or


[07/31/12 - 10:39 AM]
Universal Television and NBCUniversal International Television Production Announce Development Deal with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron
The pact will give the studio a first look at series and specials created by the "Smash" executive producers.

[via press release from NBC]

UNIVERSAL TELEVISION AND NBCUNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION PRODUCTION ANNOUNCE DEVELOPMENT DEAL WITH CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON

DEAL WILL GIVE NBCUNIVERSAL FIRST LOOK AT NEW SERIES AND SPECIALS FROM THE ACCLAIMED PRODUCERS OF NBC'S "SMASH"

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. & LONDON, UK - July 31, 2012 - Universal Television and NBCUniversal International have signed a development deal with Storyline Entertainment's Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Smash," "Chicago," "Hairspray") that will give the studio a first look at series and specials created by the acclaimed multi-award winning producers for US and international television markets. The deal was announced today by Bela Bajaria, Executive Vice President, Universal Television and Michael Edelstein, President, NBCUniversal International Television Production.

"Universal Television is thrilled to be continuing and expanding our partnership with Craig and Neil," said Bajaria. "The incredible creativity, vision and intelligence that they bring to all their projects - on television, in film and on Broadway - is exactly what the future of Universal Television is all about. 'Smash' is only the beginning; we look forward to collaborating with them on many exciting projects going forward."

Edelstein added: "Craig and Neil are two of the best producers in the business, and we are excited to have them developing at NBCU for both the US and International markets. We look forward to bringing their extraordinary ideas to the global television marketplace."

"We are so excited to be reunited with our longtime collaborator, Bela Bajaria, and to be creating event television for Universal Television, our home for "Smash" and the upcoming live broadcast of "The Sound of Music. Additionally, developing projects for audiences outside of the US with Michael Edelstein is an exciting new prospect for us," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Based on the Broadway stage musical, "The Sound of Music" is slated as an NBC holiday event; casting is underway and an air date will be announced in the near future.

Zadan and Meron are the producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series and Broadway productions, including NBC's critically acclaimed series "Smash" and the Lifetime hit series "Drop Dead Diva" and upcoming television movie event "Steel Magnolias," starring Queen Latifah. All totaled, their films and television movies have garnered six Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, 11 Emmy Awards, and two Peabody Awards. For their work in television, their productions have amassed 73 Emmy nominations. Their work in theater has received 12 Tony nominations, including two wins. They also have received five Grammy nominations, including one win. Their feature film credits include the Oscar winning "Chicago," "The Bucket List," the feature-film musical "Hairspray," and the recently released "Footloose" (the original film, starring Kevin Bacon, was Zadan's first feature-film production).

Other television event presentations include: Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth; "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," starring Judy Davis; "Annie" starring Kathy Bates; "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," starring Whitney Houston and Brandy; "Gypsy," starring Bette Midler; "A Raisin in the Sun," starring Sean Combs; and NBC's landmark film, "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story" starring Glenn Close.

Recently, Zadan and Meron were represented on Broadway with a Tony-winning hit revival of the Frank Loesser/Abe Burrows musical comedy, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette and the Tony-winning hit revival of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David/Neil Simon musical comedy, "Promises, Promises" starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth.





  [july 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· DROP DEAD DIVA (LIFETIME)
· SMASH (NBC)
· SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!, THE (NBC)





[05/28/25 - 09:06 AM]
Apple's "The Morning Show" Returns for Season Four on Wednesday, September 17
Season four of "The Morning Show" opens in spring 2024, almost two years after the events of season three.

[05/28/25 - 09:03 AM]
FX's "Welcome to Wrexham" Scores Season Five Order
Also revealed today were new details about FX and Disney+ Latin America's "Necaxa," a new docuseries from Eva Longoria in partnership with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the three of whom are all investors in Aguascalientes, Mexico-based Club Necaxa.

[05/28/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix's "Leanne" Starring Leanne Morgan and from Co-Creator Chuck Lorre - First Look & Date Announcement
All 16 episodes will premiere globally on July 31.

[05/28/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "The Kollective" (Only on Hulu)
Taking audiences around the world from Budapest to St. Petersburg to London, "The Kollective" is a gripping thriller about a group of intrepid young citizen journalists who, after a sudden tragedy, find themselves sucked into a globe-spanning web of government lies and corruption.

[05/28/25 - 09:00 AM]
First-Time Tony Nominee Darren Criss and Tony Award Winner Renee Elise Goldsberry to Host "The Tony Awards: Act One"
The live pre-show with exclusive content is available to viewers for free on Pluto TV - the leading free streaming television service - beginning Sunday, June 8 at 6:40-8:00 PM, ET/3:40-5:00 PM, PT.

[05/28/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops a Gripping Trailer and Official Key Art for "Countdown," Starring Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane & Jessica Camacho
The pulse-pounding series will debut exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Wednesday, June 25, with a three-episode premiere.

[05/28/25 - 08:11 AM]
TLC's "Match Me Abroad" Returns for a Second Season Beginning June 22
The series returns for a second season, following six American singles who take a bold step to find love across international borders.

[05/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
"The Gentlemen" Season 2 Announces Cast as Filming Begins
Joining the cast for season two will be Hugh Bonneville, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, Michele Morrone, Sergio Castellito, Amra Mallassi, Tyler Conti, British professional boxer Chris Eubank Jr and TV host, DJ and entrepreneur Maya Jama.

[05/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
Nicole Curtis Rescues Neglected Historic Homes In Detroit and Wyoming in a New Season of HGTV's "Rehab Addict" Premiering Tuesday, June 24, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Across the fresh four episodes, she will embark on one of her biggest challenges yet - fighting to save two derelict properties that are 1,500 miles apart.

[05/28/25 - 07:52 AM]
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Telecast on ABC Attracts Largest Live Audience Ever for Iconic Event
The audience broke the event's record viewership of 2.0 million that watched last year's race, with viewership peaking at 2.6 million during the 10:30-10:45 a.m. quarter hour.

[05/28/25 - 07:10 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Trailer for "Smoke," Gripping New Crime Drama from Creator Dennis Lehane Debuting June 27, 2025
"Smoke" follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.

[05/28/25 - 07:03 AM]
Tom Cruise to Join David Beckham on the Paramount+ Exclusive "Beckham & Friends Live"
Cruise will be a guest on the an altcast for CBS Sports' UEFA Champions League coverage that will stream exclusively on Paramount+ on Saturday, May 31 at 3:00 PM, ET.

[05/28/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Ultimatum: Queer Love" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Six new couples, made up of women and non-binary people, put their love to the test by moving in with other partners. Are they ready for marriage - or is "the one" actually someone else?

[05/28/25 - 06:05 AM]
"The Chi" Season Seven Premiere Scores Two Million Cross-Platform Viewers
The season seven premiere scored two million cross-platform viewers, making the season seven premiere the most-streamed in the series' history, up +2% on streaming versus last season.

[05/28/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Billionaires' Bunker" - Date Announcement - Netflix
As the world crumbles, a group of billionaires confine themselves within a luxury bunker, where old enemies and new schemes have nowhere to hide.