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The week in OTT: Watch gets news-focused shows; ESPN+, Conference USA ink deal

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.

* Netflix Inc. placed a 10-episode series order for Mars drama "Away." Inspired by Chris Jones' Esquire article of the same name, the series is a love story and a tale of survival amid humanity's first human mission to Mars, the company said June 10.

* Netflix also placed a 10-episode series order for "Kaos." The series is a "darkly comedic and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology, exploring themes of gender politics, power and life in the underworld," according to a June 10 news release.

* ESPN Inc. struck a multiyear agreement with Conference USA to ramp up college sports offerings on the ESPN+ streaming service, according to a June 7 post on ESPNMediaZone.com. The digital deal will offer more than 175 C-USA games each year.

* Netflix picked up worldwide film rights to Gulfstream Pictures Production's "The Last Summer," an ensemble romantic comedy. The company will release the film in 2019, according to a June 7 news release.

* DISH Network Corp.'s Sling TV service added Cheddar Big News, a new digital network from Cheddar focused on headlines and top stories, Multichannel News reported June 7. Cheddar Big News is available on the Sling Orange and Sling Blue subscription packages.

* Apple Inc. acquired rights to develop a drama series based on Gregory David Robert's novel "Shantaram," Variety reported June 7. The 2003 novel tells the story of a man on the run from an Australian prison who moves to Bombay.

* Facebook Inc. unveiled several news-focused shows that it is funding for its Watch video platform. The shows, which will be available exclusively on Facebook Watch, are "On Location," a daily news show from Walt Disney Co.'s ABC News; weekly series "Chasing Corruption" from Advance Local; ATTN: INC's "Undivided ATTN"; CNN (US)'s "Anderson Cooper Full Circle"; FOX News Channel (US)'s "Fox News Update"; Mic's "Mic Dispatch" and Univision (US)'s "Real America with Jorge Ramos." The shows will debut later this summer, Campbell Brown, head of global news partnerships at Facebook, said in an official June 6 post.

* Instagram is working to develop a dedicated space for scripted shows, music videos and other content on the platform, TechCrunch.com reported June 6, citing multiple sources. Instagram has tentatively planned to announce the service June 20 and is reportedly lining up partners. The service will offer more content that is vertically oriented, full-screen and in 4K resolution.

* Byron Allen, the programming entrepreneur whose Entertainment Studios Inc. acquired Weather Group LLC, is working to launch a sports streaming service, according to a June 6 Multichannel News report. The global sports service will reportedly aggregate content from independent sports networks on a single platform, which will be sold by subscription directly to consumers. According to the report, Allen has planned a beta launch of the service this month ahead of a full launch around the end of the third quarter.

* "13 Reasons Why" will return for a third season on Netflix's streaming service, Variety reported June 6, citing a company statement. The third season, which will consist of 13 episodes, will go into production later this year and will debut in 2019.

* Amazon.com Inc.'s Amazon Studios struck a first-look television deal with Jordan Peele and his production company Monkeypaw Productions, Broadcasting & Cable reported June 5. Peele is currently working with Amazon on "The Hunt," a series about a group seeking out Nazis living in New York, and a documentary series about Lorena Bobbitt.

* Netflix green-lighted a new anthology series featuring Dolly Parton. Each episode of the series will be based on a song by Parton, the company said June 4. The series will feature eight episodes.