Mario Van Peebles News

The Memorial Day premiere of HISTORY's event series 'ROOTS' was watched by 5.3 million viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. Against heavy competition on both broadcast and cable, including Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, 'ROOTS' became the #1 scripted mini-series premiere on cable since 2013 (A+E Networks' 'Bonnie & Clyde'). Airing on HISTORY, Lifetime, A&E and LMN, the 9pm premiere telecast of 'ROOTS' was watched by 2.1 million adults 25-54 and 1.8 million adults 18-49. Over the course of the night, 8.5 million viewers watched the episode (3 telecasts). These numbers are expected to grow significantly once Live+3 and Live+7 data becomes available.

The event includes a sneak peek screening of the four-night, eight-hour event series before it premieres on HISTORY on Monday, May 30 at 9 p.m.

A+E Networks has announced additional casting for 'Roots,' from A+E Studios, including Grammy Award(R) winning recording artist/actor/philanthropist/entrepreneur Tip 'T.I.' Harris (

A+E Networks announces new casting for its four-night, eight-hour scripted event miniseries 'Roots,' from A+E Studios, including Academy Award winner(R) Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels' The Butler, South Paw) as 'Fiddler,' a slave who tries to mentor Kunta Kinte and risks his life to help him escape; Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (True Blood) as 'Nancy Holt,' the wife of a Confederate officer who has her own agenda when it comes to the handling of slaves; Golden Globe(R) Award winning and Emmy(R) Award nominated actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) as 'Tom Lea,' an uneducated slave owner desperate to claw his way into the elite company of Southern gentility; Tony Award(R) winner Anika Noni Rose (Dream Girls, The Good Wife, The Princess and the Frog) as 'Kizzy,' the cherished, smart daughter of Kunta Kinte who maintains her family pride and warrior spirit; Chad L. Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Wire) as 'Mingo,' a stern no-nonsense slave who keeps the Lea plantation afloat; Erica Tazel (Justified) as 'Matilda,' a preacher's daughter and love interest to 'Chicken George'; and Derek Luke (Captain America: The First Avenger, Antwone Fisher) as 'Silla Ba Dibba,' the military trainer of Juffure, charged with transforming teen boys into powerful Mandinka Warriors.

MC Urban Movie Channel, a premium subscription-based video streaming service exclusive to RLJ Entertainment (RLJE) created by Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) today announced they have acquired a multi-year license of over 40 hours of urban-themed content from Starz Digital, the worldwide digital and on-demand syndication arm of Starz, to be debuted on the channel over the summer.

THE HOLLYWOOD NETWORKING BREAKFAST (HNB) Presents The President of HBO Films, Len Amato

On the next episode of ABC's NASHVILLE titled "How Far Down Can I Go", after Will's debut album bumps Rayna's to second place, she's more determined than ever to make Highway 65 and her record a hit.

Sandra Lord, founder of The Hollywood Networking Breakfast (HNB), has announced an amazing and insightful panel of top new media power players. The event takes place today, July 31, 2014.

On the next episode of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND titled "It's Not Easy Being Green". with Rumplestiltskin as her slave, Zelena challenges Regina to a fight to the death

Academy Award-Winning Producer, DEDE GARDNER (President of Brad Pitt's Production Company, PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT), will be the next celebrated networking guest offering advise to experts and novice alike at The Hollywood Networking Breakfast. Tickets: $45 (advance) and $55 (late) by calling 323-465-9800 or http://HollywoodNetworkingBreakfast.com

Academy Award-Winning Producer, DEDE GARDNER (President of Brad Pitt's Production Company, PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT), will be the next celebrated networking guest offering advise to experts and novice alike at The Hollywood Networking Breakfast®. Tickets: $45 (advance) and $55 (late) by calling 323-465-9800 or http://HollywoodNetworkingBreakfast.com

Cast your pre-Oscar ballot along with Academy Award winners to win prizes and perks at Raleigh Studios during the Hollywood Networking Breakfast today, February 27th, 2014 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Raleigh Studios' Chaplin Theater is located at 5300 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Calif.

Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony winners, as well as just about every former child star gathered to help PROTECT help abused children by placing their signature on a bike donated by Margaret Cho that will be auctioned in November.