Lifetime Television Announces 33 Percent Increase in 2005-06 Original Programming

Oscar-Winner Mira Sorvino and Emmy-Winner Donald Sutherland Star in Powerful Miniseries on International Sex Trafficking

Join Kathy Bates, Jami Gertz and Raven-Symone in Upcoming Lifetime Original Movies, Which Rank #1 in '05 Among All Original Basic Cable Movies in Households, W18-34 and W18-49

Largest Scripted and Unscripted Development Slate Ever for Network

First-Ever Limited Drama Series, 'Beach Girls,' Premieres in July

Key Acquisitions 'Will & Grace,' 'Frasier,' 'Still Standing' and 'Reba' Join Schedule

Network Posts Year-to-Date Growth Among Households, W18-34, W18-49

Company Announces Lifetime Wireless for Women

NEW YORK, April 14 -- As part of a robust 33% increase in original programming for the 2005-06 season, Lifetime Television is premiering its first-ever miniseries this fall, which stars Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe(R)-winning actress Mira Sorvino ("Mighty Aphrodite," "Romy & Michele's High School Reunion") and Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Donald Sutherland ("M*A*S*H," "Citizen X") in an explosive four-hour movie about the brutal realties of international sex trafficking, directed by Christian Duguay ("Joan of Arc") with Robert Halmi Sr. ("Lion in Winter") serving as executive producer.

Sorvino and Sutherland join Kathy Bates, Jami Gertz and Raven-Symone in a cavalcade of high-profile stars showcased in the 18 Lifetime Original Movies scheduled for next season. So far in 2005, Lifetime Original Movies dominate the basic cable landscape, ranking #1 among all original movies in primetime households, W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54, while averaging 4.1 million P2+ and boasting the year's five most-watched movies: "Odd Girl Out," "Dawn Anna," "Widow on the Hill," "Lies My Mother Told Me" and "Mom at Sixteen."

Since 1990, Lifetime has produced nearly 150 Lifetime Original Movies.

Along with Lifetime Original Movies, Lifetime's five consecutive months of primetime household gains (up 7% in March, 43% among W18-34 and 22% among W18- 49) has been powered by the success of "New Movie Monday," which in March posted a staggering increase of 138% among W18-34.

In making the announcement Lynn Picard, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Lifetime Television, said, "Our mantra is original programming. With our cornerstone franchise of movies, successful dramas like 'Strong Medicine' and 'MISSING,' new unscripted series like 'I Married a Princess' and a record number of projects in the pipeline, we're offering viewers quality programming and advertisers a powerhouse media brand that is the number one destination for reaching women."

Lifetime's diverse lineup includes the sixth season of "Strong Medicine," featuring the addition of Rick Schroder to the longest-running original drama ever created for basic cable, a third season of "MISSING," and the largest scripted development slate in the network's history, including 25 programs with top Hollywood talent such as Jon Avnet, Kathy Najimy, John Tinker, Gale Anne Hurd, and Carol Leifer.

Along with the premiere of "I Married a Princess" and "You're Not the Man I Married," Lifetime's reality programming slate includes the hit series "How Clean Is Your House?" returning for a second season in the fall.

Three of television's most popular situation comedies join the network's schedule during the 2005-06 season with "Will & Grace" premiering in September, "Frasier" in March, "Reba" in August and "Still Standing" in September. In the tradition of wildly successful specials reuniting casts of "The Golden Girls," "Designing Women" and "The Nanny," Lifetime presents a "Will & Grace" special this fall.

The company is also launching Lifetime Wireless for Women, where women can get the best of Lifetime and Lifetimetv.com on their cell phones. The service features the latest programming information with text alerts on when shows air as well as other exclusive features with Lifetime talent ring tones and wallpaper. The best of Lifetimetv.com is also available with daily horoscopes, relationships tips and other interactive features, sweepstakes, and games.

Building upon the highly successful original broadband experience, "Kiss + Tell," an online comedy that looks at the funny side of love, lifetimetv.com this summer launches a new broadband section featuring 15-20 new original episodes per week. On this ultimate Lifetime fan destination, viewers can watch behind-the-scenes star interviews, access extra bonus footage from programs, and relive classic moments from Lifetime Original Movies.

Lifetime Original Movies

On July 25, Lifetime unveils its first-ever limited drama series, "Beach Girls." Inspired by the best-selling novel by Luanne Rice, "Beach Girls" explores the depths of the bonds of friendship. Three teenage girls, who summer together each year in the sleepy beach town of Hubbard's Point, pledge their eternal friendship while in their youth. However, as the years go by, the beach girls grow apart -- until the death of one of them brings her widower and daughter back to the Point to reconnect with the women who knew her best. The six-hour journey is filled with heartbreaks, secrets, first loves, rediscovery of love and the magic of summer romance. "Beach Girls" is produced by Robert Greenwald Productions for LIFETIME Television. Executive producers are Robert Greenwald (upcoming ABC "Rosemary's Baby" miniseries, "Uncovered: The War in Iraq,") and Alys Shanti ("Plain Truth," "The Book of Ruth"). Edith Swenson ("Student Seduction," "Too Young to Be a Dad"), Elle Triedman ("Providence," "Beverly Hills 90210") and Eric Tuchman ("Rhapsody in Blue," "Defending Our Kids") wrote the teleplays.

Sorvino ("Mighty Aphrodite," "Romy & Michele's High School Reunion") and Sutherland ("M*A*S*H," "Citizen X") star in the two-part Lifetime Original Miniseries "Human Trafficking" (wt), a tough, uncompromising drama that portrays the brutal realities of international sex trafficking and how it has infiltrated the United States.

Revealing the sheer horror of what these women and children must endure, the four-hour miniseries follows a rookie New York vice-squad officer on the trail of a deadly criminal kingpin; a courageous Russian father's search across two continents for his missing daughter; and the terrible ordeal of an American teenage girl kidnapped off the streets of the Philippines for sale into sex slavery. Part I of "Human Trafficking" premieres Monday, October 3 at 9PM (ET/PT) followed by Part II on Tuesday, October 4 at 9PM (ET/PT).

"Human Trafficking" is produced by For Sale Productions, Inc. (Muse) for LIFETIME Television. Robert Halmi, Sr. ("The Lion in Winter," "Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven") will executive produce. Christian Duguay (LIFETIME's "Lies My Mother Told Me," "Joan of Arc," "HITLER") directs from a teleplay written by Agatha Dominick ("The Sum of All Men," "I Know This Much is True").

SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com