THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA ANNOUNCES INITIAL LINEUP FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL PALEYFEST LOS ANGELES

THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING TELEVISION WILL HONOR SERIES INCLUDING: AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL, BLACK-ISH, EMPIRE, POWER, AND SCREAM QUEENS

MARCH 11-20, 2016, AT THE DOLBY THEATRE

Citi Returns as the Official Card of PaleyFest LA

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 12, 2016 -The Paley Center for Media today announced FX's American Horror Story: Hotel; ABC's black-ish; FOX's Empire; STARZ's Power; and FOX's Scream Queens as the first honorees to be revealed for the 33rd annual PaleyFest Los Angeles, the William S. Paley Television Festival, celebrating television's most acclaimed series. PaleyFest LA returns to Hollywood's iconic Dolby Theatre from March 11-20, 2016, and will again grant fans access to special screenings and exclusive conversations with the stars and creative minds behind their favorite TV shows. More PaleyFest LA 2016 shows will be announced on Tuesday, January 19.

"The Paley Center could not be more thrilled for the 33rd annual PaleyFest LA, continuing our mission to bring fans together with the biggest stars and creative forces behind our most beloved television programs," said Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media.

Citi returns as the Official Card of PaleyFest LA, offering its cardmembers special presale access to tickets. Paley Center Patron and Supporting Members and Citi cardmembers can enjoy a presale for PaleyFest LA 2016 Showrunner and Studio Passes, as well as individual tickets on Tuesday, January 12. PaleyFest LA 2016 Showrunner and Studio Passes and individual tickets will be available for purchase to Paley Center Individual Members on Thursday, January 14, and to the general public beginning Friday, January 15. All tickets can be purchased through paleyfest.org.

The Paley App and the Paley website are destinations for ongoingPaleyFest LA 2016 announcements, and are portals to ticket sales and content including photos and video clips from Festival events. Fans are invited to follow @paleycenter on Twitter for immediate news and for live tweeting from the events, and to join in the conversation with #PaleyFest. For more information on tickets and to download the Paley App, please visit paleyfest.org.

The Paley Center for Media's PaleyFest, with festivals in both Los Angeles and New York City annually, has become a destination event for the worldwide community of television fans. The Festival benefits the Paley Center's preservation and archival digitization efforts, and its ongoing mission to explore the significant impact of media on our culture and society. The Paley Center is home to one of the nation's foremost publically accessible archives of television, radio, and new media content, over 160,000 programs spanning the history of media.

ThePaleyFest LA2016 initial panelist lineup is as follows:

Friday, March 11: Opening Night Presentation: Empire (7:30pm)
Moderator: TBA
Terrence Howard, "Lucious Lyon"
Taraji P. Henson, "Cookie Lyon"
Jussie Smollett, "Jamal Lyon"
Bryshere Gray, "Hakeem Lyon"
Trai Byers, "Andre Lyon"
Grace Gealey, "Anika Calhoun"
Kaitlin Doubleday, "Rhonda Lyon"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Becky"
Ta'Rhonda Jones, "Porsha"
Serayah, "Tiana Brown"
Lee Daniels, Co-Creator & Executive Producer
Danny Strong, Co-Creator & Executive Producer
Ilene Chaiken, Executive Producer
Brian Grazer, Executive Producer

Saturday, March 12: Scream Queens (7:00pm)
Moderator: TBA
Emma Roberts, "Chanel Oberlin"
Jamie Lee Curtis, "Dean Cathy Munsch"
Lea Michele, "Hester Ulrich"
Abigail Breslin, "Chanel #5"
Skyler Samuels, "Grace Gardner"
Keke Palmer, "Zayday Williams"
Billie Lourd, "Chanel #3"
Niecy Nash, "Officer Denise Hemphill"

Sunday, March 13: black-ish (2:00pm)
Moderator: TBA
Anthony Anderson, "Andre 'Dre' Johnson" & Executive Producer
Tracee Ellis Ross, "Rainbow Johnson"
Yara Shahidi, "Zoey Johnson"
Marcus Scribner, "Andre Johnson, Jr."
Miles Brown, "Jack Johnson"
Marsai Martin, "Diane Johnson"
Kenya Barris, Creator & Executive Producer
Jonathan Groff, Executive Producer

Sunday, March 20: Power (2:00pm)
Moderator: TBA
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, "Kanan" & Executive Producer
Omari Hardwick, "James 'Ghost' St. Patrick"
Lela Loren, "Angela Valdes"
Naturi Naughton, "Tasha St. Patrick"
Joseph Sikora, "Tommy Egan"
Courtney Kemp Agboh, Creator, Showrunner, and Executive Producer

Sunday, March 20: Closing Night Presentation: American Horror Story: Hotel (7:00pm)
Moderator: TBA
Sarah Paulson, "Sally"
Kathy Bates, "Iris"
Angela Bassett,"Ramona"
Chloe Sevigny, "Alex Lowe"
Evan Peters,"Mr. James March"
Wes Bentley, "John Lowe"
Cheyenne Jackson, "Will Drake"
Denis O'Hare, "Liz Taylor"

*Panelists to appear schedule permitting. All events and panelists are subject to change. Please visit paleyfest.org for updates.

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About The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org