Around the Tubes: February 8, 2025

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Bob Marley, Passengers, Pete Townsend, Stefanie Michaela, Noah Kahan, Shoresy, Chris Distefano: It's Just Unfortunate, Dune: Prophecy, and Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna.

- The Marley family, UMe, and Island Records will honor Bob Marley's legacy with a year-long celebration commemorating his 80th birthday milestone and his importance in the uprising of global music and the fight for social justice and equality  Bob Marley’s 80th Earthstrong Celebrations culminate with an ‘Uprising’ Tribute Concert livestream from the family’s Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and features a slew of popular and new Jamaican entertainers, including Mortimer, Bugle, Kumar Fyah, Naomi Cowan, Quan Dajai, Kelly Shane, and Alexx A-Game, several of whom were featured in the Bob Marley: One Love movie. Other highlights featured in the livestream will be a countdown of the best live performances from past birthdays, stand-alone performances paying tribute, a showcase of the ongoing impact of his charitable organization, the Bob Marley Foundation, and more. Tune into the livestream on Thursday, February 6, from 3pm ET – 7pm ET on Tuff Gong TV's official YouTube channel, HERE. 

- Island Records and UMe today announce the release of Original Soundtracks 1 (30^th Anniversary Edition) by Passengers, pressed on 2LP recycled black vinyl for Record Store Day, April 12, 2025.  Original Soundtracks 1, the studio album by Brian Eno and U2 was released in November 1995 under the artist pseudonym Passengers. The experimental recording process resulted in a collection of 14 songs, written mostly for imaginary films – hence the album title - with the exception of “Ghost in the Shell,” “Beyond the Clouds,” and the hit single “Miss Sarajevo,” featuring Luciano Pavarotti. Other highlights include guest appearances from musician and producer Howie B and Japanese artist Holi, as well as the bonus track “Bottoms (Watashitachi No Ookina Yume),” which previously featured on the original Japanese version of the album.  This special double-vinyl 30th anniversary edition, pressed on recycled black vinyl, is now fully remastered for the first time.  Original Soundtracks 1 (30^th Anniversary Edition) is available at participating independent record stores on Saturday, April 12, 2025. For a full list of stores, visit Record Store Day HERE.

- UMe is proud to announce PETE TOWNSHEND THE STUDIO ALBUMS, an 8-CD Box Set that collects all of Townshend's solo studio albums for the first time.   Newly remastered by Jon Astley, the new set is the perfect accompaniment to last year's 'Live In Concert 1985-2001' box. It features expanded deluxe packaging in a CD-sized box with new art by longtime Townshend collaborator Richard Evans, sleeve notes by band archivist Matt Kent, a new exclusive Pete Townshend foreword, and rare photos and memorabilia in a 28-page book.  The boxset features seven albums: Who Came First, Rough Mix (with Ronnie Lane), Empty Glass, All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, White City (A Novel), The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend, and Psychoderelict, as well as the music only version of Psychoderelict.  RELEASED ON UMe MARCH 28^th 2025.  https://petetownshend.lnk.to/studioalbums

- We all know what it’s like to be stagnant, stuck on a page, only to remember that we can always turn the page. After taking a pause from her music career to raise her five children, Stefanie Michaela makes a heartfelt return with her new single, “Found in You.” The track was co-written and produced by multi-Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Keith Thomas, (known for his work with Amy Grant, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, CeCe Winans), and co-written with International Songwriting Competition winner Stephanie Middleton.  Due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, a portion of Stefanie’s streaming revenue will be donated to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, supporting their efforts to care for and rehome animals in need.  Inspired by the love Stefanie shares with her husband, “Found in You” is fueled by the foundation they have built together. With the support of her family, Stefanie’s children—who once looked to her as a source of strength and inspiration—have now become her greatest muse. Their encouragement ignited a renewed passion to create music that speaks to the heart, soul, and the power of resilience. “Mommy, you’ve taken care of us, now it’s time to take care of you,” says Stefanie’s children.  STREAM HERE

