Turner Classic Movies will mark its 30th anniversary on April 14 with on-air programming saluting TCM staffers who have been at the cable network since the beginning.

The network will also run a 24-hour marathon of films with historical introductions from TCM’s first host, Robert Osborne.

The films will include An American in Paris and Gone With the Wind.

Every Thursday in April, TCM hosts Dave Karger, Alicia Malone and Ben Mankiewicz will welcome legacy TCM employees as guest programmers. The employees range from TCM’s first president to one of its early teleprompter operators.

TCM will also air a short film featuring interviews with 15 TCM veterans who helped develop and launch the channel.

“How many other channels on television celebrate their anniversary? How many other channels’ fans know where they were the day a network launched?” TCM primetime host Ben Mankiewicz said. “I’m not sure either of those things are true without Robert Osborne. He’s the Walter Cronkite of TCM. The Johnny Carson. The Alex Trebek. With these intros of Robert's, we’re celebrating his impact and his continued influence. Plus, as we do with the movies we show, we’ll put Robert into context. Additionally, we’ll also look back to those early years and get the perspectives and experiences of the early TCM staffers who helped shaped the legacy of the channel.”

Hollywood heavyweights showed up for TCM when parent company Warner Bros. Discovery looked to take an axe to the channel last year. 

WBD released several of TCM’s main executives and two weeks later, CEO David Zaslav got a call from directors Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson urging him to preserve the channel.

Zaslav later put creative programming and development control for TCM under Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group executives Michael de Luca and Pam Abdy.

Just in the last 33 days, David Zaslav was heckled at his alma mater, scorned at Cannes, and lamented for his struggles in cable news and the theatrical box office. 

The 63-year-old mogul, increasingly known in some creative circles as the “Butcher of Burbank,” was also subjected to a multi-secret-sourced takedown of his “hands-on” management style in the Penske showbiz trades last week. 

So the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO is due for a break, right? Not so much. 

After axing Turner Classic Movies GM Pola Changnon and several other top execs at the cable channel last week, Zazlav and WBD drew scrutiny from Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson, among other top filmmakers, calling attention to what they described as "not just a channel," but a "precious resource of cinema." 

Then, over the weekend, New York Times sesquipedalian columnist Maureen Dowd — usually fixated on weighty topics including ongoing wars and heads of state — also weighed in. 

Extrapolating from last week's Titan submersible disaster, Dowd wondered if the tragedy might have been avoided if the ill-fated operators had simply perused the 1980 action film Raise the Titanic. 

Movies, she said, "are a great expander of horizons." 

And while she’s never had a “stylist, interior decorator, life coach or psychiatrist,” Dowd says she’s “used TCM for all that, and it has gotten me through bouts of sickness, stress, mourning and insomnia. Studying the channel’s film noir femmes fatales taught me that women could be tough and play the game better than any man. Watching screwball comedies taught me the value of a zany streak.”

So, apparently, she picked up the phone and got Zazlav directly on the line. 

“Let me start with this,” he told Dowd. “This is my favorite channel. I think it’s critically important. It’s like a trust. It tells you where America was and where America’s going. It defines how people see this country. This is a beautiful living history.”

Zaslav promised Dowd WBD would keep Ben Mankiewicz and other TCM hosts in place, while investing in the channel to make it "bigger and more powerful with more reach.

“This is going to be a magical thing," he reassured her. 

“I’ll be watching,” the columnist responded in her coda. 

Instead of just letting fans watch film legends, Turner Classic Movies is collaborating on an auction that will let people buy pieces of Hollywood history.

TCM is working with Julien’s Auctions on a sale that will showcase 1,400 iconic items such as the costumes Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (expected to fetch $80,000 to $100,000), an original stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars: A New Hope ($200,000-$300,000), Captain America’s shield from Captain America: The First Avenger ($60,000-$80,000), Thor’s Hammer from Thor: The Dark World ($20,000-$30,000) and the motor yacht from Frank Sinatra’s Pal Joey ($1.5 million to $2 million).

Also on the block are items from the collection of Joe Eszterhas, jewelry pieces from Elizabeth Taylor, props from Harry Potter movies, and items from the estates of James Garner and Robert Stack.

“We are so impressed with Julien’s Auctions and their ability to bring the past to life, making one-of-a-kind items accessible to film lovers everywhere,” said Pola Changnon, general manager of TCM. “Our fans crave a tangible connection to their passion and now they can satisfy that desire with these iconic costumes and unique memorabilia from the movies we air on TCM.”

Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: Hollywood Legends will take place over three days on July 15, 16 and 17. The event will be promoted in on-air and online programming.

