Thirty-One Percent Increase in Lifetime Television's 2007-08 Programming Budget -- Largest in Network History -- Highlighted by 'Army Wives,' Premiering Sunday, June 3, 'State of Mind' and 'Side Order of Life' Premiering Sunday, July 15

LIFETIME BECOMES FIRST BASIC CABLE NETWORK EVER TO LAUNCH THREE NEW DRAMAS FOR SAME NIGHT OF WEEK IN SAME SEASON

DEVELOPMENT SLATE INCLUDES DRAMEDY ADAPTED FROM TERI HATCHER'S BOOK "BURNT TOAST," PROJECTS FROM ACCLAIMED PRODUCERS DENISE DINOVI AND PAULA WEINSTEIN AND REALITY SERIES HOSTED BY CARSON KRESSLEY

LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIES INCLUDE KIRSTIE ALLEY COMEDY AND FALL HORROR MINISERIES "THE GATHERING"

MONTHLY SHOWCASE OF 12 NEW LMN ORIGINAL MOVIES

RE-LAUNCH OF LIFETIMETV.COM OFFERS WIDE RANGE OF NEW DIGITAL CONTENT

2008 ELECTION "EVERY WOMAN COUNTS" PUBLIC ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

NEW YORK, April 24 -- In a dramatic expansion of its original programming lineup powered by a 31% budget increase over 2006, Lifetime Television is launching a trio of new dramas this summer -- all within an 8-11 PM block on Sunday night -- marking the first time any basic cable network has ever premiered three new series for the same night of the week in the same programming season, Lifetime President and CEO Betty Cohen and Entertainment President Susanne Daniels today announced.

The cornerstones of Lifetime's largest original programming investment ever will be "Army Wives," about a diverse group of women (and one man) on an Army post, starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell, debuting on Sunday, June 3 at 10 PM (ET/PT), joined on Sunday, July 15 at 8 PM (ET/PT) by "Side Order of Life," starring Marisa Coughlan as a reporter who receives a "wake-up call from the universe," before marrying co-star Jason Priestley. Followed at 9 PM (ET/PT) by "State of Mind," showcasing actress Lili Taylor as a brilliant therapist dealing with personal problems and eclectic patients.

The diverse development slate features a dramedy adapted from "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher's book Burnt Toast and a project from acclaimed producer Denise DiNovi ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") along with a feel-good reality program, "How to Look Good Naked," hosted by Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

The development slate includes projects from a wide array of acclaimed auspices, including Paula Weinstein ("Blood Diamond," "Rumor Has It") and Lawrence Bender & Kevin Brown ("An Inconvenient Truth").

"Since 1984, no media company has had the rich dialogue with their viewers like Lifetime Networks. This year, we are building on that unique relationship across all platforms, from a record investment in original programming to diverse digital initiatives, including the re-launch of LifetimeTV.com. This expansion underscores Lifetime's position as the leading integrated electronic media company for women," said Cohen during the company's annual advertiser upfront presentation at New York's Grand Hyatt Hotel.

"I am enormously proud to announce this slate of new programming. All of these projects, shepherded by my very talented programming team, represent various aspects of the contemporary woman. Whether it's a drama set on an Army post or a reality series that makes women look at themselves in a different way, each of these series embrace the emotional roller coaster that women ride -- the ups and downs of a woman's career, love life, child-rearing and friendship. We believe they all reflect the bold programming direction this network is taking," said Daniels.

Said Lynn Picard, President, Advertising Sales, Lifetime Networks and also Executive Vice President/General Manager, Lifetime Television, "For advertisers looking to engage more than half of the population, Lifetime Networks' brand strength, viewer loyalty and sheer eyeballs boasting the two highest-rated women's networks, simply can't be matched. Add our length of tune and commercial retention ranking among the leaders in all of television, and we give clients a multiplicity of platforms, on-air, online and in community, where they can talk to their current and future customers."

Building upon the foundation of 177 Lifetime Original Movies since 1990, Lifetime Networks is producing more than 60 movies this coming season for both Lifetime Television and LMN, including Gena Rowland and Lacey Chabert in "What if God Were the Sun?"; Kirstie Alley in "Write & Wrong"; Andrea Bowen, Jennie Garth and Emmy(R) Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson in "Girl, Positive"; along with "The Gathering," a supernatural miniseries debuting this fall. On the reality programming front, "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead," which averaged nearly a million total viewers during its first season, returns for a sophomore year in October. LMN, basic cable's second highest-rated women's network, premieres a dozen original movies over the next year, along with the launch of the Thursday Night True Crimes showcase in May and the LMN Student Filmmaker competition.

