"Born to Shine" series to feature interviews with songwriter and singer Ne-Yo, director Robert Townsend, singer Estelle, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, actress Tatyana Ali, music mogul Steve Stoute and more
Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) announced today that it has launched its original talk series "Born to Shine." The series aims to spotlight the impact African Americans continue to make within the entertainment industry, sports, technology and the community. "Born to Shine" will be available exclusively to Time Warner Cable Digital TV customers through its On Demand platform.
"'Born to Shine' represents Time Warner Cable's continued commitment to ensure customers have access to relevant content that is both diverse and inspiring," said Marisol Martinez, senior director Acquisition Marketing at Time Warner Cable. "The series' organically integrates highlights of Movies On Demand that feature our talented celebrity guests and represents months of collaboration with networks and community leaders. We are excited to see 'Born to Shine' come to life."
"Born to Shine" will feature accomplished guests such as songwriter and singer Ne-Yo, Carol's Daughter creator Lisa Price, writer and director Robert Townsend, singer Estelle, actress Tatyana Ali, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, model and actor Tyson Beckford, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, among others. These individuals will share their life stories and journeys to success. "Born to Shine" will also highlight up and coming talent through its "Rising Beats" segment. This segment will provide a national stage to artists such as Emmy-winning violinist duo Nuttin' But Stringz, self-taught guitarist and singer Maya Azucena, and internationally-acclaimed poet Ainsley Burrows, among others.
"In our community, it is incredibly important to give back to the next generation by nurturing and ushering in the new wave of talented actors and actresses, singers, writers and directors, and community leaders," said Kim Fields, actress and guest on the series. "I'm thrilled to have been part of this program to share my personal experience in the industry."
Time Warner Cable also worked with various networks such as Showtime, GMC TV and TV One, among others, in the creation and development of the "Born to Shine" series.
"TV One is proud to partner with Time Warner Cable on this innovative On Demand platform for their customers. It is often through the journeys of others that we are inspired and gain the courage to follow our own dreams, and for this reason TV One welcomes 'Born to Shine'!" said Cathy Hughes, Founder of TV One, the premier entertainment and lifestyle network for African-American adults.
The talk series is hosted by four winners selected through Time Warner Cable's nationwide host search contest earlier this year. Through the host search contest, Time Warner Cable aimed to help provide aspiring television personalities with an opportunity to realize their dream of hosting a talk show. The winning hosts are Kornelius Bascombe of Raleigh, N.C., Carmela King of Dallas, Isis McKenzie of Los Angeles, and Ashlei Stevens of New York City.
The "Born to Shine" series will consist of eight episodes and will be available beginning October 20 on Time Warner Cable's Entertainment On Demand channel, which is free to Time Warner Cable's Digital TV customers. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/twcableborntoshine.
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