TLC'S "MY 600-LB LIFE" RETURNS WITH NEW SEASON FOLLOWED BY NEW SERIES "FAMILY BY THE TON"

--MY 600-LB LIFE premieres Wednesday, January 10 at 8/7c--

--FAMLY BY THE TON premieres Wednesday, January 10 at 10/9c--

(Los Angeles, CA) - MY 600-LB LIFE, the addictive TLC series returns for its sixth season on Wednesday, January 10 at 8/7c. With 14 new two-hour episodes telling the most heartbreaking, yet inspiring stories, the series follows those who have found themselves at their breaking point with extreme life-threatening obesity. Viewers will see first-hand their struggles of addiction, dependence and the inevitable impact their condition has on their closest relationships; from children to spouses to parents to best friends, many who both serve as caregivers and enablers. Each episode will give viewers an inside look at the emotionally and physically tough journeys to life-saving surgery with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, and their continued incredible progress thereafter, living the lives they had only dreamed of.

In the season premiere, we meet couple Lee and Rena, who both struggle from obesity. They first met in bariatric rehab; the two of them grew close but, when the clinic told them they couldn't be together while remaining at the facility, they discharged themselves to try to live on their own. However, while together, their weight skyrocketed even more, admitting that their favorite thing to do together is to eat. When we meet them, Lee can barely leave his bed without Rena's constant care, but with Rena's own obesity issues, she won't be able to be Lee's caretaker much longer. Desperate to have a "normal" relationship, Lee and Rena make the difficult journey from Missouri to Texas to seek out Dr. Nowzaradan's help, in the hopes that they will both be able to get gastric bypass surgery to save themselves and their future as a couple.

In addition to the new season, TLC will also be bringing back the Assanti brothers from last season in a special episode of MY 600-LB LIFE: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? airing on Wednesday, January 3 at 8/7c. On December 18, viewers can watch an early premiere of the episode before it's on TV by downloading the TLC GO app or visiting: TLC.com/My600lbLife.

Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #My600lbLife, 'Like' TLC on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Watch all past episodes of My 600 Lb. Life on the TLC GO app. MY 600-LB LIFE is produced by Megalomedia for TLC.

Then at 10/9c, TLC premieres brand-new series FAMILY BY THE TON, following the weight loss journeys of three cousins, Naomi, Drew and Chitoka, who weigh a combined amount of almost 2,000-lbs. Along with the guidance of Dr. Charles Procter Jr., this fun-loving, yet desperate family must overcome their anxieties and inspire each other to change. The six one-hour episodes begin with Beverly, Naomi's mother, who undergoes weight loss surgery in a last attempt to turn things around and hopefully inspire her daughter, niece and nephew to follow in her footsteps. In helping her mother recover from her weight loss surgery, Naomi sees firsthand the frightening complications involved in recovery, but is motivated by her dream to start a family. Meanwhile, cousin Drew must overcome his denial of how addictive his eating habits have become before he even begins to consider moving forward with surgery. Finally, cousin Chitoka has been bed-bound for over three years due to her morbid obesity and must literally take her first steps in the right direction in order to qualify for surgery. As viewers are invited into this dramatic family affair, will Naomi, Drew and Chitoka be able to encourage each other's progress or continue enabling each other's deadly habits?

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #FamilyByTheTon. FAMILY BY THE TON is produced by Crazy Legs Productions for TLC.

ABOUT TLC

Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life's milestone moments. In 2017 to-date, TLC ranks as the #6 ad-supported cable network in Prime among W25-54.

TLC is a global brand available in more than 89 million homes in the US and 271 million households around the world. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere through TLC GO - the network's TVE offering featuring live and on demand access to complete seasons. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in more than 220 countries and territories to satisfy curiosity and captivate superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids content brands.