News

Today, Paramount+ with Showtime announced that The Chi season seven will premiere on Friday, May 16, on-demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan.

The seventh season will make its on-air debut on Sunday, May 18, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

In The Chi season seven, with Alicia at the helm, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power. Yet, as loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown, and it will come at a heavy cost.

Season six was record-breaking for The Chi, with the drama series delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25% over season five.

Series regular Lynn Whitfield recently took home an NAACP Image Award win for her role in the show, with the series also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.

Created and executive produced by Emmy winner...

The Chi has a comeback date.

The Paramount+ with Showtime drama from Lena Waithe will return for its seventh season on May 16. The series that follows a group of residents on the south side of Chicago hits the streamer before making its on-air debut May 18 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

The new season follows Alicia at the helm with the women of The Chi rising to reclaim their power. As loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown and it will come at a heavy cost.

Season six was apparently one for the books for The Chi, as it delivered its most-watched season yet on streaming, reports Paramount+.

Created and executive produced by Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, the series is executive produced by co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel, and by Common (Selma).

The cast includes Jacob Latimore,...

Ahead of the highly anticipated season six premiere, Paramount+ with Showtime today announced that it has already given the green light to The Chi Season 7. The first half of season six was record-breaking for The Chi, with the drama series delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25 percent over season five.

The second half of season six of The Chi returns on Friday, May 10, on-demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. The seventh season will start production later this month in Chicago.

“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer,...

“The Chi” has been renewed for Season 7 at Paramount+ with Showtime.

The news comes ahead of the series’ return for the second half of its sixth season, which will debut on Paramount+ with Showtime on May 10 before its linear debut on Showtime on May 12 at 9 p.m.Et/Pt. Like the first half, the second will consist of eight episodes. The seventh season will begin production in Chicago later this month.

“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in ‘The Chi’ resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of content and chief creative officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise...

Paramount+ with Showtime today released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming second half of season six of The Chi series. The series will return on Friday, May 10, on streaming and on-demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

The Chi series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season. Produced entirely in its namesake city, the show is produced by 20th Television.

Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common (Selma), The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.

The record-breaking season-six premiere, which...

Paramount+ with Showtime has released the trailer and key art for the upcoming second half of season six of The Chi, which will return May 10.

The series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season.

The season-six premiere, which ranks among the top Showtime premieres ever in streaming viewership, picked up with Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blended union tested by his perilous partnership with Douda, (Curtiss Cook), who is dealing with the fallout of Q’s murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor’s (Luke James) tangled past impacts his new role as city councilman. Newlyweds Jada (Yolonda Ross) and Darnell (Rolando Boyce) fear for son Emmett after he makes a desperate, life-threatening move. Rob (Iman Shumpert) and Tiff’s (Hannaha Hall) cannabis business and Jake’s (Michael V. Epps) apparel line take off,...

Exclusive: Showtime’s The Chi will feature four additional new actors in recurring guest star roles when Part 2 of Season 6 premieres on May 10. They are Kadeem Hardison (A Different World), Leon (Swarm), Brett Gray (I’m A Virgo) and Daniel J. Watts (Werewolf By Night).

Hardison plays Professor Gardner, a college literature professor; Leon plays Alonzo, a charming, street-savvy attorney with old ties to Alicia (guest star Lynn Whitfield); Gray plays Damien, a whip-smart young man who will impact Emmett’s (Jacob Latimore) life in more ways than one; Watts plays Pastor Ezekiel, a charismatic pastor of a megachurch.

Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.

In Season...

The fifth episode of “True Detective: Night Country” will be available to stream early on Max beginning Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. Et/ 6 p.m. Pt, in order to avoid the Sunday night streamroller that is the Super Bowl. The show will still get its HBO linear premiere on Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt, opposite the Big Game.

Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Finn Bennett and Fiona Shaw star in the series, with Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star Lablanc and John Hawkes rounding out the cast. Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna and Joel D. Montgrand are guest stars.

