or


[12/09/14 - 06:39 AM]
USA Network and Universal Cable Productions Develop New Model to Bring Back Critically-Acclaimed Comedy "Playing House" for Season Two in 2015
The new windowing structure will allow viewers each week to watch the following week's episode on Video-On-Demand before it airs on USA.

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK AND UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS DEVELOP NEW MODEL TO BRING BACK CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED COMEDY "PLAYING HOUSE" FOR SEASON TWO IN 2015

Unique VOD Windowing Strategy Creates New Marketing Opportunities For Select Advertisers and Unique Ability to Grow Audience

Series to be Distributed Across On Demand Platforms, Including Xfinity On Demand And USA Now

UNIVERSAL CITY -- December 9, 2014 - USA Network today announced the renewal of the critically-acclaimed comedy, PLAYING HOUSE, from Universal Cable Productions, through a new windowing structure, which will allow viewers each week to watch the following week's episode on Video-On-Demand before it airs on USA. The network will prominently promote the on-demand episodes, driving viewers to watch in the early window. This new approach is designed to offer select advertisers premium placement across millions of multiplatform connected homes, and engage the highly passionate community of PLAYING HOUSE fans across VOD and TV Everywhere platforms. The series, which is executive produced by, written by and stars Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham, will return in the second half of 2015 for eight episodes.

"We are so pleased to bring back this beloved series, with the exceptionally talented comedic duo of Jessica and Lennon," said Chris McCumber, President of USA Network. "Tapping into the increasing power of On Demand, we have the unique opportunity to reward the incredibly devoted fans of PLAYING HOUSE with early access to new content and bring in additional audiences."

"With the new season of PLAYING HOUSE, we really wanted to give marketers an opportunity to truly follow our video content wherever and whenever the consumer experiences it," said Linda Yaccarino, President of Advertising Sales for NBCUniversal. "This is a special show in that Jessica, Lennon and the producers will collaborate with our clients to develop custom content in and around the series with this distribution model in mind, as the season develops. It is a prime opportunity for brands to maximize their messaging on different platforms to this highly engaged audience."

Distributors have seen On Demand TV consumption increase exponentially in recent years, as the platform has grown to become a go-to destination for viewers to catch up and stay current on their favorite shows and discover new ones. NBCU expects to drive over 1.5 billion full episode views On Demand across all platforms in 2014.

"PLAYING HOUSE developed a dedicated audience On Demand and we are excited to work with USA Network to promote the show and to give Xfinity customers the opportunity to catch up on season one and to enjoy season two in a new window," said Matt Strauss, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Video Services, Comcast Cable. "With nearly three billion hours viewed each year, Xfinity On Demand is a staple in the viewing routines of our customers and has demonstrated the ability to build new audiences, lift ratings, and provide new advertising opportunities."

Frequently hailed as the new "Lucy and Ethel" or "Tina and Amy," St. Clair and Parham have emerged as a standout comedic duo. Critics hailed the series as "... next-level hilarious... " and "Punch-You-In-The-Gut Funny," making it one of USA's most talked about series of 2014.

"This new programming model is a testament to the quality of PLAYING HOUSE and the brilliance of Jessica and Lennon who turned viewers into loyal fans," said Jeff Wachtel, President and Chief Content Officer for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. "Great content sets the stage for innovation."

PLAYING HOUSE centers on childhood best friends Maggie Caruso (Lennon Parham, "Parks and Recreation," "Mad Men") and Emma Crawford (Jessica St. Clair, "Bridesmaids"), who together have shared countless adventures growing up in the charming town of Pinebrook, Conn. In the first season, Maggie discovered that her husband Bruce (Brad Morris) was having an online affair, so Emma gave up her burgeoning business career in China to stay in their hometown and help Maggie raise her baby. As they prepared for the birth of Maggie's first child and the fallout of her marriage ending, Emma was also forced to confront the past that she abruptly left behind thirteen years ago: her first love and local cop, Mark (Keegan-Michael Key), her prim-and-proper mother (Jane Kaczmarek) and a small town in which she's never felt comfortable. Together, they navigated the adventures of raising a baby in the best way they know how - together.

