or


[01/14/13 - 10:51 AM]
USA Network Partners with National Football League on 2nd Annual "NFL Characters Unite" Documentary
Larry Fitzgerald, Jameel McClain, Troy Polamalu and Justin Tuck are featured in the one-hour special, airing Friday, February 8 at 7:00/6:00c.

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE ON 2ND ANNUAL "NFL CHARACTERS UNITE" DOCUMENTARY PROFILING STAR PLAYERS LARRY FITZGERALD, JAMEEL MCCLAIN, TROY POLAMALU AND JUSTIN TUCK

One-Hour Film from The Hochberg Ebersol Company Will Follow NFL Stars as They Help Young People Tackle Issues of Prejudice and Discrimination They Encountered in Their Own Lives

Premieres Friday, February 8 at 7/6c as Part of USA's Characters Unite Month

NEW YORK - January 14, 2012 - In partnership with the NFL, USA Network is producing the 2nd annual NFL CHARACTERS UNITE documentary to premiere during the week after Super Bowl XLVII on Friday, February 8 at 7pmET. The film, part of USA's award-winning Characters Unite public service campaign to combat prejudice and discrimination, will feature Arizona Cardinals 2009 Pro Bowl MVP wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain, Pittsburgh Steelers seven-time Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck. All four players have had enormous success on the field after overcoming obstacles of prejudice and discrimination in their personal lives.

The documentary profiles the NFL stars as they share their deeply personal stories - from Jameel McClain feeling ostracized when his family was homeless and Justin Tuck enduring bullying while trying to succeed in school, to Larry Fitzgerald witnessing discrimination during his mother's battle with cancer and Troy Polamalu learning to embrace his heritage and unique look. The players also go back to their respective communities to meet a child or teenager currently facing the same challenges and adversity. Through meaningful conversation and specially tailored confidence-building activities, the NFL stars help the young people realize how they too can overcome the bullying, prejudice and intolerance they have experienced and move on to achieve their own greatness.

"In our second NFL CHARACTERS UNITE documentary, we are honored to be able to share the courageous and inspiring stories of some of today's greatest NFL heroes and to showcase their commitments to help kids in their communities overcome bullying and discrimination," said Toby Graff, USA's senior vice president, public affairs. "We are proud to continue our partnership with the NFL to create this powerful film that will serve as a programming centerpiece of the 2013 Characters Unite Month."

"This collaboration with USA and the NFL has become a fantastic annual celebration for our company as we are inspired each year by the tireless efforts of our football heroes' efforts to improve the lives of America's youth," said Charlie Ebersol, executive producer and co-founder of The Hochberg Ebersol Company.

"Working with USA Network on NFL Characters Unite as well as our upcoming series "The Moment" makes us realize that dreams do come true and we feel privileged to play a part in helping these four teens get a second chance," added Justin Hochberg, executive producer and co-founder of The Hochberg Ebersol Company.

"Larry, Jameel, Troy and Justin are incredible role models off the field as they are inspirational players on the field," said Tracy Perlman, NFL vice president of entertainment marketing and promotions. "We are pleased to once again work with USA and The Hochberg Ebersol Company to share their important stories."

The documentary, created by The Hochberg Ebersol Company and executive produced by company co-founders Charlie Ebersol and Justin W. Hochberg, was produced by Paul Pawlowski and P3 Entertainment and directed by Ezra Edelman (HBO's Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals). It will premiere in February as part of Characters Unite Month, a time when the network shines an even brighter spotlight on the importance of promoting greater respect and acceptance through on-air programming, digital content and community events. For more information on CHARACTERS UNITE, visit www.usanetwork.com.

ABOUT USA NETWORK The #1 network in all of basic cable for seven consecutive years, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. Viewers come to USA to find television's best in critically-acclaimed and award-winning original programming, such as BURN NOTICE, ROYAL PAINS, WHITE COLLAR, COVERT AFFAIRS, PSYCH, SUITS, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS and WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, as well as the highest-rated acquired originals, including HOUSE, NCIS, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT and CSI. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

ABOUT THE HOCHBERG EBERSOL COMPANY

The Hochberg Ebersol Company (THE Company) was founded in 2010 by entertainment industry veteran Justin Hochberg and television/film producer Charlie Ebersol. THE Company creates, packages and produces groundbreaking programming in the unscripted, multi-camera comedy, docu-series, and competition formats, for a range of leading broadcast and cable networks. Credits include TNT's first reality series "The Great Escape," which was produced with Hollywood greats Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and Bertam van Muster, the USA documentary "NFL Characters Unite," which returns this February, USA's first reality show "The Moment," premiering this spring as well as a new competition series for Reelz Channel, "Race to the Scene" hosted by action star Dolph Lundergren. In addition to developing, producing and distributing dynamic television programming, THE Company operates a full-service branded entertainment agency alongside the traditional production company. Its clients have included "Shaq Vs.," Dick Clark Productions and "Hell's Kitchen" for Fox, as well as over a hundred advertising companies including DirecTV, NASCAR, Skype, Caesar's Palace, Proctor & Gamble, Notre Dame college, the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, Camping World and Sports Illustrated. THE Company also operates its own in-house post facilities, which includes CGI capabilities. THE Company is represented by Michael Kagan at ICM and Bill Abrams of Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP.





