Latest in original programming

A&E and WWE are expanding their original programming partnership in a multi-year deal calling for more wrestler-themed episodes of Biography as well as new series WWE Rivals. In all, more than 130 new hours of programming are expected to result from the teaming. For both parties, it extends a mutually beneficial…

Philo, which launched nationally in 2017 as a lower-cost streaming bundle of non-sports entertainment channels, has set its first original series, Boss Moves. The series features Love and Hip-Hop star Rasheeda Frost, aka Rasheeda, and is a co-production with lifestyle programmer Kin. With content across social…

Netflix originals dominate the rankings of the streaming giant’s most popular titles in 10 major countries, according to a new study by Wall Street firm Bernstein Research. Led by analyst Todd Juenger, who has an “outperform” rating on Netflix stock, the report looked at viewing in the U.S., Brazil, UK, Germany…

Netflix will spend $17.3 billion on content in 2020, according to a new forecast by Dan Salmon, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets. The company spent a bit more than $15 billion in 2019. Salmon sees the tally rising past $26 billion by 2026. CEO Reed Hastings and other executives have continued to assert their plan…

Fox Television Stations is rolling out Fox Soul, a live, ad-supported streaming channel aimed at African-American viewers. The free channel will combine a set of new original programs with existing, locally produced Fox shows. In an announcement, the Fox Corp. division said Fox Soul will “aim to celebrate black…

Universal Television has promoted several members of its burgeoning programming ranks and added one new senior-level executive to its roster. Erik Rechsteiner has been boosted to SVP Current Series and NBCUniversal International exec Kristen Del Pero has been brought over to Universal TV as SVP Current Series and…

CNBC has a new head of primetime programming: Denise Contis, who spent nearly a decade at Discovery. Contis will have the title of EVP and Head of Content for Primetime. Christian Barcellos held the post on an interim basis and will stay on as SVP of Development & Production for the network’s primetime slate. Contis…

The new joint venture between Discovery and TV home-renovation and lifestyle gurus Chip and Joanna Gaines has announced its first round of senior executive hires. The trio includes Donna MacLetchie, GM of Programming; Julie Morris, SVP, Brand Strategy and Operations; and John Marsicano, Head of PR. Encompassing a…

The proliferation of streaming and the novelty of the subscription video on demand interface are contributing to paralysis among consumers grappling with too much choice, according to Nielsen’s latest Total Audience Report. Among adult SVOD users, only one third of them report browsing the menu of a streaming service…

Netflix has a new look. The company reached out on Twitter today to announce a new logo animation that will appear before its original programming. The tweet: “SOME PERSONAL NEWS: Starting today there’s a new logo animation before our originals. It shows the spectrum of stories, languages, fans, & creators that make…