Jesus Chosen Drama to air on The CW – The Hollywood Reporter

‘the chosen’

Courtesy of Mike Kobeisy/Lionsgate

The CW has added another acquired series to its programming slate.

The network, which has been under the control of station group Nexstar since October, acquired US broadcast rights the chosen. The drama about the life of Jesus will premiere Sunday, July 16 at 8 p.m. on the network, which will run its first three seasons through the fall before concluding on Christmas Eve.

The CW deal for the chosenan audience-financed drama from creator Dallas Jenkins (The Resurrection of Gavin Stone), covering the first three seasons of the series. Jenkins has a seven-season plan for the show and is currently in production on a fourth season.

“the chosen It is based on the biggest IP of all time and is truly a one-of-a-kind series that tells this historically important story in a way that is captivating, exciting, and excellent,” said CW Entertainment President Brad Schwartz in a statement announcing the Friday deal. “This show has already deeply connected with viewers around the world. world, and The CW will expand its audience even further.”

the chosen It began as a crowdfunded series, with Lionsgate securing the worldwide rights to the series as part of a sublicensing deal with the producers in May. The first three seasons of the series have already been released via the Angel Studios app, with an estimated 110 million viewers in 175 countries around the world. The producers plan to make the show available in 600 languages. A special theatrical release grossed $35 million at the box office, with the show’s popularity leading to best-selling books, DVDs, and an upcoming graphic novel.

“As part of our global representation of this sought-after facility, we are thrilled to have The CW become another great partner for the chosensaid Lionsgate’s president of worldwide television distribution, Jim Bakker. “This groundbreaking series already has a huge global following, and The CW platform will provide the perfect opportunity for the show to reach existing fans and inspire new ones.”

the chosenBilled as the first multi-season series to follow the life of Jesus (Jonathan Rommey) as told through his followers, it is the latest series acquired by The CW under Nexstar. The station group, which acquired a 75 percent controlling stake in The CW last year, plans to expand the network’s viewership beyond its current 18-34 demographic as part of a larger effort to make the broadcaster better known for its Arrow-A useful verse for the first time.

The CW was launched as a joint venture between CBS Studios and Warner Bros. Television (hence its name). The network generated billions of dollars in profits for each of the two studios that launched the network to take advantage of the lucrative foreign sales and streaming deals. When both revenue streams dried up with the launch of in-house signers at both companies, The CW was sold to Nexstar.

Under Nexstar, former CW CEO Mark Pedowitz and his executive system have been ousted and replaced by Schwartz. The network has canceled nearly all of its high-priced local original scripted series—except All Americans And walker, with three more shows remaining on the bubble—in favor of low-budget earned programming as part of its push to expand the network’s spin-off beyond younger viewers. As part of that plan, Nexstar has also pushed The CW Sports with deals for LIV Golf, and this week, Inside the NFL.

“The CW has always been bold and unique, which is perfect for us,” said Jenkins, who also wrote, directed and produced the show. In addition, Brad Schwartz has made it clear that he loves and respects him for a while now the chosenSo we know he’ll be in good hands.”