Includes Films about Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, and Donatella Versace
MIPCOM / Cannes, France: Ovation, America’s only arts network, has acquired second window U.S. broadcast rights from global media company A+E Networks® for a package of dramatic Lifetime® TV films including Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, Betty and Coretta, House of Versace, Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart and Trip to Bountiful, all of which will air on Ovation’s linear channel and on-demand service Ovation NOW. The announcement was made today by Scott Woodward, EVP Programming and Production, Ovation.
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (1 x 120’) – Starring Alexandra Shipp. With top-selling albums, a hot movie career, and an adoring fan base, Aaliyah was poised to become a global R&B icon – until her young life was cut short by tragedy. Based on a true story.
Betty and Coretta (1 x 120’) – Starring Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett. Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, wives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, must carry on as single mothers after their husbands’ assassinations
House of Versace (1 x 120’) – Starring Gina Gershon and Raquel Welch. Following the murder of world-renowned designer Gianni Versace, his sister Donatella is thrust into the spotlight as head designer of his fashion empire. Based on the book by Deborah Ball.
Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart (1 x 120’) – Starring Lex Scott Davis, Debbi Morgan, and Gavin Houston. A gifted young singer works to navigate personal struggles with health and family while climbing the ladder of global fame.
Trip to Bountiful (1 x 120’) – Starring Cicely Tyson. Elderly Mrs. Watts is forbidden to travel alone by her overprotective son. Undeterred, she escapes to a bus station and begins a journey to her hometown of Bountiful. Adapted from Horton Foote’s Tony-nominated play.
“Ovation is proud to present these fascinating, women-led films from A+E Networks,” stated Woodward. “From the stories of Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, and Donatella Versace, all artists in their own right, to actors at the top of their game like Cicely Tyson, Mary J. Blige, and Angela Bassett, supporting female empowerment is important to us as an arts and culture network. These are important stories that need to be told.”
“A+E Networks is excited to partner with Ovation to bring these empowering and compelling, and sometimes tragic stories to the Ovation audience,” said Bryan Gabourie, Vice President, Content Sales, A+E Networks. “We pride ourselves on our high quality TV movies that really resonate with viewers and bring ratings success and buzz along the way. We look forward to working with and supporting Ovation as they roll out these wonderful titles.”
These titles will begin airing in February 2020.
About OVATION America’s Only Arts Network
Art has the power to inspire us, elevate our thinking, and awaken our senses. As an independent television, production and digital media company, OVATION has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically-acclaimed premium dramas, arts-related specials and documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION salutes innovative storytelling, lives for the art in entertainment, finds beauty in the everyday, and applauds art in unexpected places. OVATION is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, as well as on VOD. Through THE OVATION FOUNDATION, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in kind support to arts institutions and arts education. You can follow OVATION on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.
ABOUT A+E NETWORKS
A+E Networks® is a global content company comprised of some of the most popular and culturally relevant brands in media including A&E®, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, Lifetime Movies, FYI™, VICELAND® and Crime+Investigation®. A+E Networks’ portfolio extends across platforms and genres, with the A+E International division; A+E Studios®, a long-form production unit; A+E Originals, a long-form unscripted division; A&E IndieFilms®; and A+E Digital®, encompassing websites, watch apps, games and SVOD initiatives including Lifetime Movie Club and HISTORY Vault. A+E Networks’ channels and branded programming reach more than 335 million households in over 200 territories in 41 languages. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aenetworks and Facebook at facebook.com/AENetworks