TV ONE REPRESENTS WITH EXPANDED MORNING NEWS, CURRENT AFFAIRS AND LIFESTYLE LINE-UP, PLUS INCREASED COMMITMENT TO FAMILY REALITY AND TRUE CRIME & JUSTICE SHOWS DURING 2017 UPFRONT PRESENTATION
-- NewsOne Now Becomes Black America Today and Expands to Two-Hour Format Joined by Daily Lifestyle Talker in Late 3Q17; Academy Award Winner Viola Davis EP's New Investigative Series and Benjamin Crump Hosts Original Series on Wrongful Convictions to Build Out Network's True Crime & Justice Programming Slate --
2017 Network Sizzle: https://vimeo.com/213521181 (password: sizzle)
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) -- Showcasing its 4Q17-2018 programming line-up to the advertising community, TV One unveiled a very focused slate of originals during its annual Upfront presentation at Current located in Chelsea Piers yesterday. Fulfilling the promise to "REPRESENT the many facets of Black Culture past, present and future," President Brad Siegel announced the network will present a more focused and targeted programming schedule that reinforces TV One's commitment to the news and stories that matter in the Black community; authentic, relatable unscripted programming; true crime & justice; as well as original movies that tell bigger and more important stories.
"Our goal is to provide our discerning audience of information-conscious influencers with more of what they are looking for in original films, family reality, true crime and justice content," said Brad Siegel, TV One's President. "This will offer advertisers more opportunities to be seen in the positive environment of our popular, quality appointment television offerings."
Beginning in 3Q17, TV One will enhance its live morning news, current affairs and lifestyle programming by expanding to three hours of live television, beginning with an expanded version of News One Now, hosted by Roland S. Martin, from 7-9 am ET. Later this year, the show will undergo a name and format change to complement the increased time slot to become Black America Today, the only daily news show that covers the issues that matter to the African American community.
"After six consecutive quarters of growth for News One Now, we are excited to announce that Roland Martin will continue to be a voice to the African American community with more time to share the news and stories that matter most to the Black community," said D'Angela Proctor, TV One's SVP, Original Programming and Production. "Viewers can look forward to more coverage of the latest headlines in addition to lifestyle stories in the areas of entertainment, business, personal finance, health and inspiration."
The third hour will become home to a brand new live, multi-platform one-hour daily talk show that is fun, informative, engaging and live. Hosted by a panel of four women who are dynamic, smart, funny and opinionated, they want to empower and inspire African American women to tackle the challenges of their everyday lives. (A showspecific announcement will follow shortly).
TV One will also focus on expanding its popular True Crime & Justice programming, which has become a staple for the network on Monday nights. Beginning in August 2017, a second night of true crime shows will premiere, anchored by the proven series For My Man (Season 3).
Additionally, the network will premiere two limited series shows that are both receiving Hollywood support behind and in front of the camera. From the production companies of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions and Lemuel Plummer of L. Plummer Media comes the landmark limited series, Two Sides of the Truth, which will focus on four high profile cases that have been watershed moments for law enforcement and the Black community. Each episode will dissect and present both points of views of these highly charged cases so the audience can draw their own conclusions after hearing different sides of the story. Davis and Plummer will serve as executive producers. Davis also narrates the limited series.
"Every other week we hear about these horrific incidences and many of them go unsolved and unresolved. We hope that this show can take those headlines and humanize them," said Davis. "We want to give an unbiased approach to digging into what really happened on those fateful days and in doing so, hopefully shed some light and bring some awareness to such an important issue," said Tennon.
Currently in production, Evidence of Innocence is slated to premiere in 2018. The fourpart event is hosted by acclaimed civil rights attorney and President of the National Bar Association Benjamin Crump, the lead attorney for the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Alesia Thomas. The series was created and executive produced by Emmy and NAACP Image award-winner Rushion McDonald of 3815 Media in partnership with Jupiter Entertainment. The limited series will profile the unbelievable true stories of individuals who were convicted of crimes they didn't commit, the journey each endured to have their cases overturned, and the challenge to rebuild their lives.
Another TV One True Crime & Justice entry is the unscripted crime docu-drama, Hotlanta. Following the real life stories of homicide detectives Vincent Velazquez and David Quinn, these two cops have worked side-by-side for 15 years, and know the gritty streets of Atlanta, and the people on them as well as they know each other.
In keeping with the network brand promise to represent real family, culture and authenticity, TV One will continue to deliver critically-acclaimed scripted series and heartfelt family reality shows, including The Manns, which premiered in early April, and Rickey Smiley For Real, which returns for a fourth season in July 2017.
"TV One will continue to make programming that celebrates and builds up family, recognizing that no two families are alike," said Siegel. "The Manns and Rickey Smiley For Real are great complements to one another as well as reinforce our goal to produce programming that incorporates family, faith and fun."
For a complete listing of their shows, see below:
REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY
New Series
Black America Today
Beginning in late 3Q17 NewsOne Now will expand to two hours and transition into Black America Today, the only daily news and lifestyle show that covers the issues that matter to the African American community. Hosted by Managing Editor Roland S. Martin, Black America Today will air weekdays on TV One from 7-9 a.m. ET. Each morning, Martin, guest panelists and contributors will cover breaking news, current affairs, entertainment, personal finance, business, health & wellness, and newsmaker profiles. Additionally, Black America Today will feature quarterly primetime specials to inform, inspire and uplift the Black community.
REPRESENTING FAMILY REALITY
New Series
The Manns
The hour-long reality series reveals the often hilarious and sometimes controversial interactions between David and Tamela, their four grown children, eight grandchildren and a slew of friends, extended family and other characters that enrich the lives of the entertainment power couple. With recording careers, touring, filming and managing an outrageous family, The Manns often find themselves negotiating from the conference table to the kitchen table while showing viewers the day-to-day challenges, successes and joy that happen behind the scenes with this beloved couple who has been married for 29 years.
