ABC Greenlights "Bet On Your Baby" - A New Game Show In Which Parents Predict Their Child's Next Move In The Hopes Of Earning Prize Money Towards Their College Fund - Hosted By Actress And Comedienne Melissa Peterman

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC, Ben Silverman's multimedia studio Electus, and Emmy Award-winning 5x5 Media ("Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," "Fashion Star," "Supernanny"), today announced "Bet On Your Baby," a new primetime game show in which parents try to predict their child's next move in an effort to win money for their child's future education, hosted by actress and comedienne Melissa Peterman. The series is slated to premiere in April 2013 on ABC Television Network.

Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it? "Bet On Your Baby" will reveal the answer to that question each week in an hour-long program featuring five families with toddlers between the ages of two years old and three and a half years old. Each family will play a self-contained, individual challenge against the house - meaning they're only competing against themselves, and not against other babies. At the end of the show, the five families return to play the college round for the chance to win $50,000 towards a college education for their child.

ABC has ordered eight episodes of the series, with additional creative and prizing details to be revealed at a later date.

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Melissa Peterman first made a name for herself when she was cast in the local production of "Tony and Tina's Wedding." She went on to perform in over 600 performances and became a staple on the comedy and improv scene. Peterman gained television notoriety for her starring role playing Barbra Jean on the hit series "Reba." She went on to appear in "Retired at 35," "Surviving Suburbia," "Rita Rocks," "Just Shoot Me," "Cedric" and "Living in Abandon." She also appeared in the Oxygen sketch comedy "Running with Scissors." In 2011, Melissa starred in and produced the CMT sitcom "Working Class" with Ed Asner which premiered to CMT's highest rated, most watched premiere in the history of the network. Her first televised comedy special Melissa Peterman: Am I The Only One? also aired on CMT. She was the host of the CMT's "The Singing Bee" now in its fourth season. Currently, she plays Bonnie Wheeler on ABC Family's "Baby Daddy" now in its second season. Melissa made her feature film debut as 'Hooker #2" in the Coen Brothers Oscar winning film "Fargo." Other film credits include "Here Comes the Boom," "40 is the New Dead" and "Dirty Politics." She has been the voice for characters in "The Pitts" and "American Dad." Melissa has toured with Reba McEntire, George Strait, Kelly Clarkson and Lee Ann Womack. She is currently working on a comedy album for Big Machine Records.

"I'm very excited to be hosting 'Bet On Your Baby'. The concept of the show just appealed to me on many levels because as a mom I liked the fact that the kids are having fun and being themselves, it's the parents playing the game. As someone who likes funny, there is no one more naturally hilarious and fun to watch than a toddler," said Melissa Peterman. "I am thrilled to be working now with both ABC and ABC Family and I look forward to a long relationship with Electus and 5x5 Media."

"We are excited to partner with ABC on 'Bet On Your Baby' as it is a unique look into the world of parenting set alongside a game show that allows the audience to catch a glimpse inside the lives of young families in such a fresh, new way," said Chris Grant, CEO of Electus. "We are so fortunate to have Melissa on board to host this great comedic format as she is the perfect link to the audience as we capture the magic of these parents and their children in these outstanding moments."

"We're so excited about giving parents the opportunity to laugh and have fun with their children, while at the same time having a real chance to win something as big and meaningful as money towards a college education," said Executive Producer Craig Armstong of 5x5 Media.

"Bet On Your Baby" was created by 5x5 Media's Craig Armstrong, Rick Ringbakk, Charles Wachter and Electus' Ben Silverman and Jimmy Fox. The series is executive produced by Electus (Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox) and 5x5 Media (Craig Armstrong and Rick Ringbakk). Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, will distribute the series universally.

About Electus
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC (NASDAQ: IACI), the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm or Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus' programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers.

About 5X5 Media
Five by Five Media ("5x5") is a full service television and film production company in an overall production and distribution agreement within the Electus studio system. 5x5 Media develops and produces both scripted and unscripted television programming and feature films. Our principals have won multiple primetime Emmy Awards, and have produced such titles as "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," "Supernanny" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." 5x5's recent productions include TBS' "King of the Nerds," SPIKE TV's "Car Lot Rescue," CMT's "Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country" and NBC's fashion reality competition show "Fashion Star."

Media Contacts:
ABC
Patrick Preblick, ABC Entertainment Publicity, 212.456.7819
[email protected]

Electus/IAC
Justine Sacco,212.314.7326
[email protected]

Sunshine Sachs
Jessica Berger/Whitney Kuhn, 212.691.2800
[email protected] / [email protected] 

SOURCE Electus