Lori Beth Denberg, the former Nickelodeon and All That star is making claims against Dan Schneider.
In a new interview, the former child actor says Schneider showed her porn, initiated phone sex, and more when she was a teenager.
Denberg told Business Insider that on her 19th birthday in 1995, Schneider showed her pornographic clips on his computer, saying, “I feel like that is the first time he preyed on me.”
The comedic actress starred in the sketch show between 1994 and 1998. Denberg also alleges that they would give each other massages when she was over at his place. One night, when she was 20 or 21, she said that he fondled her and put his mouth on her breasts.
Denberg also told the publication that she voiced her concerns to then-president of Nickelodeon Albie Hecht and All That co-creator Brian Robbins over Schneider’s treatment of Amanda Bynes. The actress claims that she...
In a new interview, the former child actor says Schneider showed her porn, initiated phone sex, and more when she was a teenager.
Denberg told Business Insider that on her 19th birthday in 1995, Schneider showed her pornographic clips on his computer, saying, “I feel like that is the first time he preyed on me.”
The comedic actress starred in the sketch show between 1994 and 1998. Denberg also alleges that they would give each other massages when she was over at his place. One night, when she was 20 or 21, she said that he fondled her and put his mouth on her breasts.
Denberg also told the publication that she voiced her concerns to then-president of Nickelodeon Albie Hecht and All That co-creator Brian Robbins over Schneider’s treatment of Amanda Bynes. The actress claims that she...
- 5/15/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
In the wake of headline-making docuseries Quiet on Set, its subject Dan Schneider is facing new claims of sexual misconduct.
Former All That star Lori Beth Denberg tells Business Insider, in an interview conducted by Quiet on Set executive producer Kate Taylor, that Schneider played pornography for her, lashed out at her on set and once initiated phone sex.
In 1995, the powerful kids TV producer, who served as head writer on All That, called Denberg into his office, telling her that a female producer had met with him to discuss Denberg’s weight gain. He was reportedly upset and told Denberg he should’ve been the one to talk with her, since he “understood what it was like to be overweight,” Business Insider writes.
The conversation shifted, Denberg says, and Schneider showed Denberg, who was 19 at the time, pornography clips on his computer. This included a video of a woman...
Former All That star Lori Beth Denberg tells Business Insider, in an interview conducted by Quiet on Set executive producer Kate Taylor, that Schneider played pornography for her, lashed out at her on set and once initiated phone sex.
In 1995, the powerful kids TV producer, who served as head writer on All That, called Denberg into his office, telling her that a female producer had met with him to discuss Denberg’s weight gain. He was reportedly upset and told Denberg he should’ve been the one to talk with her, since he “understood what it was like to be overweight,” Business Insider writes.
The conversation shifted, Denberg says, and Schneider showed Denberg, who was 19 at the time, pornography clips on his computer. This included a video of a woman...
- 5/14/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Pocket.watch and Sunlight Entertainment, the Kaji family-owned production studio, are partnering with theatrical distributor Falling Forward Films to extend the domestic theatrical release of Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure. Directed by Albie Hecht and produced by Shion Kaji and Loann Kaji, the film is slated to premiere on more than 2,100 screens August 16 and marks the first-ever wide theatrical release of a digital creator-driven film.
When his twin sisters Emma and Kate get sucked into a mystical comic book, Ryan has no choice but to rise up as the great big brother he is and jump in after them. Adventures, battles and hilarious debacles ensue as Ryan and his friends navigate the Titan Universe and bring everyone back home safely before his parents catch on.
Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure‘s cast features the stars of Ryan’s World, the popular Kaji family — Ryan Kaji, Shion Kaji,...
When his twin sisters Emma and Kate get sucked into a mystical comic book, Ryan has no choice but to rise up as the great big brother he is and jump in after them. Adventures, battles and hilarious debacles ensue as Ryan and his friends navigate the Titan Universe and bring everyone back home safely before his parents catch on.
Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure‘s cast features the stars of Ryan’s World, the popular Kaji family — Ryan Kaji, Shion Kaji,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Nickelodeon star Allie Dimeco recently posted a TikTok video in which she claimed she was once forced to kiss an older male on the set of “The Naked Brothers Band,” in which she starred as Rosalina. The series, created by Polly Draper, used the mockumentary format and starred Nat Wolff and Alex Wolff as fictionalized members of a family rock band. Rosalina was Nat’s love interest on the show, but their relationship hit a speed bump in Season 3 when she had a quick fling with a French man (Jake Hertzog).
Dimeco told her followers that she had been “stressed” while watching “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” the buzzy ID Discovery documentary about abuse allegations at Nickelodeon, and said “I went through trauma” of her own during her time at Nickelodeon.
“There was an episode where Rosalina ‘cheated’ on Nat and kind of kissed a French guy,...
Dimeco told her followers that she had been “stressed” while watching “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” the buzzy ID Discovery documentary about abuse allegations at Nickelodeon, and said “I went through trauma” of her own during her time at Nickelodeon.
“There was an episode where Rosalina ‘cheated’ on Nat and kind of kissed a French guy,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Nonprofit media company Shine Global celebrated its second annual Children’s Resilience in Film Awards at Paramount Studios on Tuesday night. Recognizing films and filmmakers around the world that highlight the resilience and strength of children in the face of adversities such as poverty, violence, illness and discrimination, the awards honored documentary Name Me Lawand with the event’s grand prize of $15,000.
Directed by Edward Lovelace, Name Me Lawand follows a deaf Kurdish boy’s emotional journey toward discovering how to express himself using British Sign Language, depicting the power of communication and community.
“This award is for Lawand — for his bravery, his determination in getting his message out to the world. His message is a beautiful one, which guided the entire filmmaking process,” said Lovelace in a written acceptance speech read by cinematographer Lol Crawley. “We as filmmakers have learned so much just by watching and listening to these...
Directed by Edward Lovelace, Name Me Lawand follows a deaf Kurdish boy’s emotional journey toward discovering how to express himself using British Sign Language, depicting the power of communication and community.
“This award is for Lawand — for his bravery, his determination in getting his message out to the world. His message is a beautiful one, which guided the entire filmmaking process,” said Lovelace in a written acceptance speech read by cinematographer Lol Crawley. “We as filmmakers have learned so much just by watching and listening to these...
- 10/4/2023
- by Sydney Odman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ryan Kaji is getting ready for his big-screen debut. The 11-year-old face of the Ryan’s World brand will star in Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure, a collaboration between the Kaji family’s Sunlight Productions and their partners at media company pocket.watch.
