A&E Television Networks has announced a big programming push for this year, planning to spend $650 million across TV and new media in 2008, up $50 million from a year ago and up 30 percent compared with 2006. The network is even rolling out a new logo and branding Real Life. Drama. that will launch Memorial Day weekend.
A&E also said it will launch a second scripted series in early 2009; the top contenders are Danny Fricke, starring Connie Nielsen and The Beast, starring Patrick Swayze.
Swayze recently revealed a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and earlier this month his wife reported he was responding well to treatment at Stanford University Medical Center.
The Hollywood Reporter
