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truTV Keeps "Way More Fun" Momentum Going With Two New Series, Three Specials and Five Pilots
Network Greenlights Adam Ruins Everything and The Driver's Seat (working title),
Announces Three Impractical Jokers Specials and
Orders Pilots from CollegeHumor's Jake and Amir and More
truTV Climbs Charts with Ratings Growth while Audience Gets Younger
After Major Brand and Programming Refresh
As truTV prepares to join its sister brands for Turner Upfront 2015, the network is building on the momentum of its recent brand refresh with several major original programming moves. First up, truTV has greenlit two new series: Adam Ruins Everything, an investigative comedy in which Adam Conover hilariously debunks social conventions that most people take for granted, and The Driver's Seat (working title), a show that literally hits the road to discover what people really dish about in the privacy of their own cars. truTV has also given the go-ahead on three specials from the fan-favorite Impractical Jokers. And on the development front, the network has ordered five new pilots, including a television version of CollegeHumor's long-running Jake and Amir. Also going to pilot are a guerilla-style game show, a docu-series about a weed distribution business run by four women, a new project from How to Be a Grownup's Tom Segura & Christina Pazsistky and a docuseries that will follow a season of the FXFL's Brooklyn Bolts football team.
truTV's new programming moves are designed to fit truTV's newly refreshed brand as the place for "Way More Fun" television, which has been paying off big time with across-the-board ratings growth and chart-climbing competitive rankings. "In just over six months, we have turned over a whole new network, building momentum with a premium lineup of new series that will keep viewers coming back for more," said Chris Linn, president, head of programming for truTV. "We now have 17 new shows, with a slate that represents nearly 200 hours of original programming. These new shows, specials and pilots are the kind of fresh and innovative programming that will help us build on the success our 'Way More Fun' brand is generating."
Since its extensive brand makeover in October 2014, truTV has been rapidly expanding its lineup of original programming, which includes the hit series Impractical Jokers, featuring four lifelong friends who dare each other to carry out hilarious stunts in public; The Carbonaro Effect, in which comic magician Michael Carbonaro amazes unsuspecting people on hidden camera; the eye-popping performance competition series Fake Off; and Friends of the People, truTV's first-ever sketch comedy series. Later this month, truTV will debut the new series The Hustlers, about the high-stakes, cutthroat competition in New York City's pool halls, and in November will premiere Santas in the Barn, a refreshingly unexpected holiday-themed series.
truTV recently greenlit its first-ever fully scripted series, Those Who Can't, a comedy about a trio of frustrated high school teachers starring show creators Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy, members of the Denver-based comedy troupe The Grawlix. The network has also greenlit Fameless, a genre-busting half-prank/half-sketch show from the mischievous mind of David Spade, and the brand new series Six Degrees of Everything, a fast-paced, comedic look at the unexpected connections between various topics, hosted by Benny and Rafi Fine. In addition, the streetwise game show Funny Or Die's Billy on the Street with Billy Eichner is set to become a truTV original series, starting with its fourth season later this year. And truTV just launched MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout, the network's first live boxing series.
On the renewal side, truTV recently ordered new seasons of Hack My Life, a funny spin on life's little shortcuts that can save you time, effort and money; How To Be a Grownup, a comedic take on the trials and tribulations of true adulthood; and truTV Top Funniest, featuring a collection of wildly hilarious viral videos. truTV is also expanding the first season of Barmageddon, the high-stakes bar competition with a twist.
Over the past six months, the truTV audience has been getting younger, and the network has been climbing the charts as a result of its brand and programming refresh. Since the rebrand, truTV has garnered a median age of only 38, and its median age for the first quarter of 2015 was four years younger than first quarter last year. Primetime deliveries were up across the board compared to the first two months of the network's brand and programming update, including adults 18-49 (+36%), adults 18-34 (+35%), men 18-49 (+45%), men 18-34 (+54%) and total viewers (+35%). In addition, with a viewer median age of 38, truTV is one of the few networks that is getting younger while both its competitive set, including History, A&E and Discovery, and young-skewing networks like E! Entertainment and ABC Family are getting older.
