Latest from Next TV in Characters-unite

USA to Premiere 'Glory' With Intro by Andre Braugher

MCN Staff — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Continuing its three-year-old Characters Unite Film Series, USA Network will premiere the Academy Award-winning film Glory, the Civil War epic about the Union Army’s first formal unit made up entirely of African-American soldiers.

The Feb, 21 premiere (at 7 p.m. ET) is part of USA's Black History Month and Characters Unite Month programming. Andre Braugher, who made his feature debut in the 1989 film, will introduce it; the telecast will have limited commercial interruptions, USA said.

The network's ongoing Characters Unite campaign, rooted in USA's branding as the "Characters Welcome" network, supports "activities and messaging that combat prejudice and intolerance while promoting understanding and acceptance -- on-air, online, and in communities across the country," USA said; the Characters Unite Film Series, launched in April 2012, aims to stimulate dialogue around social injustice.

Glory is the eighth film in the series. Previous films include Schindler’s List, introduced by its, director Steven Spielberg; Milk, with an introduction by EmmyAward-winner and activist Neil Patrick Harris; and Philadelphia, introduced by President Bill Clinton.

USA, NFL Set `Characters Unite' Documentary

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:15:00 +0000

USA Network will once again team up with the National Football League to create a documentary tied to the network’s Characters Unite pro-social initiative.

The 4th annual NFL Characters Unite documentary will premiere Feb 6 and will profile NFL stars how have faced difficult life challenges. The doc will feature Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles, Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles, Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams and Seatte Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and coach Pete Carroll.

Each player mentors a young person in his community who is currently struggling to fit in, dealing with bullying and/or overcoming adversity by sharing their stories and engaging in confidence-building activities coordinated through local YMCAs, according to the network.

“It’s a privilege to share the courageous and inspiring stories of young people and NFL stars,” said Toby Graff, USA’s senior vice president, public affairs. “We are proud to work with the Y and the NFL to create this film that serves as the centerpiece of our 2014 Characters Unite Month, and can help raise awareness of bullying and change lives.”

USA To Offer Special ‘Do The Right Thing’ Airing

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:00:00 +0000

USA Network tomorrow (Nov. 1) will mark the 25th anniversary of the Spike Lee-produced film Do The Right Thing with a special airing featuring limited commercials.

USA’s airing of the 1989 Academy Award nominated movie about racial tensions in America – part of the network’s Characters Unite Film Series designed to increase awareness of social injustices – will feature an introduction from the film’s lead actress Rosie Perez, according to network officials.

Do The Right Thing is the seventh film aired as part of the Characters Unite Film Series since it launched in 2012, following To Kill A Mockingbird, The Color Purple, Milk, Schindler’s List, In The Heat Of The Night, and Philadelphia.

“Do the Right Thing is one of those rare films that’s as provocative cinematically as it is socially,” said NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Chairman Bonnie Hammer in a statement. “Spike Lee brilliantly applies his innovative visual and storytelling techniques to an exploration of race relations as resonant today as it was twenty-five years ago."

USA Network Announces Characters Unite Award Winners

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 13:30:00 +0000

USA Network Monday announced this year’s 10 Characters Unite Award recipients.

The winners, chosen from hundreds of nominees for their extraordinary efforts in combining hate, intolerance and discrimination, will be acknowledged during hometown award ceremonies and will receive $5,000 grants from USA Network and participating distributors to support their projects or related nonprofit organizations.

Additionally, honorees will be featured on-air in a public service announcement, online at charactersunite.com and in social media, said network officials.

The Character Unite Awards are part of the larger, award-winning Characters Unite campaign that includes on-air programming and public service announcements, digital content and community events across the country, according to USA.

“We congratulate this year’s Characters Unite Award winners for the incredible work they do in their communities to fight discrimination while championing tolerance and acceptance,” said Mac Budill, President, NBCUniversal TV Networks Distribution. “We are proud to partner with our distributors in recognizing these remarkable leaders and their efforts.”

The Characters United Award recipients are as follows:

Ray Kelley, Daytona Beach, FL (Bright House Networks)

Co-Founder, Daytona Outreach Center

Mathylde Frontus, Brooklyn, NY (Cablevision)

Founder and Executive Director, Urban Neighborhood Services, Inc.

Scott Garman, MN (Charter)

Director and Co-Founder, UnityND

Carla Kelley, Salt Lake City, UT (Comcast)

Executive Director and Founder, Human Rights Education Center

Jerald L. White, New Orleans, LA (Cox Communications)

Community Advocate and Founder, Charitable Film Network

Jasmine Babers, Rock Island, IL (Mediacom)

Founder, Love, GIRLS Magazine

Debby Weinstein, Charleston, WV (Suddenlink)

Executive Director, YWCA

Sofia Shield, Los Angeles, CA (Time Warner Cable)

Human Rights Advocate, SURVIVORS SPEAK

Richard Boeshore, Roslyn Heights, NY

Founder, Pine Crest Farm Camp

Tashmica Torok, Lansing, MI

Founder and Executive Director, The Firecracker Foundation