The feature film will expand the Titan Universe that has popped around the Red Titan character. The Ryan’s World superhero has become a central focus of the brand as Ryan has aged. Some of the Red Titan’s first off-YouTube appearances came via shoes and parade floats, and he’s about to embark on his greatest adventure yet. The Titan Universe film will take moviegoers to a comic book world when it hits theaters in late 2024.
Ryan will star in the film alongside the rest of his family: father Shion, mother Loann, and little sisters Emma and Kate. All of the Kajis will portray fictionalized versions of themselves.
The feature film will expand the Titan Universe that has popped around the Red Titan character. The Ryan’s World superhero has become a central focus of the brand as Ryan has aged. Some of the Red Titan’s first off-YouTube appearances came via shoes and parade floats, and he’s about to embark on his greatest adventure yet. The Titan Universe film will take moviegoers to a comic book world when it hits theaters in late 2024.
Ryan will star in the film alongside the rest of his family: father Shion, mother Loann, and little sisters Emma and Kate. All of the Kajis will portray fictionalized versions of themselves.
- 9/21/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Click here to read the full article.
Nonprofit media company Shine Global hosted its first-ever Children’s Resilience in Film Awards on Thursday to celebrate the impact of children’s stories in filmmaking. With a breakfast and ceremony held at Paramount Pictures Studios, the event — of which The Hollywood Reporter was a sponsor — awarded ballet documentary Lift with the inaugural Children’s Resilience in Film Award, which included a 25,000 cash prize from Shine Global.
Directed by David J. Petersen, Lift shines a spotlight on homelessness in America through a group of young home-insecure ballet dancers enrolled in New York Theater Ballet’s Lift program and the mentor who inspires them, renowned ballet dancer Steven Melendez.
The runner-up nominees included Ham Tran’s Maika: The Girl From Another Galaxy, Engeli Broberg’s Gabi: Between Ages 8 and 13 and Jared Jakins’ Scenes From the Glittering World, all of which received a 2,500 cash prize.
Nonprofit media company Shine Global hosted its first-ever Children’s Resilience in Film Awards on Thursday to celebrate the impact of children’s stories in filmmaking. With a breakfast and ceremony held at Paramount Pictures Studios, the event — of which The Hollywood Reporter was a sponsor — awarded ballet documentary Lift with the inaugural Children’s Resilience in Film Award, which included a 25,000 cash prize from Shine Global.
Directed by David J. Petersen, Lift shines a spotlight on homelessness in America through a group of young home-insecure ballet dancers enrolled in New York Theater Ballet’s Lift program and the mentor who inspires them, renowned ballet dancer Steven Melendez.
The runner-up nominees included Ham Tran’s Maika: The Girl From Another Galaxy, Engeli Broberg’s Gabi: Between Ages 8 and 13 and Jared Jakins’ Scenes From the Glittering World, all of which received a 2,500 cash prize.
- 10/20/2022
- by Sydney Odman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube Originals acquired “Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers,” which will launch on the streamer later this year.
The documentary offers a deep dive into a condensed period of creativity and freedom (between 1993 and 1995) for the legendary, titular rock star and looks at his creation of his “Wildflowers” album. The project includes never-before-seen archival footage of Petty and his band in the recording studio and on tour, equally rare behind-the-scenes moments of Petty at home with his family and interviews with the album’s co-producers Rick Rubin and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell, along with original Heartbreaker Benmont Tench.
“Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers” is produced by Peter Afterman and directed by Mary Wharton, with executive producers Dan Braun, Wharton and Adria Petty. It is presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment and Warner Records.
The doc debuted in March at SXSW and...
The documentary offers a deep dive into a condensed period of creativity and freedom (between 1993 and 1995) for the legendary, titular rock star and looks at his creation of his “Wildflowers” album. The project includes never-before-seen archival footage of Petty and his band in the recording studio and on tour, equally rare behind-the-scenes moments of Petty at home with his family and interviews with the album’s co-producers Rick Rubin and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell, along with original Heartbreaker Benmont Tench.
“Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers” is produced by Peter Afterman and directed by Mary Wharton, with executive producers Dan Braun, Wharton and Adria Petty. It is presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment and Warner Records.
The doc debuted in March at SXSW and...
- 9/23/2021
- by Katie Song, Danielle Turchiano, Jennifer Yuma and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Lilly Singh will star in a new animated musical short film — centering on the theme of LGBTQ pride — from Pocket.watch, part of the digital kids’ content studio’s expansive 2021 slate.
In “Lilly Singh’s Proud Princess,” the YouTuber and host of NBC’s “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” will voice a young girl discovering pride in her true identity. The film is currently in pre-production.
“She’s an amazing talent and represents an example of the diverse points of view we are bringing to our audience,” Pocket.watch chief content officer Albie Hecht said. The film “will speak to LGBTQ identity issues for kids. Lilly will be an eloquent and articulate spokesperson for that.”
Singh, the actor and comedian who rose to fame on YouTube, two years ago announced on social media that she is bisexual, female and “coloured.” “Throughout my life these have proven to be obstacles from time to time.
In “Lilly Singh’s Proud Princess,” the YouTuber and host of NBC’s “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” will voice a young girl discovering pride in her true identity. The film is currently in pre-production.
“She’s an amazing talent and represents an example of the diverse points of view we are bringing to our audience,” Pocket.watch chief content officer Albie Hecht said. The film “will speak to LGBTQ identity issues for kids. Lilly will be an eloquent and articulate spokesperson for that.”
Singh, the actor and comedian who rose to fame on YouTube, two years ago announced on social media that she is bisexual, female and “coloured.” “Throughout my life these have proven to be obstacles from time to time.
- 2/4/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube has unveiled a slate of shows dedicated to amplifying Black voices including a documentary from Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and livestreamed homecoming from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
These projects have emerged from the company’s $100M #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
Resist, which launches this month is a 12-part docuseries that follows the grassroots work of organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration. The series is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films with Patrisse Cullors exec producing alongside Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.
Hbcu Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard is an event that launches on October 24. Jesse Collins Entertainment and Live Nation Urban are putting together...
These projects have emerged from the company’s $100M #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
Resist, which launches this month is a 12-part docuseries that follows the grassroots work of organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration. The series is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films with Patrisse Cullors exec producing alongside Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.
Hbcu Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard is an event that launches on October 24. Jesse Collins Entertainment and Live Nation Urban are putting together...
- 10/7/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, FX released a trailer of “The Most Dangerous Animal of All” and Quibi announced Megan Rapinoe as the host of the new docuseries “Prodigy.”
