EXCLUSIVE: Guinness World Records , the iconic British institution that has been running for nearly 70 years, has launched its first ever TV channel. Guinness World Records and the recently-launched GWR Studios have tied with U.S. streamer Atmosphere on the FAST network. Shows such as GWR original Guinness World Records: Gone Viral will launch on the network along with a number of shows that focus on sports or fitness record-breaking. Launching in 1955 as the Guinness Book of Records before changing name in 1999, the institution publishes an annual world-renowned book, which carries the latest recordbreakers. Today, the offering has transformed into a multimedia brand. Kathryn Hubbard, Head of Licensing at Guinness World Records, called the channel a “pinnacle moment for both GWR Studios and Guinness World Records in general.” “It presents an amazing opportunity to curate and showcase the very best of our content in partnership with Atmosphere, an industry … [Read more...] about Guinness World Records Launches First Ever TV Channel
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Embankment Beefs Up Nonfiction Arm With Four Hires
UK sales and production firm Embankment Films ( The Father, The Wife ) has set a wholesale rejig of its nonfiction arm with four new senior hires. Producers Nick Taussig, Malcolm Neaum, Sophie Harmer, and researcher Henry Farrington will join the company, taking on their new positions with immediate effect. Taussig ( McQueen, Audrey, Killing Escobar ), a BAFTA and Grierson nominated feature documentary producer, will team with Neaum ( I Shouldn’t Be Alive, Savile Row ) to produce unscripted series formats, including returnable series, for Embankment. Those two will be joined by Harmer, who, with Taussig, recently produced the feature docs Call Me Kate and Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and Me . Harmer will be Head of Production Unscripted at Embankment, while Henry Farrington joins as a senior researcher. These four new hires are the latest to be announced by Embankment since veteran UK producer Kevin Loader ( The Death of Stalin, … [Read more...] about Embankment Beefs Up Nonfiction Arm With Four Hires
‘Godfather’-esque Crime Thriller ‘Last King Of The Cross’ Is Proving That Australian TV Drama Is So Much More Than ‘Neighbours’
Welcome to Global Breakouts , Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track… So we’re going to do the hard work for you. This week we head down under to Australia , where Paramount+ original Last King of the Cross has been making a serious racket. Telling the true story of gang warfare in the notorious Sydney Kings Cross district, the 10-part crime thriller harks back to classics such as The Godfather . Its journey to screen has been a lengthy but enjoyable one, say producers. Name : Last King of the Cross Country : Australia Network : Paramount+ Australia Producer : Helium Pictures International sales : Cineflix Rights For fans of : Godfather, Gomorrah Neighbours may have felt like the only Australian TV drama … [Read more...] about ‘Godfather’-esque Crime Thriller ‘Last King Of The Cross’ Is Proving That Australian TV Drama Is So Much More Than ‘Neighbours’
The CW Alternative Exec Cyle Zezo Exits After 9 Years
EXCLUSIVE : Cyle Zezo, who oversaw alternative programming at The CW , is leaving the broadcaster. Zezo, who was VP, and Head of Alternative and Digital Programming, is leaving after having spent nine years at the network. His departure was somewhat expected after former NBCUniversal exec Heather Olander was hired to head up the CW’s push into non-scripted programming. Zezo is expected to move into production. “Cyle is following his passion to be a producer,” a spokeswoman for The CW told Deadline. “He will continue to executive produce many unscripted shows for The CW and we look forward to continuing to work with him.” Before The CW was acquired by Nexstar and brought in former Pop TV chief Brad Schwartz as President of Entertainment, Zezo worked closely with Gaye Hirsch, who was EVP Development and left as part of a round of layoffs in February. Before the Nexstar acquisition, Zezo oversaw a threefold increase in unscripted programming hours with series such … [Read more...] about The CW Alternative Exec Cyle Zezo Exits After 9 Years
James Patterson Signs First-Look Deal With Skydance Television
James Patterson has inked an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television, which is in production on an adaptation of his Alex Cross series starring Aldis Hodge. As part of the deal, Patterson will develop a slate of series based on his top-selling book series Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett , along with the internationally acclaimed book series Private and the soon-to-be published books Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe . “In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership is exactly what we have been seeking for James Patterson Entertainment, as we continue to grow our brand across every area of the business.” Said Matt Thunell, President of Skydance Television: “James Patterson is one of the most successful authors in publishing of all time. He is a master of his craft, who … [Read more...] about James Patterson Signs First-Look Deal With Skydance Television
Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books ‘We Were Liars,’ ‘Family of Liars’ & ‘Again Again’ By E. Lockhart
EXCLUSIVE : Great news for fans of E. Lockhart’s popular YA books: Julie Plec ’s My So-Called Company and Universal Television has acquired the rights to We Were Liars, Family of Liars and Again Again. We Were Liars is a tragic love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. It’s been on the NY Times bestseller list for the past 22 months. The recently released Family of Liars , the prequel to We Were Liars, takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. Again Again follows Adelaide Buchwald who, after a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times while confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind. Carina Adly MacKenzie … [Read more...] about Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books ‘We Were Liars,’ ‘Family of Liars’ & ‘Again Again’ By E. Lockhart
Amazon Laying Off Thousands More As Job Cuts In Sector Expand
Amazon is laying off another 9,000 workers as job cuts in the tech sector expand at a time of growing economic uncertainty. It follows cuts last fall and early this year. “Given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount,” Jassy said in a memo to staff today. “As we’ve just concluded the second phase of our operating plan (“OP2”) this past week, I’m writing to share that we intend to eliminate about 9,000 more positions in the next few weeks—mostly in AWS, PXT, Advertising, and Twitch. This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company long term,” he said. (PXT is People eXperience and Technology,) Tech companies have been shedding staff at a rapid clip. Meta Platforms, the corporate parent of Facebook , Instagram and WhatsApp, recently announced plans to cut another 10,000 jobs and undergo a hiring freeze in what CEO Mark … [Read more...] about Amazon Laying Off Thousands More As Job Cuts In Sector Expand
Stormy Daniels Getting Threats Ahead of Likely Trump Arrest, Taking Security Precautions
TMZ/Getty Stormy Daniels is feeling the effects of Donald Trump 's possible looming arrest ... we're told her life is being threatened, so she's beefing up her security. Stormy's attorney, Clark Brewster , tells TMZ ... his client recently received lots of "vitriolic messages" on social media, including some very concerning direct messages. The alleged threats come on the heels of Trump announcing Saturday he expects to be arrested Tuesday by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg over the notorious Stormy Daniels hush-money case. Stormy's attorney says she's taking extra precautions -- her team doesn't want to share specifics, for fear of tipping off someone who might want to do her harm. ... Brewster has only said in the past, "Stormy for years has had security when she needs to." As for some of the nasty online comments, Stormy's been called a "Worthless Whore," "degenerate prostitute" and an "extortionist who should be … [Read more...] about Stormy Daniels Getting Threats Ahead of Likely Trump Arrest, Taking Security Precautions