Style Exposes New Doc Strand

While beauty, fashion and celeb-reality have been dominant on The Style Network’s schedule, the channel recently launched a documentary initiative that brings to the forefront issues that are often overlooked or misrepresented in the mainstream media.

"Style Exposed brings out a different side of Style," says Sarah Weidman, the senior VP of development and new series at The Style Network. "These are compelling stories that our audience is interested in, and placing them under the Style Exposed banner provides a clear place for them in our schedule. You know when watching a Style Exposed show it’s going to give you an insider’s look into a fascinating topic that is relevant to women everywhere."

Issues of sexuality, family, personal health and body image are at the heart of these programs, keeping in line with the types of topics that resonate with Style’s core female 18-to-49 audience. Weidman says that while some of these issues can be controversial, Style approaches them all in a "sophisticated, not salacious manner."

Style kicked off the initiative in early July with a doc addressing breast cancer and the importance of prevention. Baring it All focused on a group of women in their early 20s and 30s with no family history of breast cancer, yet were struck with the disease. "It’s an emotional film that shows how their lives and bodies have changed since cancer entered the picture, but that it hasn’t overtaken their spirit," says Weidman. "They are truly courageous women."

Another more controversial topic addressed by Style is transgendered people, with Born Male, Living Female. "We really wanted to show that women in this community can be positive role models with strong careers and healthy relationships," notes Weidman.

The subjects covered by Style Exposed are broad, allowing the channel to reach a wide spectrum of viewers. "They are universal topics that appeal to our female audience," Weidman says. "There is something for everyone in Style Exposed. We address very relatable topics, such as parenting—just with an unconventional twist. In Style Exposed: Single with 7 we follow a 29-year-old working woman, Yesi Ortiz, who has recently taken over custody of her sister’s seven children."

This month, Style has slated Psychic in Suburbia, featuring a working mom who is a psychic, and The Truth About Shoplifting, examining the rise in retail crime.

The docs are a mix of acquisitions and original concepts, Weidman notes. "Our programming team worked with a variety of producers and partners to find films and specials that were in vein with the direction of Style Exposed."

Weidman says the doc strand is a "step outside the box" for Style. Though there are no similar initiatives on the planner just yet, Weidman says "hopefully Style Exposed is the first of many" for the channel.