Five of AMC’s networks broadcasting nationally will be going dark as a tribute to George Floyd during his memorial service, taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota according to Deadline. These networks include AMC, IFC, We TV, BBC America and SundanceTV.
The networks are reported to go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds and the tribute is scheduled at 3:45 PM Eastern time. The duration of silence marks the amount of time that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground with his knee to the back of his neck which resulted in Floyd’s death. The move by AMC follows the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s announcement to observe a moment of silence in order to pause and reflect via Deadline.
Similarly, on Monday evening, ViacomCBS channels including the youth channel, Nickelodeon, showed a public service announcement for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as stated by CNN Business. The ad featured a black screen with the words, “I can’t breathe” alongside the sound of a person struggling for breath for the PSA’s duration.
The tribute was shown across ten networks which included MTV, BET, Comedy Central, CMT, CBS Sports Network aside from Nickelodeon.