National Geographic Channel Partners For Fourth Time With Scott Free Productions To Produce Best-Selling Author Bill O'Reilly's Next Anticipated Best-Seller, Killing Reagan

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Geographic Channel (NGC) president Tim Pastore announced today that the network will continue its successful partnership with Scott Free Productions to produce the next movie based on the latest highly anticipated book from Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, "Killing Reagan." The scripted film will follow in the footsteps of the networks three most-watched programs in history, Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus, the latter two of which were Emmy-nominated in 2014 and 2015, respectively. "Killing Reagan" is being published by Henry Holt and Company today, Sept. 22, 2015.

"Over the past three years, Scott Free Productions and National Geographic Channels have been incredible partners in bringing my books to life, and I'm confident 'Killing Reagan' will be no different," said author Bill O'Reilly. "Their formula for translating these stories from the page to the screen, using A-list talent both in front of and behind the camera, has proven to be successful with both audiences and the industry at large."

Killing Reagan takes a different approach than its predecessors, exploring how the attempted assassination on the recently elected president impacted his presidency. Reaching back to the golden days of Hollywood, where Reagan found both fame and heartbreak, up through his years in the California governor's mansion and finally to the White House, Killing Reagan goes in-depth on the president's rise to power that was nearly cut short after a gunman's bullet came within inches of his heart. The story is told in the same riveting fashion that has made best-sellers of O'Reilly's first four novels, and must-see hits of NGC's movie adaptations.

"Scott Free has had great working experiences with the National Geographic Channel and Bill O'Reilly from the outset, so we're really pleased that we can continue the relationship," added Ridley Scott.  "We're very proud of the programs we have produced together and look forward to collaborating once more."

"Our audience has proven to have a real appetite for compelling, authentic stories. As we prepare to air our four-hour movie event Saints & Strangers later this fall, we are excited to continue our momentum in the scripted genre by adding this fourth collaboration with Bill O'Reilly and Scott Free to our slate," said NGC's Pastore. "No matter what political party you side with, there is no doubt Ronald Reagan's presidency has had a lasting impact on global policies in our modern world. Presenting this story, especially during what's sure to be a heated election year, provides an opportunity to not only look back, but to see where it has brought us today."

Killing Reagan will begin pre-production later this fall. It will premiere in 2016 on the National Geographic Channel in the United States, globally in 171 countries in 45 languages and in Spanish on Nat Geo Mundo. For more information, visit our press room at foxflash.com and follow @NGC_PR on Twitter.

Killing Reagan is based on the book by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. The film will be produced for National Geographic Channels by Scott Free Productions. Executive producers are Ridley Scott, David Zucker, Mary Lisio and Bill O'Reilly. Co-executive producer is Clayton Kreuger. For National Geographic Channel, president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore.

About Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly is the anchor of "The O'Reilly Factor," the highest-rated cable news show in the country. He also writes a syndicated newspaper column and is the author of several No. 1 best-selling books. He is perhaps the most talked-about political commentator in America.

About Scott Free
Scott Free Productions is the film and television production company of acclaimed film director Ridley Scott. In the 20 years since Scott Free was formed, the company has earned over 70 Emmy nominations with 20 wins, and 20 Golden Globe nominations for its highly acclaimed television projects, which include the Peabody Award-winning "The Good Wife," which begins its seventh season on CBS this fall; a series adaptation of Philip K. Dick's classic "The Man in the High Castle," now in production for Amazon; the Civil War medical drama, "Mercy Street"; PBS' first scripted series in over a decade; "BrainDead," a comic-thriller CBS summer series from Robert and Michelle King; and Killing Jesus, the third in the acclaimed "Killing" telefilms (with Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln) for National Geographic, each of which premiered to record numbers for the channel.

Notable limited series broadcasts are "Klondike" for Discovery, "The Pillars of the Earth" for Starz, "World Without End" for Reelz, "Into the Storm" and "The Gathering Storm" for HBO, "The Andromeda Strain" and "Coma" for A&E and "The Company" for TNT. The hit crime series "Numbers" ran for six seasons on CBS. Nonfiction programs are highlighted by the Emmy-winning documentary special "Gettysburg" for History Channel and "Crimes of the Century" for CNN. Projects currently on the development slate include: "Strange Angel" for AMC, "3001: The Final Odyssey" for Syfy and "The Hot Zone" for FBC. With offices in Los Angeles and London, Scott Free works closely with RSA Films, one of the world's largest and most successful commercial production houses in the world.

National Geographic Channels
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in nearly 90 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit natgeotv.com, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NatGeoTVUS  or follow @NatGeoChannel on Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE National Geographic Channel