Hasbro Announces a 24-Hour D&D Streaming Network
Hasbro’s eOne (what’s left of it) has gone all in on a new D&D 24-hour Streaming Channel. We’re not sure why either, but here’s what we know.
In November of 2022, Hasbro put its entertainment arm, Entertainment One (eOne) up for sale. This is despite eOne rolling out the D&D Movie. And despite being up for sale, eOne keeps going all in on the Dungeons & Dragons train. Yesterday Variety broke the news of a new “free streaming” channel, one dedicated to a 24-hour cycle of D&D content.
The streaming channel will feature a variety of programs, including actual play shows, episodes of the 1980s cartoon, and a cooking show. You read that right. The question is, what sort of an audience will the network, called a “Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television” (FAST) channel garner?
A New 24-Hour D&D Streaming Channel Debuts “This Summer”
Per Variety’s announcement, the new network has an interesting spate of programming planned. While details are still being firmed up (like what services will offer the channel) and, as always with things in Hollywood, nothing is set in stone until it’s actually on the air (and even then who knows), here’s what we know about the programming so far:
“Encounter Party,” from the creators of the podcast of the same name, follows six returning professional actors and improv artists from the original podcast and welcomes new cast member Khary Payton (“The Walking Dead”), as they role-play an original D&D campaign with original characters set in the world of the Forgotten Realms.
“Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill!” is described as an improv comedy spin on classic Dungeons & Dragons gameplay. Each episode features a party of first-level characters — replete with backstories, accents, theme songs, and more — marching to their certain deaths as they face beasts against which they stand absolutely no chance. The series features a revolving cast of special guests and celebrities, including series co-creator Matthew Lillard.
“Heroes’ Feast,” based on the recipes in the bestselling cookbook, is part talk show, part cooking competition. Each episode features the show’s two hosts — culinary hero Mike Haracz and first-level cook Sujata Day — prepping dishes for a revolving pair of guest diners.
The Next in D&D Entertainment?
It’s certainly something, this lineup. Clearly intended to appeal to a wider audience. Maybe meant to follow in the wake of the success of the D&D Movie. In addition to the programs listed above, the channel will also feature “third-party” shows, that is to say, actual play series, or more likely miniseries, from other popular streamers. But is that enough to keep a channel going? Streaming shows are often barely profitable if not actually just costing people money to produce.
Granted, launching unscripted shows during a writer’s strike is a time-honored tradition, the only ones of those to stand the test of time were the ones that were already popular. Still, with a launch set for “summer” and backing from a billion-dollar company, the channel might do everything Hasbro hopes for. Which is to channel people to D&D.
What do you think? Would you watch a 24-hour D&D channel that isn’t Critical Role or Dimension 20 or the like?
