TLC Announces An Aggressive 2017-2018 Upfront Slate With 120 More Hours Of Original Programming
(New York, NY) – TLC heads into the 2017-2018 Upfront with strong ratings and a promise to deliver more original hours, more nights of original programming and more of the shows and genres that viewers love. Whether it’s weddings, relationships, unique characters, property or big events, the network shares authentic, compelling stories that keep audiences coming back. In 2016, TLC had 27 shows averaging 1.0M P2+ viewers or more and continues its momentum into 2017. The network is up nearly 20% in primetime, seeing double digit lifts across the board and is ranked the #7 ad supported cable network among W25-54.
Viewers come to us to find real people and unique stories they can’t find anywhere else,” said TLC President and General Manager Nancy Daniels. “This Upfront season, we are focused on giving fans more of the programming they love, when and where they want to see it.
TLC has long been the home for loveable families. Fan favorites returning to share more life changes and milestones are THE LITTLE COUPLE, KATE PLUS 8, the Busbys of OUTDAUGHTERED, LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD, SISTER WIVES and many more. The network welcomes to the family HAIR GODDESS (working title), a show about a working-class family in Staten Island who are building an empire. A BABY STORY LIVE will return for its second year, following expecting mothers through their final weeks of pregnancy culminating with a broadcast of the births on Facebook Live.
The wildly popular 90 DAY FIANCÉ returns with its second spinoff series 90 DAY FIANCÉ: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS as well as an original digital spin-off series 90 DAY FIANCÉ: WHAT NOW? (working title) for TLCgo, the network’s TVE app. The romance doesn’t stop there as TLC dives deeper into the relationship space with HEAR ME, LOVE ME, SEE ME (working title), a new social experiment that puts love in hyper-drive by taking physical attraction out of the equation. Heading to the altar, SAY YES TO THE DRESS celebrates its 10th anniversary this season and beloved franchise spinoff SAY YES TO THE DRESS: ATLANTA returns. Also, newcomer Charlie Goldsmith brings his gift to TLC in THE HEALER, a series following the energy shaman as he attempts to cure people of their ailments, and joins larger than life personalities Theresa Caputo of LONG ISLAND MEDIUM and Whitney Thore of MY BIG FAT FABULOUS LIFE.
From light-hearted to heart-wrenching, TLC announces THIS IS LIFE LIVE, a dramatic four-day event following the personal journeys of families about to experience an extraordinary circumstance on LIVE television, accompanied by a LIVE digital after show, creating a truly multiplatform event. In addition, TLC presents the captivating story of athletes Mary Decker and Zola Budd, whose earth-shattering collision in the 1984 Olympics is revisited in the gripping documentary THE FALL (working title). For the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, TLC celebrates the story of a woman who captivated millions with her beauty and down-to-earth charm. The three-hour global event DIANA: TRAGEDY OR TREASON? (working title) will detail the theories behind Diana’s death and provide further insight into the princess herself, the movement she created and the world she left behind.
TLC continues to build on its success across platforms with over 43 million fans and followers on social media and over 9 million unique visitors each month on TLC.com. TLCme, the network’s multiplatform destination covering its key content pillars, is expanding its portfolio to include new talent Claire Ashley (Beauty) who will be joining Erica Domesek (Home), Danni Starr (TLCme Now), Amanda Mushro (Lifehacks), Candace Payne (Simple Joys) and Katherine Berman & Sophie LaMontagne (Cupcake Cam).
Highlights of TLC’s 2017-2018 new programming slate include:
SERIES
90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days
On the heels of the success of 90 DAY FIANCÉ and spinoff series 90 DAY FIANCÉ: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?, comes a second spinoff series. The newest linear addition to the franchise will follow couples who have an existing relationship online, but have not met in person. Viewers will experience their journey as they travel to the other’s foreign country for the first time in an attempt to establish a relationship. At the end of the trip, the couple faces a choice: do they continue down a path towards a proposal and engagement to then begin the K-1 visa process, or will one of them be heading home with a broken heart?
90 Day Fiancé: What Now? (wt)
For the first time, the hugely successful 90 DAY FIANCÉ franchise welcomes a brand-new original digital spinoff series. Fans will have the opportunity to catch up with the series’ most popular pairs on TLCgo, the network’s TVE app, as they move on to the next stages of their lives. Each of the seven digital episodes will feature fan-favorite relationships from seasons past, including Melanie and Devar; Matt and Alla; Alan and Kirlyann; Josh and Aleksandra; and Narkiya and Lowo. Viewers watched as each couple endured their first big test, but how will they fare against even more of life’s toughest challenges and biggest decisions?
