Boat Rocker’s psychological sci-fi thriller Beacon 23 is still a go with Spectrum, despite news that the programming brand of U.S. telco Charter Communications is moving away from scripted originals.

U.S. trades first reported last week that premium content initiative Spectrum Originals is being phased out, and a spokesperson for Charter confirms to Playback Daily that the company “is winding down Spectrum Originals,” adding: “We have no additional comment.” That’s left the fate of some originals up in the air, with Spectrum TV as a possible destination for some.

Beacon 23, Boat Rocker’s coproduction for Spectrum and AMC Networks, doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy. “Spectrum, along with AMC, remains a dedicated partner on Beacon 23, including the recent commitment to a second season. We continue to be in production on the series,” a Boat Rocker spokesperson tells Playback.

The Boat Rocker coproduction is Zak Penn’s (Free Guy) television adaptation of Hugh Howey’s sci-fi novel. “Beacon 23 is staying in continuous production between season one and two. Season one is still filming [in Toronto],” says Boat Rocker.

Series stars include Stephan James (pictured), whose Bay Mills Studios, co-founded with brother Shamier Anderson, has a first-look deal with Boat Rocker.

The Spectrum news comes a month after Sony Pictures Television announced Katherine Pope, head of original content at Spectrum Originals, will join the studio as president of Sony Pictures Television Studios.

Launched in 2019 with the Sony and Bruckheimer-produced drama L.A.’s Finest, Spectrum Originals has offered original series available exclusively to Spectrum video subscribers on-demand and ad-free.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images