NEW YORK (AP) -- The History channel says it will give a free DVD copy of its new 12-hour series on American history to every school in the country that wants one.
The 12-part series premieres April 25.
The network will mail posters, a teacher's guide and family viewing guide to 35,000 high schools and middle schools before that.
The series and educational outreach is the most expensive project in the network's history, although its executives won't reveal how much is being spent. Network chief Nancy Dubuc (du BEWK') says it's the broadest look at United States history on television since Alistair Cooke's series aired on PBS in the 1970s.
The series tries to recreate many of the events it is talking about, through actors and CGI animation.
They've shot scenes on three continents involving 1,641 actors, extras and stuntmen.
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