NEW PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCEMENTS
NBC Eyes “Oliver Twist” Procedural
NBC and Silver Pictures Television have announced a pilot-script deal for “Twist,” a modern-day adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 19th century novel “Oliver Twist.” The proposed series will focus on a struggling 20-something female who finally finds a true sense of family in a strange group of talented outcasts who use their unique skills to take down wealthy criminals.
Founder of Silver Pictures Television Joel Silver and president Rodney Ferrell will serve as executive producers on “Twist.” Writing team Chad Damiani and J.P. Lavin, known for the upcoming film adaptation of the game “Fruit Ninja,” have signed on to write the series’ pilot. Both Damiani and Lavin will also executive produce the project.
Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” centered on Oliver Twist, an orphan who is sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker who eventually escapes and travels to London where he meets the Artful Dodger and elderly criminal Fagin, who oversees the gang of juvenile pickpockets.
AT&T Audience Network Orders “Religion of Sports”
The AT&T Audience Network has picked up six episodes of docuseries “Religion of Sports,” which will examine the unique examples of sports’ cultural and often spiritual impact in regions around the world. Created by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, “Good Morning America” co-host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, and filmmaker Gotham Chopra, the series will debut on Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. ET. Christopher Long, Bart Peters, Constance Schwartz-Morini, Martin Desmond Roe and Chris Uettwiller will exec produce alongside Brady, Strahan and Chopra.
Each hour-long episode of “Religion of Sports” will examine instances where specific sports profoundly influence societies and cultures in a manner that extends beyond entertainment value. Episodes will feature NASCAR events, the Calgary Stampede and the rise of UFC and MMA fighting.
ABC to Launch Four New Short-Form Series
ABCd, the digital extension of ABC, is introducing four new digital series this Friday for the free ABC apps for web, mobile and connected TV devices. They are comedy “This Isn’t Working” from YouTube star Lisa Schwartz; “Farm to Plate,” featuring Australian chef Guy Turland; “She Talks,” a docuseries that profiles female entrepreneurs; and “What to Text Him Back,” featuring relationship expert and best-selling author Matthew Hussey as he breaks down dating protocol in the digital age.
Additionally, ABCd will debut interview series “A Little of Your Time with Quinn Marcus” on Thursday, Sept. 15 in conjunction with Marcus’ role as the official social-media correspondent for the 2016 Primetime Emmys. Marcus is known for MTV’s “Girl Code” and MTVu’s “Quinnterviews.” The network relaunched its free streaming service, along with seven new short-form series, in July. For more specifics, click here |