  [january 2013]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[12/17/24 - 03:31 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in All Key Demos for the Week of Dec. 9 Versus CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night With Seth Meyers"
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week across the board: Total Viewers (+16% - 840,000 vs. 725,000), Adults 25-54 (+76% - 215,000 vs. 122,000) and Adults 18-49 (+90% - 129,000 vs. 68,000).

[12/17/24 - 03:30 PM]
ABC News Studios Announces "Manhunt: Luigi Mangione and the CEO Murder - A Special Edition of 20/20," Airing Dec. 19 at 10:01 P.M. EST on ABC
The one-hour film takes a deep dive into a story that riveted the nation, providing a minute-by-minute investigation of the cold-blooded execution of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the shocking social media backlash that turned the alleged murderer into a folk hero for some.

[12/17/24 - 12:20 PM]
BET Announces Premiere of "BET Year in Black 2024," Presented by Ford - An Entertaining Recap of the Year's Most Unforgettable Moments in Black Culture
The special will premiere on Sunday, December 29 at 7 PM ET/PT, with an encore airing on Monday, December 30 at 10 PM ET/PT on BET and BET HER.

[12/17/24 - 12:02 PM]
Apple's Acclaimed Hit Comedy "Bad Monkey" Lands Season Two Renewal
"Since 'Bad Monkey' first made its debut on Apple TV+, this highly entertaining series became an instant fan favorite," said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+.

[12/17/24 - 12:00 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Dec. 15: "Carry-On" Lifts Off and "Black Doves" Fly High in Netflix's Top 10 This Week
Jamie Foxx's stand-up special "What Had Happened Was..." hit No. 2 (8.2 million views), and "Dead to Me" creator Liz Feldman's new murder mystery "No Good Deed" landed at No. 3 (6 million views).

[12/17/24 - 11:12 AM]
"Abbott Elementary" Holiday Special Delivers Glad Tidings - Rising +129% in Total Viewers and +410% in Adults 18-49 over Initial Live+Same Day Audience
After seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, the "Abbott Elementary" holiday special "Winter Show" delivered holiday cheer, jumping to 6.66 million Total Viewers and 2.14 rating in Adults 18-49.

[12/17/24 - 11:01 AM]
Two New Levels Unlocked - Largest Debut for a New Animated Series and a Season 2 of "Secret Level"!
Prime Video confirmed the news on social media this morning.

[12/17/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: New Netflix Featurette Uncovers the Making of "American Primeval"
Shot on location in New Mexico, the limited series is a fictionalized dramatization and examination of the violent collision of culture, religion, and community as men and women fight and die to keep or claim the lands that make up the brutal frontier of 1857.

[12/17/24 - 10:01 AM]
"IHeartradio Jingle Ball 2024" Broadcast Lineup Announced
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Elvis Duran, the special features this year's biggest artists, including Katy Perry, twenty one pilots, Tate McRae, Meghan Trainor, Teddy Swims, T-Pain, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Madison Beer, Kane Brown, Paris Hilton, The Kid LAROI, Shaboozey and NCT Dream.

[12/17/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "Henry Danger The Movie" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
After meeting Kid Danger superfan Missy Martin and being pulled into a portal that opens alternate realities, Henry and his inexperienced new sidekick must find their way back to Dystopia... or be trapped forever.

[12/17/24 - 08:50 AM]
Video: Watch the Trailer for "Ghosts'" Newest Hour-Long "Ghostsmas" Special, Airing Thursday, Dec. 19 on CBS
In the one-hour special, a leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay's hard-to-please dad, Mahesh (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey), and sister Bela (Punam Patel).

[12/17/24 - 08:09 AM]
Max Celebrates the Return of the HBO Original Series "The White Lotus" with an Exclusive Wellness Retreat and Brand Partnerships
Efforts kick off on Wednesday, February 5, with The White Lotus at Four Seasons, Presented by American Express - an exclusive luxury wellness retreat that captures the essence of this upcoming season's hotel and spa in Thailand.

[12/17/24 - 08:05 AM]
TBS Sets Premiere Date for Re-Imagined Reality Hoax "The Joe Schmo Show" for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9PM ET/PT
Hosted by Cat Deeley, the show-within-a show takes aim at the absurdity of reality TV by making Ben, an electrician from Baltimore, believe he is competing for a chance to win $100,000 on a popular game show when he is, in fact, surrounded by a cast of highly skilled improv comedians.

[12/17/24 - 08:02 AM]
Netflix Announces Knockout New Sports Series on Mike Tyson
Known as the youngest heavyweight champion in history (at the age of 20 in 1986), Tyson's legacy extends far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring, cementing him as one of the most compelling and polarizing figures of our time.

[12/17/24 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount Adds "The Big Bang Theory" to Nick at Nite and MTV Lineups
Both brands will kick off their debut with marathon stunts tailored to their audiences.