Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music On DVD/BD from RLJ

Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc.brand that specializes in high quality, informative, non-fiction Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music from Higher Ground LLC. Produced in association with the late legendary music producer Sir George Martin, and the filmmakers Show of Force, LLC, the highly-anticipated eight-part series took over five years to make and features more than 150 exclusive and original interviews with some of the most celebrated recording artists, producers, and music industry pioneers of all time sharing behind-the-scenes stories celebrating the art of recording. Artists include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Roger Waters, Joni Mitchell, Roger Daltrey, Linda Perry, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash, Steven Van Zandt, Billy Idol, Beck, RZA, and more.

Coming off its critically-acclaimed premiere at SXSW in March 2016, SOUNDBREAKING’s North American broadcast premiere begins on PBS member stations on Monday, November 14 with next-day availability to buy digitally via multiple platforms including iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Athena will release SOUNDBREAKING on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, November 29.

Mark Stevens, President of Acorn Brands at RLJ Entertainment, said, “With more than 150 exclusive interviews and rarely seen footage, Higher Ground, Sir George Martin, and Show of Force have created a remarkable, one-of-kind music documentary series sure to become iconic. SOUNDBREAKING is exactly the kind of high caliber, non-fiction programming we seek out to offer consumers through our Athena brand.”
programming, has acquired the and home video rights in North America to the new, groundbreaking music documentary

Norman Lear:Just Another Version of You to DVD/BD on October 25

Largely responsible for bold American television in the 1970s, Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism, Lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism–laughter–and created some of the greatest moments in television history.


Prebook Date: September 27
Street Date: October 25
PBS National Broadcast Dates: Tuesday, October 25
 DVD: $24.99, Approx. 90 min
Item# (AMM62907), UPC (841887029353), ISBN (9781627897976)
Blu-ray: $29.99, Approx. 90 min
Item# (AM62907B), UPC (841887029360), ISBN (9781627897983)

"The Life of Riley" , Documentary on Blues Legend BB King to Air on PBS on 2/12

"The Life of Riley" will be airing nationally on PBS on February 12, 2016. This is the only documentary ever made on the last of the Blues legends, BB King.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman and directed by Jon Brewer, this visually stunning picture has an astounding list of contributors (aside from King himself), including Bono, Eric Clapton, Bruce Willis, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Keith Richards and Bill Wyman, as well as appearances by Mick Jagger and President Obama.

This is a no holds barred, powerful feature that explores how a black cotton picker from Mississippi turned his life around and battled against all the odds and unrelenting racism to overcome even the toughest critics. Filmed on location all over America as well as in the United Kingdom, this picture brings to life the heat and gin-soaked plantations where it all began. With the full cooperation of the B.B. King Museum, owners of vaults and archives so precious and immense, that several trips had to be made to America to revisit the collection and partake of its many gems. Prejudice and segregation has stained the lives of countless African Americans, and B.B. "Riley" King made sure that through his music, he never allowed it to mar his spirit. This is the essence of the story that makes an astoundingly beautiful film.