In addition to St. Clair and Parham, "PLAYING HOUSE" is executive produced by Ravi Nandan of A24 Films ("Hesher") and Scot Armstrong of American Work, Inc. ("Old School," "Hangover 2"). The series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

About USA Network

The #1 network in all of basic cable for an unprecedented eight straight years, USA Network is seen in more than 102 million U.S. homes. USA offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com.

About Universal Cable Productions

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. UCP's content library spans classics such as Emmy-award winning, "Monk," and cult favorites "Psych," "Battlestar Galactica" and "Warehouse 13." In the U.S., UCP's programming can be seen across various networks including: "Covert Affairs," "Dig" (March 2015), "Playing House," "Royal Pains," "Satisfaction" and "Suits" on USA Network; "Ascension", "Defiance," "Dominion," and "12 Monkeys" (Jan. 2015) on Syfy; "Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce" (Dec. 2014) on Bravo; "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome" on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray; and "Side Effects" on Awesomeness TV/YouTube. Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.





  [december 2014]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· PLAYING HOUSE (USA)





[08/13/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: First Look at New Supernatural Series "Coven Academy" Conjures Up Drama, Premiering Oct. 1 on Freeform and Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
In the haunted heart of New Orleans, "Coven Academy" follows three teenage witches and their dangerously charming warlock peers at an elite magic boarding school where power is currency, secrets are lethal and attraction is a liability.

[08/13/26 - 09:31 AM]
Paramount+ Begins Production on Thriller "Discretion" Starring Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Josh Lucas
Joining the previously announced cast as series regulars are Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Stephan James and Colton Ryan.

[08/13/26 - 09:31 AM]
Pack Your SPF! "Arizona Hot" Is Turning Up the Temp in New Netflix Reality Show
The new reality series follows a group of ambitious twenty-somethings fresh out of college and eager to carve out a space for themselves in the Grand Canyon State.

[08/13/26 - 09:01 AM]
Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and Priyanka Join the Cast of "Heated Rivalry" Season 2
New lineup just dropped.

[08/13/26 - 08:48 AM]
"Crystal Lake" Arrives October 15 on Peacock
Some family traditions never die.

[08/13/26 - 08:31 AM]
PBS Announces Season Two of Nature Docuseries "Hope in the Water"
The three-episode season, coming to PBS in 2027, traces a single, powerful idea: that the future of food is being written right now, by ordinary people making extraordinary choices.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Mom Knows Best?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this new reality show format, nine mothers secretly bet on the choices their adult children will make, putting their familial bonds to the test.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "The Altruists" - Date Announcement & First Look
The story of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, two hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists who tried to remake the global financial system in the blink of an eye - before they were accused of stealing $8 billion and became Gen Z's own Bonnie & Clyde.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "Chad Powers" Season 2
Chad Powers is a superstar on the field but his odd behavior off it has everyone suspicious - especially Coach Hudson and Gerry.

[08/13/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Death of the Pastor's Wife" - Official Trailer - Netflix
What happened to Mica Miller? This documentary series retraces her promising life, toxic marriage and the mysterious circumstances of her death.

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
"Passenger" Makes Exclusive Streaming Premiere on Paramount+ August 20
Starring Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell and Melissa Leo, "Passenger" follows a young couple who, after witnessing a gruesome highway accident, soon realize they did not leave the crash scene alone.

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Again?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The couples reunite for the destination wedding of Marcus and Angela's daughter, bringing drama old and new as they ask, "Why did we get married again?"

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
Meet the Wolves of the Canadian High Arctic in Disneynature's "Wolf," Streaming Exclusively on Disney+ on Earth Day 2027
There's no better day than International Wolf Day to introduce the pack.

[08/13/26 - 07:00 AM]
"Megan and Cupcake Ready for Preschool," A New Hybrid Live-Action and Animated Series, Is Coming to Disney Jr. and Disney+
The series is currently in production and will debut on Disney Jr. and stream on Disney+ later this fall.

[08/13/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Unleashes "MobLand" Season Two Official Trailer
Produced in association with Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, season two of the original crime drama features Tom Hardy returning as loyal fixer Harry da Souza, alongside Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren as the unscrupulous heads of the Harrigan family, Conrad and Maeve.