Issa López serves as showrunner, writer and director. Foster executive produces alongside Mari Jo Winkler, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak for Pastel. Chris Mundy, Alan Page Arriaga, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Cary Joji Fukunaga and Nic Pizzolatto also executive produce.

First Looks

Hulu has unveiled the trailer for the...

Exclusive: Audiences appeared eager for the return of Showtime’s The Chi.

The drama series saw a 65% surge in streaming viewership on Paramount+ with the debut of the first eight episodes of Season 6 on August 4.

In the first seven days, the Season 6 premiere drew more than 1.8M viewers, according to Paramount Global. That makes it the most-watched season premiere of The Chi to date.

“The Chi’s record-breaking performance validates our decision to integrate our streaming services with the new Paramount+ with Showtime,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks. “Exceptionally created by Lena Waithe, The Chi embodies the best of Showtime with rich characters and compelling, layered storytelling that keeps viewers coming back for more.”

Added Domenic Dimeglio, EVP and chief marketing officer, Paramount Streaming: “As the first new season of a Showtime scripted series to premiere on Paramount+, The Chi broke out with its largest premiere audience ever,...

Editor’s Note: This episode of Scene 2 Seen was taped before the July 14th start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Hello and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen podcast! I am Valerie Complex, and today we’re talking to director Chris Robinson about his latest directorial film, Shooting Stars.

An award-winning director and producer, Chris Robinson is known for his critically acclaimed body of work that defies genre and is constantly expanding. He and his production company, Robot Film Company, are known for their acclaimed storytelling centered around black voices and changing perspectives.

Robinson’s latest feature, Shooting Stars, the upcoming Peacock Original based on the book by LeBron James and the Pulitzer Prize winning author Buzz Bissinger, premiered on Friday, June 2. Shooting Stars is the inspiring origin story of a basketball superhero, revealing how LeBron James and his childhood friends become the #1 high school team in the country, launching James...

Change is in the air in the official trailer for The Chi Season 6.

Showtime dropped the first look at the highly-anticipated next chapter of the series.

As previously reported, The Chi Season 6 will premiere Friday, August 4, streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime and on-demand, before making its on-air debut Sunday, August 6 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Showtime.  

The premium cabler also announced the series will be getting its biggest episode order to date, with 16 new episodes ordered.

"Life in The Chi reverberates between the highest highs and lowest lows," reads the official logline for Season 6.

"Big dreams are finally realized but at a cost and everyone will be tested in unimaginable ways as they calculate the risks and rewards of their next big move."

"Emmett and Kiesha's blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to expand Smokey's and a new perilous partnership, while Kiesha finally races toward a rewarding new career.

“The Chi” dropped its first trailer for Season 6 Tuesday, teasing how the Showtime series will put Emmett and Keisha’s blissful union to the test while spotlighting Douda’s shifting loyalties in the fallout of Q’s murder, Kiesha’s burgeoning career aspirations, the high schoolers’ graduation and more.

“I’m forever grateful to Chicago. It made me who I am,” Kevin (Alex R. Hibbert) says in the trailer, which shows him and his friends enjoying their senior prom.

“The city is all we got. We’re going to stumble sometimes, but we’ve got to help each other get back up again,” Emmett (Jacob Latimore) adds.

But on the flip side, a new character Darnell (Rolando Boyce) indicates that “The Chi” won’t be all fun and laughs: “And we all need to be mindful of the company we keep,” he says.

While there’s new beginnings and new friendships,...

Updated, 12 Pm: Showtime has released the official trailer and key art for Season 6 of Lena Waithe’s critically acclaimed drama series The Chi. New challenges await Kevin (Alex Hibbert), Jake (Michael Epps) and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr) and the rest of the Chi fam in the upcoming expanded season. Season 6, which is split into two parts of eight episodes each, premieres its first half on August 4 streaming on Paramount+ and on demand, followed by its linear debut at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 6.

