BBC America Press

November 02, 2009

MATT FREI ANCHORS BBC WORLD NEWS AMERICA LIVE FROM BERLIN ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF THE WALL

- Special reports from Berlin lead up to the historic day -

-Multi-media offering includes web series at bbc.com/franzstrasser -

Washington DC – November 2, 2009 - A special edition of BBC World News America broadcasts live from Berlin on Monday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT.

German-born Matt Frei, who reported from Berlin on the day the Wall fell twenty years ago, returns to his native country to anchor the program from the historic Brandenburg Gate.

The program will feature news and analysis of all the day’s major events, live reports from BBC correspondents on the ground and interviews with key players. Matt Frei will also provide a uniquely personal perspective on events.

In addition, an in-depth series of reports from Matt Frei airing Tuesday, November 3 – Friday, November 6 will provide analysis and historical context in the lead up to the anniversary. Filmed in Berlin, the series examines the vision Hitler had for the city, how the city was divided after the war, the Berlin air lift and the impact the Wall had on post-war Germany and international affairs.

Finally, as part of a multi-media offering, viewers are invited to join digital reporter, Franz Strasser, on a journey across his native East Germany at bbc.com/franzstrasser. In a series of video blogs, Franz – who was just five years old when the Wall fell – presents a personal as well as a searching investigative account of the changes that have transformed Germany over the last 20 years.

The series includes interviews with Germans from all walks of life - from his family to famous public figures - as well as blog entries and reports looking at the triumphs and traumas that ensued after reunification and how the country is remembering this major event in its history.