Technology

Hollywood Veterans Launch vertTV, A Filmmaker-Led Studio and Premium Vertical Micro-Series Platform

Published

3 months ago

July 22, 2026

Vivica A. Fox, Josh Henderson, Cindy Busby, Chonda Pierce, Richard Karn, and a Reunion of Fuller House Favorites Marla Sokoloff, Jodie Sweetin, and John Brotherton Headline vertTV’s Star-Driven Development Slate of Original Premieres

Hollywood Veterans Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Peter Sullivan Partner with Strategic Advisors Gene George and Matt Cohen to Anchor vertTV’s Core Leadership Team

vertTV Merges Hollywood Talent, Production Expertise, and 200+ Title Vault of Exclusives to Build a New Micro-Series Model

LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hollywood veterans Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Peter Sullivan today announced the launch of vertTV (vertTV.com), a premium filmmaker-led studio delivering high-stakes, cinematic genre television for mobile audiences. Optimized for on-the-go viewing, the subscription platform features snackable, fast-paced vertical episodes designed to draw in viewers instantly and redefine the emerging micro-series landscape.

In conjunction with today’s rollout, vertTV has unveiled an extensive, star-driven development slate of original premieres that replaces standard micro-drama tropes with sophisticated, ensemble storytelling. Anchored by today’s launch of Lone Star Hearts starring Cindy Busby and Josh Henderson, this initial wave of premium titles sets up the platform’s ongoing monthly release strategy, spotlighting familiar broadcast and streaming stars in highly gripping, elevated narratives featuring acclaimed talent such as Vivica A. Fox, Chonda Pierce, Regan Burns, Barbara Crampton, Russell Todd, Richard Karn, and, in a reunion of Fuller House favorites, Marla Sokoloff, Jodie Sweetin, and John Brotherton (see below for details).

The platform debuts today with the launch of the standalone vertTV mobile app, available for download on iOS and Android devices (vertTV.com). Serving as the primary subscription-based destination for the studio’s entire original slate of premium vertical micro-series premieres, the app rollout is accompanied by the simultaneous debut of the vertTV YouTube channel (@vertTVPlus), offering free access to select previews

The vertTV Differentiator: Hollywood-Built Approach to Vertical Storytelling

Conceived and developed by experienced filmmakers, producers, and storytellers with decades of mainstream television and streaming hits, the platform brings a premium studio mindset to micro-series storytelling. Based entirely in Los Angeles, vertTV directly employs traditional television and film directors, network screenwriters, professional local crews, and recognizable actors to treat the format with genuine creative respect.

Unlike many emerging platforms built by tech engineers chasing an algorithmic trend, vertTV operates on a core conviction: that micro-series can leave a lasting impact, vertical screens can elevate the art, and mobile television can be truly unforgettable.

Reflecting this programming philosophy, the vertTV app is designed around genre-driven viewing rather than cluttered feeds and algorithmic overload. Organized into dedicated programming verticals, including Drama/Thriller, Revenge and Secrets, Romance and Desire, and Holiday, the subscription-based platform allows audiences to navigate content by mood, genre, and storytelling style in a way that feels closer to a premium entertainment destination than a traditional social media feed.

To maintain this level of creative and structural integrity, vertTV operates as a fully integrated studio and vertical-streaming platform, representing a new entertainment model that combines proven storytelling expertise with the speed, accessibility, and audience engagement of mobile-first content. The company controls its entire pipeline in-house, covering everything from development and writing through production, post-production, technology creation, distribution, and user experience.

Leveraging the co-founders’ deep roots in traditional Hollywood production, vertTV pairs its premium original premieres with an immediate launch vault of more than 200 fan-favorite exclusives from their robust portfolio spanning television, streaming, and independent film. This extensive catalog brings a deep bench of marquee talent to the platform on day one, including Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day), Krista Allen (The Bold and the Beautiful), Corin Nemec (Parker Lewis Can’t Lose), Noah Fernley (Love Story), Signed, Sealed, Delivered stars Kristin Booth and Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, and One Life to Live alums Jessica Morris, Brittany Underwood, and Jason-Shane Scott.

Central to the platform’s growth is a core strategic focus on partnerships, actively collaborating with established creators, independent producers, and library holders to scale its content ecosystem and expand its corporate reach. Post-launch, vertTV plans to introduce ad-supported and à la carte viewing options.

