Top 250 Tv Shows Like The Venetian

ABC World News is the flagship daily evening television news program of ABC News, the news division of the American Broadcasting Company television network in the United States. Currently the weekday editions (going by title ABC World News Tonight with David Muir) are anchored by David Muir. ABC World News has been anchored at various times by a number of other people since its debut in 1953. It also has used various titles, including ABC Evening News from 1970 to 1978 and World News Tonight from 1978 to 2006.

Ace Lightning is a children's television series co-produced by the BBC and Alliance Atlantis, which has been broadcast in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom and Australia. The show was filmed in Canada, but the program was set in America. It ran for two seasons, and spawned several books, including a yearbook for the year 2003, an activity book and a companion to the series. A computer game based upon the show was released in 2002. Most of the programme was live-action, although the heroes and villains from the video game were created using CGI. The primary focus of the series is the power of friendship, as well as the battle between good and evil. The series is significant in that until its creation, live action and CGI had not been attempted to such a huge and constant degree within a weekly television serial.

The Arsenio Hall Show aired in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian and actor Arsenio Hall, who had previously hosted The Late Show for Fox television.

A British reality television game show in which a number of contestants live in an isolated house for several weeks, trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize at the end of the run.

Carnival Eats celebrates today's modern gastronomic freak show and takes you on an international, food-frenzied roller coaster of culinary delights, to the new epicenter of carnival life — food! Foods of every imaginable shape, size, color and taste are being created specifically for the connoisseurs who ply midways and fairgrounds, and Carnival Eats is there for every delicious bite.

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.

The competition sees celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts and voted on by viewers. Enjoy sizzling salsas, sambas and spray-tans as they vie for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

A freak accident during an experimental space mission catapults Astronaut John Crichton across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield.

Fridays is the name of ABC's weekly late-night live comedy show, which aired on Friday nights from April 11, 1980 to April 23, 1982.

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

The series sheds a completely different light on Ke$ha as she works through all the drama and adventures in both her personal and professional life over the course of two years. Filmed by her journalist brother Lagan Serbert, and filmmaker Steven Greenstreet, it also encompasses the artist as she creates her newest album, Warrior, and travels to various countries.

Of all the notorious lawmen that ever patrolled the violent frontier, none are more storied than ballsy and badass Molly Parker, one of the first women to join the Texas Rangers.

A raw family drama set against the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Venice, California. Alvey Kulina owns Navy St. MMA with the help of his girlfriend Lisa Prince. He is willing to go through extraordinary means to make sure his fighters are taken care of, but all of this responsibility comes at a steep price. He has complicated relationships with both of his sons, Jay and Nate, who are both struggling with their own identities and places within Alvey’s life and gym.

Kroll Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by and starring comedian Nick Kroll.

The story of the Medici family of Florence, their ascent from simple merchants to power brokers sparking an economic and cultural revolution. Along the way, they also accrue a long list of powerful enemies.

A topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD. The programme is currently hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker from Monday-Thursday, with Chris Evans appearing instead of Baker on Fridays and relief presenters appearing when required.

One beautiful single woman. 14 sexy bachelors. A million-dollar prize. Think you know where this is going? Think again... things aren't exactly as they appear when FOX puts this young lady and the viewing audience to the test to determine which guys are straight and which guys might be just PLAYING IT STRAIGHT.

Jim Profit is a newly promoted junior-executive at a multinational conglomerate, who uses ruthless methods to climb the corporate ladder. He is not above using blackmail, bribery, extortion, or worse to take down one rival after another.

A Canadian-produced fantastic anthology series scripted by famed science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. Many of the teleplays were based upon Bradbury's novels and short stories.

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday is an American limited-run series broadcast on NBC. It is a political satire news show spin-off from Saturday Night Live, featuring that show's "Weekend Update" segment. It initially ran for three 30-minute episodes in October 2008, during the lead-up to the 2008 United States presidential election.

Dancers selected in open auditions across America take part in a rigorous competition designed to best display their talents, training and personalities to a panel of judges and viewers as they strive to win votes and avoid elimination.

Space Patrol is a science fiction adventure series that was originally aimed at juvenile audiences of the early 1950s via television, radio, and comic books. However, it soon developed a sizable adult audience such that by 1954, the program consistently ranked in the top 10 shows broadcast on a Saturday.

SportsCenter is a daily sports news television program, and the flagship program of American cable and satellite television network ESPN since the network's launch on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major sporting events, along with commentary, previews and feature stories. The show has aired more than 50,000 unique episodes, more than any other program on American television, and is shot in ESPN's high definition studio facilities in Bristol, Connecticut and Los Angeles, California.

Tales of Tomorrow is an American anthology science fiction series that was performed and broadcast live on ABC from 1951 to 1953. The series covered such stories as Frankenstein, starring Lon Chaney, Jr., 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Thomas Mitchell as Captain Nemo, and many others featuring such performers as Boris Karloff, Brian Keith, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Bruce Cabot, Franchot Tone, Gene Lockhart, Walter Abel, Leslie Nielsen, and Paul Newman. The series had many similarities to the later Twilight Zone which also covered one of the same stories, "What You Need". In total it ran for eighty-five 30-minute episodes.

Tim and Eric Nite Live! was an American television series, which premiered November 8, 2007 on SuperDeluxe. The talk show stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, creators of Tom Goes to the Mayor and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, and consists of a variety of strange segments often featuring Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! regulars such as David Liebe Hart and James Quall. It also repeatedly features Awesome Show regular Richard Dunn in a sidekick/father-figure type role. The show has seen many guests in its short internet-only SuperDeluxe exclusive run from such actors, singers and comedians as John Mayer, Zach Galifianakis, Bob Odenkirk, Will Forte, Rainn Wilson, and Jonah Hill.

This game show sees contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a giant carnival wheel.

Def Comedy Jam is a HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons. The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to January 1, 1997. The show returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006. Def Comedy Jam helped to launch the careers of several African-American stand-up comedians.

This Morning features a variety of news, as well as show business, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and garden, food, tech, live phone-ins, and competitions.

The biggest stars, the most iconic performances, the most outrageous outfits – it’s Britain’s number one pop show.

WTTW’s legendary and groundbreaking music series filmed in the intimate Grainger Studio presents spectacular performances that make you feel like you’re in the front row.

Captain Z-Ro is an American children's television show that ran locally on KRON in San Francisco beginning in November 1951, and was later nationally syndicated in the United States, ending its run of original episodes on June 10, 1956. It remained in syndication until 1960. Modeled on the science fiction space operas popular at the time, it featured sets and costumes emulating the futuristic designs of Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon.

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

These half-hour specials showcased some of the best up-and-coming comedians of the moment. The show was a pivotal stepping stone for many of today's stand-up stars.

Charles Ryder, an agnostic man, becomes involved with members of the Flytes, a Catholic family of aristocrats, over the course of several years between the two world wars.

MTV's acclaimed music series showcases today's top artists and rising stars in the industry performing acoustic versions of their songs.

Harley Street is a British television medical drama shown on ITV in 2008. The series was made by Carnival Films and was set in Harley Street, London. Created by Marston Bloom and written by Howard Overman, Jack Williams and Nicole Taylor, the stories were about the lives of Harley Street specialists and the cases that were presented to them.

Since premiering in 1976, the landmark series has sought to democratize the world of the performing arts by making Lincoln Center's historic concerts and events available for public broadcast across the country. And it continues to push the boundaries, both technical and creative, of what is possible in the realm of stage performance capture.

The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.

MTV World Stage is a global series that brings multi-genre talents with global relevance to an audience in over 550 million households. Recorded "live" at the most exclusive gigs, world renowned music festivals and unique concert locations from around the world, MTV World Stage is the "front row seat" for music lovers to experience the biggest artists on the globe without leaving the comfort of their sofas. On August 15, 2009, MTV Asia staged the first ever outdoor MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia at Sunway Lagoon Resort in Kuala Lumpur. The event was attended by over 15, 000 fans. The 2011 event took place in I-City The event also featured a live, real-time microblogging application where comments and 'tweets' via SMS were displayed on giant screens at the concert venue.

The Rousters is a 1983 NBC television series about a group of modern-day bounty hunters who are descendants of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Despite advertising claims that this series would "sink The Love Boat" in the ratings, it ran for only one season of 13 episodes.

Riveting performances from the 2010 tour, revealing interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and early home videos come together to tell the story of a little girl who dared to dream big, and who fearlessly faced near-insurmountable obstacles to make those dreams come true.

BBC Children in Need is the BBC's UK charity. Since 1980 it has raised over £600 million to change the lives of disabled children and young people in the UK. One of the highlights is an annual telethon, held in November and televised on BBC One and BBC One HD from 7:30pm until 2am. "Pudsey Bear" is BBC Children in Need's mascot, whilst Terry Wogan is a long-standing host. BBC Children in Need is one of three high-profile British telethons, although the only charity belonging to the BBC, the other telethons being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief, both supporting the Comic Relief charity. The 2012 appeal took place on Friday 16 November.

