2010 Upfronts: Bravo To Add Fifth Original Programming Night
NBCU Network Will Bolster Original Fare By 20% In 2010
Mike Reynolds -- 3/10/2010 1:55:57 PM
Bravo, looking to build on its continuing Nielsen momentum, will add a fifth night of original fare as it looks to buttress its programming base by 20% overall in 2010.
From a development perspective, Bravo is engaged in continued scripted work with Darren Star (HBO's Sex and the City) and is working toward a docuseries with So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Mia Michael. Moreover, the NBC Universal service will jump into the music genre for the first time with a new competition series and is developing an international food competition series, Around The World in 80 Plates.
The news comes from Frances Berwick, executive vice president and general manager, Bravo Media, as the upscale-audience-targeted service prepares for its upfront presentation to advertisers in Manhattan tonight.
While officials didn't disclose which night would be add for original fare, Bravo will likely push to Sundays, TV's most-viewed night, to complement its current Monday-through-Thursday offerings. It presents movies on both Friday and Saturdays.
Venturing to the scripted side, Bravo is developing I'm Not Myself These Days, from the novel of the same name. With Darren Star Productions behind it, the series will track Josh, by day a straight, married New York power broker, buy by night a drag queen.
Additionally, Room Service is a one-hour dramedy at a high-end hotel that offers clients the exclusive services of a dream team of male escorts.
On the docuseries side, Bravo will sashay with Emmy-winning Mia Michaels in a series navigating the choreographer through the world of professional dance.
Bravo's first venture into the music world will come in the form of Hitmakers, an elimination competition featuring undiscovered singer-songwriters and talented newcomers. They will battle through a series of challenges with each installment's winner having their song performed by a special guest star.
As for Around The World In 80 Plates (working title), contestants will travel the globe to test their culinary skills at top-flight international restaurants. This competition series is developed by the Magical Elves (Top Chef) for Bravo with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz as executive producers.
The aforementioned programming is expected to join the network's lineup in 2011, according to Bravo officials.
The network also announced that it picked up four shows: the latest installment of its The Real Housewives franchise, this time in Beverly Hills; Miami Social Club, orbiting that city's social elite; Million Dollar Decorators, tracking high-end decorators in LA; and Pregnant in Heels, centering on Rosie Pope, the founder of Rosie Pope Maternity.
The network also renewed a quartet of skeins: The Fashion Show, Million Dollar Listing, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Tabatha's Salon Makeover.
All new Bravo shows are now being shot in high-definition.
Additionally, the network, which said it scores 19% ad sales growth in 2009, will announce that it is hosting weekly live virtual viewing parties - now called the "Bravo Talk Bubble" -- starting March 25 during episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City.
