BYUtv Renews First Original Scripted Dramatic Series Granite Flats for Season 3

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Jul 16, 2014, 01:20 ET

PROVO, Utah, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BYUtv, the nationwide high definition cable television network of Brigham Young University, today announced the renewal of its first original scripted series, Granite Flats, for a third season to air in Spring 2015, at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles.

Following the debut of Granite Flats in April 2013, which received positive national reviews and earned the highest BYUtv viewership in its history, season two aired in April 2014 and touted a 48 percent increase in viewers. Building upon the success of seasons one and two, the third season of this family-friendly series will take viewers deeper into the evocative portrayal of the intrigue, fear and small town innocence that characterized Mountain West America at the height of the Cold War.

Eight new one-hour episodes will deliver suspense, nostalgia, drama and romance, while echoing the era's tensions and suspicions. The series will continue to unravel events surrounding actual little-known covert United States military operations while focusing on the realities of growing up during this unique chapter in the nation's history.

"Granite Flats has been a wonderful experiment for BYUtv, representing our first foray into the original scripted drama genre," said Derek Marquis, executive producer of Granite Flats and Managing Director of BYUtv. "The talented actors, producers, writers and crew members we assembled for the series have helped us fill a family-friendly void in the market and as a result drew our largest audience to date. We are thrilled to renew the third season and look forward to working with cast members and notable guest stars from season two once again."

Three-time Emmy® Award-winning actor Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future trilogy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Taxi), along with guest directors Brian McNamara (Monk, The Ghost Whisperer, Army Wives), Sterling Van Wagenen (Yosemite: The Fate of Heaven, Secrets of the Pharaohs: A Quest for Ancient DNA) and John Kretchmer (White Collar, Criminal Minds, Psych), will return for the third season of Granite Flats. Additional guest directors, actors and other participants will be announced later.

"Granite Flats' story lines are reflective of a tense time in our nation's history and deal with real-life issues that were prevalent in the 1960s," said executive producer and director Scott Swofford. "The seasoned writers, producers, cast and crew members have worked very hard to provide viewers a realistic portrayal of life during this tumultuous time in U.S. history through authentic sets, costuming and dialogue. We are so happy that the series continues to resonate with audiences."

Filmed entirely in Utah, primarily on authentic 1960s-era locations, Granite Flats is a coming of age story set during a complicated time when life was simultaneously unsettled and innocent. Season one introduced viewers to this seemingly idyllic fictional town of Granite Flats in Colorado (circa 1962) and uncovered unforeseen mysterious events that challenged the faith and humanity of the characters. Three unlikely young heroes, the school science geeks, band together to form their own private detective agency, but the implications of what they're investigating are actually bigger than anyone realizes. The second season follows the three kid sleuths as they uncover dangerous evidence, while the Chief of Police and the FBI investigate a missing satellite. A new English teacher comes to town and captivates the attention of the kids with his quick wit. The arrival of the head of the CIA's counter-intelligence program in Granite Flats rattles some residents. New alliances are formed, old friendships are tested and nothing is what it seems.

Since 2011, BYUtv has created a breadth of original "see the good in the world" programming that fills a void in entertainment the entire family can enjoy together, including sketch comedy, history, music and documentary offerings. The High Definition channel continues to build steady momentum, drawing new viewers to its shows from every state of the country via cable, satellite and multiple digital media platforms including byutv.org, iOS apps for iPhone and iPad, the BYUtv Roku channel and new apps for Android and Microsoft Xbox. As with all of BYUtv's programming, Granite Flats is available to more than 53 million households in every state of the country. To watch Seasons One and Two of Granite Flats and learn about the cast and creative team, go to graniteflats.com.

About BYUtv
Owned by Brigham Young University and based in Provo, Utah, BYUtv is a groundbreaking High Definition cable television network, which has built its roster of original "see the good in the world" programming to fill a void in the primetime market. Amidst the proliferation of TV content, BYUtv programming stands out for its thoughtful examination of redeeming elements in our fast-paced, multifaceted world. The topics are varied, hard-hitting and nuanced. Whether through unrivaled live college sports coverage, documentary and feature films, scripted and improvisational comedy, scripted dramas or unscripted reality programs, BYUtv is a vital presence in the contemporary television landscape. The non-commercial cable network's reach is unprecedented at any university in the world, and offers approximately 1,000 hours of original programming annually, including 500 hours of live HD collegiate sports.

Contact: Michelle Prince
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