Bravo Expands Programming

NEW YORK: Bravo unveiled its biggest slate ever at its Upfront presentation, with a slew of returning hit shows, series pickups and development deals, increasing its original programming hours by double digits and making its first foray into scripted fare.

From Laurence Andries (Six Feet Under, Alias) and executive producers Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy for Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl) comes Blueprint, a serialized dramedy following the lives of two best friends—one straight, one gay—who own New York’s hottest architecture and interior design firm. From Jonathan Prince (The Cleaner, Cane and American Dreams) and Alana Sanko (Murphy Brown, Just for Kicks and DragonTales) comes 30 Under 30. The series centers around young, influential up-and-comers who have earned a coveted spot on an annual "30 Under 30" list.

In the way of weekly topical programming, Watch What Happens started as a live interactive series that debuted online, but will now move on-air, hosted by Bravo programming executive Andy Cohen. Bravo also confirmed a sixth season of Top Chef, with host Padma Lakshmi, lead judge Tom Colicchio and judges Gail Simmons and Toby Young; a fifth season of The Real Housewives of Orange County; and the pickup of the new docuseries tentatively titled Design Sixx, featuring husband and wife design team Cortney and Robert Novogratz; and the fashion creative competition series Launch My Line.

Bravo is also on board for a new docuseries from executive producers Demi Moore and the Katalyst Media team of Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Rod Aissa and Karey Burke. The show, tentatively titled Eric B, will follow celebrity event planner and floris Eric Buterbaugh. Secret Life of Supermodels, meanwhile, will feature the world of renowned supermodels Carol Alt, Maggie Rizer, Frederique Van Der Wal, Mariel Hemingway, Irina Pantaeva and Patricia Velasquez. Also in development are Jackie’s Gym Takeover with Jackie Warner of Work Out, Laura Bennett (working title) and Social Heights.

Previously announced pickups for new and returning series include Chef Academy, Miami Social, Double Exposure, The Fashion Show, NYC Prep, Top Chef Masters, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Inside the Actors Studio, the fifth season of Kathy Griffin My Life on the D-List, the third seasons of Shear Genius, Flipping Out and Million Dollar Listing and the second seasons of The Rachel Zoe Project, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Tabatha’s Salon Takeover.

Talent announcements were made for two creative competition series. Model and designer Camilla Alves joins the third season of Shear Genius as host, and famed hairstylist Jonathan Antin (Blow Out) returns to Bravo, joining Kim Vo as a series judge. Designers Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2 join Launch My Line as hosts, and retail icons Stephanie Greenfield and Lisa Klein will serve as judges.

"In 2008, Bravo set the bar very high," said Frances Berwick, the executive VP and general manager of Bravo Media. "We expanded our subscribers to over 90 million homes and experienced our third consecutive record-breaking best year ever across all platforms—on-air, online, in sales and with industry-leading innovations in interactive and new media. In 2009, you can expect even more Bravo in your day-to-day lives with brand extensions for all our major franchises, from podbusters to new digital initiatives, which will put the Bravo Media brand in front of millions of our affluent consumers."

"Bravo remains a bright spot in the current economic climate by offering accountability to our clients, with proof of results and great overall value," added Susan Malfa, the senior VP of sales for Bravo and Oxygen Media. "Over the past few years, we have consistently increased our audience, lowered our median age and our viewers have more spending power. Bottom line—Brands do Better on Bravo."