Leadership and Vision

The vertTV leadership infrastructure features an accomplished core executive team, led by Hollywood veterans Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Peter Sullivan, as well as a strategic advisory board that includes distribution and platform monetization experts Gene George and Matt Cohen. The platform’s in-house production team is led by Brian Nolan and Ben Rosenthal.

Co-founders Schenck, Barnholtz, and Sullivan launch vertTV following a highly successful, multi-decade partnership at Hybrid. Together, the trio has built an unparalleled track record in independent production, creating multi-platform hits that have consistently dominated the streaming and linear landscapes. Their shared portfolio includes producing and directing a string of consecutive number-one films on Netflix’s Top U.S. Movies chart, including the psychological thriller Secret Obsession, which drew 40M+ viewers in its first month, the romantic thriller Fatal Affair starring Nia Long and Omar Epps, and the holiday hit The Merry Gentlemen. Additionally, the team produced and directed Hallmark Channel’s Double Scoop and the highest-rated movie in the network’s history, the holiday favorite Christmas Under Wraps.

Executive Profiles and Strategic Advisory Board

Jeffrey Schenck (Co-Founder): A highly prolific producer and writer, Schenck has amassed more than 278 producing credits and over 113 writing credits across film and television, spanning networks such as Netflix, Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, SYFY, OWN, GAC, and UPtv. Prior to co-founding Hybrid with Barnholtz in 2008, he served as President of Regent Studios, where he supervised the development and production of dozens of films, managing projects from concept through distribution while refining a production approach centered on efficiency, scalability, and commercial viability. Over the course of a decades-long career, Schenck has become a defining figure in the modern high-volume production model, particularly within the thriller, romance, and holiday genres that dominate cable networks and streaming platforms. His deep industry roots trace back to the foundational era of classical Hollywood, with legacy family ties to the historic origins and management of major studios, including 20th Century Fox and MGM.Barry Barnholtz (Co-Founder): A veteran independent film producer and entertainment executive with more than three decades of experience in global acquisitions, distribution, and production. As a founding partner of Trimark Pictures, Barnholtz grew the company’s revenue to over $100 million and managed more than 1,000 film acquisitions, notably discovering and launching the multimillion-dollar Leprechaun horror franchise. Following the sale of Trimark to Lionsgate, he launched his own successful DVD label, Barnholtz Entertainment, where he went on to produce and acquire more than 200 titles through Lionsgate over the next 20 years. Throughout his career, Barnholtz has played a major role in shaping the modern independent thriller, horror, and holiday movie market across theatrical, television, and streaming platforms. He is also an Emmy® Award-winner for the documentary The Mystery of the Sphinx.Peter Sullivan (Co-Founder): A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Sullivan is an accomplished writer, director, and producer who has produced over 200 films, directed over 50 projects, and written more than 45 feature lengths across theatrical, cable, and streaming platforms, including the Netflix originals Secret Obsession, Fatal Affair, and The Merry Gentlemen, and the highest-rated Hallmark Channel film of all time, Christmas Under Wraps. Over the course of his career, he has created content for New Line Cinema, Netflix, Amazon, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Syfy, Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, Fremantle, ION, Mindshare, and Funny or Die, building a body of work known for commercially successful thrillers, holiday films, and genre entertainment. Sullivan worked closely with Schenck and Barnholtz on numerous projects before joining Hybrid as Vice President the year it was launched.Gene George (Strategic Advisory Board): As President and CEO of Tesera Entertainment, a worldwide distributor of series and television movies launched in July 2019, George has executive-produced more than 60 television movies for broadcasters, including Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, ION, UPtv, GAC, and OWN. Before founding Tesera, he served as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Distribution at Lionsgate, overseeing international sales and distribution, forging partnerships with international broadcasters, and expanding distribution into new global markets. He spent nine years at Starz, where he oversaw worldwide television distribution.Matt Cohen (Strategic Advisory Board): A senior media and technology executive and advisor with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling digital platform businesses, driving strategic transformation, and advising C-suite leadership teams. He is best known for building Prime Video Channels, Amazon’s third-party subscription business, from inception into a multi-billion-dollar global streaming marketplace that helped define the modern model for content aggregation, distribution, and monetization.