Casting
Megan Rapinoe will host new documentary series “Prodigy,“ Quibi announced. As a host, Rapinoe will provide on camera commentary and her perspective on the eight athletes who are set to become the next superstars in their respective sports. Each episode will highlight one prodigy’s athletic accomplishments, while also diving deep into their personal stories. The 2020 prodigy class includes Jalen Green, Sha’Carri Richardson, Red Gerard, Regan Smith, Matthew Boling, Tyler Adams, Korey Foreman and Chantel Navarro. Rand Getlin and Janina Pelayo serve as executive producers for the show.
Programming
Discovery announced the return of “Monster Garage” starring Jesse James coming this year. James, founder of the west coast choppers, is returning to the show looking to elevate the...
Casting
Megan Rapinoe will host new documentary series “Prodigy,“ Quibi announced. As a host, Rapinoe will provide on camera commentary and her perspective on the eight athletes who are set to become the next superstars in their respective sports. Each episode will highlight one prodigy’s athletic accomplishments, while also diving deep into their personal stories. The 2020 prodigy class includes Jalen Green, Sha’Carri Richardson, Red Gerard, Regan Smith, Matthew Boling, Tyler Adams, Korey Foreman and Chantel Navarro. Rand Getlin and Janina Pelayo serve as executive producers for the show.
Programming
Discovery announced the return of “Monster Garage” starring Jesse James coming this year. James, founder of the west coast choppers, is returning to the show looking to elevate the...
- 2/24/2020
- by Klaritza Rico
- Variety Film + TV
Nickelodeon has ordered a 20-episode third season of top-rated preschool series Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, starring eight-year-old YouTube star Ryan of Ryan’s World.
Created and produced by pocket.watch, the live-action series follows Ryan as he tackles a series of imaginative, physical challenges and solves mystery box puzzles to reveal the identity of his playdate. Ryan’s Mystery Playdate ranked as the number-one preschool series on all TV for 2019. New season three episodes will begin airing this Spring.
The third season will feature a new-and-improved Guess-o-Tron and follow Ryan and his parents as they meet exciting all-new playdates, solve complex mystery box puzzles, tackle epic dunk tank and zip line challenges, and take super silly selfies with each guest.
Since its 2015 launch, Ryan’s World has grown to become one of the world’s largest YouTube channels in the world. The channel features fun and easy science experiments, educational content, animated adventures,...
Created and produced by pocket.watch, the live-action series follows Ryan as he tackles a series of imaginative, physical challenges and solves mystery box puzzles to reveal the identity of his playdate. Ryan’s Mystery Playdate ranked as the number-one preschool series on all TV for 2019. New season three episodes will begin airing this Spring.
The third season will feature a new-and-improved Guess-o-Tron and follow Ryan and his parents as they meet exciting all-new playdates, solve complex mystery box puzzles, tackle epic dunk tank and zip line challenges, and take super silly selfies with each guest.
Since its 2015 launch, Ryan’s World has grown to become one of the world’s largest YouTube channels in the world. The channel features fun and easy science experiments, educational content, animated adventures,...
- 2/24/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As Nickelodeon turns 40, Variety breaks down some of the network’s most important titles to date.
“All That”
“All That” launched careers in its 1994-2005 run, and is being resurrected with a new cast and many of the same producers this summer. “It just seemed like a quirky, different hang out for kids,” says original cast member Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) who is coming back as an executive producer on the reboot.
“Blue’s Clues & You!”
“Blue’s Clues & You!,” premiering in November, reinvents the 1996-2007 hit for another generation. Series co-creator Angela Santomero looked at specific elements of the original when reviving the show, including music: “How can we make sure fans can sing along, but kids of today feel like it’s a show for them?”
“Dora the Explorer”
“Dora the Explorer” comes back as a live-action movie in August. “The reason to make that movie wasn...
“All That”
“All That” launched careers in its 1994-2005 run, and is being resurrected with a new cast and many of the same producers this summer. “It just seemed like a quirky, different hang out for kids,” says original cast member Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) who is coming back as an executive producer on the reboot.
“Blue’s Clues & You!”
“Blue’s Clues & You!,” premiering in November, reinvents the 1996-2007 hit for another generation. Series co-creator Angela Santomero looked at specific elements of the original when reviving the show, including music: “How can we make sure fans can sing along, but kids of today feel like it’s a show for them?”
“Dora the Explorer”
“Dora the Explorer” comes back as a live-action movie in August. “The reason to make that movie wasn...
- 3/20/2019
- by Rob Owen
- Variety Film + TV
As Nickelodeon turns 40, the kids’ network is finding ways to rely on its past as it presses boldly into the future.
“My goal is to fill up every screen of every size to make Nick kids’ first and last stop for everything they want in entertainment,” says Nickelodeon Group president Brian Robbins, who succeeded long-time Nick veteran Cyma Zarghami last year in Viacom CEO Bob Bakish’s reorganization of the media conglomerate. Robbins has a long history with the channel, dating back to his role as co-creator of “All That” in 1994.
“There’s no doubt kids are consuming a ton of content in many different ways,” he says. “The good news is we live in a world where brands still matter, and Nick is absolutely a giant brand that still matters.”
While ratings have been on the decline on the linear channel — down 29% in total viewers in 2018 — as they have...
“My goal is to fill up every screen of every size to make Nick kids’ first and last stop for everything they want in entertainment,” says Nickelodeon Group president Brian Robbins, who succeeded long-time Nick veteran Cyma Zarghami last year in Viacom CEO Bob Bakish’s reorganization of the media conglomerate. Robbins has a long history with the channel, dating back to his role as co-creator of “All That” in 1994.
“There’s no doubt kids are consuming a ton of content in many different ways,” he says. “The good news is we live in a world where brands still matter, and Nick is absolutely a giant brand that still matters.”
While ratings have been on the decline on the linear channel — down 29% in total viewers in 2018 — as they have...
- 3/20/2019
- by Rob Owen
- Variety Film + TV
One of YouTube’s biggest trends is hitting the big screen. An upcoming film called Unboxing -- which was just acquired by Paramount Players (a division of Paramount Pictures that focuses on contemporary properties) and is set to be produced by kid-friendly entertainment company Pocket.watch -- follows an 11-year-old YouTuber who unpackages her father’s secret safe for her channel, inadvertently unleashing chaos on her town.
