as Part of the Network’s January Programming Event on Hallmark Channel

An All-New Movie Premiere on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

The New Year kicks off with Hallmark Channel’s – New Year New Movies! – starting January 1st, every Saturday will celebrate fresh starts and new beginnings. As part of the TV event, Hallmark Channel unveils five movie premieres: “The Perfect Pairing,” “Wedding Veil,” “Love is Trending,” “Butlers in Love,” and “Romancing the Birthday Girl.” On Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, an all-new movie premiere with “North to Home.”

PREMIERING ON HALLMARK CHANNEL:

‘THE PERFECT PAIRING’
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 1 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Nazneen Contractor, Brennan Elliott
Influential and anonymous food and wine critic Christina finds herself at a winery she panned in the past. She hopes to leave before anyone finds out who she is, but she instead slips on ice and hits her head. The Hollingbrook family, led by single father Michael graciously takes Christina in while she recovers and tries to jog her memory. In the process, Christina helps the Hollingbrooks prepare for their annual wine tapping party, which includes Michael’s risky passion project, ice wine.

‘WEDDING VEIL’ (WT)
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 8 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Autumn Reeser, Alison Sweeney
The first installment of an enchanting new trilogy starring three of Hallmark’s most beloved leading ladies as longtime college friends who discover a mysterious, antique veil fabled to unite its bearer with her true love. After discovering a long-lost painting, museum curator Avery and successful, new board member Peter investigate the artwork’s origins as they plan a charity fundraiser to unveil its restoration.

‘LOVE IS TRENDING’
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 15 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Jen Lilley, Christopher Russell
Mackenzie Sullivan is a New York-based marketing executive struggling to keep her clients. When she returns home to a rural maple farm to help her best friend plan her wedding in just two weeks, Mackenzie learns the hard way that the love and support of family and true friends means more than she’d imagined.

‘BUTLERS IN LOVE’
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 22 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Stacey Farber, Corey Cott, Maxwell Caulfield
In a prestigious butler academy, passionate Emma and rebellious Henry train to become royal butlers where the competition is fierce and sparks fly.

‘ROMANCING THE BIRTHDAY GIRL’
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 29 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Emilie Ullerup, Clayton James
On her birthday, Taylor opens a time capsule left by her deceased mother, which contains six envelopes. In each one is a challenge to complete, challenges that her mother – aware of Taylor’s many anxieties that hold her back – knew would expand her horizons and give her the push she needs in life and to help open her mind, and heart, to the possibility of love.

PREMIERING ON HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES:

‘NORTH TO HOME’
All-New Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original
Sunday, January 9 (10 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Lyndsy Fonseca, Kimberley Sustad, Erica Durance, Barbara Niven
Suzanne McBride is excited to spend her birthday with her family. It will be the first time that her three adopted daughters will be together in years. This seems like a great time for a family reunion, but the sisters are each wrestling with unique challenges that threaten to derail this special occasion. Will their bond be strong enough to survive this time together?



The Impact of Infrastructure Failures Is Explored in Two Timely New Projects





FROM THE FRUSTRATING TO THE FATAL – THE IMPACT OF INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES IS EXPLORED IN TWO TIMELY NEW PROJECTS COVERING THE DEADLY FLORIDA SURFSIDE CONDO DISASTER AND THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKDOWN

Discovery Announces a New Special and Limited Series That Examines What Has Gone Wrong

‘WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE: DISASTER IN SURFSIDE’ Premieres Saturday, December 4 at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery

The Three-Episode Limited Series ‘OUT OF STOCK: SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS’ Premieres Saturday, December 18 at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery

(LOS ANGELES) – One revelation from the pandemic has been that systems in place for decades can fail when they are pushed to their limits. The prevalence of empty shelves in stores, and daily news stories about barges with goods stuck offshore highlight a supply chain that can no longer serve the globe. And a catastrophic building disaster in the midst of the pandemic brings to light a variety of dangers – from weather and erosion to outdated construction standards. Discovery explores how critical infrastructure failures can lead to catastrophic disasters, inflation, a lack of necessities and a host of other problems that affect day to day life.

Using startling security footage, 911 calls, eyewitness accounts and CGI technology, Discovery sheds light on what happened during the sudden collapse of the condominium building Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, the possible causes and what can be done to prevent this from ever happening in the future. And in a three-episode limited series, Discovery will pull back the curtain on the complexities of the global supply chain explaining how factors like canal blockages and labor shortages caused by the pandemic have had a domino effect on getting products and food on the shelves and fuel into our cars.

