Impractical Jokers truTV, Turner Broadcasting's experiment showcasing comedy programming and fewer commercials, has picked up three new series, which will be part of its upfront pitch.
Turner will have its upfront presentation on May 18, Wednesday of what used to be broadcast week. But the company decided to announce what's happening at truTV a bit early.
truTV rebranded in 2014, shifting from reality shows to unscripted comedy shows aimed at the younger millennial generation.
No surprise, ratings plummeted as the networks incumbent viewers tuned out and new viewers came slowly. But in the past two quarters ratings have stabilized as new shows attract a younger audience. truTV now says the median age of its viewers is 35, down three years from the same period a year ago, a neat feat at a time when most networks are getting older.
For next season, new shows on the network will include Jon Glaser Loves Gear, Greatest Ever and Lifescaping. truTV is also going ahead with two specials, The Problem with Apu, a feature-length documentary from comedian Hari Kondabolu, and a new Impractical Jokers live special.
The network also has new programming in development and ordered pilots for six shows.
With its current series, truTV ordered new seasons of Fameless, Hack My Life and Those Who Can't. Additional episodes have been ordered for first-year shows Comedy Knockout and Rachel Dratch's Late Night Snack.
Having successfully re-launched truTV in 2014, we have now turned a corner when it comes to premium content, said truTV president Chris Linn. The new truTV is built around compelling, creator-driven shows featuring clear points of view and unique takes on different topics and formats, all told through a strong comedic lens. Armed with this momentum and a fresh slate of programming from a diverse group of talent, we are building on a solid foundation and brand promise that is breaking through and clearly resonating with a growing audience of highly-coveted fans.
Last year, Turner also announced that truTV would dramatically cut the number of ads it runs. Beginning in Q4 of 2016 all of the networks' 45 hours of original programming per quarter will have enough room for 20% more show content. Turner says the network will have the lowest average commercial and promo time in all of television.
Since Turner made the announcement about cutting the amount of commercials on the network, other channels have joined in reducing their ad load on certain network or programming. Turner, for example, says there will also be fewer spot s in its original series on TNT, starting third quarter of 2016 and NBC has cut back the number of commercials in Saturday Night Live.
Chris and the entire truTV team have delivered on their promise to develop a fresh, comedic environment with passionate, socially-engaged fans, said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Ad Sales. As we build on that promise with enhanced storytelling and low clutter, the truTV environment has become an exclusive must-buy for advertisers.
Here is truTV's new programming and shows in development, as described by the network.
New truTV Series & Specials:
Greatest Ever - New series premiering Tuesday, July 5Hosted by comedian Amanda Seales, Greatest Ever is a fast-paced, informative and fun pop-culture comedy countdown show that takes viewers through the do's and don'ts of topics like weddings, animal videos, sports, politicians and awesomely, unintentionally funny inventions, infomercials and products. truTV has ordered six half-hour episodes of Greatest Ever, which is produced by Meetinghouse Productions.
Impractical Jokers Live Event Special (wt) - Two-hour live special debuting Fall 2016
Following in the high-wire footsteps of last year's Impractical Jokers 100th Episode Live Punishment Special - a resounding success with more than 3.7 million viewers and 86 million combined social impressions - the series will once again embark on a massive live event special this fall. The stakes will be even higher this year - an impressive feat considering last year Joe, Murr, Q and Sal tested their balance and fear of heights with a high-wire walk from New York City's South Street Seaport. The two-hour special will be produced by NorthSouth Productions.
Jon Glaser Loves Gear - New series premiering Fall 2016In this new hybrid comedy series, actor and comedian Jon Glaser (Trainwreck, Parks and Recreation, Girls) endeavors to make a docu-series about his life revolving around one of his biggest passions gear. Ironically, however, it is this ever-growing gear obsession that continually threatens to derail the show. You like gear? You like Jon Glaser? You like the show. You don't like gear? You don't like Jon Glaser? Maybe you still like the show. Either way, Jon Glaser will still love gear. truTV has ordered 10 half-hour episodes of Jon Glaser Loves Gear from creator Jon Glaser, with PFFR.
Lifescaping (wt) - New series premiering Summer 2016. Lifescaping is a guide to all those real-life skills you're expected to know but no one ever taught you - things like how to get a bartender's attention, the best ways to go on a road trip and determining when lying is the right thing to do. Hosts Matthew Latkiewicz and Abbi Crutchfield mix sketches, expert advice and on-the-street interviews to help viewers get their life game on point. truTV has ordered 13 half-hour episodes of Lifescaping, which is produced by Redtail Media.
The Problem with Apu (wt) - 90-minute special premiering Fall 2016. Comedian Hari Kondabolu, the creator and star of this feature-length documentary, confronts his long standing nemesis Apu Nahasapeemapetilon - better known as the Indian convenience store owner on The Simpsons. Through this comedic cultural expos , Kondabolu questions how this controversial carica
