BET Studios Partners with Microseries Company aTwist to Develop Original Content Rooted in Black Culture (TV News Roundup)

BET Studios has announced a partnership with microseries company aTwist, aiming to create storytelling “rooted in Black culture and community.”

Through the partnership, the companies will produce multi-platform original microseries, including long-form episodic content for cable distribution and vertically formatted microseries for the aTwist platform.

BET will first feature a limited first-run window of the long-form episodes before moving to aTwist’s vertical platform, where they will be formatted as microseries. The partnership aims to create quality low-cost programming for both linear television and mobile-first viewing.

“BET is planting our stake in the ground for the next era of storytelling,” said Aisha Summers-Burke, EVP, Head of Creative at BET Studios. “The microseries format represents one of the most significant shifts in how content is created, distributed, and consumed, and we’re positioning BET at the forefront of that evolution. Our partnership with aTwist brings a best-in-class team and a format built for the future. Together we’re creating a pipeline that reflects Black culture and drives the conversation.”
 

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EXECUTIVES

Media executive Monica Collins has been named LatiNation Media’s vice president of business development, the company announced. Collins will lead strategic partnerships and brand collaborations for the  independent, Latino-owned, English-language connected media network. 

She will work across LatiNation’s LATV broadcast cable network, the LatiNation app, and its digital platforms. 

“Monica brings both strategic depth and a powerful understanding of culture and identity to our team,” said Gisella Fu-Ripp, senior vice president of sales at LatiNation Media, in a staement. “Brands are looking for meaningful ways to connect with Latino audiences, and Monica has a strong track record of building partnerships that deliver both authenticity and results. She will play a key role in driving revenue through strategic partnerships and innovative brand collaborations, while developing impactful solutions as we continue to expand LatiNation’s multiplatform media offering and deepen our partnerships with brands seeking cultural relevance at scale.”

Collins brings experience in multicultural media, brand strategy, and partnership development, having held leadership roles at My Code, Azteca America (Azteca U.S.) and Entravision. An Asian-Ecuadorian immigrant and U.S. citizen, Collins brings both a global and personal perspective to the multicultural media landscape.

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Paramount Sports Entertainment has announced the appointment of Stefanie Markman, Alix Teppel, and KC Warnke to the company’s executive leadership team.

Markman will join as Head of Business & Legal Affairs, overseeing business and legal matters for the studio and helping guide PSE into the broader non-live sports entertainment landscape. Markman previously served as General Counsel and Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Hello Sunshine and Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for Original Series at Netflix.

Teppel was tapped as Head of Marketing & Partnerships to oversee marketing, brand strategy, and revenue-driving collaborations. Teppel most recently acted as Chief Commercial Officer at Tim McGraw’s Down Home and previously spent 15 years at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she rose to Vice President of Network Partnerships & Brand Innovation.

Warnke will act as Head of Physical Production, scaling PSE’s production capabilities with a focus on scripted and event production. Warnke joins from Netflix, where he served as Vice President of Production for Original Series, and was previously Head of Production at Asylum Entertainment.

Paramount Sports Entertainment president Jesse Sisgold said, “Stefanie, Alix and KC each bring deep experience building and scaling premium content businesses at the highest level. Their leadership will be instrumental in driving our production pipeline, expanding partnerships, and supporting our next phase of growth. So, with that, please join me in welcoming Stefanie, Alix, and KC to the Paramount family!”

PROGRAMMING

Kino Lorber’s MHz Choice has acquired exclusive U.S. rights to multiple Sky original series from NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, adding to the streaming service’s catalog of high-profile IP. The first to launch will be the German series “Das Boot,” which will debut all episodes of Season 1 July 7 on MHz Choice. 

“Das Boot,” a WWII drama starring Franz Dinda, Tom Wlaschiha and Rick Okon, will join series including “Babylon Berlin,” “The Killing,” “The Bridge” and “A French Village,” among others. The deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution also includes Italian series “Dostoyevsky and Piedone – A Cop in Naples,” as well as German series “Drift – Partners in Crime.” 

“A period drama with modern echoes, ‘Das Boot’ is a powerful series that’s both timely and timeless, stirring and relevant in today’s world, and we’re thrilled to bring the full series to MHz Choice viewers starting this summer,” said Martha Benyam, chief operating officer, Kino Lorber Media Group, in a statement. “We’re grateful to NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution and Sky for their partnership to bring all episodes of ‘Das Boot’ to American audiences and we hope to be the U.S. home to more Sky original series in the future.”

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Major League Soccer (MLS) will launch four original content series resulting in over 400 pieces across a distribution network including Amazon, Apple TV, Fox and Tubi, the company announced. These original series will also feature on MLS channels.

“The four original franchises will bring fans closer to MLS players than ever before, highlighting them as both tournament participants and community ambassadors, including global football icons Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC forward Son Heung-Min,” per the company. Also featured will be U.S. and Canadian Men’s National Team players and international standouts. 

MLS will also spotlight players across the company’s YouTube, TikTok, X and Instagram accounts. The short form content will give fans a glimpse into real-time reactions, match coverage and celebrations, among other things.

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Fox Sports is collaborating with “Sesame Street” ahead of and through the 2026 World Cup.

Characters from the children’s show, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and friends, will be incorporated into Fox Sports’ World Cup programming through special content segments, beginning May 12.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with one of the most adored children’s franchises in the world for FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Fox Sports Vice President of Production Zac Kenworthy. “By collaborating with ‘Sesame Street,’ we’re adding a fun and educational element that brings families together around the FOX Sports viewing experience.”

Upcoming segments include “The Count Down” with Count von Count breaking down the tournament’s biggest stats; “Trash Talk” with Oscar the Grouch leading a satirical highlight show featuring “grouchy” moments on-and-off pitch; a “Broadcaster Bootcamp” where Grover teams with Fox Sports broadcasters to learn the nuances of calling a major soccer game; and more.