A+E Networks Inks Overall Production and First-Look Development Deal with Elizabeth Vargas

A+E Networks is partnering with award-winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas (20/20, ABC News) on an overall first-look development and production deal. The announcement was made today by Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP & Head of Programming, A&E Network. The centerpiece of the agreement will make Vargas the face of the network's new nonfiction primetime journalistic banner A&E Investigates(TM). Utilizing Vargas' deep background in investigative reporting, the collection of premium nonfiction series and specials will take an unfiltered look at the often unseen stories of people and events in our society, that although relatively unknown, have a profound impact on our culture.

In addition to her new role with A&E Investigates, Vargas will collaborate with A+E Networks to develop and produce new nonfiction programming through the newly launched nonfiction content development company, A+E Originals(TM). A+E Originals develops premium nonfiction and documentary content for distribution across the A+E portfolio, including A&E Network, Lifetime, HISTORY, LMN and FYI. The initiative was spearheaded by Paul Buccieri, President, A+E Networks Portfolio Group & A+E Studios. This is the second overall deal for A+E Originals, after the previously announced pact with Leah Remini.

"This is the exact challenge I was looking for in the next chapter of my career," said Vargas. "I'm grateful to Paul and Elaine for presenting me this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Elizabeth is a brave storyteller and one of the most trusted journalists who is an expert at bringing audiences closer to the heart of stories that have never been told in order to reveal genuine moments of truth," said Frontain Bryant. "Her honest and authentic brand is the perfect fit for our audience that always seeks the truth and we are fortunate that she chose A+E Networks as her new home."

Initial projects under the A&E Investigates umbrella are:

"Cults and Extreme Belief" - 9x60min series - Two Night Premiere - Monday, May 28 and Tuesday, May 29 at 10pm ET/PT

Elizabeth Vargas, alongside former members of controversial organizations, goes on a search to uncover how these sects use their influence to prey upon people's desperation to create powerful and often destructive belief systems. Each episode will take an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and get perspective from believers and leaders that are still inside.

In the premiere episode, Vargas examines NXIVM, an organization that sells "self-help" seminars that they claim give people the tools they need to get their lives together and allow them to make a difference in the world. However, the group led by Keith Raniere, referred to by followers as Vanguard, stands accused of drawing supporters down a path of destruction that includes near-starvation diets, sexual assault, forced branding, pseudo-slavery, and blackmail. Luring in many high profile Hollywood actresses to evangelize for his cause over its 20 year in operation, Raniere was recently arrested in Mexico and charged with sex trafficking among other crimes. Former members of NXIVM share harrowing experiences of manipulation and sexual violation, including Sarah Edmundson who sits down with Vargas to share new details of her ordeal inside the organization which first broke in the New York Times late last year.

The series is produced for A&E by The Intellectual Property Corporation. Eli Holzman & Aaron Saidman executive produce for IPC along with executive producer/showrunner Alex Weresow and executive producer Rachelle Mendez. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Amy Savitsky and Evan Lerner serve as executive producers for A&E Network.

"The Plot Against America" - 1x120min special - premieres Monday, June 4 at 8pm ET/PT

Beginning in 2001, a shift in counter-intelligence spending meant that the United States took its eye off the spy game while Russia continued to dedicate vast resources to developing their army of spies. This two-hour documentary investigates BEYOND THE HEADLINES and goes into the heart of our country to ask the question, is America safe? Retired FBI Special Agent Dennis Franks tracks down enemy "sleepers" who have been strategically placed throughout America, and builds a case to expose them.

The series is produced for A&E by Hot Snakes Media with Eric Evangelista, Shannon Evangelista, David Doss and Dennis Franks serving as executive producers. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Amy Savitsky, Sean Gottlieb and David Doss serve as executive producers for A&E Network.

"The Untitled Word of Faith Fellowship Project (w.t.)" - 6x60min series - premieres summer 2018

This docuseries follows the decades-long controversy surrounding the Word of Faith Fellowship Church in Spindle, North Carolina. This secretive church, led by 77-year-old Jane Whaley, continues to hold extreme power over its congregation and is riddled with allegations of mental and physical abuse and fraud. Elizabeth Vargas takes a look at the harrowing details of the past, as well as the present actions of the Church and examines the plight of former members who are fighting to get their families out.

The series is produced for A&E by Collins Avenue. Jeff Collins, Lindsay Schwartz, Michael Hammond and Francis Gasparini serve as executive producers for Collins Avenue. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Amy Savitsky, Marcie Hume and David Doss serve as executive producers for A&E Network.

"Child Brides (w.t.)" - 1x120min special - premieres fall 2018

In America, a shocking number of young girls are forced into marriages against their will, a practice that is entirely legal with parental consent. Many believe this ONLY HAPPENS IN developing countries, but in the past 15 years, over 200,000 underage children have been forced into marriage in the US. This in-depth two-hour special reveals the heart-wrenching stories of child marriage victims, who against all odds, escaped the most dire of circumstances. These brave survivors tackle this TABOO issue in their personal lives and help to shine a light on the national epidemic with the hope that no child will ever have to be a victim again.

The special is produced for A&E Network by Sirens Media. Executive producers for Sirens Media are Jessica Sebastian-Dayeh and Jordana Hochman. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Amy Savitsky and Molly Ebinger serve as executive producers for A&E Network.

A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for all projects under the "A&E Investigates" banner.

About Elizabeth Vargas

Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting in-depth investigations, and conducting newsmaker interviews. She most recently co-hosted the hit newsmagazine show "20/20" and previously served as co-anchor of "World News Tonight," anchor of "World News Tonight Sunday," news anchor and frequent co-host on "Good Morning America," correspondent for "20/20" and "Primetime Thursday," and was the co-anchor of "Primetime Monday." Her story on the hero NICU nurses of Hurricane Sandy was part of the ABC News' Peabody Award winning coverage. She joined ABC News from NBC News, where she was a correspondent and anchor, primarily for "Dateline NBC" and "Today." Also at NBC, she served as a correspondent for the newsmagazine "Now With Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric" as well as substitute anchor for the weekend editions of "NBC Nightly News." Vargas graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., where she began her broadcasting career as a reporter/anchor for KOMU-TV, and is the author of "Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction" released in 2016.

About A+E Networks

A+E Networks(R) is an award-winning, global media content company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from linear channels to websites, gaming, watch apps and educational software. A+E Networks is comprised of A&E(R), Lifetime(R), HISTORY(R), H2(R), Lifetime Movies, FYI(TM), VICELAND(R) and Blaze(TM) as well as its own long-form production division A+E Studios(TM); film division, A&E IndieFilms(R); A+E Networks Digital(R); digital storytelling hub, 45th & Dean(TM); strategic investment division, A+E Ventures(TM); and A+E Networks Consumer Products(TM). A+E Networks' channels and branded programming reach more than 335 million households in over 200 territories in 42 languages. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aenetworks and Facebook at facebook.com/AENetworks

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