BRAVO LAUNCHES THE FIRST EVER LIVE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL VIEWING PARTY FOR "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY" FINALE ON MAY 5

Bravo's Social Media Events Mark Industry First With Live Elements On Multiple Platforms

NEW YORK - April 28, 2009 - Bravo is giving viewers an extra dose of "Real Housewives" goodness with the first ever live ultimate virtual viewing party for the finale of "The Real Housewives of New York City," Tuesday, May 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Fans of the show can voice their opinions on the series through Twitter, Facebook Connect, and live mobile chat. Bravo viewers will also get the chance to interact directly with their favorite Housewives, live, when the ladies join the party by Twittering their comments during the finale, and answering live viewer questions via mobile and online chats. This social media event, which combines interactive elements on every platform to bring fans the ultimate viewing experience, marks the first time a network has created a live viewing party by bringing the series off the TV screen and directly into the viewers' homes.

During the finale, fans will have the chance to Twitter with Housewives' Bethenny Frankel from New York City and Tamra Barney from Orange County, get exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the "Real Housewives" mobile fan club, and some fans may get answers to their burning questions directly form the ladies themselves on BravoTV.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/party and on their mobile phones. Fans can also interact with their friends on Facebook Connect, where they can share their thoughts and post comments on all the drama and action seen in the finale. Additionally, BravoTV.com will stream the finale live, on both coasts, so fans anywhere and everywhere can check out the dramatic ending to this explosive season two.

"The 'Real Housewives' franchise has been lightning in a bottle for Bravo, and we wanted to capitalize on our fans' passion for these series and create a social media watercooler event that gives viewers many different layers of engagement and interactivity," said Lisa Hsia, Senior Vice President of Bravo Digital Media. "This is the first time ever that a network has done a live event on every platform available to its audience, and we've left no stone unturned in bringing our dedicated fans everything we can offer to make their viewing experience as hands-on and interactive as possible."

In the season finale of "The Real Housewives of New York City," airing Tuesday, May 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, clashes, disagreements and conflicts abound as the ladies take care of the final details for Jill's charity event that they are all planning together. LuAnn uses her skills as a model to help Bethenny prepare for a fashion show. Some of the other Housewives show up to watch Bethenny strut the catwalk in a Moroccan fashion show, and Jill and Ramona decide to settle their differences about the charity event. On the day of the event, as expected, Ramona ruffles Jill's feathers, but everyone's shocked when old allies clash. For a sneak peek at some of the Housewives drama that has unfolded this season, fans can go to www.BravoTV.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/videos/housewives-feuds.

The second season reunion special of the "The Real Housewives of New York City" was so jam packed with drama that Bravo couldn't resist giving viewers more Housewives! The explosive reunion special will air in two parts - check out what went down during the first part of the "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion special on Tuesday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, the dramatic conclusion will air on Thursday, May 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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 Universal 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.