Returning Series
Rickey Smiley For Real (Season 4)
Rickey Smiley For Real takes a humorous look at Rickey Smiley's hectic life as he juggles his career as a nationally syndicated radio host, stand-up comedian, actor, TV personality and businessman along with his daily duties as a single father of five. Being a mega media mogul is not always as glamorous as it's cracked up be, Smiley is constantly pulled in different directions between the demands of fatherhood and the needs of his work family. Nonetheless, he keeps them all laughing while they navigate new experiences together!
REPRESENTING CELEB-REALITY
Returning Series
Unsung (Season 11) and Unsung Hollywood
The five-time NAACP Image Award-winning series Unsung dives into the poignant and untold stories of trailblazing legends from R&B, gospel and hip hop. The series celebrates the lives and careers of artists or groups who despite unparalleled talent have been under-recognized. Upcoming icons set to be featured in the eleventh season of Unsung include Wyclef, Marvin Sapp, Jagged Edge, Switch, The Dramatics and lce-T, the music artist.
Unsung Hollywood tells the full behind-the-scenes stories of the actors, actresses, shows and movies that you never get anywhere else. Previous icons featured include Sammy Davis, Jr., Pam Grier, Bernie Mac, Dick Gregory, Vivica A. Fox, Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, Eartha Kitt, Meagan Good, Charlie Murphy, Hill Harper, Rudy Ray Moore, Joe Morton and Tim Reid. This season, the series will profile The Jeffersons and lce-T, the actor.
REPRESENTING TRUE CRIME & JUSTICE
New Series
Two Sides of the Truth Two Sides of the Truth will generate controversy - but not for controversy's sake. Executive produced by Viola Davis and Lemuel Plummer, with narration by Davis, the purpose of the show is to get people to look twice; to question what they're sure they know; to entertain the idea that while they might be right, that doesn't mean the other perspective isn't also right. Two Sides of the Truth will take viewers on a can'tlook-away, thought-provoking, and emotional journey that will resonate with them the next time they see an unjust shooting. Because of Two Sides of the Truth, viewers across the country may think twice before drawing conclusions.
Evidence of Innocence
Hosted by famed civil rights attorney, Benjamin Crump, Evidence of Innocence profiles the unbelievable true stories of individuals who were convicted of crimes they didn't commit. But, these real-life heroes successfully fought to have their guilty verdicts thrown out and win back their freedom. Post-incarceration, these men now must reenter society to lead lives as husbands, fathers, business leaders and ultimately, champions of those who remain falsely imprisoned.
Hotlanta
Hot/onto follows the real life stories of homicide detectives, Vincent Velazquez and David Quinn, two cops who have worked side-by-side for 15 years and know the city of Atlanta and the people on the streets as well as they know each other. "Vinny" and "Quinn" are the ultimate crime solving odd couple; Quinn's voice starts rising as soon as he gets excited, while Vinny stays cool, calm and collected in any situation. Despite their obvious differences, they have one thing in common: their commitment to solve every murder and bring justice to their victims. Together they're a force to be reckoned with.
#Murder
Crime goes viral in this cutting-edge investigative series that examines crime with a deadly connection to technology and social media. Whether the killer met the victim online, posted incriminating details on his Facebook page, or the cops used social media to hunt down the perpetrator, each episode of #Murder examines how homicide - like everything else in this day and age - has gone digital.
Thou Shalt Not
Thou Shall Not is a one-hour true crime series that pulls back the curtain on individuals who commit the gravest of sins: breaking The Holy Bible's Ten Commandments. Murders, scandals, cover-ups, and affairs are just a few of the unholy crimes featured in each episode's portrayal of Godless behavior. Full of shocking reveals and heart-stopping twists, these sinners don't just break the laws of man ... they break the laws of God.
Returning Series
Justice By Any Means (Season 3)
Hosted by Malik Yoba, Justice By Any Means plunges viewers into amazing true stories of brave African-American men and women who suffered unimaginable loss and then went toe-to-toe with the bad guys - and girls. The show delves not only into real crimes, but real people who fought to bring these crimes to light by any means necessary.
Fatal Attraction (Season 6)
Fatal Attraction dives into real-life stories of criminal acts committed under the guise of love that lead to consequences of deadly proportions. Recounting stories of lovegone-wrong, each episode consists of first-person interviews from loved ones, accounts from investigating officials, interrogation footage, and recreations with haunting cinematography.
For My Man (Season 3)
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 200,000 women in the United States are living behind bars, making women the fastest growing population in the penal system. For My Man is a true crime series featuring the shocking stories of women who have been arrested for crimes they committed in the name of love. From committing a killing spree across the Midwest to acting as an inside informant at the DEA, these women have no limits in terms of how far they will go to support their men.
For My Woman (Season 2)
Coming off the hit For My Man, For My Woman explores the dramatic and often deadly decisions made by men who are blinded by love, abused - physically or mentally - or get the unequivocal thrill that comes with pleasing their woman, often ending in long-lasting consequences they never imagined.
For more information about TV One's upcoming programming, visit the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, lnstagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #Represent and catch clips and promos on TV One's YouTube Channel.
ABOUT TV ONE:
Launched in January 2004, TV One serves more than 60 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult black viewers. The network represents the best in black culture and entertainment with fan favorite shows Unsung, Rickey Smiley For Real, Fatal Attraction, Hollywood Divas and The NAACP Image Awards. In addition, TV One is the cable home of blockbuster drama Empire, and NewsOne Now, the only live daily news program dedicated to black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is solely owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK, www.radio-one.com], the largest African-American owned multi-media company primarily targeting Black and urban audiences.