Mrs. Brown's Boys is a British-Irish award winning sitcom created by and starring writer and performer Brendan O'Carroll. The show is based on O'Carroll's stage plays about the character Agnes Browne, which were developed from books and straight-to-DVD films. The sitcom continues the stories of Agnes, now with the shortened surname "Brown", and her family who are played by real life close friends and family of O'Carroll's. After being slated by critics, the show has become a ratings success in both Ireland, where it is set, and the United Kingdom, where it is recorded. On 29 December 2012 the show began its third series. Mrs Brown's Boys is a co-production among BBC Scotland, BocPix and RTÉ.

John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show is a stand-up comedy television series that currently airs on Comedy Central in the United States. Hosted by British comedian John Oliver, who is best known for his work on The Daily Show, the show features new material by both up-and-coming and established comedians. Each episode features four performers, including the headliner but not Oliver.

Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain are at Jodrell Bank Observatory, and joined by special guests to bring you the latest news and the best views of the night sky.

Venice: The Series is a web series co-produced by and starring American actress Crystal Chappell, and is inspired in part by the "Otalia" storyline on the daytime drama Guiding Light. The series has been broadcast since 2009, and is currently in its fourth season. Venice is described by Chappell as "a show about families, and life, and all the simplicity of it, and the turmoil of it. We're going to be following a character named Gina who is a designer, and she is a gay woman."

Sunday Brunch is a British television series, broadcast live on Channel 4 on Sunday mornings. It features cookery and interviews with celebrity guests.

The remarkable true story of Edwardian writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson.

Kim Jinseo and Mo Yoonhee are high school classmates and rivals whose different family backgrounds shaped their characters and their paths towards love and success in adulthood. Jinseo develops a warm and cheerful personality as well as superior intellectual ability, while Yoonhee becomes a beautiful woman with fatal charm. Both women love Lee Sanghyun, an extremely kind but indecisive man who used to date Yoonhee but later married Jinseo. When Yoonhee's husband, Sung Eunpil, dies under suspicious circumstances, Jinseo finds herself becoming involved in the investigation. The process is complicated when the young homicide detective Kang Shinwoo becomes romantically interested in Jinseo.

Stuart Pritchard is an awkward, overly-confident Englishman trying to date in Los Angeles – where he repeatedly attempts to infiltrate the world of beautiful people.

Viveca Stens popular novels come to life in "The Sandhamn Murders", a perfect mix of Nordic crime & the beautiful surroundings of the outer Stockholm archipelago.

An epic adventure that follows the early years of the famous explorer as he travels the exotic Silk Road to the great Kublai Khan’s court. But Marco soon finds that navigating the Khan’s world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry will be his greatest challenge yet, even as he becomes a trusted companion to the Khan in his violent quest to become the Emperor of the World.

John Romer recreates the glory and history of Byzantium. From the Hagia Sophia in present-day Istanbul to the looted treasures of the empire now located in St. Marks in Venice.

The Ropes is an inside look into the hilarious, yet explosive world of nightclub bouncing. The series follows the charismatic young Martin, who hustles his way into a job as a bouncer only to be taken under the wing of Big Vic, the club's legendary head bouncer who prides himself on being the epitome of a fighter and ladies man. But soon, Martin is lured into the nefarious underworld by Les, another bouncer with his own crooked outlook. It's then that Martin must wrestle with his head and heart as he navigates a world shaped by bribes, beautiful women, but most importantly brotherhood.

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days.

An ambitious young man seduces women of high social standing in order to improve his prospects.

The annual specials of magic featuring the world's leading illusionist. David Copperfield weaves a narrative with exceptional music in each of his stage illusions, often recorded before a live audience.

Chris Gethard hosts a panel of comedians and weirdos who participate in weird games, take calls from listeners, and generally put on a bizarre weekly spectacle.

Gotham Comedy Club, a popular comedy venue in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, is the setting of an hourlong series that is shot in front of an audience at the club. Each episode features routines by several comics -- a list that has included such names as David Alan Grier, Gilbert Gottfried and Artie Lange -- in what the network says is an unedited and uncensored format. In addition to the big names of the field who take the Gotham stage, the show also features up-and-comers who want to make a name for themselves in the stand-up comedy business.

