Lifetime to Launch in Latin America

NEW YORK/MIAMI: A+E Networks Latin America and Sony Pictures Television are bringing the Lifetime network to countries across Latin America, including Brazil, as of July.

Lifetime will feature scripted drama series, nonfiction series and original movies. Among the shows featured on the programming roster will be Witches of East End, Devious Maids, Drop Dead Diva, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and Preachers' Daughters.

Eduardo Ruiz, the president and general manager of A+E Networks Latin America, has been tapped to serve as general manager for the channel.

"I couldn't be prouder of heading up this new joint venture between A+E Networks Latin America and Sony Pictures Television," said Ruiz. "Lifetime is one of U.S. cable's most iconic brands, and our expectations are that the brand will perform well in Latin America."

"We are thrilled to partner with Sony Pictures Television for the launch of Lifetime in Latin America and Brazil," said Sean Cohan, the executive VP of international at A+E Networks. "Lifetime and its content have an extremely loyal fanbase around the globe, and we are confident that it will develop an equally loyal audience in the Latin American region."

T.C. Schultz, the executive VP and managing director for Sony Pictures Television's Networks in Latin America and Brazil, said, "Working with A+E Networks Latin America to create a premiere network dedicated to women gives us the opportunity to combine our resources. This joint venture further solidifies our goal of delivering the widest breadth of great entertainment to audiences in Brazil and Latin America and complements our other channels in the region."

"We are very pleased to join our long-time partners, Sony and A+E, in this new joint venture that makes possible the arrival of Lifetime in Latin America. Lifetime will be distributed by HBO Latin America Group and is an excellent complement to our basic channel offering in the region, bringing a channel dedicated specifically to the Latin American female audience and full of proven and successful programming," added Enrique Cusco, the CEO of Ole Communications, a joint-venture partner in A+E Networks Latin America.