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Historical Series OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS Journeys Back in Time Recounting Clash of Civilizations in the 16th Century Coming to KCET April 4

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JP Shields

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Shot on Location at Key Landmarks of Struggle for Dominance of Both The Mediterranean Sea and Europe, Julian Davison Takes Viewers To Extraordinary Battleground Between The Mighty Ottoman Empire With Its Capital in Istanbul And The Christian Empires of Europe Led by Spain and Venice

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Julian Davison takes viewers on a tour of Cyprus in OTTOMOANS VS. CHRISTIANS “Battle for the Mediterranean” | Photo courtesy of KCET

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Burbank, Calif. – March 24, 2017 –KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, announced today the premiere date and time for a new six-part series following the historical power struggle in the 16th century between Christian Europe and the formidable Muslim Ottoman Empire called OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS. Shot in high definition and on location at various key points of interest, it was a conflict not just for power and wealth, but for cultural and religious supremacy that lasted nearly three centuries, and its outcome resonates to this day. Host Julian Davison takes viewers on an epic trek back in time to a world of magnificent galleys laden with riches and merciless pirates who prowled the waters, to spectacular battles and bloodied acts of treachery and revenge. OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS premieres Tues., April 4 at 10 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California.

The series will be told in two chapters “Battle for the Mediterranean” and “The Battle for Europe” ––each with a three-part narrative to relive some of the most dramatic and critical moments of this clash of civilizations. From modern day Istanbul, where Constantinople stood as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Davison travels to the former Christian strongholds of Rhodes, Malta, Cyprus and Crete before setting sail to mainland Greece to uncover the story of the bloody and infamous Battle of Lepanto.

The series will be telecast as follows (subject to change*):

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: Battle for the Mediterranean “Empire Builders” – Tues., Apr. 4 at 10 p.m. PT

In part one, Julian Davison begins his journey in Istanbul, the gateway between East and West and former epicenter of the Eastern Christian Empire of Byzantium. He charts the rise of the Ottomans and their momentous conquest of Constantinople, which they transform into the capitol of their empire, Istanbul.

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: Battle for the Mediterranean Masters Of The Mediterranean”  – Tues., Apr. 11 at 10 p.m. PT

In part two, Julian Davison travels to the site of one of the most extraordinary sieges in European history, the island of Malta. The pride of the Christian Crusader Order of the Knights of St. John, Malta stands today like a baroque jewel, but in the 16th century it was the object of desire for Ottoman Sultan Sulieman the Magnificent and he was prepared to risk all to possess it.

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: Battle for the Mediterranean “Clash Of Civilizations” – Tues., Apr. 18 at 10 p.m. PT

Part three begins in the legendary city of Famagusta on the island of Cyprus.  Once the wealthiest city on earth, Famagusta was the jewel in the Venetian crown when Ottoman armies surrounded it in 1571.  Julian Davison takes us on a tour of the city's magnificent gothic cathedrals and intimidating fortress, detailing the gory battles and fabled acts of heroism that took place here during the Ottoman conquest of the city.

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: The Battle for Europe Part 1”  – Tues., Apr. 25 at 10 p.m. PT

This mini-series travels to the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, where the power struggle between Christian Europe and the Muslim Ottoman Empire lasted for centuries.  This episode traces the history of Ottoman influence in the Balkans over four centuries.

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: The Battle for Europe Part 2”  – Tues., May 2 at 10 p.m. PT

The Ottoman Empire advances into Europe in the 15th-17th Centuries and climaxes in the second siege of Vienna in 1683.

OTTOMANS VS. CHRISTIANS: The Battle for Europe Part 3”  – Tues., May 9 at 10 p.m. PT

The final episode explores the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Tsarist Russia, which resulted in the Crimean War in 1853, dragging in troops from France and England.

Join the conversation on social media using #OttomansVsChristians

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a part of the KCETLink Media Group. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Hulu, Apple TV and Roku platforms.

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