SEASON TWO OF "AQUARIUS" TO LAUNCH COMMERCIAL FREE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 16

First Two Hours Will Be Shown From 9-11 P.M. Before Shifting to Normal 10 O'Clock Timeslot

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - April 19, 2016 - In an unprecedented move for broadcast television, NBC is dedicating two commercial-free hours to the Thursday, June 16 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) second-season premiere of its critically applauded drama "Aquarius," starring David Duchovny as an LAPD cop on the hunt for Charles Manson.

The 120-minute telecast will have absolutely no breaks for commercials or network promos, with the only stoppage coming for a one-minute local news break during the show's second hour.

The NBC telecast on June 16 will be the only chance to watch the episodes completely commercial free. When those episodes move to their online and digital platforms following the NBC telecast, a normal commercial load will ensue.

Beginning the following week on June 23, the series will shift to its normal 10 p.m. timeslot.

"Aquarius" in 2015 became the first broadcast series to be streamed in its entirety following its debut, with NBC making all 13 episodes available online for the four weeks following its initial NBC telecast. The surge of online viewers for the series created demand for a second season.

Upon its launch last May, the series received many high marks from TV critics. The New York Times wrote, "Unusual choices can be found throughout 'Aquarius,' and they are part of what makes this drama so good." Matt Roush at TV Guide added, "I took the 13-hour deep dive, emerging entertained, unsettled, and wanting more... a sardonic treat... " In addition, Variety said, "'Aquarius' ... kicks off summer with a provocative, cable-like gamble."

The first season of "Aquarius" delivered a solid upscale audience on NBC, indexing at a 108 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

"Aquarius" stars David Duchovny, Grey Damon, Gethin Anthony, Emma Dumont, Claire Holt, Michaela McManus, Brian F. O'Byrne, Chance Kelly, Ambyr Childers, Madisen Beaty and Cameron Deane Stewart.

Writer John McNamara ("Trumbo," "The Magicians") serves as executive producer with Marty Adelstein ("Teen Wolf," "Prison Break"), Becky Clements ("Last Man Standing"), David Duchovny and Melanie Greene. "Aquarius" is a production of Tomorrow Studios, a partnership between Marty Adelstein and ITV Studios.