TV Guide Network Renews Its Second Season of Hit News Reality Series, 'MAKING NEWS: SAVANNAH STYLE'
Season Two Begins Filming in December 2007 and Will Debut on June 2, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- TV Guide Network�, a leading entertainment network providing original programming to over 84 million homes, today announced it has renewed its summer 2007 hit, MAKING NEWS for a second season with 13 episodes. Filming entirely on location in historical Savannah, Georgia, MAKING NEWS: SAVANNAH STYLE will go behind the scenes of local ABC affiliate WJCL-TV and local FOX affiliate WTGS-TV bringing viewers up close and personal with the drama, personalities, challenges and rewards that go into producing a local news broadcast. Season two will be full of surprises.
"MAKING NEWS resonated so well with TV Guide Network's viewers, I am thrilled the show was picked up for a second season," said Kristin Peace, vice president of Development, Acquisitions and Broadband Development, TV Guide Network. "The upcoming season will showcase an even more varied cast and struggling station than last season and, with the notable backdrop of Savannah, the stories bound to unfold throughout the series will definitely be interesting."
Premiering on June 2, 2008, MAKING NEWS: SAVANNAH STYLE will focus on a unique two-in-one station � ABC affiliate WJCL-TV and FOX affiliate WTGS-TV � as they try and make their way back from scandal and low ratings with a new and diverse cast of characters. The city of Savannah is market #97 nationwide out of 211 markets; locally, WJCL is number three, last in the market and last in ratings. WJCL-TV's most recent rating was a zero � the lowest rating of any ABC news station in the country.
"We learned last season just how fun and funny watching a station put on the news in a small market can be," says Executive Producer Nick Davis. "The challenges any local station face are so immense � limited resources, limited experience, and a show to put on night after night. But this season, the challenges faced by the group in Savannah are unreal, truly monumental. Finding out if they're going to be up to the task is going to be a real thrill."
New Vision Television, which purchased both stations in September of 2007, hired a new general manager after the previous one was arrested for embezzling funds from the station. Also newly hired is a self-proclaimed hippie as the News Director, set to whip the cast of newbie anchors and reporters, along with the seasoned veterans into shape � all the while trying to reclaim their throne in Savannah and become number one in the market.
MAKING NEWS: TEXAS STYLE was TV Guide Network's highest rated original series this past summer. During the filming of the show, CBS affiliate KOSA-TV in Midland-Odessa, Texas went from the number two station in the market to number one.
MAKING NEWS: SAVANNAH STYLE is produced by Nick Davis for Nick Davis Productions.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network reaches more than 84 million homes and is the premier television entertainment network for viewers seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and latest trends on television. Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood, TV Guide Network combines programming with comprehensive program listings information - all of which deliver on viewers' need for an entertaining and easy guide to what's on TV. TV Guide Network is a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
About Gemstar-TV Guide
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