- 2x GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum singer & songwriter Noah Kahan unveils Live From Fenway Park vinyl, available for pre-order now HERE ahead of its March 7th release. Originally recorded at his back-to-back sold-out shows at Boston’s legendary Fenway Park last summer, the 2LP vinyl comes in various color variants, including the standard black variant and an exclusive cloudy white variant, and features performances of fan-favorite songs from his Double-Platinum breakthrough album Stick Season and throughout his discography. Kahan also surprises fans today with a live performance video of his Platinum single “Northern Attitude,” out now—watch HERE.  This past weekend, Noah attended the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where he was nominated for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” alongside Kelsea Ballerini for their hit single “Cowboys Cry Too.” Not to mention, he paid tribute to the Grateful Dead by delivering a stunning cover of their song “Friend Of The Devil” alongside Béla Fleck at MusiCares 2025 Persons Of The Year Gala.

- Created by and starring Jared Keeso, "Shoresy" returns for season four on Wednesday, February 26 with all six new episodes exclusively available in the U.S. on Hulu.

- Hulu has debuted the trailer and for the Original comedy special "Chris Distefano: It's Just Unfortunate."  The special will premiere on Friday, February 21 and is the fourth Original special in Hulu's new stand-up comedy brand, Hularious.  Chris Distefano is trying to be the best father he can be but nowadays, words speak louder than actions – so Chris is acting with the right intentions, but not always the right moves.

- The wait is over for Dune fans! Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, in partnership with HBO and Legendary Entertainment, is bringing the highly anticipated HBO Original drama series DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2025. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television. Get ready to binge all 6 episodes from the epic sci-fi adventure, along with over an hour of bonus content including 5 extended featurettes and an all-new, never-before-seen featurette exclusive to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD. Pre-order your copy today.  DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season is also available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and more.

- Hulu announced recently, “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” a new documentary film directed and produced by Rachel Mason, from Story Syndicate, Anonymous Content and Concordia Studio.  The documentary feature is slated to premiere Tuesday, March 11 on Hulu.On October 21, 2021, on the set of the movie RUST, a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet, wounding the film's director and killing its cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. Within hours, the catastrophic accident was enveloped by a frenzy of media attention. For months, then years, as lawsuits flew and criminal trials unfolded, the tabloid spectacle around the case overshadowed a private, personal tragedy.  In “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” Halyna’s friend, director Rachel Mason, goes beyond the public narrative to reveal the untold human story of that terrible day and all that followed — from the vantage point of the people at the center of the tragedy. The film weaves together the accounts of those who were on the set of RUST that day and of those, like Mason, who not only lost a cherished friend and colleague but who are still navigating the trauma of the aftermath.

Around the Tubes: January 31, 2025

   

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Shameless The Weeknd, James Bay, Lyn Lapid, Wings, The Strike, and Grand Theft Hamlet.

- From Executive Producer John Wells (“ER,” “The West Wing”), Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will be newly releasing Shameless: The Complete Series, the critically acclaimed, long-running series in one complete set for the first time ever on DVD! Get ready to binge on all 134 episodes from the 11 incredible seasons of Showtimes Emmy® award-winning original series, along with all the previously released special features. The American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name, will be available to purchase on March 18. Pre-order your copy today.  Shameless stars Emmy® Award Winner William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Emmy® Award Winner Jeremy Allen White, Cameron Monaghan, Emma Kenney, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Noel Fisher and special guest star Joan Cusack.

- The Weeknd has officially released his highly anticipated studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow via XO / Republic Records. The new album follows a record breaking 2024, during which The Weeknd became the first artist in history to have 27 songs with over 1 billion streams each on Spotify. Hurry Up Tomorrow serves as the final and most personal chapter of the diamond-certified artist’s acclaimed trilogy series following After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022). Check out the full tracklisting below.  The Weeknd appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this evening and performed a unique version of “Open Hearts”. Watch it HERE.

