1. MTV TO LAUNCH FIRST REALITY SHOW CONVENTION: MTV will launch the first reality show convention, RealityCon, in summer 2020. The convention will feature panels, interviews, performances, and more highlighting the genre. The Viacom network also will host a soft launch of the event this fall. Rolling Stone: “Even though it is hosted by MTV—who created the genre with The Real World in 1992—the event will be an expansive look at reality television’s history and feature the people behind and stars of shows like The Bachelor, The Real Housewives, Duck Dynasty, Big Brother, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Survivor alongside MTV staples like Jersey Shore and The Hills. At press time, MTV has not announced further information on where the convention will take place, how long it will be, or the exact dates. Further information on the soft-launch this fall as well as a promise for more global events in the lead-up to RealityCon will be revealed at a later date.”
2. ‘DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE’ WILL HAVE LIVE POWERBALL DRAWING: Dick Clark Productions and Powerball will collaborate for the next Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which will feature a live Powerball drawing after midnight on January 1, 2020. The partnership hopes to bring more than 300 Powerball winners to New York for the live telecast hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The Hollywood Reporter: “After the ball drops that night, a lucky winner will be chosen to win the $1 million lottery. During their time in New York, the millionaire hopefuls will see a theater performance and go on a Hudson River dinner cruise before experiencing the Times Square ball drop ahead of the chance to increase their winnings. ‘New Year's Eve has always brought about the opportunity for a fresh start,’ Dick Clark Productions' Kevin Patrick Smith said in a statement. ‘By partnering with Powerball and announcing the first millionaire of the year in the first minutes of 2020 live on air, we are able to change someone's life while introducing an exciting new moment in the show.’”
3. PHILADELPHIA TO HOST 2026 M.L.B. ALL-STAR GAME: Major League Baseball’s 2026 All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the news on Tuesday at Independence Hall alongside past All-Star players. Associated Press: “This will be the first All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, which opened in 2004. The 1976 All-Star Game was played at Veterans Stadium to mark the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the 1996 All-Star Game also was played at the Vet, which stood in the same sports complex in South Philadelphia. The 1943 and 1952 games were at Shibe Park. This year’s All-Star Game is July 9 in Cleveland. The 2020 game will be at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, site of the 1980 game. Sites for 2021-25 have not been announced.”
