or


[07/30/15 - 01:06 PM]
HBO and Russell Simmons Enter Into Overall Production and Development Deal
Simmons has five active projects with the world's leading premium television service, three of which are being developed through his media company, All Def Digital (ADD).

[via press release from HBO]

HBO AND RUSSELL SIMMONS ENTER INTO OVERALL PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT DEAL

Network Developing Several New Series And Specials With Simmons For Premium Television; Pact Builds Upon Successful Producing Partnership Beginning With Hit Series "Def Comedy Jam" And "Def Poetry Jam"

LOS ANGELES, July 30, 2015 - HBO has made an overall first-look deal for premium television with visionary multi-platform producer Russell Simmons' new media company All Def Digital (ADD). Under the terms of the agreement, the Def Jam Records co-founder and his team will create and develop a wide range of television projects for HBO.

Simmons has five active projects with the world's leading premium television service, three of which are being developed through his media company, All Def Digital (ADD).

HBO and Simmons are collaborating on:

* A new series that curates the best acts from All Def Digital's weekly live comedy night. Every week, ADD produces a live event in Hollywood featuring the best new comedians in the country.

* HBO and ADD are also developing "These Are My Friends," a new comedy series created by independent filmmaker Shaka King that takes an original and authentic look at hip-hop culture. The series follows four real-life rap and hip-hop artists as they struggle to keep their dream alive. Real friends, real rappers, real comedy, real life.

* A comedy series through ADD with the Broken Lizard comedy troupe, which brought audiences cult classics like "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest." "The Broken Lizard Show" will take an innovative and comedic look at race when, hundreds of years in the future, a space ship exploring the galaxy discovers the last white man in the universe.

* Simmons is also executive producing the highly-anticipated HBO limited series "Codes of Conduct," directed and developed by Academy Award(R)-winner Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave"). The six-episode limited series is written by McQueen and screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan ("World War Z"), and executive produced by McQueen, Simmons, Iain Canning ("The King's Speech"), Emile Sherman ("The King's Speech") and Alan Poul (HBO's "The Newsroom"). "Codes of Conduct" stars newcomer Devon Terrell as a young man with a mysterious past who enters New York's high society. Paul Dano, Helena Bonham Carter and Rebecca Hall are also featured

* Simmons, alongside Stan Lathan, is producing a Def Comedy Jam 25th Anniversary Special that will feature an all-star lineup of comedians celebrating the longest-running and most influential comedy showcase on cable television.

"We always speak of having distinct voices at HBO, and few in the industry are as unique and intelligent as Russell," says Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. "He's been a part of our family for a long time, and we are so pleased to be continuing our relationship."

"HBO has been like a home to me for a generation," says Simmons. "I am enormously proud of the broad range of programming they have nurtured. Together, we have discovered new voices and helped launch emerging artists that deserved a mainstream platform. I am even more excited by the next generation of talent and shows that we are developing through All Def Digital TV."

Simmons' relationship with HBO dates back to 1992, when he co-created "Def Comedy Jam," the landmark series that helped make household names of Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart and many others. In 2002 Simmons launched the Peabody Award-winning "Def Poetry Jam." A Broadway version of the series earned Simmons a Tony Award.

As co-founder of Def Jam Recordings with producer Rick Rubin in 1984, Simmons oversaw the signing of seminal hip-hop acts, including Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay Z and Kanye West. He also founded the iconic retail brands Phat Farm and Baby Phat and the trailblazing Rushcard debit card business. He has written three New York Times bestselling books on happiness and well-being, including 2014's "Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple."

ABOUT HBO

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world's most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services - HBO(R) and Cinemax(R) - to approximately 122 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the popular subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand(R) and Cinemax On Demand(R), as well as HBO GO(R) and MAX GO(R), HD feeds and multiplex channels. HBO NOWSM, the network's internet only premium streaming service, provides audiences with instant access to HBO's acclaimed programming in the U.S. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO and Cinemax programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

ABOUT ALL DEF DIGITAL

All Def Digital (ADD) is the leading multi-platform media company for millennials focusing on urban youth culture through video programming across comedy, music, lifestyle and topical and timely social commentary. The company nurtures new and established artists and produces and incubates a broad spectrum of original content through an efficient and transformative media model leveraged across social video platforms, traditional and premium television and motion picture development, live events, and its own record label in partnership with Universal Music Group. ADD also includes a highly curated and growing network of talent - from traditional writers and stand up comics to social video stars, from poets to hip hop recording artists. ADD partners with global brands to create immersive and authentic social content experiences with unique talent voices. In its first year of operations, ADD is among the most subscribed-to and watched YouTube channels for urban comedy and music. The company is based in Los Angeles, California, with offices in New York. Its investors include Nu Horizons, Greycroft Partners, e.ventures and Advancit Capital.





