Charter will phase out Spectrum Originals to make way for the cable provider’s exit from the original scripted series space. VarietyThis has been confirmed.
This move follows reports that Spectrum Originals’ head Katherine Pope will be leaving the company in order to take over Sony Pictures Television under Jeff Frost. Pope will assume her new role within the next few weeks. Charter will then begin the phase-out of the Originals division.
Spectrum Originals launched its first product in 2018 when it acquired the “Bad Boys”Spinoff “LA’s Finest”After the show wasn’t picked up by NBC, it aired as a series featuring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba. Spectrum Originals has aired shows such as the revival of “Mad About You,” “Joe Pickett,” “The Bite,” “Paradise Lost.”
Sources claim that the shutdown will occur gradually because there are still many shows on the platform. These include the Lena Headey and Stephanie James sci-fi thriller series “Beacon 23,”Which Spectrum was renewed for a second series before the first one aired.
In March, Spectrum announced that it had ordered the dramedy “Panhandle”Staring “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s”Tiana Okoye and Luke Kirby. Spectrum was also scheduled to air the miniseries “George & Tammy”The show stars Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon as Tammy Wynette (George Jones) and Michael Shannon respectively. The show will also air on Paramount Network as well as Paramount+.
What will happen to those and the other shows still on Spectrum’s books is yet to be completely decided. Some shows may continue to air on Spectrum. Others may be returned to their producers. They will then have the option to sell them to other outlets.
Deadline first reported that Spectrum Originals was shut down.