Executive Commentary: The Strategy Behind vertTV

Jeffrey Schenck on applying Hollywood standards to vertical storytelling: “For the past twenty years, our focus has been entirely on creating mainstream, character-driven stories that capture broad streaming and broadcast audiences. We know that these viewers are increasingly consuming content on their mobile devices, but they are tired of the disposable, low-quality options currently flooding the market. vertTV is applying a traditional television network mindset to this exciting new format, ensuring that micro-series finally receive the star power and creative respect they deserve.”Barry Barnholtz on the evolution of content distribution: “Independent film has always survived by adapting to new distribution models, from the height of the home video market to the rise of global streaming platforms. vertTV is the natural progression of that evolution. By combining our massive legacy library with targeted new productions, we have built a sustainable studio vertical that can scale efficiently without ever compromising the high production values our audiences demand.”Peter Sullivan on creating narratives that keep audiences hooked: “Whether you are pacing a traditional 90-minute feature film or an 80-episode micro-series, the fundamental creative challenge remains exactly the same: keeping an audience entirely captivated by a gripping narrative. We are bringing our trusted network of professional television writers, directors, and actors into this space. vertTV treats the mobile screen with the exact same cinematic care, tension, and storytelling discipline as a traditional Hollywood production.”

About vertTV

Based in Los Angeles and founded by Hollywood veterans Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Peter Sullivan, vertTV is a premium, mobile-first, subscription-based vertical streaming service and filmmaker-led studio that redefines the micro-series landscape by combining proven Hollywood storytelling with a fully integrated, in-house production pipeline that controls everything from development through distribution. Featuring a launch vault of over 200 exclusive titles, vertTV delivers star-driven, high-quality genre television broken into fast-paced episodes designed specifically for on-the-go mobile viewing. Learn more at vertTV.com.

vertTV Development Slate

Lone Star Hearts: Set in the cutthroat, wealthy world of Texas oil, this soapy romance and corporate thriller stars Josh Henderson (Dallas) as charismatic tycoon Cooper Vale and Hallmark Channel star Cindy Busby as his sharp-witted ex, Isabelle. The plot centers around the daughter of a businessman whose life was destroyed by Vale. When she infiltrates the powerful tycoon’s company to clear her father’s name, she unexpectedly falls for the man she came to destroy. Lone Star Hearts will be available to stream at launch.Finding Hope: Written and directed by multi-hyphenate Marla Sokoloff, this premium small-town drama reunites Fuller House stars Jodie Sweetin and John Brotherton, along with Richard Karn (Home Improvement). The series follows Emily Harper (Sweetin), a successful big-city doctor who returns home to save the family’s crumbling clinic after her father suffers a stroke, forcing her to navigate the local crisis alongside a skeptical hometown EMT (Brotherton) while choosing between her high-flying career and the community she left behind.Wicked Wives: Executive produced by and starring Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill), this glamorous, high-stakes ensemble murder-mystery centers on an NBA wife and ICU nurse who relocates to Atlanta’s most exclusive Black gated community and is quickly drawn into a world of secrets, infidelity, and murder led by a powerful circle of elite neighborhood wives.Chonda: Starring legendary comedian Chonda Pierce and Regan Burns (Dog with a Blog), this warm, faith-adjacent, fish-out-of-water multi-cam follows a widowed mother who uproots her two sons from Tennessee to Los Angeles to finally chase her stand-up comedy dreams.Bad Blood: Tailored for a Gen Z audience hungry for dark academia and supernatural suspense, this thriller centers around a scholarship student investigating the suspicious murder of her best friend at the prestigious Weddington University. Her search leads her to The Crimson Circle, a secret society hiding centuries-old vampire bloodlines, where she finds herself torn between a fellow student with secrets of his own and a magnetic insider whose connection to the society runs far deeper than she realizes. The series also features horror icons Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator) and Russell Todd (Friday the 13th Part 2) reuniting on the 40th Anniversary of their cult classic, Chopping Mall.

Media Contacts:
Aileen Budow
AB Creative Communications
aileen@abcreativepr.com

Steve Albani
AB Creative Communications
steve@abcreativepr.com

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SOURCE vertTV

Technology

Lovey announces £250m senior secured credit facility with Pollen Street Capital

Published

5 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

UK’s fastest-growing fintech announces its largest funding facility to date to support more UK SMEs

BIRMINGHAM, England, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lovey, the UK’s fastest-growing fintech and financial services provider, specialising in SME lending and brokerage, has today announced a senior secured credit facility of up to £250 million with Pollen Street Capital (“Pollen Street”), an alternative asset manager. The facility is made up of £50 million committed capital and a £200 million accordion, making it the largest funding facility in Lovey’s history and marking a key milestone in the company’s growth.

