or


[10/09/19 - 09:59 AM]
HBO Max Cultivates Innovative Kids Content Ordering "Craftopia" and "Karma" Straight to Series
Michelle Khare and Lauren Riihimaki will host the unscripted kids competition series, respectively.

[via press release from WarnerMedia]

HBO Max Cultivates Innovative Kids Content Ordering "Craftopia" and "Karma" Straight to Series

Competition Series Hosted by Social Media Mavens to Stream on the Highly Anticipated Direct to Consumer Offering

LOS ANGELES - October 9, 2019 - HBO Max continues to expand its storehouse of exceptional content by ordering 8 episodes each of two unscripted kids competition series, Karma and Craftopia. Karma, an hour-long series, will be hosted by Michelle Khare, an extreme lifestyle enthusiast with almost 2 million followers on YouTube, and Craftopia, a half-hour series, will be hosted by Lauren Riihimaki, aka LaurDIY, one of YouTube's top creators with over 21 million followers across all her social platforms. Both social media gurus are known for inspiring their followers to think creatively and follow their dreams.

"We are giving kids an opportunity to show us their absolute best as they strive for excellence in both challenging and creative situations," said Jennifer O'Connell, executive vice president, original content, HBO Max. "With Michelle and Lauren at the helms, we are aiming to surprise and delight our young viewers. These shows are incredible additions to our growing list of HBO Max kids originals."

Karma, currently in production, takes sixteen contestants, ranging in age from 12 to 15, completely off the grid to solve puzzles and overcome physical challenges, with the laws of karma setting the rules. This adventure competition series hosted by YouTube sensation Michelle Khare, will test the mental and physical stamina of its young contestants as they unravel how their social actions impact their success in the game. Focus, giving, humility, growth, connection, change and patience are the path to becoming the "Karma Champion." But more importantly, the players learn one of life's most profound lessons: "What you give out, you get back."

Karma is executive produced by JD Roth, Adam Greener and Sara Hansemenn for GoodStory Entertainment with Fred Pichel serving as showrunner and executive producer.

"After over 30 years of making kids television, this partnership with HBO Max has given me the ability to make a show about something important -- Karma," said Roth. "Teaching kids that the energy you put in is the energy you can expect to get back has been transformative. This show is a rare opportunity to entertain while teaching and I'm loving every minute of it!"

Craftopia is an epic kids crafting competition show hosted and executive produced by Lauren Riihimaki, who was deemed the "millennial Martha Stewart" by Forbes. On Craftopia, 9 to 15-year old contestants put their imaginations to the test and make their crafting dreams come true in a magical studio. After racing to fill up their carts with inspiring materials from the studio "store," crafters meet larger-than-life challenges, making the most amazing creations the world has ever seen. Production will begin later this year.

Craftopia is executive produced by Rhett Bachner and Brien Meagher for B17 Entertainment.

"Kids are so incredibly inventive. They look at an empty cardboard box and a paper towel roll and see a pirate ship with a telescope." said Bachner and Meagher. "So with Craftopia, we are thrilled to work with HBO Max to see what happens when we give ingenious kids a store full of every material imaginable."

About HBO Max

HBO Max is WarnerMedia's direct-to-consumer offering debuting in spring 2020. With 10,000 hours of curated premium content anticipated at launch, HBO Max will offer powerhouse programming for everyone in the home, bringing together HBO, a robust slate of new original series, key third-party licensed programs and movies, and fan favorites from Warner Media's rich library including Warner Bros., New Line, DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes and more. Sign up for updates at HBOMax.com.

About WarnerMedia

WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. Warner Media is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).

About GoodStory

GoodStory Entertainment is an unscripted production company founded in 2018 by award winning Executive Producers, JD Roth and Adam Greener, in partnership with Entertainment Executive, Scooter Braun and powerhouse management company, SB Projects. GoodStory specializes in unscripted television and documentary film anchored in transformational storytelling that puts humanity at the forefront. Together, JD & Adam have produced thousands of hours of television both domestically and internationally.

About JD Roth

JD Roth is an award-winning producer who co-founded 3 Ball Productions in 2001 and went on to create some of the biggest reality TV franchises to date. Roth is credited with introducing the world to the concept of "transformation television" - programming that celebrates the ability of people to make real changes and improve their lives. Roth brought "weight loss" television to the forefront more than a decade ago with the creation of The Biggest Loser on NBC - now a worldwide, half-billion dollar brand in addition to kids reality competition Endurance, which had 7 seasons with several Emmy nominations. Roth's other hits include NBC's For Love and Money, FOX's Master Chef, Spike TV's Bar Rescue, ABC's Extreme Weight Loss and Discovery's Flying Wild in Alaska.

