NAACP, CBS Television Studios Set Multi-Year Content Partnership

Nellie Andreeva Co-Editor-in-Chief, TVEXCLUSIVE: Former Happy Endings star Damon Wayans Jr.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix and Ubisoft have teamed for an anime series adaptation of the video game “Splinter Cell”, Variety has learned.Derek Kolstad, best known for his work writing the “John Wick” film franchise, will serve as writer and executive producer on the series. According to sources, the series has received a two-season, 16 episode order at the streaming service.Netflix, Ubisoft, and reps for Kolstad declined to comment on the specifics of the deal.The first “Splinter Cell”

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKerry Washington and her Simpson Street production banner have renewed their overall deal with ABC studios for a further three years.“Since its inception, Simpson Street has focused on using art and entertainment to amplify the human experience and weave narratives that honor our unique differences while connecting us through our shared humanity,” said Washington.

Will Thorne Staff WriterElisabeth Moss is making a giant leap into developing and producing her own content.“The Handmaid’s Tale” star has inked a joint first-look deal with the show’s platform Hulu and Fox 21 Television Studios. Moss has also launched her own production company called Love & Squalor Pictures, which will focus on creating TV and film content for all platforms.As part of the deal, Moss is developing an anthology titled “Black Match” for Hulu, in which she will star.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorEXCLUSIVE: Producer, motivational speaker and bestselling author DeVon Franklin (Breakthrough) is expanding his work in television, signing an overall deal with CBS TV Studios.Franklin serves as President & CEO of Franklin Entertainment production company, which has a multi-year first-look film deal with Paramount Pictures and a second-look deal with Netflix.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“grown-ish” star and executive producer Yara Shahidi has signed an overall deal with ABC Studios.As part of the deal, Shahidi is forming a production company with her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi. The company is called 7th Sun.

Will Thorne Staff WriterDave Kajganich, the writer and producer who created the first season of AMC’s “The Terror” and penned Luca Guadagnino “Suspiria,” has signed an overall deal with Fox 21 Television Studios.As part of the deal, Kajganich will work with Fox 21 to create, develop and produce series for network, cable and streaming platforms.

Days after CBS committed to expanding development from BIPOC, the company is teaming with the NAACP for a wide-ranging content partnership.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterViacomCBS is not expecting to bring most of its employees back to its U.S. offices for the remainder of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across the country.In a memo sent to staff on Wednesday obtained by Variety, ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish wrote “While we were hopeful we’d be able to bring a small number of employees back to U.S.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterAs the film and TV landscape continue to shift in the wake of civic unrest and demand for social change, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and CBS Television are bolstering progress by entering a multi-year partnership to develop and produce scripted, unscripted and documentary content for linear television networks and streaming platforms.The announcement of the agreement was made today by George Cheeks, President and

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCBS is no longer planning to air “Survivor” Season 41 this fall.Variety has learned that CBS has pulled the long-running reality competition series from its fall 2020-2021 lineup.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCBS announced Monday that it will devote 25% of its script development budget to projects created or co-created by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) beginning with the 2021-2022 development season.In addition, the network is also setting a target to have a minimum of 40% BIPOC representation in their writers’ rooms also beginning in 2021-2022. The goal is to increase that number to 50% the following season.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a series commitment to a drama set in the Gotham police department from Matt Reeves and Terrence Winter, Variety has learned.The untitled series will be set in the world Reeves is creating for the feature film “The Batman,” with the intent being to launch a new Batman universe across multiple platforms. It is said to build on the film’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLucy Liu has been cast in the lead role of Shana Goldberg-Meehan’s multi-camera workplace comedy pilot at ABC formerly known as “Bossy” and “Kids Matter Now.”Liu will play Devin, described as the fierce and powerful head of Shelter, a large and successful modern furniture company. She is a force and is unfamiliar with failure.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorThe NFL and free, ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV have extended their programming partnership in a multi-year agreement.After a one-year deal revealed last August, the NFL Channel delivered a curated version of library pro football fare.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX and Hulu have partnered to launch the documentary series “The New York Times Presents.”The show hails from the team behind FX’s “The Weekly.” The new show will present standalone documentaries on major stories via the journalists at the New York Times.“The New York Times Presents” will feature 10 individual documentaries that will air on FX and on Hulu on Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeter Lenkov’s relationship with CBS has been terminated due to accusations the producer and showrunner created a toxic work environment on his sets, Variety has confirmed.Lenkov was the showrunner on the CBS revivals of “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” but has been fired from those shows. In addition, his overall deal with CBS Television Studios has been ended.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Batman” director Matt Reeves is expanding his relationship with Warner Bros.Reeves and his 6th & Idaho production company have signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.

Kandi Burruss‘ hubby, Todd Tucker shared a short clip featuring their daughter, Blaze Tucker. This young lady could not be any sweeter and fans and followers are in love with her.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Parnell is leaving Sony Pictures Television Studios, where he most recently served as co-president alongside Jason Clodfelter.Parnell will join Apple TV Plus in a senior programming role on the domestic development team, reporting to Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of scripted development and current programming.