ARLINGTON, VA – October 24, 2011 – PBS announced that the first episode of NOVA’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos” will premiere exclusively on the free PBS apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch beginning today, Monday, October 24, one week before broadcast.
In the four-part series, acclaimed physicist and host Brian Greene takes viewers on a mind-bending reality check and journeys to the frontiers of physics to see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet of space, time and the universe. With each step, audiences discover that just beneath the surface of our everyday experience lies a world we’d hardly recognize — a startling world far stranger and more wondrous than anyone expected.
The entire series will air nationally on PBS Wednesdays, November 2 – 23, 2011. Each episode will also be streamed on video.pbs.org, timed to the national broadcast. All episodes will be available for purchase on iTunes or on DVD and Blu-ray at shoppbs.org.
“Brian Greene’s ‘The Fabric of the Cosmos’ is an amazing journey into some truly astounding theories of our universe,” said Jason Seiken, Senior Vice President, Interactive, Product Development & Innovation. “On mobile, viewers get a sneak preview of the series' futuristic concepts and graphics leading up to the broadcast premiere and can continue their scientific exploration throughout the series.”
At an October 16 special panel and event at New York Comic Con, Greene spoke to a standing-room-only crowd and shared exclusive clips from “The Fabric of the Cosmos” that highlight the wonders of space and time and the nature of reality. Greene spoke with humor and passion about a variety of topics related to the film, including time travel, teleportation, quantum mechanics, entanglement, multiverses and the holographic universe. He also spoke about science education and the need for this kind of programming to spark the interest of young learners. (See excerpts from the panel discussion here.)
In a special event marking the premiere, The World Science Festival, Columbia University and NOVA will host a special screening of the series’ opening program, coinciding with the PBS broadcast, 9 p.m. ET on November 2, 2011. The screening will take place at Columbia University's Miller theatre, and will be immediately followed by a live-streamed webcast, produced by the World Science Festival, which will allow the in-theatre and digital audiences to further explore the program’s rich material in direct conversation with Greene and other featured program participants, including Saul Perlmutter, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.
As part of the educational outreach plans surrounding the series, NOVA has teamed up with the American Society of Physics Students to create a special series of science cafés inspired by “The Fabric of the Cosmos” series. Called “Cosmic Cafés,” these science cafés focus on cosmic themes: how the universe works and what physics, quantum mechanics, astronomy and cosmology tell us about reality and ourselves. Look for one closest to you or register to hold one of your own.
The PBS for iPad App features 250 hours of free video, including full-length programs, as well as TV schedules, previews and a tune-in reminder calendar that can be synced with iCal. The PBS for iPad App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The PBS App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch at www.itunes.com/appstore.
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches 124 million people through television and 20 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
CONTACTS: Carrie Johnson PBS Communications 703-739-5129 cjohnson@pbs.org
Karen Laverty NOVA National Promotion 617-300-4382 karen_laverty@wgbh.org
Eileen Campion Dera, Roslan & Campion 212-966-4600 Eileen@drcpublicrelations.com
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