Pivot, the upcoming network from entrepreneur-philanthropist Jeff
Skoll, launches Thursday with the gay-inclusive comedy Please Like
Me among its original offerings.
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. (The first episode is embedded on this page. Visit our video
library for more videos.)
The network will premiere a second gay-inclusive program in
September.
Jersey Strong comes from the creative team behind the
Peabody Award-winning series Brick City. The Newark-based
docu-soap chronicles the lives of two families, one of which is
headed by a same-sex couple. 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.