Crackle Unveils Five New Shows, Renews Three At Digital NewFronts

Sony-owned multi-platform entertainment company Crackle unveiled its new lineup of programs to advertisers and the press at the Digital Content NewFronts in New York City on Wednesday. Executives from Sony Pictures Television were joined by Bryan Cranston, Chad Michael Murray, Emmanuelle Chriqui and sportscaster Dan Patrick were all on hand as Crackle introduced

"As both studio and network, Crackle controls content AND distribution," said Eric Berger, Executive Vice President of Digital Networks for Sony Pictures Television and General Manager of Crackle said in a statment. "As a result we are able to provide quality long form programming and unique solutions to advertisers, with certainty around the content, platforms and timing. With unmatched OTT distribution, we’re offering the next evolution of television, including an audience not reachable through traditional television."

Crackle also announced it has inked a video upfront agreement with Spark, part of the Publicis Groupe, that gives the agency and its clients access to premium video inventory across Crackle's long form entertainment network. The deal includes a first look at a number of integrations into Crackle original shows and movies and also awards them a first look at upcoming measurement and video capabilities.

Here are full descriptions of the new and returning original programming announced on Wednesday:


"SEQUESTERED"

12 episode Series Scheduled to Premiere on Crackle in August

A sophisticated, intense thriller, starring Jesse Bradford (BRING IT ON), Summer Glau ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"), Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement"),  and Bruce Davison (X-MEN) about a jury sequestered in a hotel while deliberating a court case with massive implications. Series is produced by Lifeboat Productions and created by Aaron Tracy.

 

"SPORTS JEOPARDY!"

Game Show Series Scheduled to Air Weekly on Crackle for 52 Weeks

"Sports Jeopardy!," which will be hosted by the Emmy®-Award winning sportscaster Dan Patrick, is a spinoff of Sony Pictures' record Emmy®-Award winning hit game show. "Sports Jeopardy!" will be unique in its level of interactivity, allowing viewers to download a mobile application that will interact with the show as a second screen application to unlock new clues.

 

"THE THROWAWAYS"

Feature Film Scheduled to Premiere this Winter, 90 Minutes

Jeremy Renner and Don Handfield (THE HURT LOCKER, THE TOWN) executive produces this suspenseful thriller about a notorious hacker captured by the CIA who is given a proposition to work for them or spend the rest of his life in prison.

 

"TIGHTROPE"

Comedy Series

Emmy®-Award winner Bryan Cranston returns to his comedic roots to executive produce this series that will replace a character from a classic detective series with a modern-day actor. The show juxtaposes the modern character, with irreverent comic sensibilities and also with older characters from another era to reshape the stories into contemporary comedy.

 

"COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE," SEASON 4

Comedy Series, 5 episodes, Scheduled to Premiere in Early Summer

Back for a fourth season, the Emmy nominated series created, written and produced by Jerry Seinfeld, will feature guests including Aziz Ansari, Jon Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Klein and George Wallace.  Sponsored by Acura.

 

"COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE," SEASON 5

Comedy Series, 7 episodes, Scheduled to Premiere in the Fall

Special comedian guests to be announced soon.  Sponsored by Acura.

 

"CHOSEN," SEASON 4

Action/Thriller Series

The fourth season of the critically-acclaimed series is set to begin development. The series is executive produced by Milo Ventimiglia and Russ Cundiff alongside creators Ben Ketai (30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS) and Ryan Lewis (HIGH SCHOOL, FAT KID RULES THE WORLD), and written by Evan Charnov (LOST BOYS: THE THIRST) and Ben Ketai.

 

"PLAYING IT FORWARD"

Music Documentary Series

The special street performance-style reality series is produced by Team Downey, an entertainment company founded by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, alongside veteran music producer/composer Tony Berg and Kevin Lake. The "Playing It Forward" music movement will showcase surprise street performances by some of the world’s biggest artists in unplanned, unexpected environments across the country benefiting music education and charities of the artists’ choice.

 

"CLEANERS," SEASON 2

Action/Thriller Series, 12 episodes

The second season will return with stars Emmanuelle Chriqui ("Entourage"), Emily Osment ("Hannah Montana"), Gina Gershon ("Rescue Me") and David Arquette (SCREAM), with new characters played by Esai Morales ("Criminal Minds"), Omar Avila ("Justified"), David Rees Snell ("Last Resort"), John Savage ("Dark Angel"), and Mimi Rogers ("Two and a Half Men"). Written and directed by Paul Leyden (The Factory) with executive producers Sam Worthington (Avatar), Chriqui, John Schwarz ("McLeod’s Daughters"), Michael Schwarz (Oliver Twist) and Luca Scalisi (Eminem: Live from New York City). Paul Leyden and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers. The second season premieres in August with 12 all-new episodes uncovering secrets, lies and ulterior motives.