THE BEATLES, BOB GELDOF AND THE CLASH COME TO BBC AMERICA

- A MONTH OF ICONIC MUSIC PROGRAMMING IN DECEMBER -

The BBC is renowned around the world for the exceptional quality and diversity of its music and now BBC AMERICA is getting into the game by bringing some of Britain's strongest content to this side of the Pond. Throughout the month of December, the channel will air Rockingham Palace, a variety of programming aimed at the music lover in all of us. This will include the U.S premiere of When Harvey Met Bob, the dramatization of the two men who brought about one of the most iconic music moments in the 20th-century, Live Aid; several remarkable documentaries about two of England's biggest musical exports, The Beatles and The Clash; and a special day of programming to commemorate the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death.

Starring Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows) as Bob Geldof and Ian Hart (Backbeat, Five Daughters) as Harvey Goldsmith, and marking the 25th anniversary of Live Aid, When Harvey Met Bob dramatizes the events that led up to the biggest televised international charity concert the world has ever seen. In October 1984, Bob Geldof arrives home to find his wife watching a BBC broadcast from the feeding camps in the Eritrea province. Deeply affected, Geldof moves into action. First he persuades a host of rock stars to give their name and talent for free to the Band Aid record - Do They Know It's Christmas? - which goes on to sell millions of copies. But after returning from Ethiopia to ensure the proceeds from the record actually reach the starving, he realizes that so much more needs to be done. It is at this point that he conceives the idea of a global music event to feed the world and partners with Harvey Goldsmith, the famous and well respected music promoter. When Harvey Met Bob follows the duo on a roller-coaster ride of struggles and emotion as they go from a mad-cap idea and a list of unconfirmed acts, to one of the most iconic events in modern history. When Harvey Met Bob premieres Thursday, December 30, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

This December also marks the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's tragic death. In honor of his monumental contribution to the music world, BBC AMERICA is airing a day of programming devoted to the artist. On December 8, the channel will broadcast three documentaries celebrating Lennon including the U.S premiere of The Beatles: From Liverpool to San Francisco, which follows the band's rise to fame; the critically acclaimed documentary, Imagine: John Lennon; and the behind-the-scenes documentary, The Beatles Biggest Secrets. In addition, the channel will air the movie, Backbeat, which stars Stephen Dorff and dramatizes the early history of The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany. The Lennon Anniversary programming starts on Sunday, December 8, 10:00a.m. ET/PT.

Also as part of BBC AMERICA's month of music programming, the channel will host the U.S. premiere of The Rebel Truce: The Clash, which recounts the history of one of the most influential British punk rock bands of all time. The film offers a glimpse behind the personalities of the band, their highs and lows, endless touring schedules and ultimately their global success. Through candid conversations with Clash front-man Mick Jones, as well as archive interviews with the band, this is the first time that the band's full history is told. The Rebel Truce also features an interview with legendary punk filmmaker Don Letts, who shares his personal archive of unseen Clash footage. The Rebel Truce: The Clash premieres Sunday, December 12, 10:00p.m. ET/PT.

Finally, December brings you the soundtracks of The Commitments and Billy Elliot with the BBC AMERICA premieres of each of the beloved films. The Commitments premieres Saturday, December 4, 7:30p.m. ET/PT; Billy Elliot premieres Saturday, December 4, 5:00p.m. ET/PT.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 68 million homes.