Thursday, September 3, 2020

ViacomCBS Announces New Streaming Video-on-Demand Service

VCNI to Launch a Premium SVOD Service for Audiences of All Ages with a Super-Sized Selection of the Best ViacomCBS Content

Service will premiere SHOWTIME® exclusively alongside CBS All Access originals

International roll-out from Q1 2021 – priority markets Australia, Latin America, Nordics

Roll-out in parallel with ongoing expansion of free streaming service, Pluto TV

LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As announced on the ViacomCBS Q2 Earnings call, ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), a division of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), is launching a premium streaming service internationally, appealing to audiences of all ages with a competitively priced and super-sized selection of ‘must-see’ exclusives, premieres and box-sets from ViacomCBS’s much-loved entertainment brands.

The new SVOD service will start its international roll-out early in 2021, offering exclusive premieres of all new SHOWTIME series, including Halo and American Rust. CBS All Access originals will also premiere exclusively on the new service, such as Guilty Party and The Harper House. Building a bespoke content offering in select major territories from launch, the service will also combine movies from Paramount Pictures and premieres and box sets from Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network, as well as originals from ViacomCBS International Studios in some markets.

The new SVOD service will be available to on-demand audiences of all ages by combining blockbuster and classic movies, premium scripted series, kids, comedy and entertainment, reality and specialist factual content and will eventually aim to match or exceed other streaming services with a selection of thousands of hours of content in every market.

David Lynn, President and CEO of VCNI, commented, “Launching a super-sized premium streaming service will be a game-changer for ViacomCBS and can help us become as powerful a player in international streaming as we are in linear TV. We will market a world-class content offering at a very competitive price, and we’re convinced it will have significant appeal for audiences everywhere and strong growth potential in every market.”

Launch priority will be given in 2021 to fast-growing OTT markets where ViacomCBS has identified the opportunity to become a leader in paid-for streaming based on its competitive position. These include: Australia, where its existing 10 All Access service will be rebranded and significantly expanded; Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil and Mexico; and, the Nordic countries.

ViacomCBS will work with existing distribution partners, as well as new distributors, to market the service to their subscribers, as well as retailing the service D2C.

Making best use of ViacomCBS’s unrivalled TV and film libraries and its global original content pipelines, the service will utilize the technology and platform that powers CBS All Access. The roll-out will be executed using ViacomCBS’s existing international infrastructure, which spans offices in more than 30 countries, to improve cost-efficiency and allow investment to be focused on-screen.

Pierluigi Gazzolo, President, Streaming for VCNI, added: “With more than 200 million new streaming subscriptions due to come online internationally by 2025, we’re very confident we can build a meaningful subscriber base in the next few years. ViacomCBS is one of a very small handful of elite content companies with broad enough content pipelines and deep enough content libraries to lead in all segments of the video entertainment market.”

The international launch of the new streaming service will progress in parallel to the ongoing roll-out of ViacomCBS’s free streaming service, Pluto TV, which recently debuted across Spanish-speaking Latin America countries, following previous launches in the UK and Germany. Having enjoyed phenomenal early growth in Latin America, the service has plans to expand into Brazil and Spain by the end of 2020 and France and Italy in 2021.

ViacomCBS will reveal the brand of this new super-service closer to launch.


ViacomCBS Networks International:
ViacomCBS Networks International, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), comprises many of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands, including Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, Viacom 18, ViacomCBS International Studios, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network and Pluto TV. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS Networks International provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more than 180 countries.

---------------------------------


Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Warner Bros. Games Announces "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League"

Warner Bros. Games and DC Announce Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Genre-Bending Action-Adventure Shooter in Development by Rocksteady Studios, Creators of the Best-Selling Batman: Arkham Series

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Games and DC announced Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a new genre-bending action-adventure shooter that can be played solo or with up to four players in online co-op*. Based on iconic DC characters and developed by Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League combines the studio’s signature character-driven story gameplay with third-person shooter action to deliver a gaming experience unlike any other. The game will be available worldwide in 2022 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X and PC.

Featuring an original narrative set in the DC universe, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League takes place in a richly detailed open-world Metropolis. The story follows Suicide Squad members Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark who must take on an impossible mission to save Earth and kill the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes, The Justice League. Restrained with lethal explosives implanted in their heads, all four DC Super-Villains have no choice but to band together and carry out this untenable assignment as part of Amanda Waller’s infamous Task Force X. Fans can tailor their experience, whether playing on their own as a single player, switching between characters at will, or teaming up with friends in multiplayer co-op*.

