PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity teams up with 4x NBA Champion and 2x MVP Stephen Curry and his multimedia company, Unanimous Media, award-winning The WorkShop Content Studios and FreshFly, to premiere Spirit, an inspiring docuseries that follows the co-ed cheer team from George Washington High School in Philadelphia. The four-part series follows the “G-Dub” team as they compete at the district, state, and national levels, and make history as the first cheer squad from the School District of Philadelphia to make it to the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals, the largest cheerleading competition in the world.
Spirit is a coming-of-age story about a group of young athletes beating the odds and showing how a sport can transform an individual, a team and a school,” said Curry and Peyton. “Throughout the series, we follow their journey as we see how competitive cheerleading gives these kids a sense of purpose and possibility. Spirit is the ultimate underdog story, and we’re excited for audiences to see the team do what they do best: prove people wrong.
Beautifully helmed by director Matt Howley, a Philadelphia native, who also affectionately refers to the series as the “Rocky of cheerleading,” the documentary showcases how the “G-Dub” cheer squad succeeds without all-star camps or feeder programs. Despite the lack of resources and never-ending circumstantial challenges, the GW team of two impassioned coaches, and 15 teenagers, delivers on their mission to prove that they can compete -- and beat – the so-called “elite” competition. Through intense teamwork and dedication, the resilient squad maximizes their athletic experiences to navigate their personal lives, including formidable challenges, forging profound bonds in the process, and revealing true growth and hard-earned maturity amongst their members.
Howley states, “Growing up in Philadelphia, I was raised on heroic stories of the underdog. It’s part of our fabric to identify with the underdog: to always believe that with some ability, hard work, ingenuity, and luck, you can pull off the improbable, if not the impossible. It is an honor to tell the story of how hard these students worked to, in the words of the team itself, ‘prove that there is a positive story coming out of these Philly neighborhoods.’”
Spirit will be available February 27, exclusively on Comcast’s Black Experience, a comprehensive content destination that features the ultimate in Black storytelling with a variety of original content. Black Experience is available across Xfinity’s entertainment devices, including X1, Flex and Xumo Stream Box, as well as on Xumo Play, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app available on major streaming platforms.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Stephen Curry and Unanimous Media to illuminate the extraordinary journey of these high school athletes. Their perseverance to pursue their dreams no matter what serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible with the heart and grit that Philadelphia is known for,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms for Comcast. “When we launched Black Experience on Xfinity, our goal was to share films and docuseries like this one that will inspire and empower the next generation of superstars.”
Spirit is produced by The WorkShop Content Studios and FreshFly Films.
Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling. Additionally, the Black Experience destination is available on Xumo Play, Comcast and Charter’s free ad-supported streaming service app, bringing programming like Spirit to viewers across the country.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Unanimous Media
Founded by four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry and multi-creative Erick Peyton in 2018, Unanimous Media is a multimedia company rooted in the mission to inspire and uplift audiences through authentic storytelling centered around family, faith and sports. Collaborating with underrepresented filmmakers, creators, and writers across the entertainment industry, Unanimous Media is committed to championing diverse voices and bringing a lens to narratives that need to be heard. In 2021, they signed a multi-year Global Talent Partnerships agreement with Comcast NBCUniversal – the first deal of its kind for the media giant. Most recently, Unanimous Media released Mr. Throwback for Peacock, marking Stephen’s acting debut and reaching #1 on the platform. Additionally, they are developing several projects, including 12 Days of Christmas for Amazon, and more.
About The WorkShop Content Studios:
Formed in 2007 The WorkShop Content Studios has grown to become a prominent, vertically integrated company serving clients from the creative development stages of a project through final production. The company has had great success in structuring compelling stories and bringing them to life on the screen for platforms and networks ranging from Amazon, Netflix, Peacock, and ESPN.
About FreshFly Films:
We create visual experiences designed to evoke emotions and inspire human connections through stories that range from brand & commercial content, to unscripted series and feature-length films. Our aspiration is to captivate audiences and ignite inspiration through compelling storytelling.