Exclusive: Paramount Global is cutting back the Smithsonian Channel’s New York Hub as more details about the U.S. layoffs emerge.
Staff at the channel’s New York office were told mid-last week, we understand, and third-party producers were subsequently informed that most of their shows will now be handled by execs at Smithsonian Channel’s Washington HQ. The Washington team will also be impacted.
Around two-dozen people work in the New York office, Deadline understands. One of those at risk is Rachel Watson, VP Development for the Smithsonian Channel.
The move comprises part of Paramount Media Networks’ 25% domestic layoffs, a “very hard but necessary decision” revealed by President and CEO Chris McCarthy in an all-staff note last week. “Through the elimination of some units and by streamlining others, we will be able to reduce costs and create a more effective approach to our business as we move forward,...
Staff at the channel’s New York office were told mid-last week, we understand, and third-party producers were subsequently informed that most of their shows will now be handled by execs at Smithsonian Channel’s Washington HQ. The Washington team will also be impacted.
Around two-dozen people work in the New York office, Deadline understands. One of those at risk is Rachel Watson, VP Development for the Smithsonian Channel.
The move comprises part of Paramount Media Networks’ 25% domestic layoffs, a “very hard but necessary decision” revealed by President and CEO Chris McCarthy in an all-staff note last week. “Through the elimination of some units and by streamlining others, we will be able to reduce costs and create a more effective approach to our business as we move forward,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Russia’s nearly year-long war in Ukraine has claimed the lives of more than 7,000 civilians, including 438 children, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. But the impact of the invasion goes much further than those numbers, of course – the bloodshed has sent more than five million Ukrainians fleeing across the Polish border, reportedly half of them teenagers or younger.
Those traumatized Ukrainian teens are the focus of the new documentary Don’t Leave Me Behind: Stories of Young Ukrainian Survival, which will premiere on MTV on February 21, just days before the war’s one-year anniversary. MTV is airing the film commercial-free.
“Filmmaker Nathaniel Lezra brings viewers just miles from the Ukraine-Poland border,” MTV said in a statement about the documentary, “where he chronicles the lives of Ukrainian teenage refugees as they process the unimaginable trauma of being displaced from their country and separated...
Those traumatized Ukrainian teens are the focus of the new documentary Don’t Leave Me Behind: Stories of Young Ukrainian Survival, which will premiere on MTV on February 21, just days before the war’s one-year anniversary. MTV is airing the film commercial-free.
“Filmmaker Nathaniel Lezra brings viewers just miles from the Ukraine-Poland border,” MTV said in a statement about the documentary, “where he chronicles the lives of Ukrainian teenage refugees as they process the unimaginable trauma of being displaced from their country and separated...
- 2/6/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
“Picturing the Obamas,” a documentary special about Barack and Michelle Obama and their likenesses in the National Portait Gallery, will premiere on the Smithsonian Channel in September.
The two-part film will trace the journey of the former president and first lady’s official portraits, from when they were unveiled in 2018 to their national museum tour in 2021. The first hour, titled “Portraits of Hope” will survey the legacy of the Obama presidency and the historic significance of the portraits themselves, as they go on display in Chicago and Los Angeles. Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald – the first Black presidential portrait artists in American history – will discuss the process of working with the Obamas in the second hour, “Portraits of Change.”
Curators, journalists and art critics will weigh in, but the film is said to focus on “the experiences of everyday people.” Interviewees include a Latina community organizer, a young artist from Southside Chicago,...
The two-part film will trace the journey of the former president and first lady’s official portraits, from when they were unveiled in 2018 to their national museum tour in 2021. The first hour, titled “Portraits of Hope” will survey the legacy of the Obama presidency and the historic significance of the portraits themselves, as they go on display in Chicago and Los Angeles. Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald – the first Black presidential portrait artists in American history – will discuss the process of working with the Obamas in the second hour, “Portraits of Change.”
Curators, journalists and art critics will weigh in, but the film is said to focus on “the experiences of everyday people.” Interviewees include a Latina community organizer, a young artist from Southside Chicago,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Exclusive: A documentary about President Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama’s portraits commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery is being drawn up by Smithsonian Channel.
The Paramount Global-owned cabler is launching Picturing the Obamas on September 10 – three days after the unveiling of the White House portraits of the Obamas.
The doc will see curators, journalists, and art critics discuss the ways that the pair’s portraits disrupted traditional presidential portraiture and spurred museums to reach new audiences.
The portraits were unveiled in 2018, captivating the world, becoming an instant social media sensation and bringing record numbers to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. The Obamas’ portraits were created by two Black artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, a first for presidential portraits commissioned for the museum’s collection.
They doubled annual attendance at the National Portrait Gallery and they went on a national tour last year.
The special will include...
The Paramount Global-owned cabler is launching Picturing the Obamas on September 10 – three days after the unveiling of the White House portraits of the Obamas.
The doc will see curators, journalists, and art critics discuss the ways that the pair’s portraits disrupted traditional presidential portraiture and spurred museums to reach new audiences.
The portraits were unveiled in 2018, captivating the world, becoming an instant social media sensation and bringing record numbers to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. The Obamas’ portraits were created by two Black artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, a first for presidential portraits commissioned for the museum’s collection.
They doubled annual attendance at the National Portrait Gallery and they went on a national tour last year.
The special will include...
- 8/31/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: James F. Blue III is leaving Paramount Global after a year and a half as SVP and Head of Smithsonian Channel. He just informed his staff of his decision in an internal memo (You can read it below). Blue did not specify what his plans for the future are but, according to sources, the former PBS NewsHour and Nightline producer would likely return to the news field where he has spent most of his career to date.
