A+E Networks Sends Lifetime TV Movies to Ovation

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Ovation has picked up the second-window U.S. broadcast rights for a package of Lifetime TV movies from A+E Networks, including Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.

Starring Alexandra Shipp, Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B charts the too-short life of the artist who was poised to become a global R&B icon. She had top-selling albums, a rising movie career and an adoring fan base when her young life was cut short by tragedy.

Betty and Coretta features Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett as Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, the wives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, who carry on as single mothers after their husbands’ assassinations.

In House of Versace, Gina Gershon and Raquel Welch star in a take on the events that took place following the murder of world-renowned designer Gianni Versace.

Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart tells the story of the gifted singer as she works to navigate personal struggles with health and family while climbing the ladder of global fame.

Starring Cicely Tyson, Trip to Bountiful centers on the elderly Mrs. Watts, who is forbidden to travel alone by her overprotective son but escapes to a bus station to begin a journey to her hometown of Bountiful.

All of the aforementioned titles will begin airing on Ovation in February 2020.

Scott Woodward, executive VP of programming and production at Ovation, said: “Ovation is proud to present these fascinating, women-led films from A+E Networks. From the stories of Aaliyah, Toni Braxton and Donatella Versace, all artists in their own right, to actors at the top of their game like Cicely Tyson, Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett, supporting female empowerment is important to us as an arts and culture network. These are important stories that need to be told.”

Bryan Gabourie, VP of content sales at A+E Networks, said: “A+E Networks is excited to partner with Ovation to bring these empowering and compelling, and sometimes tragic stories to the Ovation audience. We pride ourselves on our high-quality TV movies that really resonate with viewers and bring ratings success and buzz along the way. We look forward to working with and supporting Ovation as they roll out these wonderful titles.”