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| Thanks for opening today's Inside Streaming brief. And also, congratulations to Pete Davidson, who apparently has so much going on career-wise, he feels confident walking away from a successful and well-reviewed streaming series that was actually renewed for a second season. In a landscape where it's so difficult for even veteran showrunners, writers, and creators with popular titles under their belts to get new deals and develop their projects -- let alone get brought back for multiple seasons -- it's a genuine rarity to see someone actaully get something meaningful and personal to them on the air, only to then walk away of their own accord. I'm not being sarcastic. Good for him! That's very bold. Lon
p/lon-harris | |
| 1 | | Warner Bros. Discovery will launch the Max streaming platform in 22 European countries this summer. Nordic countries, Spain, Portugal, and multiple Central and European countries will get Max starting on May 21, with Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium following soon after. More: - Currently, Max is only available in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; the rest of the world still has the HBO Max platform, without content from Discovery's cable networks or Discovery+.
- WBD also plans to bring Max to Asia starting later on this year.
- The launch comes prior to the Paris Olympics in July; the Max service in France will feature content from WBD's Eurosport network, including coverage of the Games, Grand Slam tennis and the Tour de France cycling event.
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| 2 | | Last year, Fox and Netflix collaborated on an unconventional advertising deal, along with media buying agency Mediahub. While ad campaigns are typically measured based on the program's total audience, the Fox-Netflix deal used social media engagements as its primary metric. More: - In November, during Sunday NFL games, Fox Sports aired a two-minute segment devoted to the Netflix sci-fi action film "Rebel Moon," featuring the film's director Zack Snyder in conversation with New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.
- Rather than simple viewership metrics, Netflix wanted proof that Snyder's appearance during the game would spur conversation and audience interaction on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
- Likes, shares, retweets, comments, and video views were evaluated in place of traditional Nielsen audience data.
- The segment was entirely produced by Netflix; it was the first-ever full segment custom designed by a sponsor to air during a Fox NFL game.
- Part 2 of "Rebel Moon," titled "The Scargiver," premieres on April 19.
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| 3 | | DAILY CALENDAR THURSDAY, MARCH 21 3 BODY PROBLEM: First-year Netflix sci-fi drama series from "Game of Thrones" vets David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo, based on the novel by Liu Cixin. It follows a group of scientists in the present day confronting a global threat, all set in motion by one Chinese astrophysicist's fateful decision in the 1960s. Benedict Wong, John Bradley, Jovan Adepo, Eiza González, Rosalind Chao, Jonathan Pryce, and Liam Cunningham co-star. [Netflix] ROAD HOUSE: Remake of the iconic 1989 Patrick Swayze action thriller, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC contender who takes a job as a bouncer at a rowdy dive bar in the Florida Keys. Conor McGregor, Daniela Melchior, Jessica Williams, and Billy Magnussen co-star; Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity") directed. The film premiered at this year's SXSW. [Prime Video] ARK: THE ANIMATED SERIES: Debut animated sci-fi fantasy series, based on the video game "Ark: Survival Evolved," about an Australian paleontologist who awakens in an alternate primeval world populated by warring tribes of humans living alongside dinosaurs. The voice cast includes Madeleine Madden, Gerard Butler, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Malcolm McDowell, Elliot Page, Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Russell Crowe and many others. [Paramount+] FREAKNIK: THE WILDEST PARTY NEVER TOLD: Original documentary about the wild, infamous Atlanta street parties of the 1980s and '90s, which brought global attention to the city's culture. Luther Campbell, Jermaine Dupri and 21 Savage executive produced; P. Frank Williams ("Unsung") directed. [Hulu] SAND LAND: THE SERIES: Debut sci-fi comedy anime series, based on the manga from "Dragon Ball" creator Akira Toriyama, which was also adapted into a 2023 film. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world where water is scarce and used as currency, and centers on a group of thieves who set out to locate a fresh supply. The first seven episodes hit Hulu in the US today. [Hulu] PAWN STARS: The History Channel reality series takes viewers behind-the-scenes at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, and gets to know its owners and managers, the Harrison Family. Season 21 aired last year on cable and comes to Hulu today. [Hulu] THE MEGA-BRANDS THAT BUILT AMERICA: Educational series from History Channel relating the stories of the country's most iconic businesses and brands, including Costco, Spalding, Walmart, and FedEx. Season 1 hits Hulu today. [Hulu] I SURVIVED A CRIME: The A&E true crime docuseries profiles survivors of sudden, violent crimes, featuring insights into the attacks themselves and their emotional aftermath. Gio Benitez hosts. Season 2 aired last year on cable and hits Hulu today. [Hulu] STOLEN BABY: THE MURDER OF HEIDI BROUSSARD: 2023 Lifetime scripted true crime drama, starring Anna Hopkins as new mother Broussard, who was murdered by her close friend Magen Fieramusca (Emily Osment) in 2019. [Hulu] THE LONG SHADOW: Seven-part British true-crime drama series, based on the Michael Bilton book "Wicked Beyond Belief," chronicling law enforcement's five-year search for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (aka "The Yorkshire Ripper"). Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Daniel Mays, Katheine Kelly, and Jack Deam co-star; George Kay ("Criminal," "Lupin") wrote the scripts. The series aired last year on ITV1 in the UK. [AMC+ / Sundance Now] HOUSE HUNTERS: ALL STARS: Debut "House Hunters" spinoff in which various HGTV personalities help clients pick out new homes in the cities they personally know best. Guest experts include Galey Alix, Heather Rae Moussa, Mina Starsiak Hawk, Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb, Rico León, and many more. [Max] DOWN HOME FAB: The HGTV reality series features "Teen Mom 2" vets Chelsea and Cole DeBoer helping clients renovate and reimagine their homes in and around Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It's back for Season 2 this week on both Max and cable. [Max] | | | |
| 4 | | HBO released two teasers for the second season of "House of the Dragon." Each trailer centers on one side in the violent conflict within House Targaryen, between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma d'Arcy) and King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney). More: - The trailer focused on Rhaenyra, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) and the forces of Dragonstone is referred to as the "Black Trailer," while the clip set at King's Landing among the Hightowers is the "Green Trailer."
