'Army Wives,' Highest-Rated Series in Lifetime Television's 23-Year History, Re-Enlists for Second Season

Smash Hit From the Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios to Return With All New Episodes in Spring 2008

-- Year's #1 New Cable Drama Among W18-49 & W25-54 --

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 12 -- Saluting the highest-rated series in the network's 23-year history, Lifetime has ordered a second season of the smash hit "Army Wives," it was announced today at the TCA Press Tour by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks.

Eighteen episodes have been ordered for the new season, which will premiere in the Spring of 2008. "Army Wives" airs Sundays at 10PM (ET/PT).

"Army Wives" currently averages 3.6 million total viewers and a 3.0 primetime household rating, while ranking first among all key women demographics, including 1.4 million W18-49 viewers and 1.4 million W25-54 viewers.

"Even before we shattered records with the premiere on June 3, we saw the battalions of critical acclaim and knew we had a hit," said Daniels. "Everyone up and down the chain of command deserves a medal for making the show such a success, from our amazing partners at ABC Studios and the production teams both in LA and on the ground in South Carolina to my talented colleagues here at Lifetime and, of course, those nearly four million viewers who tune in every week. All of us want to collectively thank Mark, Deb, Katherine, Jeff and the entire gifted cast for their hard work and dedication."

"We're thrilled that 'Army Wives' will continue on Lifetime, where it's broken ratings records and set new standards for quality in cable drama," said Mark Pedowitz, President, ABC Studios. "We're grateful for the support of Lifetime and the State of South Carolina, where the series is produced, and look forward to working with both partners on season two."

The critically acclaimed series, about the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active army post and the pressures and traditions of the military on those who are left behind is filmed on location in Charleston, South Carolina and stars Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis, Drew Fuller and Catherine Bell. Mark Gordon and The Mark Gordon Company's President of Production, Deborah Spera serve as executive producers. Jeff Melvoin and series creator Katherine Fugate also serve as executive producer. The series is based on the book Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank, who serves as a consultant. "Army Wives" is produced by ABC Studios.

ABC Studios has emerged as a leader in programming development and production by creating critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the television industry. The studio's brand identity as a haven for filmmakers for broadcast and cable networks has resulted in an impressive slate of 23 series for the 2007/08 season. ABC Studios is part of Disney-ABC Television Group, a division of The Walt Disney Company.

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. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime
http://www.lifetimetv.com/