News

I’ve been leading The Streamable’s content team for four years, and I’ve covered every streaming service available. I’m price-sensitive, so that’s always a priority for me. And I have a family that likes different kinds of content, so I have several services. If you’d like to copy my setup, I thought I’d share my choices.

Live TV: Sling TV

When it comes to live TV, I want news and sports. Sling offers those at better prices than any other option. If you can wait until the start of football season to sign up, you’ll usually get the best deal of the year with deep discounts for a multi-month agreement. Typically, Sling offers 50% off your first month.

With Sling TV, I can watch my most important channels: ABC, CNN, ESPN, Fox, MSNBC, NBC, and NFL RedZone. Sling doesn’t offer ABC, NBC, and Fox in every market,...

Scholastic is boosting its entertainment biz: The kids media and publishing company announced a $186 million deal to acquire full economic interest in 9 Story Media Group, a leading children’s content producer and distributor.

Through the investment, Scholastic will acquire 100% of the economic interest in and a minority of voting rights in 9 Story Media, the animation studio behind TV shows including “Doc McStuffins” (pictured above), “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Octonauts,” “Wild Kratts” and “The Magic School Bus Rides Again.”

The companies said the deal “solidifies” the more than two decades of collaboration between Scholastic Entertainment and 9 Story. The investment has been approved by both companies’ boards of directors and the shareholders of 9 Story. The deal is expected to close in Scholastic’s fiscal 2025 first quarter, which begins on June 1, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

“This highly strategic combination, adding 9 Story’s industry-leading capabilities with Scholastic’s trusted brand and proven ability...

For years, the running joke in media has been that if we keep inventing and bundling streaming services, we’re effectively going to reinvent cable. At first, it made sense to separate streaming titles; some were better for movies, some for TV, and still others for sport. At least one of them comes discounted if not free with the latest iPhone, while another is built into the subscription that gets you free shipping on toilet paper. But when it comes to quality and quantity of content, what streaming service really comes out on top?

Listen, before you go about choosing let alone ranking your streaming apps, you need to assess your streaming priorities. Below, four IndieWire staffers debate our top three streamers, acknowledging that each of us has different viewing preferences and lifestyles. But with a bustling streaming climate, rising prices, and wide-ranging titles, these are the kind of tough...

Some might say they don’t want a lot for Christmas, but who’s going to turn down a Christmas movie starring rapper-actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and comedian Lil Rel Howery?

Directed by Tim Story, and produced by Will Packer’s Will Packer Productions, comes the comedic fantasy film “Dashing Through the Snow,” which carries the title of the classic Christmas jingle “Dashing Through the Snow (Jingle Bells).”

In the lighthearted tale, Bridges stars as Eddie Garrick, a social worker who no longer believes in the magic of Christmas due to a traumatic childhood experience. But, with the help of his Christmas-loving daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum) and good ol’ Saint Nick — who just goes by Nick (Lil Rel Howery) — the group is on a mission to restore Eddie’s faith in Christmas while evading wicked politician Conrad Harf (Oscar Nuñez).

The film lands exclusively on Disney+, and here’s...

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges never planned on being an actor when he started his rap career during the late ’90s. He attributes his successful transition from music to acting to late writer-director John Singleton, who gave him his breakout role as Tej Parker in the “The Fast and the Furious” (2001) sequel “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003).

During a discussion about his new role as Eddie Garrick in Disney+’s new Christmas movie “Dashing Through the Snow,” Bridges discussed his more than 20-year career as an actor, and how acting initially was never “part of the plan.”

While his debut role was playing an unsatisfied customer in record producer and filmmaker DJ Pooh’s comedy “The Wash” (2001), it wasn’t until Singleton cast him as a former street racer and mechanic that his acting career went full speed ahead.

“No, it was not part of the plan. I always give credit to John Singleton,...

The start of September means kids and parents have less time together, as school gets back in session and the days begin to get shorter and shorter. That makes the quality time families have together even more important, which is why Disney+ is bringing some fantastic new titles to its platform this month.

New episodes of “Ahsoka” will continue to debut every Tuesday in September, but the headliner of this month is the new live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” that makes its streaming debut! Check it out below, along with the other top 5 titles The Streamable is most excited for on Disney+ this month!

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What Are the Best Shows and Movies Coming to Disney+ in September 2023? ‘The Little Mermaid’ | Wednesday, Sept. 6

It’s a classic tale that fans know by heart, brought to...

Alyssa Sapire has been promoted to the role of senior vice president of development, series and strategy for Disney Junior.

Sapire has been serving in this role on interim basis since March, following the exit of Joe D’Ambrosia. In the now permanent role, Sapire will lead all content for the preschool age brand. She will report to Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.

