LIFETIME PICKS UP DOCU-SERIES "THE HOUSTON FAMILY CHRONICLES"

Program to Follow Lives of Family of Late Whitney Houston

NEW YORK, NY (May 11, 2012) - Lifetime has picked up The Houston Family Chronicles (working title), an all-new docu-series that will follow the lives of the late Whitney Houston's family, led by Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law and manager, and including Pat's daughter Rayah, Whitney's brother Gary, daughter Bobbi Kristina and mother, Grammy(R) Award-winning singer Cissy Houston. The announcement was made today by Rob Sharenow, Executive Vice President, Programming, of Lifetime Networks.

Whitney Houston's sudden passing left behind a major void felt not only by the world, but also by those who loved her most, her beloved family. The Houston Family Chronicles follows those closest to the pop music icon as they try to pick up the pieces after her untimely death. Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law, manager and most trusted confidant, manages the business and estate of the beloved singer and her most prized possession, her daughter Bobbi Kristina. The series will follow Pat and her husband, Gary, Whitney Houston's brother, as they take on their greatest challenge, supporting and guiding Bobbi Kristina as she faces the world alone, without the one person she relied on the most, her Mother.

A mother to her own teenage daughter, Rayah, Pat understands the difficulty of raising a young woman in a world where social media and peer pressure are the norm. As she tries to guide her own daughter into womanhood, Pat also has the responsibility of raising Bobbi Kristina, who, while trying to move forward with life and make decisions about her future, must also learn to cope with such a devastating loss. With the certainty of a microscopic lens focused on this young woman and her every move, Pat, Gary and their tight-knit group of family and friends are committed to seeing that Bobbi Kristina can grow and experience life unscathed. A true believer in the bond that women share called sisterhood, and a self proclaimed "woman's woman," Pat enlists the help of her and Whitney's inner circle, including Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick and Gospel legend CeCe Winans, to assist her in such difficult times.

"The tragic loss of Whitney Houston left a void in the hearts of people all over the world, but certainly none more so than her beloved family," said Sharenow. "In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow."

Pat Houston added, "I have been working with Simmons Shelley over the past few years developing a project suitable for myself and our family. The unexpected passing of Whitney certainly affects the direction of the show. However, it is my hope that others will be enlightened as they watch our family heal and move forward."

Lifetime has ordered ten hour-long episodes of The Houston Family Chronicles, which will premiere this year. Jarrett Creative will produce. Julie Insogna-Jarrett, Seth Jarrett, Tracey Baker Simmons, Wanda Shelley and Pat Houston will serve as executive producers with Lifetime's Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy and Noah Pollack.

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Lifetime Television is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. The network posted major growth in viewership among the key demographics in First Quarter 2012 versus First Quarter 2011, including a 9% jump in Adults 25-54, +12% with Women 25-54, +14% with Adults 18-49 and +18% with Women 18-49. In addition, the quarter marks the first time Lifetime has posted First Quarter year-on-year growth for Adults 25-54, Women 25-54 and Women 18-49 in seven years. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal.