From left, GM of Crackle and EVP of Sony Pictures Digital Television Networks, Eric Berger, actors Bryan Cranston, and Dennis Quaid, and Chairman of Sony pictures Television, Steve Mosko are seen at the Crackle Upfront at New York City Center on Wed. April 20, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision for Crackle/AP Images)
At today’s upfronts, Crackle unveiled upcoming programming – season two The Art of More and Supermansion; a new movie based on popular video game Dead Rising and seven channels – each based around genres that are popular with viewers (Comedy, Action, Drama, Thriller, Sports, Fandom and Anime),
The network also unveiled an intriguing new way for its advertisers to take advantage of Crackle’s programming – if they can show a little imagination.
Follow the jump for all the details.
NEWS FROM CRACKLE’S 2016 UPFRONT PRESENTATION:
New York, April 20 – At Crackle’s upfront presentation held in New York today, Sony’s streaming service announced the network’s program, advertising and virtual reality offerings. Crackle General Manager and EVP, Sony Pictures Television Digital Networks, Eric Berger said: “At Crackle, we believe that creating content and ad experiences that mirror changing consumer habits are instrumental for driving viewer attention. We’re charting a path for television with a sustainable ad model that is a win for the advertiser, the network and most importantly, the consumer.”
CRACKLE ANNOUNCES BREAK-FREE ADVERTISING; INFINITI FIRST ON BOARD FOR SOPHOMORE SEASON OF ‘THE ART OF MORE’
Sony’s streaming network announced an advertising solution for bingeing original series that replaces convention called, “break-free advertising.” Instead of 300 ads over the course of a linear TV series, during a Crackle Original with 10 episodes, the viewer will only get five ads per episode. The same five advertisers will have a spot in each of the 10 episodes—and those advertisers will be able to tell a story across multiple episodes with only four other advertisers to capture the viewer’s attention. In addition, Crackle will SUPERSIZE the commercial by packaging it with a story-arc of unique content that will be threaded together across all 10 episodes. Story-arcs could be creative narratives about the show’s setting, special insights about the Characters from the creators or a look behind the curtain at production – all designed to grab the viewer’s attention and tied to the brand’s valuable ad.
CRACKLE UNVEILS SEVEN MULTIPLEX CHANNELS
A series of new “multiplex channels” launched on Crackle today as part of their “Always On” platform. The free, ad-supported network unveiled seven distinct destinations reflecting the genres that appeal most to the Crackle audience. Spanning categories including Comedy, Action, Drama, Thriller, Sports, Fandom and Anime, the streaming networks’ critically-acclaimed, original content will anchor the channels and after a channel is selected, programming is played just like on linear television.
FIRST LOOK TEASER TRAILER RELEASED FOR NEW ORIGINAL SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES, ‘STARTUP,’ TO DEBUT THIS FALL STARRING MARTIN FREEMAN, ADAM BRODY, EDI GATHEGI AND OTMARA MARRERO; NEW CASTMEMBERS ANNOUNCED TODAY INCLUDE WAYNE KNIGHT (‘SEINFELD’) AND AARON YOO (21, ‘THE BLACKLIST’)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_XSewKQQa0&feature=youtu.be
The 10-episode, one-hour original drama series explores what happens when a brilliant, yet controversial tech idea gets incubated on the wrong side of the tracks by three strangers who don’t necessarily fit the mold of “tech entrepreneurs.” Set amongst the unconstrained, yet opportunist streets of Miami, “StartUp” weaves a complex and exciting narrative, featuring the high-stakes struggle of what one will do to reach ultimate success. Forced to fund a tech company with dirty money from unsuspecting places while forming ties with a dangerous, Haitian gang, the fight to build a business pales in comparison to the fight to stay alive, especially when there’s a vehement FBI agent who wields the power to make or break those he comes in contact with—and not always for the right reasons.
Additional cast announced today include Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”) who plays Benedict Blush, a wildly successful entrepreneur with blue collar sensibilities; and Aaron Yoo (21, “Blacklist”) who plays Alex Bell, a premiere tech venture capitalist that everyone wants in their corner.
“StartUp” is produced by Critical Content and Hollywood Gang Productions. Tom Forman, Andrew Marcus, Ray Ricord, Gianni Nunnari and Shannon Gaulding all serve as executive producers. The series is written by Ben Ketai (“Chosen,” THE FOREST) who also serves as executive producer and director. Adam Brody and Anne Clements (“Cleaners”) serve as producers.
