TLC Tackles Arranged Marriages, Doubles Down On Weddings, Babies, Fashion Disasters – Upfronts
TLC wrapped up a year in which it dumped Honey Boo Boo and welcomed back Stacy London, with 30 series averaging more than 1 million viewers, including 19 Kids and Counting’s highest-ated season premiere and a Top 5 ranking among cable’s most social networks for reality programming in 2014, according to Nielsen Social rankers.
This year, TLC & Animal Planet Group President Marjorie Kaplan promised, TLC would “dig deeper into our brand to deliver bigger moments and remarkable people that make this network a destination for millions of viewers” who, TLC GM Nancy Daniels explained, network execs call “heart seekers.”
In 2015, TLC is planning more than 500 hours of original programming, including more than 50 new and returning series. Here’s the network’s announcement about its 2015-16 slate of new programming in the following genres:
FAMILY
At the core of TLC, viewers find families of all shapes and sizes. As the next generation from some of TLC’s most popular series – including 19 KIDS AND COUNTING and LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD – get married and create families of their own, viewers are responding and taking the exciting journey with them. This year, TLC welcomes the Willis family, who have already sung their way into America’s hearts. The network is adding more families to the mix, all bringing larger-than-life personalities, laughter, and love:
Long Lost Family – New series, 1Q 2015
This series helps people reunite with the family, friends, or loved ones they’ve desperately been seeking. (Shed Media)
Hardly Royal (working title) – New series, 3Q 2015
Maryland native David Drew has a story we all dream about. Several years ago, after some web surfing, this blue-collar car repair advisor discovered that he descends from a long line of British royalty. David’s discovery confirmed that he is heir and rightful King of the Isle of Mann in the United Kingdom, and now it’s time for him and his family to see if they can not only claim his throne, but also the acceptance of both aristocrats and locals. (MAK Pictures)
Quinceañera (working title) – New series, 3Q 2015
Cousins Alexis and Jarling are Miami’s premiere Quinceañera party planners and dress shop owners servicing Latin American families as they celebrate their teenager’s transition into womanhood. From the cultural traditions of finding the perfect dress and the father daughter dance to the new American traditions of shooting music videos and mid-party outfit changes – the cousins are constantly working their magic to create memories that will last a lifetime. (High Noon Entertainment)
I Got You Babies (working title) – New series, 1Q 2016
We’ll follow four unique sets of parents over the course of a year as they tackle the ups and downs of being first time parents. (Magilla & Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen’s Flower Films)
AISLE AND STYLE
TLC reintroduced viewers to the makeover space with new series such as LOVE, LUST OR RUN and STYLE BY JURY, and the network continues to offer fan-favorite fashion and wedding programming to close out the week. Friday nights now serve as destination viewing with the perfect pairing of “Aisle and Style,” with five new titles being added to the party this year, including the return of style expert and former co-host of WHAT NOT TO WEAR, Clinton Kelly:
Dare to Wear – New series, 2Q 2015
Some people get locked into one sense of fashion so strongly that they identify with only one look. In every episode, host and style expert Tai Beauchamp guides two extreme fashion disasters on total opposite sides of the style spectrum. After being shocked to learn that they have to swap clothing, these women will spend time living in one another’s look and then, with new found understanding, branch out to leave their comfort zone for a head to toe transformation. (Shed Media US)
Brides Gone Styled – New series, 2Q 2015
What happens when a fashion victim’s bad taste threatens to ruin one of the biggest days of her life… her wedding day? In this exciting bridal makeover series, style experts Gretta Monahan and Robert Verdi have made it their mission to take the worst of the worst dressed brides and transform them into the most stunning brides imaginable, leaving their family and friends speechless! (Half Yard Productions)
Extreme Dream Weddings (working title) – New special, 3Q 2015
Extreme Dream Weddings follows three brides experiencing their most mind-blowing fantasy weddings in some of the unique, most extreme terrains on Earth. It’s each bride’s shot at a made- to-fit fairytale wedding. (Discovery Studios)
#SaveMyStyle (working title) – New series, 3Q 2015
You’ve seen them on Facebook and Instagram – photos of friends who really shouldn’t be wearing that outfit! But finally there’s someone who can help. Celebrity stylist June Ambrose simply can’t resist bringing her distinctive styling skills to the people who reach out through her active online community. On each episode of #SaveMyStyle, June scours her social universe for a person in need of a fashion overhaul, then changes their lives forever by helping them to discover their best personal style. (Haymaker Content)
Swipe Right (working title) – New series, 3Q 2015
Today’s dating world has moved beyond the boy next door, the guy at the end of the bar and the friendly set-up. Dating has gone digital by scrolling through hundreds of online photos and ‘swiping’ to show your interest. Hosted by Clinton Kelly and Devyn Simone, Swipe Right is the groundbreaking new series that brings the traditional makeover show up to date by transforming not only the wardrobe and attitude of our contributors but their entire social media profile. (Jane Street Ent.)
LIFE’S MILESTONE MOMENTS
TLC takes viewers inside life’s relatable milestone moments like no one else can. First comes home, as the series MY FIRST HOME – going on the search for a perfect first home – returns to the network’s weekend lineup. Then comes marriage…but, maybe with some unlikely matchmakers. The network is adding four more series that tap into the moments that make up our lives:
3 Bad Dates, 1 Soul Mate (working title) – New special, 3Q 2015
Each episode recreates the dating misadventures of two women whose love lives play out like Hollywood rom coms, and retells each of their three dating disasters with three very different guys. Despite these seemingly doomed dates, our self-confessed Bridget Jones’ ends up marrying one of these men. (October Films)
Marriage Pact (working title) – New series, 3Q 2015
It’s a cold hard fact that 50% of all marriages in the US result in divorce. It seems that you can boil down what most people deem the best foundation for wedded bliss into two things: compatibility or chemistry. In this new social experiment, we’ll put to the test if the best marriage success comes from marrying your best friend or friend with benefits. (Magical Elves Inc.)
Married by Mom and Dad (working title) – New series, 4Q 2015
In this new social experiment, men and women who have been unlucky in love have agreed to put their love lives and their futures in the hands of the people who know them best: their parents. Once their parents pick their perfect match they’ll tie the knot to find out if being married by mom and dad leads to happily ever after…or not. (Thinkfactory Media)
Untitled 3Ball Weight Loss Show – New series, 1Q 2016
In each self-contained hour we’ll follow an obese person on the transformation journey of a lifetime. Their journey starts with a declaration: they will go to the object of their affection, declare their romantic intentions, and admit they want to ask them out. But not right now, in 90 days. Our hero promises to make some huge changes in their life – and after they do, they’ll come back to meet their crush – completely transformed. (3Ball Productions).
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