Oxygen has greenlit five new unscripted series under its “Very Real” rebrand targeting young, modern women. The network’s new slate is led by “Preachers of Detroit,” a spinoff of the network’s “Preachers of LA” franchise, and original reality series “The Investment Club,” “The Prancing Elite Project,” “The Wilkersons” and “Finding My Father.”
“Oxygen is committed to delivering more authentic originals geared to young, multicultural women,” said newly-promoted executive vice president of original programming and development Rod Aissa. “These vibrant series reinforce the network’s new programming direction as we continue to shape the future of Oxygen.”
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“Preachers of Detroit” will premiere Winter 2015 and feature the professional and personal lives of seven preachers in Detroit, Michigan. The Los Angeles edition, which gives viewers a candid look into the lives of mega-pastors in Southern California, has been a ratings hit for Oxygen, averaging more than one million viewers and becoming the most-watched freshman series in the network’s history among the 25-54 demographic. The network also has plans to develop New York, Atlanta and Dallas editions of the show.
“The Wilkersons” is a similarly faith-themed reality series, following Rich Wilkerson, who rose to fame after being revealed as the pastor who married Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The series is executive produced by “E! News” co-hosts Guliana Rancic and Jason Kennedy.
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“Rich is much more than a pastor who officiated the wedding of the year, he is at the forefront of a movement of people who seek answers in a complicated world and want to live their life in the best possible way,” Rancic told TheWrap.
“From the moment I met Rich, I realized he was incredibly special and had a way of inspiring people to do good and be good,” she continued. “He and his wife, DawnCheré, a pastor herself, devote their lives to bettering others while balancing their own marriage, which is something viewers will definitely relate to. This series isn’t about religion, it’s about hope, faith, compassion and love. As people will quickly learn, this isn’t a show, it’s a movement.”
Oxygen will debut its rebranding on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
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Here are the five newly greenlit shows and their official descriptions from Oxygen:
“The Investment Club” (working title)
Produced by Fremantle Media with Thom Beers serving as Executive Producer.
The outlook for young business owners hoping to turn their ideas into billions has never looked better. This risk-taking new series brings together passionate millennial hopefuls attempting to make their mark in entrepreneurial history with young, self-made business moguls who have already paved the way. These aspiring professionals will pitch their innovative new products to the “Investment Club” where they are given the opportunity to make large funds on the burgeoning businesses. Cameras will also follow these successful CEO’s outside the boardroom as they personally invest in each business they want to help evolve.
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“The Prancing Elite Project” (working title)
Produced by Crazy Legs Productions with Tom Cappello and Alana Goldstein serving as Executive Producers.
Set in the high-stakes world of Southern dance teams, this show chronicles the story of the Prancing Elites–an all-male competitive dance team in Mobile, Alabama who are looking to go from a one-click-wonder to a national sensation. With big personalities and even more heart, these five best friends will navigate the pitfalls of stardom and interpersonal drama all while attempting to break down the stereotypes and barriers put in their path towards success.
“The Wilkersons” (working title)
Produced by Magical Elves with Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth serving as Executive Producers, along with Executive Producers Giuliana Rancic, Jason Kennedy and Rich Wilkerson.
Pastor Rich Wilkerson made international headlines when he married friends Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in a glamorous wedding in Florence, Italy. But even though he preaches to the A-list, his true passion is sharing his faith with the world and being part of a movement of young believers. A more entertaining way of spreading the gospel, this series not only walks with people through the struggles of their lives, but also sheds light on how Rich Wilkerson and his wife DawnChere’ are committed to making church and faith fun as well as unexpected. With the entire family involved in the church, they are ready to share their innovative and thought-provoking ministering with both the believers and non-believers.
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“Finding My Father” (working title)
Produced by Asylum Entertainment with Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch and Stephanie Lydecker serving as Executive Producers.
These men and women who grew up without their fathers are now on a mission to find him and try to fill the void they’ve felt their whole lives. Each episode will follow two people as they search for the truth about their past with the help of a private investigator. As these people are at a crossroads in their life, they must decide if they want closure or to start the relationship they’ve always longed for.
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“Preachers of Detroit”
Produced by L. Plummer Media in association with Relevé Entertainment.
Oxygen is expanding the network’s popular franchise and heading to Motown for “Preachers of Detroit,” set to premiere winter 2015. The series will also focus on powerful themes of faith, family, and friendship as these seven men and women of the cloth share their lives, transformations and triumphs in and out of the pulpit in Detroit, Michigan. The prominent pastors include Bishop Charles Ellis, Pastor David Bullock, Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, Pastor Don Shelby, Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Bishop-Elect Clarence Langston, and Pastor Tim Alden.