Sapire now has oversight over Disney Junior content, encompassing strategic oversight of development, current and acquired programming for linear and streaming. She will work closely with Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution to identify, develop and advance Disney Junior franchise opportunities, extending the Disney Junior brand to consumers across multiple touchpoints.

Furthermore, Sapire has announced her new executive team across development and current. Kim Berglund, vice president of development, will lead development for Disney Junior with oversight of all series, specials and shorts in development, including identifying new creative talent.

It all started with shows such as “Blaze & the Monster Machines” and “Doc McStuffins.” Over the past decade, many preschool children’s animated shows have shifted toward showing a more diverse cast and including storytelling that features Stem themes — problem-solving that’s focused on subjects including basic understanding of math, engineering and the sciences.

“I do think that there are far more Stem animated shows, especially for preschoolers,” says Amy Friedman, head of kids and family programming for Warner Bros. “If you’re doing preschool programming, you’ve got to have an educational foundation because you’re always teaching. The question is what are you teaching? Everything teaches something. You just may do it intentionally or unintentionally.”

In May, Cartoon Network began airing “Sesame Street Mecha Builders,” which focuses on a reimagined cast of Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby, who play robot heroes-in- training.

Together, they use their Stem superpowers to solve problems.

Ten years ago, an animated show about a young Black girl who tended to the wounds of her toys and aspired to become a doctor remade the preschool TV landscape. “Doc McStuffins” was the first show to feature a young girl of color using science, technology, engineering and math (Stem) skill set to solve the problems of those around her. She was also part of Black family in which the parents were professionals and positive role models.

This watershed moment for representation came from creator Chris Nee’s own struggles as a child, feeling lost and left out as an LGBTQ youth who never saw herself represented in the shows she watched or the culture around her. Nee wanted to make something that made kids feel seen and feel accepted.

“My goal is entertainment,” Nee says. “I want these shows to be funny. But I think the deep relationship that...

“Doc McStuffins” featured many famous voices over the years. Creator Chris Nee was especially delighted when then-first lady Michelle Obama agreed to lend her voice to the episode “Doc McStuffins Goes to Washington.” The episode appeared in 2015. In the episode, Obama invites Doc and other children who have made a difference in their communities to the White House to honor them in a special ceremony.

The show explored adoption in a five-part series in 2016 that included the episodes “Baby Mc­Stuffins,” “Runaway Love,” “Hootie’s Duty,” “Bringing Home Baby” and “Baby Names/Night Night, Lala.” Each episode explored the emotions a family goes through

as they bring a child into their family and focused on normal­izing adoption.

In “The Emergency Plan,” Wanda Sykes and Portia de Rossi voice interracial same-sex parents. Doc helps this doll family because they were separated during an earthquake as they did not have an emergency plan in place.

Joe D’Ambrosia has been named executive vice president and general manager of Silvergate Media, Sony Pictures Television said Friday.

In his new role, D’Ambrosia will be the creative and strategic business leader, overseeing day-to-day operations of the company, which develops, produces and licenses top children’s programming.

He will step into his new position April 1, taking over for Silvergate CEO Waheed Alli, who will be stepping down this summer.

“I am thrilled to be joining Sony Pictures Television and Silvergate at such an exciting and pivotal time in kids’ entertainment,” D’Ambrosia said in a statement. “In my 10 years at Disney Junior, I have had the good fortune of working alongside one of the best teams in the business. This is the ideal next step to be collaborating with Ravi and the incredibly innovative and creative teams at Sony and Silvergate to produce world-class storytelling for kids and families around the globe.

Disney Junior exec Joe D’Ambrosia has been hired as executive vice president and general manager of Sony Pictures Television’s Silvergate Media. D’Ambrosia will be taking over for Silvergate founder Waheed Alli, who is stepping down from his post as CEO this summer.

In his new role at the Sony-owned children’s programming producer, D’Ambrosia will serve as Silvergate’s creative and strategic business leader, overseeing day-to-day operations of the company. He will work closely with the Silvergate team to drive continued growth and maximize opportunities to expand the company’s position in the market.

D’Ambrosia will report to Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global television studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment corporate development. He will begin at Silvergate Media on April 1 and be based in Spt’s Culver City, California headquarters, while also spending time with the company’s teams in New York and London.

Alli founded...

Disney Plus has ordered two unscripted series from actors in the Marvel universe: Brie Larson is behind “Growing Up,” a docuseries that looks at ten different coming-of-age tales. “Rennervations,” from Jeremy Renner, is a four-part series that follows Renner as he travels to world to help communities by “reimagining unique purpose-built vehicles.”

