Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - December 17, 2002
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks has reached an agreement with RCN Entertainment to produce a 10-part series entitled WHAT'S GOING ON?, which will premiere on SHOWTIME January 19th at 7:30 p.m. WHAT'S GOING ON?, an original family documentary series, goes beyond the news headlines to examine critical global issues through the eyes of children. It will explain the origins of the problems, put a human face on the issues and promote a message of tolerance and understanding. Hosted by celebrities including Danny Glover, Angelina Jolie, Jeff Bridges, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas, WHAT'S GOING ON? celebrates the universal elements of childhood around the world. Following the SHOWTIME premiere, WHAT'S GOING ON? will air on the network's multiplex channel, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE beginning in February 2003.
The 10-part series will kick off with an episode hosted by UN Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover on January 19 at 7:30 PM (ET/PT), and will focus on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Caribbean. This special presentation is in support of Viacom's recently announced multi-year HIV/AIDS initiative, which launches on January 6. This Viacom initiative, in conjunction with the Kaiser Family Foundation, was created in an effort to educate people about this disease and how it can be prevented.
Other celebrity hosts include Oscar(TM)-winning and Emmy(R)-nominated actress Angelina Jolie ("Girl, Interrupted," "George Wallace"), also a UN Goodwill Ambassador, who will host a segment on refugees in Tanzania, Oscar(R) nominee Jeff Bridges ("K-Pax," "Starman," "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and SHOWTIME's "Hidden In America") who will do a special on hunger in the United States, Oscar(R) nominee Laurence Fishburne ("The Matrix", "What's Love Got to do With It") who will host a special on land mines in Cambodia and Oscar(R) winner Michael Douglas ("Wall Street," "Traffic," "Wonder Boys"), who will serve as child labour in Brazil; slums in India, and more. WHAT'S GOING ON? will be there on the ground -- meeting real kids, in real places and telling their stories. The series will demonstrate the shared experiences of children around the world, even those on opposing sides of a conflict.
"The United Nations believes this innovative television series will allow family audiences to discover what life is really like for millions of children in developing countries. They'll also learn about the critical issues shaping our world," said Carmel Mulvany, Manager of the UN Works Programme, which developed the series with RCNE.
RCN Entertainment's (RCNE) co-presidents, Nicole Silver and Orly Wiseman (producers of the award winning series "Reading Rainbow"), will serve as executive producers for the SHOWTIME series of specials.
About the United Nations
The United Nations, with 190 member Governments, brings countries together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people.
The UN Works Programme aims to educate and inform audiences about critical global issues, through media partnerships, its website and other promotional and educational outreach activities. The website profiles the lives of real people and also provides links to projects, partnerships and information about how the United Nations and its partners work together to improve the lives of ordinary people everywhere. Media outreach with Discovery Communications Inc., highlight global issues such as cultural diversity and endangered languages; and threats to the world's rich biodiversity on the Animal Planet Channels.
About Showtime Networks:
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
About RCN Entertainment RCN Entertainment (RCNE), headquartered in New York, creates, develops and produces quality television programming and feature films for the entire family.
The wholly owned subsidiary of RCN Corporation is jointly run by Nicole Silver and Orly Wiseman -- two creative veterans of acclaimed family entertainment.
In addition to Reading Rainbow RCNE has an impressive library of award-winning programming including Outward Bound which has aired on DiscoveryKids for the last three seasons; The Zack Files, now in its second season, is an international co-production with Decode Entertainment. RCNE is in development on such projects as: The Watsons, a television series based on the award-winning novel (The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963); The Giver, a feature film adaptation of Lois Lowry's 1994 novel, which partners four-time Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges (who intends to star in the title role) and his AsIs Productions along with RCNE and Walden Media; and the feature film, Monster, based on the award-winning book of the same title by Walter Dean Myers.
SOURCE Showtime Networks
021217
PR021233
Copyright © 2002 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .