or


[05/30/06 - 12:00 AM]
We Expands Programming Team with Two New Hires

[via press release from WE: Women's Entertainment]

WE Expands Programming Team with Two New Hires

Steve Cheskin Appointed Senior Vice President of Programming Gena McCarthy Appointed Vice President of Development and Production

Network Announces Two New Original Series Dirty Dancing: Living the Dream and Designer to the Stars: Kari Whitman and the Return of the Hit Series John Edward Cross Country

New York, New York, May 30, 2006 - Following a record breaking ratings quarter for the network, WE announced today that Steve Cheskin has been appointed Senior Vice President of Programming and Gena McCarthy has joined the network as Vice President of Development and Production. The only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them, WE has seen record ratings success with its increased programming slate and overall expansion during the past year. The network is on pace for the 05/06 season to be the best in network history for Prime M-Su 8p-11p delivery of HH, W18-34, W18-49, W25-49 and W25-54. To date in 05/06, WE has +260% more original telecasts during Prime M-Su 8p-11p than in the same time period during the 04/05 season, resulting in HH ratings growth of 50% from 1Q05 to 1Q06.

In conjunction with today's announcement, WE announced the addition of two new original series, Dirty Dancing: Living the Dream and Designer to the Stars: Kari Whitman, and an additional episode order for the hit series John Edward Cross Country to join the network's growing list of original programming. The series premiere of John Edward Cross Country ranks as the highest rated original series premiere in network history for WE.

"Steve and Gena will be a wonderful addition to our WE programming team as we continue to grow our original programming," stated Kim Martin, WE's General Manager and Executive Vice President. "With the addition of two new original series, the return of our hit series John Edward Cross Country, and a line-up of originals in the works, it is pertinent that we have a strong programming team in place. During his time as a consultant Steve has proved that he shares the network's passion and dedication for creating engaging original programming that our viewers enjoy. Gena also has an impressive background in production and programming, creating some very compelling original programs."

Cheskin joined WE last March as a programming consultant, and has been instrumental in the ratings growth the network experienced over the past year. He has helped ramp up the network's original programming slate, including greenlighting WE's hit original series American Princess, Secret Lives of Women and John Edward Cross Country. In his new role as Senior Vice President of Programming, Cheskin is charged with overseeing program development, production, scheduling and acquisitions for the network. In her role as Vice President of Development and Production, McCarthy will work with Cheskin and the programming team in developing series, specials and stunts for the network. McCarthy will also oversee WE's team of executive producers guiding them as they take development ideas to production and to air.

Following are descriptions of the original series scheduled to join WE's programming line-up.

JOHN EDWARD CROSS COUNTRY

John Edward Cross Country is a documentary style series that shows acclaimed psychic medium John Edward as he travels across America to conduct readings, and follows him as he goes home with some of the families he has helped during his large group sessions. The series goes behind the scenes to hear more about each family's compelling story, giving viewers an up-close and personal look at the family's journey of healing and growth and the ways in which Edward's work impacts people's lives. The six new one-hour episodes will premiere on August 25, 2006 at 10 pm ET, adding to the original order of eight episodes. JECO Productions produces John Edward Cross Country.

DIRTY DANCING: LIVING THE DREAM

The movie is an American classic, the DVD a best seller, and now Dirty Dancing: Living the Dream the competition series is poised to hit the airwaves with all the hot beats, seductive dancing, and fairytale dreams that had people around the world wishing for a romance like Johnny and Baby. Dirty Dancing: Living the Dream brings 30 young women to a "Kellerman's" like resort where they meet six male dance instructors. Through a series of energetic performances and personal interaction each male instructor will select one woman to be his partner for the final dance off. The winning couple will earn a spot in the Dirty Dancing live stage show, currently touring the globe. Hosted by professional choreographer Cris Judd, the half-hour, eight-episode series will premiere on December 6, 2006. Dirty Dancing: Living the Dream is produced by Don Weiner Productions and distributed by Lionsgate.

DESIGNER TO THE STARS: KARI WHITMAN

Meet Kari Whitman -a vivacious, fun-loving LA single, Hollywood insider, interior designer to the stars, and self-admitted perfectionist whose days are filled with surprises. Whether it is turning A-listers including Jessica Alba, Virginia Madsen, Kristen Bell, and Kurtwood Smith's homes into high-end abodes, to her evenings spent placing dogs in loving homes through her charity, Ace of Hearts, to planning a girl's night out, there is no project too big for Kari to handle. Kari's passion for perfection, oft times zany behavior and high-energy antics tend to turn her days upside down, but nothing she can't handle. Its Kari's zest for life and these endearing qualities that make her so good at what she does, so appealing to work with, and infectious to be around. And how many women could do all this and keep it together, in a pair of stilettos and without ever having a single hair out of place? Kari juggles it all and gives 110% to everything she does; you'll ask where she finds the time to do it all. And like many women out there she just does. The half-hour series will air eight episodes premiering on January 6, 2007. Designer to the Stars: Kari Whitman is produced by GRB.

Prior to his post at WE, Cheskin was Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Travel Channel where he oversaw all programming, management, business development and operations for the network. During his tenure at the Travel Channel, Prime Household delivery more than tripled, and at the time of his departure 23 of the top 27 telecasts in the network's history had been developed under Cheskin's direction. Prior to the Travel Channel, Cheskin worked at TLC, where he was Vice President of Programming and helped to broaden the scope of the networks programming, including developing the network's highest rated series Trauma: Life in the ER. Cheskin also previously was Manager of Affiliate Marketing and Planning at Discovery Channel, where he developed such stunt ideas as Shark Week, the network's celebrate and highly-rated annual programming event. Early in his career, Cheskin worked in sales and production for Storer Cable and worked various freelance production assignments. Cheskin received an M.A. in Radio-TV-Film and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland.

