Programming SVP in Place for OWN

LOS ANGELES, October 29:
Maria Grasso, the senior VP of series development and current programming for
Lifetime Television, is joining OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network as its senior VP
of programming.

In her new role, Grasso
joins Nina Wass in overseeing the development of scripted, alternative, short-
and long-form programming. Grasso and Wass will also manage the creative
department, production and scheduling.

During her tenure at
Lifetime, Grasso, who was responsible for all scripted series, developed and
oversaw the hit drama Army Wives,
which is the most successful series in the network’s 24-year history. Prior to
Lifetime, she served as the senior VP of drama development for Warner Bros.
Television.

"Maria brings to the
table an exceptional track record and desire to contribute to the world through
television in a whole new way," said Robin Schwartz, the president of OWN,
to whom she will report. "Together Maria and Nina will be a dynamic
creative team. We are on our way."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski