Emmys to Honor 1963 Television Milestones

This year's Emmy Awards will pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of two events that changed the face of our world.

Six-time Emmy nominee Don Cheadle will present a moving tribute to television's role in the assassination coverage of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 and then connect that event to the performance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show merely 80 days later on February 9, 1964. Both of these historic events are often mentioned together as two of the most significant television moments in history, and the segment on the Emmy telecast will explore the tie between them.

Following Cheadle's presentation, six-time Grammy® Award winning artist Carrie Underwood will honor the music of the era with a special performance.

"To have an opportunity to look back at a time that represented television's finest hour in a program that celebrates so many of this year's achievements is what makes the Emmys special," said Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich. "We are certain that viewers will enjoy this special tribute."

In addition to the previously mentioned events, 1963 also marked the first year that more people got their news from television than from newspapers. It was at this time that network newscasts were expanded from fifteen minutes to a half hour, and the FCC approved the use of the remote control for home viewing.

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