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| Meredith Hagner in Search Party. |
TNT unveiled a dramatic brand refresh and programming evolution during today's TBS TNT Upfront presentation in New York. The initiative is designed to expand the audience by attracting younger viewers and a more balanced male-female composition. On the programming front, TNT is building a dynamic portfolio of thrilling genre fare, with new action-adventure, sci-fi/fantasy, mystery/suspense and crime dramas. TNT's brand refresh is centered on the new tagline TNT Drama. Boom. The tagline reflects the kind of powerful emotional moments that make for great drama, moments that can be found in such TNT hits as Falling Skies, Rizzoli & Isles and Major Crimes; this summer's new dramas The Last Ship, Legends, Murder in the First; the recently announced series Public Morals, Proof and The Librarians; and TNT's championship sports programming.
TNT and TBS, two of cable’s most successful brands, have unveiled an extensive slate of series being developed with some of the industry’s best storytellers. The slate reflects the network’s programming strategies, which were laid out by network executives during TNT and TBS’s annual Upfront presentation today in New York. Among the many high-profile storytellers developing new projects for TBS and TNT are Steven Spielberg, Steve Carell, Diablo Cody, Denis Leary, Sylvester Stallone, Dick Wolf, Nicholas Sparks, Marcia Clark, Dee Johnson, Walt Becker, Jamie Foxx and James Duff, to name a few. TBS and TNT are about to become the first national entertainment networks in the industry to stream on-air content live across multiple platforms 24/7, including through the networks' websites and a pair of newly created Watch TNT and Watch TBS apps. The announcement was made during TNT and TBS's annual Upfront presentation today in New York. Live streaming is the latest phase in the rollout of TV Everywhere, the industry-wide initiative that gives subscribers to cable, satellite and telco video services access to more of their favorite shows across a wide range of digital platforms.
TNT and TBS‘s original programming group is undergoing a reorganization that includes new roles for three current executives. Lillah McCarthy will shift into a new position as senior vice president of TNT and TBS Original Productions, heading up the networks’ in-house production company. Brett Weitz has been promoted to senior vice president of scripted development for TNT and TBS. And Kathy Busby will take on a new role as vice president of TNT and TBS Original Productions, reporting to McCarthy. TBS and TNT unveiled a a bold, industry-leading" strategy at the Upfronts last week. The networks will undertake a major transformation over the next two years, evolving from linear television networks into branded video destinations.