Ice Age: The Meltdown writer Jim Hecht penned the script, and his uncle, Albie Hecht -- a former Nickelodeon and Hln exec and currently Pocket.watch’s chief creative officer -- is producing, Deadline reports. Pocket.watch CEO Chris M. Williams is executive producing, and Ali Bell is overseeing the project for Paramount.
For those not in the know, ‘unboxing’ videos on YouTube involve vloggers opening everything on camera from monthly subscription boxes to mystery packages they bought off eBay to online shopping hauls.
Ice Age: The Meltdown writer Jim Hecht penned the script, and his uncle, Albie Hecht -- a former Nickelodeon and Hln exec and currently Pocket.watch’s chief creative officer -- is producing, Deadline reports. Pocket.watch CEO Chris M. Williams is executive producing, and Ali Bell is overseeing the project for Paramount.
For those not in the know, ‘unboxing’ videos on YouTube involve vloggers opening everything on camera from monthly subscription boxes to mystery packages they bought off eBay to online shopping hauls.
- 11/15/2018
- by James Loke Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Exclusive: Paramount Players has acquired Unboxing, a script from Ice Age: The Meltdown writer Jim Hecht that indie studio Pocket.watch has been set to produce as a feature film. Albie Hecht, the former Nickelodeon and Hln boss and now Pocket.watch’s chief creative officer, is the producer.
The plot centers on a mischievous 11-year-old YouTube star who unboxes her father’s secret safe as a stunt for her channel and unleashes the treacherous Puck and his band of evil tricksters on a small town.
Jim Hecht, who is also Albie Hecht’s nephew, reunites with Paramount after he recently re-wrote for the studio one of John Hughes’ final scripts, The Gribsbys Go Broke. He also is penning the movie Out of Stock for Netflix, and adapting for Warner Bros TV The Big Cigar, from a Playboy article about Black Panthers co-founder Huey Newton.
Pocket.watch CEO Chris M. Williams is executive producing Unboxed.
The plot centers on a mischievous 11-year-old YouTube star who unboxes her father’s secret safe as a stunt for her channel and unleashes the treacherous Puck and his band of evil tricksters on a small town.
Jim Hecht, who is also Albie Hecht’s nephew, reunites with Paramount after he recently re-wrote for the studio one of John Hughes’ final scripts, The Gribsbys Go Broke. He also is penning the movie Out of Stock for Netflix, and adapting for Warner Bros TV The Big Cigar, from a Playboy article about Black Panthers co-founder Huey Newton.
Pocket.watch CEO Chris M. Williams is executive producing Unboxed.
- 11/13/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“The current cable news landscape is dominated by politics. Our live news shows have not benefited from this trend given our story mix,” CNN Evp/Hln overlord Ken Jautz told staff today in a memo, announcing Hln network’s latest Better Idea.
“In today’s news environment, every network has to focus on its strengths. To ensure Hln’s growth, we will shift some of our resources from live to longform programming and produce our live shows in as streamlined a manner as possible,” Jautz continued.
“The best way to do this is to centralize production of live news programming in Atlanta.”
Surviving the latest purge, Robin Meade’s Morning Express expands to gobble up 6 Am-noon Et.
Also taking on another hour is On the Story, which has followed Meade’s program and had been anchored by Erica Hill. It will now be anchored by a stable of hosts taking turns.
“In today’s news environment, every network has to focus on its strengths. To ensure Hln’s growth, we will shift some of our resources from live to longform programming and produce our live shows in as streamlined a manner as possible,” Jautz continued.
“The best way to do this is to centralize production of live news programming in Atlanta.”
Surviving the latest purge, Robin Meade’s Morning Express expands to gobble up 6 Am-noon Et.
Also taking on another hour is On the Story, which has followed Meade’s program and had been anchored by Erica Hill. It will now be anchored by a stable of hosts taking turns.
- 10/16/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Pocket.watch is teaming up with one of the largest media companies in the Us. The digital studio and network, known for working with family-friendly online video creators like Ryan ToysReview (pictured above), EvanTubeHD, and HobbyKidsTV, has announced a $15 million Series B funding round led by Viacom.
With its newfound capital, Pocket.watch will continue to expand the reach of its content and advertising while continuing to link up with top kids channels. Viacom Media Networks COO Sarah Levy will join the Pocket.watch board, and the two companies are expected to team up for programming ventures that will be released across digital platforms and TV.
One of Pocket.watch's top execs has a significant tie to Viacom. Albie Hecht, the network's Chief Creative Officer, had a memorable stint as the President of Viacom-owned Nickelodeon, during which he oversaw the development of shows like SpongeBob SquarePants.
The funding round follows Pocket.
With its newfound capital, Pocket.watch will continue to expand the reach of its content and advertising while continuing to link up with top kids channels. Viacom Media Networks COO Sarah Levy will join the Pocket.watch board, and the two companies are expected to team up for programming ventures that will be released across digital platforms and TV.
One of Pocket.watch's top execs has a significant tie to Viacom. Albie Hecht, the network's Chief Creative Officer, had a memorable stint as the President of Viacom-owned Nickelodeon, during which he oversaw the development of shows like SpongeBob SquarePants.
The funding round follows Pocket.
- 7/18/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Viacom is getting into business with Pocket.watch, leading a $15 million Series B funding round in the kids’ entertainment startup and the two companies setting a commercial partnership for content and advertising.
Under their commercial agreement, Viacom and Pocket.watch will develop and produce long- and short-form content and identify future kid creators and talent for digital and TV. In addition, Viacom will become the exclusive third-party agent for ad sales on Pocket.watch’s YouTube and creator footprint, which the media plans to package Nickelodeon inventory.
Pocket.watch and Viacom have already engaged in a variety of content initiatives together including developing “Skoogle,” the sketch-comedy show created by and starring Keenan Thompson for Nickelodeon, while Paramount Players (headed by Brian Robbins) has bought a pitch from Pocket.watch for a feature film currently titled “The Unboxing Movie.”
“It became clear there were areas of alignment between the two companies,...
Under their commercial agreement, Viacom and Pocket.watch will develop and produce long- and short-form content and identify future kid creators and talent for digital and TV. In addition, Viacom will become the exclusive third-party agent for ad sales on Pocket.watch’s YouTube and creator footprint, which the media plans to package Nickelodeon inventory.
Pocket.watch and Viacom have already engaged in a variety of content initiatives together including developing “Skoogle,” the sketch-comedy show created by and starring Keenan Thompson for Nickelodeon, while Paramount Players (headed by Brian Robbins) has bought a pitch from Pocket.watch for a feature film currently titled “The Unboxing Movie.”
“It became clear there were areas of alignment between the two companies,...