The programming lineup will include –

‘WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE: DISASTER IN SURFSIDE’ Premieres Saturday, December 4 at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery
On June 24, 2021, at around 1:24am, the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story residential building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed in less than 12 seconds. In the aftermath of this tragedy and with millions of people living in similar apartment complexes across the country, teams of investigators are searching for answers to what went wrong. Through eyewitness accounts, dramatic user-generated footage, news archive and CGI animation, this special pieces together a moment-by-moment account of the disaster, recounts the rescue and recovery efforts and explores factors that could have contributed to the building collapsing. Did a sinkhole cause the collapse? Was the building’s design flawed? Could the constant exposure to the elements or poor maintenance be responsible? Or could this be a perfect storm of issues that caused the collapse?

‘OUT OF STOCK: SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS’ Premieres Saturday, December 18 at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery
We have grown accustomed to walking into stores filled with packed shelves, gasoline available at every station and our online purchases arriving on time. But the pandemic has impacted every step of the supply chain, from manufacturing, to shipping worldwide, to transporting within a country, and even to stocking shelves. This limited series explores the complex shipping system at its best and how it has broken down – leaving goods stranded at docks and consumers panic shopping before holiday shortages ruin the upcoming season.

Follow the conversation on social media with #WhenBuildingsCollapseDisasterInSurfside and #OutOfStockSupplyChainCrisis, and follow Discovery Channel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.

WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE: DISASTER IN SURFSIDE is produced by Windfall Films, part of the Argonon Group, for Discovery Channel. For Windfall Films, the Series Producer is James Franklin and Executive Producers are Carlo Massarella and John Fothergill. OUT OF STOCK: SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS is produced by Wag Entertainment. For Wag Entertainment, Executive Producers are Steven Green and Mark Carter. For Discovery Channel, executive producer is Lindsey Foster Blumberg.

About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 88.3 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Discovery
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player, Food Network Kitchen and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.



OWN Expands Popular Unscripted Friday Night Programming Block with New Series





OWN Expands Popular Unscripted Friday Night Programming Block with New Series “Ladies Who List: Atlanta,” Premiering Friday, January 7 at 9PM ET/PT
In Atlanta, a team of Black women are breaking up the “old boys club” of the luxury real estate game.
[via press release from OWN]
OWN EXPANDS POPULAR UNSCRIPTED FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAMMING BLOCK WITH NEW SERIES “LADIES WHO LIST: ATLANTA,” PREMIERING FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 9PM ET/PT

All-New Series Will Follow Six Powerful Black Business Women On Their Quest to Dominate the Atlanta Real Estate Market, Friendship Counts But Business Comes First

Los Angeles, CA – OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the premiere date and official first look for “Ladies Who List: Atlanta,” an all-new series set to join the network’s popular Friday night unscripted programming block, starting January 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. OWN is the #1 cable network on Friday nights (excluding news and sports) among African American Women, with three of the top five original cable series.

“Ladies Who List: Atlanta” is an eight-episode series that will follow six professional Black business women working in real estate — top-producing brokers, high-profile attorneys and luxury agents — and the clients they serve in the Atlanta market while managing their ever-changing work and personal relationships. They may be friends, but business is business.

In Atlanta, a team of Black women are breaking up the “old boys club” of the luxury real estate game. Through a sophisticated portrayal of successful businesswomen, these real estate pros will help buyers find their dream homes, teach clients the importance of establishing generational wealth, and prove that home ownership is attainable for all. These aspirational ladies show the power of Black women as they simultaneously juggle booming careers and their personal lives. From fertility concerns, to balancing marriage and motherhood, to embracing therapy and finding new love, the ladies persevere against adversity – all while working to elevate themselves, their clients and the city of Atlanta through big real estate wins. “Ladies Who List: Atlanta” is produced by Love Productions USA. Executive producers are Al Edgington (“Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians”; “Amazing Race”), Joe LaBracio (“Last Chance U”), Richard McKerrow (“The Great British Bake Off”; “The Great Pottery Throw Down”), Thomas Jaeger, Monique Barrett, Calvin Singh, Vivian Payton and Elise Duran.

