Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen to Host Ovation's Annual "Battle of the Nutcrackers" Programming Event

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CTAM -- Ovation, the only US multi-platform network dedicated to arts culture, announced today that Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator, executive producer and judge of "So You Think You Can Dance" and executive producer of "American Idol," and director/producer/choreographer/actress Debbie Allen will co-host the network's annual "Battle of the Nutcrackers" programming event this December. The announcement was made today by Gaynor Strachan Chun, SVP of Marketing, at today's morning session of the CTAM Summit conference in New York, which was sponsored by Ovation.

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Beginning the week of December 12, Ovation will feature a different production of the beloved ballet every night of the week and viewers will be invited to vote for their favorite rendition online at www.ovationtv.com. Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen will introduce all of the productions and provide insight and commentary about the ballet companies, the dancers and the tradition of the Nutcracker, as well as reveal the Viewers' Choice on Christmas Eve.  

"Ovation has enjoyed working with Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen this year with our enhanced broadcasts of 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'Fame'.  Now, we are thrilled that they will be coming together to provide viewers with their personal, yet very informed ideas about this holiday classic," said Strachan Chun. "This is an annual programming event for Ovation that just gets bigger and better every year. Thanks to the participation of Nigel and Debbie, we anticipate that even more viewers will tune in to enjoy 'Battle of the Nutcrackers' and vote for their favorite."

On November 1, viewers can get a sneak peek of "Battle of the Nutcrackers" when three of the productions will be made available on Video on Demand: featured in Comcast XFINITY's Top Picks and on DIRECTV, DISH, Verizon FiOS, Insight and GCI.

About Ovation:

Ovation is the only multi-platform network devoted to arts culture. Ovation gives its viewers access to the artists who define our cultural landscape through its one-of-a-kind mix of hand-picked documentaries, series, movies, and specials.

The channel reaches a national audience of 44 million households through carriage on cable systems, DirecTV (channel 274), Dish Network (channel 291) and Telco systems nationally.  Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition).  Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com.  In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to curious creatives who want to share their work and their thoughts.  To date, over 180,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

SOURCE Ovation