- Back with a bright, bold, and brilliant anthem for 2025, three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Bay shares a brand new single entitled “Sunshine In The Room” featuring Jon Batiste available now. It stands out as his very first collaboration with 5x-GRAMMY® Award winner, EMMY® Award winner, and Academy® Award winner Batiste. Listen HERE.  Regarding the song, Bay said, “Working with Jon Batiste for ‘Sunshine In The Room’ is an experience I will never ever forget. He literally burst into the studio like a ray of sunshine and brought so much joy to the sound of the record and the work. He’s a total inspiration, and I hope we can work together again. The song is about having someone in your life who truly lights up the room as soon as they walk in.”

- Rising indie-pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Lyn Lapid kicks off 2025 with her new single “Coraline,” released today via Mercury Records alongside the official music video—listen HERE & watch HERE.  The infectiously bouncy beat of “Coraline” juxtaposes with the song’s vulnerable and all-too-relatable lyrics, as Lyn searches for belonging and a sense of home. Sharing its name with the cult-favorite animated horror film, “Coraline” was inspired by the feeling of putting yourself in situations time and time again that ultimately leave you feeling empty and isolated, despite hoping for a different outcome every time. Lyn shares, “‘Coraline’ is the beginning of the story for my debut album. It’s representative of what my entire first year living in LA was like: very lonely, very cyclical. Every week or so I’d find myself at another party or another club with my roommates and their friends, in an attempt to make my own friends or find a sense of belonging. Every time, I was always surrounded by people so I was never physically alone, but I had never felt so lonely. Everything that was home and familiar was a country away, and the new city I wanted to make home always felt oddly unsettling. ‘Coraline’ is for anyone who’s struggled to find a sense of belonging in a new place or city or situation, because that just might mean that place or city is not for you.”

- MPL and UMe commemorate the 50th anniversary of Wings’ fourth studio album, Venus and Mars half-speed master edition, out on March 21, 2025. Pre-order here.  One of the world’s most beloved rock outfits, Wings came to define the era of 1970s arena rock while dominating the airwaves with no fewer than 14 US Top 10 hits and 12 Top 10 hits in the UK. Following their 1973 masterpiece Band on the Run, Venus and Mars would represent another peak of Wings’ creative and commercial heyday. The band’s fourth studio album was released on May 27, 1975, ahead of the legendary Wings Over the World tour. Preceded by the US Number One single “Listen To What The Man Said” and featuring “Letting Go,” a fan favorite in Paul’s live set to this day, Venus and Mars hit Number One in the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic and went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide.  This special 50th-anniversary vinyl edition was cut at half speed using a high-resolution transfer of the original master tapes from 1975 by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. The album is presented as a meticulous reproduction of the original UK pressing, with recreations of the original “Venus and Mars are alright tonight” circular sticker and “comparative sizes of sun and planets” bookmark sticker and comes with two posters with photography by Aubrey Powell and Sylvia de Swaan. The iconic album artwork by Hipgnosis has been meticulously recreated and presented in a gatefold sleeve.

- Amidst the redwood trees on the California-Oregon border sits one of the most infamous prisons in US history. Pelican Bay is a labyrinthine construction of solid cement blocks – a supermax prison – opened in 1989 and designed specifically for mass-scale solitary confinement. For decades, it held mostly Black and Brown men alone in tiny cells for indefinite periods based on questionable evidence. Then one day in 2013, 30,000 prisoners went on hunger strike. THE STRIKE weaves together, thread-by-thread, a half century of personal and criminal justice history into a single, compelling narrative around the drama of the 2013 hunger strike to end indefinite isolation. Grounded in testimonies from the hunger strikers themselves, the film details how the protest was conceived from a whisper inside the halls of Pelican Bay to a colossal feat across California prisons. With unprecedented access to state prison officials and never-before-seen footage from inside Pelican Bay, THE STRIKE reveals the panic that gripped the highest echelons of state government.  PREMIERES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd ON PBS.ORG, THE PBS APP & PBS YOUTUBE

- In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, two out-of-work actors, Sam and Mark, face a bleak future. Desperate for purpose, they stumble upon an idea: stage Shakespeare's Hamlet within the ultra-violent world of Grand Theft Auto Online. Shot entirely in-game, GRAND THEFT HAMLET explores their attempt to merge classical theatre with a chaotic digital landscape. With stunning visuals and unexpected moments of reflection, this engaging documentary examines how ancient cultural narratives can still resonate in new, virtual spaces, raising questions about art, isolation, and the digital world’s potential for storytelling. Now playing in theaters and straming exclusively on Mubi February 21.

