Bounce TV Unveils its First Upfront Programming Slate: Five New Original Series, Two Series Renewals, Broadcast Premiere of New Revival of The Newlywed Game, New Sports Rights & More Movie Titles among Highlights

ATLANTA, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bounce TV (www.bouncetv.com), the nation's only broadcast television network for African Americans, today announced its first-ever slate of upfront programming plans, including original new scripted and non-scripted series, series renewals, the return to broadcast television of one of the most-popular game shows in history, an exclusive new college sports rights deal and more theatrical motion pictures for its impressive library.

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"Bounce TV's accelerated distribution growth, immediate popularity with viewers and strong initial ratings has made the network a new must-buy for brands seeking to reach the African American consumer," commented Bounce TV Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales, Dennis Ray. "We are expanding our original programming efforts ahead of schedule to meet the demand and offer advertisers attractive fresh new programming."

Bounce TV's first original non-scripted series, Forever Jones Presented by Walmart premieres Wednesday, June 5. The network's upfront programming announcements include the following:

New Original Series:
My Crazy Roommate is an original scripted sitcom in the tradition of 2 Broke Girls, Laverne and Shirley and The Odd Couple. Two young African American women, from vastly different backgrounds, are forced together as roommates while each struggles to find her fame and fortune in Los Angeles. Created and Executive Produced by Bentley Kyle Evans (Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show) through his Bent Outta Shape Productions. Premieres Fall 2013.

Step Wars is an exciting original unscripted series set in the world of step competitions at the country's top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The show follows the fraternities and sororities as they prepare for their big Homecoming events, and prepare to beat their rivals on stage. A mixture of personalities, rivalries, coaching from famous alumni and the sheer exhilaration of top-notch step routines comes together in each episode. Produced by Atlanta-based CSE. Premieres first quarter of 2014.

The Keepsake is an unscripted reality dating competition series. From diverse backgrounds and from across the country, five gorgeous women come together to compete for the affections of one handsome man. Their goal is to meet the love of their life and receive "The Keepsake" necklace that comes with being chosen as the winner. This first-class look at dating through an African American perspective takes our viewers from high-end hotels and restaurants to glamorous locales, as our contestants strive to win the attention of a recognizable bachelor from the world of sports or entertainment. Produced by Bounce TV Productions. Premieres Spring 2014.

BRKDWN is an original half-hour series delivering to viewers the pop culture stories of the moment. BRKDWN hosts have their ears to the streets and eyes on the tweets, and pull no punches as they deliver their distinctive perspective on today's media-connected urban experience. Produced by Bunim/Murray Productions and Alchemy Networks. Premieres Fall 2013.

Bounce Beats: Profiles is a new half-hour series taking viewers backstage and behind the scenes with many R&B and contemporary urban musicians for candid conversations as they discuss their lives and careers. Beyonce, Alicia Keyes, Al Green, Wyclef Jean, and John Legend are featured among many others. Premieres Fall 2013.

Renewed/Returning Original Series:
Off The Chain, a half-hour family-friendly stand-up comedy series featuring the hottest African American comedians on the planet, has been renewed for a second season. OTC is hosted by Rodney Perry (The Monique Show) and produced by Bounce TV Productions. Season two premieres Fall 2013.

Bounce Beats is Bounce TV's top 10 countdown of the hottest R&B and soul music videos in the country. Season two premieres Fall 2013.

New Acquisitions:
The Newlywed Game will be back on broadcast television on Bounce TV. Hosted by The View's Sherri Shepherd, this new version is as wild and hilarious as the one viewer's remember – but with a decidedly sassy and contemporary flavor. The Newlywed Game is produced by Embassy Row for GSN. Broadcast television premiere, debuts Fall 2013.

New Sports Rights:
Bounce TV announced a new exclusive sports right agreement with the  Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) which consists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) located in the southern United States for regular season football games in October and November plus the SIAC Conference Championship Game on November 16. The network also televises both football and basketball games from the nation's largest African American athletic conference, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA.) 

Theatrical Motion Pictures:
Bounce TV has acquired the television rights to nearly 40 African American-skewing motion pictures in a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.  Among the titles Bounce TV lands in the new agreement: The 11-time Academy Award®-nominated The Color Purple (1985) featuring the Oscar®-nodded performances by Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery; a trio of Denzel Washington films including his Academy Award®-nominated turn as Malcolm X  (1992) directed by Spike Lee, John Q (2002) and the 1993 thriller The Pelican Brief; the critically-acclaimed story of the search for justice by the widow of slain Civil Rights leader Medger Evans, Ghosts of Mississippi (1996); Morgan Freeman in Lean On Me (1989); Whitney Houston's breakout performance in 1992's The Bodyguard; LL Cool J and Samuel L. Jackson in Deep Blue Sea (1999); The Wesley Snipes thrillers New Jack City (1991) with Ice-T and 1997's Murder at 1600;  Menace II Society (1993), the original Shaft (1971) and two subsequent sequels and others.

"In the midst of Bounce TV's first upfront, we continue to acquire a wide-ranging and unmatched volume of African American theatricals designed to drive sampling to our slate of new original series," commented Ray.

This is Bounce TV's second major film licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.  The network also has motion picture rights agreements with Lionsgate, Miramax, MGM Domestic Television Distribution, NBCUniversal Television, Paramount Pictures Television, Sony Pictures Television and The Walt Disney Studios.

Bounce TV targets African American adult with a programming mix of original series, theatrical motion pictures, live sports, documentaries, specials, and inspirational faith-based programs. Launched Sept. 2011, Bounce TV has seen overwhelming success, with accelerated growth and expansion among station groups and distribution, advertisers and viewers alike.  Bounce TV has distribution agreements with: Raycom Media, FOX Television Stations, Gannett Broadcasting, E.W. Scripps Television Station Group, Lenfest Broadcasting, Nexstar Communications, Belo Corp. and Meredith Broadcasting, among others.  Univision Television Group just launched Bounce TV as a multicast channel of their stations in San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Denver, Sacramento, Raleigh and Tampa.  Bounce TV is also seen in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland/Akron, Orlando, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Hartford/New Haven and other cities.

Contact:         Jim Weiss                    770-955-1300              [email protected]

SOURCE Bounce TV