To view and share the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – Official Reveal Trailer, go here.

“Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League showcases Rocksteady Studios’ ability to combine masterful storytelling and compelling gameplay based on well-known DC characters,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Games. “The team is creating a genre-defining experience that brings the formidable Suicide Squad to life in a way that has never been done before.”

“Our team is excited to officially announce Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and provide a glimpse into our latest project,” said Sefton Hill, Creative Director and Co-founder, Rocksteady Studios. “We’re introducing an original take on the Suicide Squad that combines the rich, character-driven storytelling Rocksteady is known for with innovative gameplay features to create a unique gaming experience.”

The playable characters featured in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League are Harley Quinn (a.k.a. Dr. Harleen Quinzel), the mistress of mayhem; Deadshot (a.k.a. Floyd Lawton), the most dangerous marksman alive; Captain Boomerang (a.k.a. Digger Harkness), Aussie assassin extraordinaire; and King Shark (a.k.a. Nanaue), the demigod humanoid shark and rightful ruler of the seas. Each squad member has their own unique moveset with enhanced traversal abilities to freely explore the dynamic open-world of Metropolis, along with a variety of weapons to customize and skills to master.

To learn more about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, visit SuicideSquadGame.com or join the community conversation on Twitter (SuicideSquadRS), Instagram (SuicideSquadRS), YouTube (SuicideSquadRS), Twitch (Rocksteady), Facebook (SuicideSquadRocksteady) and Discord (SuicideSquadRS).


About Warner Bros. Games:
Warner Bros. Games, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information about Warner Bros. Games can be found at https://www.wbgames.com/.

About Rocksteady Studios Ltd.:
Rocksteady Studios, a Warner Bros. Games development studio, is a multi-award winning videogame developer based in London, England. Creators of the critically acclaimed and multimillion-selling Batman: Arkham series, Rocksteady has been the recipient of over 110 awards, including five British Academy Games Awards. Additional information about Rocksteady Studios can be found at http://rocksteadyltd.com/.

About DC:
DC is one of the largest publishers of comics and graphic novels in the world and home to some of the most iconic and recognizable characters ever created. As a creative unit of WarnerMedia, DC is charged with strategically integrating its stories and characters across film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, interactive games, and the DC Universe digital subscription service. For more information visit dccomics.com and dcuniverse.com.

SUICIDE SQUAD KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE software © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Rocksteady Studios.

SUICIDE SQUAD, JUSTICE LEAGUE and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC.

WARNER BROS. GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

(s20)

*PlayStation®Plus required for online co-op. PS Plus is a paid-for ongoing subscription with a recurring fee charged automatically at the frequency chosen by the consumer at purchase until cancelled. Users must be over 7 years old and users under 18 require parental consent, except that users in Germany must be 18 years or older. Full terms apply, see playstation.com/legal.

-----------------------------

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 2, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR201332    BEAR ORIGINAL GN HC    $24.99
JUL200893    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #17 CVR A MAIN    $3.99
JUL200894    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #17 CVR B SAUVAGE VAR    $3.99
JUL200895    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #17 CVR C CAREY FIRE VAR    $3.99
JUL200922    KING OF NOWHERE #5 (OF 5) CVR A MAIN    $3.99
JUL200923    KING OF NOWHERE #5 (OF 5) CVR B MORAZZO VAR    $3.99
MAR201372    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS TP VOL 12    $16.99
JUL208001    SEVEN SECRETS #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
JUN200807    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING TP VOL 08    $14.99
JUL200871    WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #1 CVR A MAIN    $3.99
JUL200872    WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #1 CVR B INFANTE VAR    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 2, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL200268    ALIEN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #2 (OF 5) CVR A BALBI (RES)    $3.99
JUL200269    ALIEN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #2 (OF 5) CVR B SIMONSON (RES)    $3.99
JUL200270    BANG #3 (OF 5) CVR A TORRES (RES)    $3.99
JUL200271    BANG #3 (OF 5) CVR B KINDT (RES)    $3.99
FEB200326    CYBERPUNK 2077 JOHNNY SILVERHAND PINT GLASS SET    $19.99
JAN200398    CYBERPUNK 2077 SHOT GLASS SET    $14.99
JAN200310    MINECRAFT TP VOL 02 WITHER WITHOUT YOU    $10.99
JUL200266    ORVILLE #1 LAUNCH DAY (PT 1 OF 2) (RES)    $3.99
JUN200326    RETURN OF THE WIZARD KING TP VOL 01 PROSE NOVEL (RES)    $12.99
JUL200261    SPY ISLAND #1 (OF 4) CVR A MITERNIQUE (RES)    $3.99
JUL200262    SPY ISLAND #1 (OF 4) CVR B MITERNIQUE (RES)    $3.99
JUN200281    TRUE LIVES FABULOUS KILLJOYS CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ED HC    $39.99

