April Fools 2026 Megathread (Entertainment)

[themidnightlore]

By sacrificing a DTT channel.

Nah, there's enough space on Sky. It should be there, like it was.

 

[RandomMe]

Nah, there's enough space on Sky. It should be there, like it was.

Whatever just get it on Tivùsat too

 

[RegularMan]

I genuinely can’t believe it. It was announced today that Disney XD is expected to become a basic cable channel starting in July. In addition, some currently-running shows will move premieres around that time (P&F, Big City Greens, Hamster and Gretel)

This and Dragon Striker… CHAT ARE WE BACK???

 

[RandomMe]

The A&W mascot also announced the following plans:

1. Mid-budget films are efficient
2. Animation is a national treasure, so all animated projects must be approved, including rejected projects from the past five years
3. Support for indie and experimental films
4. Big-bidget films will receive some sort of boost
5. Creative freedom between studios and directors

 

[Tacomaster]

In a surprising turn of events, The Walt Disney Company has sold The Muppets Studio and its characters library to The Jim Henson Company, who previously owned the characters until 2004. This includes not only the works previously owned by Henson before the sale, including The Muppet Show and Bear in the Big Blue House, but works Disney has produced under the Muppets brand since then, such as 2011's The Muppets and 2018's Muppet Babies, as well as prior Disney-owned Muppet and Henson works such as The Muppets Christmas Carol and Dinosaurs, and the Disney-produced documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man. (The exceptions are Muppets Haunted Mansion, due to Disney's ownership over the Haunted Mansion IP, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and its sequel.)

In exchange, Disney will receive a minority stake in The Jim Henson Company and has signed an exclusive five-year deal with them, which will see Henson produce content for Disney-owned outlets such as ABC and Disney+. Disney+ will also continue to be the exclusive on-demand streaming home of the Muppets, although FAST channels dedicated to the brand are reportedly not out of the question.

"After more than twenty years, we're delighted to finally bring the Muppets back home," admitted Lisa Henson, daughter of the late Jim Henson and CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

"It's good to be back," replied Kermit the Frog, who also attended the event with his performer Matt Vogel, along with several other Muppeteers in character as their respective Muppets.

"In hindsight", added Brian Henson, Jim's son and Chairman of the Board of Henson, "I don't know what we were thinking selling them off in the first place."

The reacquisition of the Muppets also comes with a return to form for The Jim Henson Company, which in recent years has drifted away from puppetry in favor of fully animated works such as Dinosaur Train, Dot, Harriet the Spy, and the upcoming Lore Olympus, as well as fully live-action works like The Portable Door and distribution of third-party series like Teddy Ruxpin and The Annoying Orange. "We lost our identity," claimed Brian Henson. With the return of the Muppets to Henson, the company will refocus on puppetry, with the Muppets themselves, alongside Henson properties Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal, serving as anchor points. While the company will continue to produce animated works, it will do so exclusively with their patented Henson Digital Puppet Studio (HDPS), which combines digital animation with the performances of puppetry, and is an extension of the "waldo" system used for the Doozers and Gorgs on Fraggle Rock, and on various Creature Shop creations such as the cast of Dinosaurs and the Ninja Turtles in the first two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. Works using the HDPS include Sid the Science Kid, Splash and Bubbles, and Word Party.

Also announced was the reveal of Matt Vogel stepping down from the role of Kermit the Frog, a role he has played since 2017 after the firing of Steve Whitmire. Vogel's performance was widely criticized by fans and critics alike, a notion even Vogel himself agrees with. "I just wasn't right for the part," he admitted. Vogel literally "passed the puppet" to Peter Linz, who is also the current voice of Ernie on Sesame Street, who, like Kermit, was originally performed by Jim Henson and then by Steve Whitmire, using a similar voice. In turn, Vogel will be taking Linz's role as Kermit's nephew Robin, a role Vogel had played previously until becoming Kermit in 2017.

"This is going to take some getting used to," said Kermit after the switch-over, his first words under Linz.

"Yeah, that's what I said, too," added Robin.

Discussion also arose about Dave Goelz stepping down from his current Muppet and Henson roles, such as Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and Boober Fraggle, due to his age. "I'm nearing 80," Goelz said. "I don't think I'll be able to do this for much longer." Goelz will still continue to perform his roles until adequete replacements are found.

"Coward," sneered Gonzo in response.

