Chicago, Il (June 9, 2003) – Emmy-nominated actor, producer and director Tim Reid will serve as Senior Executive Supervising Producer for TV One, the new cable television network targeting adult African American and urban viewers backed by Comcast Corporation and Radio One. Reid’s New Millennium Studios will also play a significant role as a content provider for the new channel scheduled to launch in January 2004. The announcement was made at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) convention in Chicago.

In his role, Reid will advise TV One’s president and CEO Johnathan Rodgers on strategic planning for programming and production and will supervise post-production for many of TV One’s program offerings.

In addition, New Millennium Studios will offer the network a first look at all of its original content targeting African American adults and will provide three made-for-TV movies that will premiere on TV One, three entertainment series and three non-fiction series, including a public affairs program, to the new network. New Millennium will also serve as TV One’s main post-production house and provide a variety of editing and production services.

“Tim Reid’s programming expertise and advice will be invaluable to us as we work toward making TV One a prime destination for African American adult viewers,” said Rodgers. “In addition, our arrangement with New Millennium Studios will assure us access to quality content from a studio that has a solid track record in providing programming that is relevant to and respectful of our target audience.”

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to be involved on the ground floor of this network, which has so much potential to entertain and inform the tremendously underserved African American viewing audience,” said Reid. “I have already developed a solid working relationship with Johnathan and Alfred (TV One Chairman Alfred Liggins) and look forward to playing a role in making their vision for TV One a reality.”

In addition to a public affairs series, non-fiction series to be produced by New Millennium are expected to include “American Legacy,” based on provocative and fascinating tales featured in American Legacy magazine, which will chronicle the accomplishments, tragedies and the greatness behind some of the most unique African-Americans who helped to shape America; and “After the Glory,” which will take a penetrating look inside the world of some of America’s greatest sports heroes and discover how they are coping with life now that the cheers and glory have faded.

Tim Reid has a distinguished career in the entertainment industry as an actor, producer and director. Reid has had starring roles in several television series, including “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “The Richard Pryor Show,” “Simon & Simon,” “Snoops,” “Save Our Streets,” “Sister, Sister” and “Frank’s Place,” for which he received Emmy nominations for acting and producing. He also produced “Frank’s Place,” “Snoops” and “The Tim & Daphne Show,” in which he and his wife Daphne Reid co-starred and co-created. Reid founded Tim Reid Productions, Inc. in 1989, and through its association with Procter & Gamble, executive produced the critically acclaimed 1998 CBS movie “About Sarah,” starring Mary Steenburgen, Kellie Martin, and Diane Baker for which he received a Christopher Award. In 1990, he co-founded United Image Entertainment through which he produced four independent films.

In 1997, Reid brought together investors to build his own film studio. As Founder and President of New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, Reid is setting the stage toward becoming a major player in independent movie making. NMS’ first feature production, “Asunder,” starring Blair Underwood, Debbi Morgan and Michael Beach, was directed and produced by Reid and released through New Millennium Releasing. “For Real,” the latest film directed by Reid, was produced by his studio and released by New Millennium Releasing along with the soundtrack for the film, which was produced by Reid’s new in-house label, Vigilance Records. Reid has also created Obsidian Home Entertainment, a home video distribution company in connection with Ingram Entertainment with a 4-picture distribution deal for the company’s films.

Author: MOSAEC