- 7/18/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The former Epix executive who was indicted in 2016 for stealing nearly $8 million from the premium cabler will learn his fate Friday when he is sentenced by a federal judge in Manhattan.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of four to five years for Emil Rensing, the former chief digital officer of Epix. Rensing, 44, last year pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Prosecutors described Rensing’s scheme as “a sophisticated and calculated fraud” that involved Rensing setting up phony vendors, submitting bogus invoices to Epix for work that was never performed and signing the names of some of his former business associates to invoices without their knowledge. He was originally charged in April 2016 with one count of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Rensing was fired from Epix in August 2015 after executives became suspicious of billing practices in his department.
Rensing’s attorneys have asked U.S. District Judge...
Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of four to five years for Emil Rensing, the former chief digital officer of Epix. Rensing, 44, last year pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Prosecutors described Rensing’s scheme as “a sophisticated and calculated fraud” that involved Rensing setting up phony vendors, submitting bogus invoices to Epix for work that was never performed and signing the names of some of his former business associates to invoices without their knowledge. He was originally charged in April 2016 with one count of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Rensing was fired from Epix in August 2015 after executives became suspicious of billing practices in his department.
Rensing’s attorneys have asked U.S. District Judge...
- 6/1/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
While YouTube work to ensure the family-friendly nature of the videos in its children's section, a startup is putting together a formidable lineup of popular, kid-safe creators. Pocket.watch, led by a group of execs that includes Chris Williams, Albie Hecht, and Jon Moonves, has added EvanTube and Jordan "CaptainSparklez" Maron to its roster of creative partners. In addition, the company has inked a partnership with a book publisher, hired a CFO, and announced a powerful team of advisors.
Both EvanTube and CaptainSparklez have played innovative roles in the world of children's content on the internet. The former channel, which stars an 11-year-old kid named Evan, is one of the best known examples of the unboxing trend, in which kids open up new toys and play with them on camera. Evan's prowess in that category is so great that in 2015 his exploits pulled in a rumored $1.4 billion for his family.
Both EvanTube and CaptainSparklez have played innovative roles in the world of children's content on the internet. The former channel, which stars an 11-year-old kid named Evan, is one of the best known examples of the unboxing trend, in which kids open up new toys and play with them on camera. Evan's prowess in that category is so great that in 2015 his exploits pulled in a rumored $1.4 billion for his family.
- 11/21/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
As Pocket.watch builds a lineup of original programs and a roster of partners, it is turning to several high-profile creators, several of whom have roots in TV. Its latest deal is with Butch Hartman, an animator best known for creating the shows The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom, both of which aired on Nickelodeon.
Hartman will serve as a Senior Creative Consultant for Pocket.watch. In that role, he will advise the company on its content and partnerships. He is also set to create at least three original animated shows for the platform. “Butch Hartman is a creative force that has an uncanny ability to develop worlds that make kids stop, take notice and laugh out loud,” said Albie Hecht, Chief Content Officer at pocket.watch, in a press release. “I am thrilled to once again be working together on an entirely new slate of exciting properties, including our animated series for HobbyKidsTV.
Hartman will serve as a Senior Creative Consultant for Pocket.watch. In that role, he will advise the company on its content and partnerships. He is also set to create at least three original animated shows for the platform. “Butch Hartman is a creative force that has an uncanny ability to develop worlds that make kids stop, take notice and laugh out loud,” said Albie Hecht, Chief Content Officer at pocket.watch, in a press release. “I am thrilled to once again be working together on an entirely new slate of exciting properties, including our animated series for HobbyKidsTV.
- 10/11/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
New kid-focused multiplatform media brand pocket.watch has brought on “The Fairly OddParents” and “Danny Phantom” creator and animator Butch Hartman as a senior creative consultant, the company announced Monday. Hartman will also create and produce three new animated series with pocket.watch Chief Content Officer and former Nickelodeon Entertainment president Albie Hecht. The veteran animator and creator will also provide input into pocket.watch’s digital channels, premium content and creator partnerships. Those new shows include one based on Hartman’s own creation, another adapted directly from an original idea from pocket.watch’s existing development slate, and the...
- 10/11/2017
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
Some people might have forgotten that Mike O’Malley, who played Kurt Hummel’s dad and made you cry with his fatherly talks during six seasons of Glee, used to be a Nickelodeon game show host.
“I took the job very seriously,” O’Malley tells Et about hosting the ‘90s sports competition series Guts, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. O’Malley, 50, was 24 years old when he landed the job. “I looked at the part like I was playing the role of an older brother. Like a cool camp counselor. I loved working with the kids.”
Each episode filmed on Stage 21 at Universal Studios Florida featured three teenage athletes competing against each other in four "extreme" versions of athletic events. In the final round, they raced up a “mountain” called the Aggro Crag, later renamed to Mega Crag. The show aired on Nickelodeon during a tween programming block that also included Legends of the Hidden Temple and Nick...
“I took the job very seriously,” O’Malley tells Et about hosting the ‘90s sports competition series Guts, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. O’Malley, 50, was 24 years old when he landed the job. “I looked at the part like I was playing the role of an older brother. Like a cool camp counselor. I loved working with the kids.”
Each episode filmed on Stage 21 at Universal Studios Florida featured three teenage athletes competing against each other in four "extreme" versions of athletic events. In the final round, they raced up a “mountain” called the Aggro Crag, later renamed to Mega Crag. The show aired on Nickelodeon during a tween programming block that also included Legends of the Hidden Temple and Nick...
- 10/3/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
When Jon Moonves speaks about Pocket.watch, the kid-friendly media company where he serves as Chief Strategy Officer, he shares his desire to build a brand that impacts today's young consumers in the same way MTV did for Generation X and Nickelodeon did for Millennials. If Pocket.watch is going to achieve such a lofty goal, it will need to team up with the creators who most captivate today's children, and with its latest partnership, it has done exactly that. It has announced a multi-platform deal with Ryan Toys Review, the massive popular channel that stars an adorable five-year-old kid.
By joining forces with Ryan and his parents, Pocket.watch will gain access to one of the largest and most engaged audiences in the online video world. Ryan Toys Review pulls in hundreds of millions of views each week and has received more than 14 billion hits in total. That makes...
By joining forces with Ryan and his parents, Pocket.watch will gain access to one of the largest and most engaged audiences in the online video world. Ryan Toys Review pulls in hundreds of millions of views each week and has received more than 14 billion hits in total. That makes...
- 9/26/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Do-do-do-do you have it?!
