ABC ANNOUNCES NEW ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING FOR JUNE AND JULY, PLUS THE RETURN OF �WIFE SWAP� AND NEW TIME PERIODS FOR �SUPERNANNY� AND �LOST�

SUMMER SLATE TO INCLUDE:

FOUR NEW ALTERNATIVE SERIES -- �DANCING WITH THE STARS,� �THE SCHOLAR,� �BRAT CAMP� AND �WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD�

ONE EPIC DRAMA -- �EMPIRE�

PLUS MOVIE NIGHTS, SPECIALS�

WITH MORE TO COME IN AUGUST

The ABC Television Network has announced a summer slate of original scripted and alternative series, two weekly movie franchises, a music special and some favorite returning series to premiere in June and July. August programming is still to be announced.

JUNE:

SUPERNANNY (new night and time) -- Television�s newest superhero can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. This miracle worker is Jo Frost, a.k.a. Supernanny, godsend to desperate parents across the country who were dazzled by her amazing results when her series debuted this past fall, as she showed families the tools for transforming their children�s wild ways. Her practical, no-nonsense style was honed over 15 years of nannying in the U.K. and the U.S. Rebroadcast episodes begin airing on a new day and time, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DANCING WITH THE STARS (new alternative series) � An international sensation under the title �Strictly Come Dancing,� this six-part, primetime series at last makes its American debut! This totally original show will feature six celebrities paired with leading professional dancers to train and then compete in a live television knockout ballroom dancing competition. Each week, America votes for the dancer they best feel has learned to master and execute these difficult dances in front of a live studio audience. �Dancing with the Stars� will be produced in America for ABC by BBC Entertainment, a division of BBC Worldwide, the production team responsible for the hit U.K. version. The series will be executive-produced for the BBC by Richard Hopkins, creative head of Format Entertainment. Series premieres WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET).

LOST (new time) -- Starting one week after the exciting two-hour season finale, the adventure begins again when ABC launches summer rebroadcasts � same night, later hour � with the episode that started it all! Dr. Jack Shephard wakes up in a bamboo forest seeing smoke and hearing screams. Survivors of the crash of Oceanic flight #815 have landed on a tropical island of harsh terrain, cruel weather and dark secrets. But it�s the people and their pasts that may pose the greatest danger to the group�s ability to endure. If you haven�t seen the show everyone�s been talking about, now is the time to catch up. And if you�ve been a faithful viewer, here�s your chance to catch all the implanted clues to the characters and their futures that you didn�t catch the first time around. Rebroadcast episodes begin airing at the new time, WEDNESDAY, June 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY PRESENTS -- �BAMBI� � The animated classic has its network television premiere on �The Wonderful World of Disney,� as the legendary family franchise joins in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Southern California�s Disneyland theme park. Like other theatrical films airing as part of the franchise this summer, �Bambi� will be highlighted by celebrity-hosted interstitials honoring the park�s 50-year history. This does leave �Bambi� with some bragging rights -- having been released in 1942, this heart tugging parable about the cycles of life as reflected in the story of the growth of a young deer has been entertaining audiences for more than 60 years. The network premiere of �Bambi� will air SATURDAY, June 4 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET).

THE SCHOLAR (new alternative series) � The opportunity of a lifetime is about to come true for one of America�s best and brightest high school students in a groundbreaking unscripted series that will send the winner to a top-rated university, all expenses paid. Filmed on location at the University of Southern California, �The Scholar� will be the first show ever to celebrate higher education as the ultimate American prize. For the chance of a full-ride to the college of their choice, ten qualified high school seniors -- who might not otherwise have an opportunity to pursue a college education -- will compete for a full scholarship and all college related expenses, a prize valued at $250,000. They will have to demonstrate excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, creativity and community service, while facing sudden-death oral exams and defending themselves to an Ivy League scholarship committee. �The Scholar� is a concept based on an original idea by Jaye Pace, Shannon Meairs and Waxman Williams Entertainment. Steve Martin, Joan Stein, Jon Murray, Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner will serve as executive producers. Series premieres MONDAY, JUNE 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

ABC MONDAY MOVIE OF THE WEEK � The Monday movie franchise returns, MONDAY, June 6 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET).

