Reality Beat: Song Ji-Hyo To Star In A Haenyeo Docuseries, Unrivaled Finalizes TNT Sports Agreement
Song Ji-Hyo - VCG
Docuseries: Korean actress Song Ji-Hyo will star in BBC Studios and JTBC docuseries Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-Hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure. The docuseries will consist of three episodes. Song will free dive with the haenyeo underwater sea fishers, whose tradition has been passed down through generations over 400 years. The haenyeos risk their lives by plunging up to 20 meters to the seafloor without oxygen masks or advanced equipment to gather shellfish and many of the women are in their 80s. Song Ji-Hyo’s mother was a former swimming athlete and her aunt was a haenyeo. Usually, haenyeo training begins around age eight, but with Song Ji-Hyo now in her 40s, she will have to cram three decades’ worth of training into just a month. The docuseries will highlight haenyeo techniques and culture and document under the waters around Jeju Island.
“After over 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’m looking forward to pushing beyond the limits I’ve felt, and this project could be that chance,” said Song. “It’s more than simply stepping into the shoes of a Haenyeo — it’s about truly immersing myself in their authentic way of life and evolving through that shared journey.”
Managing Director of SAY (the unscripted studio of Korean broadcaster JTBC), Lee Dong-hee, stated, “This documentary is a significant opportunity for JTBC to introduce Korea’s precious cultural heritage to the global stage. The haenyeo of Jeju live a unique life where tradition and nature come together, and we are thrilled to share their story with an international audience. We plan to set a new paradigm for international content production moving forward.”
Ryan Shiotani, Senior Vice President of Content at BBC Studios Asia, said, “We recognize the importance of Korea as a leading content producer and collaborator, and we’re excited to take our first steps into co-production with leading broadcaster JTBC, and with the support of (Korean production body) KOCCA. We have ambitious plans to strengthen and evolve our relationships with partners in Asia and to bring more Asian stories to the rest of the world.”
Producer Tucker Tooley is partnering with BIG3 (the 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz) to produce a docuseries focused on its success through the last seven years. The untitled docuseries will chronicle the raw unfiltered story of the first new sports league to succeed since the UFC, highlighting controversies and challenges the league has overcome. The ongoing off-the-court entrepreneurial challenges of marketing a new sport will be thoroughly examined. Tucker Tooley will produce the series through Tooley Entertainment. BIG3 quickly established itself as a driving force in basketball culture by presenting the first female coaches in a men’s professional league and establishing itself in the community through the BIG3 Street Tour and Young3 clinics. The league has cultivated one of the most diverse and engaged fanbases across all five major sports.
BIG3 Co-CEO Ice Cube stated, “Leagues are launched every day, but the number of successes can be counted on two hands. Almost all fail within 1-2 years, let alone make it to eight seasons. We not only had to launch a league, but we also had to invent a sport – taking a worldwide amateur phenomenon and creating a professional product at the highest level. Fans won’t believe the trials and tribulations we have faced.”
Co-CEO Kwatinetz said, “Cube and I truly thought we had seen it all, but we had no idea just how challenging it would be. On top of the general unfeasibility of starting a league, we’ve had to contend with COVID-19, near-bankruptcy, foreign spies, bribery scandals, and fierce opposition from the NBA.”
Ice Cube said, “[W]e’ve made more progress in the sport in seven years than any other league has in decades – creating space for women in sports, allowing CBD and alternative pain management, embracing streaming and influencers. Maybe it was crazy to think that two entertainment guys could disrupt the largest sport in the world, but it’s taken two true outsiders to innovate the game of basketball and create the type of progressive, forward-thinking league that players want to play in, and fans want to watch.”
“We did the impossible part,” stated Kwatinetz, “getting millions of people around the world to care about a new sport – now, it’s up to our players on the court to battle for the 2025 championship, up to Cube, myself, and our other valued investors and supporters to make season 8 the best yet, and up to Tucker to deliver a wildly entertaining and unforgivingly truthful series.”