The news was announced on Monday by Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis, along with new development for Disney Plus, Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Davis revealed the news during the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. It was the first TCA presentation by Davis, who took over the job in September.

“Growing Up” will feature episodes directed by Larson, Yara Shahidi, Sydney Freeland, Elegance Bratton, Ashley Eakin, Ekwa Msangi, Smriti Mundhra, Rudy Valdez, Bernardo Ruiz, Kishori Rajan and Nicole Galovski “The series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story,...

Ayo Davis, who most recently served as the EVP, creative development and strategy at Disney Branded Television, has been promoted to president by Peter Rice, chairman of Disney General Entertainment. In her new role, Davis will take on the creative and operational leadership of the content group, which helps fuel the Disney Plus streaming platform and Disney Channel, Disney Xd and Disney Junior linear networks with content geared toward kids, tweens, teens and families. Davis will work closely with Gary Marsh to facilitate the transition, as he exits the president position and begins his new pursuit heading a production company focused on developing programming for Dge. Davis will report to Rice.

“Ayo is a focused leader with impeccable creative instincts who’s excelled in every role she’s held at Disney,” said Rice in a statement. “Her creative eye for talent has made meaningful impact in front of and behind the camera,...

Disney Branded Television President and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh is stepping down after 33 years with the company. He will launch his own production company, which has a deal with Disney.

Under that pact, Marsh will make two new “Descendants” movies and a “Beauty and the Beast” prequel, as well as series “Tink,” “School for Sensitive Souls” and “Witch Mountain.” Marsh, who departs Disney proper at the end of 2021, will create content for all of Disney’s many platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, ABC, National Geographic, Freeform and FX.

While you might not know Gary Marsh’s name, you know his work. Marsh developed and shepherded iconic Disney shows like “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana,” “Lizzie McGuire,” “The Descendants” and “That’s So Raven,” among many others. And parents owe him a debt of gratitude — it was Marsh who launched Disney Junior Channel and shows like “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,...

When Chris Nee, the creator of the Disney hit “Doc McStuffins” last spoke to Variety earlier this year, she raved about the “fairy-tale” vision of artistic freedom that Netflix had offered her under an overall deal.

“I was looking at the Shonda Rhimeses and the Ryan Murphys and wondering why somebody couldn’t take that active role of being both a creator and a producer and creating an internal sort of house in [kids] TV, and that’s very much what’s happening,” she said then.

Now, the first of her creative saplings at the streamer is ready to bloom. The season premiere of “Ridley Jones,” about a girl who lives at the natural history museum and goes adventuring at night when the institution’s exhibits come to life, has already racked up more than 15.8 million views since hitting YouTube on June 8. Ahead of the entire season’s July 13 launch, Nee...

Creating animated music videos for older children around subjects such as taxes, active citizenship and the Bill of Rights is challenging enough, but with ten directors and ten different animation pipelines, “Doc McStuffins” and “Vampirina” creator Chris Nee has described her latest project as the hardest but most rewarding project she has worked on.

As Netflix released new images of Nee’s latest project “We the People” ahead of its July 4 launch, the Emmy-winning creator and executive producer shared further insights into her new animated series of music videos, designed to educate a new generation on the importance of active citizenship.

Nee – a self-confessed politics and civics geek – told Netflix director of pre-school Heather Tilert in this morning’s online presentation that the ten-part series was a reaction to the lack of civics education in schools.

“I felt like we lost that common language of civics, that nonpartisan language of...

Netflix has revealed more artwork and clips from four of its kids and family animation titles, which are set drop this summer and fall.

During the streamer’s online Annecy session, introduced by Netflix director of character animation James Baxter, it was revealed that three of the titles – “Karma’s World,” “Vivo” and “Centaurworld” – are animated musicals, while all of them, including the Australian feature “Back to the Outback,” address themes of diversity, inclusion and both fitting in and celebrating differences.

First up was rapper and “Fast and Furious” actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges 40-part series “Karma’s World” –a passion project that has been over a decade in the making, set to premiere this fall

The series, aimed at children from six to nine, is inspired by Bridges’ eldest daughter Karma’s experiences as a 10-year-old navigating her way through life and finding her voice.

Each 11-minute episode will feature...

Jamie Foxx, Marsai Martin and Steve Harvey were among the repeat winners honored during Wednesday’s virtual NAACP Image Awards ceremony, continuing their run of Image award wins.

Martin won the outstanding performance by a youth award for the third year in a row for “Black-ish.” This is the fourth time the 16-year-old star has been honored in this category (she also won in 2017), and her sixth nomination.