Transmissions from Pluto - Everything Coming to Pluto TV in February 2025

 

Welcome to the February edition of Transmissions from Pluto! This month, we’re delivering a lineup filled with thrills, laughs, and knockout entertainment straight to your screen. To celebrate Black History Month, we’re proud to spotlight the return of The Black Collective, a curated category featuring must-see Black cinema, TV, and music that you won’t want to miss. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but who needs roses when you can dive into ValenCrimes? Indulge in a true crime binge that adds a little mystery to your month of love. And for the fight fans, we’re rolling out the red carpet with the launch of the Pluto TV ROCKY + Creed channel—your front-row seat for every punch, every round, and every legendary comeback. Read on to discover more of what Pluto TV has in store for February, and don’t forget to tune in!

THE BLACK COLLECTIVE

This Black History Month, Pluto TV is amplifying and honoring Black voices with the return of our special pop-up category, The Black Collective. Featuring existing year-round channels from categories across the platform, The Black Collective assembles Black creators, artists and stories under one banner. Over the past year, we’ve added exciting channels like Black Visionaries, two BET x Tyler Perry channels, Ebony TV Drama, and Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey—all of which are featured this month in The Black Collective. With even more to watch and enjoy, this year’s celebration offers something for everyone.

Channels Include: Black Cinema  Black Visionaries BET x Tyler Perry Drama Ebony TV Drama BET Pluto TV BET Her   Black Throwbacks BET x Tyler Perry Comedy Family Feud Black Classics XITE Gospel Vevo R&B

VALENCRIMES

This February, trade candy hearts for True Crime and gripping Drama with ValenCrimes on Pluto TV. Explore the darker side of love in our True Crime Category with series like Dateline; Deadly Dates; Meet, Marry, Murder; Murdered at First Sight; Killer Instinct; and Murder Chose Me. Plus, catch episodes of scripted favorites like Blue Bloods, CSI, Criminal Minds, and Tracker that delve into relationships gone wrong. It’s love stories with a deadly twist, streaming free all month long on Pluto TV. 💔

True Crime & Crime Drama Channels: Pluto TV True Crime Dateline 24/7 Unsolved Mysteries Pluto TV Crime Drama   CSI, CSI: Miami & CSI: New York Criminal Minds Blue Bloods And More!

FEBRUARY MUST-STREAMS

Monty Python: Attention all silly walkers, coconut-clappers, and lumberjacks—this month, Pluto TV is the only place to stream Monty Python’s iconic movies and series completely free! Relive the legendary laughs with Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), and Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982), plus Monty Python’s Flying Circus. These titles will be exclusively available  on-demand and on channels including the new Sketchy AF channel and British Comedy. January 30th - FireAid Benefit Concert on Live Music: Join us for an evening of music and solidarity to support communities affected by the LA County wildfires, featuring performances from Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day and more. February 2nd - ET at the 2025 Grammy Awards: Tune in for red carpet coverage, back stage moments and more must-see moments February 18th on Formula 1 Channel: Formula 1 will host its first-ever season launch event at London’s The O2, featuring all 10 teams, their drivers and Team Principals, plus top entertainment to kick off the sport’s 75th anniversary. February 14-17 - Yellowstone on More TV Drama: Spend your long weekend on the ranch with all-day Yellowstone marathons

PREPPING FOR LAUNCH

Here are some of the new channels launching throughout February on Pluto TV.

