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Link TV Premieres New Episodes of 'The Challengers' In Partnership with The Commonwealth Club Spotlighting Thoughtful Discussions on Global Issues

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Allison Gray
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Features Interviews With Unique Slate of Influencers Including Author Amy Chua, Harvard Lecturer Yascha Mounk, Berkeley Professor Robert Reich and Political Commentator Sally Kohn

the challengers
(Clockwise from top left: Amy Chua, Yascha Mounk, Sally Kohn, and Robert Reich. Courtesy of The Commonwealth Club)

Burbank, Calif.May 8, 2018 - Link TV, a national independent public satellite television network, announced today new episodes of its series THE CHALLENGERS, a series of dynamic speeches and interviews by uncommon people whose voices are challenging perspectives and offering unique insights into global issues. The series is a result of a partnership with San Francisco-based The Commonwealth Club of California. Notable on-air guests making their Link TV network premieres in these episodes of THE CHALLENGERS include author Amy Chua, Harvard lecturer Yascha Mounk, Berkeley professor Robert Reich and political commentator Sally Kohn. New 60-minute episodes of THE CHALLENGERS will premiere on Fri. June 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410. 

The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. Each year, they bring more than 450 events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy to more than 22,000 members and the public. Link TV, a national channel that connects the viewing public to the world, is an independent viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization, funded by contributions from generous individuals and grants from foundations. Audiences can discover Link TV's 24/7 mix of documentaries, global news and diverse cultural programs live on satellite, as well as streaming on-demand at LinkTV.org, Apple TV and on the Link TV Roku channel.

The upcoming episodes include the following (*schedule subject to change):

Amy Chua: Political Tribes

Premiere - June 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Encores: Sundays 4 p.m. PT, Thursdays 1 p.m. PT)

Amy Chua, best-selling author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, provides us with a cautionary critique of political tribalism in her characteristically sharp style. According to Chua, America’s political landscape has been transformed. *Limited Streaming Available

Yascha Mounk: People Versus Democracy

Premiere - June 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Encores: Sundays 4 p.m. PT, Thursdays 1 p.m. PT)

Drawing on vivid stories and original research, Yascha Mounk identifies three key drivers of voters’ discontent: stagnating living standards, fears of multiethnic democracy and the rise of social media. To avoid giving up on either individual rights or the popular will, Mounk believes politicians need to enact reforms that benefit the many, not just the few. *Limited Streaming Available

Robert Reich: Fighting for the Common Good

Premiere - June 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Encores: Sundays 4 p.m. PT, Thursdays 1 p.m. PT)

Robert Reich is one of the most influential voices in progressive politics today. In his new book, The Common Good, the former Secretary of Labor, and professor of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley contends that America has trapped itself in a vicious cycle that has left us more divided than ever. As a result, Americans are experiencing an erosion of trust in our media, the largest income inequality in modern history, and the resurgence of nationalist movements and racist rhetoric. *Limited Streaming Available

The Opposite of Hate: Repairing our Humanity with Sally Kohn

Premiere - June 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Encores: Sundays 4 p.m. PT, Thursdays 1 p.m. PT)

As a progressive commentator on Fox News and CNN, Sally Kohn has earned a reputation as someone who can build bridges across party lines - but even she has her limits. Through conversations across America, the Middle East and Rwanda with scientists, white supremacists and even some of her own Twitter trolls, Kohn will help us understand how hate develops and what we can do to stop it from growing and consuming us. *Limited Streaming Available

*KCET and Link TV are expected to merge with PBS SoCal, subject to regulatory approvals, by mid-2018.

ABOUT LINK TV

Founded in 1999, Link TV is an independent viewer-supported media organization providing programs that engage viewers with unique perspectives on national and global issues.  Reaching more than 34 million U.S. satellite households nationally via DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410, Link TV connects Americans with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations at the forefront of social change and the vibrant cultures of a global community. It is a free non-commercial service of KCETLink Media Group, based in Burbank, CA. For additional information about Link TV productions, web-exclusive content and program schedules, please visit linktv.org. Select programming from Link TV is also available for streaming on Apple TV and Roku platforms.

ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA

About the Commonwealth Club of California Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's premier public affairs forum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 22,000 members. Based in San Francisco with a second office in San Jose, the Club hosts more than 450 speeches and discussions each year on issues of regional, national and international significance. The Commonwealth Club's weekly radiobroadcast airs on more than 230 public and commercial stations across the country. The Club's podcasts are downloaded about 2.5 million times each year. The Club's videos also appear on the California Channel, C-SPAN and YouTube, where they have been viewed millions of times. For the past 11 decades, the Club has fostered free speech and civic dialogue on a wide range of topics, addressing key issues in society, culture, politics, the economy and more. For more information, visit http://www.commonwealthclub.org

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