or


[03/11/15 - 09:34 AM]
Smithsonian Channel(TM) Set to Premiere Docu-Series Chronicling Black Gold Rush in North Dakota and Montana
"Boomtowners," comprised of six one-hour episodes, will debut Sunday, April 26 at 9:00/8:00c.

[via press release from Smithsonian Channel]

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) SET TO PREMIERE DOCU-SERIES CHRONICLING BLACK GOLD RUSH IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA

"BOOMTOWNERS"

Six Episode Series To Debut Sunday, April 26 At 9 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK - March 11, 2015 - The oil boom that has been drawing thousands of workers to the Bakken shale region of North Dakota and Montana is the subject of a new Smithsonian Channel docu-series. BOOMTOWNERS, comprised of six one-hour episodes, will debut Sunday, April 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The announcement was made today by David Royle, Executive Vice President of Programming and Production, Smithsonian Channel.

The series chronicles the daily lives of people who live and work in the Bakken region, the epicenter of the area's oil boom. Oil was originally discovered in the area in 1951, but the recent development of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has rapidly transformed the Bakken into one of the world's leading oil-producing regions. Since 2010, when the boom began, production has grown to over one million barrels of oil a day, which has led to lower gas prices in the United States.

But with that black gold, the towns surrounding the Bakken may have been changed forever. And while many seek their fortunes amid the boom, others worry about potential environmental damage from fracking. The region struggles mightily to keep up with the infrastructure needs, housing demands, and the massive influx of workers and their families. Schools are beginning to be overrun and can't keep up with the demand for teachers. Restaurants and grocery stores can't keep employees as many favor the big checks coming from the oil fields.

"The Bakken Boom is a modern-day gold rush, fueled by the American dream of rags to riches," said Royle. "It's like the Wild West all over again, with compelling characters from all walks of life and from all across America seeking their fortunes. And like the Wild West, it's transforming some lives but leaving others with shattered dreams. It is certainly one of the most important economic developments of our time... but at what cost?"

BOOMTOWNERS plunges into the lives of people who are experiencing this historic transformation - like Ben and Phoebe Moorhead, the parents of two young boys who left Phoenix, Arizona for steady work in the Bakken. Ben is a truck driver for one of the oil companies, while Phoebe is a court reporter in Sidney, Montana. They've always talked about doing more with their lives and see the oil boom as a means to get to where they'd really like to be.

The series also follows Ray and Deanna Senior, parents of four, who picked up their entire family and moved from Rancho Mirage, California. They are struggling with their new way of life as Ray works non-stop and the kids are combining teenage angst with their unfamiliar surroundings. Judge Greg Mohr of Sidney, Montana experiences the dark side of the boom in a way few, if any, can. Every day his courtroom is packed, so he knows firsthand the pitfalls of a boom town. "No one could sit there and predict what was going to happen," Judge Mohr says of the early days. "We woke up and here's an 800-pound gorilla in bed with us called the Bakken."

Others followed in BOOMTOWNERS include Sean Banks, a street preacher/oil worker, who spreads his gospel to anyone who will listen and even some who don't; Dan and Hannah Dooley, who see the Bakken boom as their ticket to entrepreneurial wealth; Tony Miller, an oil supervisor who has put his career before his happiness; Sandi Beagle Angel, a lifelong resident of Sidney, who yearns for the town she grew up in, not the one it has become; and Travis and Justin, young men in their late 20's who know that it takes hard work to unearth the riches of the Bakken.

On April 19 Smithsonian Channel will make the first episode of BOOMTOWNERS available for free at www.smithsonianchannel.com/boomtowners, as well as on its mobile platforms, and on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

The series is produced by Partners in Motion in association with Smithsonian Channel and Landmark Media Productions. Executive Producer for Partners in Motion is Jeff Stecyk and Supervising Producer is Steve Allen. Production Executive for Landmark Media is Peter Hartogs and Supervising Producer is Michael Watts. Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel are Tim Evans, David Royle and Charles Poe.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, L.A. Frock Stars, Secrets, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Find out more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.