MEET THE WOMEN:

QUIANA WATSON, Real Estate Broker

Quiana is one of Atlanta’s most visible and top-producing real estate professionals. Her flair for fashion and sales has made her a force in the real estate game. Her motto is: “You live every single day, but you only have one life to live. You better make it count.”

ROBIN ANDRADE, Real Estate Broker

Robin is an Atlanta real estate veteran, whose savvy and commitment to her clients leaves an impression everywhere she goes. When she’s not conducting business, this single mother of two adult children defies time by keeping herself fit with a devout yoga practice.

CRISTYL KIMBROUGH, Real Estate Attorney

Cristyl is an adventurous and independent closing attorney. While others may portray a level of success through social media, she believes in doing the work. Whether she’s jumping off 20 foot cliffs on exotic islands or keeping her romantic options open, Cristyl prides herself on living life by her terms.

TIFFANI HAWES, Real Estate Attorney

Tiffani is a hard-working attorney, wife, and mom of three at the top of her profession. With a roster of clients including several A-listers, Tiffani’s commitment to building her business has paid off handsomely, but she is trying to find more of a work/life balance.

TIANA HARRISON, Real Estate Agent

Tiana is one of Atlanta’s highest-grossing Black female luxury agents. Married to a former NFL player and a mother of two, Tiana has carefully crafted her professional and personal universe so that family comes first.

KIRA OLIVER, Real Estate Agent

Kira is an ambitious millennial, making her mark in Atlanta as a rising star in real estate. On the heels of losing her home to a fire, Kira has just started to rebuild her life. She’s determined to forge ahead, stopping at nothing to achieve her success.

About Love Productions USA

Love Productions USA develops and produces addictively watchable unscripted competition formats and award-winning documentary series for network, cable and premium streaming services. It is a division of the UK-based Love Productions, which operates under the SKY umbrella, with an impressive portfolio of thought-provoking programs across all genres and platforms, including the extremely popular formats, “The Great British Bake-Off,” “The Great British Sewing Bee” and “The Great Pottery Throw Down.” Known for taking successful formats from the UK to the US with distinctive adaptations, such as ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show,” Love Productions USA also develops original premium long-form television, documentary and short-form programming. The company is helmed by Emmy(R) Award-winning producers Joe LaBracio and Al Edgington, who have a proven track record in documentaries, scripted and unscripted entertainment, features, and daytime television.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey’s heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel. OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today’s most innovative storytellers. OWN connects with its audience wherever they are, inspiring conversation among a global community of like-minded viewers on social media and beyond. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime on http://WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.



Video: “Selling Tampa” – Official Trailer – Netflix





Video: “Selling Tampa” – Official Trailer – Netflix
The agents at the all-female, Black-owned Allure Realty mix business with fun as they rule the waterfront of a hot Tampa luxury real estate market.
[via press release from Netflix]
Selling Tampa | Official Trailer | Netflix

Meet this new group of impressive real estate agents who know as much about selling fabulous homes as they do about bringing the drama. Selling Tampa premieres December 15th only on Netflix.

Set in Florida’s Suncoast, Selling Tampa follows Allure Realty, an all Black, all female real estate firm owned by military vet Sharelle Rosado that has its eyes set on dominating the Tampa market. These ladies are equally as fun as they are fiercely ambitious, with all of them vying to be on top of the lavish world of luxury waterfront real estate. Sharelle has big plans for her brokerage and won’t let anyone or anything get in the way of making her dreams a reality.
SELLING TAMPA

Meet the ladies of Allure Realty who are heating things up in Tampa’s luxury real estate market.

Series Launch Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Format: 8 x 45-minute episodes

Key Cast: Sharelle Rosado, Alexis Williams, Anne-Sophie Petit, Colony Reeves, Juawana Williams, Karla Giorgio, Rena Frazier and Tennille Moore

Production Company: Done and Done Productions

Executive Producer: Adam DiVello

Synopsis: Set in Florida’s Suncoast, Selling Tampa follows Allure Realty, an all Black, all female real estate firm owned by military vet Sharelle Rosado that has its eyes set on dominating the Tampa market. These ladies are equally as fun as they are fiercely ambitious, with all of them vying to be on top of the lavish world of luxury waterfront real estate. Sharelle has big plans for her brokerage and won’t let anyone or anything get in the way of making her dreams a reality.

