OWN Greenlights ‘Flex & Shanice’ To Series

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has given a thumbs up to a new reality series, Flex & Shanice, which will debut this fall, the network announced Thursday.

The series, which follows the lives of actor Flex Alexander (One on One) and his wife, 90’s pop singer Shanice, will join the network’s Saturday night programming lineup which already includes Iyanla: Fix My Life, Six Little McGhees, Deion’s Family Playbook, Life With La Toya, Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s and Raising Whitley.

A special May 31 preview of the series drew nearly 500,000 primetime viewers and delivered double-digit growth in the network’s key woman 25-54 demo in the 10 p.m. time period versus one year ago, according to the network.

“Saturday nights on OWN have become the place to be for viewers seeking great family entertainment, and we are pleased to share the newest members of our family with our audience," said Sheri Salata, OWN co-president in a statement.  “Flex, Shanice and their big, loud, loving brood are not unlike many families today who have combined resources in order to get through some tough times.  Seeing how their love, laughter, and enduring faith in one another makes even the most challenging of days worthwhile is both entertaining and inspiring.  We think our viewers are really going to connect with them."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.