  [march 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BOOMTOWNERS (SMITH)





[10/30/25 - 11:03 AM]
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" Three-Part Reunion Begins Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Host Andy Cohen is joined by Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti and Katie Ginella to reflect on an emotionally charged season 19 that led to shifting alliances and broken trust within the group.

[10/30/25 - 10:52 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer and Theatrical Release Dates for Award-Winning "The Tale of Silyan"
The award-winning documentary will make its theatrical debut this fall, opening in select U.S. theaters on November 28 and in U.K. cinemas on December 12.

[10/30/25 - 10:33 AM]
FX's "Adults" Renewed for Second Season on Hulu
The comedy follows a group of twenty-somethings in New York trying to be good people, despite being neither "good" nor "people" yet.

[10/30/25 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu's "King of the Hill" Renewed for Seasons 16 and 17
The upcoming 15th season of "King of the Hill" will premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US, and on Disney+ internationally in 2026.

[10/30/25 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Unveils Trailer Full of Sex and Slaughter for "Spartacus: House of Ashur" Premiering December 5
The outrageous new chapter in the world of "Spartacus" debuts with a two-episode premiere on Friday, December 5.

[10/30/25 - 08:06 AM]
ID November Programming Highlights
Look for newcomers "The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder" and "Who Hired the Hitman?" alongside new seasons of "Body Cam" and "The Murder Tapes."

[10/30/25 - 06:38 AM]
FOX Nation to Premiere Season II of "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints" on Sunday, November 16
Hosted, narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the exclusive docudrama continues to illuminate the extraordinary lives of men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait - faith.

[10/30/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Stranger Things 5" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With Hawkins under lockdown, El in hiding and danger lurking at every turn, the entire party unites with a single goal: to hunt and kill Vecna.

[10/30/25 - 12:01 AM]
Deck the Halls This Holiday Season with Apple TV
Get in the spirit with originals including "The Velveteen Rabbit," "Spirited" and "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," and themed specials from "The Snoopy Show," "Frog and Toad," "Shape Island," "Fraggle Rock," "Eva the Owlet" and more!

[10/29/25 - 11:43 PM]
Video: "Baramulla" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A dark secret comes to light. If you saw the truth, would you believe it?

[10/29/25 - 04:03 PM]
UPtv Adds Two More Premiere Movies to Its "Most Uplifting Christmas Ever" Lineup
The new titles just added to the lineup are "A Soldier for Christmas" premiering Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m. ET and "The Best Thing About Christmas" premiering Saturday, December 20 at 8 p.m. ET.

[10/29/25 - 02:11 PM]
NBC Unveils Lineup of New and Returning Beloved Holiday Programming
"These holiday events and specials bring audiences together in ways nothing else can," said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. "NBC is your home for heartwarming traditions, joyful celebrations, and unforgettable moments."

[10/29/25 - 11:37 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Inks First-Look Deal with Golden Globe-Winning and Academy Award and Emmy-Nominated Powerhouse Taraji P. Henson's TPH Entertainment
Under this partnership, Henson will serve as executive producer and content originator for both scripted and unscripted television programming, spanning comedy, drama, and reality formats.

[10/29/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Wins Hostage Thriller "Rabbit, Rabbit" in a Competitive Situation; Orders Hot Package Straight to Series
Starring Adam Driver, the series comes from writer Peter Craig and director Philip Barantini.

[10/29/25 - 10:00 AM]
Acorn TV's Fan Favorite Crime Drama "Harry Wild" Returns for a Feature-Length Special on November 24
The special will wrap up season four of the series where, after an apparent poisoning occurs at Vicky's (Danielle Ryan) and Cormac's (Muiris Crowley) wedding, Harry (Jane Seymour) springs into action, alongside the FBI.