Investment in Royal Content Builds on Season Finale Success of American Princess
New York, NY – August 15, 2007 – Building on the success of WE tv's expansion in wedding related content the network announced today a broad programming initiative to build a viewing destination for all things royal. The development of new programming features original and acquired series and specials including the return of season two of American Princess and several Princess Diana themed specials. Both content genres continue WE tv's commitment to provide quality niche programming, appealing to a large demographic of women, focusing on pop-culture, relationships and personal style.
Anchoring the royal programming is the renewal of American Princess featuring women competing for a princess lifestyle. The first season marked historic success for the network. Other programming to be featured within the royal category includes the premiere of Australian Princess where ordinary women battle for a true British title. New specials include: Royal Vacation Homes and How to Marry a Prince and three devoted to Princess Diana including Diana – the Night She Died, Diana Revealed and The Curse of Diana's Dresses.
"WE tv is expanding and investing in its programming to continue to be the leading destination for programming appealing to women ranging from weddings to royals to reality," said Kim Martin, EVP and GM for WE tv. "With this new slate of royal programming, the network is building on the success we saw with the first season of American Princess and continuing its momentum to provide royal related content that entertains and resonates with our viewers."
Following is more information on WE tv's new original and acquired royal programming:
American Princess – Season Two (8 eps; 1hr)
American Princess, premiering August 19, 2007, follows twenty young women who compete to make their childhood fairy tale dream a reality by participating in a variety of challenges designed to test their skills, character, and suitability for a princess lifestyle. Season two was produced by Granada Media for WE tv.
Australian Princess (8 eps; 1 hr)
Australian Princess is a series where everyday Australian women contend for the prize of a real British royal title. The series premieres October 9, 2007 and was acquired from Granada Media.
Royal Vacation Homes (1 hr)
Royal Vacation Homes is an original special that explores all the luxurious castles and homes and vacation spots the British royal family likes to relax and get away to. The special premieres January 2008.
How to Marry a Prince (1 hr)
How to Marry a Prince is an original special which examines what it takes for a common woman to marry a prince and be accepted into the royal family. The special premieres February 2008.
Diana – the Night She Died (1hr)
Diana – the Night She Died is a documentary produced by Psychology News about the events leading up to and after the night Princess Diana was killed. It premieres on August 31, 2007.
Diana Revealed (2 hr)
Diana Revealed, produced by NBC News and premieres on August 31st, 2007 features Princess Diana as she reveals her inner-most thoughts about her life.
The Curse of Diana's Dresses (1 hr)
The Curse of Diana's Dresses is a true story about what has happened to the people who bought Princess Diana's auctioned dresses. The program is produced by Pilgrim Productions Canterbury and premieres on December 1st, 2007.
Expanding on the royal theme, the network will be celebrating "The People's Princess," with three of WE tv's currently owned four dresses purchased at Christie's Auction House in New York in June 1997 just months before Diana's death, will be on display in a special reunion exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, Florida. Currently, 28 of the 79 dresses from the original auction will be presented and proceeds will benefit the Pink Ribbons Crusade, a breast cancer charitable organization. The exhibit will run from October 14-December 30, 2007. WE tv will also be hosting an international charity auction on eBay from August 12th – 22nd which will auction off the fourth dress, a couture gown worn by the Princess valued at over $300,000. All proceeds will be donated to the national children's organization, America's Promise Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children.
About WE tv
WE tv is the content destination where strong, confident women connect to fun, entertaining programming focused on pop culture, personal style and relationships. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Cinematherapy," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 64 million homes.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Rainbow Sports Networks managed FSN Bay Area and FSN New England, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.