TLC Adds Brides, Babies and Makeover Shows

Courtesy of TLC

Coming off its best first quarter in six years, female-skewing TLC is set to present Madison Avenue with a robust slate of originals at Thursday’s upfront presentation in New York.

Relying on genres that have served the Discovery Communications-owned channel well, much of TLC fare will remain in the wedding, food and family vein.

“Viewers trust TLC to deliver open-hearted and unfiltered stories of real-life people living extraordinary lives,” said TLC’s president and general manager Amy Winter. “And while the unique circumstances attract audiences, it’s the surprisingly relatable characters that keep them watching. Our programming connects with viewers and gives them a moment to exhale in today’s increasingly crazy and unpredictable world.”

Among the new efforts is Homecoming, an emotionally charged series hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus that reunites soldiers with their loved ones; I Kid, a Ryan Seacrest-produced show fronted by Everybody Loves Raymond comedian Brad Garrett.

Three spinoffs from Say Yes to Dress are planned, including Randy to the Rescue with Dress’ Randy Fenoli, Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best and Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids.

Other additions include Baby’s First Day, following women in childbirth; gypsy series Big Fat Gypsy Weddings UK and Gypsyville, which examine their homes and social circles; the hunt for the outlandish in Extreme Christmas Trees and Invasion of the Christmas Lights 3: Europe; the deal hunters of Extreme Couponing; tattoo series NY Ink with artist Ami James; pawn broker series Pawn Queens; and Off the Rez, which follows a Native American mother and daughter as they leave the reservation.

Also joining the lineup are makeover and relationship show with a twist Spouse vs. House; 9/11 Colliding Lives, a two-hour examination of the bonds formed during a group of strangers after Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center;  Niecy Nash’s Wedding Bash, following the popular host as she plans her wedding day with Jay Tucker; and the docu-movie Who Killed Chandra Levy.

TLC reaches more than 99 million homes in the U.S.

Lesley Goldberg contributed to this report.