TLC Premieres Ted Haggard Special 'Scandalous' 1/16

Five years ago, Ted Haggard was on top of the world. He was the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. He led 30 million Christian conservatives spread over 45,000 churches. And his organization had massive political influence, reaching all the way to the White House. Then an international scandal broke out: he was caught having a shocking sexual encounter with a male prostitute over a lengthy period of time. Pastor Haggard also revealed he had been using crystal meth. His world was turned upside down when the male prostitute went public with the secret life Haggard had been leading the controversy forced Haggard to leave his powerful position at the NAE. He, his wife Gayle (author of best-selling book "Why I Stayed") and their five children were exiled from their hometown of Colorado Springs. For the past four years Haggard and his family have been desperately trying to rebuild their lives.

Now, for the first time, TLC is going inside their new world in TED HAGGARD: SCANDALOUS. In the biggest challenge of their lives and against all odds Ted and his family are launching a new ministry unlike any other church ever seen. The eye-opening special will the expose and follow the fascinating, compelling, emotional and controversial journey from the day Haggard announced the opening of his new ministry - St. James Church - located in Colorado Springs, the town he had been kicked out of once his double life was uncovered. This riveting one-hour special premieres Sunday, January 16 at 10/9c.

"My family and I endured the darkest hours imaginable in the public spotlight, and have spent the last four years fighting and struggling to rebuild our lives, our faith and our family," says Haggard. "Showing the world the new chapter of our lives will hopefully inspire others to find their own path to overcome their struggles and embrace the power of acceptance. The church is open to all, even those who have committed the darkest sins."

The scandal made front-page headlines around the world and turned Ted Haggard into a pariah and a national punch line, leaving him broke, humiliated, and ex-communicated from his church. Years later, he hopes that creating St. James Church with a focus on helping people in need from all walks of life, will help not only in their redemption.... But the big question is, will Haggard and his family find redemption as well?

TED HAGGARD: SCANDALOUS is produced for TLC by RelativityREAL, LLC.

About TLC

TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include favorites Kate Plus 8, Little People, Big World, What Not to Wear, 19 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, and LA Ink. TLC added to its menu of programming with Cake Boss and continues to expand into the food genre. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story. The channel is available in more than 99 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.

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