The week in over-the-top provides a recap of recent news related to streaming initiatives in the U.S. from various networks and platforms.
* 21st Century Fox Inc.'s FOX News Channel (US) is launching an exclusive over-the-top service. Called Fox Nation, the stand-alone opinion streaming service is expected to debut in the fourth quarter with a price to be unveiled at a later date, according to a Feb. 20 news release. Fox Nation will feature live exclusive daily streaming content and long-form programming. Fox Nation will also include access to exclusive events and 20 plus years of archival programming from FOX News.
* Netflix Inc. will exclusively premiere "Adel Karam: Live from Beirut" on March 1. In the Arabic comedy special, Karam will discuss relationships, social issues and other topics with a "local blend of smart, sarcastic humor," the company said Feb. 18.
* Middle East pay TV provider OSN has entered into a partnership with Netflix. The deal will give OSN subscribers access to Netflix content via the OSN Box that will be launched at the end of the second quarter, according to a Feb. 18 news release.
* Apple Inc.'s Apple Music renewed "Carpool Karaoke: The Series" for a second season, Variety reported Feb. 15.
* Netflix will premiere season four of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" on May 30, the company said Feb. 14. The first six episodes of the fourth season will become available on May 30, while the second half will launch later in 2018.
In other platform news
* Netflix picked up "Grace and Frankie" for a fifth season, Broadcasting & Cable reported Feb. 14. The series was produced by Skydance Television and stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston. The new season will air in 2019.
* Netflix pulled the plug on multi-camera comedy series "Disjointed" after one season, Variety reported Feb. 14.
* Netflix streamed Chris Rock's first comedy special, dubbed "Chris Rock: Tamborine" on Feb. 14, Variety reported. The special was directed by Bo Burnham and filmed at New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music.
* Netflix struck a production deal with producer and director Ryan Murphy. Under a multiyear deal, Murphy and his Ryan Murphy Productions company will produce new series and films exclusively at Netflix, starting July 1, the company said Feb. 13.
* Amazon.com Inc. placed a fifth-season order for original series "Bosch," the company said Feb. 13. The series is based on novels by Michael Connelly and revolves around the Los Angeles Police Department's homicide Detective Harry Bosch as he tries to solve cases. Amazon Prime Video will premiere the fourth season, featuring 10 episodes, April 13.
* CBS All Access renewed comedy series "No Activity" for a second season, Broadcasting & Cable reported Feb. 13. The series has been produced by CBS Television Studios in partnership with Funny Or Die, Jungle and Gary Sanchez Productions.
* Apple teamed up with basketball star Kevin Durant's Thirty Five Media and Imagine Media to create a new scripted series, TechCrunch.com reported Feb. 13, citing an announcement. Dubbed "Swagger," the series will be based on Durant's life.
* Netflix signed up Michelle Wolf for a half-hour talk show. The show will premiere later this year, the streaming giant said Feb. 12.
* Alphabet Inc.'s Google Inc. plans to expand its YouTube Red subscription service to nearly 100 countries, TechCrunch.com reported Feb. 12, citing a statement by YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. YouTube Red was launched in October 2015 as an ad-free $9.99 subscription service.