Channeling
Previewing the Best in Upcoming TV Fare
Written by Julio Martinez
May 7, 2026
NEWS ON THE DOWNSIDE
In 2018, a year after leaving the White House, Barack and Michelle Obama launched a film and television production company, Higher Ground, and set an exclusive creative partnership at Netflix. Four years later, Netflix downgraded Higher Ground’s deal to a more cost-effective first look deal. On April 19, at an event in Philadelphia marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, the former president and first lady broke the news that Higher Ground is “transitioning” to become an independent company with the ability to sell anywhere. The Obama’s nest production, ‘Life, Larry and The Pursuit of Unhappiness,’ starring Larry David, bows June 26 on HBO. They are not alone. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Productions also was downgraded from an exclusive Netflix deal, inked in 2020, to a first look last August. J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot pact with Warner Bros. Discovery similarly shrunk to a first-look deal in late 2024, three years after signing a $250 million overall. So, what’s next”
PEACOCK
Peacock is presenting ‘Ponies.’ In 1977 Moscow, American widows Bea (Emilia Clarke) and Twila (Haley Lu Richardson) want to know why their CIA agent husbands were killed but could be over their heads when they begin working undercover as CIA operatives. A Peacock Original, Episode 101 (“Second Hand News”) is now streaming on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire/Fire TV, iPadOS. “It’s a thriller and well worth watching.” - Julio
DISNEY+
Disney+ is premiering all 11 episodes of ‘Dragon Striker’ on June 9 on Disney XD. The marathon kicks off at 5pm. EDT/PDT and will stream next day on Disney+ and Hulu. A series of shorts introducing audiences to the world of “Dragon Striker” begins rolling out May 13 on Disney+, Disney XD and Disney Channel Animation YouTube. In a world where sports and magic combine, farm boy Key discovers his ultrapowerful natural talent and learns he could be the legendary Dragon Striker. Set at Kal Asterock, an elite school for students who possess extraordinary abilities, Key joins goalkeeper Ssyelle on a scrappy new team to challenge the school champions. As he struggles with the raging dragon inside him and Ssyelle fights to hold her team together, they learn dark secrets of the past and uncover an ancient evil. The series stars Akshay Kumar (Key), Rebecca LaChance (Ssyelle), Yeukayi Ushe (Milo), Waylon Jacobs (Odward) and Evanna Lynch (Ameline). Award-winning Kevin Penkin (“Made in Abyss,” “Star Wars: Visions”) is the series composer. The score was recorded in Japan with an 80-piece orchestra. The theme song, “Power of the Dragon,” was written and produced by Cash Callaway and performed by Sarah West. The end credits song, “The Very End,” was written and performed by Kieran Rhodes.The series is produced by La Chouette Compagnie (“Droners” and the upcoming “Dreamland”) in association with Disney Television Animation. The lead creative team, who have worked on numerous animated adventure series in France, Japan and the U.S., includes iSylvain Dos Santos (co-creator/executive producer), Charles Lefebvre (co-creator/director) and Paul McKeown (head writer).
FX
FX’s “The Bear,” the critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning hit series, will premiere its fifth and final season on June 25 (9pm ET/6pm. PT on FX and Hulu, as well as internationally on Disney+. All eight episodes will be available to stream at debut. The news comes on the heels of yesterday’s surprise release of “Gary,” a flashback episode of “The Bear” co-written by and starring Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal that follows Richie (Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Bernthal) on a work trip to Gary, Indiana. (Fans can discover the episode by searching for “Gary” on Hulu and Disney+). Premiering on June 25, “The Bear” picks up the morning after Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie and Natalie “Sugar” (Abby Elliott) discover that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) has quit the food industry, leaving the restaurant to them. With no money, the threat of a sale and a torrential storm in their way, the new partners must band together with the rest of the team to achieve one last service, hoping they’ll finally earn a Michelin star. Ultimately, they learn that what makes a restaurant “perfect” might not be the food, but the people.