OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Announces Original Programming Including Four Series Renewals and Six New Series

NEW YORK, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today new original programming coming to OWN including four series pick ups and six new series totaling over 60 hours of television.

"After four months on the air it's great to be able to renew series that connected with our audience," said Christina Norman, chief executive officer, OWN.  "Our new shows will continue to bring viewers more compelling characters sharing their real life journeys that entertain, engage and inspire."

"We're excited to give our audience more of what they love along with new series that are fun and relatable," said Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer, OWN.  "We guarantee each new show will get viewers talking."

Joining the previously announced pick up of OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING are six more episodes of ASK OPRAH'S ALL STARS, six episodes of ENOUGH ALREADY! WITH PETER WALSH, six episodes of IN THE BEDROOM WITH DR. LAURA BERMAN and eight episodes of OPRAH PRESENTS MASTER CLASS.

The six new series include CONFRONTING…, I OWE YOU MY LIFE,  LOUIE SPENCE DANCE PROJECT, MY MOM AND ME, SWEETIE PIES and UNFAITHFUL: STORIES OF BETRAYAL.  

Brief synopses of the series being announced today follow.

CONFRONTING…

This provocative series documents the powerful and sometimes painful mediation process in which victim and offender come together in the hopes of achieving closure. Currently available in 48 states, mediation programs offer the possibility of catharsis, relief and, at their best, forgiveness. In each episode, viewers follow the real life process of both victim and offender as they prepare to confront each other, face to face, for the most important conversation of their lives.  Produced by Relativity Real.

I OWE YOU MY LIFE

TV makes it look easy.  Writers know how to make their characters brave in the face of unspeakable dangers, determined when the odds are against them, and focused and virtuous when temptations abound.  What about real people? What makes us heroic? These and many more questions will be posed in "I Owe You My Life." The nature of being a hero involves a multi-layered, complex set of circumstances, and this series will delve into the dramatic stories of everyday people from every corner of the world who take risky, even death-defying actions to protect others and right wrongs. Produced by Skip Film.

LOUIE SPENCE DANCE PROJECT

Manhattan, meet Louie Spence:  He's a world-renowned choreographer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. Everyone from Mariah to Kylie to the Spice Girls have tapped Louie's creative talent -- and now it's Broadway Dance Center's turn.  The much-vaunted New York studio has commissioned Louie to breathe new life into its curriculum, so the flamboyant Brit is jumping the pond, prepped to revamp the program.  He's bringing his passion, his impeccable technique and his own unique style to the studio.  Broadway Dance won't know what hit it.  Produced by Kinetic Content.

MY MOM AND ME

The mother-daughter dynamic can be more than a little tricky -- so how much trickier does it become when kid has to play parent? "My Mom and Me" examines unusual mom-daughter relationships in which "normal boundaries" are challenged.  Intimate, heart-warming and at times shocking, the series features mothers and daughters opening up about their atypical relationships and, with the help of a therapist, tackling their deep-rooted issues.  Produced by Firecracker Films.

SWEETIE PIES

When Robbie Montgomery, a 1960s backup singer and former Ikette, suffered a collapsed lung and had to stop singing, she decided to pour her talents into another creative venture -- a soul food restaurant. At her family-oriented eatery, Sweetie Pies, both hilarity and drama are offered in equal measure -- and now Robbie's upping the ante with a second location. This docu-series follows the loud, loving and often singing Montgomery family as they work to expand their empire, one soulful dish at a time. Produced by Pilgrim Films & Television.

UNFAITHFUL: STORIES OF BETRAYAL

This compelling series features couples that have suffered and survived infidelity in their marriages.  In each episode, couples share their deeply personal stories of heartbreak, while a therapist provides perspective and advice on how to heal.  Revealing and surprisingly uplifting, the series illustrates how love can endure even the darkest times. Produced by True Entertainment.

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives.  OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel.  The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.  For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.

SOURCE OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network