BRAVO ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF THIRD NIGHT OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING AT 2007 UPFRONT
BRAVO ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF THIRD NIGHT OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING AT 2007 UPFRONT
Bravo Has 'The Affluencer:' Most Affluent, Influential, Engaged and Educated Viewers
Record Year in 2006 � Record First Quarter in 2007
NEW YORK � April 11, 2007 � Coming off a record-breaking 2006, followed by a record-breaking first quarter 2007, Bravo announced today as part of its Upfront strategy an additional night of original programming on Thursday nights in 2007; a shift in sales focus on the A18-49 targeted demographic from the A25-54 demo; and a robust slate of new and returning programming. The announcements were made by Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo and Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President Programming and Production, Bravo.
In 2006, the "Watch What Happens" network saw 10 different program series each top the one million viewer mark, and with new, original online content driving growth of www.BravoTV.com, page views increased by triple digits (361 million 06 vs. 164 million 05, up +120%). Bravo attracts the No. 1 most affluent, educated, and engaged viewers A18-49, who are among the most influential buzz-generators on cable � 'The Affluencers,' a new word coined by Bravo (see attached jpeg files) � and brings those avid, pop-culture obsessed consumers to the Upfront marketplace. (Sourcing below).
"Coming off our best year ever and our best first quarter ever, Bravo continues to thrive and attract viewers that are 'The Affluencers' -- they're young, rich, acquisitive, educated and influential, at the forefront of trends both in style and technology," said Zalaznick. "Our audience flocks to all our digital offerings, while their buzz-power simultaneously drives our on-air ratings."
Now in more than 84 million homes, Bravo continued its momentum as the No. 1 cable entertainment network in year-to-year primetime growth in 2006 (22% increase in A18-49) with a record-breaking 1Q07 (achieving a 19 percent primetime gain in A18-49 vs. 1Q06). Additionally, Bravo's online offerings continued to increase as the Bravo digital properties topped 103 million page views in 1Q07, representing a 40 percent increase over 1Q06 (103.3 million vs. 73.4 million). (Sourcing below).
Expanding to a third night of original programming this summer builds on Bravo's addictive slate of successful Tuesday night docu-dramas and Wednesday night competition reality originals that include "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "Work Out," "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List," "Project Runway," "Top Chef," "Top Design" and the spring series "Shear
Genius" (premiering tonight, Wednesday, April 11).
"Bravo has successfully built hit series with a following of passionate viewers that can't get enough of our five affinity groups: fashion, food, design, beauty and pop culture," said Berwick. "With our originals now on Thursday nights, advertisers can tap into the Bravo viewer's strong consumer weekend interests � going to movies, shopping and spending loads of money."
Following are the new and returning programming announcements:
RETURNING SERIES/FRANCHISE ADDITIONS:
TOP CHEF (Season 3)
Premiere Summer 2007
Bravo's hit series "Top Chef 3" takes over Miami Beach for a third sizzling season featuring a top-notch judging panel of authoritative culinary experts, including host Padma Lakshmi, award winning cookbook author; lead judge Tom Colicchio of Craft Restaurants; as well as judges Gail Simmons of Food & Wine magazine and "Queer Eye's" food and wine expert and Top Chef regular Ted Allen. A delight for all the senses, "Top Chef 3" features the most "seasoned" contestants yet, as well as special guest judges that include some of the culinary world's most renowned figures. Miami's hot sun fuels the competition as Bravo pulls back the curtain on this glamorous business and captures the drama, intrigue, and high emotion typical in the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of a busy kitchen. Muy caliente -- only on Bravo! "Top Chef" is produced by Magical Elves, with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serving as executive producers.
PROJECT RUNWAY (Season 4)
Premiere 4Q07
It's back! Host Heidi Klum, designer/lead judge Michael Kors and Elle magazine editor-in-chief Nina Garcia return for another season of high fashion and drama in one of television's most talked about shows. The Emmy-nominated series "Project Runway" provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for budding designers to break into the notoriously exclusive fashion business. Style guru Tim Gunn also returns, mentoring a new crop of aspiring designers through each challenge, showing them how to "make it work." The contestants will be whittled down to only three finalists who will face-off in front of an audience of movers and shakers at New York Fashion Week. "Project Runway" is produced by Magical Elves, with Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz and Rich Bye serving as executive producers.
