Hallmark’s canceled western “Ride,” starring Nancy Travis (“Last Man Standing”) is galluping to The CW, which picked up repeats of the show to air next month. The 10-episode series will launch on Monday, January 22 at 8 p.m., paired with “Wild Cards” at 9 p.m.
“Ride” is described as “a multigenerational family drama that follows the lives of the McMurrays, a tight-knit family that embarks on a journey of self-discovery on the heels of a tragic loss as they uncover a twisted web of secrets that threatens to tear the family and their Colorado town apart.” Beau Mirchoff (“Good Trouble,” “The Fosters”), Tiera Skovbye (“Riverdale,” “Nurses”), Sara Garcia (“The Flash,” “Reign”), Jake Foy (“Designated Survivor,” “A Little Daytime Drama”) and Tyler Jacob Moore (“Barry,” “Shameless”) also star.
Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films, in partnership with Bell Media for CTV Drama Channel in Canada, produce the show, which is based on an original script by husband and wife writing team Rebecca Boss and Chris Masi, who executive produce alongside Sherri Cooper-Landsman and Alex Zarowny. John Morayniss, Carolyn Newman and Virginia Rankin are EPs for Blink49 Studios; Greg Gugliotta and F.J. Denny executive produce for Nitelite Entertainment; Elana Barry and Josh Adler executive produce for Circle of Confusion; and Jordy Randall and Tom Cox executive produce for Seven24 Films. Paolo Barzman directs and executive produces. Fifth Season handles the international distribution for the series.
In other TV roundup news:
FIRST LOOKS
Netflix has released the trailer for Season 2 of “Love on the Spectrum U.S.”
The series’ description reads, “Emmy Award-winning docu-reality series,‘Love on the Spectrum U.S.,’ is an insightful and warm-hearted series following people on the autism spectrum as they navigate the world of dating and relationships. In its second season, this U.S. based series tells the stories of a unique and diverse cast of characters — including new romantic hopefuls and familiar faces — searching for something we all hope to find, love.”
The series is executive produced by Karina Holden and Cian O’Clery and produced by Northern Pictures.
Watch the trailer below.
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Prime adult animated comedy series “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy” has released first look images and a premiere date.
Stephanie Hsu, Maya Rudolph, Keke Palmer, Kieran Culkin and Sam Smith all star in this eight-episode series from executive producers Cirocco Dunlap, Rudolph, Danielle Renfrew Behren and Natasha Lyonne’s Animal Pictures. Dunlap serves as showrunner and writer.
Also executive producers are Shauna McGarry, Shannon Prynoski, Chris Prynoski, Antonio Cabbio and Ben Kalina from Titmouse. Production designer Robin Eisenberg co-produces.
The series description reads: “‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’ follows Dr. Sleech and Dr. Klak—aliens, best friends, and intergalactically renowned surgeons—as they tackle anxiety-eating parasites, illegal time loops, and deep-space STIs. In Season One, doctors Sleech and Klak take on a highly dangerous and potentially groundbreaking case and, in doing so, put existence itself in jeopardy. Although considering their dismal personal lives, oblivion might be an improvement.”
All eight episodes of the series will debut Feb. 23, 2024.
See select first look images below.
PROGRAMMING
Viewership for CBS show “Survivor” — about a group of castaways who must survive on an island while competing in challenges — has grown steadily over the years. CBS announced that the show has now achieved a 4% audience growth year-over-year across both linear and streaming platforms.
The Season 45 finale, which aired Dec. 20, was watched by 4.53 million in a 6% increase from the Season 44 finale. According to the press release, “Survivor” was also the #1 most-watched live-streamed entertainment program on Paramount+ and has seen increased viewership across Paramount+, CBS and the CBS app.
Casting for Season 47 and beyond of “Survivor” is now open at cbssurvivorcasting.
EXECUTIVE NEWS
Madeleine Rivera has been appointed a Washington based correspondent for Fox News Channel. She will begin this new role on Jan. 2.
