COZI TV, the new 24/7 network debuting on the digital channels of NBC Owned Television Stations on January 1, today announced that the iconic 1965 Emmy award-winning adventure television series, I Spy, will be added to the network's weekday lineup. Starring a young Bill Cosby playing opposite the handsome Robert Culp, the groundbreaking NBC television series was the first American drama to feature an African-American actor in a lead role. The series was a main fixture in the wildly popular secret agent genre of the 1960s following the successful James Bond films. COZI TV will air 82 episodes of the 60-minute show every weekday at 6 p.m. EST.
The original I Spy series was notable in its day in that Cosby's race was never an issue in any of the story lines. As a Rhodes Scholar fluent in many languages, Cosby's "Scotty" was considered the brains of the team. His partner, played by Culp, was the athlete and playboy who lived by his wits. The secret agent duo were widely recognized as leading sex symbols of their time.
I Spy was also a trailblazer in its use of international locations inspired by the Bond films. This was unique for a television show, especially since the series actually filmed its lead actors at what were considered exotic locations at the time, ranging from Rome to Athens to Hong Kong and Morocco, rather than relying on photography and stock footage.
COZI TV also released its new line up of iconic TV programming, which viewers can also look forward to at the start of the year. The new network will soon announce exclusive original programming that will launch in the first quarter of the year as well.
"COZI TV is designed to deliver an easy-to-watch viewing experience and the classic American series, I Spy, is the perfect addition to our programming lineup along with hits like Magnum, P.I. and Charlie's Angels," said Meredith McGinn, Vice President of Multi-Station Local Programming for NBC Owned Television Stations, who also leads the network. "In today's busy world, we know turning to COZI TV is the easiest decision viewers will make all day."
Drawing from the vast NBCUniversal library of movies and TV shows as well as from other top studios, COZI TV will engage viewers with some of America's favorite entertainment of all time, including a number of beloved television series, hit movies and original programming. As previously announced, COZI TV will offer viewers a vast library of movies and TV shows, including classics Lassie, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Bionic Woman, Lone Ranger and The Six Million Dollar Man.
On January 1, COZI TV will premiere on the digital channels of the 10 NBC Owned Stations, which serve the nation's biggest markets, as well as several other stations, and is available to local stations across the country. COZI TV will be programmed around the clock, while offering local stations conveniently scheduled blocks of time each day to insert programming of interest to local viewers, like local news, sports and special events.
For more information about COZI TV, please visit
www.cozitv.com.
