VANCOUVER, Oct. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Network Media Group
Inc. (TSX: NTE.V) (OTCMKTS:
NMGGF) and Network Entertainment Inc. ("Network"
or "the Company") founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Derik Murray, is pleased to announce
that the Company has partnered with visionary film and television
producer Burt Sugarman to produce a feature
documentary that tells the story, for the first time, of one of
America's most iconic and groundbreaking television
series: The Midnight Special.
The Midnight Special was a revolutionary
cultural landmark during the 1970s and early 1980s that
featured, for the first time ever in television and music
history, actual live performances by the
era's greatest musical and comedy stars.
During the course of its rollicking, star-packed, 90-minute,
450-episode run, The Midnight Special struck a resounding chord
with audiences and generations of musicians by showcasing live
performances by numerous musical icons including James Brown, the Jackson 5 (their first live
televised performances), Van
Morrison, Marvin Gaye,
Rod Stewart, Ike & Tina Turner, Fleetwood
Mac, Aerosmith, AC/DC, David
Bowie, Aretha Franklin,
Helen Reddy, Linda Ronstadt, The Beach Boys, Tanya Tucker, Billy
Joel, Loretta Lynn,
Emmylou Harris, Prince, Diana Ross, the Bee Gees, and, cutting-edge
stand-up comedy from the likes of Steve
Martin, Richard Pryor and
George Carlin.
Network Entertainment, producers of the Academy Award
shortlisted documentary Facing Ali and others,
including Johnny Cash - American
Rebel and I Am Heath Ledger, will
reconstruct the riveting tale of how this iconic show came to be,
and why it is so culturally significant in the annals of music and
television history. The producers have full access
to The Midnight Special archive and will
showcase this original footage and music in the documentary,
blended with original interviews with artists who performed on the
show and current artists who were inspired by the series, providing
viewers a backstage pass to this rich musical legacy.
"I'm excited to be working with Network Entertainment's
award-winning team to produce this important retrospective
on The Midnight Special,"
said Burt Sugarman, the creator and Executive Producer
of The Midnight Special. "In addition to
appealing to those who were fans back in the day, this is a
wonderful opportunity to introduce new generations to the
remarkable artists whose music left an indelible mark that
continues to influence the musical landscape of today."
"I am so pleased
that The Midnight Special story will
finally be shared," said Executive Producer Mary Hart. "Not only
will the documentary provide an incredible window into the music
and artists of the period, it will also be a fitting tribute
to Burt, whose original thinking and perseverance turned a
broadcasters 'Not Interested' into a revolutionary television
series and cultural phenomenon that ran for nearly a decade."
"Burt Sugarman's vision and legacy is an inspiration to us
all," said Frank Anderson, Executive
Producer and Network Entertainment's Executive Chairman. "The
opportunity to collaborate with Burt and Mary on
presenting the history of this culturally transformative series is
the first step in reintroducing The Midnight Special to
a global audience of music lovers and pop culture enthusiasts."
Burt Sugarman and Mary
Hart will Executive Produce alongside Network
Entertainment's Derik Murray,
Frank Anderson, Paul Gertz and Brian
Gersh.
About Network Media Group Inc.
Network Media Group is the parent company of Network
Entertainment Inc. Network Entertainment, founded and headquartered
in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada, produces premium content for global audiences. Network's
documentaries and docu-series showcase the lives of the world's
most inspiring cultural icons and their endearing legacy. Our films
have featured a compelling lineup of icons from the worlds of
Music, Movies, Comedy, Sports, Politics and Business. The Network
premium brand of programming features outstanding casts and highly
cinematic, richly crafted storytelling. Our productions are
consistently embraced by both popular and critical acclaim
garnering awards, record ratings and unparalleled media
coverage.
Network's broadcast and distribution partners include: AHC, AMC,
Discovery Channel, CBC, CMT, CTV, Entertainment One,
FremantleMedia, HBO Canada, History Channel, iTunes, Lionsgate,
National Geographic, Paramount Network, Spike, Sundance TV,
Thunderbird and TMN. Our work has been recognized by the Academy
Awards, the Emmys, Realscreen Awards, the Gemini Awards, the LEOs,
the Los Angeles Film Festival,
Washington D.C. Silver Docs,
Seattle International Film
Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival,
Houston International Film
Festival, Vancouver International
Film Festival, Banff Television Festival, and the International
Film and Television Festival of New
York.
For additional information on Network Entertainment Inc.,
visit www.networkentertainment.ca
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Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking
Information
Except for historical information contained herein, this news
release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including the Company not obtaining required TSX
Venture Exchange approval of the Transaction and the Transaction
not being completed as proposed or at all. These statements are
necessarily based upon management's perceptions, beliefs,
assumptions and expectations, as well as a number of specific
factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
management of the Company as of the date of such statements, are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies
that could result in the forward-looking information ultimately,
perhaps materially, being incorrect. All forward looking
information in this news release involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that are beyond the control of the
Company and may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Except as
required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will
not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof.
SOURCE Network Media Group Inc.