OWN has released their summer primetime schedule and we are SO excited! President of OWN, Sheri Salata shared that “Our new summer series have a common thread of being fun, entertaining and meaningful…It’s important to give the audience programming that makes them feel good, or provides them with inspiration in their own lives.” That is one thing that OWN seems to be getting right as they continue to build the network show by show. It won’t be long until the world considers them to be the template for exceptional programming.
“We feel strongly about the current state of the channel,” added Erik Logan, president, OWN. “We’re seeing success with our original programming and are continuing to build the network one night at a time.”
Here is how the schedule lays out from OWN. As a special treat, they have released previews to all the shows except ONC. I included them below with the show descriptions. Enjoy!
Fridays: (starting June 8th)
9-10PM – “Lives On Fire”
Saturdays: (starting June 9th)
9-1PM “Million Dollar Neighborhood”
10-11PM “Real Life: The Musical”
Sundays:
9-10PM “Oprah’s Next Chapter” featuring actor Neil Patrick Harris, Spiritual Healer John of God & more.
10-11PM “Our America with Lisa Ling” (starting June 10th)
Mondays: (starting June 4th)
9-10PM “Are You Normal, America?”– Sneak preview after “Oprah’s Next Chapter” on June 3rd at 10PM
Coming in…
July:“Super Saver Showdown”
August:“Lovetown, USA”
Lives on Fire highlights the journey of four women who risk their lives daily to assist in California’s most dangerous disasters. These female firefighters respond to life and death situations; battle the intense heat…all in a predominately male profession while they struggle to find the balance in work and home as mothers, daughter, wives, and girlfriends. Each of the women bring a little something different to the show as they try to balance the danger and normal everyday life.
Million Dollar Neighbourhod finally comes to the states. Show participants in a small town of Aldergrove, Canada, took part in a social economic experiment to increase their collective net worth by $1 million in just 10 weeks. A financial team gave families a challenge each week to help them increase their income, reduce their debts and overall improve their financial standing. Not only did they receive the tips they need to be successful, they also were given opportunities to win money. Now that the show is coming to the US, viewers will be able to watch and learn…possibly changing our own lives.
Real Life: The Musical For those who have a hard time finding the words, this new series allows people to say what they haven’t been able to…through song! Partnered with vocal coaches and choreographers, each week someone will get the chance to stage a live “flash musical” for someone they love. Friends and family lend a hand in their surprise performance…one that could change the lives of both the singer and the loved one. Let the music play!
Oprah’s Next Chapter interviews actor Neil Patrick Harris and his family, including his fraternal twins. She then travels to Brazil to spend a day with controversial “world-renowned faith healer, spiritual medium and psychic surgeon”, John of God.
Our America with Lisa Ling is back! Without question, this show has been a standout hit for OWN. Not only is Lisa Ling a hard-hitting reporter, her empathy takes viewers to a new level of discovery. Coming up thise season, the show will feature in-depth stories on topics such as the Native American culture, living life as a nun, swingers and teen pregnancy.
Are You Normal, America? is a game show where through juries of our peers, by polling and simple man-on-the-street interviews, the show takes a look at odd behaviors to see just how common they may be in our society. As contestants try to win big money, viewers may find comfort in knowing their oddities are really normalcies….or they find out they are bit abnormal.
Super Saver Showdown is a new show from OWN pits two bargain hunters against each other to see whose coupon clipping, super saving, and DIY skills are superior. In each of the episodes, two “Super Savers” will help families looking to create a party on a budget and share their savings tips with the families as they rush to pull off the party. At the end, they will be judged by host Kristan Cunningham on their savings and style, the best “Super Saver” wins $10,000. Game on!
Lovetown, USA follows a pair of matchmakers (“Hitch,” Paul Carrick Brunson, and “love whisperer” Kailen Rosenberg with over 200 successful marriages to her name) and eight singles as they search for love. This “social experiment” takes place in the small town of Kingsland in Georgia. For 30 days, they take up residence in this small town helping the locals to find love in their own neighborhoods. Everyone in the town is getting involved! “This one-of-a-kind social experiment is the biggest dating challenge in TV history; examining the effects love can have on the DNA of one American community.”