  [july 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· BROKEN LIZARD SHOW (HBO)
· CODES OF CONDUCT (HBO)
· RUSSELL SIMMONS PRESENTS: DEF COMEDY JAM (HBO)
· RUSSELL SIMMONS PRESENTS: DEF POETRY (HBO)
· THESE ARE MY FRIENDS (HBO)
· UNTITLED ALL DEF DIGITAL PROJECT (HBO)





[08/20/26 - 09:30 AM]
From Arcade to Animated Series: "Golden Axe" Set to Premiere Exclusively on Paramount+ Wednesday, September 16
In a hilarious homage to Sega's iconic 1989 video game, "Golden Axe" follows legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead as they reunite to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder, who just won't seem to stay dead.

[08/20/26 - 09:17 AM]
BET Unveils "Get Your Mind Right," A Multi-Platform Mental Health Initiative Designed to Inform, Inspire, and Connect Black Communities
Rooted in BET's longstanding commitment to uplifting and serving Black audiences, "Get Your Mind Right" reflects the urgency of advancing conversations around mental wellness while encouraging communities to seek support and connecting audiences to culturally relevant support.

[08/20/26 - 08:45 AM]
Genie Bouchard Joins ESPN for 2026 US Open
ESPN will present exclusive "first ball to last ball" coverage of the 2026 US Open beginning Sunday, August 24.

[08/20/26 - 08:34 AM]
ESPN Debuts Little League Alumni Alt-Cast of the MLB Little League Classic Presented by New York Life
Mike Monaco will handle play-by-play alongside analysts Todd Frazier and Devon Travis, with the trio calling the game on-site in Williamsport.

[08/20/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix Renews "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" for a Fourth Season
Season four will follow a fresh batch of rookie candidates, comeback hopefuls and seasoned vets across the 2026-27 season.

[08/20/26 - 08:10 AM]
Food Network Serves Up a Frightfully Delicious Fall in New Seasons of "Halloween Baking Championship" and "Halloween Wars"
First up, on Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT "Halloween Wars" will return with host Jonathan Bennett and a "Back from the Dead" theme featuring all-star expert pumpkin carving artists, sugar masters, and cake mavens who will face more difficult challenges than ever before.

[08/20/26 - 08:01 AM]
"The Hunting Wives" Season 2 - First Look Images & Date Announcement
Season two premieres on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) and will release exclusively as a Netflix branded series in nearly all countries Netflix is available.

[08/20/26 - 08:00 AM]
The Final Reckoning Begins Emmy-Nominated "Yellowjackets" Returns for Its Final Season on November 20 on Paramount+
As the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

[08/20/26 - 07:15 AM]
Adult Swim Sets September 13 Premiere for Live-Action Sketch Series "The Terrors of Jordan Mendoza"
Created by, starring, directed, and executive produced by Mendoza, the quarter-hour series follows a very scared man as he navigates a barrage of absurd, terrifying, and hilarious dreamscapes.

[08/20/26 - 07:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Daughters of 9/11," Airing Friday, Sept. 11
Twenty-five years after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, Elizabeth Miller, Jessica Trant and FBI special agent Frank Pellegrino confront whether the man accused of masterminding the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), will ever face justice.

[08/20/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Line of Fire" - Official Trailer - NBC
A family of law enforcement agents bridges personal differences and crosses professional boundaries as they tackle cases for the FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice.

[08/20/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hell hath no fury like Lizzie...

[08/20/26 - 06:01 AM]
BritBox Announces Additional Casting, Start of Production for Season Two of BAFTA-Winning Thriller "Code of Silence"
The new cast includes Jonah Hauer-King, Jo Joyner, Sophie McShera, John Hollingworth, Sasha Desouza-Willock and Emily Head.

[08/20/26 - 06:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Debuts "The Terminal List" Season Two Teaser Trailer and Key Art, Starring Chris Pratt
All eight episodes, executive produced by Chris Pratt, Antoine Fuqua, David DiGilio, and author Jack Carr, will premiere on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[08/20/26 - 05:31 AM]
New Cast Announced for Season 2 of Award Winning Comedy "North of North"
The additions include Canadian actor and comedian Bruce McCulloch as Military Mitch, an instructor who is hired to teach first-aid at the Ice Cove Community Centre.