article_snippet.sent: (CNN)One of the biggest TV events of all time is being reimagined for new audiences.
article_snippet.sent: "Roots," the epic miniseries about an African-American slave and his descendants, had a staggering audience of over 100 million viewers back in 1977.
article_snippet.sent: Now A&E networks are remaking The epic 1977 miniseries about an African-American slave, to air in 2016.
article_snippet.sent: The epic 1977 miniseries about an African-American slave.
article_snippet.sent: The Saga of an American Family.
article_snippet.sent: Producers will consult scholars in African and African-American history for added authenticity.
article_snippet.sent: We are proud to bring The Saga of an American Family to fans of the original, as well as to a new generation that will experience this powerful and poignant tale for the first time," said Dirk Hoogstra, History's executive vice president and general manager.
article_snippet.sent: The remade "Roots" will encounter a new generation of viewers who have witnessed Barack Obama make history as the nation's first African-American president and "12 Years a Slave" win the Oscar for Best Picture, but also widespread racial unrest over police treatment of black suspects in many U.S. cities.
article_snippet.sent: My career began with 'Roots' and I am proud to be a part of this new adaptation," said Burton.
article_snippet.sent: There is a huge audience of contemporary young Americans who do not know the story of 'Roots' or its importance.
highlights_snippet.sent: The A&E networks are remaking the blockbuster "Roots" miniseries, to air in 2016 .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: The epic 1977 miniseries about an African-American slave had 100 million viewers .