Each year in early to mid-September, many media outlets nod to one of the most infamous days in U.S. history — the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. With the event’s 25th anniversary coming into view, Disney will seek to put a spotlight on the courage and resilience of people directly affected by the event, as well as remembering many of its dreadful details.
The media company will present new programming across ABC News, National Geographic, Disney+, Hulu, ABC’s local TV stations and the live-streaming ABC News Live service, anchored by a live national broadcast from ABC News and WABC-TV New York and a new original documentary from National Geographic. Disney has developed some of its editorial content in conjunction with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
“Through the storytelling power of our platforms, we will mark this solemn anniversary with programming that honors the victims and their families and helps ensure that the stories of courage, compassion, and resilience that emerged from September 11 endure for future generations,” says Debra OConnell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. “We are particularly proud to be able to shine a light on the work that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum does to honor those who were lost, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who have dedicated their life’s work to honoring their legacies.”
Disney’s efforts are expected to be just one among several from major media outlets. CBS News has “extensive plans throughout the day, including live coverage of ceremonies happening in the morning,” the Paramount Skydance unit said in a statement. “We are also dedicating our entire primetime lineup that night to special 9/11 remembrance programming, and we will have additional details on these specials in the coming weeks.”
Fox News Channel, MS NOW and NBC News are also expected to offer special programming tied to the anniversary, according to people familiar with those outlets’ plans.
The immediate effects of 9/11 coverage were clear and significant. TV networks went into round-the-clock news coverage, and stopped running commercials. Indeed, one estimate at the time held that the major broadcasters lost $320 million in advertising to keep the public informed of developments surrounding the tragedy. Advertisers were reluctant to run commercials during subsequent commemorations in the first few years following the attacks, but time has softened some of those concerns.
Nonetheless, sensitivity is still required. One of the key underpinnings of Disney’s work is research showing that 100 million Americans today have no lived memory of September 11, 2001, and did not witness any of the service or unity that was a strong element of the national response. The collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is part of a broader effort to build awareness of the continued significance of 9/11 and point to stories of service that have unfolded since that time.
National Geographic will on August 21 launch a new three-part docuseries called “9/11 Reunited” that revisits the attacks but highlights the stories of first responders and witnesses and reunites them with people they helped or worked alongside on that fateful day. Many of these emotional reunions take place for the first time in 25 years.
Each episode will be available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu the day after it airs on linear TV. The series was created in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and 72 Films.
“9/11 Reunited”is executive produced by David Glover and Mark Raphael of 72 Films, along with Academy Award-winners Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin. Louis Lee Ray produces, and Julian Jones directs the series for 72 Films. For National Geographic, Cate Hall and Carolyn Payne serve as executive producers.
National Geographic will in early September debut an expansive video archive of never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews and original source material drawn from its catalog of 9/11 documentaries. Available on NatGeo.com, the searchable archive will allow users to explore eyewitness testimony tied to September 11.
ABC will on September 1 air a two-hour primetime ABC News special led by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Michael Strahan that explores how sports, music, Broadway, the media, and comedy helped U.S. citizens move forward following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The special will air on ABC, and stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. An encore simulcast will take place on Friday, Sept. 11 on ABC, ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.
Additional special coverage will continue across “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” and “The View” highlighting profound stories of resilience and strength to honor this anniversary.
ABC will on September 11 air “9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan,” a one-hour live ABC News special across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, ABC local-station livestreams and ABC News Live. “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir, “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts and anchor Diane Sawyer will anchor the broadcast live from New York City.
The special, produced in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will reflect on the lasting impact of September 11, 2001, and commemorate the resilience of the survivors, families, first responders and communities changed by the attacks. The program will culminate with “Tribute in Light,” a public art installation which has illuminated the New York City skyline every 9/11 since the attacks.
“Today, 100 million Americans are too young to remember 9/11 themselves. This special will reach across generations to commemorate, educate, and inspire — and to uphold our promise to never forget,” said Beth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Prior to the broadcast, ABC News Live will stream a one-hour special edition of the nightly newscast “Prime” from Ground Zero anchored by “World News Tonight” Sunday and “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis and WABC anchors Sade Baderinwa and Mike Marza. The program will be available on WABC, ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu and local-station livestreams.
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