Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will offer exclusively via on demand the Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam stand up comedy special beginning May 6.
The special, held Feb. 12 during the National Basketball Association All-Star Game weekend and hosted by Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, features stand-up performances from several popular urban comics including Mike Epps, George Willborn, Paul Mooney, Michael Blackson and Corey Holcomb, according to Warner Bros. officials.
Comcast/Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Cox Cable, Charter Communications, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network have signed to carry the event, according to Warner Bros. executives.
Viewers will also be able to access Warner Bros.-distributed vintage stand-up comedy shows featuring Tracy Morgan, Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx, Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin and Sommore.
This is the first of several high-profile event programming Warner Bros. hopes to distribute exclusively to VOD providers, although the company would not reveal specific titles.
"We're offering consumers a front-row seat to high profile events exclusively through the On Demand and PPV platform," Michele Edelman, vice president of marketing and programming in Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, said in a statement. "Going forward we envision this 'virtual ticket' to go beyond comedy to include great offerings and events traditionally limited to closed venues."
R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.