Blue’s note was accompanied by a company email by Chris McCarthy, President & CEO of Paramount Global’s Media Networks; Nina L. Diaz, Cco and president of content for MTV Entertainment Group; and Keyes Hill-Edgar, COO, Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios. In it, they thanked Blue for his contributions and indicated that there will be no immediate replacement.
“Because of our deeply talented bench, we won’t miss a beat: We have asked Pam Aguilar,...
Blue’s note was accompanied by a company email by Chris McCarthy, President & CEO of Paramount Global’s Media Networks; Nina L. Diaz, Cco and president of content for MTV Entertainment Group; and Keyes Hill-Edgar, COO, Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios. In it, they thanked Blue for his contributions and indicated that there will be no immediate replacement.
“Because of our deeply talented bench, we won’t miss a beat: We have asked Pam Aguilar,...
- 6/30/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS’ Smithsonian Channel is prepping One Thousand Years of Slavery, a four-part docu-series from Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s Bassett Vance Productions.
BAFTA-winning British-Nigerian director David Olusoga explores stories of survival and devastation that span across the globe – from Africa to the Caribbean, London to Washington DC, and more. Through preserved historical documentation and insight from experts, every story unfolds to chronicle how slavery frames the present and continues to act as a distinct force on the future. The series features interviews with public figures including Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Senator Cory Booker, and actor David Harewood. (Watch a trailer above)
“Slavery is not that long ago. It’s really recent. It’s painfully close to us, and it’s no surprise it’s still shaping our societies,” said Olusoga. “Our aim is to break away from just seeing the slave trade as a phenomena that exists...
BAFTA-winning British-Nigerian director David Olusoga explores stories of survival and devastation that span across the globe – from Africa to the Caribbean, London to Washington DC, and more. Through preserved historical documentation and insight from experts, every story unfolds to chronicle how slavery frames the present and continues to act as a distinct force on the future. The series features interviews with public figures including Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Senator Cory Booker, and actor David Harewood. (Watch a trailer above)
“Slavery is not that long ago. It’s really recent. It’s painfully close to us, and it’s no surprise it’s still shaping our societies,” said Olusoga. “Our aim is to break away from just seeing the slave trade as a phenomena that exists...
- 8/18/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
MTV Entertainment on Wednesday announced a new docuseries produced in partnership with Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s Bassett Vance Productions that will explore the tragic history of slavery and its profound, continuing impact on the modern world.
The four-episode series, “One Thousand Years of Slavery,” will air on the Smithsonian Channel. Each episode will focus on “powerful stories of notable individuals courageously sharing their deeply personal Black experiences.”
The series will feature interviews and personal accounts with leaders and activists including Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Senator Cory booker, and actor David Harewood, and will look at “how slavery frames the present and continues to act as a distinct force on the future.”
Watch the trailer above.
Described as “a dialogue of reflection, oppression, and progression, offering diverse perspectives proving that this challenging yet imperative global conversation will continue for decades to come,” the series will...
The four-episode series, “One Thousand Years of Slavery,” will air on the Smithsonian Channel. Each episode will focus on “powerful stories of notable individuals courageously sharing their deeply personal Black experiences.”
The series will feature interviews and personal accounts with leaders and activists including Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Senator Cory booker, and actor David Harewood, and will look at “how slavery frames the present and continues to act as a distinct force on the future.”
Watch the trailer above.
Described as “a dialogue of reflection, oppression, and progression, offering diverse perspectives proving that this challenging yet imperative global conversation will continue for decades to come,” the series will...
- 8/18/2021
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Sundance Institute Sets 10 Producers For 2021 Lab & Summit, Unveils Advisors & Industry Participants
On Wednesday, Sundance Institute named the fellows selected for its 2021 Producers Lab and Summit.
Producers and projects selected on the feature film side include Katie White (Caity), Deidre Backs (Fancy Dance), Duran Jones (The Incredible Heist of Hallelujah Jones), Shao Min Chew Chia (The Plutonians), and Austin Sepulveda (Sundown Town).
Those chosen for the Documentary Producers Lab are Jole Estrella Horwitz (All that is Solid (Todo Lo Sólido)), Darcy McKinnon (Commuted), Keith Wilson (I Didn’t See You There), Razi Jafri (Loyalty) and Ann Bennett (Razing Liberty Square).
Fiction producers serving as advisors at this year’s program include Mollye Asher (Nomadland), Amy Lo (Nancy), Paul Mezey (After Yang) and Laura Rister (The Tale). Nonfiction advisors will include Violeta Bava (Azor), Jannat Gargi (Vice Studios), Andrea Meditch (Fathom), and Tracy Rector (Nia Tero).
This year’s Producers Lab is set for July 25-29. The Producers Summit will take place between...
Producers and projects selected on the feature film side include Katie White (Caity), Deidre Backs (Fancy Dance), Duran Jones (The Incredible Heist of Hallelujah Jones), Shao Min Chew Chia (The Plutonians), and Austin Sepulveda (Sundown Town).
Those chosen for the Documentary Producers Lab are Jole Estrella Horwitz (All that is Solid (Todo Lo Sólido)), Darcy McKinnon (Commuted), Keith Wilson (I Didn’t See You There), Razi Jafri (Loyalty) and Ann Bennett (Razing Liberty Square).
Fiction producers serving as advisors at this year’s program include Mollye Asher (Nomadland), Amy Lo (Nancy), Paul Mezey (After Yang) and Laura Rister (The Tale). Nonfiction advisors will include Violeta Bava (Azor), Jannat Gargi (Vice Studios), Andrea Meditch (Fathom), and Tracy Rector (Nia Tero).
This year’s Producers Lab is set for July 25-29. The Producers Summit will take place between...
- 7/22/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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