SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL

EPIX TO EXCLUSIVELY BROADCAST AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S

 SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL

LIVE FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK CITY

EPIX to Present the Event’s First Live U.S. Telecast Sunday, March 4, 2012, 7PM ET/4 PM PT

and Deliver Live Stream Free to All U.S. Homes

New Comedians Join the Expanding Roster: 

Fred Armisen, Hannibal Buress, David Cross, Bill Hader, Rashida Jones, Seth Meyers, Bob Odenkirk, John Oliver, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig and more

NEW YORK, NY, February 16, 2012 – EPIX (www.epixhd.com), the multi-screen, multi-platform premium entertainment service, announced today that it will be the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of Amnesty International’s Secret Policeman’s Ball, to be held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Sunday March 4, 2012 at 7pm ET/4pm PT.  This year’s event marks the first time the world-renowned comedy and music festival will be held in the United States, broadcast live and commercial free on EPIX and streamed online at EpixHD.com and via EPIX apps on Xbox 360 and Roku.  Participating affiliated television providers including charter.net/epix and verizon.com/fiostvonline will also offer a live stream of the event on their online portals.

New performers added to the show include American comedians Fred Armisen, Hannibal Buress, David Cross, Bill Hader, Rashida Jones, Seth Meyers, Bob Odenkirk, John Oliver, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman, Statler & Waldorf from Disney’s The Muppets, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig plus British comics Noel Fielding, Micky Flanagan, Peter Serafinowicz and Jack Whitehall.  The all-star lineup of music and comedy talent includes previously announced artists Coldplay, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Mumford & Sons, Russell Brand and Reggie Watts.

EPIX is partnering with Amnesty International to target the enormous fan bases of the comedians and musical artists performing in the show, reaching over 150 million Twitter and Facebook followers.  Throughout the event EPIX will offer a second screen companion application where viewers will be able to learn more about Amnesty International and the historic series of Secret Policeman’s Balls dating back to 1976, connect with their favorite performers and follow the conversation via Facebook and Twitter.

“We are delighted to present this extraordinary lineup of music and comedy talent to our viewers,” said Mark Greenberg, EPIX President and CEO.  “EPIX’s all-access, multiplatform availability allows us to bring Amnesty International’s message to a new generation.” 

“We are excited to work with EPIX to bring the event to the U.S. and reach a wider audience of younger viewers,” said Andy Hackman, Executive Producer for Amnesty International.

“Amnesty International is thrilled that so many top comedians, musicians and entertainers will sound off for free speech at The Secret Policeman’s Ball by using the power of speech itself to challenge and resist those who would constrain it,” said Suzanne Nossel, Amnesty International USA’s new executive director.  “On March 4, we will stand with bloggers in Egypt, China and Azerbaijan, a writer in Cameroon, Burmese comedian Zarganar, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for mocking his government, and countless others facing punishment for writing and saying what they think.”

Amnesty International’s Secret Policeman’s Ball is a co-production of Amnesty International, Control Room and EPIX.  Executive Producers are Lily Sobhani of Amnesty International and Aaron Grosky of Control Room. 

Ross Bernard is the Program Executive for EPIX.