Producer Tucker Tooley stated, “Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are both innovators in their respective realms and to be able to unveil the vision of their creation is fascinating. BIG3 is not only just pushing sports boundaries but also reshaping cultural limits that I’m excited for the world to see.”
NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed and Buffalo-born actor Chad Michael Murray will be executive producers of the upcoming docuseries Just One Before I Die. The docuseries will focus on the Buffalo Bills fanbase, chronicling the story of the Bills Mafia and documenting the fans’ unwavering spirit as the Buffalo Bills contend for the elusive championship. Buffalo natives Addison Henderson and Kevin Polowy will serve as co-directors and producers for the docuseries, with Clayton Polowy as a co-creator.
“As so many of us Buffalonians have experienced, I too was born into the Bills Mafia. It feels like a birthright for us,” said Chad Michael Murray, “The passion and dedication that comes with being a Bills fan is second to none.” Murray continued, “To be part of a docuseries about the fans themselves, who are often the unsung heroes, has been a dream of mine for years and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition. And to be partnering with my friend and legend that is Andre Reed, and this entire creative team, feels like a Bills fan fantasy come to life. I can’t wait to help celebrate the people who are such a massive part of the enduring legacy of the Buffalo Bills.”
Andre Reed (who played wide receiver for the Bills during their historic run of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1991-1994, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014) said, “As someone who lived in western New York and played in front of that crowd for many years, I can tell you that the Bills have the most special and the most passionate fanbase in the NFL. It is simply unrivaled.”
Addison Henderson, who worked alongside the late Chadwick Boseman on numerous projects including Marvel’s Black Panther and Avengers films, said, “Their passion and expertise add another special element to this docuseries, allowing us to tell the story of the Bills Mafia in a way that truly captures the heart of this iconic fanbase. Together, we’re bringing something extraordinary to life.”
Tubi has authorized the production of several projects by Stubios (a fan-fueled studio for aspiring filmmakers). The ad-supported streaming service also partnered with Issa Rae’s ColorCreative to mentor up-and-coming creators and guide them through their projects. Among the projects is a docuseries focusing on Lady London’s life journey and the creation of her debut album.
“It has been so fulfilling to mentor these Stubio runners,” said Issa Rae, co-founder of ColorCreative. “I love being involved in the development process. Resources matter, and between myself, Tubi, and the team at ColorCreative, we’re thrilled to support these talented creators and, hopefully, fast-track their careers.”
Navdeep Khanuja, Deepti Mallik, Ankush Sayal, Karuna Gidwani, Hem Batra and Prajesh Bhatia - Million Dollar Listing India/Sony LIV
Docusoap: Million Dollar Listing India premiered on October 25th, featuring Hem Batra, Prajesh Bhatia, Karuna Gidwani, Navdeep Khanuja, Deepti Mallik, and Ankush Sayal. Hem Batra has been detailed as “South Delhi’s go-to luxury real estate expert.” Prajesh Bhatia is the youngest realtor on the cast (aged 24) and uses social media to connect with clients and highlight luxury properties. Karuna Gidwani is a business associate at a leading firm known for having an “unconventional yet deliberate” route to real estate. Navdeep Khanuja is known as the ‘King of Real Estate in Gurgaon’ and a trendsetter with an extensive network. Deepti Mallik earned her master's in hospitality and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. After returning home, she revitalized her family’s business and earned her title as a “powerful trailblazer” in real estate thanks to her business sense. Ankush Sayal is known as a “trailblazer… possessing a knack for selling high-value deals” with deep family roots in the realty business. Million Dollar Listing India is produced by Banijay Asia and is licensed from Universal International Studios-owned NBCUniversal Formats.
Game Shows: On October 3rd, Talpa Studios launched The CW Network’s Trivial Pursuit, a quiz format series based on the Hasbro trivia game. Trivial Pursuit is hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor, director, producer, and podcaster LeVar Burton. Contestants compete on a giant version of the Trivial Pursuit game board.
