National Geographic to Air 'City So Real' Documentary Series Commercial-Free

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Five-hour event to air Oct. 29

(Image credit: National Geographic)

National Geographic will air the five-part documentary series City So Real commercial-free on Oct. 29, the network said Thursday.

The series, from filmmakers Steve James and Zak Piper, focuses on Chicago, offering a complex portrait of the city set against the backdrop of the 2019 mayoral election, said the network. 

During the unprecedented telecast, National Geographic will offer PSAs encouraging viewers to vote in the upcoming election as part of a new partnership with the I am a voter organization. 

National Geographic is also launching an educational campaign, which will provide City So Real to classrooms across the country through virtual screenings to help further the dialog, voter resources and a voter guide to highlight the importance of local elections.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.