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Bravo Gives Green Light to 17 New, 18 Returning Unscripted Series

New York, NY

The network, which rates No. 1 among affluent, educated and engaged audiences in a key demographic, marked double-digit increases in ad sales revenue in 2012.

Bravo Media unveiled its largest slate of original programming-to-date on April 2 with 17 new and 18 returning unscripted series, marking a 15 percent increase over last year, and announced three new scripted projects in development. Additionally, Bravo ranks No. 9 in the highly desired A18-49 demo and in A25-54, up 5 percent and 7 percent respectively, and up 8 percent in total viewers year-to-date, according to Nielsen.

Bravo delivered its seventh consecutive record-breaking year in 2012 and maintains the most upscale, engaged and educated audience across cable entertainment. Bravo continues to expand across every platform in 2013 with high-quality original programming that focuses on the network’s passion points of food, fashion, beauty, design, digital and pop culture.

Bravo Digital also earned its best year ever for video streams on BravoTV.com, and the best year ever for page views, unique visitors, and video streams on Bravo Mobile and on the Bravo Now app. Bravo digital platforms experienced strong growth in 1Q13, in part due to the success of Top Chef 10 Transmedia/Last Chance Kitchen which generated more than 9 million views, (up 14 percent vs. Top Chef 9’s Last Chance Kitchen). BravoTV.com is averaging 5.1 million monthly unique visitors in 1Q13, (up 13 percent vs. 4Q12).

"Bravo’s ongoing investment in high-quality original content across every platform continues to drive our growth year-over-year, securing our top 10 network ranking," said Frances Berwick, President of Bravo and Style Media. "Bravo’s signature lifestyle entertainment brand continues to engage our growing passionate ‘affluencer’ audience."

Bravo added 126 new advertisers and 34 new online advertisers last year and marked double digit percentage growth in both national and digital ad revenue. According to Nielsen, Bravo again ranked as the top network on cable in 2012 for brand recall of traditional ads and remained number one across all of television for brand opinion lift among custom vignettes and in-program placements. Nielsen also ranked Bravo as the most engaging cable entertainment network among both men and women, and Bluefin data placed Bravo at No. 4 for online buzz reach.

"Bravo's programming strength and industry leading digital offerings provide the perfect environment for our partners to reach large scale and diverse audiences," said Linda Yaccarino, President of Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal. "Our 360 partnerships with advertisers continue to deliver exceptional results because our viewers are engaged and passionate about the Bravo brand wherever and whenever they consume it."

Led by unique multi-screen initiatives, the network also marked its best year ever for TV360 deals. Bravo continues to push boundaries with game-changers like Play Live, a real-time interactive viewing experience which has consistently increased sponsor recall by double digits. "Watch What Happens Live" episodes with Play Live interactivity delivered 13 percent higher live ratings on average compared to those episodes without the experience. Just this week, Bravo launched the live online after-show for "Watch What Happens Live," which was piloted last year, capturing even more uncensored moments between Andy and his guests.

Committed to ground-breaking experiences, Bravo will be rolling out three new transmedia offerings which involve a multi-layered storyline for viewers to follow across multiple screens. The first transmedia project will be part of Top Chef Masters featuring a brand new parallel digital competition which will affect the outcome of the series.

A leader in cutting-edge digital initiatives, the network will present The Real Housewives Awards, a 360 interactive experience that celebrates the successful franchise. Providing a multi-screen experience across all six Real Housewives series, passionate fans will get the chance to vote across platforms on categories such as "Best Supporting Agitator," "Hottest Hubby," "Most Coveted Closet," "Best Heels," and "Most Desirable Destination Vacation."

Committed to breakthrough programming, Bravo continues to partner with award-winning producers, prominent writers and experts in a variety of fields.

For a full list of the new and unscripted series, click here.

About Bravo

Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com.