NEW LIFETIME ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES

"ARMY WIVES" -- Premieres Sunday, June 3 at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) -- From The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Television Studio comes "Army Wives," a new ensemble drama series about the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active army post and the pressures and traditions of the military on those who are left behind while their partners serve their country. The series stars Kim Delaney ("NYPD Blue"), Sally Pressman ("Shark"), Brigid Brannagh ("Over There"), Brian McNamara ("The O.C."), Sterling K. Brown ("Starved"), Wendy Davis ("Commander in Chief"), Drew Fuller ("Charmed") and Catherine Bell ("JAG").

"SIDE ORDER OF LIFE" -- Premieres Sunday, July 15 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT) -- From Academy Award-winning producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty") and co-executive producer, creator and writer Margaret Nagle (HBO's "Warm Springs") comes "Side Order of Life," a thought-provoking and comedic drama, centering on a young magazine photographer who suddenly re-evaluates her life and impending nuptials after receiving a "wake-up call from the universe." The series stars Marisa Coughlan ("Boston Legal"), Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills, 90210"), Christopher Gartin ("House") and Diana Maria Riva ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"). The series is produced by The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Horizon Television.

"STATE OF MIND" -- Premieres Sunday, July 15 at 9:00 PM (ET/PT) -- From executive producing team behind the hit cable series "Nip/Tuck" and "The Closer," Greer Shephard and Michael Robin, comes "State of Mind." Created by practicing psychotherapist, author, professor and mother, Amy Bloom, the series follows a brilliant, take-charge family therapist whose personal problems rival those of her eclectic and offbeat patients after discovering her husband is cheating on her with their marriage counselor. The series stars Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under"), Derek Riddell ("No Angels"), Mido Hamada ("The Path to 9/11"), Kevin Chamberlin ("Heroes," two-time Tony(R) Award nominee, Broadway's "Dirty Blond," "Seussical"), Theresa Randle ("Law & Order: CI") and Devon Gummersall ("Relativity," "My So-Called Life"). The series is produced by Shephard/Robin Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television.

RE-LAUNCH OF LIFETIMETV.COM

Dan Suratt, Executive Vice President, Digital Media and Business Development, announced that Lifetime Digital will unveil a new cross-platform experience unlike anything previously offered by a television network. A re- vamped LifetimeTV.com will launch in June with new design, navigation, functionality and a content offering unrivaled by its peers, and Lifetime will distribute that content to women on demand and on the go.

LifetimeTV.com will support the network's programming with a new broadband player that will feature Lifetime movies and series such as "Army Wives" and "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead." Programming mini-sites will also feature character and actor profiles, blogs, chats, episodic previews, interviews, photos and interactive forums for viewers.

The site will provide lifestyle content in areas relevant to women (health, beauty & style, home & crafts, relationships, entertainment, money) and will feature content from premiere partners like Hearst (including Redbook, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Quick & Simple), About.com, and a leading health content provider. In addition, Lifetime and its partners will jointly produce exclusive broadband programming with Hearst (lifestyle) and About.com (home & crafts). LifetimeTV.com will create a dynamic, infinitely-scalable community where women can find content on thousands of topics, comment and share their stories about these topics, and add their own topics to start new conversations.

Starting this summer, the leader in women's entertainment will partner with the leader in casual games, Real Arcade to release the "Lifetime Presents" series of downloadable games -- the first ever partnership of its kind. With new games released each quarter, this unique offering will build upon Lifetime's already flourishing Games section, which has seen its traffic more than triple since its re-design in November. Lifetime Digital will also reach women on platforms beyond LifetimeTV.com. Lifetime is on women's mobile phones with an application that will be delivered by carriers Sprint, Verizon and Cingular and will be releasing a WAP application in 4Q07. Lifetime will continue to grow its successful relationships with iTunes and syndication partners including Yahoo! and MSN.

MY LIFETIME COMMITMENT

Central to the network's award-winning My Lifetime Commitment public advocacy campaigns will be "Every Woman Counts," a non-partisan multi-platform initiative, which gives voice to women throughout the 2008 presidential campaign with Lifetime Women's Pulse Polls, original on-air programming and online content and candidate forums -- all to encourage women to register, vote and run for office. Other My Lifetime Commitment campaigns range from raising awareness of breast cancer and promoting women's heart health to preventing all forms of violence against women. In these efforts, Lifetime unites hundreds of nonprofit organizations, bipartisan political leaders and celebrity activists, including multi Grammy-winning artist Christina Aguilera and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, who recently joined the network's Emmy-Winning "End Violence Against Women" initiative.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

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