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A&E is: Real Life. Drama. It's the premiere destination for unscripted programs that are authentic and relatable and for scripted dramas that are emotional and immersive—all entertaining stories that ignite, inspire and invite people in. With eight consecutive years of growth, A&E garnered the best annual audience delivery in network history in 2011. A&E's success is fueled by a strong schedule of 85 percent original programming, on track to be 100 percent original by 2013. A powerful media brand, A&E is the highest-ranked cable network for variety TV programming, according to the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend survey.
A&E's original drama slate continues to grow. This summer A&E's newest original drama series, "Longmire," premieres, starring Robert Taylor as the unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. New projects in development include "Norman," (working title) a prequel to "Psycho," which will give viewers an intimate understanding of how Norman Bates' psyche developed from childhood.
A&E's nonfiction slate continues to dominate. More
than a dozen franchise hits return this year, led by one
of the most popular series on television, "Storage Wars."
Building on this success, the network debuted new hits
"Storage Wars Texas" and "Shipping Wars" in 2011, followed
by the introduction in March of the new buzzworthy
series "Duck Dynasty." This season, A&E launches
several new unscripted series, with more projects in development,
including "Teamsters" from Executive Producer
Mark Wahlberg. These are just a few of the exciting projects
in store for
2012-13 on A&E.
HIGHLIGHTS
ORIGINAL DRAMA
The Glades: The original drama series that garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first two seasons comes back to heat up another summer on A&E. Matt Passmore stars as Jim Longworth, an attractive, brilliant, yet hard-to-get-along-with homicide detective from Chicago who has relocated to a sleepy, small resort town in the middle of Florida where the sunshine and golf are plentiful and crime is seemingly at a minimum. Yet life in the Glades is not as beautiful as it may seem.
Longmire: Premiering in June, this new original drama series is based on the Walt Longmire mystery novels by best-selling author Craig Johnson. Robert Taylor ("The Matrix") stars as Walt Longmire, the charismatic, dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Widowed only a year, Longmire buries his pain behind a brave face, unassuming grin and dry wit. But he remains steadfast in his dedication to the community and, at the urging of his daughter and with the support of friends and colleagues, he sets out to rebuild both his personal and professional lives one step at a time. Also starring are Katee Sackhoff ("Battlestar Galactica"), Lou Diamond Phillips ("Numb3rs"), Bailey Chase ("Damages") and Cassidy Freeman ("Smallville").
RETURNING NONFICTION FRANCHISES
"Storage Wars," "Storage Wars Texas," "Duck Dynasty," "Shipping Wars," "American Hoggers," "Billy the Exterminator," "Beyond Scared Straight," "Intervention," "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "The First 48," "Parking Wars," "Hoarders," "Monster In-Laws"
NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES
Barter Kings: A&E takes viewers inside the thriving subculture of entrepreneurs who know how to get what they want without spending a dime. When cash is off limits, it takes a ton of strategy, charisma and all-out manipulation to close these deals.
Be the Boss: From the producers of "Undercover Boss" comes a new series in which deserving front-line employees at our most familiar chains will be given the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to win a franchise of their very own, to claim their own destiny and achieve the American Dream.
Cajun Justice: This new original real-life series follows the detectives and deputies of the Terrebonne Parish, La., sheriff's office in a world where the sheriff rules like a king, voodoo is a common practice and no police call is routine.
Source: Nielsen Co. L+SD (000), except data prior to 12/26/05, which is based on Live; Prime: M-Su 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Best yearly delivery: 1994-2011 (12/27/93-12/25/11; Time Period Data). Longest growth streak in cable on record, 2003-2011 (12/30/02-12/25/11). Quarterly averages 1Q94-1Q12 (12/27/93-3/25/12). Rank among ad-supported cable networks (that run programming in 50+% hours of prime time) in 1Q12 (12/26/11-3/25/12). % original vs. acquired programming 2011 (12/27/10-12/25/11); excludes sports, award shows and other specials. Additional clarification upon request. Competition=USA, TNT, TBS and FX.