A&E NETWORK TO DEBUT DOCUMENTARY SERIES EVENT "SECRETS OF PLAYBOY" BEGINNING MONDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 9PM ET/PT

10-HOUR SERIES EXAMINES THE PLAYBOY EMPIRE THAT WAS BOTH CULTURALLY GROUNDBREAKING AND A GATEWAY INTO A MUCH DARKER WORLD

New York, NY - December 7, 2021 - A&E Network's documentary series event "Secrets of Playboy" explores the hidden realities behind the fable and philosophy of the Playboy empire through today's lens. Four years after Hefner's death, insiders, colleagues, executives, Playmates and employees from all levels of the brand share the full story of what life within the Playboy world was truly like. Across ten hours, the series delves into the complex world Hugh Hefner created and examines its far-reaching consequences on our culture's view of power and sexuality. "Secrets of Playboy" premieres Monday, January 24 at 9pm ET/PT on A&E. "Secrets of Playboy" will also be available on demand and to stream on the A&E app and aetv.com.

Directed by Alexandra Dean (This is Paris, Bombshell: the Hedy Lamarr Story), "Secrets of Playboy" unravels the glamourous mythology behind the Playboy empire created over several decades. With the creation of the brand, Hefner defined the sexual revolution and allowed for the freedom of sexual expression. Yet intertwined with the glossy facade of a world that seemingly celebrated women was a more sinister reality that for decades allowed nefarious conduct including sexual assault and drug abuse to flourish, and where prostitution, suicide and even murder lurked in the shadows. The series explores how the Playboy machine was a powerful force that, at its worst, manipulated women in a toxic environment, silencing their voices, pitting them against one another, and opening the door to sexual predators. The series features archival footage and exclusive interviews including former Director of Playmate Promotions Miki Garcia; past girlfriends of Hefner's including Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Sondra Theodore; author of "Playground: A Childhood Lost Inside the Playboy Mansion" and Playboy Mansion West resident Jennifer Saginor; Bunny Mother PJ Masten; former Playmates Rebekka Armstrong, Susie Krabacher, Dona Spier, Tylyn John and Cristy Thom; and members of Hefner's staff and inner circle including executive assistant Lisa Loving Barrett, butler Mitch Rosen, and personal valet Stefan Tetenbaum.

"Secrets of Playboy" is produced by Industrial Media's The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) for A&E Network. IPC's Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, Matt Shanfield, and Erin Gamble serve as executive producers along with Alexandra Dean who is the showrunner and director of the series. The series is co-directed by Arlene Nelson. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Brad Abramson, and Dolores Gavin serve as executive producers for A&E. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for "Secrets of Playboy."

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About A&E Network

A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, thought provoking original programming with a unique point of view. Whether it's the network's distinctive brand of award-winning disruptive reality or groundbreaking documentary, A&E always makes entertainment an art. The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information and photography please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.

About The Intellectual Property Corporation

Industrial Media's The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) is an Emmy(R)-winning content creation and production studio based in Van Nuys, California. Founded in 2016 and acquired by Industrial Media in 2018, IPC develops and produces premium television, film, documentary, commercial and interactive mobile content for global streamers and US broadcast and cable networks. Recent productions include "Indian Matchmaking" and "Night Stalker" (Netflix); "Selena + Chef" (HBO Max); "We're Here" and "The Swamp" (HBO); "This Is Paris" (YouTube Originals); "The Last Narc" (Amazon); "The Substitute" (Nickelodeon); "Empires of New York" (CNBC); and "The Con" (ABC). IPC is a two-time Emmy Award recipient and a Producers Guild Award recipient for its series "Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath" (A&E).