Rivera previously served as a reporter on the affiliate news service Fox News Edge, a position she occupied since 2021. Connor Hansen of Fox 35 Orlando will take her place as she moves to Fox News Channel.
During her time on Fox News Edge, Rivera covered topics ranging from the Uvalde mass shooting to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Rivera was also a member of the Fox News multimedia and reporter campaign embed in Houston from 2017-2021, covering President Biden’s campaign.
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Josh Krulewitz was named ESPN senior vice president of communications and will assume leadership of ESPN’s communications department starting Dec. 31. He will succeed Chris LaPlaca, who is retiring after more than 43 years at the company and had served as department head since 2008.
Krulewitz will report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, and Kristina Schake, senior executive vice president, chief communications officer, The Walt Disney Company.
“Josh is a dynamic, collaborative, and strategic communications leader,” Pitaro said in a statement. “I’ve worked closely with Josh for many years and have benefitted from his excellent advice during many challenging situations. I have seen him cultivate countless relationships with media and ESPN colleagues over the years, all of which will benefit him and all of us as we continue to navigate through a complex sports media environment. He will work closely with Disney colleagues and continue to look for ways for us to enhance our brand and reputation.”
During his 32 years at ESPN, Krulewitz has worked in nearly every aspect of the company’s business including all sports, network and program launches, business communications and more. He joined the company as a publicist and was named vice president in 2006.
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Gillian Turner has been promoted to the dual role of anchor and state department and foreign policy correspondent at Fox News Channel. She will cover international and domestic issues at the U.S. State Department.
Turner originally joined Fox as a contributor and was elevated to the role of correspondent in 2018. She has covered breaking news stories including the first indictment of Donald Trump and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before her time at Fox, she was vice president of Jones Group International. She also previously worked at the White House National Security Council during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations.
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The Television Academy Foundation announced that six new members have joined the board of directors.
The newest members of the board are Jorge R. Gutierrez, writer and director; Mina Lefevre, chief content officer of television at Trending; Brian O’Rourke, chief production officer at TBWAMedia Arts Lab; Kimberly Evans Paige, EVP, chief marketing officer at BET; JohnPollak, co-founder and chief executive officer at Allied MGMT Group; and Mike Prickett, extreme director of photography.
“We’re thrilled to announce the appointments of these distinguished industry colleagues to the board,” said Jodi Delaney, the Foundation’s executive director.“It’s fantastic that the Foundation continues to draw Hollywood heavyweights with amazing careers who want to give back and participate in its mission to build a more inclusive and diverse television industry.”
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Nexstar Media Group has extended its employment agreement with Lee Ann Gliha, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company.
Under the terms of her contract, Gliha will continue reporting to chairman and chief executive officer Perry Sook in her work managing Nexstar’s financial affairs and business development.
“Lee Ann has had a positive impact on Nexstar since the day she started two-plus years ago,” said Sook. “Her leadership, strategic analysis, financial acumen, and ability to forge strong relationships with our investors and shareholders will help Nexstar in the next phase of our growth.”
SPECIALS
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024” will have its first ever live broadcast radio simulcast, Dick Clark Productions and iHeartMedia announced. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, who is now in his 19th year on the special, “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” will air across 150 iHeartRadio stations nationwide.
“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is always a special night for me, and I’m thrilled to have iHeart join in on the fun this year with a simulcast for all to enjoy for the first time,” said Seacrest. “It’s a night full of surprises and I’m looking forward to listeners across the country tuning in to celebrate with us.”
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” will air live on ABC on Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. ET.
DEALS
Revolution Entertainment Services has acquired production management technology company SetKeeper. Revolution, an LA-based payroll and production finance services provider, is run by Sukhi Pabla, Charlie Steiner and Stephen Chow.
Under the deal, Revolution plans to develop and release new production technologies designed for production of films, television shows, commercials and events globally.
“We did not start Revolution to be just another payroll company offering payroll and finance software,” says Sukhi Pabla, President and Co-Founder of Revolution. “The plan was always to create efficiencies across the entire production, from script to payroll.”