About B-17 Entertainment

B-17 Entertainment, an Industrial Media company, was founded in 2013 by principals and TV veterans Rhett Bachner and Brien Meagher as a full-service production company producing breakthrough content in a variety of genres including comedy, kids, reality and game, and focuses on multi-platform programming with millennial appeal. Based in Los Angeles, the company is a key supplier of live, formatted and interactive programing for TNT/TBS, Quibi, HBO MAX, Facebook Watch, YouTube and Snap to name a few. B-17 Entertainment is currently producing the recently announced Thanks A Million with Jennifer Lopez; Chasing the Cure, the live, interactive medical series currently airing on TNT/TBS; Confetti, the live, daily interactive trivia game show currently on Facebook Watch; and a trio of series for Disney including Ultimate Sleepover and Ruby's Gem featuring Ruby Rose Turner, as well as Do it Duo currently airing on YouTube. Other credits include Help Us Get Married!; Nail the Look on Snapchat; Fright Club; Fashion 5 Ways; Fluffy's Food Adventures featuring Gabriel Iglesias; The WWE Show; and Make Up or Break Up.





  [october 2019]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· CRAFTOPIA (HBO MAX)
· KARMA (HBO MAX)





[04/18/25 - 11:12 AM]
Kathy Bates-Led "Matlock" Finishes Season as Television's #1 New Series
Throughout the season, an average of 17 million viewers watch "Matlock" across broadcast and streaming on Paramount+.

[04/18/25 - 10:06 AM]
"Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing" Returns Sunday, May 18 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
For the first time ever, 14 elite survivalists will brave the treacherous Australian Outback, combating the harsh environment, venomous snakes and slithering rivals, when the toughest and most shocking season yet.

[04/18/25 - 09:02 AM]
MTV's "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Makes Epic Season Eight Return on Thursday, May 29th at 8PM ET/PT
This season, the family is celebrating 15 years since their first wild summer in Seaside Heights with an epic reunion at the OG shore house.

[04/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
Season Two of "Conan O'Brien Must Go" Debuts May 8
The three-episode season will debut new episodes weekly on Thursdays, concluding with the season finale on May 22.

[04/18/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "The Quilters" - Official Trailer - Netflix
"The Quilters" follows the daily lives of several quilters inside the sewing room at South Central Correctional Center, a Level 5 maximum-security prison in a small town two hours south of St. Louis, MO.

[04/18/25 - 12:32 AM]
"Maul - Shadow Lord," A "Star Wars" Original Series, Arrives on Disney+ in 2026
Sam Witwer will return to the galaxy as the star of the next animated series.

[04/17/25 - 11:45 PM]
Video: "Young Jedi Adventures" - Season 3 Coming This Fall
New adventures incoming!

[04/17/25 - 10:30 AM]
Peacock Greenlights New "Love Island" Spinoff, "Love Island: Beyond the Villa" (wt), Premiering Summer 2025
The new series follows everyone's favorite Season 6 Islanders around Los Angeles as they navigate new careers, evolving friendships, newfound fame and complex relationships outside of the Love Island villa.

[04/17/25 - 10:06 AM]
NBC Will Premiere the Fourth Season of the Medical Drama Series "Transplant" on Thursday, May 22 as a Two-Hour Event (8-10 p.m. ET/PT)
Season 4 of "Transplant" finds Bashir "Bash" Hamed on the precipice of finishing his residency at York Memorial and officially requalifying as a doctor.

[04/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
Two-Time Emmy-Winning HBO Original Documentary Series "100 Foot Wave" Returns for Its Third Season May 1
Season 3 features the series' signature intimate interviews, vérité photography, and dramatic visuals with stunning aerial and water footage, showcasing the death-defying beauty of big wave surfing as the athletes risk it all in a quest for the ultimate high.

[04/17/25 - 09:42 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Date Announcement Teaser, First Look Photos, and July 31 Premiere Date For Season 2 of "Twisted Metal"
The stakes couldn't be higher as John Doe (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) risk their lives to compete in a dangerous demolition derby tournament.

[04/17/25 - 09:15 AM]
CBS Orders "America's Culinary Cup," A New High-Stakes Culinary Showdown from Renowned Food Expert Padma Lakshmi
Lakshmi serves as creator and host and will executive produce alongside Susan Rovner.

[04/17/25 - 09:02 AM]
The History Channel to Premiere Epic 2-Part Documentary Event "Sitting Bull" Beginning on Tuesday May 27 at 9PM ET/PT Executive Produced by Appian Way Productions
The four-hour documentary series charts the heroic life and legacy of the renowned leader of the Lakota people from his origins as a tribal warrior, to his involvement in defending native lands, to his leadership in guiding the Lakota people through a tumultuous time in American history.

[04/17/25 - 09:00 AM]
Starz Bolsters Season Four Ensemble of "BMF" with an Extraordinary Cast of Fan Favorites and New Faces for the Intense and Gripping Family Crime Drama
The new season premieres Friday, June 6, with all-new episodes available to stream weekly on Fridays on the Starz app and all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms.

[04/17/25 - 09:00 AM]
Acorn TV Debuts "Murder Mystery May" Biggest Month of Mystery Premieres Ever
On May 1, AMC Networks' popular streamer, Acorn TV, will debut its first annual "Murder Mystery May," a month-long event showcasing the world's best whimsical mysteries and investigative crime dramas.