Ovation Sees Art on Ice With Acquisition of Disson Skating Specials

US Arts-centric Network Acquires Eight, Two-hour Ice Skating Specials Set to Premiere Beginning This November

Santa Monica, September 13, 2011 --- Ovation, the only US network devoted to arts culture, has acquired the US cable television rights to eight ice skating specials, as part of the Pandora Skating Series, from Disson Skating LLC, producers of live and televised ice skating shows.  The specials are filmed versions of lavish productions performed live on the ice, combining music, dance, and theater to dramatic effect.   Each special has a different theme, such as: 〈 Hilton HHonors and Progressive present RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles  - A Broadway sensation comes to the ice with cast members from the original musical as well as figure skating gold medalists Brian Boitano and Sarah Hughes.  Also featured are World champion Todd Eldredge and current U.S. champion Ryan Bradley.  The show is hosted by Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming and three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss.  RAIN will premiere on Ovation on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24. 〈 Fashion on Ice - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, headlines a night of world-class figure skating and fashion with Fashion on Ice.  One of the most exciting and unique fashion shows ever staged, this special creates a catwalk on ice, with skaters donning the fashions of Betsey Johnson and Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel while skating to Aretha’s biggest hits, sung live.  Featured skaters include Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes and newly crowned World ice dancing champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White, among others.  This special premieres on Ovation Friday, November 25. 〈 Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice - Mannheim Steamroller and American Idol runner up David Archuleta star in this exhilarating production that combines breath-taking ice skating artistry with live musical performances.  Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice also stars Olympic champion Brian Boitano, two-time Olympic champion Ekaterina Gordeeva, 2006 World champion Kimmie Meissner, 1994 World champion Yuka Sato, three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss, 2003 World ice dance champion Shae-Lynn Bourne, five-time U.S. champions Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev and eight-time British champion Steven Cousins.  Co-hosted by 1992 Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi and Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis, this program premieres on Ovation on Saturday, December 3. 〈 Progressive Skating & Gymnastic Spectacular - Hosted by Olympic champions and legends Peggy Fleming, Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, this special marries the beauty and grace of two Olympic favorites in one gravity-defying performance.  Two-time Olympic figure skating silver medalist Elvis Stojko, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette, World Champion and six-time U.S. champion Todd Eldredge and 2008 Olympic all-around gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin are joined by a cast of talented skaters and gymnasts from around the world.  Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular will premiere on Ovation on Thursday, March 15, 2012. “For as long as figure skating has been on television, viewers have been drawn to the artistic and creative quality of the sport.  These Disson Skating specials are the pinnacle of this artistry, blending theater, music and dance with ice skating for the total package,” notes Kris Slava, SVP, Programming, Ovation.  “We think Ovation viewers will be captivated.” All eight programs, part of the Pandora Skating Series, will receive their network television premiere on NBC, followed by a cable premiere on Ovation.  Ovation will also offer the programs to subscribers via VOD. Additional programs include a special performance by Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, an evening dedicated to improvisational skating, a Valentine’s Day themed show and a Celebration of Women.