‘THE ART OF MORE,’ KICKS OFF PRODUCTION IN MONTREAL ON MAY 2; SERIES STARS DENNIS QUAID, CHRISTIAN COOKE AND KATE BOSWORTH TAKE THE UPFRONT STAGE TO TALK ABOUT SOPHOMORE SEASON
The 10-episode, one-hour original drama series, premiered last November to praise from critics at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Deadline and Entertainment Weekly. Harper’s Bazaar called it, “the “#1 Best New Fall TV Show.” The auction house drama returns in Q4 this year for another 10-episode season of twists and complex stories set in the glamorous and surprisingly cutthroat world of premium auction houses in New York City.
“The Art of More” is created by Chuck Rose, who with Gardner Stern (“NYPD Blue,” “Law and Order”), is writer and executive producer. Dennis Quaid, Laurence Mark (JERRY MAGUIRE, DREAMGIRLS), Gary Fleder (RUNAWAY JURY, “The Shield”) and Tamara Chestna, also serve as executive producers. Brendan Kelly (“Weeds”) joins season two as executive producer and writer
JERRY SEINFELD ANNOUNCES THE LAUGH OUT LOUD LINE-UP FOR NEW SEASON OF ‘COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE;’ SERIES PREMIERES JUNE 15th
Guests set to appear in season eight of Jerry Seinfeld’s original series, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” includes (not in air-order): comedienne Margaret Cho, SNL creator Lorne Michaels, stand-up comic Jim Gaffigan, “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver, actor JB Smoove and writer/producer of some of the biggest hit films, Judd Apatow. The eighth season of the Emmy® nominated series comprised of six episodes premieres on Wednesday, June 15th with a new episode streaming every Wednesday night at 11:30 PM EST. Sponsored by Acura, the series is executive produced by Jerry Seinfeld and Embassy Row.
CRACKLE ANNOUNCES NEW ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES, ‘SNATCH,’ BASED ON THE WORLD OF THE POPULAR GUY RITCHIE MOVIE OF THE SAME NAME
New 10-episode, one-hour drama series based on the world of the wildly popular Guy Ritchie movie, SNATCH. Much like the television series, ‘Fargo,’ Crackle will carry the spirit of the setting in the original feature film, while creating a new world born from the original movie. Informed by a real life gold bullion heist in London, the show centers on a group of twenty-something, up and coming hustlers who stumble upon a truck load of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The boys must quickly learn to navigate the treacherous waters of London’s underworld as rogue cops, gypsy fighters, international mobsters and local villains descend.
‘SUPERMANSION’ RETURNS WITH NEW SEASON IN EARLY 2017 WITH BRYAN CRANSTON, SETH GREEN, KEEGAN MICHAEL-KEY, JILLIAN BELL AND MORE
https://workspace.cimediacloud.com/r/9t1MpT
The second season of “SuperMansion,” the stop motion-animated comedy series from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, follows the adventures of Titanium Rex (voiced by Cranston, who’s also the series’ executive producer) as he struggles to live with and fight alongside the Millennial-aged, often lackadaisical members of The League of Freedom.
“SuperMansion” is directed by Zeb Wells (“Robot Chicken”), who also acts as writer and executive producer alongside “Robot Chicken” colleague Matthew Senreich. Bryan Cranston, Seth Green, John Harvatine, Eric Towner, James Degus and Moon Shot Entertainment join as executive producers with production by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.
CRACKLE’S LIVE WEEKLY QUIZ SHOW, ‘SPORTS JEOPARDY!’ WITH DAN PATRICK, INKS ONE-OF-A-KIND DEAL WITH NBC UNIVERSAL; EPISODES WILL AIR ON NBCSN BEGINNING AUGUST 6 AFTER NIGHTLY RIO OLYMPICS COVERAGE
New Episodes of Sports Quiz Show Debut on Crackle Every Wednesday Night
NBC Sports Group and Crackle will present “Sports Jeopardy!” on NBCSN following the network’s nightly coverage of the Rio Olympics. NBCSN has acquired the exclusive television rights to the series hosted by Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Dan Patrick, which airs originally on Crackle. The 30-minute sports quiz show will air on NBCSN on Saturday, August 6, and will then air nightly for two consecutive weeks until the conclusion of the Games. Following a brief hiatus, “Sports Jeopardy!” will return in the fall of 2016 to air weekly on NBCSN immediately following the network’s coverage of the NHL hockey game on ‘Wednesday Night Rivalry.’ NBC Sports commentators and highlights of NBC Sports live events will be incorporated into the show.
