2015 was a great year for TV One – its best year ever – the network announced today in a press release that also includes announcements of new movies, series and specials that will premiere on the network during the first quarter of this year, including its first-ever Black History in the Making Month programming slate.
"In 2015, TV One posted its best Primetime & Total Day performances of All Time among Women 25-54. In addition to this, TV One’s record-setting 2015 year in Primetime ranked #2 in the network’s history among our remaining key demo targets: P25-54, Women 18-49, P18-49 ," said Brad Siegel, TV One’s President. "Our commitment to aggressively produce, premiere and market more original content is proving to be a successful strategy. In 2016, we will continue to grow TV One’s audience and attract new viewers through a double-digit increase in original programming. TV One’s originals are truly appointment viewing and always outperform the time period."
The rest of the story, including a summary at what’s coming soon, follows below…
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– In celebration of Black History Month, TV One is debuting "Change Agents: History in the Making," 21 short films produced by four award-winning content creators – American Black Film Festival winner Alton Glass (CRU); Jeanine Daniels, acclaimed director, producer, writer and actress of wildly popular web series "The Guy" on Black&Sexy TV and creator of "The Couple" for the preceding network, which is now in development at HBO; NAACP Image Award winner P. Frank Williams ("Unsung"); and Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Rhymefest (co-writer "Jesus Walks" and "Glory").
TV One’s "Change Agents: History in the Making" short films will focus on current day achievers and change agents from college campuses, the community, corporate America, government, technology, medicine, and beyond, who are making changes in the African American community and making history. Their stories focus on people making history by defying expectations.
Each filmmaker will do a thematic series of 5-6 short films showcasing unexpected and inspirational stories of often unknown and unrecognized individuals: "Becoming the Change" (Alton Glass), "Social Media Movement" (Jeanine Daniels), "Without Words" (P. Frank Williams) and "Turn Up Black History" (Rhymefest). Throughout February, TV One’s "Change Agents: History in the Making" will premiere every weeknight at 10 p.m. ET, followed by the posting of a longer version (up to two-and-a-half minutes) on www.tvone.tv.
ORIGINAL SERIES
Monday-Friday, 7-8 a.m. ET: LIVE Daily News
– "News One Now" Hosted by Roland S. Martin
Emanating from the heart of Washington D.C. in a state-of-the-art studio that offers a stunning view of the Capitol building, TV One’s News One Now airs live weekdays from 7-8 a.m. ET. News One Now is hosted by Roland S. Martin, the 2013 National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year and former host of TV One’s long-running, award-winning weekly news program, Washington Watch with Roland Martin. Each morning, Martin – who also serves as the program’s managing editor – sifts through the headlines of the day to spotlight matters that greatly impact the African American community.
Mondays, 9-11 p.m. ET: Crime & Justice
– "Fatal Attraction" & "Justice By Any Means": New Episodes
TV One’s Monday night block of original true crime and justice programming featuring "Fatal Attraction" (9-10 p.m. ET), a docu-series delving into real-life stories of deadly crimes of passion and rage, and "Justice By Any Means" (10-11 p.m. ET), a one-hour re-enactment series hosted by Judge Faith Jenkins that profiles heroic Black men and women who stopped at nothing to unravel mysterious crimes and find justice for a loved one, return with all new episodes.
Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET: Original Comedies
– "Here We Go Again" Series Premiere: Feb. 9, 8 p.m. ET
Beginning Feb. 9, TV One’s new multi-generational comedy Here We Go Again about three generations of women whose lives are upended after a series of events sends them along an unexpected journey premieres at 8 p.m. ET. The half-hour series follows Maddy (LeToya Luckett), a single mother and successful lawyer who is convinced there is a "Walker Women’s Curse," after being born to her mother, Loretta (Wendy Raquel Robinson), at age 16, and having a child, Shante (Kyndall Ferguson), herself at the same age. A sneak peek of the series will also air after TV One’s live telecast of the 47th NAACP Image Awards on Friday, Feb. 5 at 11 p.m. ET.