In 2020, Martin won a total of four Image awards, including the supporting actress in a comedy series prize for “Black-ish” and the supporting actress and breakthrough performance in a motion picture prizes for “Little.”

Foxx picked up his sixth NAACP Image award for his voiceover performance in “Soul.” Last year, the Oscar-winner picked up the supporting actor Image award for his performance in “Just Mercy,” which also won the outstanding motion picture prize and best actor (Michael B. Jordan). Foxx’s first...

Women in Film Los Angeles has a half-dozen new board members.

New to the board are Niija Kuykendall, EVP Production at Warner Bros Pictures; Michelle Lee, Director of Domestic Programming at AppleTV+; film producer Monica Levinson; and Ida Ziniti, Co-Head of the Motion Picture Literary Department at CAA.

“Each of these impressive women is uniquely expert — whether as an executive, producer, creator or agent,” Board President and Gidden Media CEO Amy Baer said in making the announcement on International Women’s Day. “Their diverse skill sets will help us to continue championing the advancement of women across all facets of the screen industries.”

She noted that outgoing board members — Stephanie Allain, Orly Adelson, Adriana Alberghetti, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and Keri Putnam — who have completed their terms.

Half Mexican and half Chumash, showrunner Karissa Valencia grew up “torn” between modern life and Native culture. That meant attending pop music festivals and using cell phones, while also going to sweat lodges, powwows and ceremonies important to her family’s tribe, who live on a reservation in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara.

One of her favorites is the bear ceremony, when the Chumash honor the bear emerging from hibernation in the spring.

“It’s so beautiful to see, and it really is an indigenous philosophy and belief that everything has a spirit and everything is alive,” she told Variety.

That “love for Native magic, but also superheroes and creating really fun cartoons for kids” is the origin of “Spirit Rangers,” Valencia’s upcoming Netflix animated series about three siblings who each transform into unique animal spirits to conserve the National Park they work and live in.

Her...

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and so, too, is a very special birthday for Disney Junior, the Mouse House’s home for content targeting younger children: It’s turning 10.

Disney Junior first came to be on Feb. 14, 2011, as a programming block on Disney Channel, anchored by the premiere of “Jake and the Neverland Pirates.” A year later, it became its own 24-hour channel, home to such hits as “Pirates,” “Doc McStuffins,” “Sofia the First,” “Elena of Avalor,” “The Lion Guard,” “Muppet Babies,” “T.O.T.S.,” “Puppy Dog Pals” and “Mira, Royal Detective.”

“Disney Junior has always been about embracing emotional, character-driven storytelling featuring age-appropriate lessons for preschoolers, combined with a touch of Disney magic that the whole family can enjoy together. We’re proud of the diverse series and characters that we’ve built over the last 10 years, including the groundbreaking ‘Doc McStuffins,’ introducing Disney’s first Latina princess...

A day after Nancy Kanter’s last day at Disney, Netflix announced an overall deal with the former EVP, Content and Creative Strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide, who launched and built Disney’s preschool TV channel Disney Junior.

Under the pact, Kanter will develop and produce animated and live-action projects — both feature films and series — targeted at kids and families through her company Available Light Productions.

For Netflix, brining on board Kanter, one of the most respected executives in the kids and family space, is part of a big push in family entertainment as the streamer is taking on the leading SVOD player in the space, Disney+.

“We’re very fired up about catching them in family animation — maybe eventually passing them, we’ll see, a long way to go just to catch them — and maintaining our lead in general entertainment that’s so stimulating,” Netflix’s founder and co-ceo...

Former Disney Channels Worldwide executive Nancy Kanter has signed an overall deal with Netflix.

Under the deal, Kanter and her Available Light Productions banner will develop and produce animated and live action projects, both feature films and series, for kids and families audiences on Netflix.

“Throughout my career I’ve challenged myself to think differently, imagine bigger and aim higher,” Kanter said. “I am delighted at this opportunity to partner with the innovative creators and executive team at Netflix who value those same aspirations, and I look forward to working with them to create new stories that will inspire the minds and touch the hearts of kids and families everywhere.”

Kanter worked at Disney for 20 years, but her departure was announced last April. She most recently served as executive vice president of content and creative strategy for DIsney Channels Worldwide. She established the Disney Junior brand in her time at the company,...

Former Disney executive Nancy Kanter has signed an overall deal at Netflix, the streamer announced Monday.

The agreement will see Kanter, via her Available Light Productions banner, develop and produce new animated and live-action kids and family content for Netflix, including both films and series.

Kanter exited Disney last month after a 20-year run, most recently serving as executive vice president of content and creative strategy at Disney Channels Worldwide. Kanter is credited with launching the Disney Junior brand and shepherding series such as “Doc McStuffins,” “Sofia the First” and “Elena of Avalor.”

