Deliciously dramatic, The Cupcake Girls launches on W Network this April

    
     New series premieres on Sunday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on W Network

               Viewers can catch a full episode online now at
                         wnetwork.com/thecupcakegirls
    

TORONTO, March 2 /CNW/ - This April, Corus Entertainment's W Network presents the premiere of The Cupcake Girls, a cheeky real-life look at childhood best friends and business partners Heather White and Lori Joyce on their quest for "world cupcake domination". The 13-episode docu-series, produced by Force Four Entertainment in association with W Network, follows the sometimes sweet and often crazy journey of Heather and Lori as they expand their Vancouver-based cupcake business. The Cupcake Girls will air every Sunday night with two episodes back-to-back beginning Sunday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

"We jumped on the growing cupcake trend early last summer when shooting started on this series, and now as the series is about to hit the air, not only has Heather and Lori's business expanded, but cupcakes are popping up everywhere," said Vibika Bianchi, Director, Original Productions, W Network. "As simple and sweet as cupcakes may seem, our audience will be amazed by the behind the scenes drama and comedy that goes on in Lori and Heather's cupcake world over the 13-episodes of this series."

The cupcake business is no cake walk for Heather and Lori. If their lack of baking skills or business experience doesn't stop them, their complicated personal lives will. Heather is a no nonsense business woman and recovering alcoholic turned triathlete, while the more happy-go-lucky Lori pursues her never say die mission for motherhood at the fertility clinic. With six busy locations, an all-female staff of 57 and Heather's parents for employees, it looks like the cards are stacked against them, but somehow they always manage. From spy missions to couples therapy, the cupcake business is never dull. Viewers can tune in to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Lori and Heather working their motto: "well-behaved women rarely make history."

"This is a new adventure not only for Lori and I but also our families who are involved in the business," says Heather White, co-owner of Cupcakes. "We have unique and entertaining staff who crack us up all the time and we know our viewers will come to love them as we do."

W Network is giving the viewers a special online sneak peek of the first episode The Cupcake Girls. Audiences can go to http://wnetwork.com/thecupcakegirls to get a taste of the series before the premiere on April 4.

In the first episode, premiering Sunday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Heather and Lori must scramble to make high profile wedding cake deliveries when Heather's father Brian, the Cupcakes' delivery man, gets stuck in traffic - again, and Kathie, Heather's mom, works to keep the peace. In episode 2, premiering Sunday, April 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, Heather and Lori find out how hard it is to find good help when interviewing to grow their severely understaffed workforce after a number of employees fail to show up for work.

Watched by over 10 million viewers in an average month, W Network delivers compelling entertainment for women, ranging from blockbuster movies to popular dramas and lifestyle series. Its website, www.wnetwork.com offers in-depth show information featuring expert advice from hosts in addition to a popular games section and a rich online community. W has built a leadership position as "marketing to women experts" through its various research initiatives, including The Her Report.

W Network is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, CosmoTV, VIVA, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW, CFOX, CKOI, 98,5 FM, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

Force Four Entertainment is based in Vancouver, BC, began operations in 1983, and has grown into one of Canada's most successful and respected television production companies. Force Four has produced more than 300 hours of primetime broadcast programming, earning accolades on the national and international stage.

The company's highly successful television programs include lifestyle, documentary and scripted programming that is sold and aired around the world. Force Four has been awarded the prestigious Peabody Award, 10 Gemini Awards and over 25 Gemini nominations, and is owned by President Rob Bromley, Executive Producer John Ritchie and Director of Business Affairs Gillian Lowrey. The Cupcake Girls is the company's fourth television series produced for W Network.

About Cupcakes:

A popular, retro-styled Vancouver-based retail bakery, Cupcakes specializes in whimsical cupcakes, cakes and other nostalgic baked goods made fresh daily. Co-founded by best friends Heather White and Lori Joyce in 2002, Cupcakes employs 50-60 employees depending on the season and has three retail bakeries and three franchise bakeries to date. Cupcakes bakes their products from scratch and use preservative-free, basic ingredients, offering customers fresh batches of yummy goodness daily. They also offer scrumptious retro cakes and cupcakes for weddings, birthdays, special events, or just to indulge. www.originalcupcakes.com

For high-resolution images, please visit http://mediacentre.corusent.com

All times ET/PT

For further information: Danielle Sefton, Communications, Corus Entertainment, [phone], [email protected] or Almira Bardai, Jive Communications, [phone], [email protected]