NBC stations relaunching iVillage show

Cory Bergman September 4th, 2007

The interactive daytime show that was once iVillage Live is now In the Loop with iVillage with a new look, new hosts, a new studio (at WMAQ) and an “edgier and more cosmopolitan view” to the show. “While adding a new relevance but keeping the same ‘iVillage’ spirit, our focus will be on making this a show women will not want to miss,” said Sharon Scott, Senior Vice President of Peacock Productions. It premieres September 17th on NBC’s owned-and-operated stations.

Press release with many more details follows below…

NEW YORK—September 4, 2007—NBC Universal Television Stations and iVillage today announced the launch of “In the Loop with iVillage,” a new live interactive daytime program focusing on relevant and entertaining topics for today’s modern woman. Formerly “iVillage Live,” the talk show will debut on Monday, Sept. 17 on the NBC owned-and-operated stations, airing daily at noon/ET (11 a.m./CT and rebroadcast at noon/PT on the west coast).

“In the Loop” will have a new look, feel and focus and feature a trio of well-known and engaging personalities. Actress and comedian Kim Coles, season one “The Apprentice” winner Bill Rancic and TV personality Ereka Vetrini will serve as the new hosts, lending an edgier and more cosmopolitan view to the show, which will broadcast live daily in front of a studio audience at WMAQ, NBC Universal’s owned-station in Chicago. “In the Loop with iVillage” will be produced in-house by NBC’s Peacock Productions, under the direction of Peacock Productions’ Senior Vice President Sharon Scott and Executive Producer Marlaine Selip.

“We’re thrilled to be such an important part of a show that supports and celebrates women in their daily lives,” said Deborah Fine, President, NBC Universal’s iVillage Properties. “‘In the Loop’ brings our robust, vibrant online community to women across the nation who can now join the iVillage conversation on another platform.”

“We believe in the concept of an interactive daytime show, and we’re excited to bring that idea back for a second season,” said John Wallace, President, NBC Owned-and-Operated Television Stations. “We’re equally excited to have Peacock Productions on our team for ‘In the Loop with iVillage.’ Their depth and expertise combined with the new location, hosts and direction of the program will result in a better value for our clients, a better program for the stations and a better experience for our viewers and online users.”

“In the Loop with iVillage” will draw upon the extensive power of iVillage, the first and largest online community for women, to get to the heart of the topics women most want to hear and learn about. A variety of iVillage contributors will make regular appearances on the show to join in the discussion of subjects ranging from the latest entertainment news and current events, to fashion and lifestyle, to parenting and pregnancy and health and well-being. “In the Loop with iVillage” will also have an extensive interactive component, allowing viewers to chat live, vote in polls, and delve deeper into subjects covered on that day’s program. The show will continue to work with sponsors to offer relevant and seamless branded integration opportunities with the ultimate goal of driving viewers online for additional details about the showcased products.

“While adding a new relevance but keeping the same ‘iVillage’ spirit, our focus will be on making this a show women will not want to miss,” said Sharon Scott, Senior Vice President of Peacock Productions.

The diverse group of hosts brings a unique and modern voice to the show. In addition to her starring role as Synclaire James-Jones on “Living Single,” Coles has appeared on numerous hit television programs including “Frasier,” “Six Feet Under” and “In Living Color.” Rancic, known to millions of people nationwide as the season one winner of “The Apprentice,” joins “In the Loop” having previously worked for real estate mogul Donald Trump and authored two books on the value of money and succeeding in business. Former “Apprentice” contestant Vetrini joins “In the Loop with iVillage” having most recently served as host of “Kidspace” on HGTV and sidekick for “The Tony Danza Show.” (For bios and photos of “In the Loop with iVillage” hosts, please visit www.nbcumv.com.)

Emmy award winning producer Marlaine Selip will serve as executive producer of “In the Loop.” She brings an extensive background in production to the show, having worked on some of the industry’s most well-known daytime programs including “Donahue,” where she served as a producer from 1982 to 1990. In addition, Selip has served as producer for several long-form specials including “The Donahue 20th Anniversary Special” and the NBC Primetime program “Shattered Glory: the Nancy Kerrigan/Tanya Harding Story.”

Peacock Productions, NBC’s network-owned nonfiction production company, draws upon the expertise, resources and talent of “Dateline NBC,” NBC News Productions, NBC Media Productions and the digital unit NBC Next Media. Peacock Productions currently produces numerous programs for broadcast, cable, syndication, digital and schools.