Pay-TV provider HyppTV rolls out a host of entertainment programmes to keep viewers enthralled. Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli checks them out
WITH the Olympics over, HyppTV has a new line-up to keep us entertained for the rest of the year.
One major highlight is courtroom drama Bull, premiering today at 9pm on RTL CBS Entertainment (HyppTV Channel 616). This series is based on the early career of Dr Phil McGraw, founder of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms in the world.
NCIS veteran Michael Weatherly stars as Dr Jason Bull, a brilliant, brash and charming “puppet master” who combines psychology, human intuition and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, lawyers, witnesses and the accused tick.
RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network programming executive vice president Jennifer Batty, says: “We’re very excited to launch Bull because Michael was on NCIS, the No. 1 show in the world, for 13 years. He’s exploring his acting ability, and this time around, he plays this charismatic character on screen.
“Furthermore, Bull is one of those shows where you want to see more after completing an episode. You want to know what happens next. You delve into his personality, trying to find out what he’s going through.”
With Weatherly being a known figure in US entertainment, and the way the character of Dr Jason Bull is written, the series is expected to excite audiences in and across Asia.
LETHAL SERIES
Another highlight is a TV version of the hit movie franchise Lethal Weapon. The series premieres tomorrow at 9.50pm on Warner TV HD (HyppTV Channel 613).
The action comedy series is about the classic police duo Riggs and Murtaugh (originally portrayed by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover) in modern day Los Angeles.
Detective Martin Riggs (Clayne Crawford) moves to California after a tragedy that had taken the lives of his young, pregnant wife. Deemed to be a loose cannon with a death wish, Riggs is paired with Roger Murtaugh (Damon Wayans), a cautious policeman who’s just returned to the job after a near-fatal heart attack.
Riggs’ tendency to dive headfirst into danger doesn’t sit well with Murtaugh, resulting in lots of crazy capers.
“The fall season is the time when shows make their premieres in the US. So in the next few months there will be more new shows,” says New Media, TM Business and Media Operations vice president Emily Wee.
“Bringing these express titles in further stamps our continued commitment and capabilities to deliver the best of wholesome, world class entertainment variety as well as live, world class sporting events,” adds its executive vice president Jeremy Kung.
LOTS TO ENJOY
RTL CBS Entertainment will also premiere the comedy series, Man With A Plan (airing Fridays at 9pm beginning Oct 28). It stars Matt Le Blanc as a newly-retired dad who just realises that his kids are maniacs.
Returning to the channel with a new season are Scorpion S3 (Tuesdays, 9pm starting Oct 4), Elementary S5 (Wednesdays, 9.55pm starting Oct 12), The Odd Couple S3 (Fridays, 9.30pm beginning Oct 21) and The Affair S3 (Tuesdays, 9.55pm starting Nov 22).
Also airing on RTL CBS Entertainment are The X-Factor UK S13 (every Sunday and Monday, 10.30am) and The Late Late Show With James Corden (Monday to Friday, 11.45pm).
Warner TV HD, on the other hand, will premiere the new seasons of Arrow (S5, Thursdays, 9pm starting Oct 6), Gotham (S3, Tuesdays, 9pm), Blindspot (S2, Thursdays, 10.40pm), The Big Bang Theory (S10, Tuesdays, 11.05pm), and DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow (S2, Fridays, 9pm starting Oct 14).
Meanwhile, there is more fresh content on HyppTV’s other channels. RTL CBS Extreme (HyppTV Channel 617) will air Bear Grylls: Mission Survive S2 (Saturdays and Sundays, 8.40 starting Oct 15), Fox Crime (HyppTV Channel 610) is premiering Murder (Oct 20) and Rogue (Oct 24), Syfy (HyppTV Channel 611) premieres Halcyon (Thursdays, 10pm starting tomorrow and Z Nation S3 (Oct 2016) and Universal Channel (HyppTV Channel 612) will air Chicago PD S4 (Thursdays, 8pm starting tomorrow and Chicago Fire S5 (Wednesdays, 8pm starting Oct 12).
QUICK CONTENT
Wee says that with the increasing number of general entertainment shows from Hollywood, the related channels on HyppTV have grown stronger.
“We’ve been working hard to get the content within 12 or 24 hours from the time it’s released in the US. HyppTV customers are spoiled for choice this time around,” he says.
Batty agrees and says: “For RTL-CBS Entertainment, it’s important to bring shows as quick as we can to our viewers here.
“We’re bringing some of the best content from the US within hours of its original broadcast.
Batty adds that they could broadcast the shows at the same time as the US premieres, but it would be at 3am or 4am Malaysian time.
“So it’s better to hold it off and air them in the morning at least and have a primetime repeat.”
Award shows are aired live, however. The most imminent is the 2016 American Music Awards, telecast live on Nov 21 at 9am on RTL-CBS Entertainment.
Kung explains that the high quality content is also available for subscription via HyppTV value packs namely Jumbo, Aneka, Varnam and Ruby packs at no additional fee.
“In addition, customers can also enjoy their favourite shows at home any time with HyppPlay or while on the move with HyppTV Everywhere mobile app on any devices,” he adds.