TCM has been in the auction business for almost 10 years, helping to sell items from The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca and the Wizard of Oz.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Julien’s Auctions as our new collaboration with TCM will bring our world class collection of important Hollywood artifacts and our premium auctions to new heights and build on our reputation as the leading auction house to the stars,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.

“TCM’s esteemed programming, passionate fans and marquee events such as the TCM Film Festival makes them the perfect brand to align with.” Nolan said. “As a lifetime classic movie fan and collector, as well as a longtime admirer and viewer of TCM, this is a great honor in my professional career in the auction industry. We’re looking forward to achieving some exciting record-breaking sales and events and jointly offering classic movie fans and collectors a truly unique way to experience the world of Hollywood memorabilia auctions." ■

Turner Classic Movies Wednesday raised the curtain on a new branding package designed to bring its 20th century films to a 21st century audience.

The network, part of AT&T’s WarnerMedia, will be using a new tagline “Where Then Meets Now.” 

A fresh new logo focuses on the “C” in TCM. The “C” stands for four keys to the brand: curation, context, connection, and culture. The rebranding also includes a “sonic identity,” with a song that uses strings to recall iconic Hollywood musicals.

“Everything old is new and classic movies are no exception,” said Pola Changnon, general manager of TCM. “Our new look better reflects the vibrant brand and respected industry authority that TCM has become over the years, with an eye toward the future. Fans can still enjoy the same curated classic film experience, now presented with a bold new energy that reflects today’s audience.”

The network will also be updating the sets used by TCM hosts Ben Mankiewicz, Eddie Muller, Alicia Malone, Dave Karger and Jacqueline Stewart.

Mankiewicz’s new set has its debut Wednesday night. In a message to fans, Mankiewicz explains that what the network is doing is not changing.

“What we do is not changing. Showing the films you love from Hollywood’s golden age, putting them in context and telling stories about the artists who made them. The only difference is we’re doing it with a cool new logo and a spiffy 21st century set,” he said. “But the films, the directors and the stars, they’re still where they’re supposed to be. In your head. In your heart. And on Turner Classic Movies.”

In addition to its cable TV network, the TCM brand is used as a hub for classic films on HBO Max, the WarnerMedia streaming service.

TCM worked with Sibling Rivalry to develop the tagline and the creative packaging. It collaborated with Made Music Studio on the custom sound.

FilmStruck, Turner’s new OTT subscription VOD service for film aficionados, is set to launch to launch on October 19 on multiple platforms and start at $6.99 per month, the company announced Thursday.

The service, which will feature a large library of contemporary and classic arthouse, indie, foreign and cult films, will initially be offered on Amazon Fire TV devices, Web browsers, and iOS- and Android-powered mobile devices. It will also be available via Apple TV and other platforms and devices in the coming months, Turner said.

Plans for FilmStruck, a service developed and managed by Turner Classic Movies in partnership with the Criterion Collection, were announced in April.

RELATED: Turner to Go OTT With ‘FilmStruck’

FilmStruck, which will serve as the exclusive streaming home to the Criterion Collection library and The Criterion Channel (starting November 11), will be available in three pricing tiers: 

-A $6.99 per month subscription with “hundreds” of films along with exclusive fare and originally-produced pieces that will be refreshed frequently.

-A FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel Subscription that runs $10.99 per month, featuring the baseline FilmStruck service plus access to Criterion’s full streaming library of films and features, as well as original programming such as filmmaker profiles and curated series featuring “celebrated guests from the film world and beyond.”

-An annual subscription to FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel for a reduced price of $99.

Consumers will also have a chance to try out the service with a 14-day free trial.

FilmStruck's library will feature a library of curated, refreshed films indie studios such as as Janus Films, Flicker Alley, Icarus Films, Kino, Milestone, Zeitgeist, Film Movement, Global Lens, First Run Features, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Shout Factory, along with titles from majors such as Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Examples of individual titles to be featured include Babette's Feast, Blood Simple, Blow-Up, Breaker Morant, A Hard Day's Night, Mad Max, Metropolis, Moulin Rouge, My Life as a Dog, Paths of Glory, The Player, A Room with a View, Seven Samurai, The Seventh Seal, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Stardust Memories, The Trip to Bountiful, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Woodstock.

FilmStruck will also feature more than 70 curated and constantly refreshed programming “themes,” such as The Beauty of Italy (collection of films highlighting the country); Cinema Passport (a monthly showcase of the work of “countries rich in film history and culture); and Early Kubrick (early films from the renowned director Stanley Kubrick); and Panic Room (a monthly franchise that explores cult and indie horror film, hosted by actor-comedian Lucky Yates). 

The service will also include hosted introductions from film critics, actors and others, including Yates, actor Bill Hader, and film reporter, critic and TV host Alicia Malone. 