KATHY GRIFFIN: MY LIFE ON THE D LIST (Season 3)
Premieres Tuesday, June 5 @ 10 PM ET/PT
There' s no place like the D-List for Kathy Griffin, and Bravo concurs with a third season renewal for the acclaimed, Emmy-nominated unscripted series "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List." Even with a third season of her series, the talented comic Kathy Griffin still revels in life on the D-List. But with an Emmy nod for her Bravo series, is she finally getting A-List props? Naaaah! Life still holds its indignities for the talented comic, and in the new season, viewers will relish in fantastic new D-List adventures, including her prison comedy tour, a trip to her hometown of Chicago for her high-school reunion, launching her career in the U.K., hitting the dating scene as a recent divorcee and at the Gay Adult Video Awards. Her career is on a roll and the comic is in better form then ever, which only serves up more challenges for the dog-tired Kathy, who must show more fortitude than ever to stay at the top of her game, as well as face some of life's bigger challenges and heartbreaks. Picture This Television produces "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" for Bravo. The series is executive produced by Marcia Mule, Bryan Scott, Lisa M. Tucker and Kathy Griffin.
INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO
Kyra Sedgwick premiere Spring 2007
Michelle Pfeiffer premiere TBA
Julia Louis Dreyfus premiere TBA
Charlie Sheen premiere TBA
Twelve-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," Bravo's longest running series, and Emmy-Lifetime-Achievement award recipient and host James Lipton welcome some of the performing arts' most intriguing stars to the Actors Studio stage. Actors who have graced the silver and television screens are scheduled to share their craft and life lessons � Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Louis Dreyfus and Charlie Sheen; episodes begin airing this Spring. "Inside the Actors Studio" is produced by In the Moment Productions, with James Lipton serving as executive producer, writer and host. Sabrina Fodor and Jeff Wurtz serve as producers.
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS
New season in June
Wednesdays at 11PM ET on Bravotv.com, immediately following Bravo's Wednesday night reality competition series
Hosted by Bravo's own pop culture pundit Andy Cohen, Senior Vice President, Production and Programming and writer of the popular Andy's Blog on www.Bravotv.com, "Watch What Happens" returns for another season of "dish" with your favorite Bravo stars. Every week in the half-hour, live-streaming, online program, Cohen sits down with his guests -- the winner, the loser, a judge, a favorite personality -- chatting about what transpired in that night's episode and the drama that ensued. Viewers have the ability to phone-in, e-mail and text message questions, comments or just plain rants about their favorite shows. "Watch What Happens" is produced by NBC Universal Digital Studios, which formed in 2005 to create engaging, video-based experiences, webisodes, viral videos and other video content specifically for broadband and wireless devices.
MILLION DOLLAR LISTING (Season 2)
Premiere TBA
It's a new season and a new cast of characters for the high-end real estate docu-drama. Young rival Beverly Hills real estate agents Josh from the John Bruce Nelson agency, and Chad from Hilton & Hyland wheel and deal in the high-stakes world of elite realty. Rolling in the latest Mercedes and Bentleys, Josh and Chad work the same beat, fight for the same clients and will do anything to close their multi-million dollar deals. From a property listing to a hunt for the perfect mansion, each episode tracks two deals, giving viewers an up-close look at the drama between agent, homeowner and potential buyer. "Million Dollar Listing" is produced by World of Wonder, with Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey serving as executive producers.
NEW SERIES:
HEY PAULA
Premiere Summer 2007
A new docu-series following the unique and multi-faceted Paula Abdul, "Hey Paula" provides a candid real look at the "American Idol" judge, pop star, choreographer and multi-platinum artist, as she takes two steps forward, and two steps back into the spotlight, giving an inside perspective on her professional and personal life. The fly-on-the-wall series reveals the ups and downs of Abdul, not just as a celebrity, but as a business woman, producer, choreographer, singer and friend. Cameras follow Abdul as she develops her own perfume and cosmetics, expands her originally-designed jewelry line, markets her clothing and fits many personal appearances into a demanding schedule. "Hey Paula" is produced by Scott Sternberg Productions.