NEW CHANNELS Pluto TV ROCKY + Creed Seven movies, five decades, two champs. Get into the ring with six original ROCKY movies starring Sylvester Stallone, plus CREED starring Michael B. Jordan and Stallone, together for the first time on one channel, only on Pluto TV. UFC 24/7 UFC action. Celebrate the greatest fights, best athletes, and biggest moments from the world's premier MMA organization. Sketchy AF And now for something completely different: it’s a channel that’s home to the funniest comedians and sketchiest characters that ever aired on television. For sheer laughs-per-minute, you can’t top Pluto TV’s Sketchy AF.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Some recent channel launches that we are excited about. Robot Wars by MECH+ The home of Robot Wars, remastered in HD for the first time! Featuring every series of Robot Wars UK, both classics and the revival seasons, and also never before seen episodes considered ‘lost media’. Revry Revry is free queer TV, serving up bold movies, fierce series, and iconic stories that slay with every stream. Celebrate queer joy with Pride, Love, and sass!

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 26, 2025

 

Mayfair Witches:  Sigh, so Rowen threw this party to lure the evil guy there to kill him, but not only did she not kill him, she threw herself in front of someone who actually was going to kill him.  Ugg.

 

The Head:   I am glad the old guy did not show up alive, that would have been a little silly.  But I was right that the car explosion was staged, I just did not realize where the body would have come from.  I did not like the disciple of the old dude would just kill his daughter.  But after a sophomore slump, they really back with a season worthy of the first.  Now the question is where do they go next?   Space?  Deep in the rain forest?  Atop a mountain?  Are Maggie and the Norwegian dude from the first season stuck somewhere?

Around the Tubes: January 25, 2025

  

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Black History Month, Lauren Spencer Smith, Lord Huron, and Landon Smith.

- Celebrating Black producers, creators, and artists for their incredible contributions to Hulu’s Black Stories Hub.  In honor of Black History Month and beyond, Hulu proudly celebrates the rich legacy, creativity, and resilience of Black stories and storytellers. From timeless classics to groundbreaking originals, we shine a light on the voices and creators who have made an impact on culture and entertainment. Together, let’s honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to a future filled with inspiring, empowering, and unifying Black stories.  This February, Hulu offers a powerful lineup that celebrates Black culture, featuring the captivating Hulu Original documentary "SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)," directed by Questlove, the Andscape Original film "Memes & Nightmares," executive produced by LeBron James, along with the highly anticipated Hulu Original series "Paradise," starring Sterling K. Brown.   In addition, we will celebrate nostalgic content and milestone anniversaries, including the 40th Anniversary of Emmy winning "227" and the 30th Anniversary of NAACP winner "Waiting to Exhale." Rounding out the film collection is a selection of classic faves and award-winning films like "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "Precious," - to name a few - each showcasing impactful storytelling and paying tribute to the richness of Black culture.

- Gearing up for a bold creative chapter, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith unveils her anxiously awaited new single “Pray” out now via Island/Republic. It notably serves as her first release of 2025, and it launches what promises to be an unforgettable era for the songstress.  Listen HERE.  She initially teased “Pray” on social media, debuting a snippet on TikTok. It quickly gathered over 20 million-plus views and inspired a staggering 36K “creates,” building anticipation for its official release among her devout fanbase. A soft piano melody sets the tone for the track, adding warmth to the soundscape. Anchored to a strong bass-driven beat, the momentum culminates on a seismic and stunning refrain as Lauren promises, “Wherever you go, I want you to know that I’ll pray.” Across the song, she showcases her expansive range, stretching from vulnerable verses into a vital hook.  Stay tuned for the premiere of a cinematic live performance video to accompany “Pray.”

- Turning the page towards an epic creative chapter, Lord Huron returns with a new single and music video entitled “Who Laughs Last?” featuring Academy Award nominated actress Kristen Stewart out now via Mercury Records.  Listen HERE and watch the music video HERE.  It notably marks the multiplatinum Los Angeles band’s first original release in two years, and it also serves as the debut recording by Kristen Stewart [Spencer, Love Lies Bleeding].

- 21-year-old Georgia-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Landon Smith has released the single “Weekend,” written and produced alongside GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Dave Cobb [Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton]. The single arrives today accompanied by an official visualizer.  Stacking up tens of millions of streams independently, Landon attracted the likes of Dave Cobb to his corner. Cobb welcomed Landon to his studio in Savannah, GA, where they cut “Weekend” and more music to come in 2025.  LISTEN TO “WEEKEND”