USA Network Selects Newark Symphony Hall for Newest TV Show
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission announced today that Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) will be the location for USA Network’s new television show, America’s Big Deal. On Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT beginning October 14, the groundbreaking shoppable competition series will broadcast live from the City of Newark’s historic performing arts venue.
From famed inventor Joy Mangano, who inspired the 2015
movie “Joy” starring Jennifer Lawrence, America’s Big Deal will feature
entrepreneurs hailing from across the country, selling their ready-made
products to live home viewers through One Platform Commerce @ NBCU.
Each week
entrepreneurs will take the stage for a product pitch and the entrepreneur with
the highest dollar sales before the buying window closes during the episode
will win the chance to strike a life-changing deal with one of the show's
retail giants. Hosted by Emmy Award nominated "Access Hollywood"
journalist Scott Evans, “America’s Big Deal” will empower audiences to shop
live using ShoppableTV and NBCUniversal Checkout to turn entrepreneurs' dreams
into reality.
“We are pleased that ‘America’s Big Deal’ has chosen Newark Symphony Hall for its debut season,” said Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka of the City of Newark. “This project will not only boost recognition of our city’s most historic performing arts venue, but it will also serve as an economic development tool by creating jobs for local residents, helping put event staff and stagehands back to work.”
The production
of America’s Big Deal at Newark Symphony Hall will help regenerate a
workforce that has been inoperative for nearly 18 months due to COVID-19.
“America’s Big
Deal helps keep the American dream alive by uplifting entrepreneurs and small
businesses,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “We are delighted
to host this groundbreaking competition right here in the Garden State and wish
all contestants much success.”
“New Jersey is
enjoying a record amount of production work this year, and Newark continues to
be a magnet for film and television projects,” said Steve Gorelick, executive
director of the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission. “A unique show
such as ‘America’s Big Deal’ will bring great excitement to the city, and we
are thrilled to welcome their production team.”
“Its stunning
architecture, compelling history and prime location are just a few of the many
reasons we chose Newark Symphony Hall as the home for ‘America’s Big Deal,’ our
exciting new competition series,” said Tony DiSanto, CEO of DIGA Studios. “We
can’t wait to hit the air live every Thursday night beginning October 14 on USA
Network, and to share this great locale and show with the world.”
“Part of Newark
Symphony Hall’s mission is to leverage our venue for economic development,
including creating jobs for Newark residents,” said Taneshia Nash Laird,
president and CEO, Newark Symphony Hall. “As we begin to reopen after COVID
lockdowns, we expect to attract more television and film productions at our
historic performing arts center, which includes a 2,800-seat concert hall, a
1,200-person ballroom and a 250-seat black box theater.”
Newark Symphony
Hall (NSH) recently joined forces with the Newark Alliance to host a free job
training program for aspiring production assistants. The program—exclusive to
Newark residents—is part of NSH’s new Training Academy, created to help
people build careers in arts and entertainment.
America’s Big Deal is produced by New York City-based DIGA
Studios, a full-service
production company and studio founded by MTV’s former president Tony DiSanto.
Serving as executive producers are DIGA’s DiSanto, Nick Rigg, Shawn Strickland,
and showrunner Alison Holloway, along with Joy Mangano, one of today’s most
successful product inventors, having created and sold more than $3 billion in
product to American consumers to date.
For a sneak
peek of the show, visit: https://youtu.be/EcfpjwZUP8s. For the
latest updates on America’s Big Deal, visit www.shopamericasbigdeal.com.
About NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission:
The NJ Motion Picture and Television
Commission, which falls under the New Jersey Department of State’s Business
Action Center, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for
production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in
New Jersey. To learn more, visit: www.film.nj.gov
About Newark Symphony Hall:
Born in 1925, Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) has been
the home of almost a century of arts and culture in what is now one of New
Jersey’s oldest and largest arts and entertainment venues. NSH remains as
committed as ever to providing an artistically rich experience for art lovers
of all ages, while creating career pathways for people of color from around the
world – and bettering both its community and the Greater Newark region. For
more information, visit: www.NewarkSymphonyHall.org.
About DIGA Studios:
DIGA
Studios is a next-gen content studio committed to great storytelling across
formats, genres and platforms. Founded by former MTV President Tony DiSanto and
staffed with a deep bench of industry innovators, DIGA productions are marked
by a unique pop sensibility that resonates with youthful audiences worldwide.
DIGA Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLYANCE Media Group. For more
information, visit: www.digastudios.com/
About USA Network:
USA Network
has been a top-five cable entertainment brand for over 20 years and is home to
the most compelling television properties in the industry. Serving a broad,
passionate fanbase, USA’s diverse slate includes popular award-winning dramas,
unfiltered family comedies, buzzy unscripted, weekly live WWE programming,
high-octane sporting events and a portfolio of sought-after acquired series and
movies. USA is part of the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming portfolio,
which includes NBCU’s broadcast, cable and streaming platforms: NBC, Bravo, E!,
Oxygen, SYFY, Universal Kids, USA Network and Peacock. For more information,
visit www.usanetwork.com.
About NBCUniversal:
NBCUniversal
is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the
development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information
to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of
news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company,
significant television production operations, a leading television stations
group, world-renowned theme parks, and a premium ad-supported streaming
service. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.