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)





[08/26/26 - 01:56 PM]
Video: "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth" - See It First Only in IMAX November 25
Starring Brad Pitt. Written by Quentin Tarantino. Directed by David Fincher.

[08/26/26 - 01:43 PM]
Offseason Edition of the HBO and NFL Films Series "Hard Knocks" Set to Return in 2027
The series begins filming at the end of the 2026 NFL season and will debut in 2027 on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

[08/26/26 - 01:12 PM]
Home Is Where the Heart Is: Inside Netflix's Wave of Comfort Storytelling
Plus: "Guarding Stars," starring Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, will premiere globally on Netflix November 18 - just in time for the holidays.

[08/26/26 - 01:00 PM]
Peacock Renews "Love Island USA" for Season Nine with Emmy-Nominated Host Ariana Madix Set to Return
Plus: Co-hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen, the highly anticipated "Love Island USA" season eight reunion special premieres Monday, August 31 at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.

[08/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 17
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Ride or Die," "Off Campus," and "The Traitors" led all original series worldwide.

[08/26/26 - 10:45 AM]
"Survivor" Reveals the 21 New Castaways Competing on the 51st Edition - The First in the Series' New "Open Era" - With a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 23
The groundbreaking reality series, which shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 PM, returns with an all-new expanded class of dynamic and determined competitors.

[08/26/26 - 10:18 AM]
BET Brings Chris "CP" Powell's Acclaimed Comedy Special "Sunday After Six" to Screens September 1
Host of the revived "ComicView: Rooftop Series," Chris "CP" Powell brings his 90-minute stand-up special to the screen, centered on relatable life experiences and everyday scenarios as a Black man.

[08/26/26 - 10:05 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Blockbuster 72-Game NHL on TNT Schedule for 2026-27 NHL Regular Season, Starting Wednesday, Sept. 30
The season will culminate with TNT Sports' presentation of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the 2027 Stanley Cup Final exclusively on TNT Sports platforms.

[08/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
Sarah Pidgeon Joins Aaron Taylor-Johnson in "Enigma Variations"
The limited series, adapted from the bestselling novel by André Aciman, is an intimate yet sweeping portrait of masculinity, sexuality, and modern love.

[08/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
ESPN Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games for 2026-27 Season
Of the 100 exclusive games, 53 matchups will be available on ESPN and ABC, while the remaining 47 matchups can be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu.

[08/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This September
Highlights include Sharon Horgan's comedy "Youth" on September 20 and "4 Blocks" prequel series "4 Blocks Zero" on September 25.

[08/26/26 - 09:48 AM]
"Dolly: An NBC News Special" to Air Tonight at 9 P.M. ET
Anchored by Lester Holt, "Dolly: An NBC News Special" will look back at Parton's remarkable journey to stardom, her groundbreaking career and her lasting impact far beyond music.

[08/26/26 - 09:14 AM]
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Hosted by Kirk Franklin, Airs Sunday, August 30, on BET
Taped in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center under this year's theme, "Feels Like Home," the ceremony brings together gospel's most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for a night of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances.

[08/26/26 - 09:05 AM]
ESPN Premieres "Shooting Stars" and "13.4 Seconds to Nowhere" Aug. 27
The films were developed through a collaboration between ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Tribeca Studios to bring to life compelling stories at the intersection of sports and the Latino community.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Date, Key Art & Trailer Debut - Hulu's "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" Season Five
Season five premieres with all five episodes on Thursday, September 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.