Blockbuster Drama EMPIRE Coming to TV One's Programming Line-up This Summer

On Wednesday, April 13, the eve of TV One's Annual Upfront Presentation, President Brad Siegel announced the acquisition of blockbuster drama EMPIRE. Starring Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, television's award-winning and most nominated series about the head of a music EMPIRE whose three sons and ex-wife battle for his throne, will make its TV One debut this spring. Following FOX's second season finale in May, TV One will also add EMPIRE to its summer programming line-up.

"We are ecstatic to partner with 20th Television and Imagine in showcasing one of the biggest hits in television history," said Siegel. "EMPIRE dominates the media landscape with a first-rate cast, original music content, engaging plots and celebrity guests. TV One is proud to be the exclusive cable network home for the series as it represents our brand promise to defy expectations."

With 35 nominations, EMPIRE is the most-nominated television series this season and recently named a Top 10 Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute. It was the only broadcast series to earn a Golden Globe Award nomination this year in the category of Best Television Series - Drama. Additionally, Taraji P. Henson won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama. The series also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

EMPIRE stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere "Yazz" Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Gealey, Kaitlin Doubleday, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones and Serayah McNeill. In addition to the regular cast, the series has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Marisa Tomei, Naomi Campbell, Ludacris, Adam Rodriguez, Vivica A. Fox, Rosie O' Donnell and Andre Royo.

From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century FOX Television, the series was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive produced by Daniels, Strong, Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken, Francie Calfo and Sanaa Hamri. "Like" EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @EmpireFOX and join the discussion using #Empire. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @EmpireFOX.

For more information about TV One's upcoming programming, visit the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #Represent and catch clips and promos on TV One's YouTube Channel.

ABOUT TV ONE:

Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves 57 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. The network is the exclusive home of News One Now, the only live daily news program targeting Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is solely owned by Radio One [ ROIA and ROIAK, www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners.