VIDEO Bravo greenlights Lisa Vanderpump “Sur” spin-off and 10 more new unscripted series, to add scripted programs in 2013
The world of Bravolebridom continues to expand! The network issued a press release earlier today that reveals they plan to add 11 new unscripted series to their line up, including a spin off for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump tentatively titled Sur. In a bit of a surprise news (at least to this Bravo fan), they will also be adding scripted programs 22 Birthdays and Blowing Sunshine!
Here is a video clip that includes previews for new shows Sur, Huh?, Silicon Valley, Gallery Girls, Miss Advised, and Decades:
(You can read descriptions of all the new shows in the full official press release below)
The press release also officially announces renewals for Flipping Out, Tabatha Takes Over, Million Dollar Decorators, Top Chef Masters, Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, Chef Roblé & Co., Pregnant In Heels, and Inside The Actors Studio. (Of course, if your favorite Bravo show isn’t on the list that doesn’t mean it’s been canceled, just that it wasn’t part of the summer programming announcement.)
A number of Bravolebrities reported over the weekend that they were shooting the new Bravo summer programming commercial (which is always fun!), so I’m sure we’ll be seeing that soon as well.
Anyways, without further ado, here is the full press release monty, which also suggests the network plans to aggressively pursue more digitally interactive elements in its programming along the lines of Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen. Should be interesting!
NEW YORK – April 4, 2012 – Powered by its high quality original programming, digital innovations and exclusive sponsorships while attracting the most engaged, upscale and educated audience in cable, Bravo Media continues to expand across every platform in 2012. Today, the network announced a 27 percent increase in original programming with 11 new and eight returning unscripted series, and two new scripted projects in development. The network plans to premiere scripted series in 2013. Committed to breakthrough programming, Bravo continues to partner with prominent producers, writers and experts including internet entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg and long-time Bravo producers, the award-winning Magical Elves. For a sneak peek at Bravo’s new series, visit: http://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live/season-6/videos/bravo-has-the-shows-you-love.
Bravo continues its digital focus with the introduction of a sixth passion point, Digital, to add to the brand’s existing pillars of Food, Fashion, Beauty, Design and Pop Culture. The announcement comes on the heels of Bravo’s hit transmedia initiative “Last Chance Kitchen,” which was interwoven with the Emmy award-winning series “Top Chef.” This cutting edge on-line series allowed viewers to follow storylines across multiple platforms and garnered an unprecedented eight million video streams. In addition to creating multi-screen interactivity and social experiences across all content, the Digital passion point will provide an expanded development filter for shows focused on the digital world. Bravo’s first foray into the digital programming bucket comes from internet guru Randi Zuckerberg, an executive producer on “Silicon Valley” and a second docu-series produced by RelativityREAL called “Huh?” that follows Ben Huh and his eclectic staff at icanhascheezburger.com.
Bravo also announced its next transmedia offering, a Facebook-driven social media game The Real Housewives: The Game launching this summer with the fifth season of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Bravo also will launch “play along” a real-time viewing experience that allows fans to tackle trivia, weigh-in on polls and predict what will happen next on every device as they watch their favorite shows on air.
“Our Affluencers are passionate about our content, and are the first to try new technologies and engage in social media,” said Frances Berwick, President of Bravo Media and Style. “It’s that combination of passion, engagement and curiosity that has powered our development of attention-grabbing experiences and trendsetting digital offerings. And it’s allowed us to drive the conversation and provide unique partnership opportunities across every platform.”
Bravo delivered its sixth consecutive record-breaking and youngest-skewing year in 2011, ranking No. 11 in primetime among all cable entertainment networks with adults 18-49, and boasting 10 original series that attracted more than two million total viewers, according to Nielsen. Beyond its linear success, Bravo Digital posted tremendous triple-digit growth since 2007, earning its best year ever with 78 million average monthly page views and over six million average monthly video streams.
Bravo added more than 155 new advertisers and 25 new online advertisers last year, marking double digit growth in both national and digital ad revenue. The network ranked No. 1 for brand recall this past year across all advertising formats including standard ads, hybrids and in program placements, according to Nielsen IAG. Furthermore, nine out of the top 10 most engaging reality series on cable are found on Bravo.
“Bravo is able to harness the multi-media touch points with its Affluencers for its advertisers, which results in greater amplification of the sponsors’ message,” said Barbara Bekkedahl, Vice President of Bravo Ad Sales. “Through creative integration in shows, creating custom content, using new interactive technologies and other mechanisms, Bravo partners with advertisers to create co-branded messages that perform at a superior level across important metrics like brand/message recall, likeability and intent to purchase.”
NEW SERIES GREENLIGHTS:
“Silicon Valley” (working title)
Produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager serving as Executive Producers along with Randi Zuckerberg as Executive Producer.
Teaming up with internet entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg, Bravo captures the intertwining lives of young professionals on the path to becoming Silicon Valley’s next great success stories.
“Life After Top Chef”
Produced by Magical Elves with Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Casey Criley and Nan Strait serving as Executive Producers.
For the first time cameras are taken outside of the “Top Chef” kitchen and into the lives of Bravo’s most beloved former cheftestants as they reach milestones in their personal lives and culinary careers. From opening their own restaurants to expanding their growing franchises, viewers will follow Jen Carroll in Philadelphia, Richard Blais in Atlanta, Fabio Viviani in Los Angeles and Spike Mendelsohn in DC.
“Below Deck” (working title)
Produced by 51 Minds with Mark Cronin and Courtland Cox serving as Executive Producers and Esther Reyes as Co-Executive Producer.
The upstairs and downstairs worlds collide when this young and single crew of “yachties” live, love and work together onboard a luxurious mega yacht while tending to the ever-changing needs of their wealthy, demanding charter guests.
“Huh?” (working title)
Produced by RelativityREAL with Tom Forman, Jay Blumenfield, and Tony Marsh serving as Executive Producers.
Ever wonder who is behind those hilarious cat memes? Bravo goes inside The Office of Ben Huh and his eclectic staff at icanhascheezburger.com, one of the largest humor publishers on the Internet known for their popular LOLs and FAILs.
“SUR” (working title)
Produced by Evolution Media with Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Kathleen French, Alex Baskin, Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd serving as Executive Producers.
Best known as one of “The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills,” Lisa Vanderpump opens the salacious kitchen doors of her exclusive Hollywood restaurant and lounge, SUR. Declaring it the sexiest establishment she’s ever owned and “the place you take your mistress,” Lisa rules over her lively and mischievous staff with a platinum fist.
“Miss Advised”
Produced by RelativityREAL and Ashley Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions with Tom Forman, Michaline Babich, Brad Bishop, Ashley Tisdale and Jessica Rhoades serving as Executive Producers.
These single relationship experts can’t seem to practice what they preach as Amy Laurent in New York, Emily Morse in San Francisco and Julia Allison in Los Angeles struggle to stay afloat in the deep end of the dating pool.
“Newlyweds: The First Year”
Produced by Monkey Kingdom with Will Macdonald, David Granger and Lauren Lazin serving as Executive Producers.
From the moment they say “I do” to their one-year anniversary, cameras capture diverse couples across the coasts experiencing the trials and tribulations of their first year of marriage.
“Gallery Girls” (working title)
Produced by Magical Elves with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serving as Executive Producers along with Alexandra Lipsitz and Kris Lindquist as Co-Executive Producers.
Viewers are introduced to seven young women who dream of living a chic and fashionable existence in New York City. Chantal Chadwick, Kerri Lisa, Liz Margulies, Claudia Martinez, Angela Pham, Amy Poliakoff and Maggie Schaffer all share a passion for art, but are divided amongst their Manhattan and Brooklyn lifestyles with vastly different attitudes and tastes towards fashion, art and men.
“LA Shrinks” (working title)
Produced by Intuitive Entertainment with Kevin Dill and Mechelle Collins serving as Executive Producers along with Elise Duran as Co-Executive Producer.
It takes one to treat one! The professional and personal lives of dynamic experts are exposed as they counsel a wide array of clients at some of the top private practices in Los Angeles.
“Decades” (working title)
Produced by True Entertainment with Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock, Matt Hanna, Kathryn Vaughan and Lauren Eskelin serving as Executive Producers.
Renowned boutique owners, Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver, show off their exclusive and glamorous world of vintage couture filled with Givenchy, Balenciaga and Chanel.
“The Kandi Factory”
Produced by True Entertainment and Kandi Koated Entertainment with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Mark Ford, Kevin Lopez and Kandi Burruss serving as Executive Producers.
Driven by the success of the special that aired in March, Bravo has greenlit season one of “The Kandi Factory,” starring multi-platinum songwriter and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Kandi Burruss. Protégés with no music industry experience are given the opportunity to work with Burruss’ team of experts in Atlanta to master the key elements that will turn them into a pop star.
NEW SCRIPTED DEVELOPMENT:
“22 Birthdays” (working title) focuses on the sordid and scandalous activities of a group of parents at an exclusive private school, with each episode centered around an extravagant and lavish birthday party. The project comes to Bravo from UCP Studios, writers and executive producers Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein and executive producers Doug Liman and Dave Bartis from Hypnotic.
“Blowing Sunshine” (working title) is set at a fictional private rehabilitation center and follows its staff and high profile patients. The project comes to Bravo from writer and executive producer Jason Ning (Perception, 90210).
RETURNING SERIES:
Bravo’s fan favorite series and memorable characters return as the network confirmed new season orders for “Flipping Out” season six, “Tabatha Takes Over” season five and Million Dollar Decorators” season two will be back with LA designers Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kathryn Ireland, Jeffrey Alan Marks and Mary McDonald. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone returns this summer to host “Top Chef Masters” season four and real estate magnets Madison Hildebrand, Josh Altman and Josh Flagg are back for “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” season five. Additionally, Bravo greenlit second seasons for “Chef Roblé & Co.” and “Pregnant in Heels,” which will premiere on Tuesday, May 15 at 10pm ET/PT. The Emmy nominated series, “Inside The Actors Studio,” continues its 18th season with the cast and co-creator of Glee, premiering on Monday, April 9th at 8pm ET/PT. Later this year, host James Lipton will welcome the cast and creator of “Mad Men” and also celebrate the show’s milestone 250th episode as he unveils the best moments from all 287 past guests.
