NatGeo Sets Memorial Day Debut for "Barkskins"

National Geographic Announces MEMORIAL DAY Premiere for Limited Series BARKSKINS With Back-to-Back Episodes Over Four Weeks Beginning Monday, May 25, 2020, at 9/8c

From Scott Rudin Productions and Fox 21 Television Studios and Created by Elwood Reid, This Epic Eight-Part Series Is Based on Annie Proulx’s New York Times Bestselling Novel

Featuring a Stellar Ensemble Cast Led by David Thewlis and Marcia Gay Harden, Viewers Will Be Transported to 17th Century New France in a Story Filled With Mystery, Drama and Grit

WATCH A SNEAK PEEK HERE.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BARKSKINS examines the mysterious massacre of settlers in the vast and unforgiving wilds of 1690s New France that threatens to throw the region into all-out war. Likely suspects abound — the English, the Hudson’s Bay Company and a band of Kanien’kehá:ka (Iroquois) possibly in league with the English looking to drive the French from the territory — but who or what brought these settlers to such a tragic end? National Geographic’s new eight-part limited series, BARKSKINS, created by Elwood Reid and based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Annie Proulx, transports viewers to the wild frontier of the late 17th century. BARKSKINS premieres this Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020, at 9/8c with back-to-back episodes over four weeks.

    “BARKSKINS is a primeval story of survival and the quest to build a civilization out of the endless forest”

BARKSKINS is set in Wobik, a small settlement in what is now the Canadian province of Quebec. As the Catholic Church sends Jesuit priests to convert the indigenous people, France sends indentured servants to populate its territory, along with “Filles Du Roi” (“Daughters of the King”), young women to be matched with husbands, start families and help the colonies prosper. This disparate group of outcasts, rogues and innocents must navigate brutal hardships, competing interests and tangled loyalties at the crossroads of civilization: 1690s New France.

“BARKSKINS is a primeval story of survival and the quest to build a civilization out of the endless forest,” said Reid, creator and executive producer. “The settlers who’ve come to seek their fortune in the vast and unforgiving ‘New World’ — the landless poor, street urchins, religious seekers, rapacious traders and the penniless young women hoping to marry into land and wealth — are met with the brutal reality of their dreams as they attempt to carve their place in it. They find themselves in the forest of the world, a dark and uncaring place, long settled by indigenous nations who view their arrival with disdain, and a recognition that an alliance with these disparate newcomers is increasingly necessary for survival.”

The series tells a thrilling story of exploration, adventure and ambition among dreamers and fighters — some with a utopian vision of the world, others crass and conniving, but all navigating the perils of a treacherous new frontier. As tensions escalate, unlikely alliances are forged, old antagonisms deepen and new families are formed against the seemingly endless natural riches and hidden dangers of the new American continent. BARKSKINS’ depiction of the collision between civilization and commerce is timeless, as is its spirit of adventure, natural wonder and survival of the fittest.

Premiering globally in 172 countries and 43 languages, the eight-episode historical fiction limited series hails from Fox 21 Television Studios and Scott Rudin Productions, and is based on the bestselling novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Proulx. The series stars David Thewlis (“Wonder Woman”) as “Claude Trepagny,” Marcia Gay Harden (“The Newsroom”) as “Mathilde Geffard,” Aneurin Barnard (“Dunkirk”) as “Hamish Goames,” James Bloor (“Dunkirk”) as “Charles Duquet,” Christian Cooke (“Point Blank”) as “Rene Sel,” David Wilmot (“The Alienist”) as “Constable Bouchard,” Thomas M. Wright (“The Bridge”) as “Elisha Cooke,” Tallulah Haddon (“Black Mirror: Bandersnatch”) as “Melissande,” Kaniehtiio (Tiio) Horn (“The Man in the High Castle”) as “Mari,” Lily Sullivan (“Picnic at Hanging Rock”) as “Delphine” and Zahn McClarnon (“Fargo”) as “Yvon.”

Series creator Reid (“The Bridge”) also serves as showrunner and executive producer. Scott Rudin (“No Country for Old Men”), Garrett Basch (“The Night Of”), Eli Bush (“Lady Bird”), David Slade (“Black Mirror: Bandersnatch”) and Proulx are also executive producers.

Proulx is the author of eight books, including the novel “The Shipping News” and the story collection “Close Range.” Her many honors include a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award, the Irish Times International Fiction Prize and a PEN/Faulkner Award. Her story “Brokeback Mountain,” which originally appeared in The New Yorker, was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film.