Rounding out the announcement was a slew of new Muppet and Henson projects in development with Disney, including:

• The Muppet Show - Following the successful pilot in February, ABC has decided to order the Seth Rogen-produced revival of the classic show to a full series. It will make its debut in the fall of this year as the cornerstone of a revival of ABC's popular TGIF family comedy block (the third revival, actually), alongside returning ABC comedies Abbot Elementary and Tim Allen-led Shifting Gears. While retaining the back-to-basics approach of the pilot, the series will also include a mixture of updated and new segments, including a new version of Veteranarian's Hospital in the vein of modern medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Med, a new Pigs in Space parodying streaming-era Star Trek and other blockbuster science fiction, an Apple-esque take on Muppet Labs, and a new segment starring Sam the Eagle parodying Fox News-style conservative talk programs. The series will also include a greater female presence than prior Muppet productions, including the live-action grown-up debuts of Skeeter and Summer Penguin from the 1984 and 2018 versions of Muppet Babies, respectively, as well as new Muppet characters to debut in the series.
• The Ultimate Muppet Show - Tying into the ABC revival series, this one-hour special will be a co-production with Sesame Workshop, who has owned the Sesame Street Muppets since 2000, and will attempt to reunite every Muppet and Henson puppet character EVER, ranging from Elmo, Bear, and Red Fraggle to Rigel from Farscape and Mancie from That Puppet Game Show. The plot will center around Kermit's attempts to do exactly that.
• Bear in the Big Blue House - In development for Disney Junior and Disney+, this reboot of the classic Playhouse Disney program will be an animated series utilizing the HDPS system. A spinoff centering around the character of Shadow has also been discussed.
• Dinosaurs B.C.: Before Continuity - In development for Hulu, this revival of Dinosaurs will take place before the finale of the original series, in a similar vein to Cartoon Network's Regular Show: The Lost Tapes. Produced by Henson's adult-oriented division Henson Alternative, this animated series will also use the HDPS system and take a skewering to contemporary issues the same way the original tackled issues from the 1990s.
• Unnamed The Dark Crystal project - In development for Disney+, this will reportedly serve as a follow-up to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, itself a prequel to the original film, after its cancellation by Netflix after one season.
• The New Muppet Movie - A theatrical film to be released by Walt Disney Pictures, Brian Henson has stated that this film is "so early in development that we don't even know what it is yet!" He hinted that the film could be a revival of a previously abandoned Muppet project, such as The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made or Hamlet parody Kermit, Prince of Denmark, though "it could also be something else".
• Muppet Classics - In development for Disney+, this series will follow in the footsteps of The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island by adapting classic works of literature, and "may or may not" use the HDPS system. An adult-oriented alternative version from Henson Alternative, Muppet Masters of Horror, has also been considered by Hulu, focusing on adapting horror stories from the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.
• The Muppets vs. The Company - In development for Hulu, this adult-oriented film will be produced by Henson Alternative. A satirical tale "loosely based on loosely true events", the story centers around the Muppets falling under the control of a megacorporation run by a megalomaniacal CEO who hates the Muppets and will stop at nothing to see them destroyed. "I wonder what this is referring to," Kermit mused sarcastically. Of note, the Henson family themselves will also make appearances as secondary villains- "well, we start out as villains, anyway," Lisa Henson added.
• Disney+ will also become home to the currently in-development revival of The Storyteller. Neil Gaiman, who was previously attached to the project, has been removed following his sexual harassment allegations.

 

[RandomMe]

I hope RTP buys The Muppet Show and airs it on RTP 1 because kids nowadays deserve the same experience we had fifty years ago with a low-budget broadcaster and limited hours of programming.

 

[PF9]

Before Tales from '85 even premieres, Netflix has announced that a sequel series to Stranger Things set in the 2010s is coming thus showing the main characters of the original series dealing with middle age - and a new threat to their hometown of Hawkins, Indiana.

 

[RandomMe]

Before Tales from '85 even premieres, Netflix has announced that a sequel series to Stranger Things set in the 2010s is coming thus showing the main characters of the original series dealing with middle age - and a new threat to their hometown of Hawkins, Indiana.

Absolute cinema (again)

 

[RandomMe]

Last December, DBS One aired the 2025 Sandokan miniseries (the original aired in English on the same channel in 1979). Suddenly people started playing Sandokan again, but started imitating scenes related to other characters, especially episodes 3 and 4.

 

[RandomMe]

I genuinely can’t believe it. It was announced today that Disney XD is expected to become a basic cable channel starting in July. In addition, some currently-running shows will move premieres around that time (P&F, Big City Greens, Hamster and Gretel)

This and Dragon Striker… CHAT ARE WE BACK???

I hope they add Everybody Loves Raymond (at least two episodes a day), peak show.

 

[powergate92]

Weigel and Paramount announced today that they will rebrand their two joint-venture networks, with Start TV rebranding as The WB (name under license from WBD until Paramount merger is complete) and DABL rebranding as UPN. The rebranded The WB Network will also feature a daily Kids WB block.

Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weigel Broadcasting Co. and Paramount Global Announce Revival of Iconic WB and UPN Brands on Free Broadcast Television

Chicago, IL & New York, NY — April 1, 2026 — In a landmark partnership blending nostalgia with modern viewing habits, Weigel Broadcasting Co. and Paramount Global today announced plans to relaunch two of television’s most beloved network brands — The WB and UPN — as free, over-the-air multicast networks.

