CNBC Ramps Up Primetime

CNBC, the fastest-growing cable network among P25-54 in weekday prime, also revealed that the network has greenlit two new series joining the primetime line-up this summer: RESTAURANT KICKSTART (July) with restaurateur Joe Bastianich, and celebrity chef, Tim Love; and FILTHY RICH GUIDE (August). In addition, CNBC revealed three series in development: RESTAURANT CONFIDENTIAL: NEW YORK (working title), HARD MONEY (working title) and MORE MONEY MORE PROBLEMS (working title). The announcements were made today by Jim Ackerman, SVP, Primetime Alternative, CNBC.

THE PROFIT, airing Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT, follows serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis who saves struggling businesses while investing his own cash in the process. Last Tuesday’s episode (4/1/14) of THE PROFIT was the most-watched original series telecast ever for the network among P25-54 and total viewers.  Among P25-54, season two of THE PROFIT is up +115% from last year’s first season.  CNBC added eight additional episodes to season two for a total of 16 one-hour episodes. The additional episodes, which have yet to be shot, will air in October.  THE PROFIT is produced by Machete Productions with Amber Mazzola as executive producer.

The network also greenlit two new primetime series for its summer line-up: Premiering in July, RESTAURANT KICKSTART, from Shine America and Joe Bastianich, stars the restaurateur, wine expert and TV personality Bastianich and celebrity chef, Tim Love, two A-type personalities vying against each other to invest their own money in food concepts they believe will make them millions. FILTHY RICH GUIDE, from Leopard USA, part of the Argonon group, is a fun, fast-paced guide that catalogues the ways in which the .001 percent spend their money.  FILTHY RICH GUIDE premieres in August.

“It’s an exciting time for us in primetime. ‘The Profit’ is building a loyal fan base with viewers who want to be entertained but also want to get insights as to why businesses fail and how they can flourish,” said Ackerman.  “And our two new series, ‘Restaurant Kickstart’ and ‘Filthy Rich Guide’ are great additions to our line-up and reinforce what we have said all along, that money and business are great backdrops for storytelling.”

NEW SERIES GREENLIGHTS:

RESTAURANT KICKSTART is on a quest to discover, invest in and launch America’s next generation of epicurean superstars. Each week, two teams will make their case to our investors, Bastianich and Love, for a shot at launching a temporary version of their great concept for a restaurant or a specialty food shop ... be it a bakery, a cotton candy bar, a sausage shop. Under the watchful eye of restaurateur and culinary consultant, Waylynn Lucas, the chosen team has two days and $7,500 to launch a pop-up restaurant, or a store, or a product presentation, come up with a branding campaign and research and write-up a business plan.  Then we’ll open the doors and test the concept on the public. At the end of the process, our two investors will decide whether or not they will put their own money on the line to make someone’s dreams come true. And, if everything goes according to plan, make millions for the entrepreneurs and, even more importantly, for themselves!

RESTAURANT KICKSTART is produced for CNBC by Shine America and JB Crushed, LLC with James Bruce, Eden Gaha, Paul Franklin, Robin Feinberg and Joe Bastianich as executive producers.  

FILTHY RICH GUIDE is an insider look at a world where party never ends, the cash flow doesn't stop, and the hi-tech toys are the biggest and most expensive in the world. From secret worlds, to outrageous mansions, to private islands, it's the Filthy Rich Guide to the best that (a ridiculous amount of) money can buy.

FILTHY RICH GUIDE is produced by Leopard USA with Dave Hamilton and Dan Taberski as executive producers.

NEW PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT:

RESTAURANT CONFIDENTIAL: NEW YORK (working title) is a docu-series that follows the money and chronicles the struggles and triumphs of various restaurants in the ultra-competitive New York Food Scene.  The series dives into the New York restaurant world as hot and not so hot spots compete to survive and thrive while showcasing chefs, restaurateurs, investors and everyone in between as they work tirelessly to make a place for themselves in the culinary scene.  The pay-off takes place in the final minutes with real register tallies and hard facts that expose the truth of each business’ health.

RESTAURANT CONFIDENTIAL: NEW YORK (working title) is produced by All3Media America with Eli Holzman, Stephen Lambert and Aaron Saidman as executive producers.

HARD MONEY (working title) takes you inside the high-octane world of “hard money” lending. Sometimes referred to as legal loan sharks, hard money lenders have immediate access to immense sums of cash (think hundreds of millions of dollars) and are willing to lend it to borrowers who need money fast at very steep interest rates. As a commission-only based business, hard money lenders are constantly on the hunt for large, quick deals with legitimate collateral. The more deals they fund, the more they make.  It’s high risk, high reward, and every loan is a cat-and-mouse game that’s part PI-work and part high-stakes poker. Welcome to the world of HARD MONEY.

HARD MONEY (working title) is produced by Matador with Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin as executive producers.

MORE MONEY MORE PROBLEMS (working title) is a docu-series that uncovers the astonishing first-person stories of star athletes, CEO's, actors, musical artists and other one-time high net worth individuals who went from rags to riches… to rags.  These are stories that speak to the dangers of sudden wealth and track the dark side to success from the outrageous excess and the addictive spending to the money hungry entourage and the con artists who take advantage of the naïve and ignorant. 

MORE MONEY MORE PROBLEMS (working title) is produced by Rakontur with Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman as executive producers.