Twenty-five years ago today, ‘90s kids discovered something they didn’t know they needed: a piece of the Aggro Crag.
Alas, no one could simply circle it in the Toys ‘R’ Us holiday catalog. If you really wanted a piece of the mountain, later called the Mega Crag in season three, you had to don the blue, purple, or red uniform as a competitor on Nickelodeon Guts.
Flashback: Revisit Your Favorite Pop Culture Moments With Et
Amongst the tween programming block that also included Legends of the Hidden Temple and Nick Arcade, the series has come to represent an era of a specific genre of TV that has yet to be successfully replicated. An action competition show, young players were given the chance to perform in a literal sports fantasy, provided they didn’t mind doing it on national television. Today, nostalgia for the series is alive and well within its original demographic...
Twenty-five years ago today, ‘90s kids discovered something they didn’t know they needed: a piece of the Aggro Crag.
Alas, no one could simply circle it in the Toys ‘R’ Us holiday catalog. If you really wanted a piece of the mountain, later called the Mega Crag in season three, you had to don the blue, purple, or red uniform as a competitor on Nickelodeon Guts.
Flashback: Revisit Your Favorite Pop Culture Moments With Et
Amongst the tween programming block that also included Legends of the Hidden Temple and Nick Arcade, the series has come to represent an era of a specific genre of TV that has yet to be successfully replicated. An action competition show, young players were given the chance to perform in a literal sports fantasy, provided they didn’t mind doing it on national television. Today, nostalgia for the series is alive and well within its original demographic...
- 9/19/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson is set to revisit the days of All That with a new live-action sketch comedy show for kids titled Skoogle at pocket.watch, a media brand that creates, acquires, distributes and curates content for kids ages 2-11. Thompson will reteam with Albie Hecht, Chief Content Officer of pocket.watch and former President of Nickelodeon Entertainment for the new series. Hecht, who was the original executive behind the aforementioned…...
- 8/1/2017
- Deadline TV
“Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson is going back to his “All That” roots for his next project, “Skoogle,” the first major original series from new kids media brand pocket.watch — and he’s getting some of the old gang back together. Thompson has rejoined forces with Albie Hecht, pocket.watch’s Chief Content Officer and the former president of Nickelodeon Entertainment, for a live-action kid-oriented sketch comedy show that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of a generation that creates mobile apps before they get their driver’s licenses — and pokes some good, clean fun at the tech industry. Thompson, who created and executive.
- 8/1/2017
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
Pocket.watch, a media company looking to serve as both a studio for all-ages content and network of accomplished producers of children’s videos, has a $6 million Series A funding round to work with and a team of capable executives among its team of so-called “builders.” Now, the startup has to find ways to leverage those assets to create a competitive product aimed at young viewers.
Now, Pocket.watch has taken a big step forward. It has announced Skoogle, a sketch comedy series that created by Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, who will also lend his voice to the titular character.
In Skoogle, Thompson will voice an animated robot who Pocket.watch Chief Content Officer Albie Hecht describes as a “mischievous AI.” The show’s human stars, who will be younger performers, will connect to Skoogle and will enlist him to help solve their problem. As Hecht puts it,...
Now, Pocket.watch has taken a big step forward. It has announced Skoogle, a sketch comedy series that created by Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, who will also lend his voice to the titular character.
In Skoogle, Thompson will voice an animated robot who Pocket.watch Chief Content Officer Albie Hecht describes as a “mischievous AI.” The show’s human stars, who will be younger performers, will connect to Skoogle and will enlist him to help solve their problem. As Hecht puts it,...
- 8/1/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Pocket.watch, a children’s digital entertainment network founded by a trio of media luminaries -- which announced a $6 million funding round late last month -- has signed its first network partner: the massively popular YouTube brand HobbyKidsTV.
Jon Moonves, pocket.watch’s chief strategy officer, tells Tubefilter that the kids' content company will ultimately collect a streamlined roster of 15 YouTube partners, whose relationships with the company will extend far beyond those operated by a traditional multi-channel network. Partners channels not only receive an equity stake in pocket.watch, Moonves explains, but will also gain access to the strategic acumen of its co-founders, including: Moonves, a noted dealmaker; former Maker Studios executive Chris Williams; and ex-Nickelodeon president Albie Hecht.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
Jon Moonves, pocket.watch’s chief strategy officer, tells Tubefilter that the kids' content company will ultimately collect a streamlined roster of 15 YouTube partners, whose relationships with the company will extend far beyond those operated by a traditional multi-channel network. Partners channels not only receive an equity stake in pocket.watch, Moonves explains, but will also gain access to the strategic acumen of its co-founders, including: Moonves, a noted dealmaker; former Maker Studios executive Chris Williams; and ex-Nickelodeon president Albie Hecht.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 4/26/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
If you’ve paid attention to our Tubefilter Charts recently, then you know that children’s content is making a huge mark on YouTube. From sing-alongs to toy reviews to whatever this is, videos aimed at kids receive billions of views per week.
Now, a new media company is looking to take advantage of the massive market for family-friendly online videos. Pocketwatch, led by former Maker Studios exec Chris Williams, ex-Nickelodeon president Albie Hecht, and Hollywood dealmaker Jon Moonves, has raised a $5 million Series A funding round. With that capital, Pocketwatch will create a digital network that will partner with top children’s creators to build a multi-platform library of original content.
Williams, who is himself a father, told Tubefilter he was inspired to start Pocketwatch in part because “no brand had emerged from the digital space in an endemic fashion targeting kids.” His team will change that by partnering...
Now, a new media company is looking to take advantage of the massive market for family-friendly online videos. Pocketwatch, led by former Maker Studios exec Chris Williams, ex-Nickelodeon president Albie Hecht, and Hollywood dealmaker Jon Moonves, has raised a $5 million Series A funding round. With that capital, Pocketwatch will create a digital network that will partner with top children’s creators to build a multi-platform library of original content.
Williams, who is himself a father, told Tubefilter he was inspired to start Pocketwatch in part because “no brand had emerged from the digital space in an endemic fashion targeting kids.” His team will change that by partnering...
- 3/22/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Recently departed Hln president Albie Hecht left his perch atop CNN’s sister network due to a lack of resources to expand original programming, CNN president Jeff Zucker indicated to staff on Tuesday. An insider told TheWrap that during an internal CNN town hall, Zucker praised Hecht’s achievements at Hln with limited resources. He also suggested that budget constraints were the primary reason Hecht bolted. When asked by a staffer why Hln would, as some reports have suggested, pivot to harder news if ratings continue to grow from the more social-media-infused lineup ushered in under Hecht, Zucker poured cold water on the notion.
