NBC TO BROADCAST "THE 43RD NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" IN LIVE, TWO-HOUR EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - January 17, 2012 - NBC will broadcast "The 43rd NAACP Image Awards," a live, two-hour special on Friday, February 17 (8-10 p.m. ET) that will showcase the best achievements and performances of people of color in the arts featuring a star-studded lineup of performers, winners and presenters.

The announcement was made today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment.

"NBC is honored to fully partner with the NAACP in a greater effort to celebrate the many deserving diverse artists who have entertained and influenced us in the past year," said Greenblatt. "Viewers can share in the joy that we will see on-stage as a vast spectrum of performers will entertain them in an exciting live venue."

"We are happy to be coming home to NBC this year," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "The NAACP Image Awards is the nation's premier event that spotlights the outstanding achievements of people of color in the arts as well as those who promote social justice through their creative endeavors. We are excited to honor their efforts this year."

Nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 19, and will include contributions in television, film, music and literature.

Founded on February 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its one-half million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP Image Awards, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net.

The awards event is a production of Vicangelo Films. The executive producer is Vicangelo Bulluck.