Simon Cowell-Produced Reality Series Among 18 Upcoming Yahoo Original Series

By 04/28/2015
Simon Cowell-Produced Reality Series Among 18 Upcoming Yahoo Original Series

Yahoo is gearing up to produce and distribute a whole lot more content in the next few months. At Digital Content Newfronts on April 27, 2015, the online media giant announced a slate of 18 new, upcoming web series, including a reality show executive produced by television personality Simon Cowell.

Yahoo’s new programs will arrive in the form of original short-form and TV-style scripted shows, live programming, and content created for its digital magazines. A year after it announced its first two half-hour scripted programs, only one of the 18 planned series on Yahoo’s Newfronts slate will be long-form; that show is a comedy called The Pursuit, and according to Yahoo, it resembles the popular ‘90s TV show Friends, but for modern millennial viewers.

Cowell’s contribution to Yahoo’s upcoming slate will take the form of Ultimate DJ, a competition show about electronic dance music (EDM) DJs. Ultimate DJ will air live and integrate into Tumblr (which Yahoo owns) to appeal to that platform’s younger, EDM-attuned audience. Yahoo is also aiming to expand its live programming footprint by upping production on its music concert series with Live Nation. The media publisher also teamed up with iHeartRadio to develop another concert-focused show.

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“Over the last year we’ve made strategic investments in our three digital content pillars, Yahoo Live, Yahoo Digital Magazines and Yahoo Originals,” said Kathy Savitt, CMO and Head of Media at Yahoo. “We’re pleased to be extending those investments into premium video content offerings to guide our users to the best, most relevant content and the world’s best storytellers to our global audience.”

Yahoo is also increasing its focus on categories it does well, such as news, business, and finance. Everybody’s Business will be a weekly money-based series released on Yahoo Finance, and Yahoo News Live will start running unscheduled live newscasts in the form of news breaks. Additionally, the media giant’s top journalist, Katie Couric, will host her own live news program.

Here, via Yahoo, is information about handful of other new programs that are expected to debut on the site:

  • I Am Naomi: A Yahoo Style series featuring fashion icon Naomi Campbell, offering viewers a backstage pass as she spends time with the world’s most powerful and influential people. From Executive Producer Naomi Campbell and produced by Untitled Matador Content.
  • Riding Shotgun with Michelle Rodriguez: A Yahoo Auto series with actress Michelle Rodriguez jumping behind the wheel and into the driver’s seat to put the fastest cars to the test as she gears down and weighs in on their performance.  From Executive Producer Michelle Rodriguez and produced by Untitled Matador Content.
  • Thug Kitchen: A Yahoo Food series featuring millennial bloggers and best-selling authors of The Thug Kitchen Official Cookbook, Michelle Davis and Matt Holloway, in which they share their edgy take on healthy living through simple recipes, cooking with locally-sourced ingredients and insisting on fresh food.
  • YourTech: A six month national experiment from Yahoo Tech in collaboration with PBS’ NOVA, where David Pogue will test and explore the newest trends in wearable tech.
  • #OneSmallThing: A Yahoo Health series where our editors and celebrity wellness experts provide simple daily tips to transform your health and inspire a social movement.
  • Viewfinder: A short-form documentary series on Yahoo News profiling the most compelling people and issues important to a new generation, as told by talented young storytellers and in partnership with universities across the country.
  • Made it With: A Yahoo Makers series featuring interviews with celebrities about their crafting passions and hobbies.
  • Made Good: A Yahoo Makers series featuring DIY industry rising stars and the creative, crafty ways they’re inspiring young makers to solve their tough personal situations.
  • NewsBites: A Yahoo News series from Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric that provides the day’s quick news headlines in digestible 60 second (or less) clips.
  • Offensive Interference: A Yahoo Sports series where comedy and sports collide and athletes are put in the hot seat to answer hard hitting and hilarious questions from one of the entertainment industry’s funniest comedians.
  • MLB Condensed Games: A Yahoo Sports series through an exclusive partnership with MLBAM that cuts down the previous day’s games into 10-20 minute recaps.
  • Superfan Live, Everybody’s Business and Yahoo News Live

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