McCarthy previously worked at Discovery Channel, where she was an Executive Producer and executive produced a variety of series and specials including Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters and Deadliest Catch. Prior to her position at Discovery Channel, McCarthy was an Executive Producer at TLC working on specials and series such as For Better or For Worse, Faking It and Junkyard Megawars. While at TLC, McCarthy also worked in programming as a writer, identifying new formats and program genres for the network. McCarthy began her career at WQED Pittsburgh, a local PBS affiliate, working as Manager of Development and Production for the networks national projects. McCarthy received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.

**Source: Nielsen Media Research, Prime M-Su 8p-11p daypart average for 1Q06 12/26/05-3/26/06 vs.1Q05 12/27/04-3/27/05; 02/03 STD 09/30/02-04/27/03; 03/04 09/29/03-04/25/04; 04/05 STD 09/27/04-04/24/05 vs 05/06 STD 09/26/05-04/30/06 Live HH, Women 18-34, Women 18-49, Women 25-49, and Women 25-54 Audience during Prime M-Su 8p-11p. WE Originals based on Prime M-Su 8p-11p telecasts 04/05 STD 09/27/04-04/24/05 vs 05/06 STD 09/26/05-04/30/06; Season finale of American Princess on 9/11/05 @ 10p compared to all WE historical telecasts (12/31/01-3/26/06)

About WE

WE is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 59 million homes.

About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC

A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks - AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE; its regional programming service - Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere - the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division - IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division - Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation - and its full service network programming origination and distribution company - Rainbow Network Communications.





  [september 2024]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BRIDEZILLAS (WE)





[09/06/24 - 07:33 AM]
Donnie Wahlberg Returns with an All-New Season of "Very Scary People" on Investigation Discovery
Hosted and executive produced by Wahlberg, the series offers an expansive look into society's most evil minds, revealing unprecedented insight into their twisted crimes through rare in-depth interviews and remarkable archival footage.

[09/06/24 - 07:30 AM]
A New Chapter of "Love After Lockup" Begins with a New Season of "Life After Lockup"
The love stories continue as the fan favorite returns with 10 must-see, 90-minute episodes on Friday, October 4.

[09/06/24 - 06:06 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Reveals Official Trailer and Key Art for Original Korean Drama Series "Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale"
All 10 episodes will premiere on Thursday, September 26 on Paramount+ in the U.S, the U.K., Canada, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

[09/06/24 - 06:02 AM]
Video: "All Creatures Great and Small," Season 5 Preview
Return to the cozy world of "All Creatures Great and Small" for an all-new season on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 9/8c.

[09/06/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Family Pack" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When an old card game comes to life, a family jumps back in time to a medieval village where they must unmask werewolves to secure their return home.

[09/05/24 - 04:00 PM]
Hallmark Sets November 30 Premiere of "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story," Headlining Thanksgiving Weekend of Countdown to Christmas' 15th Anniversary
What's more, the first look date announcement dropped, signaling viewers to grab their popcorn bowls and blankets before Thanksgiving weekend arrives.

[09/05/24 - 03:00 PM]
Video: Meet the Season 23 Contestants - "Hell's Kitchen" Premieres Sept. 26 8/7c on FOX
This season the contestants are "Head Chefs Only."

[09/05/24 - 02:38 PM]
Video: BET+ Original Series - "Zatima" Season 3 Trailer
Season three of premieres Thursday, October 3 on BET+.

[09/05/24 - 02:30 PM]
Video: Meet the Baking Detective Duos Heading Into Season Three of "Crime Scene Kitchen," Returning Sept. 26 on FOX
Host Joel McHale returns alongside celebrity judges Curtis Stone and Yolanda Gampp.

[09/05/24 - 02:08 PM]
Video: FOX Adds New "Accused" Cast and Debuts First Look Trailer
Cobie Smulders, Vella Lovell, Dina Shihabi and Isabel Arraiza are the latest additions to season two.

[09/05/24 - 01:30 PM]
CBS News Announces Special Coverage for the Sept. 10 Presidential Debate
CBS News will simulcast the presidential debate hosted by ABC News across television and streaming platforms starting at 9:00 PM, ET.

[09/05/24 - 12:32 PM]
Paramount+ Announces September 24 Premiere Date for "We Will Dance Again," Documentary Feature About the October 7th Terror Attack at the Nova Music Festival
The See It Now Studios Original Documentary won two awards at Doc Edge in June, including Best International Editing and the In Truth We Trust category award.

[09/05/24 - 12:17 PM]
Video: Sneak Peek of The First Performance on Season 12 of "The Masked Singer," Airing Wednesday, September 25 at 8/7c on FOX
FOX's all-new special theme nights celebrate acclaimed franchises Barbie (celebrating the 65th anniversary of Mattel's Barbie) and Footloose (ringing in its 40th anniversary), along with the iconic artist Miley Cyrus in a pop culture-piercing night that salutes her music catalog.

[09/05/24 - 12:14 PM]
Peacock Announces Straight-to-Series Order for "The 'Burbs" Starring and Executive Produced by Keke Palmer, Written and Executive Produced by Celeste Hughey
Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins and Aimee Carlson for Fuzzy Door will executive produce alongside Brian Grazer, Kristen Zolner and Natalie Berkus for Imagine Entertainment.

[09/05/24 - 12:00 PM]
Prime Video Orders "Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Story," A Docuseries About Iconic Lisa Frank Brand
Directed by Arianna LaPenne, the series comes from Sony Pictures Television's Maxine Productions.