Hoping to replicate its Memorial Day ratings bonanza from its 2012 miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, History is debuting another Western miniseries, Texas Rising, in the same slot this year. As I wrote at Adweek, History is making a little history of its own in the process:

The miniseries is being filmed in CinemaScope (with its 2.35:1 shooting ratio), a first for a television program. “When you watch it at home, it will be as if you’re watching one of the great classic Westerns,” said executive producer Leslie Greif. “We made a film that’s just airing on television.”

It actually won’t just be airing on television. History is partnering with Fathom Events to air a sneak preview of the first episode in Regal, Cinemark and AMC theaters. So, to recap: if you want to see a new movie like The Interview, turn on your TV. If you want to see the premiere of Texas Rising, go to a movie theater.

History Channel Heads West With New Texas Series, Shot in Classic CinemaScope