EMPIRE (new drama series) � This sweeping six-hour limited series tells the tale of Octavius -- the boy destined to become the emperor Augustus -- one of the most influential leaders in world history. The story � which blends fiction with history -- begins in Rome in 44 B.C., on the heels of the vicious assassination of Julius Caesar. As he lay dying, Caesar names his nephew, Octavius, as the heir to his legacy, thereby plunging Rome into civil war and pitting the 17-year-old-boy against the iconic general, Marc Antony, his 15 legions and a scheming Senate that is bent on reclaiming its lost power. Octavius� only protection comes from Tyrannus, a fierce gladiator sworn to protect the young prince and restore him to Caesar�s throne. �Empire� will take us from the death of Caesar to Octavius� climactic return to Rome at the head of an invading army seeking a final showdown with Marc Antony. �Empire� stars Jonathan Cake as Tyrannus, Santiago Cabrera as Octavius, Emily Blunt as Camane, Chris Egan as Agrippa and Vincent Regan as Marc Antony. Recurring or guest stars include Dennis Haysbert as Magonius, Trudie Styler as Servilia, James Frain as Brutus and Colm Feore as Julius Caesar. �Empire� is being executive-produced by award-winning producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (�Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows,� the Oscar-winning �Chicago�), multiple award-winner Tony Jonas (�Queer as Folk�), Chip Johannessen (�24�) and Thomas Wheeler (�The Prometheus Project�), who is also series creator. The series -- filmed entirely in Rome and South Central Italy -- is produced by Taranus LTD. in association with Storyline Entertainment and distributed by Touchstone Television. Two-hour premiere slated for TUESDAY, June 28 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), with hour-long episodes to air for four consecutive Tuesdays, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET.

JULY:

BRAT CAMP (new alternative series) � What would you do with a teen that curses at you, breaks the law in your house and doesn�t listen to anything you say? Six families with out of control teenagers make the tough choice and decide to send their kids to Sagewalk Wilderness Therapy Camp, a boot camp-style program in the wilds of Oregon, in the desperate hope that, once it�s over, they�ll get back the children they once knew and loved. The show is the latest U.K. sensation -- where it aired on Channel 4 -- to cross the Atlantic to American audiences. �Brat Camp� is from Shapiro/Grodner Productions and Twenty Twenty Productions, with Arnold Shapiro, Allison Grodner, Peter Casely-Hayford, Jamie Isaacs and Claudia Milne serving as executive producers. Premiere date to be announced.

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD (new alternative series) � Seven diverse families, one beautiful home, on the perfect suburban cul-de-sac� let the competition begin! And this time, the neighbors will get to decide who wins the house. And while all of those neighbors have their own set of assumptions and prejudices, as they learn each of the competing families� stories, an emotional journey begins that will open eyes and hearts. The show is not just about a house, but about the building of a community. �Welcome to the Neighborhood� is from MGM, New Screen Concepts and the Jay and Tony Show Productions, with Rob Lee, Chuck Bangert, Lou Gorfain, Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh serving as executive producers. Premiere date to be announced.

BANK OF AMERICA PRESENTS: A CELEBRATION AT FORD'S THEATER -- AMERICA SALUTES THE TROOPS (new special) � Hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Hollywood�s leading film, television and musical celebrities unite as they celebrate our country and the contribution of the United States Armed Forces with the President and First Lady. The special will include performances by Hilary Duff, Josh Gracin and Julie Roberts. The historic Ford�s Theatre provides the setting for a night of star-studded entertainment for this perfect celebration of the 4th of July. The special is from Cates/Doty Productions, with Gil Cates and Dennis Doty as executive producers. Airdate to be announced.

WIFE SWAP (returning alternative series) -- Coming back this summer with all new episodes is a reality show unlike any other! �Wife Swap� presents two families with very different values who take part in a two-week challenge in which the wives from the two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover what it�s like to live a very different woman�s life. It�s a mind-blowing experiment that often changes their lives forever. Summer return date to be announced.