The Program Guide'sinternational edition highlights recent programming announcements from variousnetworks and online video platforms across the globe.
Online
*Amazon.com Inc.acquired Starz (US)series "Ash vs Evil Dead" for its Prime Instant Video streamingservice in Germany, TBI Vision reportedAug. 2. German viewers will gain access to the 10-episode first seasonbeginning Sept. 1, according to the report. The second season will be availablelater in 2016.
*Streaming service DramaFever, a unit of Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros Digital Networks,launched in Australia and New Zealand on July 29, The Hollywood Reporter reportedthe same day. The launch kicked off with the exclusive debut of "IceFantasy," a new epic Chinese TV drama which follows a battle between theIce and Fire kingdoms. The romance drama will be available on DramaFever within24 hours of original broadcasts on China's Hunan TV, according to the report.
*Spain-based VOD streaming service Wuaki.tv acquired content from U.K.distributor Dogwoof, ScreenDaily reportedJuly 29. The deal covers Michael Moore's travelogue documentary "Where ToInvade Next," plus about 20 titles from Dogwoof's back catalog.
*Netflix Inc.ramped up its contentlibrary with the addition of a new original series and renewal of existingshows "Chelsea," "Lady Dynamite" and "Real Rob"for second seasons in 2017. In addition, the company unveiled premiere datesfor nine series including "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," whichwill premiere globally Nov. 25, according to a July 27 news . The new original series is anuntitled original animated series based on the Motown catalog of songs forkids. The untitled series will be available for streaming worldwide at launch,the company said ina separate news release the same day.
* Inanother July 27 news release,Netflix said it renewed animated series "Beat Bugs" for a secondseason, which will be available worldwide on Nov. 18. The first season of theseries, which is inspired by the music of The Beatles, is set to premiere Aug.3. Australian Netflix members will be able to watch both seasons on the serviceafter their premiere on Seven Network.
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*Netflix said July 23that it will offer the new season of "Mystery Science Theater 3000"exclusively in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Thereboot will see original creator Joel Hodgson joined by comedian Jonah Ray asnew host and Felicia Day as Kinga Forrester. The production of 14 new episodeswas funded by a Kickstarter campaign.
On TV
*The U.K.'s Channel 4 (UK)said Aug. 1 that itcommissioned Raw TV to create a documentary for its "Cutting Edge"series. The documentary, which has a working title of "One Punch,"will look into the phenomenon of a one-punch kill and examine three differentassaults.
* TVproduction and licensing firm Silvergate Media July 29 that Spanish nationalbroadcaster RTVE launched pre-school children's show "Octonauts."RTVE is offering the program, about a team of adventurers who explore the world'soceans, via its kids' channel Clan.
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*BBC One (UK)said July 25 that itwill be the home of "Age Before Beauty," a new contemporary dramaseries from writer and creator Debbie Horsfield. The show, which will explorethemes such as ageing, instant gratification and long-term relationships, takesplace against the backdrop of a failing family-run beauty salon based inManchester.