A&E NETWORK TURNS AVERAGE JOES INTO CEOS IN NEW ORIGINAL REAL LIFE COMPETITION SERIES "BE THE BOSS"

PREMIERES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 AT 10PM ET/PT

New York, NY - October 22, 2012 - A&E presents the new original real life series "Be the Boss," a competition-based series that pits two employees of a franchise-based company in the battle of a lifetime - with the chance to become the owner of their very own franchise - to, in success, become their own boss. "Be the Boss" premieres Sunday, December 2 at 10PM ET/PT.

From the Emmy-award winning creators of "Undercover Boss," "Be the Boss" faces off two lower-level employees from the ranks, giving them the chance at what they think is a big promotion. In each episode, the CEO summons two deserving candidates to the company headquarters and subsequently puts them through a series of challenges to test their mettle at being in a senior management role. Both employees battle to prove they should earn the promotion, but they're in for the shock of their lives when they discover that an even greater opportunity is ultimately at stake - the keys to their very own franchise! With franchise fees often running into the hundreds of thousands and sometimes even exceeding one million dollars, "Be the Boss" offers one of the largest prizes in all of television... and the promotion goes to the runner-up!

Iconic American companies featured in the first season include Complete Nutrition, Auntie Anne's, Signal 88 Security, Molly Maid, Jazzercise and The Melting Pot.

In the premiere episode "Complete Nutrition," a former beauty pageant queen battles a country-singing Marine for a promotion at an up-and-coming sports nutrition chain. After the competition turns personal, the winner is rewarded with keys to their very own store.

"Be the Boss" is produced for A&E Network by Studio Lambert. Executive Producers for Studio Lambert are Stephen Lambert, Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, Brien Meagher and Phil Lott. Executive Producers for A&E are Elaine Frontain Bryant, Drew Tappon, Nicole Reed and Tom Moody.

About A&E Network

A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "The Glades" and "Longmire," to signature non-fiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning "Intervention," "Duck Dynasty," "Hoarders," "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Storage Wars," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48." The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com.