‘Galactic Combat’ Enlists Thomas Loureiro as Showrunner (TV News Roundup)
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Thomas Loureiro has been named showrunner for “Galactic Combat,” a zero-gravity fight competition series.
Produced by Andrea Iervolino and his new Space 11 label, the reality show will feature 40 fighters from across the globe training and learning to fight without gravity, with programs mirroring those used in astronaut training.
Only eight contestants will make it past the training round and will compete in the main MMA-ZERO G competition. In a dramatic series finale, the final two fighters will go into outer space and face off in a custom capsule aboard an Earth-orbiting space station.
The 24-episode series will document everything from the initial training to the galactic final fight. There will also be 12 bonus episodes streaming for fans who want to follow the training sessions.
Former MMA fighter John Lewis serves as VP and promoter of MMA-ZERO G and co-executive producer of “Galactic Combat.” Loureiro’s previous credits include “Big Brother,” “The Ultimate Fighter,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Paradise Hotel.” Founded by Iervolino, Space 11 is specifically dedicated to servicing film and TV projects in outer space.
“So much of this series involves ‘firsts’ in the television and sporting worlds, so enlisting Thomas, who is experienced and accomplished in both arenas, is a comforting move for us to make and elevates the entire team coming together to introduce this groundbreaking format,” Iervolino said.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
STREAMING
Common Sense Networks announced a public preview of Sensical, a new, free streaming service offering entertaining and educational content for children. The company has also teamed up with studio and distribution partners CAKE, Cyber Group Studios, The Jim Henson Company, Mattel, WildBrain, Xilam Animation, ZDF Enterprises, Zodiak Kids and more, as well as new digital-first creators including Aaron’s Animals, ABCMouse, GoldieBlox, The Gotham Group, Pinkfong, Penguin Random House’s Brightly Storytime, Tankee and more.
PODCASTS
Amazon Music and Wondery have partnered with SmartLess LLC to bring “SmartLess,” the hit podcast created and hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, to their services. Starting on August 1, new episodes of “SmartLess” will be made exclusively available one week early on both Amazon Music and ad-free on Wondery Plus. This deal also includes an exclusive right to partner on any additional podcasts produced by SmartLess LLC, and Wondery will retain exclusive ad-sales rights through the deal. The deal was brokered by UnJu Paik, Vishal Panchal and Jenn Cron for Wondery; Josh Lindgren and Yuni Sher for CAA; Sam Fischer and Jamey Cohen at Ziffren Brittenham; Tom Hoberman, Adam Kaller, and Ryan Pastorek at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, & Gellman; and Robert Offer and Shelby Weiser at Sloane, Offer, Weber, and Dern.
LATE NIGHT
Vin Diesel, Helen Mirren, Ludacris, John Cena, Tyrese Gibson, Justin Lin, Jordana Brewster, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd will appear on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” while Steve Buscemi and Ed Sheeran will be on “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
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