The multi-year agreement between NBC Sports Group and Crackle will include over 100 existing episodes plus any additional episodes of “Sports Jeopardy!” produced for Crackle. NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product, will also stream episodes that are televised on NBCSN.
Sports Jeopardy! is executive produced by Harry Friedman and the multiple-Emmy Award winning team behind Jeopardy! Sports Jeopardy! is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
‘DEAD RISING’ FEATURE FILM SEQUEL, ‘DEAD RISING: ENDGAME’ TO PREMIERE ON JUNE 20th
First Look Photo: https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJWQndEb0JtNEpsQXNUQw
Based on the hugely popular Dead Rising video game franchise by Capcom, which has sold over 9.1 million copies worldwide, DEAD RISING: ENDGAME drops us into the zombie-infested quarantined zone of East Mission City where investigative reporter Chase Carter must stop a secret government conspiracy which, though seemingly aimed at ending the country’s zombie epidemic, will also kill millions of innocent civilians. Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives,” “Dallas”) returns to DEAD RISING: ENDGAME as Chase Carter, the well-known television journalist who goes back underground to stop the military’s rogue operation and break the ultimate story. Keegan Connor Tracy (“Once Upon a Time,” “Bates Motel”) returns as camera operator and producer, Jordan Blair. Attempting to thwart their plans is Dennis Haysbert (“24,” “SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR,” “WRECK-IT RALPH”) reprising his role as General Lyons, a crooked Military Intelligence Officer. Patrick Sabongui (“The Art of More”) returns in a new role, playing a skilled zombie killer and video game aficionado who talks a big and crude game to mask his gentle side.
DEAD RISING: ENDGAME is directed by Pat Williams (“Continuum”) and written by Michael Ferris (TERMINATOR SALVATION, TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES) and Tim Carter (DEAD RISING: WATCHTOWER, MORTAL KOMBAT: LEGACY). DEAD RISING: ENDGAME is presented by Legendary Digital Media and produced by Tim Carter with Tomas Harlan as the executive producer under their Contradiction Films banner.
CRACKLE IMMERSES USERS IN ORIGINAL CONTENT WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY STRATEGY DESIGNED FOR ADVERTISERS; LG ELECTRONICS TO FEATURE 360 DEGREE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO CONTENT FOR UPCOMING ORIGINAL DRAMA “STARTUP”
Crackle unveiled a new virtual reality strategy allowing advertisers to reach consumers through dynamic VR experiences. Designed to immerse and engage viewers, Sony’s ad-supported streaming service is the first ever AVOD network to provide brands with advertising opportunities and marketing initiatives that take advantage of this latest disruptive technology.
Crackle’s VR theatre will allow viewers to stream their entire content library – including movies and original programs – in a fully-immersive viewing environment. The theatre will keep the advertiser front and center, allowing marketers to skin it with advertiser logos and ads as well as integrate their own 360 degree commercials.
In addition to the theater, Crackle has ordered a VR special of its original stop-motion animated series, “SuperMansion,” starring and executive produced by Bryan Cranston and Stoopid Buddy Stoodies (“Robot Chicken”). Crackle will also be producing extra VR content from its current slate of original programming that can be advertiser sponsored.
The ad-supported streaming network also announced that the first company to take advantage of the new offering will be LG Electronics (LG), who recently introduced the LG G5 and Friends – a suite of products which enable capturing and viewing 360 video. Partnering with Crackle’s newest original drama, “StartUp” starring Martin Freeman, fans will get a unique, fly on the wall experience of the highly-anticipated series through an innovative marketing program anchored by enhanced behind-the-scenes 360 degree footage taken by the LG 360 CAM—the campaign launches today. “StartUp” explores what happens when a brilliant, yet controversial tech idea gets incubated on the wrong side of the tracks by three strangers who don’t necessarily fit the mold of “tech entrepreneurs.” The series is set for a Q3 premiere.
Crackle will be developing for Smartphones, Google cardboard box, Gear VR and PlayStation VR. Customized VR advertising solutions will be available across all of these platforms.
About Crackle
Crackle, a unit of Sony Pictures Television, programs movies, popular TV shows, original series and feature films for the worlds connected audience. Available in 21 countries on every screen, Crackle is always freely accessible with no subscription required. The streaming TV network houses a robust library of original programming available anytime, anywhere on every connected device. Follow @Crackle on twitter for real time updates. For additional information, please go to www.crackle.com