Kanter announced plans to step down from her position at Disney last April.

“Throughout my career I’ve challenged myself to think differently, imagine bigger and aim higher,” Kanter said in a statement. “I am delighted at this opportunity to partner with the innovative creators and executive team at Netflix who value those same aspirations, and I...

Netflix’s next series of adaptations look to target questions of racism. The streaming service recently announced they’ve acquired author Ibram X. Kendi’s series of books on anti-racism. The first book, “Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” was followed by an updated reprint, entitled “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You,” and “Antiracist Baby” debuting in June of 2020.

Kendi and Mara Brock Akil, the creator of “Girlfriends,” will be executive producers on the project with Roger Ross Williams, the Oscar-winning director behind “Life Animated” and “Music By Prudence” set to direct the first in the series. “Stamped From the Beginning” is described as a hybrid of documentary and scripted feature.

Kendi himself will also get behind the camera to helm a companion documentary aimed at children. Plans for “Antiracist Baby,” an illustrated book teaching about equity and inclusion via rhyming, will be an animated...

“Anne With an E” (Netflix)

Final Episode Jan. 3 “Harvey Girls Forever!” (Netflix)

Final episode Jan. 10 “Limetown” (Facebook Watch)

Canceled Jan. 16 “Sorry for Your Loss” (Facebook Watch)

Canceled Jan. 16 “The Ranch” (Netflix)

Final episode Jan. 24 “Flirty Dancing” (Fox)

Final episode Jan. 25 “Star Wars Resistance” (Disney Channel)

Final episode Jan. 26 “Arrow” (The CW)

Final episode Jan. 28 “Homicide Hunter” (ID)

Final episode Jan. 29 “The Good Place” (NBC)

Final episode Jan. 30 “New Looney Tunes” (Boomerang)

Final episode Jan. 30 “Bojack Horseman” (Netflix)

Final episode Jan. 31 “Soundtrack” (Netflix)

Canceled Jan. 31 “Spinning Out” (Netflix)

Canceled Feb. 3 “Ray Donovan” (Showtime)

Canceled Feb. 4 “If Loving You Is Wrong” (OWN)

Canceled Feb. 5 “Power” (Starz)

Final episode Feb. 9 “Shimmer and Shine” (Nick Jr.)

Final episode Feb. 9 “Insatiable” (Netflix)

Canceled Feb. 14 “Mike Tyson Mysteries” (Adult Swim)

Final episode Feb. 16 “Criminal Minds” (CBS)

Final episode Feb. 19 “Fresh off the Boat” (ABC)

Final episode Feb. 21 “High Noon” (ESPN)

Canceled Feb. 25 “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS)

Canceled Feb.

The doctor is in.

Doc McStuffins is returning to Disney Junior in a new TV special aimed at teaching kids about healthy habits. The Doc Is In will feature the character interacting with real kids, families and medical professionals.

Set to some of the series’ songs, the special includes real medical professionals Dr. Myiesha Taylor, MD, founder of the Artemis Medical Society and the “We Are Doc McStuffins” movement, and Mark Lee, Rn, who provides tips to preschoolers about ways to prevent spreading germs.

The special, which is especially timely as the world continues to deal with the global coronavirus pandemic,...

The doctor is in.

Doc McStuffins is returning to Disney Junior in a new TV special aimed at teaching kids about healthy habits. The Doc Is In will feature the character interacting with real kids, families and medical professionals.

Set to some of the series’ songs, the special includes real medical professionals Dr. Myiesha Taylor, MD, founder of the Artemis Medical Society and the “We Are Doc McStuffins” movement, and Mark Lee, Rn, who provides tips to preschoolers about ways to prevent spreading germs.

The special, which is especially timely as the world continues to deal with the global coronavirus pandemic,...

In today’s Global Bulletin, “Moominvalley” gets a third season commission; Abacus Media Rights sells “Trickster” in the U.S.; “The Last Journey of the Vikings” to dock at various destinations; Channel 4 and Curious Films announce Caroline Flack documentary special; Talpa Entertainment hires and Jellyfish Studios promotes.

Animation

Gutsy Animation’s global hit “Moominvalley” has been picked up for a third season at Finland’s Yle and Sky in the U.K. International Emmy-nominated and a hit at international festivals such as Banff and Shanghai, the series adapts Finnish-Swedish author and artist Tove Jansson’s popular “Moomin” kids stories.

“Moominvalley” vets Sara Barbas (“Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit”), Nigel Davies (“Shaun the Sheep”), Darren Robbie (“Doc McStuffins”) and Jay Grace (The Farmer’s Llamas) return to direct for Season 3. The series’ voice acting cast includes the likes of Rosamund Pike, Bel Powley, Warwick Davis, Matt Berry,...

