TV One to broadcast ‘Roots’ to mark 30^th anniversary of epic mini-series

(March 8, 2007) TV One is bringing Roots, the epic mini-series that 30 years ago changed the face of television, to a new generation of viewers when the network debuts the 12-hour award-winning television event beginning Easter Sunday, April 8.  
 
The Emmy-, Golden Globe- and Peabody Award-winning miniseries, which follows several generations of an enslaved family from Africa in the 1700s to emancipation during the Civil War, will air in six parts from 8-10 PM Sunday, April 8 through Thursday, April 13, repeating each evening at 10 PM and the following day at noon, with the finale airing on Sunday, April 15, at 8 and 10 PM, repeating on April 16 at noon (all times ET).  
 
This historic series, based on the late Alex Haley's best-selling book about his ancestors, begins with the harrowing story of Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton), a young West African who is captured by slave traders in 1750 and sold into slavery in America, and the saga continues through the emancipation of Chicken George (Ben Vereen), Kunta Kinte's grandson.  

"Roots was landmark television for all of American society, but especially for African Americans, for we had never before seen our story on television, and rarely even seen ourselves portrayed as multi-dimensional individuals," said TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers. "While a lot has changed in 30 years, Roots continues to be powerful television and an important lesson in our country's history. We are delighted to bring it back to viewers who remember it as children and young adults, as well as introduce this groundbreaking saga to a whole new generation of viewers of all ethnicities."  

Still the top-rated mini-series of all time, Roots in its initial airing on ABC was watched - in full or in part - in 85 percent of U.S. homes, a staggering number even in an era when there were only three television networks. The mini-series captivated the American television audience and became a social phenomenon unlike any other program of its time. Roots served as a catalyst for national discussions about race, the legacy of slavery, African American history and launched a new passion for family history and genealogy, especially among African Americans.  

An award-winning producer and director, Levar Burton has signed on to work with TV One on developing original content to support TV One's telecast of the mini-series, including interstitial vignettes, online elements for www.tvoneonline.com, and content designed for the education community.  
 
"I'm thrilled that TV One has become the new home for Roots," said Burton. "Roots is part of our common history, and is as relevant today as when it was first broadcast 30 years ago."  
 
TV One is bringing Roots to the screen through a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution, Unavailable on DVD since 2004, Warner Home Video will also re-release Roots in a 30th Anniversary Special Edition that includes an additional new bonus disc of special features on May 22, 2007.  


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