BBC World News America has secured a rare opportunity to broadcast two live programs from Cuba on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Anchored by Matt Frei from Havana, these two special newscasts will feature interviews with key players and in-depth pieces examining some of the major issues impacting Cuba and U.S.-Cuban relations.  Matt will also report from Cuba this week in the days leading up to the programs on Thursday and Friday.

Executive Producer, Rome Hartman says: "There are very few international relationships as complex, fascinating, and important as the one between Cuba and the United States. The opportunity to do both in-depth reporting and live broadcasting from Cuba is very rare and very special, and we mean to make the absolute most of it."

On Wednesday, February 24, ahead of the two live broadcasts, the BBC's full-time resident correspondent in Cuba, Michael Voss, looks back at the key events in the country's recent history and what the future may hold under Raul Castro.

Key elements of the live programs include:

 o Matt Frei spends a day with a Cuban family and looks at the reality of their everyday life.

 o Matt examines how the conviction of the “Cuban Five” reflects the fraught relationship that exists between Cuba and the U.S.  He speaks to one of the “Five” in a Tallahassee prison and to his family in Havana.

 o The future of U.S.-Cuba relations comes under the spotlight in a piece that considers a potential diplomatic thaw between the neighbors.  The new administration has eased travel restrictions for Cuban Americans and raised hopes for an end to the embargo and a total relaxation of restrictions on U.S. travel. But political differences remain including President Obama’s demand for the release of political prisoners and Cuba’s desire to be removed from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.  Michael Voss reports.

 o For years the Miami press has been accused of being a mouthpiece for the anti-Castro movement. But, as Andy Gallacher reports, changing demographics and a subtle shift in U.S.-Cuban relations has lead to a tangible change in the way the media reports Cuba.

 o BBC World News America will look at the impact of one of Cuba’s major exports: its medical expertise and training.

 o Matt Frei looks at how Cuba nurtures its stars of the future and keeps its culture alive.