HBO Max, Ellen DeGeneres To Create Original Content

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO Max has teamed with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to develop original content for the upstart streaming service.

DeGeneres is on tap to create three new straight to series shows, including home improvement series Ellen’s Home Design Challenge, reality series First Dates Hotel and animated series Little Ellen, according to HBO Max parent WarnerMedia.

In addition, DeGeneres will produce a docu-series, Finding Einstein, which is currently in development and will seek out a new generation of Einsteins, according to the company. 

“Ellen is a singular talent, and a powerhouse, creative triple-threat that we are lucky to have now bringing her talents to bear on behalf of HBO Max,” said Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer, HBO Max and president, TNT, TBS, and truTV in a statement. “Ellen’s flair for home design and matchmaking will most certainly inspire and delight - but HBO Max is full service, so as not to leave the kids out she’s bringing them back to the hilarious misadventures of her childhood in an imaginative animated series.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.