Hair Goddess (wt)
TLC’s exciting new series follows the big business and even bigger personality of Christina Oliva, the epitome of a self-made woman. Born and raised in Staten Island, Christina started her own hair extension company at only 18 years old, working out of her parents’ garage. Within three years, she built a large enough clientele to upgrade to a little Staten Island salon of her own and eventually hire both of her sisters and her cousin to work for her. With the help of her family, Christina’s now world-renowned hair extension empire is ready for the next level: a salon in the heart of Manhattan. Viewers will follow Christina and family as they deal with all the stresses of running a new salon, including the challenges of having a family business while balancing their personal lives.
The Healer
Charlie Goldsmith is one truly remarkable man. When he was 18 years old, Charlie discovered that he had the power to heal people using his mind and the power of touch. An energy healer like no other and hailing from Melbourne, Australia, this series follows his life and work as he is pursued by celebrities, athletes, and ordinary people hoping to be cured of their ailments. His healing ability is a power that many are skeptical of and he’s gone as far as to seek out scientific and medical experts to help make sense of his gift. Will you become a believer?
Hear Me, Love Me, See Me (wt)
Based on the successful international relationship format, this social experiment puts love in hyper-drive by taking physical attraction out of the equation. Each eligible bachelorette will get an unfiltered view into the lives of three single men, using only POV cameras and streaming technology. She’ll see everything they see, and get to talk directly to them – but never see what they look like. At the end of the day, she must decide who has won her heart based solely on personality and emotional chemistry. Only after making her final decision, will she meet all three men face-to-face. Will her eyes follow her heart?
Meet the Putmans
Bill and Barb Putman seem like they have an average American family. They have been married for 32 years, have four great kids and love to spend time with their grandchildren, but their still-growing family does things a little bit differently. This 25-person family lives under one roof, shares one bathroom, pools all of their finances, and helps raise all of the kids as one family unit. Each episode will not only detail the little things that test this large household, but also highlight those extreme “for better or worse” moments they experience as both couples and a family.
Rattled
In its second season, this series explores the scary, exhilarating, frustrating, joyful and ultimately life-changing experience of new parenthood as seen through the lives of several couples from across the country. Executive Produced by Flower Films’ Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen, viewers will go along for the ride as they watch these new parents experience a wide range of challenges, triumphs and milestones. The new season follows five couples including two returning couples from season one: Ashley and Tyson Gardner and their growing quadruplets, and Mars and Doug’s drama-filled relationship.
EVENTS/SPECIALS
Diana: Tragedy or Treason? (wt)
For the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, TLC presents the compelling story of a woman who captivated millions with her beauty and her down-to-earth charm, proving she was more than just the wife of a prince. She was both style and substance: a fashion icon, a humanitarian and a fiercely protective mother. She redefined what it meant to be royal – so much so that many feared she would ultimately bring down the monarchy. Diana’s death was a chilling event that sent shock waves across the globe. Was she the unfortunate victim of a tragic accident or was she the assassination target of a treasonous conspiracy? Produced by Jupiter Entertainment, the team behind Investigation Discovery’s hit JONBENÉT: AN AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY, this three-hour global event will detail the theories behind Diana’s death and provide further insight into the princess herself, the movement she created and the world she left behind.
The Fall (wt)
TLC presents the story of the rise of world-record-breaking American runner Mary Decker, and of Zola Budd, a South African who was persuaded to adopt British nationality as a teenager to avoid the international sporting boycott of her native land because of apartheid. Budd, famous for running barefoot, and Decker, favored to win gold in the 3,000-meter women’s race at the 1984 Olympics, captivated the world with their stories. This gripping documentary reunites the athletes for the first time to talk openly and honestly about that historic moment of collision at the 1984 Olympics.
This is Life Live
This four-night groundbreaking event follows the personal journeys of families about to experience an extraordinary circumstance on LIVE television. Going live from different locations across the country, every episode will share two unique stories of families and their loved ones as they experience an epic, pivotal moment. Every hour reveals compelling and dramatic stories with the twists, turns and huge surprises that happen along the way. From seeing the miracle of a woman walk for the first time and watching a father be reunited with a long-lost family member, to witnessing a deaf parent hearing a child say “I love you,” viewers will share in unforgettable, personal and life-changing moments as they happen LIVE.
ABOUT TLC
Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life’s milestone moments. In 2017 to-date, TLC ranks as the #7 ad-supported cable network in Prime among W25-54.
TLC is a global brand available in more than 89 million homes in the US and 325 million households in 220 countries and territories. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere through TLCgo – the network’s TVE offering featuring live and on demand access to complete seasons. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in 220 countries and territories to satisfy curiosity and engage superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, sports and kids programming brands.