"Turner smartly identified a strategic way to move into the direct-to-consumer business by creating an over-the-top offering that was additive to the TV landscape, with programming not readily available in the streaming marketplace and that was completely differentiated from what TCM already offers," said Coleman Breland, president of Turner Content Distribution and TCM, in a statement. "FilmStruck super-serves a niche and devoted audience of film fans and will be a strong addition to Turner's portfolio of leading brands."

"FilmStruck is a departure from the timeless Hollywood classics that we offer at TCM and a genuinely distinct offering for the streaming marketplace, focusing on a thoughtfully curated experience around hard-to-find, critically acclaimed, independent films from the most celebrated libraries in the world," added Jennifer Dorian, general manager of TCM and FilmStruck."By combining the expertise at TCM and the Criterion Collection – two of the leading authorities in film preservation and history – we have created something really special that is a must-have for passionate film lovers."

Targeting a base of super fans, Turner Classic Movies has launched TCM Backlot, a fan club that offers members exclusive content, the ability to become a “guest programmer,” win on-set tours and other perks and benefits.

An annual charter membership for TCM Backlot costs $87. TCM said it launched the initiative as a kick-off to its 7th annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.

Fullcube, a startup that’s developed technology that helps partners integrate and automate subscription-based OTT and digital offerings and recently landed a $1.15 million seed round, built, launched and is now hosting TCM’s new fan club initiative.

Among other features, TCM Backlot offers never-before-seen talent interviews, archival videos from the TCM vault, an exclusive TCM podcast, and ways for members to attend meet and greets with TCM hosts.

"Creating a fan club allows us to super-serve and further engage with our most passionate and devoted fans," Jennifer Dorian, general manager of TCM, said in a statement. "We are always looking for exciting and immersive brand extension opportunities and TCM Backlot offers just that - allowing fans the ability to go behind-the-scenes and dive deeper into the world of TCM, providing a consistently updated fan experience filled with entertaining content and engaging opportunities.”

“The creation of TCM Backlot shines a spotlight on the tremendous opportunities for media companies, like TCM, to transform their relationship with consumers,” added David Hickson, co-founder and CEO of fullcube.

Yesterday, Turner announced the expected fall 2016 launch of FilmStruck an SVOD service for film buffs. TCM will manage it in partnership with the Criterion Collection.

Watch a video promo about TCM Backlot:

Fullcube, a startup that’s developed technology that helps partners integrate and automate subscription-based OTT and digital offerings, said it has completed a $1.15 million seed round of capital from angel investors.

Charlotte, N.C.-based fullcube, a company with 11 employees focused on the “subscription economy,” said it will use the funds to grow its client base and flesh out the features and capabilities of its platform. Its announced clients include The Enthusiast Network and its Hot Rod Network brand (for a range of print and/or digital subscriptions that also build in deals and discounts for other products), as well as Turner Classic Movies.

Fullcube was spun out about 18 months ago after helping to develop a premium subscription program for NASCAR and its fans, company CEO David Hickson said.

Fullcube, he said, recognized a way to create a variety of premium bundles for a specific group of consumers that can tie together different types of assets, including video, digital photos, and even discounts or preferred seating at events.

“We can help our partners [target] the subscription economy by building out a hierarchy of offerings that can be marketed to that enthusiast base,” Hickson said, noting that brands can hinder their ability to grow if they focus only on a single subscription offering.

Offering multiple types of subscriptions, when driven via fullcube’s automated workflow, allow partners to upsell and downsell products to consumers, “based on their fanaticism,” he said.

TCM hasn’t announced its multi-tiered subscription offering that will be powered by fullcube, but “it will be a very powerful program,” Hickson predicted, noting that programmers are trying new ways to develop over-the-top and SVOD services. “They are highly motivated to create something that can be offered in addition to the linear stream,” he said.

Fullcube doesn’t have any current plans to seek a larger “A” round, as the company expects the new seed round will help fullcube reach profitability by this August, Hickson said. 

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) said it will broaden its TV Everywhere horizons this fall with the expected launch of an app for the Amazon  Fire TV, making it the first network in the Turner Broadcasting group to be offered on the streaming platform.

The programmer said the Watch TCM App for Amazon Fire TV will provide on demand access to TCM’s curated content, presented uncut and commercial-free, including introductions by hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz.

Watch TCM is currently supported on Web browsers, iOS and Android mobile devices, and Amazon Kindle Fire tablets. MVPDs with TV Everywhere rights with TCM include AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, Charter Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Cablevision Systems, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, Comcast, Atlantic Broadband, Cable ONE, Cincinnati Bell, GCI and Vyve Broadband, among others.

