Tag: The Voice

Comcast Enabling X1 Subs to Vote on ‘World of Dance’ TV Show With Voice Remote

Comcast Cable March 15 announced it would enable Xfinity X1 subscribers to use their voice-controlled remote to cast “fan favorite” votes on NBC’s “World of Dance” reality competition show from March 17 through April 28.

Subs will be able to select their favorite dance act even if the ensemble has already been eliminated. The act tabulating the most votes at the end of the season will get the chance to join the “World of Dance Experience” on Jennifer Lopez’s “It’s My Party” summer concert tour.

The mid-show marketing campaign involving viewer participation is a departure for “World of Dance,” where acts are voted on by celebrity judges Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hough.

Comcast said the software integration builds on previous interactive features incorporated on “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent” that enable viewers to vote for their favorite artists and acts, and with Fandango and Ticketmaster, which enable them to browse movie and concert tickets on the TV.

Comcast, which owns NBC and Fandango, last September partnered with Ticketmaster enabling X1 subs to search concert tour dates and purchase tickets on the TV using their remotes.

“X1 enables us to unveil new and innovative experiences that complement and elevate content across the platform and to add more value for customers by giving them more ways to interact with the events, entertainment, performers and brands they love,” Nancy Spears,  VP, strategy & execution, said in a statement at the time.

 

 

Netflix Producing Hip-Hop Music Competition Reality Show

Spurred by the ongoing success of singing reality TV series, “The Voice,” and “American Idol” reboot, Netflix is entering the genre with a multi-city, 10-episode hip-hop competition series launching in 2019.

“Rhythm + Flow” features Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I. as hosts searching for the next breakout star. The series is co-produced by John Legend.

The celebs will serve as the main judges for the competition, joining additional artists and industry VIPs to be announced.

Auditions begin this fall, including in the judges’ hometowns of Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. In each audition city, established rappers who hail from that city will serve as guest judges to help seek out the best unsigned hip-hop artists.

Comcast, Ticketmaster Partner for Kelly Clarkson Concert Tickets

Comcast Cable and Ticketmaster Sept. 18 announced an industry-first integration that enables Xfinity X1 subscribers to find concert tour dates and buy tickets directly on the television through Ticketmaster’s open ticketing platform.

This integration coincides with three-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson and her 2019 “Meaning of Life” tour. Beginning today, X1 subs can simply say “Kelly Clarkson Tour” into their “voice remote” to take advantage of a special presale window and see a list of Clarkson’s local performance dates and venues right on the TV.

“Our team is always thinking of new ways to reach more fans by extending Ticketmaster’s open platform,” Dan Armstrong, SVP & GM, distributed commerce for Ticketmaster, said in a statement. “This partnership with Comcast is a groundbreaking way to discover events and buy tickets.”

In addition to this new ticketing capability, the Kelly Clarkson experience on X1 features all things related to the artist, including the ability to stream her music right on the TV via Pandora, watch her music videos, appearances on NBC’s “The Voice,” where she will return as a coach for Season 15, and clips from previous tours, access her Web series, “A Minute and a Glass of Wine,” and more.

“X1 enables us to unveil new and innovative experiences that complement and elevate content across the platform and to add more value for customers by giving them more ways to interact with the events, entertainment, performers and brands they love,” said Nancy Spears, VP, strategy & execution at Comcast Cable.

Through Sept. 23, all Xfinity customers have access to a special presale window and can purchase their tickets via xfinity.com. Ticketmaster and X1 will continue to provide localized ticket information throughout the general admission sale starting Sept. 24.

Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life tour kicks off Jan. 24th, 2019 in Oakland, Calif. The 28-city trek will see Clarkson playing arenas across the United States on her first headline run in three years. She will be joined by special guests Grammy-nominee Kelsea Ballerini and last season’s winner of NBC’s The Voice, Team Kelly’s Brynn Cartelli.

 

 

‘American Idol’ Going Live Nationwide

Ratings-challenged “American Idol” announced it would for the first time air live simulcasts nationwide of the remaining three weeks of season 16 of the music performance reality show. Previous telecasts have been tape-delayed for Westcoast audiences.

The series, which began airing for the first time in March on ABC after its original run (through 2016) on Fox, is down to 14 contestants. Celebrity judges this season include Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, revamped “Idol” has struggled against rival reality show, “The Voice” on NBC, whose first-time celebrity judge Kelly Clarkson was the original “Idol” winner on the show’s inaugural 2002 season.

Despite reportedly luring Perry to “Idol” with a $25 million payday, the show has trailed “The Voice” in TV viewers for the past five weeks. Indeed, “Idol” ratings last week dropped to an all-time low among the coveted 18-49 demographic.

Media reports suggest Perry’s antics on the show, which include kissing an unsuspecting male contestant and pulling a strand of hair from 19-year-old long-haired contestant Cade Foehner on the April 22 show, are politically incorrect in the #MeToo era.

Gary Barber Out as CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Holdings, has been let go after eight years in the position. No reason was given for the move.

Media reports suggest disagreement between Barber and the board on the future of the venerable studio, whose franchises include James Bond movies, “The Voice,” “Survivor” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” among others. MGM also owns multiplatform distribution channel Epix.

The studio, which includes MGM Home Entertainment, has formed an “Office of CEO” to oversee day-to-day operations while a new CEO is found.

MGM said it would provide a business update March 28 when it reports fourth-quarter fiscal results.