"The new truTV comes to this Upfront with high-quality, desirable audiences with an engaging programming slate and multi-screen environment for advertisers," said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Broadcasting Ad Sales. "As we continue to build on our promise for this brand across all screens, it will continue to play a valuable role within our portfolio's breadth of audiences and reach."
truTV also finished the first quarter as one of basic cable's Top 20 networks with men 18-49 and men 18-34, climbing 13 and nine spaces, respectively, among the two demos compared to the opening months of the rebrand. Among total viewers, truTV has risen 10 spots, while its rankings among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 have improved six and four spots, respectively.
truTV hits this year have included Impractical Jokers, which finished Q1 as one of basic cable's Top 3 programs in its timeslot with adults 18-49 and scored a median age of only 31; The Carbonaro Effect, which finished up its first season as one of the Top 10 programs in its timeslot with men 18-49 and men 18-34; and Hack My Life, which drew an audience with a median age of 31 and ranked as one of the Top 15 programs in its timeslot with key male demos.
The following is a complete rundown of truTV's latest programming initiatives.
New truTV Series & Specials
Adam Ruins Everything - New series premiering in fall 2015
In Adam Ruins Everything, host Adam Conover employs a combination of comedy, history and science to dispel widespread misconceptions about everything we take for granted. A perfect blend of entertainment and enlightenment, Adam Ruins Everything is inviting, fast-paced and, above all, smart. Adam is like that friend who knows a little bit too much about everything and is going to tell you about it...whether you like it or not. Adam Ruins Everything isn't just fun to watch, but addictively informative. It's everything you didn't want to need to know. The show was born out of a popular CollegeHumor original series that has generated more than 30 million views since premiering online with the video "Why Engagement Rings Are a Scam" in early 2014. truTV has ordered 11 half-hour episodes of Adam Ruins Everything from Big Breakfast.
The Driver's Seat (working title) - New series premiering in the fall.
The Driver's Seat hits the road to see what people really dish about in the comfort of their cars. In the series, navigation devices provide talking points for the driver and passengers, who engage in funny conversation, hilarious moments and the occasional outburst of road rage. truTV has ordered 12 half-hour episodes of The Driver's Seat, which is produced by Original Media.
Impractical Jokers Punishment Special #2 (working title) - Half-hour special premiering August 2015
When it comes to Impractical Jokers, nothing stands out quite like the punishments. Whether it's Murr being forced to jump from a plane or Sal crashing a wedding to deliver the wedding toast of his nightmares, the guys always save the most hilarious dose of humiliation for the end of each show. In this special episode, the four guys look back at the series' best punishments and share never-before-divulged secrets about each one. Impractical Jokers and its specials are produced by NorthSouth Productions.
Impractical Jokers Fan Favorite Special (working title) - Half-hour special premiering in September 2015
The stars of Impractical Jokers count down the all-time fan-favorite moments from the show. These are the most memorable scenes; the iconic lines fans scream when they see the guys; and the most shocking, cringe-worthy and embarrassing things no one but Impractical Jokers can pull off. This special is the perfect crash course in why fans love the guys so much.
Impractical Jokers Cutting Room Floor Special - Half-hour special premiering in September 2015
In this special episode, the four stars of Impractical Jokers unveil all the hilarity that was left on the cutting room floor. From unaired challenges to behind-the-scenes antics, the guys wax poetic about their favorite never-before-seen moments and give their fans a unique look behind the curtain.
New truTV Pilots
Jake and Amir - Produced by Electus and Ed Helms' Pacific Electric Picture Co.
Jake Hurwitz & Amir Blumenfeld, the creators and stars of CollegeHumor's long-running weekly series that bears their names, have written and starred in more than 800 videos, which have garnered almost a billion views since the show's inception. Now they're bringing their irreverent buddy comedy to television for the first time ever.
Untitled Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitsky Project - Produced by 3 Arts and Good Clean Fun
Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky's pilot is about the two married comedians making the next big transition in their life - from broke and partying in their 20's--to financially stable and juggling real adult responsibilities in their 30's. The couple's weekly podcast is featured in the show as they attempt to acclimate to their new life in a sunny, southern California, beach-adjacent town while still staying true to their roots and who they really are-- comedians.
