A+E Unveils Rebrand, Upfront Slate

A+E Global Media, which is the new A+E Networks brand name, has revealed a slew of programming highlights coming up as part of its annual Upfront presentation, including projects with David Duchovny, Tyler Perry and Henry Winkler, among others.

For one, a partnership has been put in place with Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) and Pantheon Media Group for a multi-series development deal. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on a slate of unscripted projects spanning multiple genres and platforms across Lifetime and A&E.

Also for Lifetime, The Judd Family: Truth Be Told examines Naomi Judd’s complicated bond with her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley. The movie Give Me Back My Daughter stars Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) as a single mother struggling to make ends meet who makes a heartbreaking decision and loses custody of her daughter. Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story is a “Ripped from the Headlines” movie following the story of Monique Smith, who endured a horrific childhood only to discover that her family wasn’t actually hers.

For The HISTORY Channel, series greenlights have been given to Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny, in which the two-time Golden Globe Award winner reveals the latest evidence behind some of the government’s most secretive, strange and mind-blowing activities that have been declassified throughout history; Hazardous History with Henry Winkler, a nostalgia-fueled series with the Emmy Award-winning actor that will take viewers on a ride through America’s reckless and dangerous pastimes, practices and products; and History’s Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe, hosted and executive produced by the eponymous American Pickers treasure hunter. There’s also History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames (w.t.), hosted and executive produced by the Golden Globe Award-winning actor, who reveals the stranger-than-truth facts behind some of the world’s most prolific and powerful killers, and Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling (w.t.), a two-hour doc about the parallel lives and careers of African American heavyweight champion Louis and German heavyweight champion Schmeling. They join the previously announced Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning, a documentary that will showcase the life and legacy of the United States’ first Native American Olympic gold medalist.

A&E has lined up second seasons of WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) and WWE’s Greatest Moments. Storage Wars will return with an expanded new one-hour format.

A+E Global Media is furthering its commitment to lifestyle programming by commissioning more than 100 hours of original content for Home.Made.Nation, the multiplatform lifestyle programming block airing across A&E and FYI, including new series in partnership with Free Food Studios and Hello Sunshine. New series include Million Dollar Zombie Flips, Instant Italian, Beer Budget Reno, The Mother Flip and Willing To Flip. Returning series include Rachael Ray In Tuscany, Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes, Jake Makes It Easy, Global Soul Kitchen, The Chef’s Garden, Oceanfront Property Hunt and Lakefront Luxury.

Paul Buccieri, president and chairman of A+E Global Media, said the new A+E Global Media name reflects the company’s continued commitment to bring its award-winning content to viewers across the ever-changing multiplatform viewing universe around the globe. “The name A+E Global Media reflects who we are today—an innovative, multiplatform content engine that reaches audiences everywhere,” he said. “We are powered by our borderless storytelling and worldwide consumption that has no limits. With a vast portfolio of premium brands, cutting-edge studios and world-class talent, we create compelling narratives that deeply engage viewers across every screen and platform. As we expand our global footprint, our focus remains on delivering exceptional storytelling that resonates across cultures and connects with audiences in meaningful ways.”