Charleston, SC (September 22, 2021) – Hearst Media Production Group today announced a new season of the award-winning series, Free Enterprise, will premiere October 30, returning to Litton’s Weekend Adventure, the multiple Daytime Emmy-award winning programming block airing every Saturday morning on ABC stations nationwide. Free Enterprise shares the journeys of formerly incarcerated individuals who dream of starting their own businesses after struggling to find consistent employment because of their criminal records.
Through the expertise of one of America’s foremost entrepreneurs, financial-technology (fintech) pioneer and Inmates to Entrepreneurs founder Brian Hamilton, Free Enterprise has changed the lives of last season’s guest entrepreneurs. The show has also affected multitudes of weekly viewers, as evidenced by the thousands of emails received from formerly incarcerated people inspired to join the program as well as fans, families who view the show together, and numerous budding entrepreneurs from all walks of life looking to gain invaluable business advice during these difficult times.
“In its first season on the air, Free Enterprise has already transformed the lives of several burgeoning entrepreneurs such as Claudia Shivers, who launched her own coffee business, and Robert Teasley, who went from inmate to owner of a drone photography business. We are excited to bring more of these inspirational stories to our audiences,” commented Angelica Rosas McDaniel, EVP Strategy, Litton Entertainment.
Hosted by ABC News’ and ESPN’s Ryan Smith, Free Enterprise season two will share the journey of formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs as they build their new businesses. With the help of Hamilton and his team of fellow business experts and mentors, these entrepreneurs will work to launch businesses with low or no capital, providing viewers a real-time view into the processes of product development, pricing, marketing, and customer service – and their own inspirational stories of self-reliance, hope and transformation.
“During season one, we heard from people across the country about the show’s impact, from how it helped them get a start on their own business plans to how it provided hope for people coming out of prison. That was the best part. We are really looking forward to season two and bringing even more second chances for the world to see,” Brian Hamilton said.
Free Enterprise recently garnered two Telly Awards in the Social Impact and Social Responsibility categories. Casting for Season Two is still in process and if you or someone you know would like to learn more, please contact: CastingTVShows2021@gmail.com
ABOUT HERST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP
Hearst Media Production Group, is the preeminent independent producer and distributor in the U.S. television industry, creating and distributing quality programming for over 20 years including linear, cable, streamers, digital and social platforms. Producing more than 800 hours of programing a year across genres and demos, Litton talent and crews can often be found traveling the globe producing Emmy-winning, content distributed worldwide. Hearst’s Weekend Adventure, produced by Hearst Studios, was the first program block of its kind and airs Saturdays on ABC stations nationwide. Hearst Media Production Group provides CBS Network with six original programs for Saturday mornings called CBS Dream Team; The CW Network with One Magnificent Morning, a three-hour destination featuring E/I programming; NBC stations with six original E/I series under the iconic brand The More You Know; and Telemundo with the three-hour Mi Telemundo block of programming. Heart’s syndication and news division distributes a diverse slate of programs including Law&Crime Daily, the E/I block Go Time!, and Consumer Reports TV. For more information, visit http://www.hearst.com.
ABOUT BRIAN HAMILTON
Brian Hamilton is a lifelong successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leading national voice on how ownership can change lives. He founded Sageworks, one of the country’s first financial technology companies, and holds several patents from products created during that time still used in most financial institutions across the country today. When Mr. Hamilton sold Sageworks, he created the Brian Hamilton Foundation to help all people realize their potential and dreams through business ownership. He also continued his 30-year ongoing entrepreneurial training service with prison populations through Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit organization. Today, Inmates to Entrepreneurs is the longest running program of its kind in the country. Raised in a working-class neighborhood in Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton started his own landscaping business at an early age, which ultimately funded his aspiration to be the first in his family to go to college. He’s a summa cum laude graduate of Sacred Heart University and also holds an MBA from Duke University. Mr. Hamilton has been widely featured in the press and is the recipient of many awards, including the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award.
ABOUT RYAN SMITH
Ryan Smith is a host, correspondent, and legal analyst for ABC News and ESPN. Smith also contributes to ESPN as a legal analyst and host of Outside the Lines and E: 60. A graduate of Syracuse University and Columbia Law School, Ryan started his career practicing corporate, sports and entertainment law