TCM said it is also preparing to add enhancements to the Watch TCM app that include a new emoji keyboard app, improved clip quality, and an updated watch list and search result layout.  The network is also hosting a dedicated “download week” from Sept. 14-19, which will lead into TCM’s social media-supported “Let’s Movie” holiday on Sept. 19. Let’s Movie is also the tagline for TCM’s new branding campaign.

“With TCM being available soon on Amazon Fire TV, we’re able to make the network available to more viewers than ever before and on new platforms that reach a broader audience,” said Richard Steiner, vice president of digital activation for TCM, in a statement. “Our goal has always been to give consumers access to our content whenever and wherever they want and the Watch TCM App allows consumers to experience and discover the same great films found on TCM anytime, anywhere.”

Sling TV, Dish Network’s OTT pay TV service tailored for cord-cutters, said has expanded its core, $20 per month package, as well as its $5 per month “Hollywood Extra” pack.

Sling TV said it has added Polaris+, an exclusive linear offering for the OTT provider from Maker Studios that features long-form original programming on topics such as gaming, pop culture, comic and live-event programming. Polaris+ is an extension of Maker’s Polaris brand, which attracts more than 3 billion monthly views. Sling TV also offers the Maker channel in its baseline $20 per month package.

Sling TV has also added Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to its Hollywood Extra pack, which is available to subs for $5 per month on top of the core $20 package. Launched in March, Hollywood Extra also features the live feeds of EPIX, EPIX2, EPIX3, EPIX Drive-In, and Sundance TV. 

Sling TV was launched nationally on February 9. Dish hasn’t revealed subscriber figures, but Re/code reported in June that it had about 250,000.

Turner Classic Movies has joined up with the non-profit Women in Film on a multi-year partnership aimed at raising awareness concerning the lack of gender equality in the film business and to celebrate the achievements of women in film.

Beginning in the fall of this year, TCM will kick off a three-year commitment each October with an on-air programming initiative created to raise awareness about the historical contributions of women working behind the camera, shining a spotlight on the current lack of women in positions of power in the film business, and promoting resources that empower them to more fully participate in the industry.

In an interview, TCM vice president of brand activations and partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy said the initiative will run for the entire month of October on TCM and will highlight women in the industry from the early pioneers up to the present day. The specific women and films to be highlighted will be announced closer to the October premier date.

McGillicuddy said TCM had highlighted women directors in the past, but this is the first time the network has done something with a partner on this scale.

“The timing seemed right,” McGillicuddy said, adding that the partnership allows TCM to “bring context to the programming in terms of what TCM does, [and] join forces with Women in Film to highlight what is out there in the zeitgeist right now in terms of women in film and the challenges we face in the industry today.”

Women in Film Los Angeles will also partner with TCM throughout this programming initiative to offer research and resources that illuminate the current roles women play in the film industry and promote tools to assist women filmmakers in furthering their careers and the art form. 

“The issue of gender inequality in the film industry is both timely and immensely important to shine a light on, and through this programming effort TCM is proactively taking a deeper look at the role of women in our industry as well as providing insight and resources to inspire more women filmmakers,” said TCM general manager Jennifer Dorian in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with such a well-respected organization as Women in Film in order to address and promote the empowerment of women in our industry.”

Women in Film is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for women, encouraging creative projects by women, and expanding and enhancing portrayals of women in all forms of global media. Given that women comprise 50% of the population, WIF’s ultimate goal is to see the same gender parity reflected on and off screen. WIF focuses on advocacy and education, provides scholarships, grants and film finishing funds and works to preserve the legacies of all women working in the entertainment community.

“Women In Film is honored to have TCM as our partner,” said WIF President, Cathy Schulman in a statement. “For years, I have dreamed of having a network reach out to our organization with a true interest in our advocacy and the ability to collaborate on programming that will reach audiences everywhere. Now, thanks to TCM, that dream is real.”

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has scheduled a three-film tribute to filmmaker Mike Nichols on Saturday, Dec. 6. Nichols, who died on Nov. 19 at age 83, is one of about a dozen artists to have received Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy awards.

TCM's tribute will include his Oscar-nominated work on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966) and his Oscar-winning work on The Graduate (1967), TCM said. The network also will screen Carnal Knowledge, which Nichols directed from a script by Jules Feiffer.

Here is what's on tap for TCM's Mike Nichols tribute on Saturday, Dec. 6:

8 p.m. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sandy Dennis and George Segal (pictured).

10:30 p.m. The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, Murray Hamilton, William Daniels and Elizabeth Wilson.

12:30 a.m. Carnal Knowledge, starring Jack Nicholson, Candice Bergen, Art Garfunkel, Ann-Margret, Rita Moreno and Carol Kane.