- The "Game of Thrones" spinoff is set around 200 years before the events of the original series, and chronicles an infamous civil war that reshaped the continent of Westeros.
- The cast also includes Olivia Cooke, Ewan Mitchell, Eve Best, Rhys Ifans, and Steve Toussaint; newcomers in Season 2 include Tom Taylor, Clinton Liberty, Jamie Kenna, and Kieran Bew.
- Original "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin is a co-creator and executive producer of the series; his co-creator Ryan Condal serves as showrunner.
- "House of the Dragon" returns for a second season on June 16.
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| 5 | | NBCUniversal premiered some new Peacock technical upgrades ahead of this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. The presentation was made at NBCU's annual One24 technology conference. More: - Among the new features is a multiview option that will allow fans to watch up to four simultaneous events at once.
- In addition to custom multiviews in which viewes can select the feeds they want to stream, there's also a "Discovery Multiview" option which will present a curated collection of four live events as they happen.
- At some points, up to 40 Olympic events will be streaming simultaneously.
- A "Live Actions" button will allow viewers to customize their Olympics experience by following specific events or even athletes.
- Viewers will also have the ability to search for Olympics content based on specific athletes, along with sports, teams, and countries.
- In total, Peacock will stream around 5,000 hours of live coverage from this summer's Olympic Games.
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| 6 | | According to The Wall Street Journal, the private equity firm Apollo Global Management offered $11 billion to purchase Paramount Global assets. Following WSJ's report about the offer, Paramount stock jumped by around 12%. More: - The company's market cap prior to the offer was around $7.7 billion; it's now at $8.6 million following the stock increase.
- Apollo's offer only extends to Paramount's film and TV studio and would not include CBS or the company's various cable networks.
- Netflix has also expressed some interest in potentially acquiring Paramount's film studio, while Skydance Media has proposed a purchase of National Amusements, Paramount's parent company.
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| 7 | | Despite a Season 2 renewal from Peacock, Pete Davidson no longer plans to return to his comedy series "Bupkis." In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Davidson said he considers Season 1 of "Bupkis" to be the best work he's ever done, but added that he feels "that this part of my life is finished." More: - Shooting on "Bupkis" Season 2 was originally scheduled to commence this summer in New York.
- The semi-autobiographical comedy series starred Davidson as a variation on himself, struggling with the pressures of fame and family strife; Edie Falco and Joe Pesci co-starred as his mother and grandfather.
- THR reports that both Falco and Pesci have "pay-to-play" contracts for the show, and thus will likely be compensated for Season 2 even if it's unproduced.
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- A new animated short set within the world of the "Spider-Verse" films, titled "The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story," premieres on March 27 exclusively on Sony Pictures Animation's YouTube channel.
- FX released a trailer for "The Veil," a new espionage thriller from "Peaky Blinders" vet Steven Knight starring Elisabeth Moss as a covert agent; the six-episode series hits Hulu on April 30.
- The Season 7 premiere of ABC's procedural drama "9-1-1" was seen by 8.85 million viewers in its first three days across ABC, Hulu, and other digital platforms, setting a new record for the series.
- NBC renewed the majority of producer Dick Wolf's shows -- including "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," and the full "One Chicago" franchise -- for new seasons; Wolf Entertainment's only NBC show with an uncertain future is now "Law & Order: Organized Crime."
- The animated comedy feature "Migration," from "Minions" and "Super Mario Bros." studio Illumination, hits Peacock on April 19; it follows a family of ducks as they journey south from New York to winter in Jamaica.
- "The Office" showrunner Greg Daniels is reportedly developing a new take on the series along with "Nathan for You" vet Michael Koman for Universal Television.
- A number of actors joined the cast of Hulu's "Nine Perfect Strangers" ahead of its second season, including Henry Golding, Mark Strong, and Lena Olin; Nicole Kidman, who also executive produces, will reprise her role as resort director Masha in Season 2.
- The latest Oscar-winning film from legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, "The Boy and the Heron," will stream on Netflix outside of the US and Japan; in the States, the film will stream on the Max service.
- The documentary feature "Blue Angels," which takes viewers inside the US Navy's iconic Flight Demonstration Squadron, will play in IMAX theaters for one week prior to its Amazon Prime Video debut on May 23; J.J. Abrams and "Top Gun: Maverick" co-star Glen Powell produced.
- The BBC licensed the former USA Network legal drama series "Suits" after its blockbuster year on Netflix in the US; the show will stream in the UK, along with fellow NBCUniversal titles "St. Denis Medical" and "The Best Man: The Final Chapters," on the BBC's iPlayer service.
- Mark Duplass will co-star alongside Ellen Pompeo and Imgoen Faith in Hulu's limited series "Orphan," inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace; Ukrainian-born Grace, who has dwarfism, was adopted by an American couple who came to believe she was significantly older than she'd initially claimed.
- Joshua Jackson will star in "Dr. Odyssey," a new drama from producer Ryan Murphy set to debut this fall on ABC; no plot details have been released, but Deadline suggests it's a medical procedural set on a cruise ship.
- Nurse anesthesiologist Annemarie Wiley has been cut from the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" roster after a single season.
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 | Writer | | Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." | | This newsletter was edited by Lon Harris | |
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