ABORIGINAL PEOPLES TELEVISION NETWORK (APTN) ANNOUNCES U.S. SISTER NETWORK:
ALL NATIONS NETWORK (ANN)
ANN to Provide Indigenous Entertainment and News to U.S. Cable, Satellite Audiences – First Native, 24 Hour Network to Launch in U.S.
Hollywood Endorses Momentous Channel: Robert Redford, Graham Greene, Robbie Robertson, Jim Jarmusch
SANTA FE, NM – February 19, 2016 – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), a Canadian based cable channel dedicated exclusively to indigenous content, has committed to launching All Nations Network (ANN) in the U.S. ANN will be the first network to bring both native and non-native audiences in the U.S. a 24-hour network providing native news, sports, scripted, lifestyle, feature-length movies and children’s programming written, produced, and directed by Native Americans, among others. Network distribution in the U.S. is being represented by Castalia Communications.
In the midst of the discourse over the lack of diversity in Hollywood, some of entertainment’s top stars and creators have joined to endorse ANN’s U.S. entrance. From Robert Redford to Oscar nominated actor Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves), Robbie Robertson (The Band) and acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch they have joined in endorsing the network. Their voices echo the Golden Globes speech by actor Leonardo Dicaprio who thanked the First Nations people in his acceptance speech for his award for “The Revenant.”
“I want to share this award with all the First Nations people represented in this film and all the indigenous communities around the world,” the actor said at the award ceremony held in Los Angeles. “It’s time that we recognized your history and that we protect your indigenous lands from corporate interests and people that are out there to exploit them,” added DiCaprio. “It’s time that we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations.”
“There is demand for a national Native network across the country,” said award winning filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. “A vibrant new generation, a golden era of Native film-makers and artists will be born and have a dedicated channel through which to express their voices. There is a market that is waiting. There is an audience that is waiting. The time is now.”
“We think the time is right for Native Americans to have their own channel and are happy to see the positive discussions Castalia has had with major US Pay TV operators,” says Jean La Rose, APTN’s Chief Executive Officer. “Certainly, our experience in Canada has been one of creating and providing opportunities for our producers, for our storytellers, to tell our stories, in our words, to our Peoples and to the world. Native American producers are poised and eager to have the same opportunities and we believe that we can work together to provide a unique window into the lives – past, present and future – of this community.”
For more than 15 years, APTN’s award-winning programming in Canada has reached a staggering 92% of Canadian households and commercial establishments, and has strong traction with both First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and non-Aboriginal communities. Over 80% of Aboriginal men and women in Canada find content on APTN a source of pride. ANN will provide an opportunity to bring reflective, contemporary, compelling, and original content to consumers of all cultures in the U.S.
The network will be headquartered in New Mexico. Native American filmmaker Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals and NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”), is a Sundance Film Festival and Director’s Guild of America award-winner who will be working closely with All Nations Network to launch in the United States.
“In 2016, it is essential that progressive portrayals of Native Americans be available to all cable and satellite subscribers through the efforts of ANN’s mission to provide a 24/7 channel for true Native American content of all kind. It’s not an abstract and this channel is long overdue.”
About APTN:
September 1, 2015, marked the 16-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 11 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN hd, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862 (Canada), or visit the website at www.aptn.ca