Latest from Next TV in Prince

AXS TV Sets Original Programming for Black Music Month

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Sun, 30 May 2021 15:38:01 +0000

AXS TV in June will recognize Black Music Month with several documentaries, specials and concerts running throughout the month.

Among the original programming premieres slated for Black Music Month are the June 2 debut of Jimi Hendrix: Trapped in Amber, a profile of the famed guitarist as told by some of the people who knew him the best, as well as the June 19 broadcast premiere of Tina Turner -- Live in Barcelona, capturing Turner’s 1990 music concert, according to network officials.

Other Black Music Month highlights include the June 6 Motown All-Stars, a countdown special of best music from the trailblazing Detroit music studio and weekly Wednesday profiles of such influential artists as Jay-Z (June 9), Prince (June 16), Kanye West (June 23) and Lenny Kravitz (June 30).

“For this June’s African-American Music Appreciation Month, we wanted to celebrate and recognize the many legendary artists who have written music history, from rock and pop, to hip-hop, soul, funk, R&B and everything in-between,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “We’re putting the spotlight on just a few of these talented artists who have influenced and inspired generations of fans and fellow icons—crafting a dream lineup for music lovers featuring informative specials, powerhouse concerts, original series and so much more, airing all month long.”

AXS TV Greenlights 'Music's Greatest Mysteries' Series

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:33:10 +0000

AXS TV will develop a new documentary series that will look into questions surrounding some of history's greatest musical artists.

The six-episode series, Music's Greatest Mysteries, will debut later this fall and will investigate infamous myths which have come to define the music industry throughout the decades. The series will look into such questions as Why Did Michael Jackson And Prince Feud?, Was Elvis A Narc?, and Is Avril Lavigne Really Dead?, as well as addressing The Conspiracies Of Backmasking, The Myths Of KISS, and The Sad Story Of “Friends In Low Places,” according to network officials.

“As AXS TV continues to evolve and expand, we are committed to creating new and original reality and lifestyle music programming,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “Music’s Greatest Mysteries gives viewers an in-depth look at the myths and legends that have rocked the industry. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, packed with expert commentary, and exploring compelling stories both known and unknown, Music’s Greatest Mysteries promises to reveal new tales to even the most seasoned music fans. I am excited to share this new series with our viewers when it debuts later this year.”

On Demand Summit 2016: Herd Mentality Can Stunt Growth of SVODs

Dade Hayes, Broadcasting & Cable — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 21:25:00 +0000

Companies joining the SVOD fray need to be creative and flexible on pricing, distribution models and the development of their products, agreed participants on a technology panel at today’s On Demand conference, presented by B&C and Multichannel News.

During the session, “A New World of On Demand Technology,” moderated by Multichannel News technology editor Jeff Baumgartner, Andy Shenkler, EVP and chief solutions and technology officer for Sony DADC NMS, said too many SVOD services are pegging their pricing to Netflix. “We aren’t going to win this game if everybody sets their price at $4.99 to undercut Netflix,” he said. Being willing to price services at $15 or $20, with offerings that are different than those of Netflix, can be another advantage.

Shenkler, whose company provides supply chain solutions, said many clients have unreasonable expectations. When they invoke industry leaders like Netflix, Facebook and Google, he said he tells them, “‘You’ve just named about $700B in market cap. And you want it for $15,000 a month?’”

Tim MacGregor, senior director of strategy and product for IBM Cloud Video, said companies approach him with concerns about legacy distribution partners when they are prepping OTT services. His advice: Keep all options open. “You can call it legacy, but you have to look at it that way when you go to market with these things,” he said.

Models are also getting a rethink, panelists agreed. MacGregor and Shenkler noted more are employing “slightly set-back paywalls,” meaning some content is free and in front of the wall.

Yet another priority for anyone operating in the current ecosystem is rights management. Jim Riley, chief revenue officer for Mediamorph, which specializes in rights, says the old days of straightforward deals have given way to a dizzying matrix of territories, platforms and terms. “I got a call from someone when Prince died,” he said. “He told me, ‘I know I need your service — I have all these assets but it will take me three days to figure out what I can use and where I can use it.’”

MTV Acknowledges Prince's Passing During Upfront

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:30:00 +0000

MTV opened its glitzy upfront presentation in New York early Thursday evening by recognizing the death of musical icon Prince.

Viacom Music and Entertainment Group president Doug Herzog addressed the large crowd of advertisers and journalists by praising the life and work of Prince, who died suddenly Thursday at the age of 57.

Describing himself as MTV’s oldest employee and its biggest Prince fan, Herzog said the network couldn’t start its upfront without acknowledging the unimaginable passing of “one of the greatest artists in music history.”

