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Oxygen is in business with Wendy Williams

By April MacIntyre Feb 5, 2013, 17:26 GMT

Wendy Williams - © Marco Sagliocco / PR Photos

Oxygen is in business with Wendy Williams.

After reinforcing its position as the youngest women’s network and #1 women’s cable network on Monday prime for all key demos in 2012, Oxygen Media announces today a 20 percent increase in original programming with the expansion of its original schedule from two to three nights a week.

In addition, the network announced an exclusive first-look development deal with talk show host Wendy Williams, who will bring her creative concepts to Oxygen.

From Oxygen

The network will expand its aggressive slate with a new development project, “Secret Celebrity,” featuring the hottest celebrities in disguise who surprise unsuspecting fans, friends and family, as well as a new pilot titled “This Week The Award Goes To…,” a comedic talk show that doles out over-the-top awards to the most deserving newsmakers in pop culture. Oxygen’s robust 2013 lineup includes returning series “I’m Having Their Baby,” the network’s highest rated new series of 2012, and the popular tattoo competition series “Best Ink,” with new host Pete Wentz.

The modeling competition series “The Face,” starring celebrity supermodels Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Coco Rocha and famed photographer Nigel Barker, premieres on February 12 at 9pm ET/PT.

The announcements were made today as the network celebrates its upfront event this evening at New York City’s Marquee.

Jason Klarman, President of Oxygen Media commented, “We have become a destination for young women on all the platforms they love. Their social chatter and ravenous appetite for our ‘live out loud’ content is driving our success with viewers and advertisers.”

As part of her development deal, Wendy Williams and her production company, Wendy Williams Productions will find, develop and produce original programming. In addition to this strategic partnership, Williams will serve as an executive producer on Oxygen’s new development project, “Secret Celebrity,” in addition to appearing as a guest judge on an episode of “The Face.”

“If advertisers are looking to reach an audience of young, socially-savvy women who have both purchasing power and the ability to influence purchase decisions, then Oxygen is the place to be,” said Susan Malfa, SVP, Ad Sales for Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, Style Media and Women At NBCU.

“We also look forward to partnering with clients on custom integrated sponsorships, across all platforms, to create an even deeper engagement with this highly-desirable audience.” of them without the distraction of their famous personas.

NEW PILOT: “This Week The Award Goes To…” (working title)

This self-contained half-hour pilot will offer viewers a front row ticket to an over-the-top laugh-out-loud pop culture show with a comedian host to be named soon. Visited by a revolving door of characters and correspondents, the most deserving newsmakers will be honored with the kind of award that only this out-of-the-box series can bestow. Whether it's an award for "Most Eccentric Breakdown” or “Craziest Viral Video,” statuettes highlight the most unbelievable, ridiculous, and eye-popping moments in entertainment.

Throughout the show, we will present clips and highlights from the worlds of television, online and celebrity gossip with a healthy mix of irony and genuine fan-girl zeal. A weekly “In Memoriam” sketch is sure to bring tears…of laughter. Produced by JimCo with Jim Biederman, Marla Ratner, Gabe Liedman and Kara Welker serving as Executive Producers. Source: Nielsen Media Research 12/26/11-12/30/12.