Crackle Unveils New Original Programming and Renews Three Hit Series at 2014 Digital Content NewFronts

NEW YORK, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Crackle, the multi-platform digital entertainment network, released an exciting line-up of new original programming and returning series this morning at the Digital Content NewFronts in New York City. Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle," "Breaking Bad"), Chad Michael Murray ("One Tree Hill"), Emmanuelle Chriqui ("Entourage"), and sportscaster Dan Patrick were all on hand alongside Sony Pictures Television executives for Crackle's second year at the annual NewFronts presentations.

The new line-up features more than 100 episodes of original programming including exciting new productions and returning hits across a variety of genres such as sports, comedy, thrillers, and music involving some of Hollywood's most sought-after talent including ‎Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Downey Jr. Bryan Cranston, Jeremy Renner and Dan Patrick.

Crackle's NewFront presentation comes on the heels of the news that Crackle won the People's Voice Award for Best Media Streaming.

"As both studio and network, Crackle controls content AND distribution," said Eric Berger, Executive Vice President of Digital Networks for Sony Pictures Television and General Manager of Crackle. "As a result we are able to provide quality long form programming and unique solutions to advertisers, with certainty around the content, platforms and timing. With unmatched OTT distribution, we're offering the next evolution of television, including an audience not reachable through traditional television."

Crackle has inked a video upfront agreement with Spark, part of the Publicis Groupe, that gives the agency and its clients access to premium video inventory across Crackle's long form entertainment network. The deal includes a first look at a number of integrations into Crackle original shows and movies and also awards them a first look at upcoming measurement and video capabilities. 

As announced at Crackle's Digital Content NewFronts presentation, full descriptions of new and returning original programming are as follows:

"SEQUESTERED"
12 episode Series Scheduled to Premiere on Crackle in August
A sophisticated, intense thriller, starring Jesse Bradford (BRING IT ON), Summer Glau ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"), Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement"),  and Bruce Davison (X-MEN) about a jury sequestered in a hotel while deliberating a court case with massive implications. Series is produced by Lifeboat Productions and created by Aaron Tracy.

"SPORTS JEOPARDY!"
Game Show Series Scheduled to Air Weekly on Crackle for 52 Weeks
"Sports Jeopardy!," which will be hosted by the Emmy®-Award winning sportscaster Dan Patrick, is a spinoff of Sony Pictures' record Emmy^®-Award winning hit game show. "Sports Jeopardy!" will be unique in its level of interactivity, allowing viewers to download a mobile application that will interact with the show as a second screen application to unlock new clues.

"THE THROWAWAYS"
Feature Film Scheduled to Premiere this Winter, 90 Minutes
Jeremy Renner and Don Handfield (THE HURT LOCKER, THE TOWN) executive produces this suspenseful thriller about a notorious hacker captured by the CIA who is given a proposition to work for them or spend the rest of his life in prison.

"TIGHTROPE"
Comedy Series
Emmy®-Award winner Bryan Cranston returns to his comedic roots to executive produce this series that will replace a character from a classic detective series with a modern-day actor. The show juxtaposes the modern character, with irreverent comic sensibilities and also with older characters from another era to reshape the stories into contemporary comedy.

"COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE," SEASON 4
Comedy Series, 5 episodes, Scheduled to Premiere in Early Summer
Back for a fourth season, the Emmy® nominated series created, written and produced by Jerry Seinfeld, will feature guests including Aziz Ansari, Jon Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Klein and George Wallace.  Sponsored by Acura.

"COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE," SEASON 5
Comedy Series, 7 episodes, Scheduled to Premiere in the Fall
Special comedian guests to be announced soon.  Sponsored by Acura.

"CHOSEN," SEASON 4
Action/Thriller Series
The fourth season of the critically-acclaimed series is set to begin development. The series is executive produced by Milo Ventimiglia and Russ Cundiff alongside creators Ben Ketai (30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS) and Ryan Lewis (HIGH SCHOOL, FAT KID RULES THE WORLD), and written by Evan Charnov (LOST BOYS: THE THIRST) and Ben Ketai.

"PLAYING IT FORWARD"
Music Documentary Series
The special street performance-style reality series is produced by Team Downey, an entertainment company founded by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, alongside veteran music producer/composer Tony Berg and Kevin Lake. The "Playing It Forward" music movement will showcase surprise street performances by some of the world's biggest artists in unplanned, unexpected environments across the country benefiting music education and charities of the artists' choice. 

"CLEANERS," SEASON 2
Action/Thriller Series, 12 episodes
The second season will return with stars Emmanuelle Chriqui ("Entourage"), Emily Osment ("Hannah Montana"), Gina Gershon ("Rescue Me") and David Arquette (SCREAM), with new characters played by Esai Morales ("Criminal Minds"), Omar Avila ("Justified"), David Rees Snell ("Last Resort"), John Savage ("Dark Angel"), and Mimi Rogers ("Two and a Half Men"). Written and directed by Paul Leyden (The Factory) with executive producers Sam Worthington (Avatar), Chriqui, John Schwarz ("McLeod's Daughters"), Michael Schwarz (Oliver Twist) and Luca Scalisi (Eminem: Live from New York City). Paul Leyden and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers. The second season premieres in August with 12 all-new episodes uncovering secrets, lies and ulterior motives.

About Crackle
Crackle, a unit of Sony Pictures Television, programs Hollywood movies, TV shows and original series and films for the world's connected audience. Available in 21 countries, Crackle specializes in genres such as Action, Comedy, Crime, Horror and Sci-fi. Original programming on Crackle includes the psychological thriller Chosen, starring Chad Michael Murray and Rose McGowan; Cleaners, starring David Arquette and Gina Gershon; the first ever made for digital movie EXTRACTION, starring Danny Glover; and the Emmy® nominated Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, starring Jerry Seinfeld. Crackle is always freely accessible on every screen, with no subscription or authentication required. Visit Crackle's site at www.crackle.com. You can also find Crackle on Facebook at www.facebook.com/crackle or follow Crackle on Twitter @Crackle for real time updates.

Media Contacts:
Sarah Rothman / 42West for Crackle/ 646.254.6030 / [email protected]

SOURCE Crackle