Now TV

The nine-part series, Russell Howard’s Home Time, will air twice a week and will see Howard chat to famous and interesting faces about current world events.

Viewers can expect intimate live performances, laugh out loud stories and uplifting updates from those helping on the frontline during these strange times.

Russell Howard commented: “Like you, I’m stuck at home going slowly mad. So, I’m doing a new show where I’ll be trying to spread some joy in these strange times, chatting to some famous faces and unsung heroes. But crucially not touching ANY of them.” 

In normal times, life doesn’t usually throw the same twists at you as TV frequently does. But the sudden change of direction that we are all sharing due to the coronavirus pandemic emphasises how you can very suddenly find yourself on a different journey to the one you planned. And, consequently, with more time to listen to podcasts.

When Disney announced that its eagerly awaited streaming service, Disney+, would launch in the UK and Western Europe in March no one knew that the service’s debut would coincide with a global pandemic keeping millions of people at home.

“With much of the UK looking for entertainment while they are stuck at home, Disney+ is likely to be a big hit,” said Shiv Pabari, director of media and entertainment at Simon-Kucher & Partners. “Families, in particular, will be excited by the content offered.”

Musician and comedian Tim Minchin writes and stars in Upright, a series about the unlikely friendship forged by two misfits in the middle of the Australian Outback.

Upright follows Lucky Flynn (Minchin), a self-destructive yet talented pianist struggling to make ends meet. On discovering that his mother has only days left to live, the estranged son embarks on a 4000km journey across Australia, from Sydney to Perth, armed only with his battered but beloved upright piano.

Is it just me, or does this account of the relentless march of Sky feel less like a window into the “future of entertainment” and more the TV equivalent of ancient history?

There are glorious deeds and all-conquering heroes. Step forward Jeremy Darroch, and the man who appointed him CEO of Sky, James Murdoch. Not forgetting the tragic fate of doomed and misguided rivals: hold your heads in shame, Setanta and a host of others.

Based on the series of novels by George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire, the show’s previous series saw Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) seek an alliance with Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) to prepare for the arrival of the Night King.

The new trailer sees a line of characters, including Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) and Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) preparing for war in Winterfell, as a smug Cersei remains safe in the Red Keep.

Following the success of the previous two series of A League of Their Own: US Roadtrip, which itself is a spin-off from popular sports-based panel show A League of Their Own.

Sky Atlantic release the trailer for new drama series Patrick Melrose - Pleased To Meet You.

The award-winning The Late Late Show with James Corden will showcase special episodes for viewers in the UK exclusively on Sky 1 and NOW TV.

James Corden said of his trip: “To bring The Late Late Show to the UK is a dream come true for me. I'm incredibly proud of the show and we're going to do our best to make this week in London memorable.”

Corden will film three special episodes at Westminster's Central Hall in London this June, keeping the show's signature musical comedic segments but with influences of Corden's homeland.

The channel will launch in September and will be developed entirely in-house by the Vice creative team.

Viceland launched in the US and Canada to great acclaim in February 2016, offering hours of original content and attracting big names, including Gaycation with Ellen Page and Ian Daniel, Huang’s World with Eddie Huang, F*ck, That’s Delicious with Action Bronson, and Balls Deep with Thomas Morton.