Via press release –TV One today announced changes to its first quarter 2013 primetime lineup, which include new premiere dates for returning docu-series Unsung and its latest scripted comedy, Belle’s. Additionally, the critically acclaimed docu-drama Find Our Missing, hosted by Award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order), will move to a new night. The latest lineup is designed to further bolster TV One’s ever-growing roster of new and original programing as well as the network’s dynamic slate of acquisitions and classic programming.
“TV One strives to provide our audience with diverse content and we are confident that these changes will allow us to best spotlight our new and returning series,” said Maureen Guthman, TV One Senior VP, Program Strategy & Acquisitions. “As we seek to grow our content base, we will continue to identify and present the most compelling viewing options providing a robust slate of programing for our viewers each night of the week.”
TV One’s LATEST First Quarter 2013 Programming Lineup is as follows:
- Find Our Missing – Season Two premieres Wednesday, January 9 at 9:00 PM ET and will move to Monday nights, beginning January 14 at 9:00 PM ET. Hosted by award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order), the docu-drama works with the Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI) to put names and faces to people of color who have disappeared without a trace. Stories profiled this season include that of a Hunter College student last seen leaving New York’s Port Authority, a 19-year-old in Syracuse who disappeared after attending a high school basketball game, and the disappearance of Terrance Deon Williams of Naples, FL, who is the second man to go missing after an encounter with the local Sheriff Deputy. Tyler Perry and Rev. Al Sharpton are featured in the episode as part of the effort to bring national attention to the Williams’ case. The critically acclaimed series is produced by Towers Productions for TV One.
- Unsung – Season Six premieres Wednesday, January 23 at 10:00 PM ET. The award-winning docu-series celebrates the lives and careers of successful artists or groups, who, despite great talent have been under-recognized over the years. The featured artists have contributed significantly to popular culture and have compelling life stories, the details of which have largely remained untold. Artists whose praises Unsung will sing this season include Isaac Hayes, Midnight Star, EPMD, Lou Rawls, Eddie Kendricks, The Whispers, Mint Condition, Johnny Gill. And, in a ground-breaking two hour special on Disco, Unsung tells the definitive tale of an American phenomenon, featuring two dozen musical performances, and commentary by legendary Disco survivors Gloria Gaynor, Nile Rodgers, Thelma Houston, The Village People, KC of the Sunshine Band, and many more. A. Smith & Co. produces Unsung for TV One.
- Belle’s – Season premieres Friday, February 1 with back-to-back episodes at 10:00 PM ET and 10:30 PM ET. TV One’s newest scripted comedy centers around widower William “Big Bill” Cooper who owns and operates his family’s upscale soul food restaurant and stars Emmy® Award-winning actor Keith David (The Cape, Crash), Elise Neal (All of Us, The Hughley’s), Tami Roman (Vh-1’s Basketball Wives), Ella Joyce (Roc) and Miguel Núñez (Juwanna Mann), and introduces young actress Nadja Alaya. The half-hour series is co-created and executive produced by legendary Emmy® Award-winning producer Ed. Weinberger (Taxi, The Cosby Show), Belle’s co-star Miguel Núñez and Oscar Turner for Gallery Road Productions.
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves more than 57 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies, and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers