Oprah Winfrey Network Announces Feb Premieres of 2 New Original Series

By: Feb. 14, 2011
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

Oprah Winfrey Network announced two new original series will be joining the network's primetime lineup with the debut of "Searching For..." on Monday, February 14 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) and "Breaking Down the Bars" on Tuesday, February 15 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT). In addition, the previously announced series "Our America with Lisa Ling" will now premiere on Tuesday, February 15 (10-11 p.m. ET/PT) and the acquired series "What Would You Do? OWN Edition" joins the lineup on Tuesday, February 15 (8-9 p.m. ET/PT).

"These new shows join seven originals in primetime. Our goal is to keep providing great series and nourish our OWN audience and keep them coming back for more," said Christina Norman, chief executive officer, OWN.

"Both series follow very different but equally emotional journeys of self-discovery," said Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer, OWN. "From capturing the unpredictable outcomes of finding a lost loved one in 'Searching For...' to the painful journey prisoners take in an attempt to rebuild their lives in 'Breaking Down the Bars,' viewers will see thought-provoking programming that engages and entertains."

"Searching For..." follows the real-life work of Pam Slaton, a professional investigative genealogist, stay-at-home mom and New Jersey housewife. Viewers are in for an intensely personal and emotional ride as cameras follow Pam and her clients through the step-by-step journey of "Searching For" a lost loved one. Each searcher's story is vastly different and the outcomes are highly unpredictable and emotionally charged. Whether Pam's clients experience a joyous reunion, painful rejection, or tragic loss, they are all guaranteed to walk away with the closure they were desperately seeking. The series is produced by Stuart Krasnow Productions.

"Breaking Down the Bars" follows the dramatic transformation of a group of female prisoners during their time at the Rockville Correctional Facility in Indiana. With the help of therapist Dr. Stephanie Covington, the series documents the heart-wrenching journeys of these women as they take the steps needed to reach their personal goals. This program will also reveal the stories of the families of these women as they wrestle with the reevaluation of their lives due to the incarceration of a loved one. The series is produced by 44 Blue.

"What Would You Do? OWN Edition" uses hidden cameras and actors to see how people react when put in provocative situations. The program takes real-life situations, some of them straight from the headlines, and records the everyday dilemmas that test character and values. Will people be compelled to act or just mind their own business? The OWN Edition will feature all-new man on the street segments with series host ABC News correspondent John Qui?ones who reports on peoples' split-second, and often surprising, decision-making process. The series is executive produced by David Sloan.

New Monday and Tuesday lineup beginning February 14:

MONDAY

8 p.m. Enough Already! with Peter Walsh

9 p.m. Searching For...

10 p.m. In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman

TUESDAY

8 p.m. What Would You Do? OWN Edition (acquired series)

9 p.m. Breaking Down the Bars

10 p.m. Our America with Lisa Ling

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey NETWORK

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 85 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.

 



Comments

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Vote Sponsor


Videos