Ozy Media is beefing up its presence on broadcast television with a new primetime series titled “Take On America.”
Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist and OZY co-founder and CEO Carlos Watson, each episode of “Take On America” will uncover the different perspectives among groups who are often stereotyped by race. The series will consist of a panel of celebrities and political leaders which attempt to address political and cultural questions in front of a live studio audience.
“I feel passionately that we are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” said Watson. “We are living in one of the most racially charged eras since the Civil Rights Movement, and the world is simultaneously more connected technologically, and disconnected interpersonally, than it’s ever been before. We hope that ‘Take on America’ will create a forum for substantive dialogue and ultimately inform and inspire action.”
Celebrity guests include Jemele Hill, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Olivia Munn, Vanessa Carlton, Mayor Carmen Cruz, Elizabeth Vargas, Eddie Huang, Michelle Kwan, and Harry Shum Jr.
Set to premiere on PBS on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET, “Take On America” will be shown on Facebook, YouTube, and OZY.com. In total, Ozy’s online properties reach 40 million users, 4 million of which are paying subscribers, according to the company.
The news comes two months after the company announced the launch of OZY Studios, an in-house production studio that doubled the size of the company’s video team. OZY also recently signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) in an effort to accelerate the company’s growth in television, podcasts, and live events.