Lifetime Hits TCA
Network Renews Army Wives , Pitches Side Order of Life , State of Mind
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 7/12/2007 9:59:00 AM
TCA Photo Gallery
Beverly Hills, Calif. -- With Lifetime Television’s new CEO, Andrea Wong, touting the channel’s more empowering tone and upbeat outlook, the women’s programmer said Thursday that it renewed smash hit Army Wivesfor a second season.
The women’s channel ordered 18 episodes, not the usual 13 installments, officials announced at the Television Critics Association's summer tour here.
The second season of Army Wives, the biggest hit in Lifetime’s history, will premiere next spring.
Wong made some brief remarks to kick off Lifetime’s session at the TCA, which included panels on the network’s two new dramas set to debut Sunday, Side Order of Life and State of Mind. That will give Lifetime a block of three original dramas on Sundays, when Army Wives also airs.
Wong, who created reality hits like Dancing With the Stars at ABC, told the critics her new job gave her a chance to build on Lifetime’s brand and “hyperfocus” on women viewers with programming that is relevant, resonates and has an empowering tone.
“The possibilities are endless in my mind,” she ADDEd.
Wong has been at Lifetime two months, replacing former CEO Betty Cohen.
Lifetime president of entertainment Susanne Daniels described the network’s plans to launch a Friday-night block of reality programming Oct. 12, anchored by the second season of Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead.
That block will also include new reality competition series America’s Psychic Challenge.
The women’s network is also bringing a show based on a British series to the states. How to Look Good Naked, hosted by Carson Kressley, aims to teach women of all shapes how to love their bodies. Lifetime ordered eight episodes, which will debut in January.
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