- 12/1/2015
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
CNN chief Jeff Zucker this morning announced to staff his new plan for goosing ratings on Hln: “driving Hln's programming during the daytime and overnight hours closer to CNN's, and by utilizing a much stronger library of content that has been built in the last three years.” Bye bye, Albie Hecht. "I am extremely proud of the transformation we have accomplished and I want to thank all of the talented people I've had the privilege of working with at Hln and especially thank…...
- 11/24/2015
- Deadline TV
Hln head Albie Hecht has left the cable news network, CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker announced Tuesday. Ken Jautz, a longtime CNN executive, will serve as the interim leader until a permanent replacement is named. “Albie Hecht has decided it makes sense for him to move on. With the support of an incredible team at the network, he has done a terrific job running Hln. And it hasn’t been easy. His vision, creativity, persistence and commitment have been unwavering and he has been instrumental to Hln’s progress,” Zucker wrote in an internal memo to staff. Also Read: CNN Staffers Complain to Jeff Zucker.
- 11/24/2015
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Hln anchor Yasmin Vossoughian was trolled by a guest claiming to be an Edward Snowden supporter during a segment on “The Daily Share” Wednesday morning. Vossoughian was discussing Snowden’s recent Twitter debut with Jon Hendren, known by his Twitter handle @fart, when it slowly became clear that the comedian’s responses were subversively referencing the Johnny Depp character Edward Scissorhands. Hendren began the interview with more ambiguous comments like, “He’s been isolated for so long,” but once the anchor showed a clip of Snowden being interviewed by John Oliver, he started to get more specific. Also Read: Hln...
- 9/30/2015
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Ellen DeGeneres not only knows how to take a record-breaking selfie, but has also created a highly popular party-game-turned-mobile-application worthy of its own TV show. Hln will turn the talk show host’s Heads Up! app, downloaded over 16 million times around the world, into its own game show.
Hosted by actress and The Real talk show host Loni Love, Heads Up! partners contestants with a celebrity guest, who must dole out clues to get the contestants to correctly guess as many cards as possible from categories like movies, body parts, and accents. So, it's kind of like The $10,000 Pyramid for a digital-savvy generation. The Hln game show will boast 65 half-hour episodes for its initial season.
Heads Up! will be produced by DeGeneres’ production company A Very Good Production in association with Telepictures. DeGeneres will executive produce the Hln series alongside Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly, and Jeff Kleeman.
“I...
Hosted by actress and The Real talk show host Loni Love, Heads Up! partners contestants with a celebrity guest, who must dole out clues to get the contestants to correctly guess as many cards as possible from categories like movies, body parts, and accents. So, it's kind of like The $10,000 Pyramid for a digital-savvy generation. The Hln game show will boast 65 half-hour episodes for its initial season.
Heads Up! will be produced by DeGeneres’ production company A Very Good Production in association with Telepictures. DeGeneres will executive produce the Hln series alongside Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner, Mary Connelly, and Jeff Kleeman.
“I...
- 4/14/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
Hln will premiere a new social media-driven film series, “News & a Movie,” on February 12th, the network announced Friday. A celebrity panel will discuss the issues addressed by the show’s premiere film, “Glory,” starring Denzel Washington. The 1989 film tells the story of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts’ Volunteer Infantry — the first black fighting unit formed in the North during the Civil War. Also Read: Hln Chief Albie Hecht’s Rebrand Is Going to Blow Up Cable News Biz: It’s Sort of the Informative Side of ‘Daily Show’ The panel includes comedian Chuck Nice, YouTube star GloZell Green (fresh...
- 2/6/2015
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
As part of its social-media makeover, Hln unveiled a new set for “Morning Express” with Robin Meade Tuesday morning.
“Our own morning sunshine, Robin Meade and her Mxp crew, debuted Hln’s new set which reflects our mission to give the social media community the first all-screens home for the best social news and lifestyle content in the world,” network President Albie Hecht wrote in a memo to staff.
And at noonET, “The Daily Share” will premiere.
Also Read: Hln Chief Albie Hecht’s Rebrand Is Going to Blow Up Cable News Biz: It’s Sort of the Informative Side...
“Our own morning sunshine, Robin Meade and her Mxp crew, debuted Hln’s new set which reflects our mission to give the social media community the first all-screens home for the best social news and lifestyle content in the world,” network President Albie Hecht wrote in a memo to staff.
And at noonET, “The Daily Share” will premiere.
Also Read: Hln Chief Albie Hecht’s Rebrand Is Going to Blow Up Cable News Biz: It’s Sort of the Informative Side...
- 1/13/2015
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
Earlier this year, Hln—known for years as CNN’s “crime time” sister station, decided it was time for a makeover.
Also read: Hln Rebrands as Cable News Network for Millennials of the Social Media Age
The network announced in February its rebrand as the cable news station built on social media; one that will deliver the news based off what’s pulsing on social media. Hln has gradually tinkered with its lineup throughout the rest of 2014, with bigger changes on the horizon in early 2015 including new shows: “Keywords” hosted by former Olympian Summer Sanders and “Jack Vale: Offline” hosted by the YouTube star.
Also read: Hln Rebrands as Cable News Network for Millennials of the Social Media Age
The network announced in February its rebrand as the cable news station built on social media; one that will deliver the news based off what’s pulsing on social media. Hln has gradually tinkered with its lineup throughout the rest of 2014, with bigger changes on the horizon in early 2015 including new shows: “Keywords” hosted by former Olympian Summer Sanders and “Jack Vale: Offline” hosted by the YouTube star.
- 12/18/2014
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
Just ahead of celebrating the seventh birthday of its incorporation this March 2014, My Damn Channel landed a development deal with Hln. The online entertainment studio and distributor of mostly comedic programming is behind Videocracy, a show in which a host and panel will discuss the day’s most exciting social media stories. That premise squarely fits into Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hln, Albie Hecht’s new vision for the cable and satellite television channel as a destination for the social media generation. But while My Damn Channel CEO/Co-Founder, Rob Barnett and company are testing out television, Hecht is crossing platforms, too. The Hln executive is producing a new series for My Damn Channel along with Robert Small dubbed, T:3 Showdown. The “interactive talent competition” debuts Monday, March 10 and will allow viewers to judge three contestants performing three talents in each video. Three new contestants will appear...
