NEW ORIGINAL SERIES "BLACKBOARD WARS" WILL PREMIERE THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT ON OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

Premiere Immediately Follows Special "Oprah's Next Chapter" Featuring Interview with Superstar Beyoncé

Los Angeles - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network to premiere the new original docu-series "Blackboard Wars," depicting the dramatic transformation of New Orleans' John McDonogh High School, this Saturday, February 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (previously March 2).

The premiere will immediately follow a special "Oprah's Next Chapter" at 8 p.m. ET/PT featuring Winfrey's interview with Beyoncé about the making of her upcoming documentary "Beyoncé: Life Is But A Dream."

"Blackboard Wars" centers on a high school tarnished by failing academic performance and stigmatized by a culture of violence. Granted unprecedented access, cameras go behind the scenes to follow no-nonsense principal Dr. Marvin Thompson and education maverick Steve Barr as they embark together on an unpredictable mission to reinvent and revive the struggling school. Throughout the series, viewers will witness the daily challenges the staff face as their students struggle with a range of emotionally demanding obstacles including homelessness, violence, drug use and teenage pregnancy. Tensions mount as teachers work to earn the trust of thestudents amidst intense scrutiny from the community.

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011 on what was the Discovery Health Channel and is in approximately 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. Follow on Twitter @Oprah and @OWNTV.