Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Thursday, July 11th, 2024

It's day two of the Television Critics Association press tour. I have the highlights.

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, July 11th, 2024:

GREETINGS FROM PASADENA
I warned early in the week that some of these newsletters were likely to be running late and tonight's is certainly setting some sort of record. It's day two of the TCA Summer Tour and it was a mix of platforms and networks. Hallmark rolled out a bunch of panels in the morning, with Starz presenting two panels after lunch. Along with panels from Crunchyroll and Hub Research. Plus tonight was a party sponsored by Hallmark which allowed me to speak with some network stars and executives in a more relaxed situation. But it definitely threw off my schedule. 

Here are some of the highlights:

HALLMARK
* Hallmark Media announced a new streaming service, Hallmark+, which it will rollout in the United States in mid-September. The company will shutter its current streaming service and the new platform will include a mix of library titles, new programming from Hallmark's linear channels and original programming created specifically for the streaming service.

Priced at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, a subscription includes a monthly $5 Hallmark Gold Crown Store coupons, free unlimited eCards, rewards for shopping, and surprise gifts.

This might seem like a crazy time to launch a new streaming service, but I think this approach is very astute. Bundling the streaming service into the overall Hallmark universe is not that different an approach than the one used by Apple TV+ with the overall Apple One service or Prime Video with Amazon Prime. 

In the case of Hallmark, there are a large number of already engaged superfans and this is an opportunity to keep those fans in the fold. Hallmark+ also allows Hallmark to spread the production costs for originals across multiple platforms, making it much financially risky to continue its aggressive original programming slate.

Here is a rundown of some of the original programming headed to Hallmark+:

Finding Mr. Christmas
Hallmark's first-ever reality competition series follows 10 promising Hallmark "hunks" who live together and compete against one another for the lead role in an upcoming original holiday movie that will premiere later this year during the Hallmark Channel's "Countdown To Christmas" programming block. The series runs eight episodes and is hosted by co-creator and executive producer Jonathan Bennett. It will premiere this fall on Hallmark+.

Celebrations With Lacey Chabert
Chabert surprises deserving real-life heroes who are making a positive impact in their communities by throwing them the celebration of a lifetime. It premieres mid-September on Hallmark+.

Ready Set, Glow!
A holiday lights showcase spectacular hosted by Hallmark star Wes Brown, who takes viewers around the country to some of the most impressive, festive displays and introduces the special people behind them who share their heartfelt – and often emotional stories – behind their displays and how they contribute to the community.

Small Town Setup
Set to premiere in 2025, the series gives parents the chance to play matchmaker for their adult kids who have moved away to the "big city" and return to their hometown, unaware the search for their happily ever after is awaiting them.

Home Is Where The Heart Is
Hosted by Luke Macfarlane, the show features the Hallmark star and woodworker extraordinaire as he lends his talents to room renovations in a family's home that holds meaning to them. In addition to transforming the space, Luke will craft a handmade piece for the family.

The Groomsmen
Jonathan Bennett (Christmas On Cherry Lane, The Holiday Sitter), Tyler Hynes (Shifting Gears, Three Wise Men And A Baby) and B.J. Britt (A Christmas Serenade, The Holiday Stocking) star as three best friends who stand up for each other on the biggest days of their lives. The three-movie trilogy takes viewers on the journey of a lifetime in Greece, Italy and Bulgaria.

Here is a link to a bit more info on the shows.

STARZ
* Starz released some first-look photos from part two of season seven, which premieres Friday, November 22nd. The eighth and final season of the show is currently in production.

* Starz also released the first video from the upcoming limited series Three Women. The series premieres Friday, September 13th and it follows "three women on a crash course to radically overturn their lives. Lina (Betty Gilpin), a homemaker in suburban Indiana, is a decade into a passionless marriage when she embarks on an affair that quickly becomes all-consuming and transforms her life. Sloane (DeWanda Wise), a glamorous entrepreneur in the Northeast, has a committed open marriage with Richard (Blair Underwood), until two sexy new strangers threaten their aspirational love story. Maggie (Gabrielle Creevy), a student in North Dakota, weathers an intense storm after accusing her married English teacher (Jason Ralph) of an inappropriate relationship. Gia (Shailene Woodley), a writer grieving the loss of her family, persuades each of these three spectacular "ordinary" women to tell her their stories, and her relationships with them change the course of her life forever."

