Esquire Network to Debut with Two-Hour Anniversary Special, 9/23

Esquire Network will debut on Monday, September 23, 2013, it was announced today. The network will kick off Primetime with a two-hour special that commemorates Esquire magazine's landmark 80th anniversary, timed to coincide with the October debut of the magazine's anniversary issue. The original ESQUIRE 80TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (WT) will look back at the social, political and cultural forces that shaped our lives over the last eight decades - told through the lens of the magazine, its stories, images and covers.

Said Esquire Network general manager Adam Stotsky, who made today's announcement, "As Esquire magazine reaches such a significant milestone, it only seems fitting that Esquire Network kick off by celebrating the rich legacy of this iconic brand. And we will build on this unparalleled 80 year history with a new Primetime lineup featuring compelling original programming that hits on the wide-ranging interests, aspirations and passions of men today."

"Additionally," said Laura Molen, Executive Vice President, Cable Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal, "Esquire Network is providing advertisers with an opportunity not currently offered by a television network to reach today's educated, upscale man across multiple platforms."

The 80th anniversary special joins a growing pipeline of original programming, including previously announced series KNIFE FIGHT, an underground cooking competition hosted by Ilan Hall; THE GETAWAY, exploring the world's most amazing cities through the eyes of a revolving cast of travel-loving celebs; HOW I ROCK IT, a look at style in all its forms, hosted by NBA superstar Baron Davis; RISKY LISTING, a docuseries set in the exclusive, intensely competitive world of New York nightlife real estate; and AMERICAN FIELD TRIP (WT), a trip across the country with photojournalist Matt Hranek, in search of people, places and objects that embody the timeless American spirit.

In addition, the network is announcing production on two new original series, BREW DOGS (WT) and HORSE PLAYERS.

For BREW DOGS (WT), produced by Custom Productions and Redtail Media, Scottish "beer evangelists" James Watt and Martin Dickie travel across America with a vital mission: to prove that the drink of the masses doesn't need to taste mass-produced. In each episode of the 6x60 series, James and Martin, who own the UK's fastest-growing brewery, visit a different American beer town, celebrate distinctive craft beers and create their own locally-inspired draft.

HORSE PLAYERS, a 7x60 series produced by Go Go Luckey for Esquire Network, takes place in the high-stakes world of professional horse race handicapping, where the only thing bigger than the bets are the characters placing them. From Churchill Downs to Saratoga to Santa Anita, each episode follows a group of handicappers as they travel the country in search of instant riches - and compete for the title of America's top handicapper.

Esquire Network's offering will also include contemporary series making their network premiere, including: LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON, PARKS AND RECREATION, PARTY DOWN, Burn Notice and PSYCH.

About Esquire Network

Esquire Network brings the iconic men's brand to television with programming that explores and celebrates the interests, passions and aspirations of men today. Championing intelligence, wit and style, the network reflects a wide range of pursuits with male appeal, including: gaming, gear, entertainment, food, fashion, women, humor, travel, competition, danger and more. Esquire Network is a strategic partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst Magazines, and is a unit of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal.

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