- 3/6/2014
- by Joshua Cohen
- Tubefilter.com
Hln is trying to change its image, and it's getting some help from a pair of crafty online video execs. The cable channel formerly known as Headline News has unveiled its upcoming slate, and it includes a series from My Damn Channel's Rob Barnett as well as another from Frederator Studios' Fred Seibert. Barnett will produce Videocracy, in which a host and a panel will discuss the most exciting social media stories of the day. From that blurb, it sounds just like @midnight, the Comedy Central program in which host Chris Hardwick and a panel of comedians riff on social media. Seibert's contribution will take the form of I Can Haz NewsToons, which will feature an assortment of socially relevant animated shorts. Some of these shorts will come from web cartoonists, while others will come from print satirists. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the eclectic slate is part...
- 2/19/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Hln this morning unveiled its first program development slate since newly rebranding itself earlier this month as “the first TV home for the social media generation (millennials and the millennial-minded).” “Hln is driving a development slate with a key goal in mind: debunk the myth that the world of social media is only about videos of cats riding skateboards,” said Albie Hecht, who is Evp and general manager of Hln, a CNN Worldwide network reaching more than 100 million households. Set aside debate as to whether that myth got debunked awhile ago, and take a look at the list of shows Hln is developing, with which Hecht promises to de-myth-tify social media: · Keywords—A game show of search and tag trivia for internet addicts. We put your browser history to the test by challenging you to guess a search term from five keyword clues. Celebrities, song lyrics, ailments, gifs, memes, photobombs—everything is fair game.
- 2/19/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
A version of this story first appeared in the Feb. 28 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Hln is undertaking a major rebranding away from wall-to-wall trial coverage and toward a programming strategy centered on the social media conversation. And executive vp and general manager Albie Hecht, installed last November by CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker, is about to push the boundaries on programming for a traditional cable news network with an eclectic development slate that includes game shows, docuseries (which have been successful on CNN) and apps that could also be TV segments. Hecht, a former Viacom
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- 2/18/2014
- by Marisa Guthrie
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A version of this story first appeared in the Feb. 28 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Since being named to the top job at Hln in November, Albie Hecht has undertaken a dramatic reimagining of the Time Warner-owned channel known for sensational murder trials and the outspoken Nancy Grace. Hecht has axed several shows, including the long-running Showbiz Tonight, and vowed to turn the former Headline News network into a TV destination for the "social media generation," as he dubs it. Exclusive: Hln's Surprising New Slate Features Game Shows, Viral Videos and a #Fomo App The
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- 2/18/2014
- by Marisa Guthrie
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nancy Grace’s Klout score is about to go sky high. Hln network president Albie Hecht announced Monday that Hln will “reformat and rebrand in 2014 to become the first TV network for the social media generation (millennials and the millennial-minded).” Also read: Hln Cancels ‘Showbiz Tonight,’ But Host Aj Hammer to Remain Part of Entertainment Coverage “Headlines will be ripped from the most “plugged-in” sites and blogs,” according to Hln’s press release. “Hln will make it its mission to share the trending news, viral events and stories that have viewers most obsessed, plus discover emerging social stars.” “While others report on the conversation,...
- 2/10/2014
- by James Crugnale
- The Wrap
Hln said this morning it will reformat and rebrand itself this year to become “the first TV network for the social media generation.” The network vowed to “redefine TV news and information, driven by what’s trending, being shared and going viral across all screens.” Taking its assignments from “today’s connected and wildly social generation,” Hln said it will curate the news from across all platforms. In Hln Evp and Gm Albie Hecht‘s announcement, the network bragged that, from here on out, its headlines will be “ripped from the most ‘plugged-in’ sites and blogs”, and that it will make it its mission to share the “trending news, viral events and stories that have viewers most obsessed, plus discover emerging social stars.” The first acquisition in the newly reformatted Hln is a customized version of the syndicated television show RightThisMinute premiering tonight and airing weeknights 10-11 Pm Et. Hln...
- 2/10/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Hln is canceling “Showbiz Tonight” after a nine-year run and will air its final episode Thursday, though host Aj Hammer will continue as a part of the CNN sister channel’s entertainment coverage, the network said Monday. What will air in its place is still being determined, an Hln spokesperson told TheWrap. “I know that we are all working hard to grow the brand and take Hln to the next level,” Hln president Albie Hecht wrote in a memo distributed to staff. “Of course, during our evolution, some changes will be difficult. This is one of the toughest.” Also Read: Hln Hit With Show.
- 2/3/2014
- by Wrap Staff
- The Wrap
Albie Hecht continues his march through Hln, today whacking Showbiz Tonight in the midst of trophy season. The entire staff — about a dozen strong — is out, excluding host A.J. Hammer, who will stay on to cover entertainment news for Hecht’s new vision of the network. The final broadcast will be Thursday when nobody will notice, much less care, as all eyes will be on Jay Leno’s final show at 11:35 Pm that night. As with Leno’s team, laid-off Showbiz Tonight staffers are being encouraged to apply for other jobs at their network. “I want to thank the entire Showbiz Tonight crew for their many years of tireless dedication and work,” writes Hecht in a note to staff, obtained by TVNewser, which first reported the whacking that happened just shy of the show’s ninth anniversary on Hln. Showbiz Tonight debuted February 21, 2005. Last November, about a month after...
- 2/3/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Hln's Showbiz Tonight has been canceled after nearly nine years, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Thursday, Feb. 6, will be the last broadcast for the show. But host A.J. Hammer, will remain at HLN covering entertainment industry news. The show's staff will be laid off and encouraged to apply for open positions at the company. The news was first reported by TVNewser. Photos: The Most Talked-About TV News Faces The cancelation comes as Hln president Albie Hecht, installed last year by CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker, sets about remaking the network. Hecht has said his mission is to
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- 2/3/2014
- by Marisa Guthrie
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ryan Smith will start in January as a New York-based correspondent and legal analyst, complementing the work of ABC News‘s chief legal analyst and Nightline anchor Dan Abrams, ABC News president Ben Sherwood said in a memo to staff today. Ryan will also offer legal analysis on Espn. Smith had until recently anchored Hln’s Evening Express, which was among the programs dumped last month by Hln’s new-ish Gm Albie Hecht as part of a rebranding of that network. (Evening Express was, ironically, replaced by What Would You Do! — the ABC News show to which Hln bought cable TV rerun rights about a year ago. ) From Sherwood’s memo: An engaging storyteller, Ryan joins us from Hln where he anchored the nightly news program “Evening Express” and co-hosted Hln’s primetime show “Hln After Dark.” Prior to hosting “Evening Express” Ryan was part of the team on “Morning...
- 12/18/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
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