Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Dec 8, 2014 21:26:11 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/tv/news/pivot-cancels-takepart-live-1201374115/
Pivot Cancels ‘TakePart Live’
Millenial-skewing cable network Pivot said it has cancelled “TakePart Live,” an ambitious talk program meant to galvanize a young audience to engage with pressing issues of the day, barely two months after adding a new co-host to the show.
“We thank our hosts and producers,” the network said in a statement. “They are incredibly talented and we’re already in discussion to work with them in different ways so that they can continue to have a place on Pivot.” A spokeswoman did not respond immediately to questions about the show’s performance or why it was being taken off the air, and did not specify a final date for the program.
Meghan McCain, daughter of Senator John McCain, and Jacob Soboroff, a founding host of “HuffPost Live,” have held forth regularly on the program, a centerpiece of the young network, which launched in August, 2013. They were joined in October by Baratunde Thurston, a digital entrepreneur and author.
Pivot is owned by Participant Media. The network, an indie startup, faces headwinds in trying to lure viewers and sign on new distributors. The channel is available in about 47 million households, and has gradually added more original programming to its schedule, including the comedy “Please Like Me.” Pivot is preparing its first drama series, “Fortitude,” for a launch January.
Evan Shaprio, who launched Pivot as president, left the operation in November for a job at NBCUniversal. Participant named Kent Rees, who has held positions at IFC and Current TV, to fill the post.
Pivot Cancels ‘TakePart Live’
Millenial-skewing cable network Pivot said it has cancelled “TakePart Live,” an ambitious talk program meant to galvanize a young audience to engage with pressing issues of the day, barely two months after adding a new co-host to the show.
“We thank our hosts and producers,” the network said in a statement. “They are incredibly talented and we’re already in discussion to work with them in different ways so that they can continue to have a place on Pivot.” A spokeswoman did not respond immediately to questions about the show’s performance or why it was being taken off the air, and did not specify a final date for the program.
Meghan McCain, daughter of Senator John McCain, and Jacob Soboroff, a founding host of “HuffPost Live,” have held forth regularly on the program, a centerpiece of the young network, which launched in August, 2013. They were joined in October by Baratunde Thurston, a digital entrepreneur and author.
Pivot is owned by Participant Media. The network, an indie startup, faces headwinds in trying to lure viewers and sign on new distributors. The channel is available in about 47 million households, and has gradually added more original programming to its schedule, including the comedy “Please Like Me.” Pivot is preparing its first drama series, “Fortitude,” for a launch January.
Evan Shaprio, who launched Pivot as president, left the operation in November for a job at NBCUniversal. Participant named Kent Rees, who has held positions at IFC and Current TV, to fill the post.