Networks Honor the 15th Anniversary of 9/11
This Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Networks are commemorating the anniversary with day-long programming events and special premieres on September 11 to honor the lives lost and those forever impacted by that day. Here are some highlights of programs that shed new light on that day 15 years ago.
National Geographic
The network will air 10 years of critically acclaimed 9/11 documentary specials beginning at noon. Starting with an encore presentation of “Giuliani’s 9/11:” The infamous mayor recalls the day with interviews, archive footage and graphics. Following at 1pm, “CIA Confidential: Hunt for Bin Laden” reveals the covert mission “Jawbreaker” in which seven CIA agents travel to northern Afghanistan to prepare for war. At 2pm, “CIA Confidential: 9/11 Mastermind” examines the world-wide manhunt for the man behind the attacks. “Witness: D.C. 9/11” recounts how Washington, D.C. dealt with the immediate aftermath of the attacks using raw video and audio, at 3pm. “9/11: The Firemen’s Story” follows at 4pm, giving insight to the national heroes of the New York Fire Department. The Emmy-nominated miniseries “Inside 9/11” airs at 5 and 6pm, exploring the history of radical Islam’s war on the West. A special encore presentation of “George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview” follows at 8pm, describing the horrific day through the former president’s eyes in his most intimate interview on the subject yet. The programming event culminates with the world premiere of “9/11: The Longest War” airing at 9pm. The special uses a variety of sources to compile all that we know for a comprehensive look at that fateful day 15 years later.
American Heroes Channel
The network will honor the day with a full slate of programming, from noon to midnight on September 11. The marathon begins with an in-depth look at Osama Bin Laden, with “Evolution of Evil” at noon, “Secrets of Bin Laden’s War” at 1pm and “Killing Bin Laden” at 2pm. The event continues with “9/11: Heroes of the 88th Floor” at 3pm, revealing the untold stories of those whose lives were impacted that day. “Attack on the Pentagon” follows at 4pm, exposing the often overlooked act of terror on the Pentagon. “9/11: The Falling Man” airs at 7pm, uncovering the story of the iconic “jumper” photograph. Airing at 8pm and again at 11, “9/11: As We Watched” shares the day told through the eyes of ABC News. “Capturing Bin Laden” tracks the world’s most wanted man at 9pm. “Secrets of SEAL Team Six” airs at 10pm, disclosing classified information and secrets of the heroic team.
History Channel
Starting at 8pm, an updated version of the Emmy Award-winning documentary “102 Minutes That Changed America: 15th Anniversary” will air. It gives a minute-by-minute account of the terror attack. The updated edition includes additional interviews. “America’s 9/11 Flag: Rise from the Ashes” chronicles the journey of the iconic American flag that was raised by the three NYC firefighters at Ground Zero on 9/11, then disappeared and has now been recovered. Airing at 10:30pm, HISTORY host and best-selling author Brad Meltzer will report. A series of original short form pieces will be available on HISTORY’s website, app and social media, with topics such as “The Symbol of the Towers,” “The Philosophy of Al-Queda,” “Pieces on United Airlines Flight 93” and more.
Smithsonian Channel
The Smithsonian Channel will commemorate the day with a marathon programming event beginning at 2pm. An encore presentation of “9/11: Day That Changed the World” will kick off the day. The critically-acclaimed special goes behind the scenes and provides greater insight to those decision makers who were responsible for the safety of the nation at that time—Laura Bush, Dick and Lynne Cheney, Rudy Giuliani and others. “Crowning New York” continues the marathon at 4pm, delving into the construction of One World Trade Center. At 5pm, “The Missing Evidence: 9/11 Secret Explosions in the Towers” explores the conspiracy theories surrounding the fall of the Towers. “9/11: Stories in Fragments” follows at 6pm, sharing the heart-wrenching stories behind the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History’s 9/11 collection. At 7pm, “9/11: The Heartland Tapes” uses solely documentary evidence to share distinct perspectives of that day from those living all over the country. “Aerial America: New York” concludes the event, exploring all that New York has to offer via flight over the city.
Discovery Channel
From 9am to noon, the Discovery Channel will be airing three 9/11 specials. For the first time ever, the firefighters who were at the base of the Twin Towers share their story on “9/11 Firehouse.” “9/11 Rescue Cops” follows at 10am, sharing the untold story of the NYPD’s rescue squad, the Emergency Service Unit, and their acts of heroism. “The 9/11 Surfer” concludes the network’s 9/11 programming, which tells the tale of Pasquale Buzzeli, who rode a blizzard of debris from the 22nd story…and survived.
CNBC
A special presentation of “Ground Zero Rising: Freedom vs. Fear” will air at 10pm on CNBC. The one-hour documentary explores the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the World Trade Center. Reporter Jim Cramer speaks with World Trade Center tenants, investors, a FBI agent, a NYC firefighter and more for a rare glimpse of the effect this special building has on all involved.
MSNBC
“9/11: As It Happened” will air at 10pm on September 10. The two-hour documentary retells the events of that day as they happened live on NBC. “9/11 In Our Own Words” will follow at midnight on September 11, in which NBC anchors and reports recall the events from their perspectives. “On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report” breaks down the content of the Commission Report at 1 and 2am.
PBS
PBS will be airing 9/11 specials. Check your local listings for the PBS station nearest you.