You can watch the new trailer above and previous teaser trailer below.

Previous, June 21: The Chi is coming back this summer.

Showtime announced the sixth season of its drama series will premiere Aug. 4 streaming on Paramount+ and on demand, before making its on-air debut at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 6, on Showtime. The season will be made up of 16 episodes that will be split into two eight-episode installments.

Season 5 of “Love Island USA” is set to premiere on July 18 exclusively on Peacock, the streamer announced Wednesday.

The fifth season of “Love Island USA” will take place in Fiji with an all-new group of singles. Throughout the season, islanders will compete in challenges, face temptations and forge new relationships. Each week, new episodes will be available for streaming six days a week.

“Love Island USA” stands as Peacock’s most-streamed original reality competition series, heightening the anticipation for the show’s fifth season. David George, Adam Sher, Simon Thomas, Ben Thursby-Palmer, Andy Cadman, Iona Mackenzie and Claudine Parrish serve as executive producers, alongside Tom Gould, Richard Cowles, Mike Spencer, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster. The series is produced by ITV Entertainment.

Watch the concept trailer below.

Greenlights

Roku greenlit “Empty Nest Refresh,” a new home renovation series hosted by Liza Koshy and featuring design expert Orlando Soria.

The six-episode...

The Chi is getting supersized. Showtime has announced the sixth season's premiere date with the news that eight more episodes have been ordered. Season six of the drama will be split into two parts.

Starring Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, and Curtiss Cook, the series follows a group of people living in the South Side of Chicago as they deal with life and all its ups and downs. Lena Waithe created the show.

Guest stars this season include Kandi Burruss, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L'lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae'a Brown, Miriam A. Hyman, Tyla Abercrumbie, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce, and Tory O. Davis.

Read More…...

One of Showtime's best series has a return date, and we're getting more episodes than before.

The premium cabler announced this week that The Chi Season 6 will get underway on Friday, August 4, streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime and on-demand, before making its on-air debut Sunday, August 6 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Showtime.

Showtime revealed that the upcoming season would span 16 episodes after The Chi Season 5 reached new streaming highs.

But they won't be airing consecutively. Instead, Showtime is airing the 16-part season in two parts.

"The Chi is Showtime at its best – complex characters and sophisticated storytelling that leave our viewers wanting more, which is why we've expanded this season to its biggest yet," said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks.

"Lena is a gifted creator and we're fortunate to collaborate with her on this iconic series – one of our biggest – as we...

Showtime has ordered a sixth season of “The Chi.”

Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common, “The Chi” is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The Season 5 finale will stream on September 2 and premiere on-air on Sunday, September 4.

In Season 5, Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Tiff (Hannaha Hall) forge ahead as co-parents, while Tiff moves in with Rob (Iman Shumpert). Kevin (Alex Hibbert) finds new love in gaming and Simone (Antonyah Allen), while Jake (Michael V. Epps) and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr.) try to resolve things with Jemma (Judae’a Brown) and Maisha (Genesis Denise Hale). New mom Kiesha (Birgundi Baker) works to build her life with baby Ronnie while pursuing her education, while Nina (Tyla Abercrumbie...

Showtime has picked up a sixth season of The Chi, its popular drama series created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and executive produced by Common. The renewal comes while Season 5 is still airing, with new episodes dropping Fridays on streaming and on-demand and Sundays on the linear network, heading to the season finale, which will stream September 2 and premiere on-air two days later.

The Chi has been a digital standout from the start, with its series premiere setting a sign-up record for Showtime in December 2017. Five seasons in, the coming-of-age drama set in the South Side of Chicago remains a strong performer, with Season 5 on pace to set a new record for the series in streaming, growing that audience by over 20 from last season.

Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows Ended Or Continuing In 2021-22 Season

Produced entirely in Chicago by 20th Television, The Chi will return for Season 6 in 2023.

In the current fifth season,...