Showtime announced today that it has exclusively acquired the broadcast rights to the two-part documentary HISTORY OF THE EAGLES. Granting unprecedented access, the iconic rock band partnered with Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room), to produce this inside look into the history of the band and the legacy of its music. Part One will premiere today at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, and make its television debut on Friday, February 15, at 8 PM ET/PT (two hours) on SHOWTIME. Part Two will premiere The Following night, Saturday, February 16, at 8pm ET/PT(one hour).
Directed by Alison Ellwood, HISTORY OF THE EAGLES is an intimate, meticulously crafted patchwork of rare archival material, concert footage and never-before-seen home movies that explore the evolution and enduring popularity of one of America's truly defining bands. Part One, premiering Friday, February 15, at 8 PM ET/PT, dedicates two hours to investigating the band's creation and rise to fame in the 1970s through its breakup in 1980. More than 25 new interviews were conducted with all current and former band members, as well as with many others who have been closely involved in their history, including
Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, seminal artists in the 70s music scene. Additionally, the documentary features previously unreleased home movies and archival footage, including a rare 1977 concert film from the "Hotel California Tour." Personal photos, video and memorabilia amassed by the Eagles over the course of their career will also be seen for the very first time.
The second installment, airing Saturday, February 16, at 8pm ET/PT, picks up in the 1980s. Though the Eagles were no longer together, the genre of classic rock had just hit American radio and their songs remained popular long after the split. The documentary reveals the independent struggles the band members faced both personally and professionally while apart. Then, in the early 90s, the band orchestrated a historic reunion tour and triumphantly found its voice again. To this day, the Eagles' chemistry as a musical group remains legendary.
The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earned five No. 1 U.S. singles and six GRAMMY Awards. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. The band's Hotel California and Eagles Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 have sold more than 16 million and 11 million albums, respectively. The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll
Hall Of Fame in 1998. For more information, visit the band's website at www.eaglesband.com.
Directed by Alison Ellwood and produced by Alex Gibney, HISTORY OF THE EAGLES was created with a top-notch crew of filmmakers including: Blair Foster, Executive Producer; Alison Ellwood and Ben Sozanski, Editors; Karim Karmi, Co-Producer; and Erin Edeiken, Line Producer.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels
Showtime 2,
Showtime SHOWCASE,
Showtime EXTREME,
Showtime BEYOND,
Showtime NEXT,
Showtime WOMEN,
Showtime FAMILY ZONE and THE MOVIE CHANNEL XTRA. SNI also offers
Showtime HD, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD,
Showtime ON DEMAND, FLIX ON DEMAND and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND, and the network's authentication service
Showtime ANYTIME. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a
Pay-Per-View basis through
Showtime PPV.