He added that Prince had been synonymous with MTV since the very beginning of both MTV and his career. “Even though we’re still processing the news and remembering the enormity of his legacy, I think it’s clear to remember what he was - -a once in a lifetime artist whose music touched all of us and will be missed dearly by everyone around the world,” Herzog said.

Prince Tribute Specials Continue To Pour In

MCN Staff — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 23:00:00 +0000

The shocking and untimely death of Prince has inspired more programmers to schedule tributes or specials related to the Purple Rain artist.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will re-air one of the music legend's most notable television interviews, from The Oprah Winfrey Show (pictured) in 1996, on Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN. In what was the first interview following his iconic name change, Oprah Winfrey chats with the artist about his musical genius, lifestyle, soul mate and future in music (video preview). She visits Prince’s personal recording studio at Paisley Park in Minneapolis, where Prince played a few bars of "Purple Rain" for her on his purple piano.

TV One tonight (April 21) from 8-10 p.m. ET has secheduled a Roland Martin-hosted live program, A News One Now Special: Prince Remembered. “Prince is such an iconic figure in our community. There is no way we could not do a primetime special on this legendary musician,” Martin said in a statement. “I met, admired, and absolutely love his music. There is no better way to pay tribute to his life and legacy than with a News One Now special on TV One.” Scheduled guests include another legendary singer, Aretha Franklin (Chaka Khan had been previously announced but is no longer participating); Cedric The Entertainer; Londell McMillan, publisher (The Source) and attorney for Prince; Russ Parr, radio DJ, film director, writer, actor and television personality; Peter Himmelman, a singer-songwriter that came up with Prince in Minnesota; Cori Murray, entertainment director at Essence magazine; Full Force, the R&B group. TV One also will encore an episode of Unsung featuring Sheila E., Prince’s former protégé, collaborator and ex-fiancée, throughout the weekend.

VH1 -- sister network to MTV, which Thursday night paid tribute to the iconic performer at its upfront in New York -- kicked off on-air remembrances by airing Prince's iconic movie "Purple Rain" at 5:30 p.m. ET, the first of what will be several airings over the weekend. VH1 also planned a Prince music video block starting at 8 p.m.

AXS TV said it would celebrate the life and legacy of the genre-defying Prince with a tribute block on Saturday, April 23, featuring the Prince episode of AXS TV’s Rock Legends at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, and the television premiere of the acclaimed documentary Slave Trade: How Prince Re-Made The Music Business at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The network noted that, with his inimitable style and fearless blending of rock, R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, disco, pop and more, Prince cemented his position as one of music’s most innovative figures. Rock Legends: Prince will re-air Monday, April 25, at 7 p.m. ET and Tuesday, April 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Slave Trade will will be broadcast again on Monday, April 25, at 11 p.m. ET and Tuesday, April 26, at 9 p.m. ET.

Fuse will honor Prince during tonight’s special Dearly Beloved, premiering at 7 p.m. ET/PT and repeating at 11 p.m. ET/PT. This one-hour Prince music-video tribute takes viewers through music history with The Purple One who will never be forgotten, the network said. Dearly Beloved will air throughout Friday, April 22, as well.

Cable Networks, Fans, Celebs React to Death of Prince

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:00:00 +0000

Cable networks are preparing tributes to R&B music icon Prince, who died suddenly Thursday afternoon (April 21).

The multiple Grammy-winning performer died in Minneapolis at age 57, according to CNN and other news outlets, shocking the music and entertainment world.

Fans and celebrities immediately took to social media to post tributes for Prince, and President Barack Obama joined in the mourning, issuing a statement soon after the news broke.

"Today, the world lost a creative icon," the president said. "Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.

"'A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said -- and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative," President Obama continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band and all who loved him.”

Several cable networks also released statements on the his passing. BET released a statement saying the news “weighs heavily on our hearts,” adding that he was a “musical prodigy, a beautiful spirit and fashion provocateur who influenced American culture.” BET Chair and CEO Debra Lee took to Twitter, writing, "Saddened by the death of @Prince, a dear friend of mine & entire @BET family. Rest in Power, Purple King. #RIPPrince”

BET founder Robert L. Johnson also paid homage to Prince: "I will miss his idiosyncratic and quirky ways which fascinated me during the times we met when I was running BET, and of course his indelible imprint on the world of music. Purple Rain is falling all over the world today!"

MTV, which plans to refer to Prince’s death during its upfront presentation Thursday afternoon in New York and was airing the performer's music videos all afternoon, said in a statement it is “heartbroken and in utter disbelief at the news that the world has lost Prince Rogers Nelson so suddenly and so before his time."

"Prince was a once-in-a-lifetime artist who transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations," the network said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends and millions of fans."

John Eggerton also contributed to this story.