MTV Entertainment Group Commits $250 Million to Drive Content From Women- and BIPOC-Owned Production Companies

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterViacomCBS’ MTV Entertainment Group has tapped “PBS NewsHour” producer and executive James F. Blue III to become its senior vice president and head of Smithsonian Channel.Blue has been tasked with leading, expanding and diversifying the Smithsonian Channel’s content to further the Smithsonian’s mission to engage, inspire and educate, according to the company.

Lee Isaac Chung is maybe not a filmmaker that you’re familiar with yet, but after you watch “Minari,” you’re definitely going to want to see everything he works on in the future. While not his first feature film, “Minari” is the big breakout feature that is sure to launch the indie director into the Oscar discussion as we end 2020 and enter 2021.

German studio Leonine is acquiring Munich-based production company SEO Entertainment effective January 1, 2021.

Without a doubt, Cardi B has become a global superstar with her music, charisma and meme-worthy hottakes. Now, the Grammy-winning rapper invites us to experience new things alongside her with the new series Cardi Tries ___ launching today.

British writer Charlie Mackesy is teaming with Oscar-nominated producer Cara Speller (Pear Cider And Cigarettes) to form production company NoneMore Productions, which will focus on developing his works for the screen.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorAnthony Padilla, one of YouTube’s OG creators, rose to internet fame with Smosh — performing goofy, comedic sketches with his longtime friend Ian Hecox.In the three years since exiting Smosh, Padilla has been a solo act on his YouTube channel, which just hit 5 million subscribers.

EXCLUSIVE: Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova’s management company Producer Entertainment Group has signed the popular drag duo to ICM Partners for representation in all areas.

Range Media Partners has signed CrichtonSun, the LA-based archive, publishing and production company of late author Michael Crichton which is overseen by President Sherri Crichton and her producing partner, Laurent Bouzereau.

Walt Disney said it will be forking out $14-$16 billion in content spending in fiscal 20204 on streaming serices Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ as it ramps up original series and films to the tune of 100 a year.

EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Ramos, perhaps best known for her role as Haddie Braverman on the NBC series Parenthood and a recurring role in Showtime’s The Affair, has signed with Echo Lake Entertainment for management representation in all areas.

With two fairly successful films under his belt in the “Kingsman” franchise, filmmaker Matthew Vaughn is still prepping his prequel film, “The King’s Man” for release sometime…in the future? Honestly, with how movie theaters are doing right now, we have no idea where/when we’ll see “The King’s Man.” That said, it appears that Vaughn’s production company, MARV, is far, far, FAR from done with the franchise and has several new sequels and spinoffs in the works.

Ryan Michelle Bathé (All Rise) has signed a first-look development deal with ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group (formerly Entertainment & Youth Group). Under the pact, Bathé will develop and executive produce new television programming for MTV Entertainment Studios with an emphasis on emerging talent and underrepresented voices.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterViacomCBS’ MTV Entertainment Group has signed a comprehensive development deal with Ryan Michelle Bathé and her Down on Maple Productions, an agreement that covers content created for television and new media platforms.Under the terms of the deal, Bathé will develop and executive produce new TV series for MTV Entertainment Studios across scripted, unscripted and TV movie formats for all brands in the division, which includes MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, and other

LOS ANGELES -- MTV Entertainment Group says it's making a $250 million commitment to spur reality production over the next three years by companies owned and operated by women and people of color.ViacomCBS' MTV Entertainment, which includes MTV and VH1, will provide funding, staff and other support to foster new ideas that will “fuel the unscripted content needs" of now and in the future, according to an announcement Thursday.Advocates of increasing diversity in the entertainment industry say

MTV Entertainment Group has launched a new initiative to fuel the creation of more content from production companies owned and operated by BIPOC and women. They have commited $250M over three years in production to bolster the next generation of creative leaders and business owners.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterAllison Baver, a three-time Olympic athlete, is expanding her footprint in the world of entertainment.

ViacomCBS’ MTV Entertainment Group unit, formerly known as its Entertainment & Youth division, has engaged U.K.-based Lost Art TV to help it source "fresh and exciting new formats" from international markets with a focus on comedy and unscripted content. The company said on Thursday that the formats would target its portfolio of brands,which includes MTV, Comedy Central, and others.

French execs Valérie Billaut, Stéphane Cadoch and Hugues Laigneau are launching Paris-based production company Taleseed.

Naman Ramachandran Legendary Entertainment and “The White Queen” and “Life on Mars” writers/showrunners Emma Frost and Matthew Graham have launched a U.K.