DC Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 2, 2020

DC COMICS

APR200546    DC SUPER HERO GIRLS MIDTERMS TP    $9.99

Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 2, 2020

DYNAMITE

APR201258    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #7 GEORGIEV LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201259    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #7 LINSNER LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201261    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #7 LINSNER RARE LTD MARTIAN RED VAR    $100.00
APR201260    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #7 MOONEY LTD HOMAGE VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201257    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #7 PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
MAR201237    KILLING RED SONJA #3 GEDEON LTD VIRGIN HOMAGE CVR    $50.00
MAR201236    KILLING RED SONJA #3 WARD LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUL200800    NANCY DREW & HARDY BOYS DEATH OF NANCY DREW #4 CVR A EISMA    $3.99
JUN200758    RED SONJA #18 LEE LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUN200759    RED SONJA #18 LINSNER LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUN209109    RED SONJA #19 11 COPY CASTRO B&W FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209110    RED SONJA #19 15 COPY CASTRO VIRGIN FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209111    RED SONJA #19 21 COPY LEE TINT FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209112    RED SONJA #19 25 COPY LINSNER TINT FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209113    RED SONJA #19 30 COPY LINSNER TINT VIRGIN FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209114    RED SONJA #19 35 COPY LEE TINT VIRGIN FOC INCV    $3.99
JUN209108    RED SONJA #19 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR    $3.99
JUL200781    RED SONJA #19 CVR A LEE    $3.99
JUL200782    RED SONJA #19 CVR B LINSNER    $3.99
JUL200783    RED SONJA #19 CVR C HENDERSON    $3.99
JUL200784    RED SONJA #19 CVR D MIRACOLO    $3.99
JUL200785    RED SONJA #19 CVR E DECOBRAY COSPLAY    $3.99
JUL191295    RED SONJA 45TH ANNIVERSARY COLL STATUE    $249.99
APR201232    RED SONJA AGE OF CHAOS #6 CHEW LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201231    RED SONJA AGE OF CHAOS #6 GARZA LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201229    RED SONJA AGE OF CHAOS #6 PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201230    RED SONJA AGE OF CHAOS #6 QUAH LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201186    SACRED SIX #2 CVR A LEE    $3.99
APR201187    SACRED SIX #2 CVR B PARILLO    $3.99
APR201188    SACRED SIX #2 CVR C QUAH    $3.99
APR201189    SACRED SIX #2 CVR D HETRICK    $3.99
APR201190    SACRED SIX #2 CVR E CHEW    $3.99
APR201213    VAMPIRELLA #12 CANGA LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201212    VAMPIRELLA #12 DALTON LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
APR201211    VAMPIRELLA #12 PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUN209101    VAMPIRELLA #13 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR    $3.99
JUN200707    VAMPIRELLA #13 CVR A PARRILLO    $3.99
JUN200708    VAMPIRELLA #13 CVR B JUSKO    $3.99
JUN200709    VAMPIRELLA #13 CVR C DALTON    $3.99
JUN200710    VAMPIRELLA #13 CVR D GUNDUZ    $3.99
JUN200711    VAMPIRELLA #13 CVR E LEE COSPLAY    $3.99
JUN209102    VAMPIRELLA #13 HETRICK FOC BONUS VAR    $3.99
MAY191180    WOMEN DYNAMITE SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE CAMPBELL STATUE    $189.99

IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for September 2, 2020

IDW PUBLISHING

APR200815    BE GAY DO COMICS TP    $24.99
JAN200029    FCBD 2020 USAGI YOJIMBO    $PI
MAR200802    GODZILLA HALF CENTURY WAR HC    $29.99
MAR200691    MY LITTLE PONY TRANSFORMERS #2 (OF 4) CVR A FLEECS    $3.99
JAN200747    STAR TREK HELLS MIRROR CVR A SMITH    $4.99
APR200711    TMNT REBORN TP VOL 01 FROM THE ASHES    $19.99
APR200736    TRANSFORMERS 84 SECRETS & LIES #3 (OF 4) CVR A GUIDI    $3.99
APR200737    TRANSFORMERS 84 SECRETS & LIES #3 (OF 4) CVR B COLLER    $3.99
JUN200624    USAGI YOJIMBO #12    $3.99