Maarten Meijs, CEO of Talpa Studios, said, “We love game shows, and Hasbro Entertainment is a pioneer in this domain. This partnership allows us to bring one of the most iconic board games of all time to life as a television format. The promising premiere demonstrates the strength of this show, and we look forward to expanding its reach internationally.”
Gabriel Marano, head of Hasbro Entertainment Television, said, “We could not be prouder of the Trivial Pursuit format, which is already delighting fans of all ages tuning in to watch on The CW. We are excited to partner with Talpa Studios to bring this fun and entertaining game show based on Hasbro’s iconic board game to audiences around the globe.”
Former executives on Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune have accused Sony Pictures of engaging in unlawful race, gender, and age discrimination, and retaliation against them. Shelley Ballance Ellis and Monique Diaz filed complaints with California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that Sony’s management terminated them and other workers in retaliation for collectively opposing harmful discrimination and toxic working conditions on Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. The pair spent close to 50 years combined working between the two series. Ballance Ellis was an executive director of clearance and licensing at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Diaz also worked in the department until their termination in April. They claimed their termination stemmed from their objection to racial discrimination in the workplace, the pay inequity Diaz experienced, the glass ceiling, and other biases Ballance Ellis faced as an older Black woman. Other situations include the airing of inappropriate footage of Southern plantations on Wheel of Fortune, racist comments and jokes made in Wheel of Fortune’s control room about Black women on the show, and the dismissal of workers’ concerns about racial bias in Jeopardy! game questions. The CRD and the federal NLRB will investigate the allegations in the upcoming months. Ballance Ellis and Diaz are represented by Hillary Benham Baker of Benham-Baker Legal and Peter Romer-Friedman and David Berman of Peter Romer-Friedman Law PLLC. Diaz highlighted an incident where she and other colleagues expressed discomfort over plantation footage for Wheel of Fortune.
“It was clear that Sony knew there was discomfort with this. My team and I were uncomfortable with having to negotiate footage, location, and photo agreements with representatives of plantations,” she said. She also accused Wheel of Fortune producers of racist and sexist comments made about comedian Leslie Jones and other women of color about their hair.
A Sony spokesperson said, “Sony Pictures Entertainment takes all allegations of discrimination very seriously. Earlier this year there was a broad reorganization of our game show group that resulted in the elimination of several roles to address redundancies and evolving business needs of a 40+-year-old operation. Those eliminations were business efficiency decisions and not retaliatory. Further, the past few years have been a time of significant transition and internal reorienting for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, driven by a new leadership team who are profoundly dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect. We are anchored to these values as we usher in a new era for our game shows with tenacity and circumspection.”
Project Runway - Disney/Hulu
Competitive Series: Project Runway has been renewed for its 21st season as it moves from Bravo to Disney. The competition series will air on the Disney-owned network Freeform before streaming becomes available on Disney+ and Hulu. Freeform finalized an agreement with Spyglass Media Group (producers of Project Runway since Season 17) to move the series from Bravo to Disney. Season 21 will feature 10 episodes with one episode airing each week. Hosts, judges, and premiere dates have not been announced. Since debuting on Bravo in 2004, Project Runway has dealt with changes in networks, producers, and hosts.
Gary Barber (chairman and CEO of Spyglass) said, “For 20 seasons, Project Runway has captured viewers’ attention and cultivated a loyal following. The series has proven to be a valuable and enduring brand worldwide, and we could not be more excited to broaden the show’s breadth of viewership within the Freeform, Hulu, and Disney+ ecosystem.”
Mumbai’s Rose Audio Visuals has struck a deal with formats rights holder All3Media International to produce an Indian remake of Buy It Now. Sabrina Duguet, EVP APAC at All3Media International, said the new U.S. edition of the show, hosted by JB Smoove, “has reinvigorated interest in this positive and dynamic series and we are confident that Indian platforms and audiences will embrace its energy.”
“At Rose Audio Visuals, we’ve primarily focused on fiction and scripted content, but we see great potential in unscripted formats for Indian audiences. Buy It Now is a step in this direction,” said Mitesh Patel, Chief Operating Officer of Rose Audio Visuals. “We’re thrilled to bring this format to our audience at a time when innovation and entrepreneurship are thriving across the country.”