Launching this fall, Weigel’s current networks Start TV and DABL will be rebranded as The WB and UPN, respectively, bringing a curated lineup of classic series, fan-favorite comedies, and genre-defining programming back to broadcast audiences nationwide.

“This is about bringing back brands we all remember and love, and reintroducing them to a new generation,” said Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. “The WB and UPN helped define television for an entire era. Now, we’re giving them new life in a way that meets today’s viewers where they are — for free, over-the-air.”

The WB (formerly Start TV)

Reimagined as a destination for timeless entertainment and family-friendly programming, The WB will feature a mix of iconic dramas, comedies, and animation from the 1990s and 2000s.

Planned programming highlights include:

Gilmore Girls
Smallville
7th Heaven
Daily Kids WB block featuring beloved animated favorites

“The WB was always about heart, humor, and unforgettable characters,” said a Warner Bros. Television executive in a statement. “We’re thrilled to see this brand return to broadcast in a meaningful way.”

UPN (formerly DABL)

UPN will return with a bold, diverse lineup reflecting its legacy of groundbreaking programming, including sitcoms, and sci-fi content.

Planned programming highlights include:

Moesha
Girlfriends
The Parkers
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Enterprise

UPN will continue to feature sitcom programming, building on DABL’s established audience.

“UPN has always stood for innovation and representation,” said a Paramount Global spokesperson. “This relaunch celebrates that legacy while opening the door for new opportunities in the broadcast space.”

A New Era of Free TV

Both networks will be available nationwide via digital subchannels, with distribution expanding across Weigel’s station group and partner affiliates. The relaunch reflects the growing demand for free, ad-supported television and the resurgence of multicast networks as a major player in the media landscape.

Industry analysts see the move as part of a broader trend toward leveraging legacy brands in the evolving television ecosystem, alongside streaming and FAST platforms.

 

[RandomMe]

Weigel and Paramount announced today that they will rebrand their two joint-venture networks, with Start TV rebranding as The WB (name under license from WBD until Paramount merger is complete) and DABL rebranding as UPN. The rebranded The WB Network will also feature a daily Kids WB block.

Press Release:

Absolute cinema in channel form.

 

[E-Scope]

Ten years after Excellent Inventions and nearly seven years after their short-lived web series, the BBC as spoken that Ed Petrie will be companioned with Oucho T Cactus again in their new CBBC show titled "The Ed and Oucho Show", which will premiere in September 2026 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer. Our beloved man and his grumpy cactus have returned in even more surreal adventures than ever before. Numerous characters like the Hamster, Shirley, Pidgey, Johnny Cyness and Major Cake will also return as well. Ed and Oucho will also present CBBC in the afternoons for the first time since January 2010 as well.

 

[RandomMe]

Ten years after Excellent Inventions and nearly seven years after their short-lived web series, the BBC as spoken that Ed Petrie will be companioned with Oucho T Cactus again in their new CBBC show titled "The Ed and Oucho Show", which will premiere in September 2026 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer. Our beloved man and his grumpy cactus have returned in even more surreal adventures than ever before. Numerous characters like the Hamster, Shirley, Pidgey, Johnny Cyness and Major Cake will also return as well. Ed and Oucho will also present CBBC in the afternoons for the first time since January 2010 as well.

I prefer Hacker and we're just normal men.

 

[themidnightlore]

Yeah, really!
Sony decided to go back and buy from Narrative what they sold them in 2021, and, from the 25th of May 2026, exacty five years after the channels changed their name, they're changing hands, again?

GREAT! TV is coming back to be Sony Channel (but it does adopt the 2023 LATAM palette) and GREAT! Action becomes Sony Movies.
And there are two new? entries! GREAT! Mystery becomes Sony Crime, taking back the formula of the late Sony Crime Channel. And GREAT! Romance becomes... Sony Spin? Just shy of a sleep that lasted 12 years, Sony decides to give it a second chance to that, in UK. And like the original, it is a teen-oriented channel, but it also has a Crunchyroll-powered branded block the night, airing anime in there.

Unfortunately, POP doesn't come back from the dead.

Happy April Fools' day!

 

[RandomMe]

And better keep POP off air. It was sufferable

 

[E-Scope]

Instead of Pop, we get Sony Music Channel, Sony Comedy, Sony Drama and Sony Kids, all replacing +1s of the Narrative-owned channels.

 

[RandomMe]

Instead of Pop, we get Sony Music Channel, Sony Comedy, Sony Drama and Sony Kids, all replacing +1s of the Narrative-owned channels.

They won't last a year

 

[E-Scope]

Then a reboot of Hacker Time is announced as well, also premiering on CBBC in September this year with adding Dodge T Dog to make them a presenting duo.

 

[RandomMe]

Then a reboot of Hacker Time is announced as well, also premiering on CBBC in September this year with adding Dodge T Dog to make them a presenting duo.

Oh OK then