The facility demonstrates continued institutional investor confidence in Lovey’s lending model, technology and long-term strategy and reinforces Lovey’s position as a leading finance provider focusing on SME funding. The facility will significantly increase Lovey’s lending capacity, supporting the business as it scales its own-book lending while continuing to grow its established brokerage proposition.

Founded by Jack Smith in 2016, Lovey has grown from a one-person start-up into a 120-strong business, funding more than £600 million in loans to over 11,000 UK SMEs. Built around a mission to make lending simple, fast and beautiful, Lovey has expanded rapidly while staying focused on making finance easier and more accessible for small businesses. The new facility will support that mission by giving Lovey the capital to help more UK SMEs access funding quickly and flexibly.

Lovey began lending directly from its own balance sheet in 2022, building on its experience as a broker to develop a deeper understanding of the funding needs of UK SMEs. Today, the business combines direct lending with its established brokerage proposition, giving customers access to both Lovey’s own lending and a wider panel of funding partners. This approach allows Lovey to match businesses with the funding solution that best suits their needs, while the new facility provides greater capacity to grow its direct lending operation.

Jack Smith, Founder and CEO at Lovey, comments:
“This new facility is an important milestone for us and will enable us to put more capital behind UK small businesses, scale our own-book lending and give more SMEs access to finance when they need it. Pollen Street shares our belief that finances for small businesses should be simpler, faster and more flexible, and we’re really pleased to have them backing Lovey for this next stage of growth.”

Kai Hunter, Chief Operating Officer at Lovey, comments:
“The funding announced today is the result of close and collaborative work with Pollen Street and I am grateful to their team, and to our own, for the diligence they brought to it. This funding deepens our lending capacity and allows us to offer larger loans, so that we can back more of the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses, from those that have found finance hardest to secure to the well-established, with greater speed and certainty.”

Ethan Saggu, Investment Director, Pollen Street, adds:
“Lovey has spent almost a decade seeing the UK SME lending market from a broker’s perspective, giving the team an expert view of where demand for credit is going unmet. We have financed a number of specialist SME lenders and recognise what it takes to grow from brokerage into balance-sheet lending. Lovey has done so with a well-defined product and a focused approach, and we look forward to supporting the team as it scales.”

Lovey was advised by Ashurst Perkins Coie and Pollen Street was advised by Simmons & Simmons.

The facility builds on Lovey’s existing funding arrangements announced last year, including a £35 million revolving credit facility from Paragon Bank and a £10 million junior medium-term note programme from LGB Capital Markets. The new facility also adds to Lovey’s growing institutional funding base as it enters its next phase of expansion.

To learn more about Lovey or to apply for a fast, flexible business loan, visit Lovey’s website.

For any further information, please contact: press@lovey.com

About Lovey (the trading name of Love Finance Limited):
Lovey is the UK’s fastest-growing fintech and financial services provider, specialising in SME lending and brokerage. Founded in Birmingham in 2016 by Jack Smith, Lovey has a mission to make lending simple, fast and beautiful. The company has funded more than £600 million in loans for over 11,000 SMEs across the UK.

Recognised by EY, Deloitte, The Sunday Times, Financial Times, UK Growth Index, FEBE, and Sifted as one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies. Lovey combines direct lending and brokerage services to deliver fast, flexible, and tailored funding solutions. With an industry-leading 4.9-star Trustpilot rating, businesses can enquire in 60 seconds and receive funding in as little as 4 hours.

Website: www.lovey.com

Pollen Street Press Office:
FGS Global
Chris Sibbald / Anna Tabor
PollenStreetCapital-LON@fgsglobal.com

About Pollen Street:
Pollen Street is a fast-growing and high performing private capital asset manager. Established in 2013, the firm has built deep capability across the financial and business services sectors aligned with mega-trends shaping the future of the industry. Pollen Street manages over €9bn AUM across private equity and credit strategies on behalf of investors including leading public and corporate pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations, asset managers, banks, and family offices from around the world. Pollen Street has a team of over 100 professionals.

www.pollenstreetgroup.com

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Technology

Baidu to Report Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results on November 16, 2026

Published

5 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

BEIJING, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDU; HKEX: 9888 (HKD Counter) and 89888 (RMB Counter)) (“Baidu” or the “Company”), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today announced that it will report its financial results for the Third Quarter 2026 ended September 30, 2026, before the U.S. market opens on November 16, 2026. Baidu’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 7:30 AM on November 16, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time (8:30 PM on November 16, 2026, Beijing Time).

