THE HISTORY CHANNEL(TM) EXPANDS DIVERSE STORYTELLING FOOTPRINT WITH NEW DOCUMENTARY "JOE LOUIS VS. MAX SCHMELING" (WORKING TITLE) EXPLORING THE EPIC SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE LEGENDARY BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS IN CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH UNINTERRUPTED
New York, NY - March 5, 2025 - The HISTORY Channel(TM) is continuing to showcase diverse stories and storytellers, in front of and behind the camera, with the greenlight of the new documentary "Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling" (working title) in partnership with UNINTERRUPTED and its award-winning studio team, it was announced today by Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming for The HISTORY Channel. The two-hour documentary will join the previously announced project "Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning."
"The creative partnership between The HISTORY Channel and UNINTERRUPTED has forged an unbreakable bond," said Lehrer. "Each year, our teams aim to develop impactful and inspiring documentaries that highlight diverse heroes who overcame insurmountable odds to change history, and we deliver. We are thrilled to continue this partnership with telling these incredible stories that we believe our audiences will find as entertaining, as they do informative."
"UNINTERRUPTED is inspired by empowering stories of resilience and perseverance that embolden audiences to recognize their own potential and power," said Jamal Henderson, Chief Content Officer, Fulwell Entertainment. "We are grateful for partners like The HISTORY Channel who not only understand but appreciate the importance of diverse, entertaining and educational content."
"Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling" (w.t.) will follow the parallel lives and careers of African American heavyweight champion Louis and German heavyweight champion Schmeling, who overcame significant social and political obstacles while going toe-to-toe in two of the most legendary boxing ring matchups of all time. With World War II on the horizon, the fights symbolized the broader social and political conflicts between the democratic United States and fascist Nazi Germany and would see these athletes forge an unlikely lifelong friendship, and a legendary place in history.
The partnership also includes the premiere of the previously announced documentary "Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning" about the legendary Olympian whose athletic prowess across baseball, football, and track and field made him one of the greatest athletes of all-time. Directed by Chris Eyre (Cheyenne and Arapaho), the project will showcase the life and legacy of the United States' first Native American Olympic gold medalist and explore what it means to be American through the pivotal intersection of identity and sport.
"Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling" (w.t.) is produced for The HISTORY Channel by UNINTERRUPTED in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment. LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron serve as executive producers for UNINTERRUPTED. Matthew Rissmiller serves as co-executive producer for UNINTERRUPTED. Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serve as executive producers for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Eli Lehrer and Jim Pasquarella serve as executive producers for The HISTORY Channel. Four-time Emmy award-winner Nikki Spetseris is executive producer and director.
"Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning" is produced for The HISTORY Channel by UNINTERRUPTED in association with INE Entertainment, Five All in the Fifth, and GroupM Motion Entertainment. LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron serve as executive producers for UNINTERRUPTED. Chris Eyre is executive producer and director. Mark Koops, Eric Day, and Doug Banker are executive producers for INE Entertainment and Five All in the Fifth, respectively. Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serve as executive producers for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Eli Lehrer and Jim Pasquarella serve as executive producers for The HISTORY Channel. Courtney Whitaker and Matt Rissmiller serve as co-executive producers for UNINTERRUPTED.
A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights to "Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling" (w.t.) and "Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning".
About The HISTORY Channel(TM)
The HISTORY Channel(TM) is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based programming, The HISTORY Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY Channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for several consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For additional press materials visit the A+E Global Media Press Center at press.aegm.com.
For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. The HISTORY Channel(TM) is a division of A+E Global Media (aegm.com), a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
About UNINTERRUPTED
UNINTERRUPTED is the award-winning athlete storytelling brand, within Fulwell Entertainment (formerly The SpringHill Company and Fulwell 73 Productions), that combines revolutionary content, experiences and consumer products. Since 2015, the UNINTERRUPTED brand has existed to partner with athletes to invite the sports community to celebrate the humanity in sport through culturally connected content. UNINTERRUPTED original content properties and franchises include Top Class, Iman Amongst Men and more. The award-winning studio team for the UNINTERRUPTED brand develops and produces high-quality sports-centered television, film, and theatrical releases with the biggest creators, brands and platforms in the world. All UNINTERRUPTED studio projects are empowerment led, where content isn't simply to entertain, but to inspire with thought-provoking themes, conversations and journeys. Studio projects within the unscripted and documentary space for UNINTERRUPTED include Starting 5, Untold: Sign Stealer, What's My Name: Muhammad Ali, Greatness Code, Top Class, Golden: The Journey of USA's Elite Gymnasts, The Redeem Team and more. For more information visit www.uninterrupted.com and follow @UNINTERRUPTED on social media.
About GroupM Motion Entertainment
GroupM Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces and distributes premium television, digital content and award-winning programming around the globe in partnership with the world's leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships Motion works alongside GroupM agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,300 series, equating to over 42,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion currently operates in 35+ countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles. GroupM Motion Entertainment is part of GroupM, a WPP company.
|