Bounce TV To Launch Sept. 26 With ‘The Wiz’

Bounce TV, the country’s first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network for African-Americans, will launch with a special presentation of The Wiz on Monday, Sept. 26 at noon ET. Toyota USA will be the signature sponsor of the network’s inaugural on-air schedule, highlights of which were unveiled today.

After kicking off the network, the popular 1978 musical starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor will be followed by Sidney Poitier headlining the classic drama A Raisin in the Sun at 3 p.m.

Bounce TV’s first week of primetime television then begins later that evening with part one of a two-night double feature of the films of Spike Lee.  Bounce TV will premiere Lee’s Academy Award-nominated Do the Right Thing at 8 p.m. It stars Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Samuel L. Jackson, Lee himself and also features the theatrical film debuts of Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez. It will be repeated at 10 p.m.

Then on Tues. Sept. 27, Bounce TV presents School Daze, Lee’s 1988 musical-drama starring Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tisha Campbell-Martin, based in part on Lee’s experiences at Atlanta‘s Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University (it will air at 8 and10 p.m.)

On Wednesday night, Sept. 28, Bounce TV presents its first football game from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s largest African American athletic conference, as the top-rated Bulldogs of Bowie State visit rival Virginia Union.

On Thursday night, Sept. 29, it’s the 1998 Denzel Washington-Bruce Willis action thriller The Siege (8 and 10:30 p.m.).

Highlights of the network’s first week of primetime wraps on Friday, Sept. 30, with the 2003 action comedy The Rundown starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Seann William Scott (8 and 10:30 p.m.).

Bounce’s first weekend on the air is highlighted by the multiple Oscar-nominated Far From Heaven (Sat., Oct. 1, 10 p.m.), 2002’s story of race, gender and class starring Dennis Haysbert, Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid.  Sunday night, Oct. 2, Bounce TV will premiere Denzel Washington’s Academy Award-winning performance in the civil war epic Glory (8 p.m.)

Among other initial Bounce TV highlights:

• CIAA Football: The Trojans of Virginia State taking on the Fayetteville State Broncos (Sat. Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.).
• Richard Pryor Week (Oct. 3-7): The legendary comedian stars in a six-pack of his blockbuster movies including:  His classic pairings with Gene Wilder in Stir Crazy (Oct. 3), Silver Streak (Oct. 4) and Another You (Oct. 6); The Wiz (Oct. 5); Bingo Long and the Traveling All Stars (Oct. 6) and Bustin’ Loose (Oct. 7).
• Other major stars featured on Bounce TV’s initial schedule include James Earl Jones in Summer’s End (Oct. 12), Cuba Gooding Jr. in Hero Wanted (Oct. 16) and Samuel L. Jackson in Caveman’s Valentine (Oct. 24).
• A weekend of four aspirational and inspirational African American tales: The Sweetest Gift (Oct. 13); A Raisin in the Sun (Oct. 14); Shackles (Oct. 15) and Glory (Oct. 16).
• Soul Train: One of television’s longest-running series returns as Bounce TV showcases the most popular performers and episodes of the legendary series (assorted dates/times.).

Bounce TV’s website will have complete programming schedule and local Bounce TV channel locations available beginning Sept. 1.