PBS to Live-Stream Full Episodes of WE’LL MEET AGAIN on Facebook Watch

PBS to Live-Stream Full Episodes of
WE’LL MEET AGAIN on Facebook Watch

• Weekly Live Simulcast Begins Tuesdays, January 23-February 27, 2018,
  8:00-9:00 p.m. ET –

• Executive Produced and Reported by Ann Curry, Series Features Dramatic Reunions Between People Separated by Real-Life Historical Events –

Ann Curry ©photo by David Turnley

ARLINGTON, VA, January 23 – PBS announced a multiplatform collaboration with Facebook to live-stream full episodes of the new six-part series WE’LL MEET AGAIN, executive produced and reported by Ann Curry, on Facebook Watch. Premiering simultaneously with PBS stations on Tuesdays, January 23-February 27, 2018, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), this is a new, unique opportunity to stream full-length episodes of the series on Facebook Watch. All episodes from the show will be available for four weeks following each broadcast.

The collaboration with Facebook expands PBS’ presence as a trusted voice and innovator in the social space, extending content reach into multiple platforms and to wider audiences. Though PBS has previously launched Facebook Watch shows for PBS Digital Studios — a series of original digital content programs — this will be the first time PBS shares full, long-form episodes on this service.

WE’LL MEET AGAIN, produced by Blink Films in partnership with AnnCurry Inc., explores some of history’s most dramatic events through the personal stories of those who experienced them, bringing together people whose lives intersected at pivotal moments. Each episode reveals the powerful bonds forged among people who now, against the odds, have the chance to reunite with someone who transformed their life: from a Vietnam War baby desperate to find the American father she last saw 40 years ago to the military chaplain who helped a stranger through the trauma of 9/11, from a Japanese-American girl interned in 1942 who never forgot the classmate who helped her during her darkest hours to civil rights workers whose lives were forever changed by the deep relationships they formed in the 1960s South. (See the trailer)

As a multiplatform program, the series will tap into Facebook’s built-in social community and encourage viewers to discuss the historical events featured in each episode as they relate to them personally. Additionally, PBS is launching a digital campaign in which people can share their own stories of someone who changed their life during one of history’s key moments. Viewers can submit their personal stories by using the hashtag #MeetAgainStoriesPBS or by visiting pbs.org/meetagain.

“Given the series’ core goal of reuniting people who were thrown together or torn apart during pivotal moments in history, we feel Facebook Watch is the perfect environment to build social engagement and create community,” says Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “We are excited to work with Facebook on this multiplatform program and encourage our viewers to come together and take part in the conversation.”

“We’re delighted WE’LL MEET AGAIN is being embraced by Facebook to feature full-length episodes in their entirety on its vast platform," said Curry. "Facebook, which connects people worldwide, is a perfect partner for our stories about what we human beings mean to one another.”

WE’LL MEET AGAIN is a production of Blink Films. The series is produced by Simon Harries, and executive producers Ann Curry, Justine Kershaw and Andra Heritage.

WE’LL MEET AGAIN is made possible by public television viewers.

About Facebook Watch

Facebook Watch is a place to discover and enjoy shows on Facebook. Home to a wide range of shows — from scripted comedy and drama, to competition and reality series, to individual creators and live sports — Facebook Watch is a video platform where episodic content, community and conversation come together. This is a personalized viewing experience, where you can discover new series based on what your friends are watching, and catch up on the shows you follow. Facebook Watch is available for free on mobile apps across Apple and Android, on desktop, laptop and on TV apps listed here: https://videoapp.fb.com/.  

About Ann Curry

Award-winning journalist Ann Curry, a former NBC News anchor and international correspondent, has been recognized for her incisive coverage of global conflicts, nuclear tensions, humanitarian crises and groundbreaking journalism on climate change. Known for her focused reporting from inside Iran, she first broke the news to the outside world of Iran’s interest in negotiating a nuclear agreement. She delivered the first live news report to an American audience from the South Pole, tracked the AIDS epidemic in South Africa and Botswana, and documented Al Qaeda’s link to Al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia and Kenya. Her long list of exclusive and news-breaking interviews includes those with world leaders, U.S. presidents from George Bush through Barack Obama, and notables from every walk of life.

Winner of seven national news Emmys, Curry has won numerous Edward R. Murrow Awards, Gracie Allen Awards and National Headliner Awards. The NAACP has honored her with an Excellence in Reporting Award and she earned a Matrix Award from Women in Communications. Curry is the recipient of numerous humanitarian awards from organizations such as Refugees International, Americares, Save the Children and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which awarded her a Medal of Valor for her dedication to reporting about genocide.

About Blink Films

Blink Films is a BAFTA Award-winning production company set up by Dan Chambers and Justine Kershaw. Since 2007 Blink has made over 200 hours of television — from factual to formats, documentaries, entertainment, drama-doc and comedy, which have been praised for their intelligence, warmth and creativity. Blink relishes the creative challenge of telling the “untellable,” whether it’s visualizing the extraordinary story of reproduction by scaling sperm up to human size or exploring the sensitive subject of death through a groundbreaking science experiment. Blink exudes a passion for making standout television, from one-off feature-length documentaries to each individual episode of a ten-part series, and the programs rely on strong relationships with all contributors. Blink has co-production deals with broadcasters in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and France with programs that have sold to over 50 countries around the world.

About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices.