'Army Wives,' Highest-Rated Series in Lifetime Television's 23-Year History, Re-Enlists for Second Season
Smash Hit From the Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios to Return With All
New Episodes in Spring 2008
-- Year's #1 New Cable Drama Among W18-49 & W25-54 --
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 12 -- Saluting the
highest-rated series in the network's 23-year history, Lifetime has ordered
a second season of the smash hit "Army Wives," it was announced today at
the TCA Press Tour by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime
Networks.
Eighteen episodes have been ordered for the new season, which will
premiere in the Spring of 2008. "Army Wives" airs Sundays at 10PM (ET/PT).
"Army Wives" currently averages 3.6 million total viewers and a 3.0
primetime household rating, while ranking first among all key women
demographics, including 1.4 million W18-49 viewers and 1.4 million W25-54
viewers.
"Even before we shattered records with the premiere on June 3, we saw
the battalions of critical acclaim and knew we had a hit," said Daniels.
"Everyone up and down the chain of command deserves a medal for making the
show such a success, from our amazing partners at ABC Studios and the
production teams both in LA and on the ground in South Carolina to my
talented colleagues here at Lifetime and, of course, those nearly four
million viewers who tune in every week. All of us want to collectively
thank Mark, Deb, Katherine, Jeff and the entire gifted cast for their hard
work and dedication."
"We're thrilled that 'Army Wives' will continue on Lifetime, where it's
broken ratings records and set new standards for quality in cable drama,"
said Mark Pedowitz, President, ABC Studios. "We're grateful for the support
of Lifetime and the State of South Carolina, where the series is produced,
and look forward to working with both partners on season two."
The critically acclaimed series, about the struggles, dreams and
friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their
spouses and families on an active army post and the pressures and
traditions of the military on those who are left behind is filmed on
location in Charleston, South Carolina and stars Kim Delaney, Sally
Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis,
Drew Fuller and Catherine Bell. Mark Gordon and The Mark Gordon Company's
President of Production, Deborah Spera serve as executive producers. Jeff
Melvoin and series creator Katherine Fugate also serve as executive
producer. The series is based on the book Under the Sabers: The Unwritten
Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank, who serves as a consultant. "Army Wives"
is produced by ABC Studios.
ABC Studios has emerged as a leader in programming development and
production by creating critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the
television industry. The studio's brand identity as a haven for filmmakers
for broadcast and cable networks has resulted in an impressive slate of 23
series
for the 2007/08 season. ABC Studios is part of Disney-ABC Television
Group, a division of The Walt Disney Company.
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime
is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and
their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime
Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com) are part of
Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst
Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
SOURCE Lifetime
http://www.lifetimetv.com/
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