Polygram Entertainment, Universal Music Group’s film and television division, TIME Studios, and Known Originals are producing a new series for CNN with Fred Armisen that takes audiences inside the label’s music archive.
The as-yet-untitled music docuseries is set to launch later this year with Armisen as host, taking a deep dive into UMG’s archives, which include avault within the Iron Mountain facility in Boyers, Pennsylvania.
“This series opens the doors to one of the most extraordinary music archives in the world, and Fred Armisen is the perfect guide,” said Amy Entelis, executive VP of talent at CNN Originals and creative development for CNN Worldwide. “His deep connection to music and natural sense of wonder allow viewers a chance to experience music history up close, discovering the unexpected stories behind some of the most iconic sounds ever created.”
Will Tanous, EVP and chief administrative officer at Universal Music Group, and executive producer, said, “This series was born from a desire to show fans what it’s like to mine the greatest underground musical archive in the world—giving them a sense of the hunt, the challenge, the thrill of this work – as well as direct access to the dedicated experts who preserve and champion these incredible musical legacies. Fred’s singular blend of humor, fandom, and musical talent makes him the ideal storyteller to reveal the intimate era-defining moments and unheard gems that form the foundation of popular culture.”