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About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 132 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27% of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Fox 21 Television Studios
Fox 21 Television Studios, a division of Disney Television Studios, is devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions), as well as its follow-up, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” which also won the Emmy and the Golden Globe for Outstanding Limited Series; the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland,” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin, now in its eighth and final season; the Emmy-winning “Fosse/Verdon” (with FX Productions) from award-winning producers Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Joel Fields and Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams; the blockbuster “Sons of Anarchy” as well as its follow-up, “Mayans M.C.” (with FX Productions) from co-creators Kurt Sutter and Elgin James; “Queen of the South,” executive produced by David T. Friendly, Dailyn Rodriguez and Benjamin Daniel Lobato; the Emmy-winning “Pose” (with FX Productions) from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Alexis Martin Woodall and Sherry Marsh; and the Emmy-nominated GENIUS franchise currently in production on its third installment, GENIUS: ARETHA, starring Cynthia Erivo, Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett and Rebecca Naomi Jones, with Anthony Hemingway tapped as executive producer and producing director for the season. Upcoming series include Ryan Murphy’s “Ratched,” starring Golden Globe and Emmy winner Sarah Paulson in the title role; “The Old Man” (with FX Productions), starring Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges and six-time Emmy winner John Lithgow; and the newest installment of “American Crime Story,” titled “Impeachment: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions), starring Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein and Annaleigh Ashford. Fox 21 Television Studios shows have amassed a collective 120 Emmy nominations and 34 Emmy wins, as well as multiple Golden Globes, Humanitas Prizes and Peabody Awards.

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CBS is "America's Most Watched Network" Again

CBS Will Finish the 2019-2020 Season as America’s Most-Watched Network for 12th Straight Year

Network Wins 18 Out of Season’s 33 Weeks to-Date, Including Last 13 in a Row

Wins Crown for 17th Time in 18 Years

Has Season’s Top Series (NCIS) and Top Comedy (YOUNG SHELDON)

#1 Network Has Reached Almost 224 Million Unique Viewers This Season Across All Dayparts

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CBS will finish the 2019-2020 season as “America’s Most-Watched Network” for the 12th straight season with a lead of over +1 million viewers. This will be the Network’s 17th win in the last 18 years. So far, CBS has won an incredible 18 out of 33 weeks this year, including the last 13 in a row, to take the crown yet again. The feat is even more impressive when considering that the Network did not have the Super Bowl this year. CBS is also #1 in late night and daytime, sweeping all three key dayparts for the fourth consecutive year.

CBS is now averaging 7.74 million viewers, +1.1 million viewers, or +17% ahead of second-place NBC (versus 6.63m), +21% ahead of Fox (6.40m) and +40% ahead of ABC (5.51m). All numbers are according to Nielsen most current ratings through Sunday, May 10.

According to Nielsen NPower (6+ minute qualifier), CBS has reached almost 224 million (223.87m) unique viewers this season across all dayparts, beating its closest competitor (Super Bowl-powered Fox, 223.53m) by +340 thousand viewers.

The following are some additional highlights of CBS’ winning 2019-2020 season:

•     CBS has 14 of the top 30 “most-watched” broadcast series. More than any other network.
•     CBS has 11 time-period-winning programs, more than all other networks combined.
•     Seven CBS series are averaging 10+ million viewers, more than any other network.
•     CBS has the top five comedies and eight of the top 10 – more than the other networks combined.
•     CBS has the top three dramas and 10 of the top 20 broadcast dramas – as many as all the other networks combined.
•     NCIS is the season’s most-watched series and drama averaging 15.3 million viewers per week.
•     YOUNG SHELDON is season’s most-watched comedy (11.4m), followed directly by MOM (8.5m), THE NEIGHBORHOOD (7.7m) and BOB ♥ ABISHOLA (7.5m). In fact, CBS has had the top comedy since the final season of “Friends” – the past 16 years.
•     FBI: MOST WANTED is the most-watched new series.
•     BOB ♥ ABISHOLA is the most-watched new comedy.
•     60 MINUTES is the most-watched news program.

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ViacomCBS and Google Expand Mutli-Year Deal

ViacomCBS and Google Announce Expanded Distribution Agreement

Comprehensive Deal Introduces 14 Additional ViacomCBS Cable Networks to YouTube TV, Including BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC) and Google announced a comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreement to deliver more content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of news, entertainment and sports networks for YouTube TV subscribers. In addition to featuring continued carriage of CBS broadcast stations, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel, and The CW, the expanded agreement introduces 14 ViacomCBS channels to the live TV and on-demand subscription service.

BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1 will launch on YouTube TV this summer, providing more than two million subscribers with access to some of the most popular cable brands. BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick and MTV Classic will also launch on YouTube TV at a later date.

The deal also includes a continued commitment to distribute ViacomCBS’ premium subscription services, including SHOWTIME, on YouTube TV, as well as an extended partnership on the broader YouTube platforms.

“We are thrilled to have reached an expanded agreement with YouTube TV that recognizes the full power of our newly combined portfolio as ViacomCBS,” said Ray Hopkins, President, U.S. Networks Distribution, ViacomCBS. “Google has been an excellent partner, and we look forward to bringing even more of our entertainment networks to YouTube TV subscribers for the first time.”

"We're excited to launch ViacomCBS' portfolio on YouTube TV this summer, " said Lori Conkling, Global Head of Partnerships at YouTube TV. "Our expanded partnership delivers on our promise to offer a premium portfolio of content to our YouTube TV subscribers, as well as across the YouTube platforms."

YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that lets you watch live and on-demand TV from 70+ top networks through a simple and award-winning experience. It offers live & local sports, news, shows, movies, and more, and can be watched on any screen (phone, tablet, TV, computer). Membership comes with free unlimited cloud DVR storage space to record all your favorites, personalized watch recommendations, and a family plan with 6 accounts per household so the whole family can enjoy.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.


About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, CBS All Access, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.

For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.

About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

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"Be Prepared to Stop" Documentary Free on YouTube

As Americans Come to Grips With Empty Shelves and Delayed Deliveries, Documentary “Be Prepared to Stop” Examines U.S. Infrastructure Issues, Supply Chain Problems and Trucking Industry Challenges

Documentary released on YouTube for free limited run; film exposes failing highway and freight transportation systems, crumbling roads and bridges, America’s day-to-day dependence on trucking industry

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As millions of Americans contend with empty supermarket shelves and an increased reliance on home deliveries, weaknesses in the U.S. infrastructure continue to plague the trucking industry and have a detrimental impact on manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers and the entire country’s supply chain. “Be Prepared to Stop” is a documentary about every American’s dependence on the overcrowded and decaying U.S. Interstate Highway system and its impact on everyone’s lives and the economy. The film has been released on YouTube for a free limited run.

    “The situation we are all facing now is shining a spotlight on the incredible fragility of the U.S. supply line. We are hanging by a thread and depending on a highway system that was built 60 years ago and has not been consistently maintained or upgraded.”

The 63-minute documentary, which includes interviews with congresspersons, transportation experts, trucking operators, industry leaders and others, is narrated by Yvette Nicole Brown and can be viewed for free on YouTube at https://bit.ly/BPTSdoc

“The COVID-19 pandemic is just another example of how dependent we are on the trucking industry,” said Jennifer Clymer, executive producer and co-director of the film. “The situation we are all facing now is shining a spotlight on the incredible fragility of the U.S. supply line. We are hanging by a thread and depending on a highway system that was built 60 years ago and has not been consistently maintained or upgraded.”

“Be Prepared to Stop” is a documentary about the dependence of the economy and entire supply chain on highways, bridges and other parts of the U.S. infrastructure. The trucking industry is a round-the-clock lifeline that has become so engrained in the country’s daily routines that it goes almost unnoticed by most consumers with very few people even realizing everything they use or consume each day was at one point on a truck. “Be Prepared to Stop” raises awareness about the impact of the infrastructure breakdown, the inability of government to react and how this issue obstructs the U.S. economy and adversely affects the daily lives of all Americans. Facts from the documentary include:

•     32% of America’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 25% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. $146 billion in capital investment would be needed on an annual basis over the next 20 years to significantly improve conditions.
•     42% of America’s major urban highways are congested, costing the economy an estimated $101 billion in wasted time and fuel annually.
•     The trucking industry hauls 10.49 billion tons of freight every year or 70.1% of total U.S. freight tonnage. Rail is next, moving 13.8% of the nation’s freight tonnage.
•     All goods carried by ship, airplane or train reach their final destination by truck. More than 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities.
•     One out of every 14 jobs in the United States is created or directly affected by the trucking industry.
•     54 million tons of freight move across the nation every day. By 2040 that will increase more than 40%.

“Be Prepared to Stop” was produced by Los Angeles-based Delaware Park Productions, Inc. More information is available at BePreparedToStop.org and on social media @bptsdoc (Twitter/Instagram) and /bepreparedtostop (Facebook).

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2020

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