Doug Henning's World of Magic was the first of seven annual prime-time television specials starring magician Doug Henning, which aired live on NBC Friday, December 26, 1975. Bill Cosby was the show's special guest, along with Gene Kelly (who introduced the special) and musical guest Lori Lieberman.

Revolver is a British music TV series on ITV that ran for one series only, of eight episodes, in 1978. It was produced by ATV. The series producer was Mickie Most, who was inspired to make the programme after he saw an interview with Top of the Pops' producer Robin Nash, in which he boasted that TOTP was a music programme that the whole family could enjoy together. Most set out to make a show which was the antithesis of that, and which featured live music performances most closely related to the then emergent Punk rock and New Wave music scenes - though it also included other more mainstream artists such as Kate Bush, Dire Straits and Lindisfarne. The official host of the programme was Chris Hill, but it is remembered more for the contributions of Peter Cook. Cook played the manager of the fictional ballroom where the show was supposedly taking place, and frequently made disparaging remarks about the acts appearing.

A fifty something English Banker falls for and has an affair with a teenage Irish waif from the wrong side of the tracks causing him grief at work and at home.

Chef Andrew Zimmern discovers the streets behind Main Street, the off-the-grid dives and the fun only insiders know how to find. With his guide -- whether it's a shikara driver in Kashmir, a gondolier in Venice, or a cabbie in the deep south -- Andrew shares a locals-only experience, discovering the uniqueness of every destination. Never staying in the back seat for long, Andrew and his driver take viewers on an entertaining behind-the-scenes adventure, exploring food and culture from a whole new perspective.

Coupled follows 12 single, smart and young professional women looking for love who will meet face-to-face with eligible single men against the beautiful backdrop of the Caribbean islands.

Beautiful but unfulfilled Ashley has her eyes opened to the tantalizing possibilities of BDSM when she discovers the popular erotic novel SLAVE by Nolan Keats. But her fascination with the mysterious Mr. Keats leads her into a sexy but dangerous love triangle, and tests the boundaries of her own sexual limitations.

What starts out as a simple, reckless mid-life affair between a genetic scientist named Yvonne and a Westminster paper pusher takes an intriguing turn when she realizes he’s a spook – then suddenly gets very dark indeed. A provocative study of obsession, longing and just how far down a criminal path desire can take you.

Meet the Brass Sisters a.k.a. THE FOOD FLIRTS! Two passionate food explorers of a certain age on a mission to tackle their culinary bucket list...one bite at a time! In each episode, the ladies 'flirt' their way into chefs' kitchens to discover two ethnically unique and delicious delights, then head home to experiment and create cross-cultural culinary mash-ups to tantalize your taste-buds! Food, fun, flirting and friendship are always on the menu!

Diann Valentine takes five beautiful women—Gina Neely, Shay Atkins, Nakita McGraw, Ashley Russell, and Mercedes Young—to Italy. Each in a different stage of their life with unique stories of love, but all share in the same challenges of dating as a black woman in America.

Live BBC coverage of the Biggest Weekend music festival

Allsång på Skansen is a Swedish tv show held at Skansen, Stockholm, every summer on Tuesdays. The audience is supposed to sing-along with musical guests to well-known Swedish songs. The show started in 1935 on a small scale - about fifty people in the audience. Today about 10 000–25 500 people come to each performance.

With original stories, exclusive interviews, audience debate and breaking news, Victoria Derbyshire presents the BBC's daily news and current affairs programme.

The political stories of the day.

For several thousand years the moose have walked the same path to get to the rich pastures of summer. Follow the walk live from Kullberg in the north of Sweden.

In a mystical and dark city filled with humans, fairies and other creatures, a police detective investigates a series of gruesome murders leveled against the fairy population. During his investigation, the detective becomes the prime suspect and must find the real killer to clear his name.

Each season of this horror anthology series follows a different group of kids, members of the Midnight Society, as they discover terrifying curses and creatures.

The latest news, sport, and weather from the UK in this daily breakfast show.

Zoe Walker leaves her quiet life behind to investigate her brother's disappearance in Ibiza, where she quickly heads down a decadent and dangerous path.

The family happiness of the Ekdahls is driven towards a tragic disintegration.

Updated adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' classic 18th Century tale of seduction, betrayal and revenge set in the modern 1960s world of Parisian high society. The beautiful Madame de Merteuil seeks vengeance against her ex-lover Gercourt when he becomes engaged to her young goddaughter, Cécile.