Aspiring TV writers, brace yourselves when you hear this: “Doc McStuffins” was the first show creator Chris Nee ever pitched. Thirteen years into a successful writing career in kids television, Nee sold her idea about a little girl doctor who “fixed” her toys to Disney. While the top brass “got it” right away, Nee says the first season of “Doc” was far from being considered “the high profile show in development.” Five seasons, two spinoffs, and a couple collaborations with Michelle Obama later, and “Doc McStuffins” is considered a Disney legacy project. Nee recently parted ways with Disney in 2018 to set up shop at Netflix, under a sweeping deal that positions her well on her way to becoming the Shonda Rhimes or Ryan Murphy of kids TV.

Animation is one of the few areas of entertainment that has not been slowed down by the challenges of social distancing, as long...

The following contains spoilers for Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts season 2.

In the first season of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Scarlemagne, a mutated mandril who, like a number of animals within this world, now speaks English and walks on two feet, is introduced wearing British-revolutionary-era clothing. It’s a unique, strange, and seemingly random detail to introduce the show’s first key villain like that. Initially, it seems as though this is just his gimmick, the specific “theme” that the bad guy attached himself to, part of his crazed aspirations so tied to his imaginations. But it isn’t until the second season of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts that the purpose behind the clothing becomes clear. The show uses Scarlemagne’s attire to pinpoint a powerful and prevalent theme throughout its run, relating to race, and the history, iconography, and visuals of how race is depicted and affected.

When “Modern Family” premiered in 2009, the mockumentary-style family sitcom was an instant hit, one that would forever alter the fabric of the television landscape. At the time, it seemed water cooler discussion of primetime television had gone the way of the radio, but — much like that other medium — it came roaring back. While Sofia Vergara’s Gloria waltzed her way into the hearts of gay men and lesbians for wildly different reasons, it was Cameron and Mitchell’s loving relationship that made Lgbtq viewers feel truly seen and represented.

Played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet, seeing a loving (and bickering) gay couple on primetime was a revelation. Without downplaying the strides made by “Will & Grace,” “Modern Family” was the first time a major network had shown a long-term, committed queer relationship — and with two of its leading characters. That the show was funny, smart, and inclusive in...

From Broadway in New York City to the Hollywood studios of Los Angeles, families are self-quarantining in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus. That means mommies and daddies all across America are looking to their television sets and the web for unique ways to keep their kids busy — especially the little ones who have no virtual school and a limited capacity to self-entertain.

Over here, the Maglios are getting desperate for ways to keep our 3-year-old daughter busy. All of this extra screen time has meant lots of Disney+, but how many “Doc McStuffins” episodes can one kid watch, and how often do we need to replay “The Little Mermaid”? (The realistic answer to both questions is “a lot.”)

As much of a Godsend as the Disney streaming service has been, contrary to popular (kids’) belief, that “Puppy Dog Pals” theme song actually can become irritating. Plus, and...

Irish film and TV funding body Screen Ireland will appoint a permanent representative based in Los Angeles next year, the Vikings and Brooklyn backer has announced.

The expansion was confirmed as part of a two day trade mission in partnership with Enterprise Ireland in Los Angeles, led by the Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Varadkar also opened a new Irish consulate in Los Angeles as part of its ‘Global Ireland’ strategy, to double the country’s impact internationally by 2025.

As part of the trade mission, Varadkar met with senior executives from Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros, Skydance Media, Hulu, Endeavour and Fox Searchlight. Meetings included Bob Iger and Reed Hastings.

The trade mission was attended by Ireland’s leading production companies, animation studios, post-production and VFX houses, including Element Pictures (The Favourite), Cartoon Saloon (The Breadwinner), Brown Bag (Vampirina), Wild Atlantic Pictures (Fate: The Winx Saga), World 2000 (Vikings). Also on...

Netflix is expanding its kids' offerings with seven shows aimed at preschoolers, including a spinoff of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise from DreamWorks Animation.

The slate includes five animated series and two live-action shows from producers and writers of Sesame Street, Kim Possible, Odd Squad and Doc McStuffins, among others.

"With high-quality, age-appropriate programming for kids at every age and stage, we want to help young people find and connect with the stories and characters they love on Netflix," said Melissa Cobb, vp original animation. "We are also here to empower parents to find the shows that ...

Exclusive: Grey’s Anatomy alumna Loretta Devine is set to recur opposite Brandee Evans and Nicco Annan in Starz’s P-Valley, Katori Hall’s strip club drama based on her play Pussy Valley.