FLIPPING OUT
Premiere TBA
It takes a special kind of personality to handle flipping six multimillion-dollar houses at one time, but Jeff Lewis, an obsessive compulsive successful businessman, pulls it off and turns a six-figure profit on every property. Lewis may blow up every now and then and perhaps fire an employee or two, but he's aware of his "Flipping Out" tendencies and attempts to counteract them with therapy, spiritual healers, psychics, and the like. Whether it's turning over a house or a staff member, things are always flipping in Lewis' world. And each day comes with a new barrage of problems, from dealing with workers not showing up to the job site, to learning from his pet psychic that his cat, Monkey, needs some "alone time." With an intriguing cast of characters, living as one big dysfunctional family, there's never a dull moment on a "Flipping Out" project. "Flipping Out" is produced by Authentic Entertainment, with Lauren Lexton and Tom Rogan serving as executive producers.
WELCOME TO THE PARKER
Premiere TBA
Bravo pulls back the curtain on the culture of high-class hotels and takes a look at the unique personalities that work and play there. "Welcome to the Parker" takes viewers into the world of the luxurious Parker Palm Springs hotel, a chic estate known for laid-back relaxation. Each episode will uncover the lives, relationships and drama of the hotel staff comprised of varying personalities who have the responsibility of keeping the hotel's demanding guests content. Viewers will see the work that goes into keeping The Parker's sterling reputation intact, following everyone from the concierge to the housekeeping department to the maitre'd and all of the colorful guests found inside its walls. "Welcome to the Parker" is produced by Snackaholic Productions, with Ted Skillman and Belisa Balaban serving as executive producers. Ted and Belisa also served as executive producers on Bravo's critically acclaimed series "Tabloid Wars."
MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER
Premiere TBA
Patti Stanger is Founder and CEO of the Millionaire's Club, the most elite matchmaking service in the world. Over the last seven years, she's built a lucrative business helping single millionaires find the women of their dreams. For fees starting at 20K and ranging up to 150k per year, she takes millionaires and transforms them, using her team of personal shoppers, interior designers, date coaches and therapists, and then sends them out on dates with potentially compatible women. While tending to clients, Patti also oversees her volatile staff of (usually single) women and tries to keep her own personal life on track (can she get her boyfriend to finally marry her?), all while dealing with the challenges that a small business owner catering to demanding millionaires faces. It's a juggling act that often results in love connections and wedding invitations but occasionally leads to high drama and unpredictable results. "Millionaire Matchmaker" is produced by Intuitive Entertainment and Bayonne Entertainment, with Kevin Dill, Mechelle Collins and Rob Lee serving as executive producers.
FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY
Premiere TBA
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams are reality for Sara Duffy, an eccentric, go-getter with a meticulous attitude who runs a luxury travel concierge business. Billionaires, socialites, and entertainment moguls turn to Sara and her team of travel experts, dubbed "Sara's Angels" to scour the world in search of the best, one-of-a-kind experiences. Outrageous demands are nothing out of the ordinary, as Sara and her team ensure that there is no mission too great, no corner of the world untouchable, and no experience too immense. "First Class" takes viewers inside the world of high-end luxury travel while revealing the drama that goes behind keeping demanding clients content and making extravagant dream vacations come to life. "First Class" is produced by Stone and Company, with Scott Stone, Dave Osper and Lori Kaye serving as executive producers.
NEW SPECIALS:
BRAVO ICON AWARDS
Premiere 2008
From Michael Kors and Tom Colicchio to Jonathan Adler and Sally Hershberger, Bravo is dedicated to celebrating the creative process and showcasing some of the leading creative minds working today. And as the only channel that has managed to expand its scope to include virtually every popular field of the arts -- acting, fashion, food, interior design, hairstyling and pop culture -- it's the most logical home for an event that celebrates these disciplines. "The Bravo Icon Awards" honors those people that have made an indelible mark in the arts. The awards will be held in March 2008 in New York City.
Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, entertainment and pop culture with original programming, acclaimed drama series, movies, comedy and music specials, and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 84 million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process, and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed original programming includes the Emmy-nominated "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," 12-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "Top Chef," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye," and the four-time Emmy-nominated hit competition series, "Project Runway."
Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information visit www.bravotv.com.
Source: Affluent & Educated: Nielsen prime VPVHs HHI $100K+ & 4+ yrs college, Full year 2006. Engaged: IAG prime, Full year 2006. Affluencers: Simmons Consumer Study 2006. Bravotv.com traffic internal measures (Omniture/Urchin).
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