Live is the word of the day when it comes to broadcast television, especially after NBC’s live broadcasts of The Wiz Live! and Adele Live from New York City both pulled in huge live audiences. And live sports, particularly the NFL, by far attract TV’s largest audiences.
As a result, broadcasters more than ever are looking for ways to replicate that live experience and deliver those viewers to advertisers.
Fox on Tuesday said it will air two-hour musical event, The Passion, live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016. The production will be hosted and narrated by Tyler Perry, who got his entertainment start producing and starring in live productions and touring them across the country.
The Passion, which tells the story of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, will be set in the modern day, following him as he presides over the Last Supper, is betrayed by his disciple Judas, put on trial by the Roman Pontius Pilate, and is convicted, crucified, and ultimately, resurrected.
Fox will team with Dick Clark Productions, Holland’s Eye2Eye Media and Anders Media to produce the event. Eye2Eye has been producing a Dutch version of The Passion annually since 2011. Last year, the show grabbed more than 46% of audience share in Holland.
Adam Anders, producer of such musical productions as Fox’s Glee and movie musical Rock of Ages, will executive producer and arrange the show’s music, which will feature today’s stars performing popular songs. The Passion’s cast is still to be announced.
Other executive producers include Dick Clark Productions CEO, president and executive VP Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan and Mark Bracco. Eye2Eye CEO Jacco Doornbos and David Grifhorst (“The Passion: Netherlands”) also will executive produce, while Robert Deaton serves as executive producer and showrunner.
[Image courtesy of The Gazette Standard]
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