www.netflix.com/SellingTampa

#SellingTampa



Peacock Makes First Holiday Delivery This Season with Trailer and Key Art for “The Housewives of the North Pole”





Video: Peacock Makes First Holiday Delivery This Season with Trailer and Key Art for “The Housewives of the North Pole”
Betsy Brandt, Kyle Richards, Jearnest Corchado, Kyle Selig, Tetona Jackson, Carlos Ponce, Alec Mapa and Damon Dayoub star in the film, due on Thursday, December 9.
[via press release from Peacock]
PEACOCK MAKES FIRST HOLIDAY DELIVERY THIS SEASON WITH TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR “THE HOUSEWIVES OF THE NORTH POLE”

Peacock Original Holiday Movie Premieres Thursday, December 9

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

The Christmas Queens of North Pole, Vermont, Trish (Kyle Richards) and Diana (Betsy Brandt), have won the Best Holiday House decorating competition every year for the past nine years. But days before Christmas, a friendship-ending argument sparks a town-wide feud and draws the attention of a national magazine writer hoping to make a name for herself with her scintillating exposé.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Starring: Betsy Brandt, Kyle Richards, Jearnest Corchado, Kyle Selig, Tetona Jackson, Carlos Ponce, Alec Mapa and Damon Dayoub

Executive Producer/Director: Ron Oliver

Executive Producers/Writers: Tippi Dobrofsky, Neal Dobrofsky and Spyder Dobrofsky

Executive Producers: Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips and Eric Jarboe

Producers: Jake Relic, David Wulf and Chris Bongirne

Produced by: Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA)

Format: 1 x 90 min original movie



Video: “Men in Kilts” – Season 2 Announcement – Starz





Video: “Men in Kilts” – Season 2 Announcement – Starz
Your favorite blokes are returning to take you on another extraordinary adventure, this time to New Zealand.
[via press release from Starz]
STARZ GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF “MEN IN KILTS: A ROADTRIP WITH SAM AND GRAHAM” SET TO EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND

Santa Monica, Calif. – STARZ announced today, “Outlander” stars Sam Heughan (Bloodshot, The Spy Who Dumped Me) and Graham McTavish (“Preacher,” The Hobbit Trilogy) will hit the road again for a six-episode second season of the hit travel docuseries “Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham” – this time in New Zealand. Developed by Heughan and McTavish, the original series is produced by Boardwalk Pictures, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Heughan and McTavish conceived the original idea and serve as executive producers alongside Alexander Norouzi, Andrew Fried, Dane Lillegard, Sarina Roma and Kevin Johnston who also serves as director.

“Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham” is a fun-filled buddy travelogue led by “Outlander” stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. Heughan and McTavish will continue their immersive adventure travel experience, this time in New Zealand. They will revel in the Scottish influence of New Zealand, while diving into its own history. In Season one, the two reunited for an epic adventure in Scotland, exploring their heritage and meeting an incredible collection of people who truly showcase what it means to be Scottish. The half-hour, eight-episode first season of the series offers the duo’s one-of-a-kind perspective on everything from Scottish clans and the Battle of Culloden to whisky tasting and folk dancing, with Sam and Graham’s witty banter and hijinks leading the way. Whether hanging off the edge of a cliff, wrangling a flock of wild sheep or discovering the true legacy of their “Outlander” characters, both men dive headfirst into each and every experience.

Karen Bailey, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Alice Dickens-Koblin, Senior Vice President of Unscripted Programming are the STARZ executives overseeing “Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham.”

“Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham” Online Twitter: @MenInKiltsStarz | @STARZPR Instagram: @MenInKiltsStarz | @STARZPR Facebook: @MenInKiltsStarz Join the conversation with #MenInKilts and #STARZ

About STARZ

STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly-rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ(R) service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform to provide subscribers access to the “best of global SVOD.” STARZPLAY, coupled with its STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture, has expanded its global footprint into more than 55 countries throughout Europe and Latin America along with Canada, Japan, India and Indonesia. STARZ and STARZPLAY are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.

About Boardwalk Pictures

Boardwalk Pictures is an Emmy-winning production company that creates non-fiction, character-driven entertainment for audiences across the globe. Recent work includes series like CHEER, CHEF’S TABLE, STREET FOOD, SEX, LOVE & GOOP and LAST CHANCE U as well as feature documentaries like THE BLACK GODFATHER, WE ARE FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME and VAL.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.