Showtime and Smithsonian Networks(TM) Join up for a Special Event to Celebrate America's Armed Forces

Showtime and Smithsonian Networks(TM) Join up for a Special Event to Celebrate America's Armed Forces

NEW YORK, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks today announced plans to celebrate the heroism of the men and women serving in the US Armed Forces this Memorial Day by collaborating with Smithsonian Channel(TM) in a special presentation to air two critically-acclaimed documentaries that pay honor to our soldiers.

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The two programs, Remembering Vietnam: The Wall at 25 and Carrier at War: The USS Enterprise, will air Saturday, May 17 at 9pm ET/PT. Both shows were produced by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture of Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution.

REMEMBERING VIETNAM: THE WALL AT 25 -- goes back in time to tell the story of the memorial through the eyes of those who conceived it, those who were instrumental in pushing it through bureaucratic and political resistance, those intimately involved with its 25-year history, and those it honors. Above all, the documentary tells the story of a place that is more than a memorial - - it is a place where old wounds are healed.

Among those interviewed in the film are Jan Scruggs, now founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; Senators John Warner and Chuck Hagel; Jim Kimsey, a Vietnam vet who founded AOL; Deury Felton, curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection; family members of those who perished in the war; and many vets, among others.

Remembering Vietnam: The Wall at 25 was recently recognized by the prestigious New York Festival with a Gold World Medal for Excellence. It is produced for Smithsonian Channel in high definition by Lynn Kessler and is narrated by the award-winning actor, Len Cariou.

CARRIER AT WAR: THE USS ENTERPRISE -- charts life on The USS Enterprise, a giant aircraft carrier assigned to six-month tours of duty in the Middle East. The documentary deconstructs how the carrier works in wartime, presenting moving personal stories (including the story of a female American fighter pilot who has flown numerous combat missions over Afghanistan) and real-time footage from missions. The film documents the awesome power of a ship with more than 400 jets taking off and landing on a 4.5-acre deck, a population of 5,000, two nuclear reactors, four airplane hangars, missile defense quarters, and even a post office with its own zip code.

"We're proud to be able to work with SHOWTIME on this Memorial Day tribute to the Armed Forces," said Tom Hayden, General Manager of Smithsonian Networks(TM). "I feel these two documentaries present the kind of compelling stories unique to Smithsonian Channel. We're happy to be able to share them with SHOWTIME subscribers."

The two documentaries will also air as part of a special weekend of programming on Smithsonian Channel throughout Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26. Smithsonian Channel is currently available exclusively in High Definition. The service is currently available to customers of DirecTV, Charter Communications, Verizon and RCN.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN NETWORKS:

Smithsonian Networks (SN) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. It was formed to create new channels to showcase scientific, cultural and historical programming based largely upon the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features original documentaries, short-subject explorations and innovative and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Visit Smithsonian Networks on the internet at www.smithsonianchannel.com

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Showtime Networks

CONTACT: Stuart Zakim for Showtime Networks, +1-212-708-1590,
stuart.zakim@showtime.net

Web site: http://www.sho.com/
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment