Lifetime Entertainment Services Names Former WB Network Executive Maria Grasso to Newly Created Position of Senior Vice President, Series Development

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 -- In her first significant step toward bringing new talent to the Network since becoming Lifetime Television Entertainment President in September, Susanne Daniels has named Maria Grasso, the architect of popular, groundbreaking WB Network series such as "Everwood," "One Tree Hill" and "Jack & Bobby," to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Series Development.

In this role, Grasso will oversee the development of all scripted programming for Lifetime Television. Based in Los Angeles, she will report to Daniels.

"We're thrilled to have someone as highly regarded and well-respected as Maria taking on this responsibility. As our network embraces a wider vista of programming targeting a broader range of women viewers, Maria's talent, creativity and remarkable record of success at every stop along her career make her the ideal person to help build Lifetime's primetime schedule," said Daniels.

"Working for the premier women's network was an irresistible opportunity that I simply couldn't refuse. I'm excited to apply my experiences in developing drama and comedy series in both broadcast and cable television to this challenge of expanding Lifetime's programming into new areas," said Grasso. Maria Grasso

Grasso joined The WB in 2001 as Senior Vice President, Drama Development, where her duties included developing primetime series such as "Supernatural," "Everwood," "One Tree Hill" and "Jack & Bobby". Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President, Development, for Will Vinton Studios, supervising the productions of "The PJs" and "Gary and Mike," among other responsibilities.

From 1997-99, she was Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, at Warner Brothers Television. During this period, Grasso developed primetime comedy series including "Jesse," "Norm," "Baby Blues" and "The Oblongs".

As Senior Vice President, Comedy Development for Universal Television from 1994-97, she was instrumental in developing the comedy series "Partners" and "Something So Right." Grasso joined the company in 1992 at Director, Comedy Development.

Grasso began her career at MTV Networks in 1987, where her positions through 1992 included Director of Development at Comedy Central.

She is a graduate of Gettysburg College (PA), earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1986.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Launched in 1984, LIFETIME serves more than 89 million households nationwide. In 1998, LIFETIME launched Lifetime Movie Network, now in nearly 50 million homes, and in 2001, Lifetime Real Women. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, Lifetime Radio for Women and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com