* Starz has ordered Fat Joe Talks, a new interview series hosted and executive produced by Grammy award-nominated artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fat Joe that will "give viewers unique access into the lives of today’s most influential personalities who drive the cultural zeitgeist. In each 30-minute episode Fat Joe will lead captivating conversations around a wide range of newsworthy topics and will travel throughout the United States to meet these cultural icons in their environment."

* Starz is going to be the U.S. and Canadian broadcast home of Sweetpea. In the series, Ella Purnell stars as Rhiannon, "a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder."

AND TOMORROW'S TCA PRESENTATION
Tomorrow is a quiet time for most of the day. Friday night is the star-packed TCA Awards and I'll have a piece up with photos and updates after it's over. I am presenting an award, which will be interesting. Saturday is a full day from CBS, and I'll have more about that in tomorrow's newsletter.

ODDS AND SODS
* The new social competition series The Anonymous premieres Monday, August 19th on USA. Here is the official logline: "The Anonymous is a strategic competition played in two worlds, the real world and anonymous mode. The Digital Anonymous Networking Interface, or “DANI” for short, has invited 12 players to live in her domain and work side-by-side to raise a prize fund of up to $100,000. Despite their close quarters, all players will have their own private underground hideouts, where each is completely anonymous and can say anything and everything behind the mask of a unique handle. In their hideouts, players can provide raw, unfiltered takes on their fellow contestants. They will scheme, connive and deceive to build influence and advance their game. The question is: Can they stay anonymous while doing so, or will the other players guess their identity? "

* Filming has begun on season four of the Sister Boniface Mysteries.

* The Ankler's Prestige Junkie newsletter has a great piece on The Emmys' reality TV problem and how to fix it.

* The Guardian's Michaela Makusha has a great piece on a subset of Bridgerton fans who complain the show is too diverse.

* Entertainment Tonight is laying off 17 digital news staffers as ETOnline.com shifts it focus in September to video.

* Sometimes in business one bad decision can sink you. Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment purchased the already struggling DVD rental kiosk service Redbox in 2020 in a deal in which it also took on $360 million worth of Redbox debt. Then came the pandemic, with fewer new releases and the company never recovered. Now Chicken Soup is filling for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and Redbox is shutting down after nearly 20 years in business.

* In case you're looking for another entertainment-related Substack to read, actor Kyle Secor has one in which he writes about his experiences on Homicide: Life On The Streets.

WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

THURSDAY, JULY 11TH:
* Another Self (Netflix)
* Beach Bargains Season Premiere (HGTV)
* Caught! When Sharks Attack (Discovery)
* Christina On The Coast Season Premiere (HGTV)
* Deadly Wives Club (LMN)
* Great White Danger Zone (Discovery)
* Impractical Jokers Season Eleven Premiere (TBS)
* Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer (Hulu)
* MILF Of Norway (Max)
* Monster Of Oz (Discovery)
* Sausage Party: Foodtopia Series Premiere (Prime Video)
* Teen Torture Inc. (Max)
* The Hungry Games: Alaska's Big Bear Challenge Series Premiere (Peacock)
* The Real Housewives Of Orange County Season Premiere (Bravo)
* The Responder Season Two (Britbox)
* 2024 ESPY Awards (ABC)
* Tyler Perry's Divorce In The Black (Prime Video)
* Vanished In The Night (Netflix)
* Vikings: Valhalla Season Premiere (Netflix)

FRIDAY, JULY 12TH, 2024:
Blame The Game (Netflix)
Bye Bye Earth Series Premiere (Crunchyroll)
Chain Food: All Star Dishes (The Roku Channel)
Descendants: The Rise Of Red (Disney+) - [first look video]
Every Family (Toda Família Tem) Series Premiere (Prime Video)
Exploding Kittens Series Premiere (Netflix)
Labola Man (Netflix)
Me Series Premiere (Apple TV+)
Shark Island Attack (Discovery)
Sharks Of The Dead Zone (Discovery)
The Champion (Netflix)
The Real Sharkano (Discovery)
The Serpent Queen Season Two Premiere (Starz)
The Very Very Best Of The 80s (AXS tv)

SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!