Lionsgate's Hit Series 'WILDFIRE' Receives Third Season Pickup From ABC Family

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate's hit series WILDFIRE, ABC Family's highest rated original drama, has received a third season pickup order from ABC Family, it was announced by Paul Lee, President of ABC Family, and Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate President of Television Programming and Production. A total of 13 one-hour episodes will be produced for the new season with production set to begin this summer in New Mexico.

Produced by Lionsgate , the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, in association with Piller2 and The Segan Company, the compelling drama is set in the world of horse racing and centers on the struggles of Kris Farillo, played by rising young star Genevieve Cortese, to turn her life around. The series also stars Greg Serano ("Kingpin"), Nana Visitor ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"), Micah Alberti ("All My Children"), Andrew Hoeft, James Read, Ryan Sypek and Nicole Tubiola.

"We're delighted by the third season pickup of WILDFIRE, which we see as one of the staples of our prime time lineup of programming," said Beggs. "It is another example of our ability to generate quality programming with enduring appeal targeted to the specific needs of cable networks." Beggs also noted that the New Mexico production locale is consistent with Lionsgate's strategy of creating cost-effective programming in locations such as New Mexico, Louisiana and Canada, which provide tax incentives and production subsidies to help cover production costs.

"We are thrilled to be renewing WILDFIRE," said Lee. "The show has done tremendously well for us, drawing in key demos and establishing ABC Family as a home for quality dramas."

During its second season, WILDFIRE increased its ratings by double digits in key demos compared to the previous year. The series increased 50% in HH rating (1.2 vs. 0.8), 51% in total viewers (1.575 million vs. 1.041 million), 25% with Adults 18-34 (0.5 vs. 0.4) and 55% with teens 12-17 (1.7 vs. 1.1).

WILDFIRE will return for season three with more secrets, seductions and suspense. Kris is now a local celebrity since riding Wildfire, but even her new-found fame can't keep her from thinking about Junior. She also has the support of the Ritter family, but realizes it takes a lot of work to maintain that trust, and one wrong move can cause her world to turn upside down.

The series' stellar and seasoned production team is headed by executive producers Lloyd Segan ("The Dead Zone," "The Bachelor," "Boondock Saints," "Bones"), Shawn Piller ("The Dead Zone," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Voyager") and Marjorie David ("Dark Angel," "Chicago Hope").

In addition to "WILDFIRE," Lionsgate's current roster of five prime time series on four different networks includes the acclaimed Showtime comedy "WEEDS," starring Golden Globe(R) winner Mary-Louise Parker, which kicks off its second season this summer; USA Network's hit drama "The Dead Zone," starring Anthony Michael Hall, which has accumulated 67 episodes in four seasons; Lifetime Television's popular crime series "Missing," starring Vivica A. Fox, in its third season; and Lifetime's new comedy series "Lovespring," which will debut in June. Current pilots include the untitled Kevin Williamson ("Dawson's Creek") project for UPN, "The Dresden Files" for SCI FI Channel and the reality series "I Pity the Fool" for TV Land. In addition, the company is developing a series with FX based on Lionsgate's Best Picture Oscar(R)-winning feature film "CRASH."

Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio. Fresh off the number one box office hits MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION, HOSTEL and SAW II and the Best Picture Academy Award(R)-winning CRASH, Lionsgate is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 5,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and is a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.

Distributed in over 89 million homes, ABC Family features original movies, series and specials. Storytelling about today's relationships -- with all of their diversity, dysfunction, humor and passion.

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