Created by Hall, who also showruns, the drama is set down deep in the Mississippi Delta, where lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. The Southern-fried hourlong drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors: the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. Trap music meets film noir in this lyrical and atmospheric series that dares to ask what happens when small-town folk dream beyond the boundaries of the Piggly Wiggly and the pawn shop.

Devine will play the Granmuva of Uncle Clifford and former proprietress of The Pynk.

Guadalajara, Mexico — In the world, it would be hard to choose a more exciting figure to introduce a masterclass than Guillermo del Toro, and even more so when that talk is given in the filmmaker’s hometown of Guadalajara Mexico at a festival he has been involved with for its entire 33-year existence.

If the audience was excited when Del Toro emerged from the wings to introduce guest speaker Melissa Cobb, Netflix vice president, kids & family, they were absolutely buzzing when he sat across from her to moderate the hour-and-a-half long talk.

Del Toro’s “Tales of Arcadia” animated series trilogy is produced at Netflix, as is his upcoming stop-motion feature and passion project “Pinocchio.” The assembled crowd was even treated to a first look at some photos from the project.

“While traditional studios will say, ‘Welcome to the family!'” del Toro joked of his relationship with the streaming giant,...

In today’s TV News Roundup, “Game of Thrones” releases teaser video for the final season and the creator of “Doc McStuffins” signs a deal with Netflix

First Looks

Game of Thrones has released a teaser video for season 8, hinting at a clash between fire and ice in the final season airing in April 2019.

Fire and ice. #GoTS8 pic.twitter.com/ixHIsPjyhW

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) December 6, 2018

Dates

Nickelodeon‘s new comedy series, “Cousins For Life,” premieres Saturday, Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. Et/Pt. The live action series follows Stuart (Dallas Dupree Young) and Ivy (Scarlet Spencer), a pair of 12 year old cousins navigating their two very different families living together under the same roof.

Oxygen Media will debut a two-hour crime special, “Dannemora Prison Break,” on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Et/Pt. Hosted by veteran correspondent Troy Roberts, the program details the shocking story of Richard Matt and...

Netflix has been spending ambitiously on content, though most of the attention is paid toward its fast-growing output of original series and films. But the streamer’s deal to keep the ’90s-era sitcom “Friends” for another year proves that older series that still carry big fanbases are just as important in the high-stakes streaming wars.

Sources differ on the exact price tag that Netflix paid to keep “Friends” next year. One insider with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap that it was between $70 and $80 million, while another person with knowledge of the rights-bidding pegged the deal closer to the $100 million that the New York Times reported earlier this week.

“Friends” was one of Netflix’s biggest acquisitions when it announced the deal back in 2014, which was followed by Hulu’s big get of “Seinfeld” a year later — an investment that cost somewhere between $160 and $180 million. Both deals heralded that the...

Award-winning children’s series creator Chris Nee is leaving Disney to enter into an overall deal with Netflix, the streaming giant announced on Thursday.

It will be a multi-year deal with the Peabody, Emmy, and Humanitas Prize-winning children’s TV screenwriter and producer.

Nee has created hits such as “Doc McStuffins” and the Emmy-nominated “Vampirina” for Disney Junior.

Also Read: Netflix Inks First-Look Deal With 'Harry Potter' Director Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures

Under her new deal at Netflix, Nee will write and produce animated and live action series for preschool and all audiences exclusively for Netflix. Additionally, Netflix will have a first-look option on any feature film projects that Nee and her production company, Laughing Wild, develop.

“Chris is an absolute master at crafting characters that kids want to spend time with and telling stories that are representative of all different types of families and communities,” said Melissa Cobb,...

Netflix has signed a multiyear overall deal with Chris Nee, the award-winning creator/Ep of Doc McStuffins and Vampirina who has championed kids TV stories with diverse points of view for more than two decades.

Under the deal, Nee will write and produce new animated and live-action series for preschool and all audiences exclusively for the streamer. Netflix also will have a first-look option on feature film projects from Nee and her production company, Laughing Wild.

“Chris is an absolute master at crafting characters that kids want to spend time with and telling stories that are representative of all different types of families and communities,” said Melissa Cobb, VP Kids & Family at Netflix. “She is among the very best and most prolific artists working in kids content today and we are so honored that Chris has chosen to make Netflix her creative home.”

Nee’s writing credits ranges from Blue...

Chris Nee, the award-winning creator of Disney Junior mega-hits Doc McStuffins and Vampirina, is moving to Netflix.

The streamer has signed a multiple-year overall deal with Nee, who, sources say, also wants to start generating content for adults after creating animated preschool hits for the Disney-owned, kids-focused cable network.

