USA Network to Air IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, 2/15

NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Chairman Bonnie Hammer today announced the newest classic in the ongoing Characters Unite Film Series to use the power of storytelling to increase awareness of social injustices, stimulate productive dialogue and encourage further progress. usa network will commemorate Characters Unite Month and Black History Month by presenting "In the Heat of the Night" with limited commercials on Saturday, February 15 at 9/8c. The film, which was groundbreaking in its powerful portrayal of racism in America and played a role in advancing the civil rights movement, won five Oscars including Best Picture. Film, television and music icon Quincy Jones, who composed the music for the film, will give a special introduction.

"'In the Heat of the Night' is a compelling, brilliantly executed exploration of racial tensions nearly fifty years ago, a critical time in our history," said Ms. Hammer. "That it still resonates today is a sad reminder that though we've come a long way, intolerance and injustice are still very much with us. It's a perfect example of the timeless potential of movies to shine a powerful light on complex social issues."

"It was a privilege to compose the music for 'In the Heat of the Night' and be part of a film that played a role in helping to advance civil rights in our country," said Quincy Jones. "Through this film, and the Characters Unite campaign, we can learn more about our past and re-commit to create a better future in which - as the great Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed - ALL of our children are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Based on the novel of the same name, "In the Heat of the Night" was released in 1967, at a time in our nation's history when the civil rights movement was just beginning to take hold. By telling the story of a white man (Rod Steiger) and a black man (Sidney Poitier) working together to solve a murder investigation in a racially hostile southern town, the film shined a light on widespread racism and the danger of stereotypes. The film featured a soundtrack composed by Quincy Jones.

"In the Heat of the Night" is the fifth film in the successful Characters Unite Film Series, which launched in April 2012 with "To Kill a Mockingbird," featuring an introduction by President Barack Obama. Additional films in the series have included "The Color Purple," with an introduction by the film's Oscar-winning star Whoopi Goldberg, "Milk," with an introduction by Emmy(R) Award-winner and activist Neil Patrick Harris and "Schindler's List," featuring an introduction by the film's director Steven Spielberg, which garnered 3.2 million viewers and more than one million in the key demos in February 2013.

February is USA's most expansive Characters Unite Month to date with special on-air programming, digital content and community events all month featuring a wide array of high-profile musicians, actors, athletes and political leaders who have joined in support of the award-winning public service campaign to combat hate and discrimination. Highlights include a new PSA campaign to promote greater tolerance and acceptance that features Grammy(R)-winning hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and their Grammy-nominated song of the year "Same Love," as well as other notable actors, athletes, musicians and political leaders. Throughout the month, USA and its Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPD) partners will begin the search for the 2014 Characters Unite Awards winners, UnSung heroes who are championing civil and human rights in their communities. In addition, USA is expanding the initiative to reach college students with a bus tour of university campuses across the country.

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