Please register in advance of the conference call using the link provided below. It will automatically direct you to the registration page of “Baidu Inc. Q3 2026 Earnings Conference Call”. Please follow the steps to enter your registration details, then click “Register”. Upon registering, you will then be provided with the dial-in number, the passcode, and your unique access PIN. This information will also be emailed to you as a calendar invite.

For pre-registration, please click:
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10057872-oyt4z8.html

In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial-in number(s), the passcode and unique access PIN) provided in the calendar invite that you have received following your pre-registration.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at https://ir.baidu.com.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until November 24, 2026:
US: 1 855 883 1031
Replay PIN: 10057872

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on Nasdaq under “BIDU” and the HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

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SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

Technology

IBS Software’s iCargo to power Philippine Airlines Cargo Modernisation

Published

5 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Airline to move from its current cargo system to a modern, cloud-based platform covering cargo sales, ground handling operations and revenue accounting

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBS Software’s iCargo, a cloud-based platform bringing cargo sales, ground handling operations and accounting together, has been selected by Philippine Airlines (PAL) to replace its current cargo system. The implementation will extend iCargo’s capabilities across PAL’s domestic and international cargo operations.

As the leading AI-native product company in the travel technology sector, IBS Software will support PAL’s broader cargo transformation and modernisation programme with capabilities that support PAL’s full range of business functions, from commercial and operations to back-office accounting, while enabling further innovation and digitisation through a single, fully integrated cloud-based platform. iCargo will support cargo movements across PAL’s domestic and international operations, including international requirements such as customs reporting, duties and taxes settlement and regulatory compliance. iCargo already supports carriers with this same mix of demands, providing the flexibility, scale and capabilities to manage both.

The transition will enable PAL to address key operational requirements across its cargo operations, including system performance and data analytics. iCargo will provide modern capabilities to support faster shipment processing, greater reliability and end-to-end shipment visibility, while reducing manual intervention and enabling more efficient processes.

Beyond operational efficiency, these capabilities will help PAL Cargo bring its ‘Care that Delivers’ promise to life, giving customers greater confidence through improved shipment visibility, reliable service and a more seamless cargo experience. As cargo volumes continue to grow across its network, the new platform will also provide the technological foundation for continued innovation, operational excellence and long-term growth.

IBS Software’s proposal combined a strong technology fit with a proven track record of delivering successful cargo transformations for airlines worldwide. The selection of iCargo builds on an established relationship between Philippine Airlines and IBS Software, broadening the portfolio of IBS Software products used by PAL and reinforcing their shared commitment to long-term innovation and business growth.

“This initiative represents an important step in the modernisation of our cargo business,” said Jason Siy, Vice President for Cargo Business, Philippine Airlines. “As we grow across our domestic and international network, we need a system that increases visibility, improves operational efficiency and enables us to deliver a better experience for our customers. We see iCargo as a key enabler of our long-term cargo transformation strategy and of our ambition to build an even stronger cargo business for the future.”

“Philippine Airlines has a clear vision for the future of its cargo business, and we are proud to support that journey,” added Sunil George, Vice President & Region Head of Oceania, IBS Software. “This partnership is about more than implementing a new cargo platform. It is about working closely with PAL to build the digital foundation for future growth, innovation and operational excellence, and continuing a relationship we value deeply.”

For more information about IBS Software’s iCargo solution, visit: https://www.ibsplc.com/product/air-cargo-solutions/icargo.

About IBS Software

IBS Software is a leading travel technology company delivering AI-native travel intelligence that enables smarter, faster and more resilient decision-making, with built-in guardrails across aviation, cargo and logistics, and leisure and hospitality. It powers core capabilities for leading travel brands worldwide, spanning airline retailing, passenger services, loyalty, fleet, hub and crew operations, cargo management, and cloud-native platforms for hotels and cruise line operators, and operates from 17 offices globally.

Further information can be found at www.ibsplc.com. Follow us:
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About Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the Philippines’ flag carrier and the country’s only full-service network airline. Founded in 1941, PAL is Asia’s first commercial airline and has played a vital role in connecting the Philippines to the world for 85 years.

PAL operates scheduled nonstop flights from its hubs in Manila and Cebu to 29 destinations across the Philippines and 40 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.

PAL is an APEX Four Star™ airline and was recognised by Cirium for achieving the highest on-time performance among Asia-Pacific carriers in 2025. In 2026, Philippine Airlines was officially invited to join the oneworld® Alliance.

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SOURCE IBS Software