The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission recently announced that the historic Newark Symphony Hall has been selected as the location for USA Network’s new television show, “America’s Big Deal.”
Starting October 14, on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CT, the new shoppable competition series will be broadcast live from the historic performing arts venue. The show will be hosted by Emmy Award Nominated “Access Hollywood” journalist Scott Evans and produced by New York City-based DIGA Studios. Serving as executive producers are DIGA’s DiSanto, Nick Rigg, Shawn Strickland, and showrunner Alison Holloway, along with Joy Mangano, a successful product inventor who inspired the 2015 film “Joy.”
“New Jersey is enjoying a record amount of production work this year, and Newark continues to be a magnet for film and television projects,” said Steve Gorelick, Executive Director of the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission. “A unique show such as ‘America’s Big Deal’ will bring great excitement to the city, and we are thrilled to welcome their production team.”
“America’s Big Deal” will feature entrepreneurs from around the country selling their ready-made products to live home viewers through One Platform Commerce @ NBCU. The show’s format will follow entrepreneurs taking the stage to present a product pitch. The entrepreneur with the highest dollar sales before the buying window closes during each episode will win the chance to strike a deal with one of the show’s retail giants.
“Part of Newark Symphony Hall’s mission is to leverage our venue for economic development, including creating jobs for Newark residents,” said Taneshia Nash Laird, President and CEO, Newark Symphony Hall. “As we begin to reopen after COVID lockdowns, we expect to attract more television and film productions at our historic performing arts center, which includes a 2,800-seat concert hall, a 1,200-person ballroom, and a 250-seat black box theater.”
Newark Symphony Hall and the Newark Alliance recently worked together to host a free job training program for aspiring production assistants. The program — exclusive to Newark residents — is part of Newark Symphony Hall’s new Training Academy, created to help people build careers in arts and entertainment. The production of “America’s Big Deal” at Newark Symphony Hall will help regenerate a workforce that has been inoperative for nearly 18 months due to COVID-19.
“We are pleased that ‘America’s Big Deal’ has chosen Newark Symphony Hall for its debut season,” said Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka of the City of Newark. “This project will not only boost recognition of our city’s most historic performing arts venue, but it will also serve as an economic development tool by creating jobs for local residents, helping put event staff and stagehands back to work.”