Under the exclusive pact, Nee will write and produce new animated and live-action series for preschool and all audiences. Netflix will also have a first-look option on feature film projects from Nee and her production company, Laughing Wild.

"The beauty of Netflix is that they don’t define me by ...

In Today’s TV News Roundup, AMC announced a new premiere date for the return of “The Walking Dead” season nine and director Patty Jenkins released a new trailer for TNT’s upcoming drama “I Am the Night,” starring Chris Pine.

Dates

AMC announced the return of “The Walking Dead” season nine on Feb. 10 at 9:00 p.m. Et/Pt. In the second half of the ninth season, both old and new survivors are forced to confront events that have taken place during the six-year time jump that occurred during the first half of the season. AMC also teased a new threat, which the network says is unlike anything the survivors have ever seen before. Following the season premiere, the network also revealed that season three of “Ride with Norman Reedus” will air at midnight on the same evening.

A new documentary “Roll With Me” is set to premiere Dec.

In the book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,” a gifted young lawyer fights for the poor and the wrongly condemned. And in pure Hollywood fashion, the movie based on the book’s true story will be the first production to fall under WarnerMedia’s newly adopted inclusion rider.

“This is progress,” says Kalpana Kotagal, an employment law attorney and one of the co-authors of the inclusion rider. “It’s a contractual strategy and a lot of these infusions are happening behind the scenes between A-listers and their agents and their lawyers and studios and their lawyers.”

“Just Mercy,” starring Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx, is expected to hit theaters in 2020. Its inclusion rider represents progress — but it is progress that, for many, has been a long time coming.

Inclusion riders received national attention in March when Frances McDormand won her second Academy Award and...

“Andi Mack” has won the inaugural GLAAD Media Award for outstanding kids and family programming, Variety has learned exclusively.

“Our teen girl characters, Andi and Buffy, are on a journey to figuring out who they are, and I decided that Cyrus should go on that kind of journey too,” “Andi Mack” creator Terri Minsky said in an exclusive statement for Variety. “His starts with a couple of friends who make him feel safe — they don’t judge him, they protect him. Unlike when my generation was growing up, kids today are lucky to live at a time when the world is more accepting — more and more people don’t feel the need to hide who they are. That’s what we all need, no matter who we are — people who love us, and in the case of Cyrus, people who love him before he even fully loves himself. I know...

The doctor is out! Recently, Lara Jill Miller revealed season five will be the last for the Disney Junior TV show Doc McStuffins.Created by Chris Nee, the children's animated series centers on Dottie "Doc" McStuffins, a young girl who can make toys come alive via a magic stethoscope. The voice cast includes Lara Jill Miller, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Robbie Rist, and Jess Harnell.Read More…...

[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from “Fresh Off the Boat” Season 4, Episode 10, “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” the first season of Netflix’s “One Day at a Time” and Season 2 of Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack.”]

“What up, girl. You gay?

You play any instruments?

Holla back at me.”

That eloquent haiku, scrawled on a coffee cup, is one of the first, albeit clumsy, attempts by “Fresh Off the Boat” character Nicole (Luna Blaise) to figure out what it means to live as a gay individual. Coming out has been an incremental process for her this season, and in Tuesday’s episode, she’s taking the next step. After developing a crush on a local barista at HotJava, Nicole considers communicating in poetry via paper cup to determine if the feeling is mutual.

Mainstream TV has come a long way since Ellen DeGeneres’ character came out on her self-titled sitcom 20 years ago. And these days, shows like ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” Netflix’s “One Day at a Time,” and Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack” have put youth coming-out stories at the front and center.

Ludacris is ready to become a dad times four.

The Best.Cover.Ever. host has three little girls, but he wants one more child — and this time he’s thinking in blue.

“My New Year’s resolution is to get a boy, believe it or not,” Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, tells People.

“We’re going to try one more time,” he shares. “So all next year I’m going to be trying to get a boy.”

Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the People Babies newsletter.

Portia de Rossi has come forward with a story about Steven Seagal, alleging that the action star “told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen” as part of an audition before unzipping his pants.

Read More:Julianna Margulies Recalls Uncomfortable Encounters With Harvey Weinstein and Steven Seagal: ‘I Saw His Gun’

“My final audition for a Steven Segal movie took place in his office,” de Rossi wrote on Twitter. “He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants. I ran out and called my agent. Unfazed, she replied, ‘well, I didn’t know if he was your type.'”

Read More:Steven Seagal Has Been Banned from Ukraine and Labeled a Threat to National Security

“The Good Wife” star Julianna Margulies recently shared a similar story about Seagal, alleging that she met with him in...