– Born Again Virgin Season 2 Premiere: Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m. ET
TV One’s popular scripted dramedy series, "Born Again Virgin," also returns on Feb. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET with all new episodes. The series follows Jenna (Danielle Nicolet), a vlogger who decides to become celibate after a stream of unsuccessful dates and hook-ups leave her wanting more. The series also stars Meagan Holder, Eva Marcille and Durrell "Tank’ Babbs. A sneak peek of the series will also air after TV One’s live telecast of the 47th NAACP Image Awards on Friday, Feb. 5 at 11:30 p.m. ET.
Wednesdays, 8-10 p.m. ET: Celebrity Reality & Docu-Series
– "Unsung" & "Unsung Hollywood" New Episodes Premiere: Feb. 10, 8 p.m. ET
The network’s signature series, "Unsung," returns on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. ET with new episodes featuring Hip Hop group The Sugarhill Gang and R&B legends Donell Jones, Johnnie Taylor and Patrice Rushen. Companion series "Unsung Hollywood" follows with new episodes, including Joe Morton (Scandal), Vanessa Bell Calloway (Shameless), Fred Williamson (Black Caesar) and New York Undercover, premiering on March 9 at 8 p.m. ET.
– "The Next:15" Series Premiere: Feb. 10, 9 p.m. ET
More than a game changer in reality television, TV One’s The Next:15 is disrupting the genre as the series breaks the "fourth wall" between the producers and the talent, revealing what happens not only on camera, but what normally happens behind it too. This docu-series follows the lives of six reality stars – Tiffany "New York" Pollard (Flavor Of Love) Claudia Jordan (The Real Housewives of Atlanta), Jennifer Williams (Basketball Wives), Karamo Brown (The Real World: Philadelphia), Laura Govan (Basketball Wives: LA), and Raymond "Benzino" Scott (Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta) – whose infamous television debuts have come and gone and are all attempting to generate their next 15 minutes of fame. The show is produced by Carlos King (Hollywood Divas, The Real Housewives of Atlanta).
SPECIALS
– 47th NAACP Image Awards Premiere: Friday, Feb. 5, 8-11 p.m. ET
For the third consecutive year, TV One is serving as the television home for the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization’s award show, the 47th NAACP Image Awards. Hosted by Emmy Award nominated actor Anthony Anderson, the 47th NAACP Image Awards will be nationally telecast live on TV One on Friday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET, as a two-hour special from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The live telecast will also include a one-hour live pre-show from the star-studded red carpet, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
– BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors Premiere: Friday, Feb. 19, 8-10 p.m. ET
Hosted by Yolanda Adams, former Trailblazer recipient, renowned gospel singer-songwriter and national radio personality, this two-hour special will honor legends of the gospel music community. Premiering Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. ET, BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors will pay tribute and celebrate sibling duos Be Be & Ce Ce Winans and Mary Mary. Throughout the show, there will be performances by R&B and Gospel greats, such as Deborah Cox, Faith, Charlie Wilson, Kelly Price, Marvin Winans and more.
– 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Premiere: Sunday, March 6, 6-8 p.m. ET
Hailed as the "biggest night in gospel music," the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards honors the best of Gospel Music artists, writers, and industry professionals. TV One’s Rickey Smiley and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd return as co-hosts. TV One encores at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.
ORIGINAL MOVIES
– "Definitely Divorcing" Premiere: Saturday, Feb. 20, 8 p.m. ET
Directed by Russ Parr, Definitely Divorcing is a TV One original comedy movie following the lives of co-workers who are all questioning their marriages for a variety of issues, including anger management, a child-like spouse, and manipulative children. The cast includes: Robin Givens, Malika Haqq, Columbus Short, Gary Owen, Golden Brooks and Luenelle.
– "Chasing Waterfalls" Premiere: Saturday, March 26, 8 p.m. ET
On the heels of the success of To Hell and Back and For the Love of Ruth, TV One tells another powerful biblical story. Inspired by the Story of David, Chasing Waterfalls navigates the treacherous, cutthroat waters of the fashion industry (a la The Devil Wears Prada) while gently teaching obedience, faithfulness and God’s grace. It follows the rise and fall of Olivia, a God-fearing woman, who hides behind her faith and is ultimately, brought down by her greed and quest for power.
For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, viewers can join the conversation by visiting the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv and connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv).