All3Media International has struck a deal with production company Luyworks Media and format specialists Something Special for a Korean adaptation of the popular series The Traitors. The series first launched three years ago in the Netherlands and has since had over 30 adaptations around the world.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Luyworks Media and Something Special to bring The Traitors to Korean audiences,” said All3Media International’s Tony Ziran Tang, sales vice president for All3Media Asia. “The Traitors is a phenomenal format in the industry, with over 30 versions worldwide we’re excited to see it take shape in Korea—one of the most competitive markets for formats. We are confident that we will deliver a high-quality local version to Korean viewers.”
Yul Han, CEO of Luyworks Media, said, “We are very excited to be producing the Korean version of The Traitors, possibly the most beloved format around the world. We want to produce the favorite series not only for Korea but for the whole of Asia.”
Jin Woo Hwang, president of Something Special said, “Something Special has always been the key bridge and developer of connecting international formats with the best Korean talent. Delivering phenomenal shows in the unscripted scene, Luyworks Media is definitely the best-in-class production company for the Korean version of The Traitors.”
ITV Studios has revealed that its dating series My Mum, Your Dad has been picked up by Brazilian streaming platform Globoplay. The Brazilian adaptation will be the third new international market this year to bring the series to viewers. Formata will produce the series, which is expected to launch in 2025. My Mum, Your Dad offers single parents another chance at love, with their adult children secretly playing matchmaker.
Ruth Berry (managing director of Global Partnerships at ITV Studios) said, “I absolutely cannot wait to see My Mum, Your Dad in Brazil. What an exciting step for the format to make its debut in Latin America. We’re confident it will resonate with local tastes and be absolutely vibrant, sparking even more interest in the format globally.”
British original dating series I Kissed a Boy will have a spinoff set in the Netherlands titled I Kissed a Girl. Australian singer and presenter Dannii Minogue hosts the original series which is the first British series with only gay men competing. The finished UK series broadcasts on Videoland in the Netherlands, which prompted RTL to step up and order a local version for its OTT service. Casting for the Dutch series is in progress. The series will shoot and premiere next year on Videoland, set in an unspecified exotic location, and follow a group of single queer women as they search for their perfect match. Before any conversation, each girl is paired with their most compatible match. Their first interaction is a kiss prompting sparks to either fly or immediately fizzle out.
ITV Studios Netherlands will produce the series. “This bold and groundbreaking format offers not only great entertainment but also an important platform for increasing LGBTQ+ representation on Dutch television,” said Laurens Woldberg, Managing Director of ITV Studios Netherlands. “It’s a significant step forward in showcasing love and relationships in all their diversity, and we can’t wait to see the impact it will have with audiences here.”
Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier - Ethan Miller/Matt Khron
Sports: TNT Sports signed a multi-year media rights deal with the new women’s 3-on-3 professional basketball league. The league’s first season tips off next year on January 17th for 45 regular season games and will feature numerous WNBA stars. The deal includes matchups during primetime on TNT (Mondays and Fridays) and truTV (Saturdays). All games will be streamed live on Max. With six teams of five players each, teams will play a round-robin schedule, with the top four teams contending for the playoffs. A 1-on-1 tournament will be held in February.
TNT Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser stated, “Our TNT Sports portfolio centers on premium live sports, and our media and equity partnership with Unrivaled deepens our commitment to further expanding the depth of top-tier women’s sports programming we offer our fans and presents an opportunity for us to shape and amplify the continued growth of women’s basketball.”
ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service ESPN Flagship (set to launch in the fall of 2025) will include the full programming lineup of ESPN+ according to ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Flagship is expected to be closely integrated with ESPN Fantasy and will provide betting options, statistics, merchandising, and commerce within its app.
This December, Disney plans to launch an ESPN section on Disney+ to “allow streaming customers to sample sports within Disney’s branded and general entertainment offerings.”