Smartface (working title) - Produced by Alevy Productions and CORE Media Group
In this guerilla-style game show, contestants must choose random people in a public place - based solely on their appearance - to answer questions on their behalf. Smartface is set to be hosted by Kevin Pereira.
MaryJanes (working title) - Produced by Pilgrim Studios
This fascinating docu-series will follow a family weed distribution business in Washington state run by four women along with their parents, grandparents and brother.
The FXFL (working title)- Produced by Matador
When it comes to football, the FXFL is keeping the dreams alive for a talented and hungry crop of NFL hopefuls. This high-octane docu-series will follow the players on the Brooklyn Bolts as they fight their way through the 2015 season and, and more importantly, hope to get a mid-season call to play on Sundays.
Recently Announced truTV Programming
Recent Series Greenlights
Those Who Can't - Series Premiere: Early 2016
truTV's first-ever fully scripted series. A comedy about a trio of frustrated high school teachers starring show creators Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy, members of the Denver-based comedy troupe The Grawlix.
Six Degrees of Everything - New Series Premiere: Tuesday, Aug. 18
This fast-paced series, hosted by Benny and Rafi Fine, takes a comedic look at the unexpected connections between various topics.
Fameless - New Series Premiere: Wednesday, July 29
Fameless is a genre-busting half-prank/half-sketch show from the mischievous mind of David Spade.
Funny Or Die's Billy on the Street - Season 4 Premiere: October 2015
This streetwise game show hosted by Billy Eichner is set to become a truTV original series, starting with its fourth season later this year.
Santas in the Barn - New Series Premiere: December 2015
This refreshingly unexpected holiday-themed series is hosted by Jon Gabrus.
The Hustlers - New Series Premiere: Friday, May 22, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
This new truTV series centers on the high-stakes, cutthroat competition in New York City's pool halls.
MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout - Fridays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
truTV's new primetime boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, marks the first-ever domestic use of "spidercam" technology for boxing coverage.
Series Renewals
Fake Off - Season 2: Wednesdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
The eye-popping performance competition series returns with new host Corbin Bleu and judges Harry Shum Jr., Laurieann Gibson and Beau Casper Smart, plus backstage correspondent Meghan Camarena and some of the most amazing performances ever shown on television.
Barmageddon - Season 1 Summer Premiere: Monday, May 25, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Comedian Mo Mandel hosts this high-stakes bar competition with a twist
How To Be a Grownup - Season 2 Premiere: Tuesday, June 2, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Comedians offer a humorous take on the trials and tribulations of true adulthood in this funny and fascinating series.
Impractical Jokers - Season 4 Summer Premiere: Thursday, July 16, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
This truTV hit features four lifelong friends who dare each other to carry out hilarious stunts in public.
Friends of the People - Season 2 Premiere: Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT)
truTV's first-ever sketch comedy series is back with a whole new collection of hilarious takes on pop culture.
The Carbonaro Effect - Season 2 Premiere: Wednesday, July 29, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Comic magician Michael Carbonaro returns to amaze more unsuspecting people on hidden camera.
Hack My Life - Season 2 Premiere: August 18
Hosts Kevin Pereira and Brooke Van Poppelen offer a funny spin on life's little shortcuts that can save you time, effort and money
truTV Top Funniest - Season 3: Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
truTV serves up a weekly collection of wildly hilarious viral videos.
About truTV
truTV takes viewers on a fun ride that surprises and entertains. The network delivers a dynamic mix of action, comedy and competition, featuring engaging characters and compelling new worlds that pull you in and leave you wanting more. Currently seen in 92 million U.S. households, truTV features such popular original series as Impractical Jokers, The Carbonaro Effect, Friends of the People, Hack My Life, How to Be a Grown-Up, Barmageddon, as well as the upcoming Funny Or Die's Billy on the Street, Those Who Can't, Fameless, Six Degrees of Everything, Santas in the Barn and The Hustlers. In addition, truTV is a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and recently began airing the network's first ever boxing series.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; kids and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
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