TNT & TBS Unveil Development Slates, Live-Streaming Offer

NEW YORK: There are projects from Steven Spielberg, Steve Carell, Diablo Cody, Denis Leary, Sylvester Stallone, Dick Wolf and many others on the newly unveiled development slates for TNT and TBS, which also revealed a pair of apps that will offer live streaming of both networks.

TNT has nine original series for the summer, including the return of Rizzoli & Isles, Falling Skies, Major Crimes, Perception and Franklin & Bash. The network will also launch the new crime drama King & Maxwell, starring Jon Tenney and Rebecca Romijn, as well as three new unscripted series. The unscripted roster features The Hero, a competition show headlined by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson; 72 Hours, a race-against-the-clock competition hosted by Brandon Johnson; and Cold Justice, an unscripted procedural from Law & Order producer Dick Wolf.

Coming later in the year to TNT are Lost Angeles, a new drama from Frank Darabont; Save Our Business (S.O.B.), an unscripted makeover show; and Marshal Law Texas, an unscripted procedural from Jerry Bruckheimer. There are two dramas on tap for 2014: The Last Ship, executive produced by Michael Bay, and Legends, starring Sean Bean and executive produced by Homeland‘s Howard Gordon. TNT also has the unscripted series Life Flight, Nashville Confidential and Inside Job coming up. There are two pilots currently still in consideration. One is an untitled bounty-hunter drama starring Geena Davis, the other is a crime drama from Steven Bochco starring Taye Diggs.

TBS’s original programming roster includes three sitcoms: Men at Work, Sullivan & Son and Cougar Town. Unscripted shows include King of the Nerds as well as the upcoming Deon Cole’s Black Box, Deal with It and Trust Me, I’m a Game Show Host, which comes from Mark Burnett. TBS recently announced the pickups of the workplace comedy Ground Floor, as well as an unscripted series featuring Grammy winner CeeLo Green. This fall, TBS is getting a new late night series, hosted by Pete Holmes.

TBS and TNT have also announced their decision to stream on-air content live across multiple platforms. The live streams, starting this summer, can be accessed through the networks’ websites and a pair of new apps: Watch TNT and Watch TBS.

"For a decade, we’ve been beating the drum the loudest—that cable is as good as broadcast," said Steve Koonin, the president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "Now, our industry has reached a tipping point. From creative strength to ratings power, cable has emerged as the leader in television. I’m proud of the role we’ve played at TNT and TBS. Today, we’re looking toward the next horizon—becoming a multi-screen video company serving multiple audiences."

He continued: "Starting this summer, subscribers will be able to watch TBS and TNT live—anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices. Tablets and smartphones become television sets, bringing new opportunities for us and for advertisers."

Michael Wright, the president and head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), commented: "This is a time of great changes in our business—new technologies, new distribution platforms, new creative voices. But with all that exciting change, one thing remains constant: Great stories are the centerpiece of our business. And great stories come from great storytellers. Fortunately for us, some of the best, most talented storytellers in television are bringing their gifts to Turner.

"We aim for creative distinction by giving our talented storytellers clear direction, then getting out of their way and encouraging them to tell their stories in their own unique voice," Wright said. "TNT viewers can rely on us to consistently deliver accessible content, told by unique, powerful voices, and brought to life by distinctive onscreen talent—all working together to deliver that quality mainstream viewing experience."