An annual Christmas special produced by ITV, containing new mini-episodes of popular British sitcoms and light entertainment programmes, with some musical interludes. It was hosted by Des O'Connor in 1969, Max Bygraves in 1970, Mike and Bernie Winters in 1971 and Jimmy Tarbuck in 1972 and 1973. Created as a direct competitor to the BBC's Christmas Night with the Stars, all had short five minute sketches devised and produced for transmission within the festive period, written by the original writers of each comedy series.

Sandi Toksvig's joined by some of the nation's most fascinating and funny women to explore the delights of the UK's wildest, most remote and beautifully designed holiday hideaways

Follow the men and women of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as they patrol one of the most mysterious and beautiful places on earth; the state of Louisiana.

David and Siri are a young couple living in London. During a night out, they meet Camille and a flirtatious game arises where the boundaries are gradually dissolved. In an act of drunken curiosity, they have a threesome.

When the Duke of Milan is brutally murdered, the Assassin Giovanni Auditore is dispatched to investigate. What he uncovers implicates Italy's most powerful families reaching all the way back to the Vatican itself. As Giovanni draws closer to the truth, he becomes hunted himself. He must expose the conspirators before he joins their ever-growing list of victims. Three short films based on the Assassin's Creed II video game.

As the 11th city in the franchise, the series highlights a group of women navigating their relationships, careers, and supremely lavish and ultra-wealthy lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. With the desert paradise of Dubai as the backdrop, this billionaire's playground is known for its over-the-top opulence, jaw-dropping modern architecture and wild nightlife scene. Whether they're coasting on a private plane, running their own empires or hosting on a private island, these glamourous, successful women are ready to serve up scorching hot drama and unexpected twists.

A floundering writer becomes a revered advice columnist while her own life is falling apart.

Court Night Live brings live trials to the people as civil court cases from across the country are litigated from courtrooms in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Tampa.

Questions to the Prime Minister. Held weekly since 1961, Prime Minister's Questions, also referred to as PMQs, gives Members of the British Parliament a chance to question the Prime Minister in the House of Commons. PMQs takes place at midday every Wednesday at the Palace of Westminster when the House of Commons is sitting.

Joe Lycett is back broadcasting live from his hometown of Birmingham. Each Friday a mix of Joe's community of local legends, LGBTQ+ heroes and allies will join him alongside celebrities and big-name guests from the worlds of comedy, television, music and film.

The whole story of the Costa Concordia ship disaster, the worst cruise accident since the Titanic.

A respected London surgeon's affair with his son's fiancée turns into an erotic infatuation that threatens to change their lives forever.

A closer look at the most beautiful and favorites Playmates from years past. Redheads, brunettes, blondes, and more. All the sexiest women in the world in one place.

In the City of Angels, everyone is striving for the unattainable high life, and some are willing to kill for it. Encompassing everything from beach communities like Venice and Malibu to the wealth of Beverly Hills and hip enclaves like Thai Town and Highland Park, Real Murders of Los Angeles exposes the dark underbelly of the city's glamorous façade. Follow the stories of those whose lust for fame and fortune led them to commit salacious, sinful, and scandalous murders.

An updated Odd Couple comedy about two extremely eligible bachelors, stumbling through a world of beautiful women.

The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006–2010, with each event broadcast domestically on both radio and television.

You wanted more, you got more! Passfire is back with Passfire the Series: Season 1. Six brand new episodes give you more footage, more depth, more fireworks, more Passfire! In 2016 Veverka Bros. Productions brought you Passfire, a documentary about fireworks culture across the globe that told the story of the world's most amazing fireworks, the people who make them and the cultures behind them in 23 countries on six continents. Passfire the Series continues the ride with more of what you want: more destinations, more information, more detail, and more fun! Season 1 has six exciting episodes: Maltese Wheels, Galician Rockets, Boom Boom Girls, Japanese Artistry, Fireworks Organizations and The Maltese Fireworker.

Final Score is a BBC Television programme produced by BBC Sport. The programme is broadcast on late Saturday afternoons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, usually on BBC One. BBC Northern Ireland opts away during the last ten minutes to cover local results, BBC Scotland runs a different programme altogether – Sportscene Results. Final Score is also broadcast on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter Monday plus a special Sunday edition on the final day of the Premier League. The programme, which is currently presented by Jason Mohammad, provides viewers with the results from the main football league matches played on that day. Final Score is also broadcast on Saturday afternoons on the BBC Red Button and online for two hours before the BBC One broadcast begins. This programme features a live studio discussing the day's play as it is being played while also showing audio coverage clips of a large number of matches that are being played.