Pivot, the upcoming network from
entrepreneur-philanthropist Jeff Skoll, will launch next month with
two gay-inclusive shows in its schedule.
The television network aimed at
15-to-24-year-olds who want to change the world, dubbed by Pivot as
“passionate millennials,” launches on August 1 and is expected to
be initially available in more than 40 million homes.
The Pivot original scripted comedy
series Please Like Me stars Australian comedian Josh Thomas.
In the show's first 5 minutes, Josh's girlfriend Claire (played by
Caitlin Stasey) breaks up with him over fears he might be gay, an
allegation John denies. But before the pilot is over, John is
introduced to a decidedly odd but very attractive man, Geoffrey (Wade
Briggs). Please Like Me premieres on Thursday, August 1
at 8PM.
A second original series comes from the
creative team behind the Peabody Award-winning series Brick City.
Jersey Strong is a Newark-based docu-soap which chronicles
the lives of two families, one of which is headed by a same-sex
couple. Law professionals Brooke and Maggie are busy raising two
college-aged kids. Their struggles are juxtaposed with those of
former Bloods and Crips gang members Jayda and Creep, who are also
raising two kids. Jersey Strong premieres on Saturday,
September 14 at 10:30PM.
Series acquired by Pivot include Friday
Night Lights, Farscape and Little Mosque on the
Prairie.
Pivot is being described as the first
television network to be available through traditional pay-television
bundling and as a stand-alone service. The Pivot app will allow
subscribers to watch live or on-demand programs.