Lifetime® launches to massive success - catapulting to #1 digital channel for women and a top 20 Canadian specialty service

New Channel Adds Hot New Unscripted Reality and Star-Studded Exclusive Movie Premieres to Fall Lineup

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TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Lifetime®, the hottest new destination for women, continues to roll out its exclusive programming in Canada with a powerful lineup featuring highly anticipated reality series and star-studded movie premieres. After only four weeks on air, the new channel has achieved massive success, currently ranking as the #1 digital service for women 25-54 and 18-49 and a top 20 across all Canadian specialty channels, (#15 W25-54, #18 W18-49, #20 A25-54).*

"Lifetime's immediate success in Canada is a true testament to the stellar, exclusive content we are sharing with Canadians, and this is just the beginning. With a new slate of can't resist reality series and original movies rolling out, Lifetime will only continue to strengthen its position as a favourite channel for women," said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media.

Shining a spotlight on talented and legendary performers and hilarious pranksters, brand new, never-before-seen reality series include The Houstons: On Our Own, chronicling the lives of the late Whitney Houston's family, Dance Moms spin-off Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and Prank My Mom, hosted by Vivica A. Fox.

Building on the robust library of Lifetime original movies, new additions include the television adaptation of one of the most moving films about female friendship, Steel Magnolias (starring Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard), Of Two Minds (starring Kristin Davis and Louise Fletcher), Blue-Eyed Butcher (starring Lisa Edelstein) and Liz & Dick (starring Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler).

These new series and movies join Lifetime's roster of top-rated programs including The Client List, Dance Moms, Drop Dead Diva and Project Runway.

BRAND NEW SERIES

Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (Canadian Premiere)
Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT beginning October 23
Headlined by Dance Mom's Abby Lee Miller, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition features a dozen of the most talented young dancers in North America competing for a scholarship to the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Joining Miller at the judges' table will be Robin Antin, founder of the pop group sensation Pussycat Dolls, and celebrity choreographer Richard Jackson (Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night").

Remembering Whitney - one-hour special presentation (Canadian Premiere)
Wednesday, October 24 at 8pm ET/PT
Celebrating the legacy of Whitney Houston, Remembering Whitney features never-before-seen footage of the singer, including interviews, private home videos and family photos.

The Houstons: On Our Own (Canadian Premiere)
Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT beginning October 24
This all-new docu-series follows the lives of the late Whitney Houston's family as they grieve and try to pick up the pieces after her untimely death. Featuring daughter Bobbi Christina, sister-in-law and manager Pat Houston, brother Gary, and mother, Grammy® Award-winning singer Cissy Houston.

Prank My Mom (Canadian Premiere)
Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT beginning October 24
Vivica A. Fox (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dancing with the Stars, Kill Bill) hosts Prank My Mom, a hidden-camera comedy show where kids get the chance to show their mothers just how much they love them. Sons and daughters pull off the most unheard of, outrageous and hilarious pranks - from a son getting caught shoplifting with his mom to a daughter setting her mom up on what turns into a blind date from hell. All moms are in for a surprise they will never forget!

My Life is a Lifetime Movie (Canadian Premiere)
Wednesdays at 8pm ET/PT beginning October 31
A compelling new reality anthology series, My Life is a Lifetime Movie is based on gripping, "ripped-from-the-headlines" stories of women in extraordinary circumstances.

LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIES

Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Canadian Premiere)
Saturday, October 6 at 8pm ET/5pm PT
A baby abducted at birth and raised by the woman who took her eventually discovers the truth, reconnects with her birth parents and struggles with choosing between her two identities. Abducted: The Carlina White Story stars Keke Palmer (True Jackson, VIP), Sherri Shepherd (30 Rock) and Aunjanue Ellis (The Help).

Steel Magnolias (Canadian Premiere)
Monday, October 8 at 8pm ET/5pm PT
A remake of one of the funniest and most touching films about female friendship, Steel Magnolias tells the story of six strong and sassy Southern women who support each other through life's triumphs and tragedies. Gathering at Truvy's beauty shop, they ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands and children - and of course, hair and nails! Starring Academy Award® Nominee Queen Latifah, Tony Award® Winner Phylicia Rashad, Grammy® Winner Jill Scott, and Emmy® and Golden Globe® Winner Alfre Woodard.

Of Two Minds (Canadian Premiere)
Saturday, October 20 at 8pm ET/5pm PT
Starring and executive produced by Emmy ® nominated actress Kristin Davis (Sex and the City), Of Two Minds is an emotional journey and intimate look at a family's struggle to cope with a loved one suffering from schizophrenia. After their mother dies, Billie (Davis) takes responsibility by moving her younger sister, Baby (Tammy Blanchard, Moneyball), in with her family.  At first, the family works to adjust to their new living arrangement. However, after a disturbing incident involving her son and Baby, it becomes clear to Billie that she and her family are not equipped to handle Baby's illness, ultimately forcing her to make the difficult decision to do what's best for her sister and her family. From a screenplay by Oscar-nominated writer Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs Through It, Promise), Of Two Minds also stars Oscar ® winner Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest).

Blue-Eyed Butcher (Canadian Premiere)

Saturday, October 27 at 8pm ET/5pm PT

Based on a true story, Blue-Eyed Butcher stars 2011 People's Choice Award winner Lisa Edelstein (House, The Good Wife) as Texas prosecutor Kelly Siegler. Dubbed by the media as the "Blue-Eyed Butcher," Susan Wright (Sara Paxton) appeared to have a fairy-tale life — an adoring husband, two beautiful kids, and close family and friends. But six years into their marriage, the fairy tale crumbles when Jeff is found dead and buried in the backyard of their suburban home.

Liz & Dick (Canadian Premiere)
Sunday, November 25 at 9pm ET/PT
Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls) and Grant Bowler (Defiance) star in the Lifetime Original Movie Liz & Dick, based on the legendary romance between screen icons Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. For nearly a quarter of a century, Taylor and Burton were Hollywood royalty and their fiery romance -- often called "the marriage of the century" -- was the most notorious, publicized and celebrated love affair of its day.  Liz & Dick is executive produced by Larry A. Thompson (Amish Grace) and directed by Lloyd Kramer (Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven) with a script by Christopher Monger (Temple Grandin).

*Source: BBM Canada PPM Data, Aug 27 - Sept 23,2012 confirmed & overnight data, M-Su 2a-2a AMA (000) / Total Canada - excludes sports

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Website:
www.mylifetimetv.ca

Facebook:
facebook.com/lifetimetvca

Twitter:
@lifetimetvca

Lifetime is a Shaw Media Network.

About Shaw Communications
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.  

SOURCE: Lifetime

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Judy Lung
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