This week, ABC Family President Michael Riley announced the fate of several popular shows on ABC Family. Hit shows Baby Daddy and Switched at Birth will be returning for a second season and the popular comedy Melissa and Joey will have a third season, while the new ABC Family show Bunheads, helmed by Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, has been given a back-order pick-up for additional episodes.
“Two years ago we embarked on a bold strategy to grow the breadth and scope of original programming and create a Wednesday night summer comedy destination,” said Riley. “The new series have resonated with our viewers, and the combination of drama, comedy and reality brings great depth to our lineup. Our stable of strong series continues to grow, and I’m thrilled with the strength of our schedule.”
ABC Family has seen strong results with these new shows, with Baby Daddy becoming the channel’s #1 most popular comedy series in its history and Melissa & Joey, which stars Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, ranking as the #1 comedy series in its timeslot in the 18-34, 18-49 and 12-34 demographics. The channel’s new drama Switched at Birth recently earned a Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming and an Imagen Award for Best Primetime Program, in addition to AFTRA’s (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) American Scene Crystal Award, the Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award, and a Gracie Award. Bunheads, which stars Tony Award winning actress Sutton Foster and Gilmore Girls actress and Tony winner Kelly Bishop, is ranked the #2 cable program in its timeslot for Women 18-34 and Females 12-34. These renewals come in addition to the previous announcement of a Beverly Hills Nannies reunion special on September 4.
“I’m so pleased to add more ‘Baby Daddy’ and ‘Bunheads’ to our lineup, and to have already put a ‘Beverly Hills Nannies’ reunion special into production,” said Kate Juergens, executive vice president of Original Series Programming and Development, ABC Family. “So many returning originals spotlight how well our programming resonates with our audience. It also furthers our promise to continue to deliver programming that is engaging, optimistic and relatable.”
The new seasons of ABC Family’s drama series will begin airing this winter, with comedy series beginning in Spring 2013.
